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Month: February 2025

B2B Marketeer

Exploring the Impact of Gen AI on B2B Marketing at ObserveNow’s 18th Edition of Marketeer ThinkTank

ObserveNow Media February 6, 2025

ObserveNow Media hosted the 18th Chapter of its LinkedIn Live Series ThinkTank on January 30, 2025, delving into the theme, “Role of Gen AI in B2B Marketing.” Moderated by Taniya Tikoo, Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief of ObserveNow Media, the session featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Ashish Shah, Partner & Google Workspace Marketing at Google Cloud; Kuldeep Sehrawat, Head of Ecosystem Alliances & Partner at IBM; Subhasis Chatterjee, Marketing Director at SAP; and Shreyas Mehrotra, AVP & Marketing Head at Airtel Business.

Taniya Tikoo opened the session by highlighting the forum’s evolution and the significant market intelligence generated over its 18 chapters. She set the tone by posing critical questions on how Generative AI (Gen AI) is revolutionizing content design, driving hyper-personalization, enhancing B2B sales enablement, and addressing ethical considerations.

Shreyas Mehrotra of Airtel Business kickstarted the discussion, emphasizing that while AI has been around for decades, Gen AI’s prominence surged in the past two years due to its ability to solve clear customer problems. “Gen AI has significantly reduced time-to-market and improved the productivity of our marketing teams. It’s not just about writing a prompt; there’s a process involved,” Mehrotra noted. He elaborated on Airtel’s three-step process: crafting precise prompts, humanizing and contextualizing AI-generated content, and optimizing it for SEO. This approach enabled Airtel to create 180 web pages in under two months, boosting both efficiency and customer engagement.

Ashish Shah from Google Cloud underscored the transformative power of Gen AI in data-driven marketing strategies. “Gen AI allows us to harness vast datasets to deliver personalized content at scale. It’s not just about automation; it’s about creating meaningful customer experiences,” Shah remarked. He stressed the importance of balancing automation with human oversight to maintain authenticity and relevance.

Kuldeep Sehrawat of IBM shared insights on the ethical implications of Gen AI in B2B marketing. “While Gen AI offers unprecedented capabilities, ethical considerations around data privacy, bias, and transparency are paramount. Organizations must establish clear guidelines to ensure responsible AI usage,” Sehrawat advised. He highlighted IBM’s commitment to ethical AI practices, integrating robust governance frameworks to mitigate risks.

Subhasis Chatterjee from SAP highlighted Gen AI’s role in enhancing customer journeys. “Gen AI enables us to predict customer behavior, tailor marketing campaigns, and optimize resource allocation. It’s a game-changer for customer engagement and loyalty,” Chatterjee stated. He also emphasized the need for continuous learning and adaptation, as AI technologies evolve rapidly.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where the panelists addressed audience queries on LinkedIn. Taniya Tikoo wrapped up the discussion, expressing gratitude to the speakers and attendees. “Today’s conversation has been a testament to the dynamic role Gen AI plays in shaping the future of B2B marketing. It’s not just a tool; it’s a catalyst for innovation and growth,” she concluded.

The 18th Chapter of the ThinkTank series reaffirmed ObserveNow Media’s commitment to fostering insightful dialogues, bridging industry leaders, and exploring transformative trends in the B2B landscape.

Tags: Gen AIThinkTank

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Digital Native

Tata Play Partners with Salesforce to Revolutionize AI-Powered Customer Experience

ObserveNow Media February 5, 2025

Tata Play has announced a strategic partnership with Salesforce to enhance customer experience through AI-driven solutions. The collaboration aims to unify customer data and personalize content recommendations across Tata Play’s Direct-to-Home (DTH) and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, offering a seamless and tailored viewing experience.

With Salesforce’s AI-powered solutions, Tata Play intends to refine customer engagement by analyzing viewership patterns, user interactions, and subscription details. The integration of Salesforce Data Cloud, Marketing and Personalization tools, and Tableau will enable Tata Play to offer targeted recommendations, optimize marketing campaigns, and enhance cross-selling opportunities. By leveraging AI and data analytics, the company aims to provide personalized experiences while ensuring user preferences remain uninterrupted.

Harit Nagpal, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Play, underscored the significance of AI in transforming customer engagement. “AI and data analytics allow us to create hyper-personalized experiences without disrupting user preferences,” he said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

Salesforce continues to expand its AI-driven customer engagement tools across various industries, including the media sector. Its AI-powered solutions, such as Agentforce, leverage automation to streamline business operations and drive efficiencies. Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson & CEO of Salesforce India, highlighted the impact of this partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with Tata Play will set a benchmark for AI-driven personalization in the media industry.”

Tata Play’s adoption of AI aligns with its broader digital transformation strategy. By integrating Salesforce’s advanced AI and analytics tools, the company seeks to refine content delivery, improve customer retention rates, and elevate user satisfaction in an increasingly competitive streaming and DTH landscape.

Tags: SalesforceTata Play

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Digital Native

Venture Funding Surges to $1.76 Billion in January 2025, Marking Strong Start for Indian Startups

ObserveNow Media

Indian startups kicked off 2025 with a bang, securing a remarkable $1.76 billion in venture funding in January, surpassing the total funding raised in the previous six months. Growth and late-stage startups took the lion’s share of the funding, accounting for $1.5 billion, while early-stage ventures also saw robust backing, contributing $261.26 million.

The data, compiled by TheKredible, highlights the diverse range of sectors and cities benefiting from this surge. The major acquisitions of D2C brand Minimalist by Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and SaaS firm Wingify by Everstone further underscored the growing success of Indian founders creating impactful products for both domestic and global markets.

January’s funding saw AI-driven data analytics platform Impetus Technologies leading the charge with $350 million, followed by healthtech firm Innovaccer, which raised $275 million. Other significant deals included Infra.Market with $125 million, Aragen with $100 million, and Netradyne securing $90 million.

In the early-stage sector, B2B SaaS company Atomicwork stood out with the highest funding of $25 million, while senior healthcare startup Geri Care Health Services raised $13 million. Other early-stage ventures also attracted attention, including MicroMitti, Sarla Aviation, and Astrome Technologies.

Additionally, January saw record-breaking mergers and acquisitions, including the $350 million acquisition of Minimalist and Wingify’s $200 million deal. Other notable acquisitions included Milk Mantra by Hatsun Agro and Axio’s impending purchase by Amazon.

City-wise, Delhi-NCR led the charge with $525.67 million across 33 deals, while Bengaluru and Mumbai followed closely behind. In terms of sectors, Healthtech, AI, and Proptech were the top-funded areas, with notable investments in SaaS, Fintech, and E-commerce. Seed funding led in deal volume, with Series D securing the most funding amounting to $441 million.

January 2025 marks a promising start for the Indian startup ecosystem, signaling significant growth and investment across various stages and sectors.

Tags: Indian StartupsVenture

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Digital Native

Ministry of Textiles Approves Grants for Startups, Educational Institutes, and Skill Development in Technical Textiles

ObserveNow Media

Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Neelam Shami Rao, chaired the 10th Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) meeting under the National Technical Textiles Mission at Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi, on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the committee approved grants for four startups under the ‘Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)’ scheme, with each startup receiving approximately ₹50 lakh. These startups are focused on key sectors including medical, industrial, and protective textiles, according to an official release.

In addition, a grant of approximately ₹6.5 crore was approved for three educational institutes, including IIT Indore and NIT Patna, to introduce specialized courses in Technical Textiles. The courses will cover areas such as Geotextiles, Geosynthetics, Protective Textiles, and Sports Textiles.

The committee also greenlit 12 skill development courses, developed by textile research associations SITRA, NITRA, and SASMIRA. These courses aim to train professionals in sectors like medical textiles, protective textiles, mobile textiles, and agriculture textiles, addressing all focus groups within the technical textiles value chain.

Tags: Ministry of TextilesNeelam Shami Raostartups

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BFSI

HDFC Bank Launches Initiative to Support Social Impact Startups with Grants of Up to ₹50 Lakh

ObserveNow Media

HDFC Bank has launched a new initiative to support startups addressing critical social challenges in areas like AI for social good, climate innovation, financial inclusion, agriculture, and sustainable rural development. Additional focus areas include education, livelihood enhancement, and promoting gender diversity and inclusion. Selected startups will receive grants of up to ₹50 lakh.

The bank has partnered with 15 leading incubators and accelerators, including IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad Ventures, Villgro, and ICAR Pusa Krishi, to identify impactful social ventures across India. These institutions will help invite applications from entrepreneurs working on solutions with a significant social impact.

The program will culminate in a series of “Demo Day” events, where funded startups will have the opportunity to showcase their work to investors, corporates, and the media, enhancing their visibility and access to funding opportunities. Startups selected will represent regions including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and the northeastern states.

Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director at HDFC Bank, reiterated the bank’s commitment to fostering innovation to address pressing societal needs, while Arup Rakshit, Group Head of Treasury, emphasized the importance of incubator partnerships in building a robust startup ecosystem. Since 2017, HDFC Bank’s Parivartan initiative has supported over 400 startups through more than 120 incubators. This new round of grants is part of the bank’s ongoing effort to promote social entrepreneurship and drive sustainable impact.

Tags: HDFC Bank

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Education

IIM Sambalpur Pioneers AI Integration in Classrooms, Redefining Management Education

ObserveNow Media

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has become the first IIM to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) as faculty in its classrooms. This announcement was made during the institute’s 10th Foundation Day celebrations, marking a decade of innovation and excellence in management education.

The introduction of AI in classrooms is set to revolutionize the educational experience at IIM Sambalpur. According to Professor Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, AI will play a significant role in reshaping the learning environment by shifting the role of teachers from traditional teaching to creating and facilitating dynamic learning experiences.

AI will provide personalized learning experiences, adapting to the needs and pace of each student. Additionally, AI-driven tools will facilitate interactive and engaging classroom sessions, making learning more effective and enjoyable. By leveraging data-driven insights into student performance, AI will enable educators to tailor their teaching strategies for better outcomes.

IIM Sambalpur has also announced several future initiatives to further its commitment to innovation and excellence. Among these is the Women’s Empowerment Summit, scheduled for February 2025, which aims to promote gender equality and empower women in various fields. The Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp, launched during the Foundation Day celebrations, will foster entrepreneurial skills among students. Furthermore, the institute plans to establish three Centers of Excellence to focus on cutting-edge research and international collaborations.

The integration of AI as faculty is expected to have a profound impact on students by offering customized learning paths that cater to individual student needs. AI will make classroom sessions more interactive and engaging, thereby enhancing student participation and interest. Additionally, data-driven insights will help educators identify areas for improvement and tailor their teaching methods accordingly.

IIM Sambalpur’s initiative to introduce AI as faculty in classrooms is a pioneering step in the field of management education. By leveraging the power of AI, the institute aims to create a more dynamic, personalized, and effective learning environment for its students. As IIM Sambalpur continues to innovate and expand its horizons, it sets a new benchmark for educational excellence in India.

Tags: artificial intelligenceIIM Sambalpur

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BFSI

LIC Receives ₹101.95 Crore GST Demand Notice for 2017-22, Says No Major Impact on Operations

ObserveNow Media

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced on Tuesday that it has received a demand notice from tax authorities for approximately ₹101.95 crore. The notice pertains to a shortfall in Goods and Services Tax (GST) payments over five financial years, spanning from 2017-18 to 2021-22. The demand includes GST dues, along with interest and penalties, and covers multiple states where LIC operates.

In its regulatory filing, LIC stated that the notice involves financial liabilities related to the GST payments but clarified that it can be challenged before the Commissioner (Appeals) in Thane. This gives the corporation an opportunity to contest the demand. Despite the significant amount in question, LIC assured stakeholders that this issue would not have a major impact on its overall financial health or business operations.

LIC further emphasized that the demand would not disrupt its ongoing activities or strategic plans. While acknowledging the financial liabilities involved, the corporation assured that the matter is being addressed, and its business operations will continue as usual without substantial adverse effects.

Tags: Life Insurance Corporation of India

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BFSI

Paytm Invests $1 Million to Acquire 25% Stake in Brazilian Startup Dinie

ObserveNow Media

Paytm’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Paytm Cloud Technologies Limited (PCTL), has announced a $1 million (Rs 8.7 crore) investment to acquire a 25% stake in Seven Technology LLC, the parent company of Brazilian embedded finance startup Dinie. The deal, disclosed in a regulatory filing, is expected to conclude within the next 45 days.

This acquisition is part of Paytm’s larger strategy to expand its merchant payments and financial services business internationally, focusing on emerging fintech markets. Following the deal, Seven Technology and Dinie will become associate entities of Paytm’s parent company, One97 Communications. Paytm views the investment as an opportunity to better understand Brazil’s merchant business environment and explore potential growth prospects in the region.

Although Seven Technology itself doesn’t operate independently, Dinie has seen a significant decline in revenues in recent years, with earnings falling from BRL 4.01 million (Rs 6.11 crore) in 2022 to BRL 357,920 (Rs 0.56 crore) in 2024. Despite these challenges, Paytm is optimistic about the fintech potential in Brazil.

This move aligns with Paytm’s recent efforts to expand globally. During its Q3 FY25 earnings call in January 2025, the company revealed plans to establish operations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore to strengthen its merchant payments and financial services offerings.

Simultaneously, Paytm is restructuring its global operations by cutting ties with subsidiaries associated with its legacy One97 Communications business, which primarily provided marketing services for telecom operators in various regions. These subsidiaries no longer align with Paytm’s core focus on merchant payments.

Tags: DiniePAYTM

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Cybersecurity

Australia Bans Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek from Government Devices Over Security Concerns

ObserveNow Media

Australia has taken a firm stance against DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, by banning its products from all government devices due to security concerns. On Tuesday, the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs issued a mandatory directive, instructing all government entities to “prevent the use or installation of DeepSeek products, applications and web services and where found remove all existing instances of DeepSeek products, applications and web services from all Australian Government systems and devices,” the statement read.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained that the decision was made because DeepSeek posed an “unacceptable risk” to government technology. “The immediate ban is to protect Australia’s national security and national interest,” he stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive information.

Notably, the ban does not extend to private citizens’ devices, focusing solely on government systems. The ban follows a wave of international scrutiny against DeepSeek, a company that has raised eyebrows since its launch last month. The startup’s offering, priced much lower than competing AI models and requiring less sophisticated hardware, has prompted questions regarding the West’s substantial investments in chipmakers and data centres.

Australia’s move aligns with similar actions taken by other nations. Italy has already imposed a ban, and Taiwan also restricted government departments from using DeepSeek earlier this week. The global response reflects growing concerns over national security, with countries across Europe and beyond assessing the potential risks posed by the AI firm.

Australia’s action against DeepSeek comes on the heels of a previous decision by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government to ban the Chinese social media app TikTok two years ago due to security risks. As governments worldwide grapple with the evolving influence of foreign technology, the DeepSeek ban marks another chapter in the growing discourse surrounding data privacy and national security.

Tags: DeepSeek

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Cybersecurity

Sophos Completes Acquisition of Secureworks to Strengthen Cybersecurity Offerings

ObserveNow Media

Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity, has completed the acquisition of Secureworks® (NASDAQ: SCWX), a strategic move that is set to reshape the landscape of Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services. The all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $859 million, has resulted in Secureworks’ common stock ceasing to trade on Nasdaq. Sophos is backed by Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm.

With this acquisition, Sophos has solidified its position as the leading pure-play cybersecurity provider of MDR services, now serving over 28,000 organizations globally. This move will enable the company to offer a more robust and integrated security operations platform that incorporates hundreds of built-in integrations. These features will enhance protection, detection, and response to cyberattacks, especially for organizations managing complex IT environments. Sophos X-Ops will also bolster its threat intelligence and security services with Secureworks’ Counter Threat Unit™ and advisory teams.

As a channel-first cybersecurity provider, Sophos is committed to empowering its global community of resellers, Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs). By enhancing scalability and strengthening defenses, the acquisition is expected to increase operational efficiency for organizations, enabling them to better protect against evolving cyber threats.

Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos, remarked, “The market is embracing MDR as a clear means to deliver positive cybersecurity outcomes, and this has meant rapid growth in the category. Sophos is differentiated by our very mature competencies in ransomware detection, malware analysis and threat actor tradecraft. These defenses are further augmented by Sophos’ native artificial intelligence (AI)…”

Levy further emphasized the significance of the acquisition, saying, “With the integration of Secureworks, our expanded services and product portfolio will provide even stronger end-to-end security solutions.”

In the near term, both Sophos and Secureworks will continue to operate as usual, supporting existing customers and channel partners. The companies’ combined efforts will provide enhanced cybersecurity services and solutions to their global client base, which includes over 600,000 customers worldwide.

This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for Sophos, propelling them toward greater AI innovation, threat intelligence, and global security leadership.

Tags: cybersecuritySophos

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