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KidZania Mumbai takes learning to new heights with NMMC school visit
MUMBAI: When play meets purpose, the result is a lesson for life. That’s exactly what KidZania Mumbai delivered as 13,705 students from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corp (NMMC) schools embarked on a thrilling, interactive journey into the world of professions. Over 10 days from 20-29 January 2025, kids from grades two to five explored careers ranging from doctors to journalists, chefs to pilots, all while learning vital skills for the future.
The massive school engagement program was orchestrated by NMMC, deputy commissioner for education department, Sangharatna Khillare.
The aim? To use KidZania’s real-world role-playing activities as a fun and immersive way to teach financial literacy, teamwork, problem-solving, and career exploration.
“Experiential learning is the cornerstone of shaping young minds,” said Khillare. “KidZania’s platform allows children to not only engage with different professions but also to gain essential life skills in a creative, hands-on way.”
KidZania India, chief business officer, Tarandeep Singh Sekhon added, “It’s fantastic to see so many young minds so excited about learning through play. Our goal has always been to provide an environment where kids can have fun while developing important life skills. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to making learning both engaging and impactful.”
From firefighting to journalism, kids got to role-play a variety of careers, stepping into the shoes of professionals and gaining firsthand experience in a safe and stimulating environment. The large-scale visit reinforced the power of experiential learning, highlighting the importance of creativity, curiosity, and teamwork in real-world scenarios.
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Aman Gupta’s OFF/BEAT secures Rs 100 crore seed funding round
Bessemer backs new venture betting on AI and India’s digital shift
MUMBAI: Aman Gupta has raised Rs 100 crore in seed funding for his new venture OFF/BEAT, with Bessemer Venture Partners leading the round as it bets on a new wave of AI-led, consumer-first businesses in India.
The funding marks an early but significant push for OFF/BEAT, which is positioned to tap into a rapidly evolving market shaped by a digitally native generation and advances in artificial intelligence. The venture aims to build at the intersection of culture and technology, where brand identity and innovation increasingly go hand in hand.
Gupta, best known for co-founding boAt and scaling it into a Rs 3,000 crore-plus business, is now looking to apply those learnings to a new playbook. His focus this time is not just on building a consumer brand, but on leveraging AI and global networks to accelerate growth.
OFF/BEAT founder Aman Gupta said, “Having built from scratch before, I know what capital can do and what it cannot. This time, I was looking for partners with a global perspective who can help me leverage technology and AI, because that is where the future lies. Bessemer’s track record with companies like Anthropic, Shopify, Canva and LinkedIn says it all.”
The choice of investor reflects that ambition. Bessemer Venture Partners has backed global technology players such as Anthropic, Shopify, Canva and LinkedIn, bringing not just capital but strategic support and global reach.
Bessemer Venture Partners partner Anant Vidur Puri said, “We back founders who see around corners. Aman saw how a new India would come to think about aspiration, identity and quality, and built boAt as proof. He is now applying that same instinct to a market being reshaped by AI and by a generation with entirely new expectations.”
The investment comes at a time when India’s startup ecosystem is being reshaped by both consumer behaviour and technological disruption. Founders are increasingly expected to understand not just products, but the cultural shifts that drive adoption.
For OFF/BEAT, the journey is just beginning, but the signal is clear. In a market where attention is fleeting and expectations are rising, building something truly distinctive may be the only way to stay on beat.
