MAM
FCB Kinnect elevates Elstan Rebello to executive vice president – South (branch head)
Mumbai: FCB Kinnect has announced the elevation of Elstan Rebello as executive vice president – South (branch head).
Elstan will now lead the South market, overseeing the creative, strategy, media, and account management departments, as well as manage P&L for this high-growth region.
Over his 4-year journey, Elstan has been instrumental in securing major clients such as TVS Motor Group, Titan, Intel, ITC Foods and Murugappa Group, among others. His exceptional client relationship skills have expanded the agency’s services by deepening and growing relationships with existing clients and adding new marquee clients to its portfolio.
Since joining FCB Kinnect in June 2020 as AVP – Account Management, Elstan has significantly contributed to building the culture of the Bengaluru-based office and growing the team to almost 100 Kinnectors.
With 16 years of industry experience, including roles at Network 18 and Condé Nast, Elstan’s strategic vision continues to drive FCB Kinnect’s success in the South market.
Speaking on the elevation, FCB Kinnect COO Chandni Mehta said, “As a truly integrated full-funnel agency, it is imperative for us to have an ambitious team leader to drive our momentum forward. Elstan’s ability to lead brands, deeply understand client requirements, and keep creativity at the core, aligns perfectly with our commitment to #OwnTheBrand. With his well-deserved elevation, we are excited to spearhead our market expansion and strengthen our relationships with existing clients in the South.”
FCB Kinnect EVP – South (branch head) Elstan Rebello added, “At Kinnect, the past 4 years have been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence in communication integration. Leading initiatives across auto, luxury, FMCG, and technology sectors has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. As I step into this new role, my commitment remains steadfast: to propel us towards greater heights and amplify our impact through innovative and creative solutions.”
Brands
Kaartech raises $11 million in Series B funding
Playbook Partners leads round as AI-led firm crosses Rs 1,000 crore revenue mark.
MUMBAI: Kaartech just fuelled its rocket with fresh cash because when you’re already crossing Rs 1,000 crore and running on KTern.AI, the next stage needs serious thrust. KaarTech, a global AI-led enterprise transformation partner, has raised $11 million (approximately Rs 100 crore) in a Series B primary funding round led by Playbook Partners. The round follows the company’s $30 million raise in July 2023 led by A91 Partners.
The fresh capital arrives as Kaartech crosses Rs 1,000 crore in revenue, clocking a 44 per cent compound annual growth rate over the past five years. The growth has been powered by its proprietary platform KTern.AI, which embeds governance and outcome assurance into large-scale enterprise transformations.
The new funds will accelerate Kaartech’s next phase, with focus on deepening AI, data and industry innovation capabilities. The company plans a strategic acquisition to strengthen data engineering and analytics, enabling more powerful AI-driven insights for clients. It will also invest heavily in scaling its AI-led Enterprise Operating System (EOS) platform set to roll out to existing customers in Q2 FY27, with full general availability planned for Q4 FY27. New clients will receive a complimentary AI Readiness Assessment to identify priority use cases, evaluate data readiness and build tailored transformation roadmaps.
Kaartech will expand its global AI Labs, including a new Oil & Gas AI Lab in Houston and additional labs in Bangalore and Chennai focused on CPG & Retail, Engineering & Natural Resources, and Utilities. These labs will develop industry-specific AI solutions and SLM-based foundation models for enterprise use cases.
Kaartech, Founder & CEO Maran Nagarajan said, “This raise marks a defining chapter in Kaartech’s journey. A 4X growth in enterprise value since our Series A reflects the trust placed in us by our employees, customers, partners, and stakeholders. As we drive a clear shift toward an outcome-led Enterprise Operating System, this partnership with Playbook Partners enables us to deepen our Data Engineering and Analytics capabilities, pursue strategic acquisitions, and scale globally.”
Playbook Partners managing partner Vikas Choudhury added, “KaarTech stands out for its deep domain expertise, AI-led transformation capabilities, and strong client relationships. With operations across the US, Europe, and the Middle East, the company has demonstrated remarkable value creation in recent years.”
In a transformation game where most players still chase buzzwords, Kaartech isn’t just raising money, it’s raising the bar, turning AI from a shiny add-on into the actual operating system of enterprise change.
