New Delhi [India], Mar 2024: The Circle: Founders Club (The Circle FC) concluded the ‘The Water Challenge’ Accelerator Program with a grand Demo Day held at The Circle.Work in Gurugram last week. The event witnessed esteemed guests, including the Deputy Ambassador of Israel, Israeli government officials, Indian climate-tech investors, media representatives, corporates, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
The event commenced with the keynote address delivered by H.E. Ohad Kaynar, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel to India. Following the keynote, Ms. Noa Amsalem, the Water Attaché presented the Israeli Water Innovation Model and how India and Israel are working together to address these water challenges. Nayan Shah, Director, IDE Tech highlighted the impactful work being done in India by IDE Technologies (A world leader in water treatment solutions and desalination).
The agenda of the day also included a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Role of climate-tech Innovations in Addressing Global Challenges’, moderated by Shivam Sharma, PhD (Absolute®) and the panellists Guru Inder (Carbon Circle), Vishnu Rajeev (Speciale Invest) and Tejinderpal Miglani (Climate Angels).
The jury panel consisted of leading climate tech VCs and angel investors like Speciale Invest, Venture Catalyst, Fluid Ventures and Climate Angels, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise in the sector. The event was attended by more than 15 VCs and investors including Indian Angel Network, MeritX Ventures, AWE Funds and many more.
The nine startups who presented were –
- Watsan Environtech:Producing affordable, maintenance-free, electricity-free water purifiers.
- Aumsat Technologies: Water Infrastructure Intelligence using satellite technologies
- Ecovia: Providing environment-friendly hygiene solutions for businesses.
- Phyfarm: Providing a Sensing, Automation & Farm Intelligence Platform for Smart Agriculture.
- Arosia Water: Building cloud-connected, solar-powered AROSIA Water Kiosks.
- Nimble Vision: Implementing Smart Water & Sewage Management solutions using IoT & AI.
- WaterLab Solutions: Creating low-cost groundwater monitoring and management solutions.
- Biofilm Engineers: Developing next-generation bioreactors for wastewater treatment using IoT platforms and AI tools.
- iSync: Offering home automation solutions for urban gardening.
Three startups were awarded prizes sponsored by IDE Technologies (World leader in sustainable water treatment solutions and desalination) and Absolute® (Absolute is a global bioscience company that is creating novel biomaterials and ingredients for Agriculture, Healthcare and Biomaterials).
Rajiv Bathla, CEO, The Circle, remarked, “The Water Challenge has been a testament to the power of international collaboration in driving innovation. By leveraging expertise from Israel and India, we have created a platform for startups to thrive and create impactful solutions for global water issues.”
Nemesisa Ujjain, VP and Head – The Circle FC, stated, “The Circle FC is committed to support startups building impactful solutions for India, ultimately driving profound change on a global scale. It was an honour to work with founders dedicated to solving the country’s real grassroot problems.”
The strides achieved in technology, commercialization, and market access not only address critical water challenges but also underscore The Circle FC’s dual commitment of going global while building robust solutions in India, all within the framework of sustainability.
About The Circle: Founders Club
The Circle Founders Club is a business accelerator to help scale up growth-stage startups through focused mentoring, business services, funding support, key business collaborations, and global access. It is backed by Hunch Ventures.
]]>A Stellar Triumph for Manoj Maity
Manoj Maity, the brain behind the revolutionary approach to elderly care, has once again demonstrated his prowess in the startup landscape. The RSN Startup Contest by KIIT TBI, known for recognizing outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship, has bestowed its highest honor upon Mr. Manoj Maity for his exemplary work in reshaping the future of elderly care.
Maity’s Elderly Care: A Trailblazer in Innovation
Under Manoj Maity’s visionary leadership, Maity’s Elderly Care Services has become synonymous with innovation and excellence in the healthcare sector. The startup’s commitment to providing holistic and compassionate care for seniors has not only earned the trust of families but has also garnered attention from esteemed institutions like KIIT TBI.
Manoj Maity’s Reaction to the Win
In response to securing the top position in the RSN Startup Contest, Manoj Maity expressed his gratitude, saying, “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Maity’s Elderly Care team. We set out on this journey with a mission to redefine elderly care, and winning the RSN Startup Contest validates that we are on the right path.”
About the RSN Startup Contest by KIIT TBI
The RSN Startup Contest, organized by the KIIT Technology Business Incubator (TBI), is a prestigious platform that identifies and celebrates the most promising startups in various sectors. The contest aims to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, providing a launchpad for emerging leaders in the startup ecosystem.
About Manoj Maity :
Manoj Maity is a serial entrepreneur from Kolkata, known for his outstanding contributions to elderly care and early education. With a strong corporate background in S&D, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a commitment to excellence. As the driving force behind Maity’s Elderly Care and Baby Bunny Pre-school chain, Manoj Maity has redefined industry standards and set new benchmarks for quality and compassion. His achievements have earned him recognition as the best founder by IIT Guwahati, appointments as a Business Coach for young entrepreneurs by the Government of Delhi, and as a mentor for CIICIES and ATL by AIM – NITI Aayog, Government of India.
Website: https://manojmaity.com/
]]>Agarwal’s entrepreneurial voyage embarked in 1983 when he inaugurated the “Action” sports shoe venture. The brand swiftly gained notoriety, particularly among schoolchildren. Recognizing an untapped niche in the realm of cost-effective, long-lasting footwear within the Indian market, Agarwal saw an opportunity. In 2006, he introduced “Campus” athletic sneakers, priced under Rs 1000. Campus’s affordability positioned it in a head-to-head competition with global giants such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma, whose sports shoes were often priced north of Rs 3000.
Campus Activewear is lauded for its trendy designs, premium materials, and accessible pricing. The brand’s comprehensive range encompasses offerings for men, women, and children, earning fervent favor among college students and young professionals who prize both style and comfort. H. K. Agarwal astutely seized a significant market gap in India, catering to the Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 price segment.
The Evolution of Campus Activewear
Hari Krishan Agarwal established Campus Activewear Ltd in 1983, initially under the Action Footwear brand. In 2006, it metamorphosed into a lifestyle-centric sports and athleisure label, featuring a broad product spectrum tailored to families. Some of the notable milestones along Campus Activewear’s triumphant trajectory include:
Surpassing INR 100 crores in revenue during the fiscal year 2011-2012.
- In 2015, the company bolstered its marketing endeavors by enlisting Varun Dhawan as its brand ambassador.
- In 2017, Campus Activewear expanded its footprint by inaugurating 16 dedicated retail stores and venturing into the e-commerce realm via prominent marketplaces.
- In 2018, investments from TPG Growth and the Havells Group infused further growth and vitality into Campus Activewear.
- Campus Activewear staked a claim to a 15% market share in the footwear industry by value during the fiscal year 2020.
- By the financial year 2021, Campus Activewear had cornered over 85% of the sports and athleisure market.
- Campus’s revenue soared to $95 million in 2020.
- In 2021, Campus Activewear boasted the sale of 13 million pairs, generating a revenue of $94 million.
Campus Activewear’s Present Reach
As per an April 2022 report from a leading consulting firm, Campus Footwear clinched the title of India’s foremost sports and athleisure footwear brand in FY21. In terms of both volume and value, Campus Activewear stands as the largest brand within this category in India, boasting a presence in nearly all states and spanning over 700 cities across the nation. With over 15,000 geographically tagged multi-brand retail outlets and more than 35 company-owned exclusive showrooms, Campus Activewear’s network is expansive.
Notably, Campus Activewear’s products grace the shelves of prominent retailers like Walmart, Vishal Retail, Reliance Smart, and numerous other large-format stores, as well as leading e-commerce platforms. Presently, Campus stands tall as India’s primary choice for sports and casual footwear, retailing a staggering 15 million pairs annually. As of 2022, Campus Activewear boasts a 17% market share in terms of value and an impressive 25% in terms of volume. The brand’s valuation now hovers around a remarkable 1.5 billion dollars, translating to more than 10,000 crore rupees.
Agarwal’s family plays an integral role in managing this colossal footwear enterprise. His son, Nikhil Aggarwal, spearheads the company as its CEO, while his daughter-in-law, Prerna, fulfills the role of Chief Marketing Officer for Campus Activewear. Agarwal’s wife, who served on the company’s board until September 2021, played a pivotal role in bolstering the supply chain operations and fabricator network for Campus’s sports shoes.
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