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Manav Rachna University Partners with Google Cloud and Larsen & Toubro to Enhance Student Learning and Career Growth

Manav Rachna University (MRU) has entered into strategic collaborations with Google Cloud and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to enhance learning opportunities, integrate industry-driven curricula, and equip students with future-ready skills. These collaborations will ensure that MRU students receive specialized training aligned with industry needs, strengthening their career prospects in technology and engineering fields.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Kapoor, Managing Director & CEO, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, emphasized, “The future belongs to those who innovate, adapt, and stay ahead of industry trends. We are creating a transformative learning ecosystem where students gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and direct exposure to real-world challenges.”

Prof. Deependra Kumar Jha, Vice Chancellor, Manav Rachna University, added, “As industries evolve, so must our education system. This initiative empowers the students with the skills and practical knowledge needed to excel in emerging fields, ensuring they are not just job-ready but industry leaders of tomorrow.”

The collaboration with Google Cloud focuses on advancing digital education and skilling through the Digital Campus for Google Cloud (DCGC) Program. This initiative will support students pursuing B.Tech (Core CSE and Gen AI specialization), BCA (Cloud Computing), BBA (Business Analytics), and MBA (Business Analytics) by providing access to Google Workspace for Education Plus. The integration of Google’s cloud-based enterprise-class platform will streamline academic operations, enhance faculty-student engagement, and offer real-time collaboration tools for all CSE students.

Sanjay Kathuria, Regional Lead, Google Workspace, said, “Technology is evolving rapidly, and organizations today are looking for professionals who have real-world experience in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Through this collaboration, students will gain access to cutting-edge digital tools, industry-recognized certifications, and opportunities to engage with experts, ensuring they are well-prepared for careers in the digital economy.”

Under this MoU, students will have the opportunity to enroll in online certification programs, including free certifications and subsidized options for advanced courses. Google will also provide placement opportunities for students who achieve the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer certification, thereby enhancing their career prospects in the tech industry. Additionally, an Annual 12-hour Hackathon will be organized, allowing students to demonstrate problem-solving skills using Google technologies.

Further strengthening the hands-on learning experience, MRU will establish a Chrome & AI Lab, providing a dedicated space for AI-enabled research, collaboration, and skill development. This initiative is expected to benefit both students and faculty, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological advancements.

MRU’s MoU with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) marks a significant step toward enhancing industry-aligned education, particularly in engineering and technology. This partnership introduces a blended learning model, combining self-paced e-learning, live virtual expert sessions, and on-campus practical training. The curriculum, designed by leading industry professionals, will equip students with in-demand skills relevant to evolving market needs.

A key highlight of the L&T collaboration is access to L&T EduTech’s Learning Management System (LMS), a user-friendly platform that offers students real-time tracking of progress, module-wise performance monitoring, and industry-relevant assessments. Additionally, students will benefit from a virtual lab, allowing them to practice on advanced software tools and engage in unlimited project-based learning.

Febin M. F., Head-College Connect Business, L&T EduTech, shared her thoughts on the partnership, saying, “At L&T, we believe in integrating industry expertise with academic learning. This collaboration will provide students with real-world insights, helping them develop skills that are directly applicable to modern engineering challenges.”

To provide specialized training in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, L&T will establish an e-Mobility Lab at MRU. This lab will focus on EV technology training, including battery packs, battery management systems (BMS), power electronics, and electrical machines. Students will have unlimited opportunities to work on assignments and projects, gaining hands-on expertise in this fast-growing sector.

Prof. Dipali Bansal, Dean, School of Engineering, Manav Rachna University, highlighted the significance of providing students and faculty with cutting-edge learning resources. “Engineering education today must go beyond textbooks and theory. By integrating real-world applications, advanced technology training, and industry-driven projects, we are enabling our students to develop critical problem-solving skills and technical expertise.”

Indian Enterprises to Boost Cybersecurity Spending to $3.3 Billion in 2025: Report

Indian enterprises are set to ramp up their investment in information security, with total end-user spending projected to hit $3.3 billion in 2025, according to a new report released on Tuesday. This marks a 16.4% increase from 2024, driven by escalating cybersecurity threats, evolving regulatory requirements, and the rapid adoption of cloud technology.

The latest Gartner report highlights that businesses are prioritizing security investments to combat persistent challenges such as ransomware attacks, data breaches linked to generative AI (GenAI), and increasingly complex compliance mandates. Companies are particularly focusing on real-time threat detection and incident response to safeguard their hybrid IT environments.

Among various segments, security services are expected to witness the highest growth, with spending projected to surge by 19% in 2025. Meanwhile, spending on security software is also set to rise, reaching $1.2 billion, as enterprises consolidate security platforms and enhance cloud protection.

Gartner predicts a significant shift in IT service contracts, forecasting that by 2028, 40% will incorporate security components. Additionally, by 2026, 75% of organizations implementing GenAI initiatives will redirect their focus from structured to unstructured data security.

The report identifies two key cybersecurity trends shaping 2025. The first is the increasing impact of GenAI on data security, compelling companies to adopt new protection strategies. Businesses are expected to invest in synthetic data tools as an alternative to traditional anonymization techniques, reducing privacy risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The second major trend is the transition towards cyber resilience. Organizations are moving beyond mere prevention and are now focusing on minimizing the impact of security breaches, recognizing that cyber threats are inevitable.

Commenting on the evolving security landscape, Shailendra Upadhyay, Senior Principal at Gartner, emphasized the proactive stance of Indian enterprises. “Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in India are prioritizing investments in cloud security, access management, and data privacy to strengthen defenses and ensure business continuity,” he noted.

GenAI and B2B Marketing: The Future Belongs to Those Who Adapt

Ask any modern marketer what’s keeping them up at night, and chances are it’s not just leads or conversions—it’s relevance. In a world where attention is fleeting and competition is fierce, B2B marketing can’t afford to sound templated or disconnected. That’s where Generative AI is changing the game—not by replacing creativity, but by amplifying it.

The power of GenAI lies not just in its ability to generate content, but in its capacity to personalize, scale, and continuously learn. For B2B marketers, who deal with long buyer journeys and complex decision-making units, this technology offers more than efficiency—it brings precision and adaptability.

We’ve moved far beyond basic AI-generated email subject lines or chatbot scripts. Today, Generative AI is enabling marketing teams to create tailored content journeys for multiple personas across different industries—without compromising on tone or context. Need a technical whitepaper for a CISO and an executive summary for a CFO from the same core insight? GenAI tools can get you 80% there, allowing marketers to focus on fine-tuning and adding the human layer that drives trust.

Another critical shift is in campaign experimentation. Traditionally, A/B testing is a time- consuming process. With GenAI, marketers can create and test multiple content variations across platforms—LinkedIn ads, nurture emails, landing page CTAs—all in a fraction of the time. More iterations mean faster insights, and faster insights mean quicker optimization.

But this isn’t about turning marketing into a machine. In fact, the human marketer becomes even more essential. Generative AI can draft, suggest, and even predict—but it’s still the marketer who ensures that messaging aligns with brand voice, ethics, and customer understanding. The best outcomes happen when AI acts as a partner, not a pilot.

Security and compliance are equally crucial in the B2B world, especially in industries like cybersecurity, where trust is non-negotiable. Responsible use of Generative AI means choosing the right tools, ensuring data privacy, and maintaining oversight. At Eventus Security, for example, while we explore AI for marketing content and productivity, we follow strict internal guidelines to ensure nothing proprietary or sensitive enters AI workflows without governance. Looking ahead, the most exciting aspect of Generative AI is its ability to free up time. Time that marketers can now invest in strategy, storytelling, and strengthening customer relationships—areas where real differentiation lies.

In short, Generative AI isn’t just a tech trend—it’s a shift in how marketing works. For B2B brands, especially in fast-paced sectors like cybersecurity, it offers a rare mix of speed, scale, and smarts. But like all great tools, its real value emerges when guided by human experience, creativity, and integrity.

And that’s where the future of B2B marketing is being built—not in code alone, but in the collaboration between marketers and machines.

Author: Sanjay Khera, Head of Marketing, Eventus Security

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of ObserveNow Media. The author is solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and validity of the information presented, encouraging readers to independently verify and seek professional advice if needed.

AI-Powered Cybersecurity Startup Neural Defend Secures $600,000 in Pre-Seed Funding

Neural Defend, a deepfake detection and cybersecurity startup, has raised over USD 600,000 in a Pre-Seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from MIT SBXI (Boston-based), Techstars San Francisco, and Soonicorn Ventures.

The funding will be used to advance the company’s agentic AI capabilities for real-time, multimodal deepfake detection, accelerating research and product development. Founded in 2024, Neural Defend is at the forefront of AI-powered cybersecurity, working on cutting-edge solutions to combat AI-driven digital deception. The startup is already piloting projects in New York and Singapore, addressing growing cybersecurity threats.

Led by Piyush Verma (CEO), Sivashankar Selvarajan (CTO), and Sumit Singh (Chief Data Officer), the company aims to redefine identity protection and fraud prevention worldwide. Vikram Ramasubramanian, Partner and CIO at IPV, highlighted the significance of Neural Defend’s technology, stating, “Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, posing risks to businesses and individuals. Neural Defend’s AI-driven real-time detection technology addresses a critical need in cybersecurity and identity protection.”

Currently in the pre-revenue stage, Neural Defend is collaborating with global enterprises, fintech firms, and financial institutions to validate its proprietary AI models. The startup’s technology detects deepfakes across video, images, audio, and real-time streams, ensuring robust fraud prevention mechanisms.

“Our goal is to protect real identities against digital deception through innovative AI agentic technology,” said Piyush Verma, CEO of Neural Defend.

With the rising threat of deepfake fraud and cybersecurity breaches, Neural Defend’s advanced AI solutions position it as a key player in the cybersecurity industry, driving adoption among enterprises and governments worldwide.

Mosambi Climate Conference 2025 to Drive Climate Tech Innovation in India and the Global South

The Mosambi Climate Conference (MC2) is set to bring together key climate tech enablers to accelerate innovation in India and the Global South. Organized by the Climate Collective Foundation, the exclusive event will take place on March 20-21, 2025, at the Sheraton, Saket, New Delhi, gathering over 200 influential leaders from investment firms, development institutions, corporations, government agencies, and foundations.

With over 60% of the world’s population residing in the Global South—where climate disasters are increasingly severe—the region has the potential to lead the next phase of climate innovation. However, challenges such as fragmented networks, limited capital access, and policy constraints hinder progress. MC2 aims to tackle these issues through strategic collaboration and stakeholder engagement, fostering a robust climate tech startup ecosystem.

Unlike traditional conferences focused solely on dialogue, MC2 is designed to deliver tangible results. The event will focus on two key action-oriented outcomes:

  1. Strengthening the climate tech startup ecosystem and collaboration between key stakeholders.
  2. Enhancing South-South cooperation to improve access to knowledge, funding, and networks.

The Global South is excelling in locally led climate adaptation solutions, but it’s time to scale up. Developing countries too, on the frontlines of climate impacts, urgently need to amplify their adaptation efforts, said Pratap Raju, Founding Partner, Climate Collective“Through MC2, we are bringing together key stakeholders to align strategies, unlock funding, and accelerate climate solutions. Together, this initiative unlocks vital capital and technical assistance for climate adaptation initiatives.” He added.

Through closed-door roundtables, expert panels, and interactive workshops, MC2 will foster partnerships, generate policy recommendations, and unlock new investment strategies tailored to emerging markets.

The conference will host a series of high-impact panels, addressing critical areas of climate innovation, including Deep Climate Tech in India, Innovative Technologies for Adaptation & Resilience (A&R), The Role of Startups in Grid Transformation, AI & Climate Tech Innovations. 

Despite the rapid growth of climate finance, a significant gap remains in the Global South. According to the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), only 19% of global climate finance reaches developing nations, leaving nearly 70% of potential climate tech funding untapped.

“Reaching net zero on time is impossible without strong support for climate tech startups,” says Nalin Agarwal, Founding Partner, Climate Collective“We need better coordination among investors, accelerators, policymakers, and industry to scale innovation across the Global South. That’s why we’re launching the Mosambi Climate Conference—to catalyze collaboration, unlock resources, and help build transformative solutions for a resilient, sustainable future.”

MC2 seeks to bridge this gap by fostering direct interactions between startups, investors, and policymakers.

The initiative is driven by the support of partners who share a commitment to advancing climate innovation in the Global South. Among them are session partners such as the Waterfield Foundation, renowned for its expertise in strategic advisory for sustainable investments, and Third Derivative (D3), a global climate innovation accelerator co-founded by RMI and New Energy Nexus, dedicated to identifying and scaling transformative climate technologies.

With ObserveNow Media coming on board as the B2B Media Partner, the initiative gains a powerful voice in amplifying crucial conversations, fostering thought leadership, and driving awareness around sustainable innovation.

Furthermore, MC2 benefits from the insights of its knowledge partners—the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). GEAPP focuses on accelerating the clean energy transition while tackling energy poverty, whereas EDF applies science, economics, and legal expertise to drive environmental solutions that safeguard both people and the planet. Through these strategic collaborations, MC2 continues to serve as a catalyst for actionable solutions and meaningful change.

Indian Startups Raise $428M in a Week, Fintech Leads; Key M&A Deals Announced

Between March 10 and March 15, 2025, Indian startups across various sectors secured a total of $428 million in funding from investors. The industries that saw significant investments included Batterytech, Edtech, Gaming, Apparel, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Fintech, Energy, and Travel. This marks a notable increase from the previous week, where startups had raised $352 million, with Darwinbox alone securing $140 million.

Fintech emerged as the leading sector in terms of funding, with Zolve raising a substantial $251 million. Other significant deals included Purple Style Labs, which secured $40 million, and three major startups—Scimplify (Specialty Chemicals), Infinite Uptime (Industrial Analytics), and Rangsons Aerospace—collectively raising $109.5 million. Scimplify attracted $40 million, Infinite Uptime raised $35 million, and Rangsons Aerospace secured $34.5 million.

Several emerging startups also made headlines with their funding rounds. Youth travel hostel brand goSTOPS raised $4.2 million in a Series A round, while AI-powered admissions startup Ambitio secured $2 million in a Seed round. Gaming startup Felicity Games attracted $3 million in a Seed round, and sexual health startup Allo Health raised $1.84 million in a pre-Series A round. Additionally, AI-driven cybersecurity startup Neural Defend raised $600,000 in a pre-Seed round. The energy sector also saw notable investments, with Amrut Energy raising $11.5 million and AmpereHour Energy securing $5 million in a Series A round. Meanwhile, Batterytech startup Flowatt Battery Science, Edtech startup Dreamtime Learning, and upskilling platform Weskill kept their funding details undisclosed.

The period also witnessed key mergers and acquisitions. DSP Group acquired Volt Money, while Perfios strengthened its portfolio by acquiring AI-driven debt management platform CreditNirvana. In another significant development, Nazara Technologies sold its 94.85% stake in OpenPlay to Moonshine.

With a surge in investments and strategic acquisitions, the Indian startup ecosystem continues to thrive, showcasing resilience and growth across multiple industries.

NSDC and AIU Collaborate to Enhance Credential Verification and Skill-Based Education

New Delhi: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance academic credential verification and integrate skill-based education into Indian universities. The collaboration will introduce a digital verification system using the National Academic Depository (NAD) and institutional databases, enabling universities and colleges to process academic and professional verifications through online portals and API integration. This initiative aims to streamline verification processes and curb fraudulent credential practices.

Ved Mani Tiwari, COO and officiating CEO of NSDC, emphasized that aligning skill-based education with academic qualifications will reinforce India’s reputation as a global talent hub. AIU President Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak stated that integrating skill-based courses with traditional education will create a workforce equipped with both theoretical expertise and practical experience.

To enhance transparency, the NSDC Trust Platform will be deployed for credential validation and authentication. AIU will encourage Indian and international institutions within its network to adopt this platform for direct verification from issuing authorities. The partnership will also introduce a global academic equivalence platform to compare educational qualifications across different countries. While AIU will develop equivalence algorithms, NSDC will manage the platform’s technological development.

By leveraging technology for verification and integrating skills into academic frameworks, NSDC and AIU aim to strengthen the credibility of Indian higher education, improve global recognition of Indian credentials, and facilitate smoother academic mobility for students.

Zscaler Report Highlights Cyber Resilience Gap in Indian Organizations

A recent survey conducted by Zscaler, a global leader in cloud security, has exposed a significant disconnect between Indian organizations’ confidence in their cyber resilience and their actual preparedness. The study, which surveyed IT decision-makers across 12 countries, revealed that while 97% of Indian IT leaders believe their cyber resilience strategies are effective, 67% admit that the budget allocated for cyber resilience is insufficient to counter the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Furthermore, only 53% of organizations have updated their cybersecurity strategies to address AI-driven threats, raising concerns about the country’s readiness for modern cyberattacks.

The report underscores a critical issue in leadership commitment to cybersecurity. While 57% of Indian IT leaders claim that cyber resilience is a top priority for their leadership—significantly higher than the global average of 39%—this focus has not yet translated into sufficient funding and proactive measures. Additionally, 70% of Indian organizations do not involve Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in resilience planning, leading to a fragmented and siloed approach that weakens strategic alignment and execution.

Jay Chaudhry, CEO, Chairman, and Founder of Zscaler, emphasized the importance of proactive resilience, stating that cyber threats are no longer a question of “if” but “when.” He warned that outdated firewalls and VPNs leave organizations exposed to persistent cyber threats, making Zero Trust architecture a necessity for modern cybersecurity. He urged leadership teams to collaborate closely with IT departments to implement a strong cyber resilience strategy that prepares organizations for sophisticated AI-driven attacks.

Despite the growing threat landscape, many Indian businesses remain overly reliant on prevention rather than detection and response. The study found that 61% of IT leaders cite complex IT infrastructure as the biggest obstacle to achieving cyber resilience. While 94% of Indian IT leaders recognize the benefits of cloud security—the highest percentage globally—many organizations continue to depend on outdated security models. Moreover, only 43% of organizations engage in risk-hunting practices to mitigate cyberattack damage, and less than half have adopted proactive security measures like Zero Trust micro-segmentation (45%) or deception technologies (39%).

With India’s rapid digital transformation, cybersecurity risks are escalating, especially with the rise of GenAI-driven threats and evolving regulatory requirements like the DPDP Act. Ananth Nag, Vice President and Managing Director, India at Zscaler, stressed the need for organizations to modernize their security approach. He highlighted that simplifying IT infrastructure, leveraging AI-powered security, and adopting proactive risk-hunting measures are crucial for bridging the gap between confidence and preparedness. He also noted that compliance with the DPDP Act demands a stronger focus on data protection and governance, further emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity strategies.

To address these challenges, Zscaler advocates for a ‘Resilient by Design’ approach, which integrates Zero Trust principles to enhance visibility, control, and AI-driven threat mitigation. This strategy focuses on minimizing the attack surface, preventing initial compromise, eliminating lateral movement, and stopping data loss. By embedding resilience into their cybersecurity frameworks, Indian businesses can not only enhance protection against evolving threats but also ensure long-term digital growth, regulatory compliance, and business continuity in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.

Government Launches Digital Credit Assessment Model to Boost MSME Loan Approvals

The government has introduced a Digital Credit Assessment Model to streamline loan approvals for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by utilizing transaction-based scoring. This initiative, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, was officially launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary during a post-Budget interaction in Visakhapatnam.

The new model allows public sector banks (PSBs) to evaluate MSME creditworthiness independently, reducing reliance on traditional credit ratings. Moving away from asset or turnover-based assessments, it enables lending to MSMEs that lack formal accounting systems. By leveraging digitally verifiable data, the system automates credit evaluation and ensures faster, objective decision-making.

The model integrates multiple digital verification processes, including PAN authentication via NSDL, mobile and email verification through OTP, GST data retrieval via API services, bank statement analysis using account aggregators, ITR uploads and verification, credit insights from commercial and consumer bureaus, and fraud detection via API-enabled checks. This approach shifts the focus from collateral-based lending to assessing businesses based on their financial transactions.

For MSMEs, this initiative is expected to simplify the loan application process by reducing paperwork and the need for branch visits. It also accelerates approvals with instant in-principle sanctions, eliminates the requirement for physical collateral under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), and reduces turnaround time through automation.

As part of the government’s broader digital transformation strategy, this model aims to enhance financial inclusion, making it easier for MSMEs to access credit and contribute to economic growth.

Kyndryl Expands Funding to 11 Countries to Strengthen Cybersecurity and AI Workforce

Twelve nonprofit organizations from 11 countries have been awarded second-year grants to support cybersecurity and AI skills development, awareness, and job placement initiatives. The funding aims to impact over 55,000 individuals over the next two years, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in these critical fields.

This year, the grants have been extended to nonprofits in Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Spain, and the United Kingdom, in addition to previous recipients from the Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Japan, Poland, and the United States. To ensure deeper engagement and lasting impact, select organizations have been awarded multi-year grants, spanning up to two years.

Among the key recipients is the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), which is spearheading two major cybersecurity training programs. The Cyber Vaahini program, launched in 2024, focuses on training 100 women in tier two and three cities and supporting their job placement in cybersecurity roles. Additionally, DSCI plans to establish a cybersecurity training center in Mumbai to further expand learning opportunities.

Other multi-year grantees include Czechitas in the Czech Republic, which will provide cybersecurity training for 100 women while running awareness programs for 50,000 more and educating government officials on cyber resilience. Girl Security in the United States is expanding its Workforce Training Program to prepare over 1,000 individuals from low-income backgrounds for cybersecurity careers by 2026. Meanwhile, NPO Sodateage Net in Japan will train 1,500 young people in cybersecurity, offering internship and job placement support.

Several organizations have been awarded single-year grants to drive cybersecurity education and workforce development in underserved communities. CLACK in Japan will run the “Be Pro Cybersecurity” course for 100 students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In Spain, Fundación Cibervoluntarios will offer a one-year cybersecurity training program for 5,000 young individuals. The United Kingdom-based Generation: You Employed will organize boot camps for 230 people facing career barriers in IT and cybersecurity.

Other recipients include JA Americas in Brazil and Costa Rica, which will provide cybersecurity and career skills training to 400 women and support their job placement. In Canada, JEDI will offer IT training to 50 Indigenous students in New Brunswick. The Justice Through Code program in the U.S. will run a 10-month AI and software engineering initiative for 125 formerly incarcerated individuals. Mamo Pracuj Foundation in Poland will support 40 women, including refugees, with cybersecurity training and job search guidance. Additionally, United Way Hungary will train 345 young people, including visually impaired individuals, in cybersecurity and career development.

A recent report highlights that cyberattacks remain the top challenge for organizations, while 64% of business leaders feel their IT teams are unprepared for AI implementation due to a lack of necessary skills and talent. By funding these initiatives, the grants aim to bridge the global cybersecurity and AI skills gap, empowering underrepresented communities with the knowledge and opportunities needed to thrive in the digital economy.

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