Amazon India has joined forces with Startup India, a flagship initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), to empower Indian startups and help them scale their businesses through e-commerce. This collaboration aims to leverage Amazon’s extensive resources and expertise to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

Key Features of the Partnership

Through this partnership, eligible startups will gain access to a dedicated page on the Startup India portal, facilitating their registration on Amazon’s marketplace. This initiative will enable startups to tap into the vast domestic market while benefiting from various support services, including:

• Mentorship from Amazon Leaders: Startups will receive guidance from experienced Amazon executives, helping them navigate challenges and refine their business strategies.
• Go-to-Market Support: Assistance in developing effective marketing strategies and reaching target audiences.
• Logistics Guidance: Expertise in optimizing supply chain operations and delivery processes.

Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “By combining Amazon’s e-commerce expertise with Startup India’s role as the Government of India’s flagship initiative, we aim to create a powerful platform for Indian startups to thrive.”

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

A notable aspect of this partnership is its focus on supporting women-led startups through the Saheli program. This initiative offers a range of services designed specifically for women entrepreneurs, including:

• Access to Amazon’s Suite of Services: Women-led startups will benefit from tools such as Amazon Pay, Amazon Incentives, Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon Advertising, and Mini TV.
• High-Impact Learning Programs: These programs will include masterclasses led by industry experts, focusing on capacity building and upskilling in areas like marketing, supply chain management, funding, technology, and procurement.

The Saheli program aims to create an inclusive ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can showcase their products and achieve sustainable growth.

Promoting BHASKAR

The partnership will also focus on raising awareness about the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) initiative. BHASKAR is a platform designed to connect startups, investors, mentors, and government bodies, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for entrepreneurship. By centralizing information and resources, BHASKAR aims to streamline interactions among key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial landscape.

Commitment to Innovation

This collaboration between Amazon and Startup India underscores the commitment of both organizations to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of Indian startups. By leveraging Amazon’s e-commerce expertise alongside Startup India’s government backing, this partnership has the potential to significantly impact the Indian startup ecosystem.

Amazon has been actively involved in supporting India’s startup landscape through various initiatives such as Amazon Launchpad, which helps emerging Indian brands reach global customers through e-commerce exports. The company’s ongoing efforts reflect its dedication to nurturing a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial environment.

Conclusion

The alliance between Amazon India and Startup India represents a significant step toward empowering Indian entrepreneurs. By providing essential resources and support tailored to the unique needs of startups—especially women-led ventures—this partnership aims to enhance the overall startup ecosystem in India. As both organizations work together to drive economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, they are poised to create lasting positive impacts on the Indian economy.

Wipro has announced the appointment of Omkar Nisal as the Chief Executive Officer for its Europe Strategic Market Unit (SMU), effective immediately. Nisal, who has been with Wipro since 2012, will be based in London and will report directly to CEO and Managing Director Srini Pallia. He will also join Wipro’s executive board.

Nisal succeeds Pierre Bruno, who is stepping down after a four-year tenure leading Wipro’s European operations. Bruno will continue to work with Nisal during the transition period to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

Omkar Nisal’s Role

In his new role, Nisal will be responsible for leading Wipro’s growth and expansion in Europe. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the European market. Prior to this appointment, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, overseeing a significant portion of Wipro’s European business with a regional profit and loss (P&L) exceeding $1 billion.

Nisal has established himself as a trusted advisor to clients, particularly in the banking and finance sectors. He has played a key role in enabling digital transformation for numerous financial institutions across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, focusing on customer journey redesign, enterprise engineering, and AI-led automation.

A Focus on Digital Transformation

Nisal is recognized for his expertise in digital transformation and his ability to build strong client relationships. Under his leadership, Wipro aims to strengthen its position in the European market by leveraging innovative technologies and enhancing service delivery. His strategic vision is expected to play a pivotal role in driving future growth and improving operational efficiency within the region.

Context of the Appointment

Nisal’s promotion reflects Wipro’s ongoing strategy to promote internal talent to key leadership positions amidst significant changes within the company. In recent months, Wipro has experienced several high-profile departures, including former CEO Thierry Delaporte and other senior executives. This shift in leadership is part of a broader effort by Srini Pallia to revitalize Wipro’s operations and improve performance in key markets.

Wipro views Europe as a crucial growth market and is prioritizing strategic investments to solidify its foothold. The company has faced challenges in this region, with reports indicating that its European operations accounted for 27.9% ($742 million) of its total revenue for the quarter ending September 2024, down from previous periods. This underperformance highlights the importance of effective leadership in revitalizing growth.

Conclusion

The appointment of Omkar Nisal as CEO of Wipro’s Europe SMU marks a strategic move aimed at enhancing the company’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. With his extensive experience and proven track record in digital transformation, Nisal is well-positioned to lead Wipro’s efforts in expanding its presence and delivering exceptional results for clients across Europe.

As Wipro navigates these changes, stakeholders will be closely watching how Nisal’s leadership influences the company’s trajectory in one of its key markets. His focus on innovation and customer-centric strategies is expected to play a vital role in shaping Wipro’s future success in Europe.

In a direct challenge to Zomato’s recent foray into the events and experiences market, Swiggy has launched its own dedicated app, ‘Scenes.’ This new platform aims to curate and offer a diverse range of live events, including music concerts, stand-up comedy shows, and exclusive dining experiences. The launch of Scenes marks an important strategic move for Swiggy as it seeks to expand its service offerings beyond food delivery.

A Focus on Live Events

Unlike Zomato’s District app, which covers a broader spectrum of experiences, Swiggy’s Scenes is specifically tailored to live events. Users can browse through a curated list of events, purchase tickets directly within the app, and avail themselves of exclusive offers and discounts. The app currently features events such as New Year’s Eve parties, live music performances, and DJ nights at partner restaurants, enhancing the social dining experience for users.

Expanding the Swiggy Ecosystem

The introduction of Scenes is part of Swiggy’s ongoing strategy to diversify its offerings and strengthen its position as a comprehensive lifestyle platform. The company has been aggressively expanding its services beyond food delivery into areas such as quick commerce and grocery delivery. By venturing into live events, Swiggy aims to capture a share of the growing market for entertainment and experiences.

One BLCK: A Premium Membership

To further enhance user experience, Swiggy has introduced ‘One BLCK,’ an exclusive membership program designed for premium users. This membership offers a range of benefits, including:

• Priority Delivery: Users receive faster delivery times with an on-time guarantee.
• Exclusive Perks: Members enjoy complimentary drinks and desserts at partner restaurants.
• Concierge Services: Personalized customer support enhances the overall service experience.

The membership is priced at INR 299 for three months, targeting users who are willing to pay a premium for enhanced convenience and service.

The Battle Heats Up

With both Swiggy and Zomato vying for dominance in the Indian foodtech market, competition is intensifying. The launch of Scenes represents another chapter in this rivalry as both companies strive to capture a larger share of the burgeoning events and experiences market. Zomato has been proactive in this space, having acquired Paytm’s events and ticketing business earlier this year and launching District as a standalone app for experiences.

As the online entertainment ticketing space continues to grow—projected to reach $7.80 billion by 2029—Swiggy’s entry into this arena positions it well against established players like BookMyShow and TicketNew. The Indian Event and Exhibition Market is expected to see significant growth, driven by rising consumer demand for live experiences.

Conclusion

The launch of the Scenes app underscores Swiggy’s commitment to innovation and its strategy to diversify revenue streams beyond food delivery. As the company continues to expand its ecosystem with new offerings like One BLCK and live event ticketing, it aims to enhance customer engagement and loyalty. With both Swiggy and Zomato competing aggressively in multiple domains—including food delivery, quick commerce, dining out, and now event ticketing—the battle for supremacy in India’s foodtech landscape is set to intensify in the coming months.