Latest news with #Puneet
Business Standard
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
CARD91 Promotes Puneet Mathur to Chief Information Officer
PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 22: CARD91, a leading innovator in payment infrastructure, is pleased to announce the promotion of Puneet Mathur to the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO). This leadership move reflects CARD91's ongoing commitment to building secure, intelligent, and future-ready payment infrastructure for banks, fintechs, and regulated financial institutions. Puneet joined CARD91 in 2020 as Vice President - Client Solutioning, where he led the company's solution architecture and enterprise-grade integrations across both card and UPI rails. With nearly 24 years of experience in enterprise architecture, technology implementation, and systems integration, Puneet has played a critical role in delivering scalable, compliant, and high-performance solutions for CARD91's clients. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Calcutta, Puneet's professional journey spans leadership roles at Citigroup, a successful tenure as Partner & CTO at HytechPro, and as Co-founder & CTO of YoGems. In his new role as CIO, Puneet will lead CARD91's technology strategy--focused on accelerating platform innovation, strengthening the technology backbone, and driving collaboration with ecosystem partners to deliver intelligent, resilient, and compliant payment solutions. "I'm privileged to step into the role of CIO at CARD91," said Puneet Mathur. "My focus will be on strengthening our technology infrastructure, ensuring platform scalability, enhancing system security, and embedding robust compliance frameworks. I will be focused on driving innovation across our products, building resilient architectures, and delivering high-performance, future-ready payment solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the fintech ecosystem." "Puneet's leadership has been pivotal to our growth," said Ajay Pandey, CEO of CARD91. "His deep technical acumen and customer-first mindset will accelerate our mission to simplify and modernise digital payments for the industry." About CARD91 CARD91 is an Issuance Platform-as-a-Service company providing unparalleled technology infrastructure to Banks, Prepaid License holders, and Authorised Dealers. The company helps them issue various payment instruments (PPI, Debit, Credit, Multi-Currency, UPI, and now, Credit Line on UPI) to their customers, ensuring seamless issuance and enhanced control. CARD91's support for multiple use cases aligns with its vision of making issuance seamless and swift for issuers. With a team strength of 100+ professionals, CARD91 operates across key financial hubs, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Chennai.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gold, gossip and web of lies: How a Bengaluru woman turned kitty parties into a Rs 5 crore scam
A 49-year-old woman from Bengaluru has been arrested for allegedly cheating several women from her social circle out of more than ₹5 crore through a series of fraudulent investment schemes. The accused, Savita G, was taken into custody along with her alleged accomplice Puneet P by the Bengaluru police earlier this week. Both are currently in five-day police custody following a local court order. Multiple FIRs filed, police begin deeper probe At least two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against Savita at Govindarajanagar and Basaveshwaranagar police stations. According to the police, she targeted women from financially well-off backgrounds by promising high returns from investments in gold imports, real estate, and private tenders. 'She reached out to women on social media, especially those with active social lives and disposable income. Savita claimed she imported gold from abroad and offered to double their money through real estate investments and business ventures,' a police officer involved in the investigation said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Transform Your Child's Confidence with Our Public Speaking Program Planet Spark Book Now Undo Kitty parties used as a front to win trust To gain the trust of potential investors, Savita often hosted kitty parties either at her home or in upscale locations. At these informal gatherings, she projected herself as a successful realtor, gold trader, and social worker with political connections. 'Many of the victims were convinced by her confidence and networking skills. Some handed over cash, others made online transfers. Puneet would then help encash these funds, which were diverted into gold purchases and household goods. But in reality, she quietly built up a chit-fund business in Basaveshwaranagar,' the officer added. Live Events Investors started demanding returns after a year The fraud began to unravel when investors started demanding returns more than a year after making payments. Unable to repay or offer the promised profits, Savita faced increasing pressure from the women she had targeted. Eventually, nearly 30 women came forward and filed police complaints, revealing the extent of the alleged scam. Case likely to widen as more victims emerge Investigators believe the number of victims may rise as the case gains visibility. The police are also examining bank records and gold transactions to trace the full scale of the financial fraud. Savita and Puneet remain in custody as the investigation continues.
Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Puneet Gupta Steps Down as CEO After Clensta's Acquisition
NewsVoir Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], July 9: Puneet Gupta, Founder and CEO of Clensta, announced via a personal LinkedIn post that he is stepping down as CEO following the acquisition of Clensta, a personal care innovator best known for its waterless technology solutions. While final deal terms remain private, Clensta was last valued at $36 million by Amazon, as per sources familiar with the matter. JM Financial is understood to have advised Clensta as its investment banker. This transition marks the end of a decade-long journey that saw Gupta move from aerospace and defense innovation to building one of India's most recognized tech-backed personal care brands. Under his leadership, Clensta grew from a lab-stage idea into a multi-category company with global reach and institutional interest. In his post, Gupta reflected on the lessons of scale, resilience, and timing -- stating that he now enters a phase of "reset and reflection," and hinting at future projects in venture-building and authorship. A Founder's Journey Few Can Match Before Clensta, Puneet spent 8 years building an optoelectronic company serving the Indian armed forces. From night vision to tactical gear, his engineering innovations helped secure global attention--including offers from players like Reliance Defence. But in 2016, Puneet took a bold leap. He moved from battlefield to bathroom, founding Clensta with the idea of solving hygiene for soldiers without access to water. Partnering with IIT Delhi, he launched the now-patented Waterless Bathing Technology, followed by Waterless Shampoo and many others. These innovations quickly found favor in hospitals, disaster relief, and space-constrained environments. A Brand That Connected at Scale As Clensta expanded across D2C marketplaces and multi-category retail, it caught the attention of several global VCs, PE firms, and strategic players -- including Amazon, which had valued the business at $36 million. In 2023, the brand made headlines again when Parineeti Chopra joined Clensta as a partner and brand co-builder. The association went viral across social media and press, signalling a strong consumer resonance with Clensta's mission and story. Often referred to as "the waterless man", Puneet Gupta helped shape Clensta into a category-defining personal care company that blended sustainability, science, and national purpose. Quiet Signals and a Clear Arc The brand also drew attention when a former senior executive from Mamaearth joined Clensta as Co-founder. The executive exited in 2024, citing a difference in long-term alignment with the strategic direction Clensta was heading toward. Puneet's recent announcement now completes that arc. A Moment of Reflection, Not Retreat In a world where founders often glamorize the hustle, Puneet's LinkedIn post stood out for its honesty. Reflecting on his military-honed mindset, he admitted: "I used to believe jab nadi aayegi tab pul banayenge. I was wrong. You don't build the bridge during the flood. You build it before." He also revisited his talent philosophy: "I thought learning, earning, and recognition--what I called LSD: Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga--was enough to retain people. But I was wrong. Great companies are built on processes, not passion alone." Without going into detail, Puneet acknowledged that the path wasn't always smooth -- and that building an enduring brand requires facing difficult truths. "The founder must be the last to leave. You take the hit. You hold the line. You leave the light on." What Comes After a $100 Million Journey? Puneet Gupta now enters stealth mode. After cumulatively building a Defence-first B2B and B2C company valued at $100 million, he steps into a phase of deep reset. While the details of his next chapter remain undisclosed, he has hinted at an upcoming book -- a reflection on what it truly means to build scale, where valuation doesn't always translate to personal financial outcomes. It draws from the untold journey behind building $100 million+ companies, and signals a possible return to venture-building -- this time with sharper capital strategy, founder alignment, and market timing at its core. Having raised capital from institutional investors and attracted interest from global VCs and strategic players like Amazon, Puneet brings rare clarity into the complexities of fundraising, founder dilution, and alignment. If he chooses to support early-stage founders in the future, it's likely to save them years of wasted effort -- and offer the kind of strategic insight only hard-won experience can provide. The question he leaves open -- "What does a founder pursue after such a long stint?" -- is one the startup world will be watching closely. An Award-Laden Legacy Puneet and Clensta have received some of the country's highest recognitions: National Entrepreneurship Award (Govt. of India) Entrepreneur of the Year (NewsTV18) TiE Lumis Excellence Award, Business World Young Entrepreneur, Times 40 Under 40 UK Tech Rocketship, ET Rise Startup of the Year, PwC LevelNXT Disruptor Award Recognized by Saudi Aramco, US Embassy, and CII From Founder to Force Whether building for the Army or the Indian consumer, Puneet Gupta's north star has remained clear: solve real problems, with precision and purpose. As he steps down as CEO, Clensta's journey serves as a reminder: in the end, every founder is a salesman -- whether it's defense tech or a bottle of shampoo. It's not about what you sell, but how you build.
Fashion Value Chain
09-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Puneet Gupta Steps Down as CEO After Clensta's Acquisition
Puneet Gupta, Founder and CEO of Clensta, announced via a personal LinkedIn post that he is stepping down as CEO following the acquisition of Clensta, a personal care innovator best known for its waterless technology solutions. While final deal terms remain private, Clensta was last valued at $36 million by Amazon, as per sources familiar with the matter. JM Financial is understood to have advised Clensta as its investment banker. This transition marks the end of a decade-long journey that saw Gupta move from aerospace and defense innovation to building one of India's most recognized tech-backed personal care brands. Under his leadership, Clensta grew from a lab-stage idea into a multi-category company with global reach and institutional interest. In his post, Gupta reflected on the lessons of scale, resilience, and timing – stating that he now enters a phase of 'reset and reflection,' and hinting at future projects in venture-building and authorship. A Founder's Journey Few Can Match Before Clensta, Puneet spent 8 years building an optoelectronic company serving the Indian armed forces. From night vision to tactical gear, his engineering innovations helped secure global attention-including offers from players like Reliance Defence. But in 2016, Puneet took a bold leap. He moved from battlefield to bathroom, founding Clensta with the idea of solving hygiene for soldiers without access to water. Partnering with IIT Delhi, he launched the now-patented Waterless Bathing Technology, followed by Waterless Shampoo and many others. These innovations quickly found favor in hospitals, disaster relief, and space-constrained environments. A Brand That Connected at Scale As Clensta expanded across D2C marketplaces and multi-category retail, it caught the attention of several global VCs, PE firms, and strategic players – including Amazon, which had valued the business at $36 million. In 2023, the brand made headlines again when Parineeti Chopra joined Clensta as a partner and brand co-builder. The association went viral across social media and press, signalling a strong consumer resonance with Clensta's mission and story. Often referred to as 'the waterless man', Puneet Gupta helped shape Clensta into a category-defining personal care company that blended sustainability, science, and national purpose. Quiet Signals and a Clear Arc The brand also drew attention when a former senior executive from Mamaearth joined Clensta as Co-founder. The executive exited in 2024, citing a difference in long-term alignment with the strategic direction Clensta was heading toward. Puneet's recent announcement now completes that arc. A Moment of Reflection, Not Retreat In a world where founders often glamorize the hustle, Puneet's LinkedIn post stood out for its honesty. Reflecting on his military-honed mindset, he admitted: 'I used to believe jab nadi aayegi tab pul banayenge. I was wrong. You don't build the bridge during the flood. You build it before.' He also revisited his talent philosophy: 'I thought learning, earning, and recognition-what I called LSD: Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga-was enough to retain people. But I was wrong. Great companies are built on processes, not passion alone.' Without going into detail, Puneet acknowledged that the path wasn't always smooth – and that building an enduring brand requires facing difficult truths. 'The founder must be the last to leave. You take the hit. You hold the line. You leave the light on.' What Comes After a $100 Million Journey Puneet Gupta now enters stealth mode. After cumulatively building a Defence-first B2B and B2C company valued at $100 million, he steps into a phase of deep reset. While the details of his next chapter remain undisclosed, he has hinted at an upcoming book – a reflection on what it truly means to build scale, where valuation doesn't always translate to personal financial outcomes. It draws from the untold journey behind building $100 million+ companies, and signals a possible return to venture-building – this time with sharper capital strategy, founder alignment, and market timing at its core. Having raised capital from institutional investors and attracted interest from global VCs and strategic players like Amazon, Puneet brings rare clarity into the complexities of fundraising, founder dilution, and alignment. If he chooses to support early-stage founders in the future, it's likely to save them years of wasted effort – and offer the kind of strategic insight only hard-won experience can provide. The question he leaves open – 'What does a founder pursue after such a long stint' – is one the startup world will be watching closely. An Award-Laden Legacy Puneet and Clensta have received some of the country's highest recognitions: National Entrepreneurship Award (Govt. of India) Entrepreneur of the Year (NewsTV18) TiE Lumis Excellence Award, Business World Young Entrepreneur, Times 40 Under 40 UK Tech Rocketship, ET Rise Startup of the Year, PwC LevelNXT Disruptor Award Recognized by Saudi Aramco, US Embassy, and CII â From Founder to Force Whether building for the Army or the Indian consumer, Puneet Gupta's north star has remained clear: solve real problems, with precision and purpose. As he steps down as CEO, Clensta's journey serves as a reminder: in the end, every founder is a salesman – whether it's defense tech or a bottle of shampoo. It's not about what you sell, but how you build.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shah Rukh Khan refused to take a break during his shot with Puneet Issar in 'Ram Jaane': 'Assistant director told him that his body double could give cues'
Actor recently opened up about a memorable interaction with during the shoot of their 1995 film 'Ram Jaane'. He praised 's humility and generosity, recalling how the superstar waited for a shot with him without taking a break. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Puneet Issar about Shah Rukh Khan's humility In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Puneet recounted a moment on set with Shah Rukh. They were shooting Ram Jaane at Kamalistan Studios, and there was an over-the-shoulder shot where the camera was favouring . Puneet had to give cues for the Jawan actor in the shot, and it took almost three hours for the team to complete it. 'You can't kiss me' - When Pakistani actress Mahira Khan told Shah Rukh Khan while shooting for 'Zaalima' song from 'Raees' Shah Rukh Khan wanted to do a scene with Puneet Issar Later, when the camera setup was about to favour Puneet, the light man requested an hour to arrange the lighting, and the production team called for a break. Puneet sat for a while, and Shah Rukh joined him. 'The assistant director told Shah Rukh, 'Sir, it is your break. Your body double can give cues to Puneet.' Shah Rukh quickly replied, 'When Puneet gave me cues, why can't I give them to him?' That's the greatness of Shah Rukh,' he added. About Ram Jaane Ram Jaane is a crime drama inspired by the 1938 Hollywood classic Angels with Dirty Faces. It featured Shah Rukh Khan in one of his early negative roles. Directed by Rajiv Mehra, the film also starred , Vivek Mushran, Pankaj Kapur, and Puneet Issar. The film emerged as a commercial success. Shah Rukh Khan's work front On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan is all set to share the screen with his daughter in 'King'.
