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Pune to host first chapter of AI Alliance by CNBC TV18 and Moneycontrol on March 27
Mumbai: Pune is home to diverse sectors – from auto to SaaS to e-commerce to fintech to engineering services. The city is also becoming a crucial hub for AI adoption, given its growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs. With an aim to foster this growth, CNBC-TV18 in collaboration with Moneycontrol, has announced the first edition of the ‘AI Alliance’ in Pune, scheduled to be held on 27 March 2024, from 3 p.m. onwards at Hyatt Regency. The ‘AI Alliance’ platform aims to bring experts and enthusiasts under one roof and serve as a platform to connect knowledge seekers with leading minds in the AI domain.
Building upon the success of the ‘Global AI Conclave’ held in December 2023 in Bengaluru, this initiative seeks to explore the transformative potential of AI across sectors. The event will feature engaging panel discussions and topics focusing on the evolution and future of AI and the crucial role individuals and organisations can play in this revolution.
The themes will focus on how AI is impacting IT services, governance, manufacturing, software as a service, fintech, e-commerce and public transportation. ~Founders of Five of Pune’s unicorns (Druva, Icertis, Mindtickle, OneCard and ElasticRun) will be speaking at the AI event, cutting across SaaS, financial services and B2B e-commerce. Other top speakers include Shrikant Shinde, MP, Lok Sabha, Mumbai metro chief Ashwini Bhide, Bharat Forge’s Amit Kalyani and Kishor Patil of KPIT. Apart from talking about the impact of AI on their respective sectors, they will also shine a light on why Pune is poised to emerge as India’s AI hub
Speaking on the first chapter of AI Alliance, Moneycontrol Deputy Executive Editor Chandra R Srikanth said, “The AI Alliance marks an important chapter in our commitment to create platforms that will enhance understanding of AI and its transformative impact across industries. Responsible AI, in particular, is a vital pillar of the AI alliance. Pune stands as one of the largest technology hubs in India, and this AI Alliance initiative will help shine a light on the innovation and AI adoption in the city. The AI alliance will help in assembling and building a strong AI community in Pune”
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Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
