Latest news with #AshishBansal
Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Pondy Oxides gains after Q4 PAT soars 47% YoY to Rs 18 cr
Pondy Oxides & Chemicals added 1.34% to Rs 858.05 after the company's standalone net profit surged 46.52% to Rs 18.01crore in Q4 FY25 as against Rs 12.30 crore posted in Q4 FY24. Revenue from operations jumped 44.55% YoY to Rs 516.63 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2025. Profit before tax (PBT) stood at Rs 22.17 crore in Q4 FY25, up 48.69%, compared to Rs 14.91 crore reported in Q4 FY24. During the quarter, EBITDA stood at Rs 27 crore, up 31% from Rs 21 crore in Q4 FY24. However, the EBITDA margin declined to 5.3% in Q4 FY25 from 5.8% in Q4 FY24. On a consolidated basis, the companys net profit jumped 38.99% to Rs 16.61 crore on a 44.21% surge in revenue from operations to Rs 523.71 crore in Q4 FY25 over Q4 FY24. For FY25, the sales mix between domestic and export markets stood at 34% and 66%, respectively. The percentage of value-added products in the Lead segment has remained constant. POCL's financial health has improved significantly, with lower net debt, better debt-to-equity metrics, and enhanced working capital management. Ashish Bansal, managing director, I am delighted to share that POCL has delivered its best-ever performance in FY25, achieving record Revenue, EBITDA, and PAT, with growth of 33%, 39%, and 65%, respectively. This was driven by strong operational execution and increased volumes across Lead, Copper, and Plastic. Over the last five years, the company has maintained impressive momentum, with EBITDA and PAT CAGRs of 22% and 32%. With a stronger balance sheet, reduced net debt, and improved working capital efficiency, POCL is firmly on track to achieve its Target 2030 focusing on capacity expansion, 15%+ volume growth, 20%+ revenue CAGR, enhanced margins, and increased contribution from value-added products. Supported by strategic execution, financial strength, and stakeholder trust, POCL is well-positioned for long-term, sustainable growth. Pondy Oxides & Chemicals' principal activities are converting scraps of various forms of lead, aluminum, and copper into lead metal, aluminum metal, copper, and its alloys.
Associated Press
27-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
StarSpark AI Revolutionizes Math Education with AI-Powered Tutoring, as Featured in VentureBeat
02/26/2025, Pleasanton, California // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Pleasanton, California – In a world where math education remains a challenge for millions, StarSpark AI is breaking barriers with its innovative AI-powered tutoring platform. Featured in a recent VentureBeat article, the startup founded by Ashish Bansal and Rohit Joshi is redefining the way students engage with mathematics, leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence and neuroscience-backed learning techniques. VentureBeat's in-depth coverage highlights how Bansal and Joshi—seasoned AI veterans with careers at Google and Meta—were driven by personal experiences to develop an education solution that prioritizes engagement, effectiveness, and accessibility. Disillusioned by traditional math instruction, the founders set out to create an AI tutor that mirrors one-on-one human guidance, fostering independent problem-solving rather than spoon-feeding answers. Transforming Math Education with AI-Powered Personalization The impact of personalized tutoring on learning outcomes has been well-documented. As the feature notes, research by Benjamin Bloom found that students receiving individual instruction outperformed 98% of their peers in traditional classrooms. However, the high cost of private tutoring limits access for many students. StarSpark AI bridges this gap by offering an affordable, AI-powered tutor that adapts to each student's unique learning style and pace. Unlike conventional AI chatbots that simply provide solutions, StarSpark AI employs the Socratic method, guiding students through problems step-by-step to build critical thinking skills. As Ashish Bansal explains in the article, 'We don't want students to use AI to do their thinking for them. We want them to develop the skills and confidence to tackle challenging questions independently.' Rethinking How Math is Taught: A Neuroscience-Driven Approach In the VentureBeat feature, the StarSpark founders emphasize their core belief: math is a skill that can be strengthened, much like a muscle. With consistent practice and the right techniques, any student can excel. StarSpark AI's adaptive platform provides multiple problem-solving pathways, catering to diverse cognitive styles and fostering conceptual mastery over rote memorization. Their approach is firmly grounded in neuroscientific research. Studies highlighted in the article emphasize the effectiveness of multi-sensory learning, where students engage visually, verbally, and physically to reinforce math concepts. StarSpark AI integrates interactive visualizations, animations, and hands-on exercises, making abstract concepts more tangible and easier to grasp. Addressing the Global Teacher Shortage with AI The article also sheds light on the global teacher shortage, a crisis that StarSpark AI aims to mitigate. According to the Learning Policy Institute, the U.S. faces a shortfall of over 41,000 qualified educators, with 365,000 more teaching subjects outside their expertise. The United Nations projects a 44 million teacher deficit worldwide by 2030. StarSpark AI's mission extends beyond individual learners to support overburdened teachers and underserved communities. By offering AI-powered tutoring that supplements classroom instruction, StarSpark provides a scalable solution to education inequity, ensuring that every student—regardless of geography or socioeconomic status—has access to high-quality learning support. Breaking Language Barriers with Strategic Partnerships As the feature highlights, StarSpark AI is actively working to expand accessibility through multilingual capabilities. One key initiative is its partnership with the nonprofit DIL (Developments in Literacy), which delivers AI-driven math tutoring in Urdu to students in Pakistan. This is just the beginning, with StarSpark poised to expand its AI tutor to additional languages and regions, further dismantling barriers to quality education worldwide. Measuring Success with MetaMetrics' Quantile Framework Credibility and measurable impact are critical to StarSpark AI's mission. The feature details how the company has partnered with MetaMetrics, the organization behind the widely used Quantile® measures for academic progress assessment. By aligning with a trusted standard used across all U.S. states, StarSpark ensures that student improvements on its platform translate into real-world academic gains. Bansal emphasizes the importance of tangible results: 'Parents and educators want proof that a tool works. By integrating Quantile measures, we can show measurable progress in the classroom that validates the effectiveness of StarSpark's methodology.' A Bold Vision for the Future of Education StarSpark AI is not just disrupting the status quo—it's redefining the future of education. As featured in VentureBeat, Bansal and Joshi envision a world where every student, regardless of background, has access to an AI tutor that is as effective as it is compassionate. Their platform is designed not to replace teachers, but to empower them, providing a tool that enhances productivity and ensures no child is left behind. 'Farmers didn't stop farming when tractors came along. They used the technology to become more productive,' says Bansal in the article. 'That's what we're doing for education—giving students the tools they need to thrive in a world where AI is a reality.' With its neuroscience-backed approach, AI-driven personalization, and commitment to global accessibility, StarSpark AI is proving that technology can be a force for educational equity and empowerment. About StarSpark AI StarSpark AI is an innovative AI-powered math tutoring platform founded by Ashish Bansal and Rohit Joshi. Rooted in the latest neuroscience research, StarSpark AI provides personalized, interactive learning experiences designed to make math education accessible and effective for all students. The platform adapts to each learner's pace, builds confidence, and fosters deep conceptual understanding. StarSpark AI partners with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and leading assessment companies to ensure measurable, real-world impact. Contact:
