MAM
AI-based chess board maker Square Off introduces two new products
MUMBAI: Harish Thawani, the founder of Nimbus and Neo Sports is one mean competitor who loves the mental battle the game of chess provides. Are there any other players amongst media executives who want to rise up to the challenge? This one is for Thawani and for them.
Three-year-old Mumbai-based smart chess board maker SquareOff has been wowing game players worldwide with its gee-whiz products that use robotics, artificial intelligence, and leverage the internet of things. Two of its best-sellers are the Kingdom Set which is priced at $399 and the other is Grand Kingdom chess set at $449. Both consist of a chessboard, chess pieces, a charger, an adapter, a mobile stand, a manual and an app that allows players to stay connected and play online.
Recently, it added two new products Square off Neo and Swap, raising raise $1 million during the pandemic lockdown on crowdfunding platforms Kickstarter and Indiegogo to roll out cheaper versions for those wanting more affordable options.
Square Off Neo, at a starting price of $169, is a lighter, faster and affordable chess board meant for every household. Its adaptive AI, personalized chess coaching and 1.5x faster movements make it a-hard-to-resist for any chess lover out there
Square Off Swap, currently priced at $229, offers users the convenience of playing multiple board games on the same surface. To begin with, it supports four games – chess, draughts, halma and Connect 4, making it a desirable board game for all age groups. Paired with the Square Off App, both these products are globally connected; so, whether the opponent is in a different room or a different continent, the game still goes on!
“The lockdowns have motivated people to rediscover their passion and connected gaming has seen tremendous growth,” says SquareOff CEO, Bhavya Gohil. “Our vision is to enable connected automated gaming over a single platform. With Neo and Swap, we’ve attempted to revolutionise board gaming and thereby the experience altogether. Our next step is to get the boards in production and deliver at the earliest. Though the pandemic has affected our delivery timelines, we are committed to delivering quality products to our backers at the earliest.”
Brands
Jubilant Foodworks to end Dunkin’ franchise in India
Pizza chain operator will not renew agreement when it expires at end of 2026.
MUMBAI: When the doughnuts stop turning and the coffee goes cold, even a global giant like Dunkin’ can find the Indian market a tough brew to crack. Jubilant Foodworks has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’ when the pact expires on 31 December 2026, according to a Reuters report. The operator, best known for running Domino’s outlets in India, said it would evaluate options for its existing Dunkin’ stores, including a potential sale or transfer of franchise rights, in consultation with the US-based brand.
The decision follows years of underperformance in a market where local tastes and intense competition have made it difficult for international coffee-and-doughnut formats to gain traction. Jubilant, which has increasingly focused on its core pizza business and newer bets like Popeyes, indicated that the exit would not materially affect its financial or operational position.
Dunkin’ accounted for just 0.61 per cent of Jubilant’s revenue in the fiscal year ending 2025 and recorded a loss of approximately Rs 191 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company operated 27 outlets as of December 2025, having shuttered seven stores over the preceding year.
The retreat comes even as Jubilant’s broader business shows signs of momentum. The company reported a 65 per cent rise in quarterly profit for the October to December period, reaching Rs 70.9 crore, up from Rs 42.91 crore a year earlier.
For Jubilant, the exit reflects a sharpening strategic focus. For Dunkin’, it marks another setback in a market that has proven resistant to imported café concepts without significant localisation.
In the cut-throat world of Indian quick-service restaurants, sometimes the sweetest deals are the ones you quietly walk away from leaving more room for the brands that truly rise to the occasion.
