e-commerce
India’s entrepreneurial arena touches new horizons with the Myntra Fashion Incubator programme
MUMBAI: In a development that is expected to boost the growth of the thriving fashion industry in India, Myntra.com, today created history in the world of fashion by announcing the shortlisted candidates for the Myntra Fashion Incubator (MFI) program. Renowned designers from the fashion industry, experts in the retail industry along with Myntra’s leadership team revealed the shortlisted names after a rigorous selection process held at Crowne Plaza, Bangalore.
Close to 30 promising applicants were asked to present their creative and scalable business ideas to the jury explaining their strategy on how their designs and ideas can be transformed into a sustainable business venture through the MFI platform. Live demonstrations of sample designs were displayed by the applicants for the benefit of the judges and audience. The judges–Wendell Rodricks, Rina Dhaka, Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna and Paras Bairoliya–analyzed each participant’s design concept and announced the best applicants in the evening. Industry officials like Anant Daga, CEO,TCNS Clothing company, Sandeep Mukim, CEO, Proline India Ltd, Simeran Bhasin, CMO, Wildcraft were also part of the jury.
As part of the one year Designer In Residence (DIR) Program, Myntra will provide the selected candidates necessary design and work infrastructure, capital support and mentorship from a team of acclaimed designers. The DIR Program would cover essentials like branding, consumer behaviour, product design & development, pricing, inventory planning, retailing and financial planning among others.
The first batch of the incubator program will occupy the design space inside the Myntra campus by 15th January 2015 and work full-time on their brand. MFI will also provide these candidates an opportunity to showcase their brands in various platforms as well as to be retailed on Myntra.com. After completing one season, they can also pitch their fashion designs to MFI advisory board for investments to scale their business.
Abhishek Verma, Sr. VP, Myntra Fashion Brands said, “We have been excited about this initiative since day one, and now as this program is brought to life with these finalists, we believe it is going to revolutionise the fashion industry and set a new hallmark.” He further added, “At Myntra, we value and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit and therefore with initiatives like MFI, we aim to provide support to young talent and empower them to create sizeable indigenous fashion brands in the long-run. Through this initiative, we will also strengthen our commitment of building original, aspirational brands designed to be at par with latest global trends.”
Myntra, of late, has strengthened its private brands portfolio and entered into exclusive tie-ups with designer and international brands. The company has furthered its vision to create great fashion experiences for consumers and help them look good with services like the Style Helpline, ‘LookGood’ blog and the ‘Customer Wow’ initiative to name a few.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
