Latest news with #NikhilJain
Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Startups Can Thrive In The Age Of AI Giants
Nikhil Jain is a Senior Partner Technology Manager at Samsung SmartThings Inc, with expertise in the smart home industry. In 2025, startups in the AI and IoT world are learning a tough truth: It's getting harder to stand out when the biggest tech giants are giving away what you've spent years building. At I/O 2025, for example, Google doubled down on Gemini 1.5—a multimodal model now baked into Search, Gmail, Docs, Photos, Android and beyond. Features like asking Photos to "show my dog in the snow" or having Search suggest meals from your fridge contents aren't just neat tricks—they're the exact use cases many startups had built businesses around. Similarly, Microsoft Copilot is now a core part of Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook. It automates emails, spreadsheets, meeting notes and summaries. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service and Fabric are giving enterprises plug-and-play intelligence at scale—which may make it difficult for startups offering vertical-specific AI features to compete. Apple? Quiet, as always—but formidable. With a smart home hub coming by year's end (blending iPad and HomePod), plus HomeKit improvements and AI-enhanced camera and translation features, Apple can absorb lifestyle-focused AI tools right into its ecosystem. Amazon's AWS IoT Core powers smart devices globally, and its Alexa Smart Properties are now embedded in apartments, hotels and senior living—spaces where smaller automation platforms used to thrive. Samsung, meanwhile, is turning its SmartThings platform into a commercial-grade automation system with SmartThings Pro, tackling energy control, HVAC and appliance integration at scale. (Disclosure: I am a senior partner technology manager at Samsung SmartThings.) This can hurt the prospects of innovation trickling down by broadening Big Tech's reach across previously niche domains. Shifting Competitive Landscape For Startups Startups that once led with niche, innovative services are now operating alongside similar offerings from major tech platforms: • Virtual fashion apps now see similar functionality in Google Shopping's try-on, which is freely available to every Android user. • AI photo and video editors now face competition from native editing features in Google Photos, Samsung's gallery apps and Apple's iOS enhancements. • Emoji and avatar creators now must navigate competition from Android's AI-generated emojis and Samsung's AR Emoji tools. • Recipe planners now operate alongside Gemini's capabilities in Google Search, which can generate meals, tips and shopping lists from natural queries. • Travel and guide apps must now stand out against Gemini Live and Apple Maps' augmented reality-based city exploration. • Translation startups face a future where Android Translate and Apple Translate come preloaded, offline and deeply integrated. • Smart real estate and home automation platforms are contending with expanded offerings from tech giants like Amazon's Alexa Smart Properties, Samsung's commercial SmartThings deployments and Apple's unified HomeKit dashboard. Even Microsoft's Azure Digital Twins is enabling property-level simulation. Why Big Tech Probably Has The Edge What could make this so difficult for startups isn't necessarily better products. It's the infrastructure, distribution and reach that Big Tech brings to the table: • Scale And Speed: Features go from demo to billions of users almost instantly. No ad campaign required. • Platform Integration: AI is no longer a tool—it's embedded in operating systems, default apps and cloud workflows. • Custom Hardware: Whether it's TPU v6, Apple's Neural Engine or Amazon's Inferentia chips, these companies are running models cheaper and faster than typical public cloud setups available to most startups. • Pricing Power: Features are free, bundled or subsidized. Charging for a stand-alone app becomes a difficult conversation when the same function is included in your phone or email client. What Startups Can Still Do This isn't a complete wipeout. Startups that carve out differentiated value will have the best chance at seeing adoption. That means: • Going Deep, Not Wide: Focus on regulated industries, compliance-heavy verticals or unique datasets. • Owning The Workflow: Don't just generate content; integrate it into a business process. • Augmenting, Not Replacing: Build on top of Big Tech APIs and tools, delivering higher-value vertical solutions. • Focusing On UX And Trust: Build loyalty, transparency and control that platforms can't offer at scale. Final Thought Let's call it what it is: The AI landscape is evolving beyond the early startup playground phase. Major tech companies are bringing full tool kits, global reach and the ability to quickly transform emerging innovations into widely available features. Big Tech isn't just expanding their platforms—they're shaping the ecosystem, setting new norms and integrating once-novel features into the core of their offerings. For startups, this isn't the end—but it's definitely a wake-up call. Competing on features alone is no longer viable. The winners will likely be the ones who carve out niches the giants overlook, own their data, embed deeply into real-world workflows and move faster than platforms can pivot. The giants may control the map, but there's still space at the edges for bold ideas that refuse to be swallowed. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Iran-Israel tensions: Indian students trapped as conflict shuts airspace
New Delhi|Bengaluru: As missiles hit and alerts blare, Fatima Khakhi, a third-year MBBS student at Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, is thankful to the Indian Embassy for relocating her to a safer location, but safety feels tenuous, and the anxiety is unrelenting. 'We are living in fear, with sleepless nights and growing anxiety,' she said. 'Our families back home are equally distressed.' As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, over 2,500 Indian students—roughly 1,500–2,000 in Iran and 1,200–1,500 in Israel—are caught in the crossfire, experts say. With airspace over both nations closed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has begun relocating students and activated advisories and check-ins. 'We've suspended all new Iran applications and are redirecting students to alternative destinations until the situation stabilises,' said Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits. 'Our partners are helping students register with embassy forms, and our 24/7 emergency helpline ensures they have updated passports and documentation ready in case of evacuation.' (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Indian students typically choose these destinations for affordability and ease of admission. According to Narayanan Ramaswamy, national leader (education and skill development) at KPMG India, these students are 'reasonably good in academics' but sometimes unable to secure seats in India's top colleges. 'They look to Israel, Iran, and nearby countries like Georgia and Ukraine, where admissions are easier and expenses are reasonable,' he said. Live Events In Israel, institutions like Tel Aviv University , Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Israel Institute of Technology are among the top choices. Iran, on the other hand, has emerged in recent years as a strong draw for students from Jammu & Kashmir, says Lambodar Rout, director of education consulting firm Edunom. 'Many students who earlier went to Bangladesh are now choosing Iran because it's nearly half the cost,' he notes. Aadil Shaikh, managing director of Education Zone—which has sent over 600 Indian students to Iran since 2018—says tuition and living expenses, factoring in scholarships, can cost as little as ?14-15 lakh for a five-year MBBS course, compared to ?40 lakh in Bangladesh. Institutions like Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, ?Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, ?Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, and Kerman University of Medical Sciences are popular among Indian students. 'Iran offers a lot of scholarships. The education and infrastructure offered are also good. In the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), the rate of passing for students who've studied in Iran is high,' said Shaikh. Yet, the war has brought all of this to a halt. 'They're (students) deeply worried—not just about their education, but their safety, timely evacuation, and whether their degrees will hold value amid rising instability,' said Shaikh. Under current NMC guidelines, students cannot transfer to another university mid-course unless a special exception is granted, like in the Ukraine case. The crisis is already reshaping student sentiment, say consultants. According to Sanjay Laul, founder, MSM Group, new applicants who are beginning to explore international education are also concerned. 'Even when a destination is not involved, the mood among families changes. Students become more cautious, and parents start asking different questions. It raises issues like insurance, emergency protocols, and academic flexibility.' 'Once concerns about a country's stability surface, rebuilding student confidence is not easy. It can take several years before the perception improves, and students feel safe enough to consider those destinations again,' Laul added. The current conflict, much like the war in Ukraine, could have a lasting impact on the appeal of the Caspian and Gulf regions for Indian students, education experts warn.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Beyond Distribution: SwaLay crafts a home for India's independent artistes
In recent years, India's independent music scene has moved from the margins to the mainstream. With artists from small towns and metro cities alike breaking barriers in language, genre, and style, one thing has been missing: a reliable foundation to support that growth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The country's indie talent is not just producing music — they're building movements. But in a world where algorithms decide visibility and third-party systems complicate rights and revenue, many creators are left navigating a fragmented experience. Recognising this gap, Indian music tech start-up SwaLay Digital has quietly undergone a major transformation — expanding from a distribution service to a full-stack music ecosystem. The platform now serves as a unified space for creators to manage everything from releases and royalties to lyrics, visual design, rights management, and growth tools. 'We're not just building features. We're building an artist-first experience,' says Nikhil Jain, founder and CEO of SwaLay Digital. 'Artists shouldn't need five different tools just to do what they love. So, we asked — how do we simplify this, without stripping away control?' At the heart of the new ecosystem is a dashboard built for clarity: artists can track performance, manage content, publish lyrics, and access smart insights in real time. The system also encourages collaboration — through its upcoming A2A (Artist to Artist) initiative — connecting creators to one another without the need for external intermediaries. This community-driven approach is what makes SwaLay's evolution feel different. Instead of merely adding features, the company is trying to reimagine what infrastructure for indie music could look like in India — one that honours regional diversity, simplifies monetisation, and helps artists remain independent without being alone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From upcoming rappers in Northeast India to folk revivalists in Rajasthan, SwaLay now works with a growing roster of talent that reflects the raw, diverse soundscape of the country. The platform's pivot comes at a time when global players dominate music tech but often lack the cultural nuance needed to serve Indian artists deeply. SwaLay is betting that its ecosystem model — designed in India, for India — might just be what the next era of music creation needs. Beyond Distribution: SwaLay crafts a home for India's independent artists
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Missed NEET cutoff? Russian, Ukrainian universities say no worries
Russia, and Ukraine's universities eye Indian medical aspirants falling short of NEET cutoff; low tuition fees and globally recognised degrees continue to lure students, despite geopolitical tensions New Delhi Despite the continuing conflict, universities in Russia and Ukraine are intensifying efforts to attract Indian medical aspirants, especially those who fall short of the NEET-UG cutoff, reported The Economic Times. Even students appearing for the exam today are being courted with offers of easy admission, no entrance tests, and affordable, English-taught medical degrees. According to the report, students at a dental college in Greater Noida said they had been inundated with YouTube and Instagram ads from Russian and Ukrainian institutions. These ads tout 'world-class infrastructure' and a smooth path to a medical career, without the intense competition of Indian entrance exams. Low fees, no exams drive student interest Before the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, Russia had already become the leading overseas destination for Indian medical students, with around 25,000 to 30,000 students enrolled, said Nikhil Jain, CEO and founder of ForeignAdmits, according to the report. 'Even amid the conflict, the number of Indian students in Russia hasn't seen a major drop. In fact, it increased by nearly 34 per in 2024,' Jain said. He attributed this to several factors: annual tuition fees between $3,000 and $7,000, much lower than in Indian private medical colleges, along with global recognition of degrees by WHO and NMC, and the absence of entrance exams at many Russian universities. The report quoted Akshay Chaturvedi, CEO and founder of LeverageEdu, saying that interest is picking up as Russian and Ukrainian medical universities ramp up their outreach in India. He stated, "in just six weeks, we've partnered with over 20 universities and have been given exclusive representation rights for several institutions entering the Indian market for the first time." Flexible norms and digital targeting expand reach According to Chaturvedi, many Russian universities have eased admission norms and are offering scholarships to woo international students. Ukrainian institutions, he added, are offering credit transfers and hybrid learning to support returning students. Ashok Varma, partner in the social sector at Grant Thornton Bharat, told the Economic Times that students' choices are increasingly influenced by algorithm-driven content. 'Much of this content likely appears organically, triggered by rising search volumes from students anxious about NEET cutoffs and the scarcity of government medical seats,' he said. Ceasefire talks rekindle interest in Ukraine Traditionally, Indian students have been approached by agents rather than the universities themselves. However, ongoing ceasefire negotiations could shift that dynamic. 'The ceasefire talks may have a ripple effect,' said Vaibhav Gupta, co-founder and chief marketing officer at iSchoolConnect. 'If the discussions succeed, student inflow could increase.' He added, 'I'm not sure if the numbers will return to pre-war levels, but we expect around 3,000 Indian students to potentially return to Ukraine.' NEET UG 2025 to be held today The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET-UG 2025 examination today across 5,453 centres in India and 13 cities abroad. More than 2.3 million candidates have registered for the exam, which will be held from 2 PM to 5 PM, according to news agency PTI. Mock drills were conducted at all centres on Saturday to ensure smooth operations. The NTA has also stepped up efforts against misinformation, targeting social media accounts and groups spreading false claims. State governments are on high alert to curb malpractice.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Amid War, Russia & Ukraine's varsities try to woo Indian medical students who missed the NEET cutoff
At a dental college in Greater Noida, students are facing an onslaught of slick YouTube and Instagram advertisements from Russian and Ukrainian universities . They promise an easy pathway to an international medical degree—no entrance exam, 'world-class infrastructure' and a budget route to fulfilling the white coat dream. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Code of war: India and Pakistan take their battle to the (web)front Forex reserves show a pauperised Pakistan, a prospering India Pakistan conducts training launch of surface-to surface ballistic missile Those who've missed the cutoff for Sunday's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET UG), and even those appearing for it, are just the right targets for universities of the two warring countries, which have been attracting Indian students for years with their English-taught programmes and well-established medical infrastructure. ALSO READ: Australia may turn less welcoming to international students by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ₹2 Crore Term Plan For The Middle-Class Salaried Employees at Just ₹876/M Best Term Insurance! Click Here Before the war began in February 2022, Russia had emerged as the top overseas destination for Indian medical students, hosting 25,000-30,000, said Nikhil Jain, chief executive and founder of ForeignAdmits. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) ET Bureau 'Despite the conflict, the number of Indian students in Russia has not decreased significantly. In fact, in 2024, the number rose nearly 34% from the previous year,' he said, adding that the reasons were compelling. 'Tuition fees range from $3,000 to $7,000 per year, far below Indian private colleges. Degrees are recognised by WHO (World Health Organization), NMC (National Medical Commission) and others. Many Russian universities do not even require entrance exams.' Live Events ALSO READ: Indian international students are driven by their career ambitions, shows IDP survey Akshay Chaturvedi, chief executive and founder of LeverageEdu, said the momentum is building as Russian and Ukrainian medical institutions are stepping up the outreach to India. 'We have onboarded 20-plus university partners in six weeks and have been tasked to exclusively represent several, as they venture into the Indian market for the first time,' he said. ALSO READ: Study Abroad: Challenges and opportunities for Indian students Hope Around Ceasefire Talks Several Russian universities —such as Dagestan State Medical, Volgograd State Medical and Kazan Federal—have introduced more flexible admission policies and scholarships to attract international students, according to Chaturvedi. 'In Ukraine, there's been some buzz around special provisions for returning students, such as credit transfers and hybrid learning models, making re-enrolment easier,' he said. Ashok Varma, partner, social sector, at Grant Thornton Bharat, said algorithm-driven content shapes student perception. 'Some content might be surfacing organically due to increased searches by students worried about NEET cutoffs and limited government medical seats in India. YouTube's recommendation system might amplify such searches, further fuelling the trend,' he said. The appeal, however, remains, and lower costs are a key component. Varma said, 'Medical education in India, primarily through private institutions, is expensive. Most of the time, education in nations like Russia and Ukraine costs one-third of what it does in a private institute in India.' While Russian and Ukrainian universities haven't traditionally marketed directly to Indian students, agents have stepped in. 'The ongoing ceasefire talks will surely have a spillover effect,' said Vaibhav Gupta, chief marketing officer & cofounder, iSchoolConnect. 'As Ukraine and Russia have long been favoured by Indians due to geographic closeness, high-value degrees and living affordability, the numbers will increase, subject to the success of bilateral talks.' Gupta also sees revival of interest from students who had abruptly left Ukraine after the Russian invasion. 'I'm not quite sure if the numbers would reach the pre-war period, but it's going to be a positive surge, close to about 3,000 Indian students in Ukraine,' he added.
