e-commerce
Indhu Radhakrishnan launches Culturati
Mumbai: Pepper Media’s co-founder Indhu Radhakrishnan, has launched Culturati, a curated e-commerce platform dedicated to supporting traditional and indigenous Indian art and crafts. Backed by a team with over two decades of experience in digital media and storytelling, Culturati promises to bring the rich heritage of Indian artisans to a global audience.
Culturati will feature a meticulously curated collection of traditional art and craft, each with its unique story and cultural significance. The platform aims to promote sustainability by working closely with artisans to ensure fair trade practices and the use of eco-friendly materials. By offering a platform and marketing support for these artisans, Culturati seeks to preserve traditional crafts and provide sustainable livelihoods for craftsmen across India.
Radhakrishnan expressed her excitement about the launch, stating, “We are on a mission to make traditional cool again. Culturati is not just an e-commerce platform; it is a celebration of India’s rich artistic heritage. By bridging the gap between traditional artisans and global consumers, we aim to create a sustainable ecosystem that honors and preserves our cultural legacy.”
Pepper Media, under Indhu Radhakrishnan’s leadership, has established itself as a powerhouse in digital media, renowned for its innovative storytelling and content creation. Leveraging this expertise, Culturati will present each artisan’s story, creating a deeper connection between the consumer and the craft. This emphasis on storytelling not only highlights the craftsmanship but also honors the cultural heritage and traditions behind each piece.
Culturati aims to provide a seamless shopping experience, combining the authenticity of traditional crafts with the convenience of modern e-commerce. The platform will feature a diverse range of products, including art, décor, fashion jewelry, and more, all sourced from skilled artisans across India.
Culturati invites everyone to explore the vibrant world of Indian crafts, support local artisans, and become a part of the journey to preserve India’s artistic heritage. For more information, visit www.culturati.in.
e-commerce
ONDC names Vibhor Jain MD and CEO; Rohit Lohia joins as CBO, Manoj Thakur as CTO
Leadership formalised as open commerce network sharpens focus on scale and user value
The Open Network for Digital Commerce has formalised Vibhor Jain as managing director and chief executive officer, cementing a leadership transition at India’s ambitious open commerce platform as it pushes for scale and relevance.
Jain, who had been serving as acting chief executive officer since April last year following the exit of Thampy Koshy, steps into the role with effect from 7th April , according to a report by The Economic Times. He previously served as chief operating officer at the government-backed network, which enables buyers and sellers to transact across applications through an open, interoperable system.
Setting out his strategy, Jain underscored the network’s differentiated architecture. “Going forward, we are concentrating on what open, interoperable infrastructure can uniquely enable, things that no single platform has the incentive or the architecture to do,” he said.
He added that the immediate priority is to widen ONDC’s impact across user cohorts often underserved by platform-led commerce. “My priority is to deepen the value ONDC creates for the people it exists to serve: kisaans, karigars, kiranas, gig workers, first-time investors, and daily commuters across India,” he said.
Jain also flagged leadership reinforcement within the organisation, noting that ONDC has “a strong and exciting leadership team in place”, with Rohit Lohia joining as chief business officer and Manoj Thakur as chief technology officer.
With over 18 years of experience spanning entrepreneurship and consulting, Jain brings a track record in technology-led, large-scale transformation programmes and internet businesses. At ONDC, he has been closely involved in shaping strategy and operations as the network seeks to move digital commerce away from platform-centric models towards an open network approach.
Before ONDC, Jain worked with JUMO, where he helped set up the fintech firm’s India operations, and led the India launch of Mobike, handling regulatory, policy and operational aspects of its market entry. Earlier, he co-founded Atlanta Healthcare, an air quality management company, and spent more than a decade in consulting roles at Andersen and EY, advising governments on public policy and technology-driven reforms, including work on the Aadhaar programme and tax systems.
The mandate is clear but the path is complex. As ONDC attempts to rewrite the rules of digital commerce, Jain now carries the burden of turning open architecture into mass adoption, in a market still dominated by platform power.
