Latest news with #ManishGandhi
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Deeptech startup Plenome Technologies raises Rs 6.5 crore from Indian, global investors
IIT Madras-incubated deeptech startup Plenome Technologies has raised Rs 6.5 crore in seed funding from Indian and international investors, including Luxembourg-based Ovington Capital , UAE-based AADI, and Manish Gandhi , who has invested in ePlane and CynLr to GoStop, LegalKart, and by mechanical engineering professor Prabhu Rajagopal, the startup develops blockchain and AI-powered applications for secure data transfer in sectors such as healthcare and solutions include 'BlockVote,' a blockchain-based remote voting platform, which was deployed in IIT Madras student elections, and 'OrganEase,' a digital tool to manage organ donation databases, currently undergoing trial implementation in one of the southern Indian states. It is also piloting 'Ashwin,' an AI-powered voice-enabled data capture platform in dental healthcare, with plans to expand to eye care, cosmetic, and fertility said the startup's mission is to address the challenge of developing digital applications that can protect the privacy of users and security of records while ensuring interoperability across organisations, geographies and smooth operations at scale.'Our work on remote elections is very exciting, offering the possibility of voting through mobile devices from any location. We hope to grow organically with impact in the coming years,' the professor startup's core offering is built on a patent-backed distributed ledger technology (DLT) framework that allows secure, privacy-preserving data management across organisations and is also developing what it claims could be the world's first distributed AI protocol for structured data analysis in healthcare and e-governance. The funding will be used to scale existing pilots, accelerate product development, and expand into international of the investors, Marco Palacino of Ovington Capital Partners, said, 'The partnership brings strategic alignment, market access, and capital support to accelerate Plenome's mission. With a focus on breakthrough innovation and global impact, Ovington is well-positioned to support Plenome's vision for the future of digital health and e-governance.'
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Shweta Tripathi returns to theatre as a producer after a decade with queer drama
Actor and producer Shweta Tripathi is all set to make her debut as a theatre producer with the staging of the critically acclaimed British play titled 'Cock'. The play will have its premiere show to take place on June 6 in Delhi at Max Muller Bhavan and June 10 in Mumbai at Prithvi Theatre to commemorate Pride Month. Speaking about the project, Shweta shared, 'Theatre has always been my first love. It's raw, immediate, and leaves no space to hide—from the audience or from the truth. Producing a play like Cock is a personal and creative decision born out of my belief that storytelling should reflect the world in all its complexity and beauty. Shweta is producing this place under her theatre production company called AllMyTea which is being directed by UK based, Manish Gandhi. The play has roped in actors Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, Harssh Singh. For Shweta to bring back this play celebrating queer love and pride month is the highlight to celebrate and highlight this story during a month dedicated to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Written by British playwright Mike Bartlett, and being directed by Manish Gandhi, the play is an explosive, emotionally charged drama that delves into themes of identity, sexuality, and the fluidity of love. It's honest, unapologetic portrayal of a man caught between the familiar and the unexpected—his long-time male partner and a new-found attraction to a added: 'We are living in a time where people are finally feeling empowered to own their identities, and Cock doesn't shy away from the discomfort or the beauty of that journey. It's messy, human, and real. That's what drew me to it.' The actress said that she wants to be part of stories that 'make you uncomfortable in the best way—stories that spark conversations, empathy, and perhaps even change.' She continued: 'Pride Month is a celebration, yes—but it's also a reminder that visibility, inclusion, and acceptance are still ongoing battles. With this play, we aim to honour queer experiences and give them the stage they have long deserved.' The production is currently in casting and pre-production, with the play scheduled to open in June 2025 in Mumbai and Delhi.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cock set to premiere this June in Delhi and Mumbai
British playwright Mike Bartlett's play Cock is set to premiere in India this June, with performances scheduled in Delhi and in Mumbai. Timed with Pride Month, the play delves into themes of sexuality, identity, and emotional conflict in contemporary relationships. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Directed by UK-based Manish Gandhi, the production features a cast including Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, and Harssh Singh. Cock follows a man at the crossroads of love—torn between his long-term male partner and a newfound connection with a woman—offering a candid exploration of fluid desire and self-discovery. The play marks a return to theatre for actor Shweta Tripathi, who is closely involved with the production. She describes Cock as 'messy, human, and real'—a narrative that aims to reflect and honour queer experiences while sparking conversations around identity and acceptance. Staged during Pride Month, the production aligns with ongoing conversations around visibility, inclusivity, and the evolving definitions of love in today's world.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Merak Ventures leads $3.3 million funding round in space-tech startup SatLeo Labs
SatLeo Labs, Space-tech startup SatLeo Labs has raised USD 3.3 million in its pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Merak Ventures , with Huddle Ventures participating as a major investor, alongside GVFL, Java Capital, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, and angel investors Manish Gandhi and Dheer Baldua. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The funds will be utilised to advance the development of its proprietary thermal imaging payload, conduct critical feasibility studies, and secure regulatory approvals. Additionally, the capital will support team expansion, infrastructure setup, and pilot testing, enabling the startup to validate its technology and strengthen industry partnerships. 'Each 1°C rise in temperature can reduce global GDP by up to 10%. Our thermal data helps detect risks before they turn into billion-dollar losses — from crop failures to wildfires. At Satleo, we're transforming space data into real-world resilience,' said Shravan Bhati, Co-founder & CEO of SatLeo Labs. 'This funding underscores the growing confidence in our vision to position India as a global leader in space-based intelligence by delivering cost-effective and reliable solutions.' SatLeo Labs has already garnered strong industry interest, securing over $25 million in Letters of Intent (LOIs) from potential clients. With its experienced team, including former ISRO scientists, and collaborations with ISRO and IN-SPACe, the company is well-positioned to disrupt the geospatial analytics sector with its cutting-edge thermal imaging solutions . 'Our investment in SatLeo Labs is rooted in a clear thesis - thermal imagery from space is still vastly underutilised, and its commercial applications are only set to grow in ways we may not yet fully grasp. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We're backing them for a genuine tech breakthrough that makes thermal data more useful, accessible and affordable. Just as importantly, they bring a rare combination of DeepTech expertise and real-world application insights,' said Sheetal Bahl, Partner at Merak Ventures. SatLeo Labs aims to launch its first thermal imaging satellite in the near future, further solidifying India's position as a leader in commercial space technology while targeting global markets.
