Brands
Womanhood: Lokmat celebrates with Divya & Sonalee
MUMBAI: To recognise the efforts and contribution made by women in their respective fields, Lokmat, one of Maharashtra and Goa’s leading newspapers, celebrated womanhood with its Lokmat Sakhi members on 7 March 2017, at Mithibhai College in Mumbai inviting women achievers from various walks of life.
The event was graced by the renowned Bollywood actress and writer Divya Dutta, WhiteSwan Consulting founder director and CEO Anjali Nigam, Pinkathon ambassador Sharmila Munj, and noted actor and dancer Sonalee Kulkarni who is currently anchoring Comedy Chi Bullet Train on Colors Marathi and actress Mayuri Wagh who plays Asmita on Zee Marathi.
Lokmat Sakhi has become a platform of unifying women of Maharashtra and a forum of their self-expression covering wide range of topics.
Dutta, who has written a book on her mother – ‘Me & Ma’ published by Penguin, said, “This event is unique as it helps me share some of the wonderful free and memorable moments I had shared with my mother and I wish every woman can become a friend to her child. This unique bonding and friendship lasts forever and helps you have faith in yourself and sail through the challenges in life. I owe my life to my Mom and I have dedicated this book to her.”
Nigam said, “Self-defense is very important for women and being alert helps. I have worked in this area and I sincerely feel as parents and mothers we have a great role to play.”
Munj said, “I am an avid runner, and health is the most important aspect of my life and on this eve of International women’s day celebration I would like to convey the message to all the women in the world that, please be aware about your health and stay fit.” Lokmat Media vice president – brand and communication Shalini Gupta said, “Lokmat Sakhi is a forum of self-expression and bonding.”
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.
