Latest news with #PNNBengaluru
Business Standard
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Kreo's Latest Survey Results Reveal The Face of the Indian Gaming Industry
PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 6: Kreo, a next-generation Indian consumer electronics brand dedicated to empowering content creators and gamers with premium, innovative, and accessible gear, has released a nationwide, landmark study titled "How India Games". The report reveals that more than 35% of Indian gamers today are working professionals across demographic, including engineers, creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs. Women over 35 are emerging as one of the fastest-growing gaming segments, and over half of India's gamers say they want to build careers in content creation or esports. - Gaming in India has outgrown its stereotypes. Data shows that 35% of Indian gamers are creators, coders, and entrepreneurs. - Gen Z Gamers, Working Professionals, and Women 35+ Are Driving India's Gaming Boom - Kreo's survey of nearly 6,000 gamers reveals explosive growth, rising female participation, and a harsh reality for many online The report is a result of a first-of-its-kind deep dive into the identities, habits, and aspirations of nearly 5,900+ Indian gamers, and arrives at a moment of major industry momentum. According to a recent report by WinZO Games and IEIC, India's online gaming sector is expected to more than double to $9.1 billion by 2029, with the country already home to nearly 20% of the global gamer base. Key findings: - More than 35% of gamers are entrepreneurs, techies, and creators, dispelling the old myth that gaming is just for students. - The nation's gaming population is racing forward with an annual growth pegged at 16%. - The gender tide is slowly turning, and women are changing the face of Indian gaming. - While men (94%) have historically dominated the gaming scene, women are rapidly catching up after age 35. - 73% of female gamers admit to hiding their gender online, driven by experiences of harassment, yet they are still joining, creating, and leading new communities. - Gaming is fueling dreams: - Nearly one in five have participated in esports competitions, which represents a powerful, untapped potential for participation and content creation, surging across all age groups. - 53% of gamers are actively interested in creating their own content, many already stream, code, and collaborate as part of a burgeoning creator economy. - Despite the rise of console and PC-only gamers, "mobile gaming" remains the most popular entry point, with a massive 88% of gamers dabbling on smartphones, often alongside other devices. - Interestingly, most Indian parents still see gaming as a "waste of time", yet nearly one in ten parents have joined a game with their children, hinting at a slow but sure generational shift. "Gaming was an escape for me when I was young. Evaluating the results of this report, it seems an even more prevalent option to solve loneliness in India. Today, gaming is an even more defining part of how 300M+ Indians connect, create, and express themselves," said Ishan Sukul, Co-founder and CEO, Kreo. "With How India Games, we wanted to go beyond numbers to understand what gaming really means to people, how its solving cultural issues, including depression." India is home to one of the largest gaming populations in the world. As gaming grows from a pastime into a parallel economy and cultural force, reports like 'How India Games' become critical in understanding both how we play and who we are becoming. Download the full report here. About Kreo: Kreo is an upcoming, fast-growing performance-tech brand reshaping how India games, creates, and builds. Founded in 2022, Kreo builds high-performance gear, including precision mice, mechanical keyboards, ergonomic chairs, and creator-first accessories. The brand combines thoughtful design, durable engineering, and accessible pricing to meet the needs of India's next 500 million digital natives. Headquartered in Bangalore, Kreo is backed by Sauce VC, The Chona Family Office, and a strong network of angel investors. With a rapidly growing D2C presence and a loyal community of gamers, streamers, and content creators, Kreo is becoming a key player in India's evolving tech and hardware ecosystem. From esports athletes to everyday creators and office-goers, Kreo is where comfort meets speed, and style meets performance. About the founder & CEO - Ishan Sukul: Ishan Sukul is the founder and CEO of Kreo. An engineer by degree and a creator at heart, Ishan began his career in consulting, venture capital and building digital-first brands. Seeing a lack of premium, well-designed and accessible tech gear in the Indian market, we set out to build Kreo.
Business Standard
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Kelachandra Coffee to Showcase India's Specialty Coffee Excellence at World of Coffee 2025 Geneva
PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 27: Kelachandra Coffee, India's largest privately held coffee plantation company, is delighted to announce its participation in World of Coffee 2025 Geneva, to be held from June 26-28 at Palexpo SA, Geneva, Switzerland. This global platform highlights India's rising prominence in the world of specialty coffee, with Kelachandra at the forefront--championing innovation, rich flavor profiles, and sustainable practices. Visit Booth 2573 to experience the best of Indian coffee and don't miss an exclusive cupping session with Emeline Herel, a dedicated barista with over five years of experience, known for her craft and passion for the bean. With over 13,000 visitors from 150 countries, more than 430 exhibiting companies, and 120 roasters participating, World of Coffee Geneva stands as one of the most influential gatherings in the global coffee calendar. As one of Asia's most respected coffee producers, Kelachandra joins this vibrant platform to represent the rising stature of Indian coffee, rooted in sustainability, innovation, and heritage. The Geneva edition of World of Coffee will host the prestigious SCA Lecture Series, Green Coffee Connect, and numerous workshops aimed at addressing global coffee challenges--from climate change and logistics disruption to market consolidation and quality innovation. In this dynamic environment, Kelachandra Coffee will represent the rising profile of Indian specialty coffee on the global stage. "We're excited to bring Indian specialty coffee to Geneva--a city that has long been a hub for global trade, innovation, and sustainability," said Neleema Rana George, Head of Coffee Works and Technology at Kelachandra Coffee. "Our single-origin, hand-harvested coffees from the Western Ghats reflect the richness of India's biodiversity, the depth of our soil science, and the precision of our post-harvest innovation. World of Coffee Geneva is the perfect platform to showcase how India is not just catching up--but leading in quality and traceability." Kelachandra cultivates shade-grown, Rainforest Alliance-certified Arabica and Robusta across 15 estates spread over 6,300 acres in the Western Ghats--one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biodiversity. As part of their showcase, Kelachandra will participate in cupping sessions and networking forums to engage with international roasters, green coffee buyers, and sustainability champions. "We see Geneva as a convergence of values that matter deeply to us--transparency, equity, quality, and community," said Ryana Kuruvilla, Head of People & Culture at Kelachandra Coffee. "At Kelachandra, 55% of our workforce is women. We believe great coffee begins with great people--and we're proud to present a story of inclusion, heritage, and transformation through every cup we share." Kelachandra's presence at Green Coffee Connect will also spotlight their commitment to climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming techniques, and responsible sourcing models that align with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). "Sustainability is not a checkbox for us--it's a living principle that shapes every decision, from seed to shipment," said Rishina Kuruvilla, Head of CSR & Sustainability at Kelachandra Coffee. "Our work with agroforestry, carbon sequestration, water conservation, and ethical sourcing under the EDUR (Ethical & Directly Uplifting Relationships) framework makes Indian coffee not only world-class in flavor but also in impact. We look forward to sharing these values with the global coffee community in Geneva." As the specialty coffee sector navigates a rapidly evolving landscape, Kelachandra Coffee's participation in World of Coffee Geneva reaffirms India's potential as a key player in the future of sustainable coffee. Attendees can meet the Kelachandra team on the expo floor, taste their award-winning coffees, and explore collaborative opportunities. About Kelachandra Coffee Kelachandra Coffee is a distinguished division of the Kelachandra Group, a diversified business house with roots dating back to 1786. As India's largest privately held coffee plantation companies, Kelachandra Coffee cultivates high-range, shade-grown, hand-harvested specialty Arabica and Robusta coffee across more than 6,300 acres in 15 lush estates located in the fertile landscapes of Chikmagalur, Karnataka, and parts of Kerala. Producing 2,000 metric tons of premium coffee annually, including 30 metric tons of specialty varieties, Kelachandra Coffee leverages advanced agricultural practices and state-of-the-art technology to ensure exceptional quality and consistency. The company has established strong export partnerships with countries such as Japan, Denmark, Norway, and Australia, while also serving as a preferred supplier in the domestic market for renowned firms like Blue Tokai and Third Wave. Kelachandra Coffee is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, with all its estates Rainforest Alliance certified and EDUR.
Business Standard
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Brixline revolutionises India's construction & home ownership market
PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 26: India's first fully tech integrated construction-as-a-service (CaaS) company, Brixline is revolutionising the home-construction market by becoming a one-stop shop for all home-ownership needs. Anyone constructing a home in India knows that the real challenge starts right from the stage of financing the purchase through a home loan and continues right till the time the last EMI is paid off. Added to that are the construction costs, in case of plot buyers who wish to construct their own house and the maintenance costs that are compulsory in any gated community. Brixline uses tech to offer a solution for every aspect connected with constructing a home, starting right from the stage of securing a home loan. It acts as a tech-enabled Direct Selling Agent (DSA), partnering with more than 12 banks, NBFCs and Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) to disburse loans within just 25 days. Given that home owners often end-up paying back almost double the amount - or sometimes even more - to the lender by the time their loan tenure comes to end, Brixline has made home loans affordable through its long-term structured cash back payout as a reward by managing assets long term until loan closure. In an industry first, Brixline also offers a Default Protection Model for both home loan borrowers and the lending institutions, which completely eliminates home loan defaults, foreclosures and non-performing assets (NPA) - a win-win for both home loan borrowers and the lenders. "The Default Protection Model by Brixline covers up to certain EMIs in case of temporary defaults, which could occur in cases where the home loan borrower may have been laid off or faces a temporary financial crunch. In cases of permanent default, Brixline repays the entire loan, takes temporary possession but allows the family to stay and offers a 100-year buyback clause at market value which is a humane alternative to ruthless foreclosures. It's also advantageous for lenders as it eliminates NPAs," says Gatish Chandra Nayak, Director of Growth, Brixline. Brixline's CaaS Plus AMC model comes as a boon to home owners who have to contend with a multiplicity of requirements for constructing a house, including dealing with architects, contractors, labour, construction material, not to mention on-site supervision. Brixline offers a one-stop shop construction model with zero cost escalation and a 12-month guaranteed delivery with turnkey construction that starts from the floor plan to the final coat of paint. Briline's network of 38 vetted contractors and an in-house team of over 80 architects, engineers, interior designers and floor planners backed by regular quality audits ensures that home owners build the home of their choice completely stress-free. Using technology as an enabler, Brixline offers a tech dashboard - via a personalised Construction Tracker App - enabling home owners to track their construction in real-time, with stage-wise photos, milestones and updates. The app also allows home owners to check task completion percentages, payment breakdowns, details of the contractor and the supervisor in addition to facilitating scheduled walkthroughs and arrange site meetings, making the entire construction process absolutely transparent. Brixline's commitment however doesn't just end with delivering a finished house - it also takes care of the day-to-day maintenance of the property through its 15-year property management plan which includes repairs when required, asset portfolio tracking and digital upkeep records, valuation updates and resale assistance, and rental & resale facilitation if required. About Brixline Established in 2022, Brixline is India's first company offering Construction as a Service (CaaS) by using technology to provide cradle-to-completion home-ownership services. It has over 165 ongoing projects and has delivered over 3.6 lakh square feet of space, with a GMV of more than Rs 200 crore in the last 12 months. With a 50% month-on-month growth, Brixline is aiming to become India's first tech-native housing conglomerate.
Business Standard
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Xflow announces plans to power Cross-Border Payments for over 30,000 Indian Exporters by year end
PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 19: Xflow, India's leading cross-border payments platform, today announced its bold vision to support over 30,000 Indian exporters by the end of 2025. The company is on a mission to simplify global money movement for IT service providers, funded startups, SaaS companies & fintech platforms by offering transparent, fast, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional banking systems. -Enabling Indian service exporters to go global with seamless, affordable, fast and transparent international payments -Xflow currently enables businesses to receive payments in 25+ currencies -With savings of up to 50% compared to conventional ways, Xflow has become the trusted partner for thousands of digital-first exporters Xflow currently enables businesses to receive payments in 25+ currencies, allowing Indian companies to collect globally like a local. With savings of up to 50% compared to conventional banking channels, Xflow has become the trusted partner for thousands of digital-first exporters. Anand Balaji, Co-Founder and CEO, Xflow shared, "We're now working towards enabling over 30,000 Indian exporters to manage their global receivables through Xflow by the end of the year. It's a big milestone, and it reflects the trust businesses have placed in us. Our focus remains on building intuitive, compliant, and truly simple cross-border financial infrastructure that helps Indian businesses thrive globally." Varghese Thomas, Co-Founder and Director, Demand NXTX customer of Xflow shared, "Xflow has ensured we don't leak money when moving our funds from US to India." As India's digital services sector continues to grow its global footprint, Xflow is strengthening its commitment to making cross-border payments simple, affordable, and scalable for businesses of all sizes. The team is focused on expanding platform capabilities, forming new partnerships, and ensuring that exporters from emerging startups to established enterprises have access to seamless and secure global payment solutions. Additionally, to streamline global payment workflows for fintech platforms, Xflow has also integrated with leading platforms such as Zoho Books, Drip Capital, Savedesk etc. These integrations allow users on these platforms to seamlessly manage invoicing, accounting, trade financing, and cross-border payments from a single interface. By embedding itself into tools exporters already use daily, Xflow eliminates the friction of fragmented systems - enabling faster reconciliation, greater transparency, and savings up to 30% for these users. About Xflow Xflow - a leading fintech offering cross-border payments for SMEs (ITES & Funded Startups). Designed to eliminate inefficiencies in international transactions, Xflow offers a seamless, transparent, and fully compliant payment experience for businesses of all sizes - from freelancers and startups to large-scale enterprises. The company is currently servicing over 10,000 businesses & has processed hundreds of millions. Founded by Anand Balaji, Ashwin Bhatnagar and Abhijit Chandrasekaran, Xflow simplifies global money movement with innovative solutions that ensure effortless international transactions, efficient currency conversion, instant settlements, and full regulatory compliance. Headquartered in Bangalore, India, Xflow is backed by Lightspeed, General Catalyst, and Stripe, providing a strong financial foundation for long-term innovation.
Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Xflow integrates with Drip Capital to Transform Cross-Border Payments for Over 9,000 SMEs
PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 14: Xflow, a leading cross-border payments platform, has partnered with Drip Capital, a fintech specializing in trade finance solutions, to optimize international transactions for businesses. This collaboration empowers Drip's users by offering them a seamless and cost-effective cross-border payments solution, significantly reducing transaction fees and improving operational efficiency. Drip Capital, which has facilitated trade finance solutions worth $8+ billion USD, has been instrumental in enabling businesses to access working capital with ease. By integrating with Xflow, Drip Capital is now providing its clients with a streamlined approach to international payments, eliminating inefficiencies tied to traditional banking systems and offering greater transparency in global transactions. "Partnering with Drip Capital has been a fantastic opportunity to extend our seamless cross-border payment solutions to global trade businesses," said Anand Balaji, Co-Founder & CEO of Xflow. "By integrating with Drip Capital, we're enabling exporters and businesses to save on transaction costs, streamline global payment processes, and strengthen their financial efficiency. At Xflow, our platform is designed for easy integrations, allowing us to collaborate with fintech leaders and ensure a frictionless experience for their users." Despite the increasing need for faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments, many companies still rely on outdated banking infrastructures that lack transparency and real-time processing capabilities. As a result, businesses face not only financial losses but also operational inefficiencies that hinder their ability to scale effectively in the international market. "Xflow's cutting-edge technology has been a game-changer for our clientele," said Pushkar Mukewar, Co-Founder & CEO of Drip Capital. "Before integrating Xflow's solutions, businesses struggled with slow international payments and high transaction costs. With Xflow, we've been able to offer an effortless, transparent, and cost-efficient payment experience. SMBs associated with us have saved up to 20% in transaction fees, significantly improving their bottom line." About Xflow Xflow - a leading fintech offering cross-border payments for SMEs (ITES & Funded Startups). Designed to eliminate inefficiencies in international transactions, Xflow offers a seamless, transparent, and fully compliant payment experience for businesses of all sizes - from freelancers and startups to large-scale enterprises. The company is currently servicing more than 7000 businesses & has processed hundreds of millions. Founded by Anand Balaji, Ashwin Bhatnagar and Abhijit Chandrasekaran, Xflow simplifies global money movement with innovative solutions that ensure effortless international transactions, efficient currency conversion, instant settlements, and full regulatory compliance. Headquartered in Bangalore, India, Xflow is backed by Lightspeed, General Catalyst, and Stripe, providing a strong financial foundation for long-term innovation. About Drip Capital Drip Capital is a leading fintech company specializing in trade finance solutions, helping SMEs unlock working capital for global trade. By leveraging data and technology, Drip Capital offers flexible and collateral-free financing options, ensuring importers and exporters have the liquidity needed to scale their businesses. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with offices in India and Mexico, Drip Capital has provided billions in trade finance solutions, empowering businesses to thrive in the competitive global market.
