Latest news with #PawanGupta
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Weddings In 2025 Are All About Bite-Sized Drama And Full-Sized Flavor
Weddings in 2025 are all about creating your own trends and enjoying what you love the most From butter chicken sliders to bubble tea bars, wedding menus in 2025 are ditching the traditional buffet for playful, personalized culinary experiences. Couples are mixing nostalgic comfort foods with global twists, turning every bite into a vibe-worthy moment. Since the beginning of wedding traditions, food has always been at the heart of the celebration. Across cultures and regions from grand Indian weddings to intimate Western ceremonies, from the rich, spice-laden feasts of North India to the subtle, aromatic flavours of the South every wedding tells its own story through its cuisine. The menu isn't just about feeding guests; it reflects the couple's roots, traditions, and the joy of togetherness. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a major shift in wedding traditions, especially in India where the idea of a wedding with just 25 guests, including the bride and groom, was once unthinkable. Since then, new-age couples have taken the lead in redefining what a celebration looks like. Guest lists have shrunk, but creativity has expanded especially when it comes to food. Today's couples prefer intimate gatherings that focus on quality over quantity, with menus becoming an essential part of the storytelling. Pawan Gupta, Founder and CEO of The Wedding Company, notes, 'There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to wedding food anymore. Couples today want menus that feel personal, playful, and rooted in their stories. From fusion dishes blending Indian and global flavours to nostalgic childhood snacks and quirky live counters, the focus is on creating an experience guests will remember long after the wedding ends." This shift towards curated culinary experiences has turned wedding menus into a canvas of creativity. Couples are working closely with chefs and planners to craft moments that resonate with their shared journey whether it's grandma's recipe reimagined or a themed dessert bar inspired by their first date. Every detail, from presentation to portion size, is being rethought to transform dining into an emotional highlight rather than just a meal. Adding to this perspective, Dilbir Sahni, Founder, IndoBangkok Weddings, says, 'In Indian weddings, as you know, food isn't just a meal it's a memory. For generations, it's been one of the single biggest markers of a well-planned celebration and guests remember the hospitality for years to come. In 2025, I've seen families involved in every nitty-gritty detail, from meals and cutlery to plating, server aesthetics, all of it. I'm seeing reinventions of the classics: chaats in shot glasses, mini biryanis in clay pots, mithai with molecular infusions, keto bars, and so much more. It's tradition with a modern soul, because a happy guest is always a well-fed one." Weddings in 2025 are all about creating your own trends and enjoying what you love the most. Food has evolved into a medium of storytelling, where every course can carry a personal touch. Whether it's an intimate sit-down dinner or a lively spread of interactive food stations, couples and families are choosing curated menus that prioritize emotional connection and guest experience over sheer scale. From reimagined classics to theatrical live counters, every dish is designed to be as memorable as the vows themselves. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The Wedding Company raises $1 million to digitise wedding services
BENGALURU: Wedding planning startup The Wedding Company has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by LVX (formerly LetsVenture) and Tremis Capital, with participation from Wakefit cofounder Chaitanya Ramalingegowda, Delhivery COO Ajith Pai and Dropbox cofounder Arash Ferdowsi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Founded in 2023 by Pawan Gupta and Rahul Namdev, the co-founders of Y Combinator-backed matrimony platform The Wedding Company operates a full-stack platform for booking and managing wedding services across categories such as venues, décor, photography, catering and logistics. The company reported Rs 60 crore worth of service orders on its platform, managing more than 1,000 weddings across eight cities so far. According to the founders, monthly service bookings have grown 100 times in two years, now exceeding Rs 10 crore, with net monthly revenue crossing Rs 1 crore. The funding will be used to expand into new cities, invest in product and technology, and build a broader network of vendor partners. The company is targeting India's highly fragmented $130 billion wedding services market, aiming to bring structure and reliability to what it describes as an unorganised and operationally complex industry. 'Weddings in India are large, emotional, and logistically complex,' said Pawan Gupta, cofounder of The Wedding Company. 'While the market is massive, there is no trusted brand managing fulfillment at scale.' Investor Ramalingegowda said the company was addressing a high-friction, high-value use case in a large consumer category, adding that the team's 'execution velocity and market insight' were key differentiators.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
SkillsCapital expands offering to include CTOs-on-demand for startups
AI-powered cloud platform SkillsCapital has expanded its offering to include elite CTOs on demand for global startups and enterprises, a top company official said on Sunday. The new offering will help startups, scale-ups, and PE/VC-backed firms worldwide address one of their most critical challenges - finding the right technology leadership with flexibility, SkillsCapital Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Pawan Gupta said. The company's proprietary AI/ML engine evaluates CTOs across 400-plus leadership, technical, and cultural parameters, delivering a personalized and customized match for each organization's unique needs for technology leadership, Gupta said. This expansion comes at a time when global demand for senior technology leaders is soaring, he stated. As per studies, nearly 65 per cent of early-stage Indian startups struggle to scale due to gaps in CTO-level expertise, while global PE/VC firms report 20-30 per cent of portfolio companies facing delays and cost overruns linked to weak tech strategy, he added. Explaining the on-demand model, he said that SkillsCapital's elite CTOs on-demand offering provides full-time CTOs for long-term leadership, fractional CTOs for early-stage or budget-conscious companies, interim CTOs for urgent leadership gaps or turnarounds, and CTO Governance-as-a-Service, where a panel of the world's top CTOs provides strategic oversight for portfolio companies. "Access to on-demand CTOs is a game-changer, especially for startups and PE-backed firms. SkillsCapital's model blends AI precision with human insight, helping companies avoid the costly mistakes of poor leadership hires," Pradeep Singh, an IIT Delhi Alumnus and one of the industry's leading CTOs, said. SkillsCapital's platform enables professionals to work on global assignments without relocating, driving career growth, improving work-life balance, and contributing to local economies.
Fashion Value Chain
27-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Smart Style: How India's Textile Innovations Are Redefining Global Fashion and Living
In an era where fashion is as much about innovation and intention as it is about design, India's textile sector is stepping into a defining moment. Once known purely for its artisanal heritage and cost-effective manufacturing, the country is now emerging as a strategic and technological powerhouse in the global textile value chain—driven not only by shifting geopolitics but by the smart reinvention of how fabrics are designed, produced, and consumed. As global brands look beyond China amidst ongoing trade tensions and supply chain diversification, India's textile hubs—from Tiruppur to Surat—are rapidly becoming innovation zones. What sets India apart isn't just scale; it's the sector's ability to infuse textiles with intelligence—fabrics that regulate body temperature, resist bacteria, or biodegrade without harm. Add to this the rise of eco-alternatives like banana, bamboo, and hemp-based fibers, and India's pitch to the world is no longer just affordable manufacturing—it's smart, sustainable style. 'India's textile industry is going through an exciting shift—blending its rich heritage of craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. It's no longer just about making clothes; it's about creating products that match today's lifestyle and global expectations,' says Pawan Gupta, Co-Founder of Fashinza, a tech-driven platform that connects fashion brands with manufacturers. 'From AI that helps predict design trends to eco-friendly fabrics made from banana, bamboo, and hemp, Indian textiles are stepping into a smarter, more sustainable future.' This evolution is happening in real-time. Indian manufacturers are digitizing sourcing, compressing lead times, and embracing data-led production—moving away from the slow, fragmented processes of the past. Global buyers are responding. With sustainability now a key mandate, they're turning to India not only for price but for purpose—seeking traceable, on-demand, design-forward supply chains that can deliver at speed. But as Pawan Gupta emphasizes, execution is everything. 'The opportunity is historic, but the winners will be those who consolidate quickly, integrate tech deeply, and present a unified, agile supply chain. Global brands want partners who think like architects, not just producers.' India's edge lies in its full-stack capability—from fiber to fashion—and in its ability to blend tradition with transformation. Whether it's smart textiles entering global fashion houses or sustainable home fabrics redefining interior aesthetics, Indian innovation is now setting the pace. The future of fashion and living is being rewoven—and India is no longer just part of the supply chain; it's leading the narrative.
Khaleej Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
India's toy industry eyes Middle East expansion via UAE gateway
India's toy sector is rapidly reshaping the global landscape, propelled by strategic policy interventions including the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa). Fuelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for local manufacturing and zero-duty access to the UAE market, India has witnessed a dramatic transformation: toy exports have soared by a remarkable 240 per cent while imports have been halved in the past decade. This phenomenal growth positions India to aggressively push high-quality toys to the UAE and beyond, cementing its role as a global production powerhouse. The Toy Biz 2025 exhibition (July 4-7, New Delhi), featuring nearly 400 Indian brands and anticipating presence from Minister Piyush Goyal, offers a direct channel for international buyers to tap into India's evolving and inventive production prowess. 'The UAE's zero-duty access gives Indian manufacturers like us a gateway into a high-potential, quality-conscious market,' stated Pawan Gupta, Managing Director - RPH India and Middle East, and Head Convener of The Toy Association of India. 'This shift in India's toy exports isn't just encouraging — it's strategic. However, competing globally means more than just low cost — it means creating IP-driven toys, investing in child-safe innovation, and delivering on storytelling. The government has laid the foundation; now it's on us to evolve from contract manufacturers to brand creators. We must keep investing in R&D, build stronger brands and ensure that 'Made in India' stands for imagination, not just affordability.' The domestic market, currently valued at $1.9 billion, is projected to reach $3 billion by 2028, underscoring India's ascent as a global leader in toy production. This momentum is further bolstered by regulatory oversight, strategic promotion of local manufacturing clusters, and significant investments from major global players who have established manufacturing bases in India, contributing substantially to local value addition. The industry's competitive edge is driven by lower labour costs, abundant raw materials, and efficient manufacturing infrastructure. New trends, including IoT-enabled toys and sustainability-focused practices, are further propelling the sector into future-ready territory, while exports continue to diversify geographically across the US, UK, Netherlands, Germany, and critically, the Middle East and Africa. In a concerted effort to accelerate this upward momentum, Invest India, in collaboration with The Toy Association of India (TAI), will host the third edition of the Global Toys CEO Meet on July 4 at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi. This event, themed 'Innovate & Play', will convene leading stakeholders, including domestic and global toy brands, senior government officials, and large-scale retailers. The Global Toys CEO Meet is an integral part of the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Exhibition, South Asia's largest toy fair, running from July 4th to 7th, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The consistent collaborative efforts between the Indian toy industry and the government are essential to firmly positioning India as a competitive alternative to established toy manufacturing hubs across Asia.
