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Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
How much money the Boston-based Indian couple had to pay to turn Wall Street into a dance floor for their wedding
The Couple Behind the Celebration Music, Magic, and Manhattan Two Traditions, One Celebration You Might Also Like: Wall Street turned into a dance floor for this unbelievable Indian wedding. Who are the bride and groom? Permits, Police, and Precision In an event that stopped both traffic and timelines, Varun Navani and Amanda Soll brought the grandeur of a big fat Indian wedding to the heart of New York City. With a traditional baraat—the groom's wedding procession—cascading down Wall Street, the couple quite literally shut down the most iconic financial street in the it didn't come easy. The couple reportedly filed 28 permits to make their dream celebration possible, shelling out an eye-watering $25,000 to $66,000 (₹21 lakh to ₹56 lakh) per location, as per city records reviewed by the New York Post. That's not a wedding budget—it's a Wall Street-grade who are these headline-makers? Varun Navani is the CEO of Rolai, an AI platform helping people learn data science and machine learning. A Forbes 30 Under 30 alumnus (Boston, 2023), he brings innovation to the tech space. His bride, Amanda Soll, is no less accomplished—she serves as the Director of Legal Compliance and Risk Management at from Boston, the couple chose New York City as their wedding stage—and spared no expense turning it into a multi-day celebration began on May 23 at the Conrad Hotel with a welcome brunch and tea. That evening, guests gathered at The Glasshouse for a lively sangeet, filled with song and the real showstopper arrived on May 24, when Wall Street transformed into a dazzling baraat route. Videos now viral on social media show more than 400 guests dressed in traditional Indian attire dancing to the beats of dhols and DJ sets. Groom Varun arrived in a vintage white car, clad in a finely tailored ivory sherwani and layered pearl necklaces. Amanda stunned in a deep red Sabyasachi lehenga, epitomizing elegance and baraat ended at Cipriani Wall Street, where the grand reception unfolded—running from 5:30 p.m. until the early morning cultural fusion didn't end with the baraat. On May 25, the couple hosted a Jewish wedding ceremony at Cipriani, paying tribute to Amanda's heritage. An after-party followed at Slate, keeping the festive energy alive until 4 a.m. The final farewell came on May 26 with a goodbye detail—from venue choices to guest experiences—was thoughtfully curated to blend Indian and Jewish customs in a dazzling off a 400-person event in the middle of Lower Manhattan isn't simple. The city labeled it an 'extra-large' event, requiring extensive NYPD coordination and full block closures. The price tag—ranging between $25,000 and $66,000 (₹21–56 lakh) per permit—reflects the scale and ambition of the far from celebrity status or royalty, Varun and Amanda are a reminder that modern professionals, too, can pull off events that feel straight out of a Bollywood fantasy—if they're willing to plan and pay a city known for deals, deadlines, and data, the Navani-Soll wedding gave Wall Street a rare glimpse of uninhibited joy. For a few magical hours, the financial capital of the world grooved to dhols, draped itself in dupattas, and welcomed tradition with open was a dazzling display of culture and ambition, as Varun Navani and Amanda Soll turned New York's Wall Street into a vibrant celebration of love. With 28 permits, meticulous planning, and a lavish budget, the couple blended Indian and Jewish traditions across a multi-day wedding spectacle. Their grand baraat wasn't just a procession—it was a statement that even the busiest street can pause for joy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
How a Boston couple turned Wall Street into a big fat Indian wedding: The jaw-dropping cost will leave you stunned
In an event that stopped both traffic and timelines, Varun Navani and Amanda Soll brought the grandeur of a big fat Indian wedding to the heart of New York City. With a traditional baraat —the groom's wedding procession—cascading down Wall Street, the couple quite literally shut down the most iconic financial street in the world. But it didn't come easy. The couple reportedly filed 28 permits to make their dream celebration possible, shelling out an eye-watering $25,000 to $66,000 (₹21 lakh to ₹56 lakh) per location, as per city records reviewed by the New York Post . That's not a wedding budget—it's a Wall Street-grade investment. The Couple Behind the Celebration So who are these headline-makers? Varun Navani is the CEO of Rolai, an AI platform helping people learn data science and machine learning. A Forbes 30 Under 30 alumnus (Boston, 2023), he brings innovation to the tech space. His bride, Amanda Soll, is no less accomplished—she serves as the Director of Legal Compliance and Risk Management at Mastercard. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Hailing from Boston, the couple chose New York City as their wedding stage—and spared no expense turning it into a multi-day extravaganza. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ AJ (@djajmumbai) You Might Also Like: 'Indians everywhere...': Harsh Goenka reacts to viral Wall Street baraat video, netizens bring Trump into online chatter Music, Magic, and Manhattan The celebration began on May 23 at the Conrad Hotel with a welcome brunch and tea. That evening, guests gathered at The Glasshouse for a lively sangeet , filled with song and dance. But the real showstopper arrived on May 24, when Wall Street transformed into a dazzling baraat route. Videos now viral on social media show more than 400 guests dressed in traditional Indian attire dancing to the beats of dhols and DJ sets. Groom Varun arrived in a vintage white car, clad in a finely tailored ivory sherwani and layered pearl necklaces. Amanda stunned in a deep red Sabyasachi lehenga, epitomizing elegance and tradition. The baraat ended at Cipriani Wall Street, where the grand reception unfolded—running from 5:30 p.m. until the early morning hours. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Devarshi Shah (@devarshishah7) Two Traditions, One Celebration The cultural fusion didn't end with the baraat. On May 25, the couple hosted a Jewish wedding ceremony at Cipriani, paying tribute to Amanda's heritage. An after-party followed at Slate, keeping the festive energy alive until 4 a.m. The final farewell came on May 26 with a goodbye brunch. You Might Also Like: Wall Street turned into a dance floor for this unbelievable Indian wedding. Who are the bride and groom? Every detail—from venue choices to guest experiences—was thoughtfully curated to blend Indian and Jewish customs in a dazzling cityscape. Permits, Police, and Precision Pulling off a 400-person event in the middle of Lower Manhattan isn't simple. The city labeled it an 'extra-large' event, requiring extensive NYPD coordination and full block closures. The price tag—ranging between $25,000 and $66,000 (₹21–56 lakh) per permit—reflects the scale and ambition of the celebration. But far from celebrity status or royalty, Varun and Amanda are a reminder that modern professionals, too, can pull off events that feel straight out of a Bollywood fantasy—if they're willing to plan and pay accordingly. In a city known for deals, deadlines, and data, the Navani-Soll wedding gave Wall Street a rare glimpse of uninhibited joy. For a few magical hours, the financial capital of the world grooved to dhols, draped itself in dupattas, and welcomed tradition with open arms.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Postapocalypse now: Leave the world - and the galaxy - behind at sci-fi-inspired outpost in Utah
LAS VEGAS - "We're all 'Star Wars' nuts," Barry Ray says as his wife, Melissa, and daughter Evie play nearby. Evie knows all the "Star Wars" characters from multiple readings of the Little Golden Books series. She's wearing a Princess Leia costume so, in keeping with the canon, her parents are dressed as Darth Vader and Padmé Amidala. They've traveled from Granbury, Texas, to celebrate Evie's 6th birthday in the middle of a 100-acre dry lake bed that's the next best thing to Tatooine. The previous night, they'd watched the 1977 original, "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope," inside a two-bedroom cave. "We've had a great time," Barry says, "and it's an experience she won't ever forget." "It" is OutpostX, a swath of raw desert flush with science-fiction iconography that founder Travis Chambers refers to as "a film-set hotel with a story." The whole thing feels like it's part of a different galaxy, even though it's not all that far, far away. A 'postapocalyptic sanctuary' During a 2013 visit to a pirate-themed Airbnb in Southern California, something clicked inside Chambers. He started traveling the world, racking up 30-something countries in short order. "I got to the point where I'd rather stay in a shack in the jungle in Belize than go to a Four Seasons," Chambers says. "Luxury just does not do it for me." That same year, he founded the digital ad agency Chamber Media, which would land him on a Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Ultimately, he says, the company was a means to an end. In 2021, Chambers cashed out with a reported $17 million to fund his real dream. OutpostX is a whole lot of nothing, and that's by design. Imagined as a "postapocalyptic sanctuary," the retreat covers 240 acres yet feels significantly larger given the lack of visible borders. You can see for miles there without recognizing anything other than mountains and scrub. Chambers identifies luxury, service and location as the three elements on which most hotels compete. "We didn't follow any of those," he boasts. There's no gift shop, no restaurant, not even a vending machine. You could complete your stay at OutpostX without interacting with another soul. The accommodations consist of three cave dwellings, four Zen Domes and a handful of tents. Whether you purchase the ingredients from OutpostX or bring your own food, you'll be cooking for yourself - either in your kitchenette or the fire pit in the common area. Instead of a staff to pamper guests, there are hot tubs, a cold plunge and a sauna with a wood-burning stove. A solitary hammock offers its occupant a silence most will never know. In keeping with Chambers' tastes, OutpostX is aggressively anti-luxury, and guests are more than happy to pay for that vibe. Zen Domes start at $320 a night, the one-bedroom caves at $390 and the two-bedroom cave at $475. Ahead of its opening in 2023, the retreat was sold out for its first year. "We've gotten comments on the internet, 'You want us to pay to stay in a Third World country?' " Chambers says. "And we're like, 'Yep. Exactly. A Third World country 2,000 years from now.' " A mythology of its own Not only is OutpostX reminiscent of the Skywalkers' home planet, guests can explore its outer reaches from inside sand cruisers, custom-built vehicles that greatly resemble Luke's banged-up landspeeder - minus the hovering. Just don't expect anyone involved in the enterprise to mention the words "Star Wars." (It's a bit like the episode of "The Simpsons" in which the family hires a singing British nanny named Shary Bobbins who insists she's "an original creation, like Ricky Rouse and Monald Muck.") Instead, the retreat comes with its own backstory involving brothers Maa and Naa Hyer, who were separated at birth to avoid being recruited into the galactic military. What you experience at OutpostX is the settlement as it's being rebuilt after The Empire destroyed it with a solar flare. That story plays out in the multi-episode podcast that's sent to guests so they'll have something to listen to during the 180-mile drive from Las Vegas or the 100-mile trip from Zion National Park. Signs around OutpostX tell more of the tale, the way a state park might showcase its flora and fauna. The caves, they inform the guests who notice them, were built with materials hauled out of far-off granite quarries by giant Armaados, while the Zen Domes were constructed from the blast glass salvaged from a crashed ship. Guests typically break down into thirds, Chambers says. There's the "sci-fi geeks and nerds" who'll take to the origin tale and rent the corresponding costumes; those looking for seclusion; and the Burning Man/hippie crowd. The communal Kaan Lounge offers Frank Herbert's "Dune" books for the former. For the latter, it also houses a guitar, drums, a sonic energy handpan and a "Sound Bowl Experience." More is on the way "Every very smart person told us that it was a horrible idea," Chambers says. They've started coming around, though. OutpostX is 90% booked six months in advance. Similar locations are planned to open in Moab and Puerto Rico this year. By then, potential guests may have figured out whether the minimalist concept is right for them. "I've seen people show up in a Maybach or a Bentley and get out," Chambers says, "then get in their car and leave." The OutpostX clientele, he adds, isn't so much a demographic as it is a personality: someone who's creative and imaginative - and willing to pay a premium to exercise those attributes. "I think when everyone is at OutpostX," Chambers says, "they're experiencing what you would build with your friends if you were 14 years old." __________ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ananya Panday gets a shoutout by rumoured boyfriend Walker Blanco after she secures a position in Forbes 30 Under 30
, who burst onto the Bollywood scene with Student of the Year 2 in 2019, has come a long way since her debut. With back-to-back projects and a growing fanbase, she's now cemented her place as one of the industry's promising young stars. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Most recently, she starred alongside Akshay Kumar in Kesari Chapter 2 , further proving her versatility on screen. A Forbes Honour and a Digital Applause Adding another feather to her cap, Ananya has just been named in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2025—a major career milestone. Interestingly, she isn't the only Bollywood talent on the list this year; actor also earned a spot. While fans and peers are celebrating her achievement, one person seems especially thrilled—her rumoured boyfriend, Walker Blanco , who's reportedly cheering the loudest from the sidelines as Ananya continues to rise. Check out the post here: Forbes recently unveiled the 10th edition of its 30 Under 30 Asia list, and Ananya Panday proudly made the cut. The Kesari Chapter 2 actress stood out as one of only four Indians featured in the entertainment category for 2025—a major feat in an already milestone-filled year for her. Earlier, Ananya made headlines by becoming the first Indian brand ambassador for the iconic French luxury label. Now, with her name shining on the Forbes list, celebrations are pouring in from all corners—including a sweet nod from her rumoured boyfriend, Walker Blanco. He took to his Instagram Stories to share the news, adding a simple yet telling clapping emoji to show his support. Lunch Date Looks and BFF Goals Back on April 23, 2025, Ananya Panday and her rumoured beau, Walker Blanco, were spotted out on a cozy lunch date. Adding to the outing was Ananya's best friend, , making it a stylish trio sighting. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For the afternoon hangout, Ananya kept it chic in a baby blue top paired with white pants, while Walker kept it casual in a white tee and khaki pants. Suhana, twinning effortlessly with Ananya, opted for a white crop top layered with a blue shirt and classic jeans. Their coordinated looks and easy camaraderie quickly caught the paparazzi's eye. From Rumours to Romance? The dating rumours between Ananya Panday and Walker Blanco first sparked in 2024, when the two were spotted together at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's lavish wedding festivities. According to a report by Bombay Times, Ananya even introduced Walker as her partner during the celebrations. Adding fuel to the buzz, a source revealed that the alleged couple shared a romantic dance performance at the event, making their chemistry hard to miss.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Meet The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class Of 2025
This 10th edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list puts the spotlight on a new wave of entrepreneurs and innovators with a bold vision for the future—one that's largely powered by artificial intelligence. From automating mundane tasks such as transcribing client calls to providing sophisticated analytics for hedge fund managers and speeding up the discovery of new chemical materials, AI is reshaping how startups innovate. More than a third of those on our list use AI in some way, a trend that prompted us to create a new AI category. Take for example Jin Kim, 28, cofounder of Seoul-based LinqAlpha. In May last year, Kim teamed up with 3 other cofounders (two of whom are 30 Under 30 alumni) to deliver tech-driven insights to investors, with a focus on hedge fund managers. Their subscription-based platform uses AI to speed up research into more than 60,000 companies in over 80 markets and in 20 languages, it says, trawling through large volumes of data, such as securities filings, financial reports and earnings-call transcripts as well as text files, PDFs and social media. LinqAlpha raised $6.6 million in seed funding last year from investors such as Korea-based VC firms Atinum, InterVest, Kakao Ventures and Smilegate Investment. Jin Kim, cofounder of LinqAlpha. Douglas Levy for Forbes Asia For founders navigating the turbulent waters of fundraising, AI has emerged as a strategic partner that helps refine their value propositions to investors looking to back the potential of this cutting-edge technology. Cofounded by 24-year-old Wang Guan in 2024, Singapore-based Sapient Intelligence is trying to create artificial general intelligence (AGI), or AI that can match or surpass human intelligence. The startup is combining technology from mathematics, neuroscience and machine learning in the training of AI models that can solve very complex puzzles like Sudoku. Last December, Sapient Intelligence raised $22 million in seed funding from investors including Vertex Ventures and Sumitomo Group, giving it a valuation of over $200 million. In Japan, 29-year-old Kazuki Yumiba cofounded Hutzper which enables manufacturers to automate quality inspections to reduce costs. Food companies, for example, can use its Mekikibaito technology to check for contamination and damaged products. Customers include Tsukishima Foods and Toshiba. The startup has raised ¥883 million ($6.2 million) in funding, including from East Ventures and Hiroshima Venture Capital. AI is also being used by our listees in almost every category including Healthcare & Science, Retail & Ecommerce, Finance & Venture Capital and even Social Impact. Elsewhere on the list, reflecting Gen Z's departure from the mantra of 'go big or go home,' young go-getters are building niche businesses aimed at a local customer base. From hair products to activewear and craft beverages, they are tapping into growing demand for homegrown offerings. Sisters Raena and Rahee Ambani, 24 and 28, launched Mumbai-based activewear company Terractive in 2023, offering innovative sportswear that is both cooling and anti-odor. Last December, Terractive raised 80 million rupees (about $950,000) in a pre-series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures and DeVC. Raena Ambani and Rahee Ambani, cofounders of Terractive. Supplied photo Creating an India-made product to pamper her curly hair also led Anshita Mehrotra to build a niche haircare brand that's grown over the past six years. The Gurgaon-based Fix My Curls sells a range of shampoos, conditioners and gels and says it's delivered over 500,000 orders so far across ten countries, sold directly from its website as well as through Amazon, beauty retailer Nykaa and others. It has raised $910,000 in a seed round led by Amazon Sambhav Venture Fund (ASVF). 'There's crazy potential in this business,' says Mehrotra. In Australia, 26-year-old Annabel Hay turned a wardrobe malfunction at a Sydney nightclub in 2016 into a multimillion-dollar business. Launched in 2022, Clutch Glue is a liquid alternative to fashion tape that Hay spent four years developing. In November 2024, the company received A$1.4 million ($900,000) in pre-seed funding led by Blackbird. Putu Wiranatha, cofounder of Kuru Kuru beer. Supplied photo Based in Bali, Putu Wiranatha cofounded craft beer brand Kura Kura Beer with his father Kadek in 2020. Kura Kura, meaning 'turtle' in Bahasa Indonesian, refers to the legend that Bali lies on top of a turtle's back. Its brewery produces two types of pale ale, one IPA and a lager as well as short-term limited releases. In December 2023, the company shipped its first exports to Australia. The final 300 entries on this year's list were selected from over 4,500 nominations and represent 20 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. India has the most entries with 94 entries, followed by Australia (32), China (30), Japan (25) and South Korea (23). Singapore and Indonesia have 19 entries each. In addition to entrepreneurs, they include venture capitalists, activists, artists and athletes, whose achievements in their respective fields stand out. They were vetted by a panel of experts from a range of industries and researched by a team of Forbes Asia reporters and editors across the region. Check out our full Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list here.
