iWorld
Prashant Gupta joins Bolo Live as CTO
Mumbai: Social live streaming platform Bolo Live has appointed Prashant Gupta as chief technology officer.
Gupta brings with him over 13 years of diverse engineering experience. Previously, he was associated with Pratilipi as co-founder and CTO, and has also had a stint with Amazon. Besides Pratilipi, he co-founded Hubblestellar Technologies and a fintech product called Zero65 technologies.
“I look forward to working closely with the exceptional leadership team and a group of the most talented people at Bolo Live. I am also excited about starting my new role and playing my part in helping take Bolo Live onto the next phase of its transformation journey by building a world-class technology team and innovative culture,” Gupta said. “Building scale for technology-driven products keeps me going. I am confident that, together, we will capture the next wave of growth for Bolo Live and create a positive impact in the lives of millions.”
In his role at Bolo Live, Gupta will lead the technology team to bolster the scale of the platform to achieve the company’s Indian and global expansion goals, while driving tech innovation to enhance user experience, said the statement.
“We are elated to onboard Prashant as he comes with a strong track record of building and scaling technology-driven products. His experience across technology companies like Amazon and Pratilipi will help us create a significant improvement in value for our users,”stated Bolo Live co-founder and CEO Varun Saxena. “Bolo Live has an incredible opportunity with its USP of democratising monetisation for content creators, by leveraging the active engagement of live streaming. Prashant will be integral to our leadership team as we get set to enter the next phase of our growth journey at Bolo Live.”
“We are currently ramping up the team aggressively and in the next few weeks will see announcements of prominent hiring across technology, product, and marketing roles,” Saxena further said.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
