Middleware
Weekend Unwind with: Assiduus Global Inc’s Somdutta Singh
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, we have Assiduus Global Inc founder & CEO Dr. Somdutta Singh.
Dr. Somdutta Singh is a first-gen serial entrepreneur, angel investor, best-selling author and philanthropist. She is an MIT Alumna, former apprentice of Columbia University Presidents Program and is a student of Harvard Business School (OPM 2023-25).
Assiduus Global Inc, a patent-pending middleware for cross-border E-commerce distribution and supply chain is her third company venture. Somdutta Singh has been bestowed with over 46 National and International Awards.
Recently, she has received the esteemed Champions of Change Award November 2023, honouring her commitment to driving social development in India. The accolade, was presented by the Honourable Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot, commemorates Dr Singh’s outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation, and social development. She was the youngest and only woman Vice-Chairperson of NASSCOM Product Council having facilitated the Government of India to form the visionary Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) by NITI Aayog. She has invested in 50+ startups and runs several not-for-profit organizations. She is a celebrated author, trained Indian classical singer, and a combat training and kickboxing enthusiast.
So, without further ado, here it goes…
Your mantra for life
Treat people the way you want to be treated. Legacy is not defined by money; it is defined by the lives you touch. My mantra is – Touch a billion lives over creating a billion dollars; legacy is in the lives you impact.
A book you are currently reading or plan to read
“21 Lessons for the 21st Century” by Yuval Noah Harari.
Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
I am a huge proponent of mental health, and I have always openly talked about depression. Mental health is critical; meditation is your medication to battle stress.
Your comfort food
Sushi.
A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything.” – Swami Vivekananda.
Your guilty pleasure
Beluga caviar.
The last time you tried something new
Curiosity is what has kept this cat alive. Curiosity keeps me exploring daily; something new every day.
A life lesson you learned the hard way
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
What gets you excited about life
The ability to turn every adversity into an opportunity.
What’s on top of your bucket list
Watching the northern lights with my life partner.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be
Focus on tomorrow and self; the past is beyond my control.
One thing you would most like to change about the world
“I am not here to change anything.”
An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Music.
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down
Helping others.
Your go-to stress buster
Kickboxing.
DENVER: Media’s pipes just got a jolt. In a move that could reorder the streaming-infrastructure universe, Mediakind has struck a $145m deal to snap up Harmonic’s video business — a mash-up designed to create the world’s No 1 independent, full-stack streaming-infrastructure player. Consider it the tech equivalent of fusing two high-definition galaxies.
Announced in Denver on 8 December, the agreement will be signed immediately after Harmonic completes its French works-council formalities, with closing slated for the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory nods.
The tie-up stitches together two long-time video-engineering stalwarts into what they claim will be a world-class SaaS streaming engine. The combined outfit expects more than $100m in annual recurring revenue, over $150m from appliance sales, and a laser focus on video — a rarity in a market increasingly swallowed by generalist cloud giants.
Beyond revenue arithmetic, the union promises sturdier financial and operational footing, giving jittery broadcasters a partner less likely to buffer mid-scene. By blending engineering teams, R&D hubs and road maps, Mediakind says it will push out next-gen features at a sprint rather than a shuffle — and keep its cloud-neutral stance intact across both cloud and appliance estates.
Mediakind chief executive Allen Broome called the deal “a meaningful step forward”, adding that the enlarged firm would deliver “enhanced product solutions” and accelerate innovation across its expanded portfolio. The combined entity, he said, would be “the leading independent streaming-infrastructure company”, giving customers a sturdier backline to power the future of video.
For Harmonic, the move lets it ditch the drama and tighten the shot on its broadband segment. Its chief executive, Nimrod Ben-Natan, said the transaction would, if completed, “advance the growth strategies of both companies” while landing its Video Business in a home committed to the next era of video delivery.
Davis Polk & Wardwell and Moelis are advising Mediakind, while Harmonic is flanked by Wilson Sonsini and Jefferies.
If all goes to plan, 2026 could see a newly muscled Mediakind-Harmonic hybrid stepping into the spotlight — a streaming-infra champion hoping to make buffering a relic and turn the industry’s next chapter into must-watch television.
