Latest news with #Pavan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Smart kitchens, cultural algorithms: VTP Lounge reinvents airport dining with AI
Bengaluru, India – July 14, 2025 — As India's airports evolve into high-velocity hubs of commerce and culture, Bengaluru-based VTP Lounge LLP is reimagining airport dining through an integrated strategy of AI-powered operations, smart kitchens, and scalable regional by technologist-turned-entrepreneur Pavan P G, the company is turning transit spaces into testbeds for digital hospitality innovation—where culinary heritage meets intelligent automation. At the heart of VTP Lounge's model is a full-stack AI system that powers demand forecasting, kitchen workflows, dynamic menu planning, food waste optimization, and real-time customer feedback loops. These tools are designed to ensure agility, operational consistency, and customer satisfaction across high-footfall locations such as airport terminals. 'Airport dining isn't just a service—it's an engineering challenge,' says Pavan, who brings experience across logistics, real estate, and global consulting. 'You're solving for peak-hour unpredictability, compliance, and cultural expectations—all in real-time.' A standout success is CTR VTP Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between VTP Lounge and the custodians of Bengaluru's iconic Central Tiffin Room (CTR). The AI-backed outlet, located in Terminal 2 Arrivals at Kempegowda International Airport, recently won the 'Sense of Place – Restaurant' award at FAB 2025 in Barcelona, for its seamless blend of traditional cuisine and tech-enabled service. Upcoming projects include the launch of a smart, vegetarian multi-cuisine outlet in collaboration with Shri Sagar at Terminal 1, further cementing VTP Lounge's commitment to bringing authentic Indian food into digitally orchestrated dining environments. Beyond heritage partnerships, VTP Lounge is also aligned with Hard Rock Cafe, which is operational in Domestic Departure, Terminal 2 near Gate 7 of Kempegowda International Airport since December 2023, to embed global hospitality models into the Indian aviation ecosystem—while maintaining backend infrastructure powered by AI and private cloud systems. Looking ahead, the company plans to: Expand heritage food brands across Tier-1 and Tier-2 airportsExport Indian culinary IP to global travel hubsScale modular smart kitchen frameworks, enabling consistent quality at variable volumesIntegrate digital ordering and feedback tools to drive data-led menu innovation This airport-native model could redefine how technology transforms F&B not only at terminals, but across smart city transit points, railway stations, and highway food plazas. As digital transformation touches every industry, VTP Lounge offers a compelling case study on how automation, AI, and cultural intelligence can converge to create scalable, resilient, and experience-rich food ecosystems—designed for the transient traveler, but built for lasting impact.
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Who is Pavan Guntupalli? Man who faced over 70 rejections, didn't give up, now owns Rs 93500000000 company which competes with....
Who is Pavan Guntupalli? Man who faced over 70 rejections, didn't give up, now owns Rs 93500000000 company which competes with.... Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something. And this story is an exemplary example that where there is a will, there is a way. He did not attain success overnight. Despite facing 75 rejections from investors, he never gave up on his dreams. Today, he runs an empire worth Rs 93500000000. He is… Who is Pavan Guntupalli? Pavan Guntupalli has been a bright student from a young age. In 2008, he took admission at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur to pursue Electronics and Electrical Communications. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked as a summer associate at Reliance Communications Ltd in 2010. Additionally, he worked as a software developer at Samsung Research India in 2012. What came as a breakthrough was Rapido. In 2015, Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR cofounded Rapido, a bike taxi app. Prior, Pavan, along with Aaravind Sank, launched their first startup, theKarrier, a company that used minitrucks to provide intercity logistics services. Unfortunately, the project failed, and the two went through a setback. He went on to test seven more business ideas, and each one failed. He received 75 rejection letters at the time, but he was determined that one of the ideas had to work. However, Pavan still had a consistent vision. He analyzed the environment and decided the only way for the company to be sustainable was to reduce costs and connect directly with customers. It was during this time that he conceived the idea for bike taxis, and Rapido was founded in 2014. The official website of Rapido reads, 'Rapido has come a long way ever since its inception in 2015. With a lot of hardwork and perseverance we have made a place for ourselves in the market. As a brand and as a service, it is our constant endeavour to redefine ourselves.' Rishikesh S R, Pavan Guntupalli, and Aravind Sanka are the founders of Rapido. Rapido was in tough competition with strong competitors such as Uber and Ola, so it took a while for Rapido to gain traction. As per a DNA news report, 75 investors chose not to contribute to the business. Despite these hurdles, Pavan was always adamant to build Rapido. The company launched with a base fare of Rs 15 and a charge of Rs 3 per km, but the numbers were disappointing. But Pavan did not stop there; he just kept going until he found the right investors who believed in him. Initially, investors were sceptical. Most thought bike taxis were going to fade away, with the tough competition of Ola and Uber launching their bike taxi services. When the future of Rapido stood on shaky ground, Pawan Munjal, the Chairman and Managing Director of Hero MotoCorp, came with timely intervention and support in 2016. Munjal's support was a big shot in the arm for Rapido. It paved the way for more investors to join and propelled the company forward.
India.com
5 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet IITian Who Was Rejected 75 times, Failed In 7 Startups Now Runs Rs 93500000000 Company—His Business Is….
photoDetails english 2930367 Updated:Jul 11, 2025, 05:44 PM IST Meet Man Behind Rs 9,350 Crore Company 1 / 8 Pavan Guntupalli, a young entrepreneur from Telangana, didn't find success overnight. In fact, he failed seven times and faced 75 rejections from investors before his big break. But with determination and one powerful idea, he went on to build Rapido, a bike taxi service now valued at Rs 9,350 crore. From IIT to the Startup World 2 / 8 Pavan was always a bright student and made it to IIT Kharagpur, one of India's most prestigious engineering colleges. After graduation, he joined Samsung as a software developer. But the routine corporate life didn't excite him. He wanted to solve real-world problems, and that desire pushed him toward entrepreneurship. 7 Failures and 75 Rejections 3 / 8 His first startup, theKarrier, launched with friend Aravind Sanka, didn't take off. Still, Pavan didn't stop. He went on to try seven different business ideas, all of which failed. Rejection letters piled up—75 in total—but he stayed focused, believing that one idea would eventually work. How the Idea for Rapido Was Born 4 / 8 In 2015, while stuck in traffic, Pavan had an idea. Ola and Uber were popular, but they didn't save time—people still sat in long jams and paid high fares. So he thought, why not bikes? They're faster in traffic and cheaper for short rides. That moment gave birth to Rapido, India's first bike taxi service. Beating Giants by Going Small 5 / 8 While Ola and Uber focused on big cities, Rapido did the opposite. Pavan and his team targeted Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, where daily commute problems were real. They offered short, fast, and affordable bike rides starting at just ₹15. This smart move gave Rapido a unique space to grow. Turning Point After 75 'No's 6 / 8 Investors were skeptical. Many thought bike taxis wouldn't survive, especially when Ola and Uber introduced their own versions. Just when things seemed bleak, in 2016, Pawan Munjal of Hero MotoCorp stepped in and backed Rapido. His investment turned the tide, and more investors soon followed. A Service That Stood Out 7 / 8 With fresh funding, Rapido expanded to Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram with 400 bikes. In just a few months, they had 5,000 users—and 1.5 lakh by the end of the year. Their strategy was simple: low fares, zero commission for riders in the beginning, and calling drivers 'Captains' to give them pride and identity. From Simple Idea to Rs 9,350 crore Giant 8 / 8 Today, Rapido is present in over 100 cities, with more than 5 crore app downloads and thousands of rides daily. What started as an idea in traffic became a revolution in Indian urban transport. Pavan Guntupalli's journey shows that no matter how many times you fall, one 'yes' can change everything. (Images Credit: X & Social Media)
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
I won't trade my identity for a template of what an actress should be: Aarohi Patel
It was in 2015, that a young girl, all of 20 played the role of Pavan in Premji: Rise of a Warrior. The film won several state awards and put Aarohi Patel on the map of Gujarati cinema. She played Antara in Love Ni Bhavaai in 2017 and Vaani, two years later in Aum Mangalam Singlem. After 10 years and several films behind her, Aarohi celebrates a milestone today. However, according to the actress, this was 'never a part of the plan' . We sit down with Aarohi at her office and where she spends most of her time. In a chat, she talks about how she doesn't consider herself a nepokid, why she is grateful to the industry and more. How do you look back at a decade in D-Town? Did you always envision your journey like this? It has been magical, but with a lot of hard work, dedication, and learning. I did not anticipate my journey to be like this. When I did Premji…, I was still studying I wanted to complete my master's and go to New York or London to study filmmaking. Love Ni Bhavai happened when I was studying for my master's. I got a call from Vipul Mehta for Chaal Jeevi Laiye! just a day before I was supposed to appear for IELTS. Everything just happened on its own. My plan was to work behind the camera and so, I studied commerce and then master's in Development Communication, so that I could get insights into media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo I interned at a radio office, then in print media, and became an assistant director and later, an editor. I wanted to explore everything because acting was never a part of the plan. Every offer was more tempting than the previous one. You've been very selective about films. Do you feel you could have done more films? It's a wrong perception that I am selective. But I will take up a film only if I feel it's worth it. My passion has always been my production house and my editing jobs. I have never wanted to trade my passion for editing for visibility in films. I fell in love with acting while shooting for Premji…. I do feel that I am yet to explore many roles and different stories. You have often been called a nepo kid. How do you cope with that? Nepotism is when we benefit from our parents' contacts, but the urban Gujarati film industry was established in 2015, the year I made my debut. My father (Saandeep Patel) also established himself around that time. So, I am not a nepo kid. My parents have been working in the industry, making serials and films for the past 30 years, but they were not known to the audience, or the new age industry. My dad was motivated when he saw Vijaygiri Bava, Abhishek Jain and Krishnadev Yagnik making urban films. I don't think the fans have that perception. In fact, I have done fewer films as compared to other actors. I am a very patient person and probably that is why my industry peers feel that life has been easy for me. I have seen my parents achieving great heights and then face some lows too, so I know how quickly things can change in the industry. So, I don't expect much from the industry. I only trust my hard work and dedication. You've always had the same set of industry friends. Have you ever been blamed for groupism? No. I can only hang out with people I am comfortable with. I spend most of my time with my college friends and not so much with industry people. But I feel comfortable around my co-stars and producers, directors that I have worked with. You seem to have defied what an actress should be like… I was carrying the no makeup look back in 2015 too, as I feel lazy to wear makeup. Now, it is suddenly a thing. I've been wearing oversized clothes, which is now a trend for Gen Z. I feel proud of it. If I have dark circles, I have them. I am not ready to trade my identity for a template of what an actress should be. Professionally, what are your plans in the next 10 years? I want to be a part of something that goes global. Gujarati films have to represent India at the global level in the next 10 years. The industry also gave you your husband (Tatsat Munshi), isn't it? When I was about to begin shooting for Chaal Jeevi Laiye!, I got a call from Ankit Gor for Non-Alcoholic Breakup. He thought I would never do it, but I did it and that's when I met Tatsat for the first time. That's how the journey began. 'I would love to relive the shooting period of Chaal Jeevi Laiye!' I would love to relive the shooting period of Chaal Jeevi Laiye! because we shot in Uttarakhand in an almost no-network zone. I signed the film when I was wondering what to do with my life. It was just the 40-50 people from the crew. The way I found myself there, it was a life-changing experience. I came back with no baggage. After Love Ni Bhavai, there were a lot of expectations from me, which I never asked for-how to walk, how to talk and what to wear. There was a lot of noise around me; I was losing my identity and I would end up being just another girl or actress, and I was not ready for the change. I would have lost my individuality. This film came at the perfect time. Favourites and wish list: · Fave onscreen pair: Sagar and Antara (her and Mallhar in Love Ni Bhavai). · Favourite co-star: Bhavya Gandhi. He is an amazing person and as someone with so much fame, he treated me well. He is humble, kind, and sweet. · Want to be paired opposite: Mayur Chauhan and Mitra Gadhvi. · Closest song: Khune Thi Khune Thi · Weird or funny messages from fans: 'Aarohi didi, will you attend the premiere today? We will come to meet you' and 'I really like you and my wife has no idea that I have messaged you.' · Favourite characters: Pranali from Ajab Raat Ni Gajab Vaat and Vaani from Aum Mangalam Singlem. · A character that resembles her real-life personality: I am a combination of Vaani and Antara. Antara was too ambitious, while Vaani was too naïve.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- The Hindu
Software engineer ends life after failing to repay loans
HYDERABAD A 25-year-old software engineer ended his life at a men's hostel in Yellareddyguda, allegedly after ending in a debt trap from instant loan apps. The deceased, identified as V. Pavan from West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, had been residing at the hostel for the past few months. According to the police, Pavan had availed loans from instant loan apps. Unable to cope with the mounting pressure and fearing the repercussions, he ended his life. The incident came to light when his roommates found him and alerted the police. The Madhuranagar police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. (Roshini suicide prevention helpline numbers are: 8142020033/44 and 040 66202000/2001.)
