Brands
Jonty Rhodes dives into startup TV arena
MUMBAI: From diving for catches to diving into deals, Jonty Rhodes is set to make a different kind of pitch, this time, on Indian television. The legendary South African cricketer and global sports icon will appear on Ideabaaz, India’s first media-integrated startup reality show, airing November 8 at 6:30 pm and 11 pm on Zee TV and Zee5.
In a never-before-seen avatar, Rhodes joins UpUrFit co-founders Munish Vig and Vikram Gunjal to pitch their sports wellness brand to the Titans, Ideabaaz’s panel of investors. The show, conceptualised by Jeet Wagh and Sagoon Wagh, is designed to democratise startup funding by bringing entrepreneurs from across India, especially from tier II and III cities, face-to-face with investors, all within a high-energy television format.
UpUrFit, co-founded in 2023, is fast carving out its space in India’s USD 40 billion sports wellness market. With a focus on performance, recovery, and hygiene products made from clean, effective ingredients, the brand is backed by Rhodes himself. Currently, it is raising a USD 0.5 million funding round, already 50 per cent subscribed, with participation from the IIM Calcutta syndicate and other major investors. As of October, the brand boasts an ARR of Rs 40 million and a 50 per cent QoQ growth rate.
Sharing his excitement, Rhodes said, “Pitching on Ideabaaz was a whole new ballgame for me. Usually, I’m diving for catches, not catching investors’ attention. It was exciting to share UpUrFit’s vision on a platform that celebrates innovation and passion. As an athlete and entrepreneur, I’ve always believed in fitness that’s real and relatable, and that’s exactly what UpUrFit stands for.”
Of course, the ever-energetic Rhodes couldn’t resist adding a bit of his signature flair, showing off some fielding magic on set, much to the delight of the Titans and the audience. The episode promises a blend of business, banter, and boundless energy, as Jonty and the UpUrFit team bring the spirit of sport to the startup arena.
Brands
Tata Communications named Gartner WAN Leader for 13th consecutive year
AI-driven network upgrades and global expansion keep telecom major ahead
MUMBAI: Tata Communications has once again secured its place among the top global network providers, earning a Leader position in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global WAN Services 2026 for the thirteenth year running.
The recognition from Gartner highlights the company’s consistent performance in both strategic vision and execution, a rare feat in a fast-evolving connectivity landscape.
Over the past year, Tata Communications has doubled down on building what it calls a more intelligent and flexible network fabric. In simpler terms, this means networks that can adapt on demand, powered by artificial intelligence and analytics, to support businesses operating across geographies and industries.
The company has expanded its network-on-demand offerings, allowing enterprises to scale connectivity more easily across data centres and multiple cloud environments. It has also invested in next-generation fibre infrastructure and high-capacity 800G wavelength services to keep pace with the growing demands of AI-led cloud ecosystems.
Global reach remains a key focus. Tata Communications has extended its footprint through partner points of presence, enabling quicker deployment in new markets while strengthening last-mile connectivity through local collaborations.
Security, too, is getting a significant upgrade. The company has enhanced its Secure Access Service Edge capabilities to tackle emerging AI-driven cyber risks, including unauthorised data transfers. Looking ahead, it is also preparing to roll out quantum-safe encryption services based on post-quantum cryptography standards, aiming to future-proof enterprise data against both classical and next-generation threats.
Speaking on the milestone, Tata Communications executive vice president, core and next-gen connectivity services and chief technology officer Genius Wong said, “We are honoured to be recognised for the 13th consecutive year and deeply appreciate the continued trust our customers place in us. At Tata Communications, we will continue to transform our solutions so enterprises can build resilient, high-performance and intelligent digital foundations. With our future-ready, resilient and intelligent network fabric, enterprises can scale with confidence and thrive in an AI-powered future world.”
While industry rankings often come and go, a 13-year streak suggests more than just consistency. For Tata Communications, it signals a steady grip on a rapidly shifting global connectivity market and a clear ambition to stay ahead of the curve.
