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India Global Forum launches $250 million fund to take brands global
NEW DELHI: India Global Forum (IGF) has unveiled a $250 million fund designed to help Indian brands go global, leveraging Dubai’s connectivity and the forum’s extensive business network. The announcement was made at IGF Middle East 2025: NXT Frontiers in Dubai, with senior business leaders, policymakers and innovators in attendance.
The fund, anchored by Ved Family Office and Ananta Capital, will provide growth capital, market access, logistics support, and hands-on guidance through a dedicated accelerator programme. Participating companies will receive tailored market-entry support and curated introductions to investors, partners and potential customers in key markets across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and beyond.
IGF founder and chairman Manoj Ladwa said, “India is producing brands that are ready for the world, and Dubai is the natural launchpad for their global ambitions. Through this $250 million fund, we are unlocking a new era where Indian entrepreneurship meets world-class infrastructure and international demand.”
The initiative will focus on high-potential Indian companies in sectors including food and beverage, consumer brands, chemicals, automotive, advanced manufacturing and industrial products.Ved Family Office chairman Nilesh Ved, added that the fund will give founders the confidence, capability and connectivity needed to scale internationally. Ashutosh Taparia of Ananta Capital noted the importance of strategic, patient capital in helping homegrown brands compete on the world stage.
DP World GCC Parks and Zones COO Abdullah Al Hashmi, highlighted Dubai’s position as a global trade hub, saying Indian businesses can use its connectivity to reach more than three billion consumers in fast-growing regional markets.
The launch also underscored the strengthening of India–UAE economic ties, with the accelerator programme offering an integrated platform combining infrastructure, logistics, networks and capital to support ambitious Indian brands in their global expansion.
IGF Middle East 2025: NXT Frontiers brought together 90 leaders from government, global corporations, venture capital, technology and academia to explore how India’s rapid digital and economic transformation can complement Gulf capital and innovation to unlock new growth opportunities across nine frontier themes, including capital, technology, consumer insights, and resilience.
With this fund, IGF is setting the stage for the next generation of Indian brands to scale boldly onto the global stage.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
