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Billion Dollar Valuations & Billion Dollar AUM’s on the court, at Bertelsmann Badminton Championship 2024

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Billion Dollar Valuations & Billion Dollar AUM’s on the court

Bangalore, August 2nd, 2024 – The 6th Annual Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) Badminton Championship held at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy brought together venture capitalists and startups in a lively mix of competition and collaboration, gathering some of the most influential minds in the VC ecosystem with a combined portfolio valuation exceeding billions of dollars.

Top investment funds like Ascent Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Stellaris, Avendus, IndigoEdge, Kalaari, and others participated in the event. It wasn’t just about athletic prowess; it was a strategic blend of business and leisure, providing a unique platform for networking. Industry leaders connected in a relaxed yet stimulating environment, exploring new sectors and innovative startups. With so many leading investors under one roof, discussions about the future of India’s startup ecosystem highlighted the potential for groundbreaking ideas and collaborations.

Rohit Sood, Partner at Bertelsmann India Investments, remarked: “The remarkable growth of our tournament over the years is a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem in India. We believe that physical fitness and a healthy work-life balance are fundamental to the success of any organization. This championship not only embodies these values but also reinforces our dedication to promoting them within the venture capital community. At Bertelsmann India Investments, we are proud to support initiatives that encourage collaboration, innovation, and well-being.”

The event was not only a showcase of sportsmanship but also a chance for VCs to unwind while discussing potential investments and industry trends. Camaraderie and friendly competition underscored the spirit of collaboration and community within the investment world.

Kitty Agarwal, Info Edge Ventures: “Participating in the Bertelsmann India Investments Badminton Championship has been a refreshing break from the usual work environment. It’s a 10/10 experience where informal interactions can spark new investments and collaborations, emphasizing fun and camaraderie over competition.”

Akshay Ghulati – Shiprocket: “It’s been a phenomenal experience. This event sparked my interest in badminton and has fostered meaningful connections. The relaxed atmosphere allows for open, candid conversations with fellow founders and VCs, leading to insightful discussions about our journeys, challenges, and the evolving business landscape.”

In a fun twist, BII unveiled a rap song dedicated to the championship. The catchy track celebrated the blend of sportsmanship and investment acumen, adding a unique cultural touch to the event. Beyond the games, panel discussions and fireside chats featured VCs sharing their insights on market trends and investment strategies, offering valuable perspectives on the future landscape of venture capital.

Chef Manu Chandra, often called the Massimo Bottura of Bangalore, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, mentored by Daniel Boulud and Eric Ripert. Featured on BBC, he is celebrated for restaurants like Toast & Tonic and bespoke catering at events like Cannes and Davos. He was present at the championship, showcasing his culinary expertise.

The 6th Annual Bertelsmann India Investments Badminton Championship was a testament to the synergy between sports and business, setting the stage for even more impactful gatherings in the future. The winners of the tournament were Sameer Innoven from Capital and Berry Singh, founder of Ace Turtle.

To view the rap song of BBC 2024 click here: https://youtu.be/BZM0goXJ0ks

About Bertelsmann India Investments (BII):

About Bertelsmann India Investments: Established in 2012, Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) is a sector-agnostic venture capital fund. BII is part of Bertelsmann Investments, which has so far invested more than $1.06 billion. With a focus on early growth stage investments in tech-driven start-ups (Series A to D), BII has established a strong reputation for investing in disruptive sectors such as health tech, fintech, agri-tech, and enterprise tech. With a decade of success, BII’s investments in companies like Shiprocket, Eruditus, and Licious have transformed them into unicorns. As balance sheet investors with an evergreen fund, BII believes in forging long-term strategic partnerships. Recently closing our $500 million fund, we lead funding rounds with an initial investment ranging from $5 to $20 million, with the potential to invest up to $40 million throughout a startup’s lifecycle. BII remains dedicated to identifying young, tech-enabled, mission-driven, and sustainable businesses, committed to providing long-term support to its portfolio companies.

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Art

Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Talent and Tradition

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A Grand Celebration of Talent and Tradition

The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway (CFFR) was successfully held on 18th October 2025 at the Lajpat Bhawan Auditorium, marking yet another vibrant celebration of art, culture, and fashion.

 Chief Guest Munish Tamang, VIP Guests Amit R. Agarwal, Junaid Husain Khan, and Mohan Karki, Celebrity Guest Dr. Sunil Parashar, and Special Guest Rajni Subba.

The event was graced by distinguished personalities, including Chief Guest Munish Tamang, VIP Guests Amit R. Agarwal, Junaid Husain Khan, and Mohan Karki, Celebrity Guest Dr. Sunil Parashar, and Special Guest Rajni Subba.

Organized by Jitika Devi, the festival beautifully combined cultural performances with a glamorous runway show, showcasing diverse talent from across the region.

Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Talent and Tradition

Speaking about the event, Jitika Devi shared,

“I wanted to give a perfect Deepavali gift to various talents — so that, like traditional Deepavali lamps, they glitter and illuminate the world of arts and culture. To this effect, I launched this Cultural Festival and Face of Runway, which is now celebrating its 2nd edition.”

Jitika, who launched her clothing brand Jitikd in 2022, announced that from 2025 onwards, she plans to organize CFFR every year. This year’s edition, themed around Dashain Tihar, holds special significance as it promotes rich cultural heritage while offering a perfect platform for aspiring young artists and models to shine.

Audience at Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Talent and Tradition

Adding to the glamour of the evening, Glamour Mantra partnered as the official media partner, capturing the essence of the event and amplifying its reach to a wider audience.

The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 truly lived up to its promise — blending culture, creativity, and celebration under one roof.

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Events

Spykar’s Palladium store turns into party hub for ‘Daur Apna Hai’ Nite

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Spykar’s Palladium store turns into party hub

  Spykar’s Palladium store turns into party hub for ‘Daur Apna Hai’ Nite  – rappers, celebrities rock the dance floor

Rappers Wicked Sunny, Kaam Bhaari, Sammohit, Mohit Hiranandani, Shanaya Makani and over 100 top creators come together to celebrate youth, music, culture and denim

Mumbai, October 13, 2025: This weekend, Spykar turned its Palladium store into a party hubhosting an in-store live performance with rapperWicked Sunny. The star-studded evening hosted by Mohit Hiranandani saw rappers Kaam Bhaari, Sammohit along with actors like Prabhat Chaudhary, Shanaya Makaniand over 100 top digital creators and lifestyle influencers who came dressed in their boldest fits.

Daur Apna Hai, Spykar’s latest campaign, is a celebration of India’s young and vibrant spirit, confident, creative, and unapologetically original. The campaign launched with a rap anthem featuring Wicked Sunny, Dharmik, and the Vixens Crew, capturing the grit and ambition of today’s youth. Echoing Spykar’s belief that this is India’s time to shine, the anthem has become a cultural statement, uniting music and fashion as powerful forms of self-expression.

“What we witnessed was more than a performance, it was a movement,” said Sanjay Vakharia, CEO, Spykar. “Having a banger and high-octane party inside a retail store just shows how powerful India’s youth culture truly is when music and fashion unite. Spykar has always represented that young and restless spirit.”

The event marked a cultural moment where music, fashion, and youth expression collided, as fans poured in to experience Daur Apna Hai, Spykar’s viral anthem that has become the new voice of hustle and individuality. The evening also welcomed winners of Spykar’s Instagram contest, who earned their way to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Spykar Palladium in-store concert set a new benchmark for experiential retail in India, proving that a denim store can be more than just a place to shop, it can be a stage for self-expression. Amid flashing denim walls and a crowd that spilled beyond the store, Wicked Sunny owned the stage with his infectious energy, delivering an unforgettable performance that had every attendee vibing and capturing moments for the ’gram.

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​𝗨𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗮 Wins 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 at the 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 

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Uttara Talapatra

Mumbai, 16th September 2025: Uttara Talapatra, Founder of Magical Blends and a certified Skincare Coach, has been honoured with the Best Entrepreneur Award at the prestigious Her Rising Awards 2025, held on 13th September at Four Seasons, Mumbai.

​𝗨𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗮 Wins 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

The Her Rising Awards celebrate women achievers across industries who have demonstrated excellence, risen as leaders in their fields, and inspired countless others on their career journeys. Organised by HerKey, India’s largest AI-powered platform for women’s career growth, the initiative provides women with a safe and supportive community to pursue their aspirations and return to work after career breaks.

​𝗨𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗮 Wins 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

A trailblazer in the beauty and personal care space, Uttara has turned vision into action by building impactful businesses and shaping the ecosystem with innovation and purpose. With nearly two decades of experience across leading organisations such as L’Oréal, Unilever, and Raymond Consumer Care, she brought deep expertise in beauty and D2C business when she launched Magical Blends in 2024. In just a year, the brand has already secured a patented skincare regime, setting new benchmarks in a highly competitive industry.

Highlighting her win as just the beginning of a larger journey, Uttara shares, “My association with HerKey has been an extremely positive one over the last six months. What started as a small conversation about how to best care for one’s skin, quickly morphed into a much larger discussion about self-care, building confidence and making one’s mark in the workforce as well as starting as an entrepreneur.”

She further added“It has been a pleasure to interact with the diverse members on the panel, and of course with the HerKey team itself, which is unreservedly supportive. I hope we can continue to collaborate on this diverse platform and continue to help other women reach their career aspirations. Thank you so much to the HerKey team for this award, it has been an absolute honour!”

Uttara’s recognition at the Her Rising Awards 2025 underscores her leadership, creativity, and determination to build a brand rooted in authenticity, efficacy, and expertise — inspiring the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

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