IBM wins deal to modernise Vodafone Idea's IT systems with AI capabilities
Vodafone Idea
(Vi), on Tuesday partnered with IT firm
IBM
to infuse artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in managed services to improve reliability and accelerate the delivery of digital initiatives.
A key aspect of the companies' partnership is the establishment of a new 'AI Innovation Hub', which will continuously modernise Vi's IT and business processes. It will also enable the telco and the US-based IT company's consulting arm to jointly create AI solutions, automation tools, and digital accelerators powered by IBM's AI solutions.
The AI Innovation Hub will work closely with the unified DevOps team to find effective avenues of infusing AI into the development and operations function of Vi, according to a joint statement.
Vi and IBM, however, did not disclose the financial terms of their partnership.
'Our collaboration with IBM marks a pivotal milestone in Vi's digital journey. It reflects our commitment to AI-led innovation and our ambition to drive accelerated growth through intelligent decision-making and automation,' said Jagbir Singh, chief technology officer (CTO), Vi.
He added that the innovation hub will play a critical role in modernising Vi's operations and expediting its go-to-market execution of critical business initiatives, setting 'new benchmarks for the telecom industry'.
Working alongside
IBM Consulting
's AI and DevOps experts, Vi aims to deliver smarter digital experiences, enhance IT agility, and unlock new revenue opportunities.
Vi's AI-enabled unified DevOps implementation will tap into IBM's global partner ecosystem, accelerators, and industry know-how to support continuous innovation while helping strengthen long-term digital resilience.
'India's telecom sector stands at the crossroads of surging data consumption, rapid digital transformation, and large-scale 5G deployments. In this dynamic landscape, our collaboration with Vi allows IBM to serve as a strategic enabler to help modernise the organisation's IT ecosystem, enhance operational efficiencies, and fast-track their digital transformation,' said Juhi McClelland, managing partner, IBM Consulting, IBM Asia Pacific.
'With the AI Innovation Hub and unified DevOps execution, we're bringing together the best of IBM's global expertise to help Vi deliver superior customer experiences, drive innovation, and strengthen digital resilience for the future,' said Rishi Aurora, managing partner, IBM Consulting India & South Asia.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Time of India
Easing of rare earths bottlenecks may clear way for Indian electronics firms
The electronics industry, arguably the biggest Make-in-India success story, could get a sustainable competitive edge globally on unexpected support from an otherwise strategic rival: move to ease export curbs on rare earth metals and critical minerals removes a critical input-supplies bottleneck for items such as electric cars, laptops, handphones, gaming consoles, or instruments with embedded software and display, industry executives told stabilising costs, the end to import curbs is likely to open new opportunities for advanced research and manufacturing in the earth metals are crucial for manufacturing magnets used in electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), robotics, and next-generation technologies. Earlier, India's electronics ecosystem had experienced disruptions, with Foxconn's Hyderabad plant producing Apple AirPods facing supply shortages after the initial Panda, managing director, Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys, said, 'Industry will be relieved by China lifting its export curbs on rare earth elements and critical minerals. Moreover, it is a positive development which will aid in the normalisation of ties that are in mutual interest.'The recent thaw in India-China relations will help to strengthen Beijing's industrial and diplomatic positions, Jason Oxman, President and CEO of Washington DC-based Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), told ET.'Whenever the US vacates policy space, China wins. Where Washington pulls back from trade agreements or imposes tariffs, Beijing steps in with offers of tariff-free trade. That is a long-term risk to U.S. competitiveness,' he electronics manufacturers also hailed the decision. Rajoo Goel, secretary general, Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA), told ET, "The bigger hit was for Indian electronics companies in wearables and electric vehicles (EVs), which rely on rare earth magnets in larger quantities. We heard from companies such as Brandworks and boAt which faced difficulties due to shortages. EV makers were also impacted because rare earths are critical for motors and battery systems. However, I would add that while production slowed, no company had to completely shut down operations."The main lesson from this short disruption is the importance of self-reliance and forward planning, he said. "Unlike China, India hasn't sufficiently invested in securing rare earth supply chains despite a decade of efforts to grow its electronics ecosystem. We need to anticipate such risks, prepare alternatives, and allocate resources for domestic exploration, research, and processing of these critical minerals," he said that the disruption has exposed how vulnerable India is to global shocks in critical minerals — and how urgent it is for the country to build its own rare earth Bhatia, managing director and partner, BCG India, told ET: "Curbs on export on the select rare earth elements and related magnets from China to India presented significant production risks to industries like automotive, consumer electronics, and wind power, and any change in the current status will be a welcome relief to the industry."China has a major global role across the rare earth value chain right from mining, oxide processing and downstream rare-earth industries accounting for more than 90% of global output with end products being leveraged across magnets, ceramics, catalysts, alloys etc, Bhatia explained."This is where India should actively be looking to build self-reliance through strategic acquisitions of assets globally via mechanisms like KABIL as well as encouraging the private sector to invest across the exploration, mining and downstream value chain," Bhatia or Khanij Bidesh India Limited, is a joint venture company of three Indian public sector enterprises: NALCO, HCL, and MECL. Its primary goal is to secure the supply of critical and strategic minerals for India by identifying, exploring, and acquiring resources from overseas. KABIL is actively engaged in sourcing lithium and cobalt, among other minerals, from countries like Argentina and Australia.A reliable supply, experts said, will help Indian manufacturers scale up production, stabilise costs of raw materials, and plan long-term investments in R& the larger implications of China's policy shift, T Senthil Siva Subramanian, head, Institute Industry Interface Programme, Hindustan College of Science and Technology (Sharda Group of Institutions), Mathura, told ET, 'Lifting export curbs on rare earth metals, particularly Yttrium, will catalyse growth in India's opto-electronics ecosystem. As the global leader in yttrium production , China's policy shift opens new avenues and enormous opportunities for India to accelerate innovation in advanced plasmonic sensing technologies.'He explained that Yttrium's unique hydrogen-sensing properties make it suitable for plasmonic hydrogen gas sensors, and with India advancing indigenous chip design and fabrication, Yttrium-based Sensor Systems on Chip (YSoC) could emerge as a sensors, he said, will be critical for defence, space exploration, and green energy initiatives, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Indian Semiconductor Mission, National Quantum Mission, and National Manufacturing Mission. The availability of rare earths, he added, will also empower Indian MSMEs to conduct research, innovate, and manufacture rare earth-based opto-electronic chips—marking a leap in India's domestic inputs from Subhayan Chakraborty and Tanya Pandey in New Delhi.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Old money, bold moves: Gujarat's business dynasties bet big on startups
Ahmedabad: Beneath Gujarat's familiar industrial skyline, a new financial current is altering how old money meets new ideas. Family Business Offices (FBOs), once private custodians of legacy wealth, are increasingly stepping into the limelight as active financiers in the state's fast-evolving startup ecosystem. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What began as cautious seed cheques a decade ago has, in the past five years, evolved into concentrated, high-value bets through direct deals and fund partnerships, marked by sharper risk assessment and hands-on engagement. For years, Gujarat's legacy families — from ice cream to diamonds — parked their money in familiar havens like debt, equity, and real estate. But a generational handover, coupled with the maturing of India's startup ecosystem, is pulling them toward venture investing. Whether it's a Rs 10 crore stake in a fast-scaling consumer brand or backing a micro venture capital (VC) betting on rural fintech, the state's business families are no longer just preserving their fortunes, they are actively creating new ones. Names like the Chona family's HOCCO, Navneet Stationery, Claris Lifesciences, HoF, and Hari Krishna Exports represent long-standing businesses in Gujarat that have strengthened their position over they are also dealmakers in sectors ranging from consumer tech and agritech to AI and space-tech. For many, the shift began with a single breakout success. A case in point is furniture manufacturer, HOF, which has also forayed into the pharmaceutical sector after Covid. The company's promoters began investing into startups in 2015, when they made their first angel bet, and one of those companies went on to become a unicorn in 2021. "That milestone made us take the space more seriously, and we began treating it as a dedicated asset class. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While we do not operate a formal family office structure, our family members, since 2021, have been investing systematically through some of India's top fund houses. We are also present in micro VCs like Kettleborough, Sauce VC, and All-in-Capital, a Delhi-based fund. Over the past three years, we have also started taking direct positions in companies," said Dhruvin Patel, director, HOF. Similarly, Claris Capital began its startup journey in 2015 with small seed-stage bets, but has since scaled up to Series A, B, and C rounds, investments in venture funds and co-investments with other backers. In Surat, the Dholakia family — a diamantaire family that runs Hari Krishna Exports — set up Dholakia Ventures in 2020, backing startups from pre-seed to Series A in space tech, EVs, fintech, IT, and e-commerce. A number of legacy business owners are also turning to startup investments individually. Another Surat-based family business – Rases Shah and Co, a chartered accountancy firm – also saw its younger generation venturing towards startup investments since 2020. Mehul Shah, strategic advisor, Ivy Growth Associates, said, "I was already active as a community builder, offering services like valuations. Post-Covid, our fund journey really took off online. Pitch calls opened doors to startups beyond Surat, giving us broader exposure to startups," he said. Shah, along with three partners, now pools capital as co-investors through a SEBI-registered angel fund, channeling money into multiple ventures without taking the lead investor role. Consumer Products, Fintech In Sweet Spots While most FBOs maintain sector-agnostic portfolios, consumer-facing ventures, fintech, and tech-driven models are pulling in the most interest. For Claris Capital, the target is consumer-facing sectors, from FMCG and consumer tech to consumer AI, along with selected plays in fintech, agritech, and deeptech. "The process of reviewing startups and tracking their growth metrics keeps you engaged as an investor. Consumer tech, consumer products, fintech and agritech are promising sectors, with some also having a govt push through structured policies and incentives," said Krishna Handa, founder, Claris Capital. Similarly, HOF has also shown strong interest in consumer products, FMCG distribution, and innovative retail models. "We invested in a South India–based chain offering a plug-and-play kirana store concept, a hypermarket player from the northeast and a fintech firm which specializes in rural insurance distribution. We also made secondary, pre-IPO investments in mature players. Coming from a traditional base in pharma and consumer goods, this is a very different, tech-driven world, but we have stayed focused on hardcore startups with scalable models and strong execution," Patel added. Generational Change Drives Reallocation Of Capital A key catalyst for this trend is the transition of leadership within family businesses. The younger generation, often globally educated and attuned to modern corporate practices, is reshaping how wealth is managed. "You have a younger generation that is more financially literate, globally exposed, and comfortable with alternative asset classes. They are bringing in professional management for their core businesses, which frees up time and capital to explore higher-growth opportunities. Add to that the increasing maturity of India's startup ecosystem, better governance, clearer exit paths, and more scalable business models, and you have a perfect environment for family offices to become active players rather than passive wealth holders," said Umesh Uttamchandani, co-founder, DevX. In many cases, these younger scions began as angel investors, backing early-stage startups with personal funds. Former Sanghi Cement promoter Alok Sanghi, now MD of Resolute Corp, said his decade of startup investing spans disruptive tech, AI, and blockchain. "Partnering with funds reduces investor risk while keeping the door open for higher-reward opportunities and that is the approach we are adopting." From Angel Bets to Institutional LPs The most striking development is the number of FBOs now becoming limited partners (LPs) in established venture capital funds. This shift allows them to participate in broader, curated portfolios while benefiting from the due diligence, sector expertise, and networks that VCs bring to the table. After selling the Havmor ice cream business, the Chona family set up a family office in 2018 to explore startup investments more systematically. "We started as a small sector-agnostic team, first through VC funds like and Sixth Sense, before moving to direct deals," said Nirali Solani, head of the Chona Family Office. Today their portfolio ranges from an IIT Madras–incubated maker of the world's lightest 3D-printed rockets to green energy ventures in solar cell manufacturing, EV battery packs, and charging infrastructure, plus agritech and consumer brands in luggage, orthotics, gaming, and apparel. "Today, our focus is on backing fewer companies but with significant commitments of Rs 10 crore or more, allowing us to go deeper and play a more active role in scaling each business," she added. "Our shift to concentrated bets is about more than money," said promoter Ankit Chona. "We like working with founders early, even pre-launch, and backing businesses where our networks and experience can help them scale faster." Strengthening Local Funding Ecosystem Until recently, a significant portion of venture capital for Indian startups came from overseas be it Silicon Valley funds, Singaporean investment houses, or Middle Eastern sovereign wealth. With Gujarat's family offices stepping in over the past decade, more capital is being mobilized locally. This has two immediate benefits: first, local startups gain faster, more flexible access to growth capital. Second, the regional funding ecosystem strengthens as a self-sustaining loop, successful exits lead to reinvestment, creating a compounding effect. Putting this in perspective, Shrijay Sheth, founder of who is also a startup investor, said, "Better governance, professional management, and scalability in startups have further encouraged family offices to deepen their involvement, according to industry sources. Where once investment was seen as a risky, one-off bet, it is now part of a deliberate long-term wealth strategy. As Gujarat continues to evolve from a manufacturing-heavy economy to one that embraces technology, design, and services, the role of FBOs will likely expand further. " From incubating ventures to backing VC funds, the state's business families are no longer just preserving wealth, they are actively creating the next generation of it. Photo Quotes: We seek innovations with the potential to disrupt and eventually align with our core business. Partnering with funds helps lower risk while keeping us open to high-reward opportunities in AI, blockchain, and beyond Alok Sanghi, MD, Resolute Corp Consumer tech, FMCG, fintech and agritech are where we see real potential. Reviewing startups, tracking their metrics and engaging directly keeps investing exciting, far beyond the passive role of traditional wealth managers. A maturing ecosystem in Gujarat enabled us to go from pre-seed level to Series A, B and C funding in startups Krishna Handa, founder, Claris Capital Our shift to fewer, larger bets is less about than capital and more about partnering with founders early, sometimes pre-launch, and using our networks and experience to help them grow faster and stronger Ankit Chona, Promoter, Chona Family Office Since 2021, we have been systematically investing through top Indian fund houses and micro VCs, alongside direct bets. Our focus is on hardcore startups with scalable models, strong execution, and the potential to transform their sectors Dhruvin Patel, Director, HOF Family offices bring patient capital and deep networks, which India's startup ecosystem needs. They think beyond quarterly returns, investing in resilience and innovation that can outlast market cycles and create generational value Shrijay Sheth, Investor and Startup Owner
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
LEAP to be a blockbuster initiative to boost AI talent pool: Sankanur
Dharwad: Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) managing director Rahul Sankanur said the LEAP (Local Economy Accelerator Programme) launched by the department of IT and BT will be a blockbuster initiative to strengthen India's artificial intelligence (AI) talent pool. The IAS officer was speaking to the media after taking part in the Jan AI Conclave organised by IIIT-Dharwad on Thursday. Sankanur noted that the state govt has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for the programme and plans are under way to bring as many as 17 AI-focused initiatives under its ambit. "Bengaluru, with over 7,000 startups, accounting for 20% of India's total, has firmly established itself as the country's startup hub. It is ranked among the world's top 10 startup destinations and is already among the top five AI talent hubs globally. This momentum provides abundant opportunities for young engineers to build AI-driven startups," he said. Meanwhile, Prof Santanu Bhattacharya of MIT Media Labs observed that AI is poised to revolutionise the world, and India must develop region-specific micro templates to effectively address local problems. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Australian Startup Develops Innovative Help for Neuropathy healthreliefstore Click Here Undo "For India to grow exponentially, rural incomes must rise significantly. AI can play a transformative role in strengthening agriculture, healthcare, and language technologies. Voice-based modules, for instance, could go a long way in easing rural challenges. Young technocrats should focus on developing apps that enable small vendors to market their produce, thereby boosting the rural economy," he suggested. Head Held High Foundation managing trustee Madan Padaki said, "So far, 3,500 people have registered for Jan AI, and 1,500 have been certified upon course completion. With the establishment of Jan AI Kendras, villagers will have access to a wealth of sectoral information, eventually creating an 'AI Village' ecosystem." IIIT-Dharwad director Mahadev Prasanna highlighted that the institute is playing a vital role in making AI accessible to the common man. He revealed that students at IIIT-Dharwad are currently developing two AI-powered apps, one for agriculture and another for healthcare. "The agri app allows farmers to photograph diseased crops, after which AI instantly diagnoses the issue and suggests remedies. Similarly, a mental health app is being designed to provide psychiatric support," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
