MAM
Dentsu invests $3 million in US social robotics start-up Jibo
MUMBAI: Dentsu Inc’s corporate venture capital fund Ventures Global Fund I has made an investment of $3 million in US social robot development startup Jibo, Inc.
Dentsu Ventures has acquired Series A preference shares of Jibo through third-party allocation of shares.
Dentsu Ventures was established in April 2015 armed with a total fund capital of ?5 billion. The objectives was to invest in ambitious start-up companies with a focus on the US, Europe and Asia region, which will create an as yet unseen future and furthering open innovation across the Dentsu Group through collaboration with investees.
In addition to funding, Dentsu Ventures will support businesses and entrepreneurs by providing problem-solving solutions and resources that are unique to the Group. Its first project is Jibo, Inc.
Jibo, Inc. was founded by Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and recognized as a pioneer of social robotics. The Jibo social robot incorporates voice and emotion recognition, natural language processing, machine learning and expressive display and movement, and is designed to achieve companionship and rapport among family members.
Dentsu Ventures believes that Jibo will continue to develop into a new type of medium that will bring fundamental changes to the way information is assimilated, and that it has the potential to function as an infrastructure and communication hub in a smart home.
Looking ahead, the Dentsu Group will also provide support for the development, promotion and spread of Jibo worldwide as well as the new business opportunities that Jibo will bring in the future.
Brands
FSS names Anand Krishnamurthi head of global digital delivery
Tech veteran to drive AI-first, cloud-led transformation in payments globally
CHENNAI: Financial Software and Systems (FSS), an AI-first payment infrastructure company, has appointed Anand Krishnamurthi as head of global digital delivery.
In his new role, Anand Krishnamurthi will lead FSS’s global digital delivery capabilities, focusing on AI-first and cloud-led transformation while ensuring predictable, high-quality outcomes for customers worldwide. He will be based in Chennai and report to V. Balasubramanian, CEO of FSS.
Bringing 28 years of experience in technology and digital transformation across banking, capital markets, financial services, and insurance, Anand has held senior leadership positions at Cognizant and NuSummit. He is recognised for scaling multi-geography delivery teams, leading mission-critical platforms, and embedding AI-driven automation in complex, regulated environments.
“What drew me to FSS is its deep payments expertise, strong product DNA, and the scale at which its platforms power real-world financial ecosystems,” said Anand Krishnamurthi. “I aim to strengthen delivery predictability, execution rigor, and engineering quality, building empowered teams that deliver measurable customer outcomes. FSS has a unique opportunity to create real-time, AI-infused payments infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and globally scalable.”
V. Balasubramanian added, “Anand’s track record in leading multi-geography delivery programs and AI-first operating models makes him the ideal leader for FSS as we accelerate our AI-driven digital payments business. His leadership will help us raise the bar for outcomes globally.”
This appointment is part of FSS’s broader push to build an AI-powered, cloud-native delivery organisation capable of meeting the evolving needs of banks, fintechs, and financial institutions worldwide.
