Latest news with #Dalmia
Mid East Info
4 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Zoftware's Aayushman Dalmia wins Innovation Excellence award at Ignyte SME Challenge - Middle East Business News and Information
Aayushman Dalmia, founder of Dubai-based startup Zoftware, has won the Innovation Excellence Award at the Digital Enablement of SMEs Challenge. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence of UAE and Ignyte, positions Dalmia for further growth as he continues his mission to simplify software discovery for small and medium businesses across the region. Dalmia's platform, Zoftware, has been steadily gaining traction in the MENA startup ecosystem for offering a streamlined approach to finding, comparing and selecting enterprise software solutions – a process that remains a hurdle for many growing businesses. 'This award is a testament to the need for simplifying tech access for SMEs,' said Dalmia, who has been named among Forbes Middle East's 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs in the past. 'Our goal has always been to bridge the digital divide by helping businesses make faster, more informed software decisions.' The challenge is part of a wider push to accelerate SME digitisation across the region — an agenda that aligns closely with both government and private-sector priorities in the UAE. Aimed at recognising impactful solutions that accelerate SME digital transformation, the challenge, held recently in Dubai, drew hundreds of high-potential founders from across the MENA region. Dalmia impressed the jury with his platform's clear value proposition and scalable vision—matching SMEs with the right digital tools through a curated marketplace backed by intelligent filters, user reviews, and guided discovery. 'This award validates everything we've been building at Zoftware for the past couple of years or so,' said Dalmia, speaking after the ceremony. 'Technology shouldn't be a hurdle—it should be a launchpad. We're making it easier for SMEs to make smart digital decisions without needing an IT degree.' With this latest recognition, Zoftware joins a growing list of Dubai-born startups gaining international visibility, reinforcing the city's position as a launchpad for regional innovation. A Track Record of Disruptive Innovation- Zoftware has been making headlines since its launch for its ambitious aim: to become the region's go-to platform for B2B software discovery. In 2024, the company was recognised by TechRadar MENA as one of the 'Top 10 Startups to Watch' in the SaaS enablement space. Under Dalmia's leadership, Zoftware has grown rapidly, onboarding hundreds of software vendors and serving SMEs in sectors ranging from logistics and retail to health and education. Beyond the Prize: A Strategic Boost- 'We're at a tipping point now,' Dalmia added. 'This support will help us go deeper in key markets and integrate more AI-driven features to guide SME software choices. Our roadmap includes multi-language access, fintech tools, and region-specific integrations.' Digital Enablement: A Regional Imperative- As the UAE and wider Gulf continue to prioritise SME growth as a cornerstone of economic diversification, platforms like Zoftware are stepping in to close the tech literacy and access gap. According to a recent report by the World Bank, nearly 75% of SMEs in the MENA region still lack structured digital infrastructure – a gap Zoftware aims to close. 'We're not selling software – we're selling clarity, confidence, and capacity,' Dalmia said. 'If we get this right, we unlock not just productivity, but resilience and long-term competitiveness for thousands of businesses.' With the Innovation Excellence Award now under its belt, Zoftware is poised to scale further and cement its role as a key enabler of SME digital transformation in the region.
Mid East Info
29-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
How a Dubai Company Built a 1,000-Strong Workforce in Just 20 Years - Middle East Business News and Information
Founded in 2002 with a vision to offer reliable, locally grounded customer experience (CX) solutions, Data Direct Group recently surpassed 1,000 + employee milestone in the UAE alone. The company, today employs, more than 1500 people across four GCC countries, quietly redefining what sustainable private sector impact looks like – with a workforce that today represents 35+ nationalities. 'Our story is Dubai's story — built on ambition, innovation, and a belief in people,' says Rajiv Dalmia, Founder and Chairman of Data Direct Group that marks 23 years of operations this month. 'When we started over two decades ago, back in 2002, we had a clear focus: build a company that not only delivers operational excellence but also contributes meaningfully to the economy and society around us. That vision has stayed the same.' Supporting on-shore employment and Emiratisation In an industry often driven by offshore outsourcing, Data Direct Group has doubled down on creating meaningful, on-shore employment opportunities within the UAE. Its diverse portfolio includes call centre services, digital onboarding, and IT support — all delivered by a workforce physically present in the country and trained to global standards. 'Our journey reflects not only business resilience, but a deep-rooted commitment to on-shore job creation, inclusivity, and economic value generation,' said Dalmia explaining how this 'localisation drive' has allowed the company to support both government and private sector entities across the UAE while aligning with national initiatives such as Emiratisation. 'We've never believed in exporting jobs; we've always believed in exporting knowledge and capabilities,' Dalmia notes. 'That's why we've invested heavily in building local talent — our growth is measured not just in numbers, but in lives uplifted and careers shaped.' A true UAE-grown success story With its roots deeply embedded in Dubai, Data Direct Group has become a textbook example of homegrown enterprise success. From early challenges to regional expansion, the company has retained its core commitment to service, speed, and scalability. Today, it is trusted by leading names in banking, healthcare, government services, utilities, logistics, and telecom, delivering bespoke business solutions that enhance customer experience and drive digital agility. 'The UAE allowed us to dream big. The leadership here created an ecosystem where entrepreneurs like myself could build something real and long-lasting,' Dalmia says. One of the UAE's largest employers in its category Employing more than 1,500 people in the region and growing, Data Direct Group has carved out a reputation not only for its size but also for its inclusive work environment. With more than 35 nationalities represented, the company mirrors the cosmopolitan fabric of the UAE itself. 'We don't just talk diversity — we live it every day,' says Dalmia. 'Whether it's a young graduate from Sharjah or a systems analyst from India, we've built a space where people from all backgrounds, walks of life and academic qualifications can grow and lead.' The company's female participation has also grown steadily over the past decade, particularly in middle-management and client delivery roles — a focus area it aims to accelerate in the coming years. Driving economic impact beyond numbers Beyond employment figures, Data Direct Group plays a pivotal role in supporting the business infrastructure of the UAE and wider GCC. From managing millions of customer interactions to helping clients streamline operations, the company's services are woven into the fabric of everyday business in the region. This impact translates to cost-efficiencies, customer satisfaction, and scalable support for public services — key drivers of GDP contribution in UAE's digital economy. 'Economic impact is not just about revenue — it's about relevance,' Dalmia adds. 'The fact that we've been around for over two decades, evolving every step of the way, is proof that you can be relevant, resilient, and responsible — all at once.'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VF names chief operating officer as transformation plan continues
This story was originally published on Fashion Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Fashion Dive newsletter. VF Corp. has promoted Abhishek Dalmia to executive vice president and chief operating officer, according to a securities filing last week. Dalmia has been with the apparel conglomerate since March 2024 as its chief strategy, transformation and digital officer, per the filing. Prior to joining VF, he worked at Boston Consulting Group as a managing director and partner, where he advised footwear and apparel clients on e-commerce, marketing and technology. In his new role, Dalmia is charged with overseeing the company's corporate strategy, transformation, digital technology and supply chain operations. Dalmia steps into the role as VF continues its transformation strategy, Project Reinvent, which was first launched in 2023. That plan involves boosting its brand building, execution and sales in North America. It also involved selling the Supreme brand to EssilorLuxottica last year. Dalmia's promotion appears to be another piece of accelerating that strategy. Prior to joining Boston Consulting Group, Dalmia worked at Lululemon, where he was senior vice president of digital. In that role, he led the athleticwear giant's e-commerce, digital marketing and analytics organizations. Dalmia is one of two former Lululemon executives who joined VF last year. Sun Choe, formerly Lululemon's chief product officer, joined VF as president of Vans in July 2024. Both Dalmia and Choe are among a cohort of new executive leadership at VF since CEO Bracken Darrell joined in 2023. Since then, VF additionally named a new president for The North Face brand and a new CFO. VF is starting to see the results of its turnaround efforts. In January, it returned to revenue growth for the first time in two years. Q3 revenue grew 2% to $2.8 billion. The Vans brand, a key focus of the transformation plan, continues to see declines. In Q3, Vans revenue fell 9%. Recommended Reading Filson names VF Corp., Eddie Bauer alum as new president Sign in to access your portfolio
