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Umang Gupta, Country Head, RX India, highlights reforms, organised retail growth, and rising demand as industry leaders gather in New Delhi

New Delhi, April 2, 2026: MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit and Awards will take place on April 8 at JW Marriott Hotel, Aerocity, bringing together leaders from retail, real estate, and investment sectors to discuss the evolving dynamics of India’s retail market.
The summit will focus on the theme “The India Advantage: Reforms, Retail and Rising Consumption,” reflecting the sector’s growth driven by policy reforms, expanding organised retail, and increasing consumer demand.

India’s retail sector has shown strong momentum, with festive season sales in 2025 rising by 11 percent. Organised retail is projected to reach USD 230 billion by 2030, while investments of over USD 3.5 billion are expected in retail real estate over the next three years.
The agenda includes keynote sessions, panel discussions, and report launches covering topics such as large scale mall development in emerging cities, the impact of quick commerce on consumer behaviour, and financial strategies within the retail sector.

Sessions will also explore the convergence of retail and hospitality, along with the role of design and experiential formats in shaping future retail environments.
The event will feature a live competition recognising shopping centres for footfall growth initiatives, followed by the MAPIC India Shopping Centre Awards 2026, which will honour achievements in customer engagement, retail innovation, and performance.

The summit will see participation from industry leaders including Abhishek Bansal of Pacific Malls, Jayen Naik of Nexus Malls, Rashmi Sen of The Phoenix Mills, Shibu Philips of Lulu Group India, and Kavindra Mishra of Shoppers Stop, among others.
Umang Gupta, Country Head, RX India, said, “India’s retail sector is entering a high growth phase driven by reforms, expanding organised retail, and a strong consumption base. The summit will bring together stakeholders to exchange insights and shape the next phase of growth in the sector.”

MAPIC India continues to serve as a platform for collaboration among developers, retailers, investors, and policymakers, supporting partnerships and investment decisions across the retail ecosystem.

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Shruthi Sudhanva, Director and Chief People Officer, Excelsoft Technologies, and Vinod Sudhakar, Chief Technology Officer, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, highlight integrated approach to education, nutrition, and student development

Mysuru, April 2, 2026: Excelsoft Technologies Limited, in partnership with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, has extended scholarship support to government school students from the Mysuru region while also contributing to child nutrition initiatives across Karnataka.
The initiative was marked by a scholarship felicitation ceremony held in Bengaluru on March 24, where meritorious students were recognised for their academic achievements. Thirty students from the Mysuru region were awarded scholarships under the programme, with nineteen attending the ceremony.

As part of the initiative, Excelsoft also organised a session on artificial intelligence for the students, offering exposure to emerging technologies and future-oriented learning opportunities.
Shruthi Sudhanva, Director and Chief People Officer, Excelsoft Technologies, said, “Education and wellbeing go hand in hand in shaping a student’s future. Through our support to scholarship and nutrition programmes, we aim to enable students to pursue their education with greater stability and confidence.”

Beyond scholarships, the company contributed to The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s mid-day meal programme for March 2026 in Mysuru. The support is expected to provide nutritious meals to approximately 4,193 children, reinforcing the role of nutrition in enabling consistent learning.
Vinod Sudhakar, Chief Technology Officer, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said, “Education and nutrition are intrinsically linked. A child who is nourished learns better and stays engaged in school. Partnerships such as this help strengthen long-term outcomes for students.”

The collaboration reflects a shared approach towards addressing both educational access and nutritional needs, recognising that sustained learning requires support beyond the classroom.
Excelsoft Technologies, a digital learning solutions provider, continues to focus on initiatives that combine technology, education, and student development, while The Akshaya Patra Foundation advances its mission of addressing classroom hunger through large scale meal programmes.

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Priyanka Punjabi and Alankar Jain, Founders, The Lil Flea, bring together 500 plus brands, live music acts, and curated experiences at Jio World Garden

Mumbai, April 2, 2026: The Lil Flea is set to mark its 12th anniversary with an expanded edition in Mumbai, bringing together a mix of shopping, food, music, and community experiences across two weekends this April.
The event will take place at Jio World Garden from April 3 to 5 and April 10 to 12, with each day beginning at 3 PM.

What began as an independent pop up has evolved into a large scale cultural platform, showcasing homegrown brands, artists, and creators from across the country.
This year’s edition will feature over 500 brands, including around 200 from outside Mumbai, spanning categories such as fashion, accessories, home decor, art, and lifestyle products. The platform continues to highlight independent labels alongside emerging creators.

The food experience will include a wide range of global and regional offerings, from street style dishes to curated menus, along with dessert options that form a key part of the festival experience.
Music remains a central element of the event, with performances scheduled across genres. The lineup includes artists such as Rashmeet Kaur, Indian Ocean, Kavita Seth, Anand Bhaskar Collective, and Tsumyoki, among others.

The festival will also host workshops, interactive installations, and community led spaces aimed at creating participative experiences. A dedicated segment for children includes an open mic and a concert, encouraging young performers to take the stage.
Sustainability continues to be a focus, with the event supporting brands and practices aligned with conscious consumption.

Founded by Priyanka Punjabi and Alankar Jain, The Lil Flea has grown into a platform that combines retail, culture, and live experiences, with a strong focus on independent creators and community engagement.
With its expanded format and diverse programming, the 12th anniversary edition reflects the scale and evolution of the platform over the years.

At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

Avinash Shekhar, Co Founder and CEO, Pi42, and Tak Lee, CEO and Managing Partner, Hashed Emergent, highlight rising participation, larger trade sizes, and growth beyond metro cities

India’s crypto derivatives market is witnessing a shift in participation patterns, with younger investors and emerging regions driving growth, according to a study by Pi42 and Hashed Emergent.
The data shows that 61 percent of crypto futures traders are from the Gen Z age group of 18 to 25 years, indicating a strong presence of digitally native investors in the segment. Participation among women has also increased, with women now accounting for nearly one in eight traders on the platform.

The study highlights a rise in investor activity and conviction. Average trade size has nearly doubled from around $1,051 in 2024 to approximately $1,960, while trading frequency has increased, with close to 60 percent of active traders engaging in daily transactions.
Regional trends point to strong momentum beyond metro cities. Eastern India accounts for nearly 32 percent of retail participation, with states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya emerging as key contributors. The data reflects a broader shift towards adoption in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

Avinash Shekhar, Co Founder and CEO, Pi42, said, “The data reflects a structural shift in how Indian investors are engaging with crypto derivatives. We are seeing younger users adopt more informed and strategic approaches, while participation from emerging regions continues to grow.”
Tak Lee, CEO and Managing Partner, Hashed Emergent, said the trends indicate that crypto derivatives are becoming an entry point for a new generation of investors, with adoption expanding beyond traditional urban centres.

The study is based on insights from over 2 lakh crypto futures traders on the Pi42 platform, covering trading activity between January and December 2025. It forms part of the broader India Web3 Landscape Report by Hashed Emergent.
The findings suggest that India’s crypto ecosystem continues to evolve, supported by rising awareness, increasing participation, and expanding access across regions.

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Atishay Jain, Managing Director, Koncept Global Books, highlights focus on confidence, communication, and applied thinking for students across Delhi NCR

Gurugram, April 2, 2026: Koncept Global Books has announced the launch of its SkillUp Summer Program across partner schools in Delhi NCR, aimed at strengthening life skills among middle school students.
The program is designed for students in Classes 6 to 8 and will be conducted within school premises starting May 2026, ahead of the summer break. Structured as a two day initiative, it focuses on areas such as communication, confidence building, applied thinking, and responsible decision making.

Atishay Jain, Managing Director, Koncept Global Books, said, “Education must extend beyond textbooks to build essential life skills. The SkillUp Program focuses on developing confidence, critical thinking, and real world awareness among students at an early stage.”
The curriculum includes sessions on emotional intelligence, communication, STEM based innovation, financial literacy, and digital responsibility. The program uses participative formats such as group activities, innovation exercises, and student presentations to create an engaging learning environment.

Unlike conventional summer camps that focus on hobby based activities, the initiative is structured to connect academic learning with real world application through experiential formats.
The program will be conducted across multiple schools in Delhi NCR and is expected to reach a large number of students based on institutional participation. It will be delivered by trained educators with expertise in student engagement and applied learning methods.

A Parent Showcase will be organised as part of the program, where students will present their projects and key learnings, offering insight into their development.
Koncept Global Books, an initiative by Arihant Publishing, focuses on developing learning solutions that combine academic clarity with practical application, particularly in the K-8 segment.

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Lalitha Nataraj, MD and CEO, NPCI BHIM Services Limited, and Kushager Tuli, President and Head of Creative, Tilt Brand Solutions, highlight trust, simplicity, and everyday usability in digital payments

Panaji, April 1, 2026: BHIM Payments App has launched its ‘Mahi Way’ campaign, positioning itself as a simple and dependable option for digital transactions in an increasingly crowded payments landscape.
Developed by NPCI BHIM Services Limited, the campaign focuses on ease of use and trust, drawing from everyday situations where users navigate multiple payment options and prefer a straightforward method to complete transactions.

The campaign features Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whose composed and reliable persona reflects the experience the platform aims to deliver. Built around the thought “BHIM App se karo pay, it’s the Mahi Way,” the films highlight real life scenarios where quick and clear payment decisions matter.
Lalitha Nataraj, MD and CEO, NPCI BHIM Services Limited, said, “In India, trust plays a defining role in how people adopt digital payments. As usage expands, users increasingly look for simplicity along with the assurance of safe transactions. This campaign reflects that behaviour, where payments happen without confusion or delay on a platform that users can rely on.”

The campaign also showcases BHIM’s scan and pay functionality along with instant rewards, reinforcing the idea of quick and seamless transactions.
Conceptualised by Tilt Brand Solutions, the campaign will be rolled out across television, digital platforms, cinema, and outdoor media. The flagship film is presented in a 25 second format, supported by shorter edits for wider reach across platforms.

Kushager Tuli, President and Head of Creative, Tilt Brand Solutions, said the campaign presents Dhoni in relatable situations, focusing on clarity in everyday decisions and positioning BHIM as a natural choice for digital payments.
The campaign will be available in 11 languages, including Hindi, English, and several regional languages, supporting wider accessibility and adoption across the country.
Through this initiative, BHIM Payments App continues to focus on building confidence in digital payments while offering a user experience centred on simplicity, security, and ease of use.

At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

Prabhav Kashyap, Partner at Bain & Company, Aditya Muralidhar, Associate Partner at Bain & Company, and Rajat Tandon, President, IVCA, said India’s venture capital growth in 2025 was supported by stronger exits, disciplined capital deployment, and rising investor confidence across fintech, SaaS, AI, and deeptech.

Prabhav Kashyap, Partner at Bain & Company, Aditya Muralidhar, Associate Partner at Bain & Company, and Rajat Tandon, President, IVCA, said India’s venture capital growth in 2025 was supported by stronger exits, disciplined capital deployment, and rising investor confidence across fintech, SaaS, AI, and deeptech.
India’s venture capital ecosystem recorded a second consecutive year of growth in 2025, with total funding reaching about 16 billion dollars, according to Bain & Company’s India Venture Capital Report 2026, prepared in collaboration with the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association. Deal activity also rose by about 18 percent year on year, with more than 1300 transactions across stages.

The report said the rise came even as broader private capital activity slowed, with growth supported by better exit visibility, stabilising valuations, and a stronger investor focus on sustainable and capital efficient growth models. Activity remained broad based, driven by continued momentum in deals below 50 million dollars, while larger transactions above 250 million dollars doubled from four to eight.
Prabhav Kashyap, Partner at Bain & Company, said, “India’s long term venture opportunity is anchored in powerful structural drivers, rapid digital adoption, expanding domestic capital markets, policy led levers, and a deep technology talent pool. While periods of disruption, such as the ongoing geopolitical situation, may temper deal activity in the near term and extend holding periods due to valuation gaps between buyers and sellers, this is likely to be followed by a meaningful rebound, supported by India’s underlying growth fundamentals. India will continue as an attractive innovation ecosystem for venture investor and looking ahead, we expect investor conviction to build across several tech first areas, including AI, deeptech, quick commerce, and clean energy.”

Technology led sectors played a central role in the funding rebound. Fintech deal value rose about 2.2 times year on year, while software and SaaS funding grew about 1.5 times. Wealthtech emerged as a major theme, with deal value increasing about five times, supported by rising digital adoption and greater household participation in financial assets. Consumer technology also remained resilient, with deal volumes increasing about 35 percent, led by medium ticket D2C and B2C commerce transactions.
Aditya Muralidhar, Associate Partner at Bain & Company, said, “After the reset in 2023, the Indian venture ecosystem has returned to a growth path, this time marked by clear signs of maturity. Capital is being deployed with greater discipline, with sharper focus on scalability and unit economics. Barring the funding spikes of 2021 and 2022, India is now seeing its highest ever funding levels, built on the right foundations of governance, capital efficiency, and exit visibility, positioning the ecosystem for sustainable, long term growth.”

The report also pointed to stronger exit activity. Public market exits accounted for more than 65 percent of total exit value, helped by a rise in large IPOs. Strategic exits rebounded sharply, crossing 1 billion dollars in value, up from about 65 million dollars in 2024. Consumer technology and fintech together contributed more than 60 percent of total exit value. Domestic capital markets also deepened, with demat accounts crossing about 210 million and domestic equity inflows reaching about 90 billion dollars, compared with about 63 billion dollars in 2024.
Fundraising also strengthened in 2025. Venture capital and growth equity funds raised about 5.4 billion dollars, nearly double the previous year, with larger funds above 100 million dollars driving the increase. Thematic capital also sharpened around AI, deeptech, climate, space, and industrial technology, reflecting a more mature and broader venture landscape.

Rajat Tandon, President, IVCA, said, “India’s venture and growth ecosystem has shown steady momentum, even as broader private capital markets softened. The growth is more balanced this year, with larger rounds returning alongside sustained mid stage activity, particularly across AI, deeptech, fintech and SaaS. At the same time, stronger exit visibility and a pickup in IPO led liquidity are reinforcing investor confidence. The sharp rise in fund raising, including thematic capital in areas such as deeptech and AI, reflects long term conviction in India’s innovation economy, with capital increasingly aligned to scalable models, governance, and disciplined value creation.”
Bain & Company and IVCA said India’s venture and growth ecosystem remains well placed for continued momentum, supported by domestic economic growth, rising consumption, and expanding digital infrastructure, even as geopolitical tensions, trade shifts, and rapid technological change remain areas to watch.

At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.