Brands
Vani Rane transitions to JioStar as creative head of network branded content
MUMBAI: Vani Rane, has recently taken on the role of creative head for the expanded branded content vertical for the network at JioStar, following the merger of the two media powerhouses – Disney Star TV India and Viacom18 Media under the Reliance Industries umbrella. With over 18 years of experience in content development and production, Vani is eager to leverage this new opportunity to push creative boundaries and deliver innovative content.
Expressing her excitement about the transition, Vani stated, “My playground just got a whole lot bigger and better!”
She is enthusiastic about leading a talented team, emphasizing that their collaboration will enable them to create compelling stories and branded content. The merger has opened up expansive possibilities for content creation, positioning the team to explore exciting new directions in both television and OTT platforms.
Prior to her move to JioStar, Vani served as the creative Head at Viacom18, where she honed her skills in both fiction and non-fiction content development. Her impressive portfolio includes successful projects like Swipe Ride with Shruti Haasan and various brand partnerships across different media formats. Vani’s tenure at prominent companies such as Zee Entertainment, Zoom, Maxus ESP and Culture Machine further cements her reputation as a leader in branded content.
With her new role, Vani aims to elevate JioStar’s content strategy, focusing on creative solutions and partnerships that resonate with audiences.
Brands
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.
