Ivan Couto, Author at OfficeChai

Ravi Gururaj’s QikPod’s Intelligent Locker Networks To Help Ecommerce Deliveries

December 1, 2015January 4, 2023 Ivan Couto

QikPod will launch a network of intelligent lockers for delivery of ecommerce parcels to online consumers across the metros. Parcel Locker is a unit that is installed alongside neighborhood delivery and collection box units or in conjunction with Post Office Boxes in a retail facility that is used for parcel delivery. The startup venture will be launched by serial entrepreneur Ravi Gururaj backed with a $9 million funding from Flipkart, Delivery, Accel Partners and Foxmobile.

Nestle Put To The Test Again, This Time Its Pazzta

November 30, 2015 Ivan Couto

Nestle had barely had time to celebrate the return of Maggi on Indian shelves, when another of its products is in the dock. The UP government has raised concerns about the levels of lead in Pazzta, Maggi’s pasta brand.

Indian Luxury Fashion Brands To Go Global

November 29, 2015December 20, 2015 Ivan Couto

With FDI being eased in single brand retailing and permission being granted to foreign companies to market through ecommerce platforms, the Government plans to encourage Indian luxury designers and brands enter into the global market, thus putting the nation on the international map.

Quikr Ventures Into The Entertainment Industry

November 28, 2015December 20, 2015 Ivan Couto

From a cross category classifieds business, Quikr has now ventures into the entertainment industry, partnering with filmmakers. It has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with filmmaker Vivek Bohra and casting director Aadore Mukherjee, to launch a platform for actors, casting directors, and production houses. The new platform will unite the different entities which will o help meet the needs of the entertainment industry.

Grofers Raises $120m; Valuation Jumps Threefold In Less Than A Year

November 27, 2015December 20, 2015 Ivan Couto

Grofers has wrapped up a $120 million (Rs.800 crore) funding led by Japan’s SoftBank, thus taking the ecommerce stores to a valuation of $400 million. Other investors included Apoletto Asia, the personal investment vehicle of DST Global’s partners, Russian billionaire Yuri Milner, along with existing backers Tiger Global Management and Sequoia Capital India, according to Grofers CEO Albinder Dhindsa.

How Alcohol Brands Promote Themselves Without Promoting The Alcohol

November 27, 2015December 16, 2015 Ivan Couto

With the ban on advertising of alcohol, liquor brands are now resorting to surrogate advertising. Surrogate advertising involves the promotion of a brand name, but the intent is to push a different product. Traditional surrogate advertising relied on television, radio and newspapers, but now it uses the digital medium liberally, taking advantage of the absence of clear guidelines.

Travel Food Services Looks To Raise Rs.150 crore For Expansion Plans

November 26, 2015 Ivan Couto

Travel Food Services, a subsidiary of Mumbai based K Hospitality, has big plans for the coming year, looking at raising investments of Rs.150 crores for its hospitality food service and travel retail businesses. The company manages brands such as Smoke House Bar & Cafe, KFC, Domino’s, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Cafe Coffee Day and Haagen-Dazs at the country’s airports

TN Industry Stalwarts To Help Government Kick Start Startups

November 25, 2015 Ivan Couto

A team of entrepreneurs which include founders of companies like Cognizant’s Lakshmi Narayanan and Arun Jain of Polaris are in talks with the Tamil Nadu state authorities to conceive a plan that will help startups reduce registration time. This initiative is in alignment with the Centre’s plan to help startups speed their registration and other processes enabling them to go-to-market sooner.

Foodpanda Ties Up With IRCTC To Provide Meals To Railway Passengers

November 25, 2015November 25, 2015 Ivan Couto

Foodpanda has tied up with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which handles catering, tourism and online ticketing operations for Indian Railways to make it convenient for traveling passengers to order their choice of food online.