iWorld
Aparna Thyagarajan drives investment boom in Jio Cinema’s ‘Indian Angels Show’
Mumbai: Renowned global angel investor Aparna Thyagarajan is making waves in the investment landscape with a record number of strategic investments in promising startups featured at Jio Cinema’s Indian Angels Show. Aparna has made investments with eight entrepreneurial ventures, establishing her as the Angel with maximum investments including several promising women entrepreneurs
As a seasoned investor across both US and India, Aparna’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting transformative visions is evident in her strategic backing of these ventures, solidifying her key role as an Indian Angel in shaping the trajectory of promising startups across the ecosystem.
Talking about the investments, Shobitam co-founder & chief product officer Aparna Thyagarajan said, “I am honored to be a strategic investor and partner for these exceptional entrepreneurs. My commitment goes beyond providing financial support. I believe in the transformative power of collaboration and mentorship, where I am excited to play a role in guiding these innovative startups toward their full potential and giving flight to businesses. Together, we will embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and success, shaping the future of these brands and contributing to the dynamism of the entrepreneurial landscape.”
HappieCurves founder Sonal Somani said, “I am extremely happie to have someone as versatile and experienced as Aparna as my Golden Angel. It makes me feel proud that she believes in me and my vision, and with her guidance, we will scale to new heights. It will be a lot of fun to learn from her and work with her.”
Habbits.in co-founder Prashant Chourasia said, Aparna’s decision to invest in Habbits marks a pivotal moment for us, and we are genuinely thrilled to have her on board. Her wealth of experience will help us navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and refine our strategic vision. The global potential for Habbits is enormous, and her insights into international markets, understanding of consumer trends, and network of connections will be crucial in establishing our presence across borders. Very much like her own venture Shobitam, we want to build for the world, from India”.
We at Shakti wearables are super thrilled to onboard Aparna ma’am as our angel investor and mentor. Her expertise and leadership skills has done wonders for Shobitam and we are grateful for her support. Aparna ma’am not only liked our business but was also so connected to the vision and the cause at Shakti wearables which gets us more motivated and we look forward to work together with her to emerge bigger and better.” added, Shakti wearables founder Srishti Sharma.
Aparna’s dedication extends beyond financial backing, as she champions women entrepreneurship. In addition to her investments, she has established the Shobitam Centre for Women Entrepreneurship at BITS Pilani, reflecting her commitment to nurturing and supporting women entrepreneurs.
In a notable partnership, Aparna has collaborated with several of the Indian Angels in the show to jointly invest in many brands. This collaborative effort emphasizes her commitment to fostering innovation and achieving success within the startup ecosystem. Her involvement in the Jio Cinema’s Indian Angels Show not only highlights her prowess as a prolific investor but also showcases her role as a champion for inclusive and diverse entrepreneurship. Aparna’s visionary approach continues to inspire others to contribute to the growth and evolution of the global startup landscape.
iWorld
Telcos push for unified rules as spam shifts to OTT platforms
Over 80 per cent fraud moves online, operators seek common framework.
MUMBAI: The spam may have left your phone network but it hasn’t left you alone. India’s telecom operators are once again dialling up the pressure for a unified regulatory framework, warning that fraud is rapidly migrating to internet-based platforms where oversight remains far looser. According to industry communication, a leading operator has written to multiple arms of the government including the Department of Telecommunications, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance arguing that tighter controls on traditional telecom networks are inadvertently pushing bad actors towards over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms.
The concern is not new, but the framing has sharpened. What was once an industry grievance is now being positioned as a consumer protection issue. Operators say that tackling spam in silos no longer works, as fraudsters seamlessly shift across platforms, exploiting regulatory gaps. The result: a moving target that traditional safeguards struggle to contain.
Executives point to a clear shift in fraud patterns. OTT platforms are increasingly being used for phishing links, impersonation scams and bulk unsolicited messaging, with industry estimates suggesting that over 80 per cent of spam activity has now migrated online. In this environment, the lines between telecom networks, messaging apps and financial fraud are blurring fast.
At the heart of the industry’s demand is a call for a technology-neutral regulatory framework, one that applies consistently across telecom and internet-based communication services. Operators argue that the absence of uniform safeguards, such as sender verification systems, robust spam filters and clearly defined accountability mechanisms, has created enforcement blind spots that fraudsters are quick to exploit.
The proposal is straightforward but far-reaching. Telcos are pushing for baseline anti-fraud measures across all communication platforms, alongside faster response systems and deeper coordination between ministries. Given the interconnected nature of telecom networks, digital platforms and financial systems, they argue that fragmented oversight only weakens the overall defence.
The broader issue is regulatory arbitrage, the ability of bad actors to hop between platforms based on which is least regulated at any given time. Without harmonised rules, operators say, efforts to curb fraud risk becoming a game of whack-a-mole.
As digital communication continues to expand, the debate is shifting from who regulates what to how consistently it is regulated. For now, telecom operators are making their case clear: in a world where spam travels freely, regulation cannot afford to stay fragmented.
