Brands
Mastercard revamps its logo keeping digital world in mind
MUMBAI: Leading global payments & technology company Mastercard has revamped its logo, a first for the financial services giant in 20 years, according to reports.
The new card logo no longer reads CamelCase; it’s just “Mastercard” now and in some cases “mastercard’, as per theverge.com. The logo still has the overlapping red and yellow circles and sans-serif font, but all the elements are finer and sharper.
Knowing that almost 2.3 billion people carry the company’s cards, one would wonder why it needed a change in the first place endangering its 20 year old brand identity.
“This is really one of the most broadly distributed and most widely seen marks in the world,” said Michael Bierut, who designed the new branding with Pentagram partner Luke Hayman in an interview with the media. Between them, the acclaimed designers have revamped identities for everyone from Verizon to New York Magazine to Hillary Clinton.
There is also the question of credibility. Consistent branding is one of the ways in which banks and credit cards build trust with their customers. But as the function that these financial services offer have evolved with time between online payment platform, a digital wallet, and a technology company, suiting the current digitally charged consumers, it is important to have a logo that reflects just that.
“It needs to thrive in a digital space,” Mastercard’s customer experience and design head Cindy Chastain had said on the new change. “It’s simplified. It’s modernized and optimized for relevance in an increasingly digital world.”
In other words, traditional financial companies are now opting for logos that not only look good and trustworthy on banners, billboards and cards, but on laptop screens, smartwatches and of course as app logos as well.
Brands
Home Essentials raises Rs 70 Cr in pre-series B round
360 One Asset leads funding as D2C brand scales stores and supply chain
GURGAON: Home Essentials, a fast-rising direct-to-consumer brand in India’s home and kitchen space, has secured Rs 70 crore in a pre-series B funding round led by 360 One Asset, with participation from existing backer India Quotient.
The fresh capital is set to fuel the company’s next phase of growth, with a clear focus on offline expansion, supply chain muscle, and sharper product innovation. Over the next three years, the brand plans to scale revenue to Rs 500 crore and reach five million Indian households.
Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain in Gwalior, Home Essentials has moved swiftly from small-town start-up to national contender. Built on a simple but compelling idea that Indian homes deserve products that are practical, pleasing to the eye, and fairly priced, the company has carved out a niche between high-end luxury labels and no-name utility goods.
From airtight storage solutions to ergonomic loose furniture, its design-first approach has struck a chord with a young, aspirational consumer base. In under two years, the brand has served more than a million customers while maintaining strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability.
Offline retail now forms a key part of the growth blueprint. The company plans to operate 20 stores across India by the end of the year, strengthening its omnichannel presence and bringing its tactile, experiential format to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
360 One Asset senior fund manager Sumit Jain said, the brand is reshaping a highly fragmented category with products that combine aesthetics and function. He noted that the founders have demonstrated disciplined execution and capital efficiency while building a business that resonates with modern Indian households.
India Quotient partner Madhukar Sinha, added that the firm backed Home Essentials early after identifying a clear gap in the market for thoughtfully designed yet affordable home utilities. He said the new funding would help the company expand its catalogue and broaden its national reach.
For Home Essentials co-founder and CEO Tanishq Jain, the mission is straightforward but ambitious. He said the company aims to become the go-to destination for well-designed home and kitchen essentials, with experiential stores reinforcing what began as a strong online play.
Co-founder and chief marketing officer Divyam Jain, emphasised that winning in India’s D2C space requires more than sharp branding. A deep understanding of consumer aspiration, tight supply chain control, and operational efficiency are just as vital, he said, describing 360 ONE Asset and India Quotient as partners in building a high-performance organisation.
In a category long defined by cluttered shelves and uneven quality, Home Essentials is betting that good design, fair pricing, and disciplined execution can turn everyday living into a more polished affair.
