Brands
Colour Pencil draws first experiential store in Chennai
Vani Bhojan cuts the ribbon on India’s playful learning playground at Skyhub.
MUMBAI: Learning just got a serious upgrade and this time, the classroom has no walls, only wonder. Color Pencil, the Chennai-based early-learning whiz, has sketched out India’s very first kids’ experiential store at Skyhub on GST Road, Kilambakkam, turning shopping into a full-blown adventure playground.
The flagship space threw open its doors on 15 February 2026, with popular actress Vani Bhojan wielding the ceremonial scissors amid a cheerful crowd of families, partners and little explorers. Far from your average toy shop, this vibrant destination fuses curated learning zones, hands-on play stations and immersive discovery corners – all built to make young minds tick through doing rather than drilling.
The launch doubles as the debut of Color Pencil’s fresh brand identity, a visual refresh that mirrors its shift from screen-savvy apps to real-world magic. Founded in 2022 under the rallying cry “How Simple!”, the company has already built a tidy ecosystem, the Play Pixo learning app, Play TVO games, Vedic Maths books, flash cards, and more all crafted with IIT Madras to blend solid pedagogy with child-friendly fun.
Color Pencil founder P. Narayanan kept it delightfully straightforward, “From day one, Color Pencil has been driven by a simple but powerful idea to make learning simple, joyful, and truly effective. Our experiential store is an extension of this philosophy into the physical world… Chennai is where this journey begins, and we are excited to take this model to multiple cities across India over the next two years.”
Color Pencil CEO Meena Chhabbria chimed in, “This store represents a new chapter… With our new brand identity, we are reinforcing our commitment to screen-smart, play-led, and research-backed learning. Our growing ecosystem comes together in this experiential format to create a truly holistic learning environment.”
Vani Bhojan, clearly charmed, added, “Today’s children need learning experiences that are engaging, joyful, and meaningful. Color Pencil’s approach of combining play, visual learning, and real-world interaction is a wonderful way to nurture curiosity and build strong foundations in young minds.”
This Chennai outpost is merely the opening chapter six more experiential stores are pencilled in for key cities over the next two years. In a world where kids bounce between screens and schedules, Color Pencil is betting big on the timeless power of play, get them touching, exploring and laughing, and the learning happens almost by accident.
So if you’re in Chennai (or headed that way), pop into Skyhub. Who knows you might just watch a child discover gravity, colours or even themselves, one joyful scribble at a time.
Brands
Tech2.com returns with AI-driven revamp to guide India’s tech consumers
News18 relaunches legacy tech platform with AI tools and expanded coverage
NEW DELHI: Tech2, one of India’s earliest and most recognisable technology news destinations, is staging a comeback with a fresh, AI-first approach aimed at modern digital consumers.
Originally launched in 2003, Tech2 built a strong following among India’s tech enthusiasts by simplifying complex innovations and guiding purchase decisions. Now, under the umbrella of Network18’s News18, the platform is being reimagined for an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping how users consume and interact with information.
The revamped Tech2 blends AI-powered tools with editorial expertise, aiming to deliver smarter, faster, and more personalised content. While the technology stack gets a significant upgrade, the platform is consciously holding on to its familiar brand identity, creating continuity for long-time users while attracting a new generation.
At its core, the new Tech2 is positioning itself as a decision-making companion for consumers navigating an increasingly complex tech landscape. From gadgets and apps to broader digital ecosystems, the platform plans to widen its editorial scope to reflect how deeply technology now influences everyday life.
A key part of its growth strategy includes expanding into multiple Indian languages, signalling an intent to reach audiences beyond metro cities and tap into the next wave of digital adoption.
The relaunch also strengthens News18’s portfolio of specialised digital properties, which already includes platforms such as CricketNext for cricket coverage, Showsha for entertainment, and Local18 for regional reporting.
With its return, Tech2 is not just revisiting its legacy but attempting to redefine it. In a market flooded with information, the platform’s success will hinge on whether it can turn AI into a genuine utility for users rather than just a buzzword.
