Editorial 08 Corpo Scan 26 Banking 28 Biz Networks

NOVEMBER 2022

Publisher & Editor Harshvardhan Bhatkuly

Group Director Urvija Bhatkuly

Business Head Annalise Gouveia

Chief Reporter Sybil Rodrigues

Graphic Designer Rakshama Naik

Circulation Mayur Santineskar

Contributors in this Issue Abhishek Dev Alden do Rosario Dr Emanuel Gracias Mahesh Pai Nandini Vaidyanathan Pavan Agni Dr. Pradeep B. Salgaonkar Rageshree Das Santosh Kenkre V B Prabhu Verlekar

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409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji, 403001 Goa India Tel.: 09834340633 Email: businessgoa.media@gmail.com

Unsolicited material may not be returned. The opinions in columns and other stories expressed in Business Goa Industry Dossier are not necessarily that of the publishers and the Publisher/Editor shall not be held liable for any inaccuracy or otherwise. While great care is being taken to ensure accuracy of information, the publishers are not responsible for omissions or incorrect information. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.

EDITORIAL

MSMEs in trouble with increase in Repo Rate

Harshvardhan Bhatkuly

The Reserve Bank of India has hiked the key short-term lending rate (repo rate) four times by a total of 190 basis points in four tranches, since May this year. It appears that the central bank is cracking under pressure and pressing the panic button in a bid to placate the unprecedented levels of inflation.

The repo rate is the rate at which the RBI loans money to commercial banks, and at which all savings and lending rates are benchmarked. As the central bank increases this, banks, too, raise the rate at which they lend funds and accept deposits.

In September 2019, the banking policy changed, impacting micro, small and medium enterprises in their borrowing perspective. The MSMEs till then were borrowing loans at a rate set according to the bank’s marginal cost of loans – the minimum lending rate – will now borrow at a rate linked directly to the repo rate. In simple terms, these small businesses will see the interest on their loans rise, or fall, instantly with every change in the repo rate by the central bank. As of December 2021, 69.2 percent of outstanding loans to MSMEs were priced at a rate linked to the repo rate, as compared with 1.8 percent at the time of the rule change

In the lending pie, MSMEs have the largest share of loans to be linked to the repo rate so closely. With every increase in repo rate, an unprecedented weight is added in form of interest payable, making MSMEs more vulnerable to a debt trap. The sector employs nearly 120 million people and contributes around 30% to the GDP – and the change in interest rate will adversely impact the working capital borrowings of these small businesses.

MSMEs have been battling the scourge of the pandemic and now the Russia-Ukraine war and other geo-political issues, which have made the cost of raw material skyrocket, while profit margins have been reducing. In fact, it is to the credit of India’s micro entrepreneurs who have braved an ocean of challenges – demonetisation, pandemic and now the spiralling of repo rates, not to mention the added compliances (like GST) that they have to been subjected to. High input costs and weakness in demand have led to operational challenges for MSMEs, as profit margins have been depleting.

A report released by State Bank of India in June this year, after the first repo rate hike said that the 40 bps rise will increase the interest costs of MSMEs by 54.41 billion rupees ($685m) while another 75 bps rise would raise the interest costs of both the MSME and the personal loan segment by 231.14 billion rupees ($2.91bn).

All major banks have increased their external benchmark-based lending rates (EBLRs) by 190 basis points along with the hike in the RBI’s policy repo rate since May this year, though they have been slow in raising the deposit rates.

India Inc has already begun to begun to feel the adverse impact of RBI’s interest rate hikes of 190 basis points in the current financial year, and CII has petitioned the central bank to consider moderating the pace of its monetary tightening ahead of the forthcoming policy.

CII’s study of results of 2,000-odd companies in the second quarter (July-September 2022) shows that both the top-line and bottom-line has moderated on sequential and annual basis. Thus, moderation in pace of monetary tightening is the need of the hour, says CII. “Given the headwinds to domestic growth mainly emanating from the global uncertainties, the RBI should consider moderating the pace of its monetary tightening from the earlier 50 basis points,” CII has argued.

All eyes are now on the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI, which will announce its interest rate decision in the first week of December.

Market watchers have been painting a gloomy picture on whether the MSMEs will be able to service loans that were availed in the last two to three years, in the wake of the increase in repo rate. The industry hopes to get the relief that it deserves to effectuate a bounce-back to stay in the reckoning and more importantly, survive this crisis

CM urges corporates to give 1% of proceeds to government under CSR

Dr Pramod Sawant

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant urged corporates having operations in Goa to give 1 per cent of their proceeds to the Goa government under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) before the government starts verification of their contribution.

He was speaking after handing over 100 twowheelers to the Goa Police Department by the Hero Moto Corp Ltd under its CSR activity. Dr Sawant said that the motorcycles and scooters will soon have Goa Police badge and fitted with GPS for tracking the movement of the police all time. While speaking on the CSR activity, Dr Sawant said, “During pandemic, we had to request many establishments to contribute to the government and people under CSR fund. There are many pharmaceutical and other companies in Goa making crores in proceeds. But they are not spending even 1 per cent of their proceeds in the State under CSR”.

“Government is ready to give freedom/choice to the companies to lend CSR for the sector of their choice like healthcare, education and others. The companies are requested to go through the CSR Authority of the Goa government before the authority starts verification of companies,” he added. He further stated that the CSR Authority will give companies a certification for their contribution India scrapped the export duty levied on low grade iron ore lumps (below 58% iron content), reversing an earlier order from May 2022, when it had raised the duty to 50% in order to control inflation.

In the same notification, the government also removed export tax on certain steel intermediaries from 15% which were also imposed in May. New Delhi also lowered the export tax on iron ore and concentrates other than roasted pyrites to 30% from 50%. Due to higher export taxes, India’s iron ore exports had touched almost zero last month and was further expected to drop

Upcoming Covid-19 drug has Goa imprint on it

A generic antiviral drug named Umifenovir has been developed to treat covid-19 by premiere government drug research laboratory the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, in collaboration with Medizest Pvt Ltd, Goa. This drug is currently undergoing largescale, multicentric Phase 3 clinical trials. The trials are expected to be completed by the end of 2022. “After the CDRI had devised the molecules required to treat the disease, we were looking for an industrial partner to manufacture the drug, at that time one of the companies which came forward was Medizest from Goa,” Dr Ravishankar Ramachandran, the nodal scientist and Project Team Lead at CSIR-CDRI said. Dr Ramachandran was speaking on the sidelines of the two-day International Drug Discovery Conference inaugurated at BITS Pilani Goa Campus. He said that the covid outbreak was an emergency situation in the country and the lab started contacting pharma companies to partner with it to bring out the medicine into the market at the earliest. The senior scientist said that a smaller company has more hunger and flexibility in its functioning. Speaking about the drug, he informed that Umifenovir was selected from a list of 16 candidates after a detailed evaluation of the mechanism of action, feasibility of synthesis and published safety studies. “Following approval by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), Umifenovir was tested in a Phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial for efficacy, safety and tolerability in non-severe covid-19 patients last year,” he said. Further, he stated that faster recovery of patients could reduce virus shedding and consequent spread of the infection to others. “The drug

Export Duty on Low Grade Iron Ore scrapped

due to lower demands from China. Producers of low grade iron ore are highly dependent on overseas markets, as high grade iron ore is consumed by domestic steel producers.

High export tax on intermediate steel products affects shipments adversely. India’s finished steel exports more than halved during the first seven months of the financial year beginning April 2022.

JSW Steel Ltd, India’s largest steelmaker by capacity, stated that it expects its exports to fall over a five-year low in 2022-23 due to reduced global demand and a high export rate

be stopped. An allocation of `15 crores was made in the budget speech by the Chief Minister for the subsidy and out of this `7 crores is yet to be disbursed. He added that more power charging stations have to be set up across the state. With Goa being a small state, bigger companies were unwilling to invest in the state. To overcome the hurdle, the state will offer locals the opportunity to invest in and set up charging stations as was done in the case of units to issue pollution under control (PUC) certificates

Goa invites bids to set up charging stations for green vehicles

Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, Minister for Power and Renewable Energy, said that tender inviting bids to set up charging stations for green vehicles will be floated within a month as the process for the same has been started. The problem faced by motorists having electric vehicles with there not being sufficient charging stations in the state, he said would be taken care of if these were set up at three kilometer intervals. Subsequently, the extra charging stations will also be helpful when electric buses and heavy duty vehicles become the norm, he said. Stating that many people have purchased electric vehicles, including his Department, he said those who have to travel short distances should buy electric vehicles. He added that the subsidy scheme for e-vehicles will not

Sudin Dhavalikar

could also be tested in special populations such as pregnant women and children, a group for which covid-19 specific antiviral drugs are not currently indicated.

The current ongoing Phase 3 will help establish the efficacy and safety of the drug in a larger number of subjects”

Read Goa’s Only Business Magazine

Government working to boost tourism to provide self employment Niti Aayog pegs Goa’s One of the best ways to lower unemployment figure unemployment in all societies is self-employment. The level of knowledge among at 1.1 lakh, Govt says only 20k people regarding expanding Chief Minister Dr Pramod self-employment prospects Sawant claimed that the figures has generally increased released by NITI Aayog on over the past ten years, unemployment in the state are thanks to advancements in inaccurate as there are several communication technologies people who have already been and numerous state government gainfully employed. Earlier, initiatives. NITI Aayog said there are

According to Tourism 1.10 lakh unemployed youth Minister Rohan Khaunte, the in Goa. The figure is not government is concentrating correct as 80,000 are already on expanding beach tourism, employed but they have not hinterland tourism, eco- cancelled their names in the tourism, sports tourism, and employment exchanges as they agro-tourism with the goal of are waiting for government improving the prospects for jobs, Dr Sawant said. “The self-employment. Khaunte names of some government added that two beaches in servants also figure in the list. Canacona might be developed As per our information, only 20,000 youth are unemployed. The state government will The Labour and Employment work out a system to cancel Department’s Mega Job Fair the names of people who are saw a lot of interest on its already employed,” Dr Sawant opening day on 8th November. added. Sawant held a meeting According to Chief Minister Dr with NITI Aayog member Dr Pramod Sawant, almost 5500 VK Saraswat in the presence positions from more than 150 of the state’s chief secretary companies/employers were up and other officials. After the for grabs at the two-day Mega meeting, Dr Sawant tweeted Job Fair that was held at the that NITI Aayog lauded the Goa Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Electric Mobility Promotion Indoor Stadium, Taleigao. policy, adoption of emerging The number of applicants had technologies and other policies. surpassed 19,000. The estimated “The NITI Aayog elaborated unemployment rate in Goa in on how it can support the state the month of September was up under State Support Mission. to 10.9%. The Goa Employment With enhanced coordination Exchange has over 1.4 lakh and advisory support from registered individuals looking NITI the state surely can for gainful employment, develop in multiple sectors,” the according to the government. CM had further tweeted The Labour and Employment Commissioner Raju Gawas stated that companies in addition to Agonda to receive the Blue Flag designation. All Goa Private Property Shacks and Huts Owners Association members led by the organisation’s president Dharmesh Saglani, expressed concerns about potential business losses once the Mopa airport opens. They also asked

Rohan Khaunte for a single window system for all licensees and NOCs needed for tourism-related business, which would otherwise take three months. Nikhil Desai, Director of Tourism, issued a warning that all illicit tourism firms will be dealt with harshly and that political influence would not be tolerated. Desai claimed that two beaches in Canacona are eligible for the Blue Flag designation and that Agonda, which has been ranked among the best beaches in Asia and the globe, is the perfect beach for this. According to Desai, a Blue Flag certification is significant for the state and must be achieved because the accreditation is only valid for a year Mega Job Fair draws crowds and promises of employment conducted interviews directly and the Department has requested some to extend the offer letters at the event itself. IT, pharmaceuticals, tourism and hospitality, logistics, automotive, healthcare, banking and finance, insurance, manufacturing, sales, marketing, aviation, and cruise liners are a few of the broad industries that are hiring. About 36 of the 155 organisations that participated in the job fair are from the hospitality sector, including renowned establishments like IHCL (Taj Group), Grand Hyatt, Karma Royal, Holiday Inn, and Goa Marriott Resort. Atanasio Monserrate, Minister of Labour and Employment, stated that when parents and educated unemployed kids approach him in search of employment, it hurts and disheartens him. “Youth are the pillars of society. Be flexible to take up jobs in

Atanasio Monserrate private sector,” Monserrate advised them

Goa receives 450 crores from Central government to accelerate capital welfare and developmental activities

The Central government granted Goa `450 crores in two installments of the tax devolution to the state. The funds are provided to the state to help accelerate the capital welfare and developmental activities. The released tax devolution by the Union government that is provided to the state government amounts to `1,16,665 crore as against normal monthly devolution of `58,333 crore in accordance to the statement issued by the Finance Ministry. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for releasing the two installments for tax devolution.

He further thanked them on twitter, “The additional resources shall enhance the government of Goa’s development.” Every year the Centre releases 14 installments of tax devolution. Therefore, it involves two months where the installments are doubled. The states of India had to decrease their capital expenditure in the first six months of the current fiscal so that they could accommodate a higher revenue spending.

Amidst the quarrel between the Centre and the state for more resources, the 15th Finance Commission of India chaired by NK Singh is learnt to have recommended that states get 41% of central tax revenues, the same level that it proposed in its interim report for 202021, a year ago

Malcolm Dsouza (left) and Rohin Parkar, founders of Spintly

UNLOCKING VALUE

Spintly is using AI and IoT to help improve workplace efficiency and build a contactless future. With a recent pre-series-A round funding of $2.5 million; and top-notch customers in their bag, the startup is on its way to achieve new heights in the space

By SYBIL RODRIGUES

Internet of Things (IoT) in India is still getting adopted at a good rate at around 35% increase per year. There was about $5 billion invested in the IoT space in 2019, the IoT market is expected to be a $650 billion market by 2026. With covid-19, IoT, along with cloud technology, is enabling interesting use cases to serve the post-covid world.

Many enterprises have moved their systems like HRMS, ERP etc. to cloudbased platforms. There is a wave of other cloud platforms coming in where all traditional systems like access control, video surveillance etc. are also moving to the cloud in the coming years.

With a similar vision, Goa-based Spintly has been rigorously working towards providing businesses access to touchless and contactless technologies, enabling the organisations to excel in the post-covid world. The future of door access is keyless and Spintly has developed technology that enables this future.

Founded in 2018, Spintly is the world’s first truly wireless mesh powered smart access control platform. The startup focuses on providing hasslefree, touch-less, mobile-based access control and attendance management solutions for enterprise, co-working spaces and residential applications. These systems allow users to gain access to doors, gates, locks elevators, and all types of access barriers through a simple smartphone app or even the smartwatch.

Spintly was founded by

Rohin Parkar and Malcolm Dsouza – friends and engineers with nearly two decades of experience in wireless and IoT technologies.

Rohin started his career as a scientist working at Bhabha Atomic Research Center in 2002. In 2005, he moved to the USA and worked there for tech giants like Motorola, Nokia and Broadcom. He was involved in developing key wireless technologies ranging from 2G to 5G and also worked on Wi-Fi and IoT technologies. Rohin returned to India in 2017 after spending 12 years in the USA with a goal of building a technology focused product company in India.

Malcolm started his career in 2002 with Tata infotech in Goa as a hardware engineer and then moved to US in 2004 to work on projects with Motorola. Malcolm worked on various aspects of wireless products and developed key expertise in firmware development and software defined radio technology. Towards 20152016 Malcolm was part of the advanced technology group at Nokia where he worked on latest technologies like 5G, NBIoT and CAT-M.

Rohin and Malcolm are strongly supported by their better halves, Vaibhavi Parkar and Joann Fernandes who also handle important functions in the company. It is a classic story of committing oneself fully to a cause and working as a team to achieve a common dream.

Rohin and Malcolm have built Spintly ground up as a fully vertically integrated company which develops both hardware and software. They hired fresh talent from engineering colleges in Goa and trained them to be able to develop innovative IoT products.

Think Access Control

Spintly identified a key gap in global access control market. The duo explains “We looked at the access control systems in offices and found that it involved a lot of wiring. Wires would get eaten up by mice, and sometimes access cards would be lost. Customers found mobile-based access to be much more convenient, and we thought we could bring about that shift in the industry.”

The startup was incubated at Ignite-EDC Innovation Hub, CIBA and FiiRE. It also received a seed grant of $13,100 from the government, and launched operations in August 2018. “Goa has a good startup policy, which gives financial incentives to companies like ours. The ecosystem is still new, but it is growing,” the co-founders share.

The IoT enabled Spintly Access control platform can cater to residential and commercial establishments (hotels, enterprises, tech parks, coworking spaces, co-living societies, hospitals, malls, colleges, and universities). This platform facilitates indoor and outdoor management of access points like doors, gates, boardrooms, hotel rooms, office spaces, parking lots, or any area that requires a touch-based biometric log-in. With Spintly, the check-in and check-out process are entirely contactless. All the data collected by its hardware devices installed at access points is stored in the cloud. It can be accessed by enterprise customers through a real-time analytics dashboard and reports.

The co-founders go on to elaborate, “IoT devices collect a lot of events and data points, and identify patterns that can help facility managers. We use Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based models to provide insights into occupancy and space utilisation. On top of the access control system, we have built a SaaS-based analytics platform for attendance and facility management. So, enterprises can keep a track of employee movement, hotels can check room occupancy rates, etc.”

Spintly’s Flagship Products:

SMACC UNO (Smart Access UNO) is one of the flagship products which get installed on each of the doors which require access control. The readers can communicate with each other over a wireless mesh network powered by Bluetooth Mesh. Users are granted access to the doors bypassing a digital key from the cloud to their smartphones. Also, users

Recently, Spintly raised $2.5 million in a pre-series-A round of funding. Those participating in this round include LetsVenture, AccelNet, SucSEED Indovation Fund, Riso Capital, Defang Technology, 91 Ventures, Kyto Technology and Life, and a few other notable angel investors and business groups

L to R: Malcolm DSouza, Joann Fernandes, Vaibhavi and Rohin Parkar

can unlock doors with their smartphones and the access logs, and history is captured in real-time.

The duo shares how this product is different from other products in the market, “We have created the world’s first BLE-mesh enabled access control platform which not only allows users to unlock doors with their smartphone but also eliminates the wired infrastructure needed for access control deployments. And that is what sets us apart from the rest of the competitors.”

According to Rohin, Spintly uses IoT as the primary enabler for the access control platform. The company uses the Bluetooth signal from the readers to form an IoT mesh network of devices to send data to the cloud. The key part of the network is the Spintly Mesh gateway. This gateway connects to the IoT Network of readers on one side and connects to the cloud on the other side.

The gateway communicates with the Spintly IoT cloud engine, which is built on AWS (Amazon Web Services). The company also uses advanced machine learning techniques to analyse occupancy patterns and provide useful insight to the customers to help them improve workforce and workplace efficiency.

Spintly has developed custom hardware which makes the BLE-mesh network robust and allows the system to work through walls and across floors. Firmware is the piece of code which resides in the hardware and is the brains of the hardware. A Bluetooth Mesh firmware has also been developed, which allows seamless communication between various nodes.

The gateway is built on a Linux platform, and it uses Bluetooth Low energy to communicate with all the devices and uses Wi-Fi or LAN to communicate with the cloud. It uses MQTT and HTTPS protocol to communicate with the cloud. Also, the cloud platform consists of the IoT engine built on the AWS platform and the API interface, which allows the exchange of data with other applications.

Speaking on the uniqueness of their product and the competition in India and the global markets, the duo says, “Unlike other competitors, we are not using Weigand or OSDP protocol in our access control system which is entirely dependent on using wired infrastructure. At Spintly, we have created the world’s first BLE-mesh enabled Access Control Platform which sets us apart from the rest of our competitors. We see a healthy competition In India as well as the global market for our products and solution as the world is preparing to go contactless to create a safe and healthy environment.”

Conquering Challenges

Elaborating on the challenges in the market at this point of time the duo maintains that no business can grow without facing challenges. “At present, we see there is a huge demand for our products/solutions, as every customer wants to deploy contactless access control solutions at their premises to create safe and healthy work environment. One of the that challenges we are facing is being able to scale up our production amidst supply chain issues in order to cater to customer demands.”

As a startup Spintly had its fair share of challenges. “One of the major challenges we faced was recently when covid-19 struck India and our business got adversely affected. It seemed like we had hit a wall. We gradually were able to change our messaging to a contactless system and were able to attract customer attention. But for 4-5 months going without revenues was really a difficult phase in the business. Every start-up faces these challenges of having a good cash flow so it can stay afloat towards becoming profitable. Another challenge that we face is the lack of a manufacturing ecosystem in the country due to prolonged dependency on China. So we are building that infrastructure and capability ground-up to enable us to deliver our products in the future.”

All About Teamwork

The company had primarily hired engineers straight out of college and developed their talent over the last 2-3 years. “We had to do this as the kind of skills that we needed were completely missing in India. That still remains our primary mode of hiring. We do see a shortage of experienced talent in the software development space in Goa which we need to scale up our software platform and are looking for experienced talent to join us in other parts of the country, especially in Bangalore. But when it comes to hiring other than primary technical skills, we look for attitude and the hunger to learn.”

Further, the duo speaks highly of their team at Spintly. “At Spintly, we have an amazing team of more than 80 employees. Our entire team is passionate about learning new skills and building a product that helps improve human efficiency. Our products have been developed by a team of integrative thinkers led by visionary leaders. We firmly believe that quality and innovation does not have to come at a high cost. With this principle, Spintly aims to develop high quality, innovative and cost effective products and solutions. Our employees are inspired by the technologies they get to learn each passing day, the unbiased work culture, friendly management and much more.”

Operational Growth and Pandemic Impact

Covid-19 has had a telling impact across industries and the global economy. In Spintly’s case, the pandemic has served as a boon. Right after the pandemic hit, touch-based devices and biometric systems were not preferred, and the demand for contactless devices has hit the roof. Spintly saw a ‘10-fold’ increase in its deal sizes. Now using advanced digital methods for access control is becoming more of a norm and the demand continues to grow.

The duo reveals, “Big tech parks, major hospitality players, and manufacturing companies were interested in our solutions. Tech parks have multiple entry points, and the owners wanted to keep a track of the movement for hygiene purposes. They also enabled contact tracing features, which could chronologically track the movement within an

Users are granted access to the doors by passing a digital key from the cloud to their smartphones. Also, users can unlock doors with their smartphones and the access logs, and history is captured in real-time

Rohin with the ’Startup of the Year’ Award at the HDFC Bank presents Business Goa Awards 2021 area.” Hospitals and hotels were other big opportunities. We have been approached to build a contactless elevator solution. So, you don’t have to press buttons, and can control the elevator through a mobile app.”

Spintly has one lakh users on its smart access platform, which has connected over 2500 doors to the cloud and performs more than two million doors unlocks every month. It services enterprise clients like Godrej, Smartworks, Procter & Gamble, Manipal Hospitals, and other major companies.

The duo says, “Before the lockdown, we had companies with 500 employees coming to us. Now, each tech park that has approached has about 5,000 to 10,000 people. We are targeting 1million users by the end of 2023.”

The startup charges clients on a SaaS-based model for the analytics platform; it also earns from sales of its hardware device. Spintly has sold thousands of devices so far and the sales is growing rapidly.

Awards & Accolades

In February of 2022, Spintly won the Thread Group Innovation Enabler Award. Launched in 2015, the Thread Innovation Enabler Award recognizes early-stage companies from around the world, for their innovative approach to solving IoT challenges using the Thread protocol.

The award supports the creative possibilities that smaller companies can bring to the IoT ecosystem by giving them access to the resources and network within the Thread Group.

Thread is a low-power wireless mesh networking protocol built on open and proven standards aimed at simplifying and standardising IoT solutions. The Thread Group board is represented by member from companies like Apple, Google, Amazon and others – who were involved in the selection process of this award.

Speaking on receiving the award, the duo shares, “We were super excited to receive this award, as Thread technology aligns tightly with our product and market vision for an end-toend, secure, IP-based approach for access control. This award paves the path to certification for our products’ compliance and inter-operability with the Thread protocol, which will expand Spintly’s sales pipeline. Simultaneously, we are actively collaborating within the Thread Group to develop the standard for access control.”

In 2021, Spintly also won the HDFC Bank presents Business Goa Awards 2021 as ‘StartUp of the Year’.

In April 2021, Spintly raised $650,000 in a seed round round led by Riso capital from Silicon Valley, SucSeed Indovation fund and participated by Goa-based venture accelerator Saltwater Venture Sparks, and early-stage angel investors in the US. It had earlier raised $100,000 from US-based angels.

Recently, Spintly raised $2.5 million in a pre-series-A round of funding. Those participating in this round include LetsVenture, AccelNet, SucSEED Indovation Fund, Riso Capital, Defang Technology, 91 Ventures, Kyto Technology and Life, and a few other notable angel investors and business groups.

The funds would be utilised to scale up R&D, and accelerate customer acquisition, expansion, sales, and marketing. “We have seen a rise in demand for our products and are in the process of ramping up our production. The funds raised will also help us accelerate the product development process to meet the increased demand,” the co-founders said.

Growth Plans

Spintly is chasing global scale growth. It wants to become one of the leading players in the access control market projected to reach $85B billion by 2024. “We want to redefine this market by creating a new market category, that is our vision,” says Rohin and Malcolm.

Spintly recently expanded its team in the US by hiring John Czarnik and Daniel Thomas in Silicon Valley as part of its business development and sales team. Spintly plans to expand into new market segments like education, residential, data centers, enterprise, and government. Spintly is addressing an $80.62 billion smart buildings market which is expected to be a $328.62 billion market by 2029.

ISC News estimates the access control market is approximately $70 billion globally evolving from wired on-premise applications to wireless cloud solutions. Capitalizing on this trend, Spintly is transforming the security industry with its fully wireless, cloud-based access management system that removes the complexity of deploying the typical hardline access control solution. Operators of co-working spaces, corporate offices, and other commercial properties can improve their customer’s experience without the cost of expensive controllers, wiring, and cabling.

“The future roadmap looks clear and luminous for us since it focuses on simplifying and bringing a great level of convenience to users. Currently, we have a presence in three countries – India, UAE and the USA.

In India, our focus has been on the south and north Indian market, and we are looking to expand our operation throughout the Indian market. Similarly, for the US market, we have started serving in the North American market and looking to capture the entire US market in the next five years. Also, we have been seeing some positive responses coming for the Middle East countries,” said the duo on a concluding note.

Looking at its trajectory, customer acquisition and growth plans, Spintly looks all set on unlocking its value and potential

The Spintly team is largely comprised of tech graduates from Goa and works from their offices at Fatorda, Margao

Will it be Dabolim or Mopa?

The commencement of Mopa Airport raises a huge controversy whether Dabolim will continue to function or not

By RAGESHREE DAS

Since airplanes began flying to and from Goa, Dabolim has been the only international airport in Goa that has played an important role as the gateway that connects us with the other destinations, be it within the country itself or with the rest of the globe. The Dabolim domestic airport was constructed in 1983; the international terminal was constructed in the year 1996.

Dabolim has catered to all the services required, being the sole airport that does not only work towards blooming the tourism industry, but also plays a significant role in the hotel industry and global trade.

Mormugao being Goa’s largest port will not be dismissed for the fact that most of the trade takes place there. Hence shifting or shutting down the airport will affect the economy drastically.

The proposal of Mopa Airport was suggested as the air traffic at Dabolim increased rapidly since 2013. Dabolim being a defence airport, it will continue to function along with some of the major companies with regards to domestic flying.

With the establishment of the new airport at Mopa, it has been speculated that trade and commerce will skyrocket. “They are giving proposals. Things are in process. Certain things are approved, certain things are in process”, K.S. Rao said. He said that Kuala Lumpur, Tel Aviv, Gatwick, Bahrain, Russia, Almaty, Manchester, and Muscat have sought approvals. Prior to Mopa airport becoming functional, all national and international flights for Goa were handled at the Dabolim airport, which is also a naval base. Only 70 flights land on the Dabolim airport on a daily basis since no flight landing is allowed between 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Following the establishment of the airport, it has been speculated that the number of flights landing will double up.

Dabolim Airport Mopa Airport

But with great successions come great challenges, as well. Along with Mopa being hailed high for its triumph in getting approval from major airlines throughout the globe; the antagonists are against it, stating that Mopa lies in the further North, which could possibly affect the chain of hotel industries that are in and around the southern coastal belt. The tourism industry plays an important role in the development of a region. Hence it becomes significant to study the growth of tourist arrivals, in particular, and hotels, in general, as they are required for effective tourism planning. By understanding the growth of tourist arrivals and hotels, the government, entrepreneurs and investors can plan their activities more effectively.

The Dabolim Airport was planned and constructed in such a way that it not only catered to the security needs of the state but also kept the other criterions in mind.

Realising the fact that, the Goa government alone spent about `3000 crores on the Zuari project that connects the major cities of Goa to Dabolim airport, giving an easier and hassle free drive to all the tourists as well as locals. The main reason this project was taken on was for the sole fact that the airport will be accessible from any part of Goa.

More recently, the debate got rekindled after Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho made a public statement that Dabolim will be shut down if it does not get competitive in its functioning and Mopa gets operational. But Godinho calibrated his statement when the opposition attacked him on his stand.

Disagreements regarding naming the Mopa Airport

The Mopa Airport is soon going to commence, yet there is a big debate on deciding a name that will not only bring glory but also highlight the significance of the new airport. Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party suggested that, the airport should be named after Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar. As we are all aware of the great contributions he made for Goa. Bandodkar laid the foundation of a resurgent Goa in all fields of development – education, industry, tourism, agriculture, irrigation, roads, bridges and every other sphere of developmental activity benefitted from his magic touch. Thus the MGP was firm in its stand to name the airport in his honour. The current administration, on the other hand, wishes to name it in honour of either Manohar Parrikar, the former Chief Minister of Goa; Some want the airport to be named after Jack de Sequeira, the first opposition leader of Goa; while freedom fighters want it to be named after T.B. Cunha, a renowned freedom fighter of Goa. But after long discussions, it was thus decided that they will refrain from using any names as it could hurt the sentiments of the citizens of Goa.

With doubts and uncertainty in the minds of the antagonists and oppositions, the Chief Minister made it absolutely clear that both the airports will coexist without any clashes between them. “Many have expressed concerns over whether the (Dabolim) airport will shut down. I want to assure everyone that even once Mopa airport is fully operational, Dabolim airport will not shut down (for civilian use).”

Along with the Chief Minister, Goa’s Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte said “Today predominately we are dependent on two markets, UK and Russia, and some parts of Europe,” This gave everyone a reason to believe that the current government is taking charge of the state’s economy which had seen drastic short comings due to the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. He stated that the rough estimate of the domestic tourists that visited Goa before the pandemic was about 71 Lakhs, whereas the arrival of international tourists was 9 Lakhs.

Keeping in mind the current strategies, the government will go ahead with this plan hoping for better and larger response. Hence there is no fear regarding the permanent shut down of Dabolim airport, as it will function along with Mopa airport. Instead of it

Lights, Camera, Action

As the curtain rises on the 53rd edition of IFFI, Goa gears up to celebrate this unique event which showcases the best of cinema

Business Goa speaks to Swetika Sachan, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa, who goes to elaborate on Goa being the entertainment capital of India and involving locals into making IFFI a people’s festival

By RAGESHREE DAS

The end of the year is filled with festivities and exciting activities. And one such event is the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Since its inception in 1952, IFFI has been India's largest event of its kind. The IFFIs that followed were held in New Delhi. IFFIs turned competitive starting with the third event in January 1965. The non-competitive Filmotsav, which intended to be celebrated in other film making cities on alternating years, was first presented in 1975. Later, IFFIs and Filmotsavs were combined. Then IFFI moved to Goa in 2004 and since that time, it has been an annual event in the state. IFFI aspires to provide a common platform for cinemas around the world to showcase the best in film-making, to advance understanding and appreciation of various film cultures in the context of their social and cultural ethos, and to foster friendship and cooperation.

A gala ceremony marked the

“We are keen to promote Goan culture and heritage at IFFI 2022”

By SYBIL RODRIGUES This is your first time on the Government Panel for IFFI. What are your thoughts on the same? I am quite excited to be affiliated to ESG as it is my first time being involved with IFFI. I am a very creative person, I am into films and although I am not a Bollywood person, I do watch a lot of international cinema and good OTT content. It is a very exciting portfolio for me and it goes with my personality. It is my first edition and I am a bit nervous because it is a huge event and we are having plenty of domestic and international media present.

Pic: Assavri Kulkarni

Goans have played a key role in cinema as actors, musicians, film makers. What is your opinion on the idea of a film city in Goa? The government does understand the potential of Goa start of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The opening ceremony took place close to Panaji at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. Alma and Oskar, directed by Austrian director Dieter Berner, premiered at IFFI, one of Asia’s oldest film festivals. Spanish film director, Carlos Saura received the ‘Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the inaugural ceremony. Veteran actor, Chiranjeevi, has been chosen as the ‘Indian Film Personality of the Year’ for 2022. With over 150 films to his credit, Chiranjeevi has had a spectacular career spanning almost four decades as an actor, dancer, and producer. His heartfelt performances have made him a huge star in Telegu cinema. Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, made a statement to this effect during the IFFI opening ceremony.

In his remarks, Thakur noted that IFFI has developed into a venue for film directors from around the globe to display their creations. He expressed optimism that India would develop into a major international centre for coproduction, post-production, filming, and technological partners and urged the film community to turn India into a centre of global content. He stated that the government has plans to make India the most sought-after location for filmmakers, co-production, and post-production as the nation celebrates ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Leading cinema stars from across the nation performed in cultural performances at the inaugural ceremony; where dancing and music groups from both India and overseas also performed. In keeping with the ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ celebrations, the ceremony’s topic was ‘Evolution of Indian Cinema over the Last 100 Years.’

Over the course of the nineday festival, 280 films from 79 different nations will be exhibited. The Indian Panorama section will present 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films, while the foreign programming will have 183 films. Eight films will be shown as part of the Country Focus package, with France serving as the ‘spotlight nation’

becoming a filming destination. We anyway are, but how do we make things better and how do we facilitate people to come and produce films in Goa. We have partnered with Planet Goem and they have a lot of Marathi content as well. So they will be having a Goa edition where they will put a lot of original Goan content. This is a starting point and shows the kind of sincerity the government has towards Goan cinema. We do want to set up some virtual studios here. Due to space constraints here in Goa we can’t do an entire film city like in Hyderabad or Mumbai but yes we need to leverage technology. Technology where locals can be trained and employed, become a skilling hub from start to end, right up from production, editing to animations and 4Dl. Although we don’t have

anything concrete yet; the government is looking into a few processes.

Regional cinema, although full of talent, like the recent recognition for Waghro, still doesn’t have more than a handful releases every year. How do we encourage local talent for Konkani or Marathi cinema coming out from Goa? I think some of the major issues that I feel plague regional cinema in producing Konkani cinema or Konkani content is finance. So houses like Planet Goem will float a lot of funds by buying scripts, producing good content and this is a step in that direction. I think promotion will be a two-way street, as in, the government will provide a platform for people to showcase their talent like in this edition, we have a Goan cinema section and we will be having master classes in acting and other workshops by our local talent.

Goa is unofficially the entertainment capital of India. How can we make this a sustainable industry in the state? There is a need to build an entire ecosystem for production. For example, if somebody comes to shoot in Goa s/he needs to get a lot of things. If someone can provide all of this to them inhouse, it will encourage locals to participate in such areas. The government is also facilitating ease of doing business and we have brought in a single window system where any producer can apply for permissions. We further need to sensitise locals because many times we get permissions but there are objections from the panchayat. A lot of work has to be done in facilitating and making film shoots in Goa a pleasant experience. Secondly, we also need to have local skilled talent so that they don’t have to hire anyone from outside. We need to have a lot of creative resources based here who can be immediately employed and help locals secure employment, promote local talent and reduce the cost.

IFFI is also a great platform to showcase Goa’s true heritage and culture. What’s your idea on this aspect? Sitting here, in this building, is a big example of Goa’s heritage and culture. This Maquinez Palace is a beautiful piece of Goan heritage. From this edition, we want to promote Goan culture and heritage and we have made a local map of what we can do in different parts in Goa. We are having a show at Fort Aguada this time. These are some of the steps that we have taken to make sure that people enjoy a unique experience. The most unique thing about Goa is its heritage and I think that is what distinguishes Goa from any coastal state. The culture is very rich and this is what makes Goa stand out from the rest. How is the government involving people to make IFFI a people’s festival? We will do the open air screenings at 3 locations in Goa. The moving caravan theatre will be moving around and showcasing the locally popular cinema here. We are opening the Film Bazaar for the public from 3 to 6 pm. So people can go around looking at the state pavilions, country pavilions and see the kind of technology that they have and what film houses in other countries are doing. It is a beautiful walk and it is free for the public. There is also going to be an entertainment zone, an amusement park and we are doing the carnival for one day, and having a shigmotsav on the next day. It is an opportunity to experience this as these are usually timed events. It is a glimpse of the carnival and shigmotsav which is good for the locals as well as tourists and delegates

“We have plans to showcase local artistes through a variety of platforms during IFFI 2022”

Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant speaks to Business Goa in the backdrop of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), and shares his thoughts on Goa being an entertainment destination In Conversation with PAVAN AGNI

Dr Pramod Sawant

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, is the permanent motto of IFFI which is its core philosophy. What are your thoughts on the background of IFFI that commenced from 2004? To begin with, the Government of India and most importantly the former Chief Minister of Goa, late Manohar Parrikar initiated IFFI in Goa and made it the permanent venue for hosting it. This is a proud occasion for every Goan as Goa slowly got more recognition and importance because of IFFI. IFFI has embodied the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ for many years. The inauguration of the 53rd International Film Festival will be held on 20th of November and this shows how much time is required to prepare for this event (IFFI). Along with NFDC and ESG, both bodies are working together to make IFFI more successful. Firstly, the event took place virtually in 2020; and then it was held in hybrid mode in 2021. Now, after easing of covid, IFFI will take place in a complete physical form, and that is why the NFDC and the ESG have teamed up together, and will do their best to make IFFI a successful event.

As you have been the CM since 2019, what would you like to say about your association with IFFI? In 2019, the Chief Guest was renowned actor Amitabh Bachchan. As CM it was my first film festival. I remember in 2012, I joined IFFI as a MLA. In 2019, I directly got the opportunity to inaugurate IFFI as Chief Minister, along with Amitabh Bachchan and other esteemed dignitaries. This inauguration became a special moment for me. After that in 2020, we had to host it in the virtual form and in 2021 it was in a hybrid mode. Today, once again IFFI 2022 is going to be held in its full form and it is an opportunity, where we will make it the best to celebrate the idea of cinema. The NFDC, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur and his team has lent us the support that we needed. There will be delegates from all over the world, national delegates, film makers, jury members from different parts of the world who are enthusiastic to attend this year’s IFFI. Goans have played a key role as musicians, actors even film makers. What is the thought of having a film city, from the government’s perspective in the next 5 to 10 years? If we look at it that way, there are very few Goans who are involved in the film industry. The ones who went to Mumbai have set up their film related businesses, like movie shoots, film making and a few are engaged in singing. The Hyderabad Film city, which I have seen personally, is huge and big. And constructing such a massive film city is unviable in Goa. Many film makers approach and discuss this issue. OTT platforms along with various other platforms, film making, especially digital film making platforms are approaching us. It still remains a question whether we can plan such a huge film city. Many people have approached me with various proposals that they are ready to invest in a film city and seek land. But due to land shortage in Goa, we are still evaluating the feasibility of a film city to meet their requirements. There will continue to be film shoots in Goa and ESG is offering single window clearance for the same. Many film shoots take place in Goa and it has the appropriate infrastructure, although human resources are still a challenge. Therefore, it is easier to make the film city when both the aspects are present – infrastructure, and human resource. So in the long run, whatever support is needed from the Goa government to build the film city will be provided. Hence, we require skilled manpower, so that there will be proper infrastructure and human resource in one place.

You spoke of OTT platforms in which the regional film ‘Wagro’, released last year reached great heights. There is a lot of talent in the local population, be it in Konkani or Marathi films. From this perspective is there anything, from school level curriculum or at university level that can further help develop such talent which is free flowing right now? At present there is skill development in various fields. So we keep going with skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling. Now, when it comes to film shoots, Kala Academy, the Art and Culture Department and Fine Arts College help in this procedure. Kala Academy specialises in drama along with diploma courses. Fine Arts College also offers a number of courses. Apart from that, the training and skills required for creating a film are very different from the ones that these academies offer. Hence, it is only possible to enhance these skills if certain courses are available for film making. And if someone who possesses such skills and wants to start a course, then we are ready to provide them the required infrastructure in the initial stage. Then they can set up a good site for shoots and proper offices. The reason we want to support such courses/ educational idea is because

Spanish film director Carlos Saura honoured with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at IFFI 2022. The Award was collected by the Saura’s representative. Also seen in pic is I&B Minister Anurag Thakur

there is raw talent in Goa. These can be seen in Konkani films, Marathi films and even in Hindi films. The skills needed for film shoots, production and the various stages in film making are present in the people of Goa.

Can we look at IFFI as an industry that will generate certain income for the exchequer or indirectly for the local people? It is not directly for the exchequer. IFFI which is being held in Goa since 2004 benefits every Goan, Goan artistes, and the people working the in film industry. The producers, directors who come to the state need to grab this opportunity. At present, International and National Film Bazaar has commenced in Goa. As a result, there will be a large number of professionals from the film business there, including writers, producers, and those involved in the development and filming of the movie.

Hence, we must establish appropriate communication with them, and are prepared to use ESG to bridge the communication gap. In a nutshell, the government is willing to assist with the gap analysis. So people need to understand how to benefit from it. IFFI which is organised by ESG has set up a platform for the talent pool. We are making sure that Marathi film festival that is being organised in Goa receives a boost. In short the government is planning to initiate a Konkani Film Festival in Goa to celebrate Goan talent. We have been financially supporting Konkani films for a long time now. Along with it, ESG has played a huge role in organising workshops and various activities to help boost this industry.

Goa has a rich culture. Do you believe that the government can take action to promote our traditions and culture? Goa, which stretches from Pernem to Canacona, is home to a wide range of artistic expressions and diverse populations. For instance, in Canacona, you may find traditional dance forms like Goff, and during the Shigmo festival, we have the Talgadi, Ghodemodni, and Veerbhadra.

As a result, Goa is home to numerous cultural celebrations. Additionally, several platforms are being developed by the Departments of Art and Culture to promote these festivals. We have plans to showcase local artistes through a variety of outlets during IFFI, this time. Through these preparations, we intend to provide these artistes a stage on which to showcase their abilities both domestically and abroad.

Continued From Page No 18 being a threat, it will in turn help secure more international charter companies. With work being distributed, there will be a significant decrease in air traffic. Therefore, more hours can be allotted to Dabolim airport as it is a naval base and can solely focus on such activities as well without compromising Tiatr is a significant form of entertainment in the state. It is a part of the culture and its people. However, the majority of those that participate in Tiatr do it as a side employment. So, should they expect any kind of post-retirement benefits, and for how long should they hold out hope that the government will take such action? Just as we have Tiatr, we also have Natak. There are a lot of people involved in Nataks who do not receive any government post-retirement payments. But one piece of news that I have heard repeatedly is that the government offers postretirement benefits through the DDSSY programme to the majority of those over the age of 60.

We are aware that having that kind of respect is essential for artists. For professional artists over the age of 50, the government is also introducing the Kalakar pension. Hence the same benefits may be applicable to Tiatr artistes as well.

Panaji has been the permanent venue of IFFI in Goa since 2004. It can be seen that only a few people who live close to the venue, enjoy the festival. Can we look at it as Goa’s festival? If we take a look at it, Panaji will remain the permanent venue for IFFI, as people have different interests and attraction towards this festival. Some come to enjoy the films, some are keen of spotting their favourite actors, and some come to see wonderful decorations in the city during this festival. So those who are really interested in being a part of this celebration will enjoy it no matter where it is being held. To look at it from a practical point of view, it is impossible to organise such a large scale event throughout the state. We have come up with alternate ideas, including cinema screenings on the beach, in public spaces, and even screening on wheels, all over the State. Through this, many Goans get a chance to watch international and national films. Consequently, those who appreciate viewing movies will enjoy themselves at this event.

What movie, according to you, have you seen multiple times with your family and is one of your favourites? I won’t lie; I don’t watch movies that frequently. But KGF which my daughter really wanted to watch because of its action scenes was the latest movie that I watched with my family. I have watched The Kashmir Files earlier. And Kantara was one movie I watched at Inox recently. Aside from that, time does not permit me to watch a movie more than once; one viewing is sufficient

certain hours of the day. The date of inauguration of the new airport at Mopa is yet to be finalised, but is expected to start functioning by January 2023. It has been announced that most of the international flights, especially the Goa-Muscat airlines will shift its activities to Mopa airport

SNIP SALON AND SPA Love is in the Hair!!!

Feeling like you need a nice romantic date out with your mane? Snip Salon and Spa has got the perfect solution: Kérastase Fusio-Dose

By SYBIL RODRIGUES and tourists swear by SNIP

Everyone’s hair needs love for the exemplary attention from time to time. It is ok to to detail, highly personalised sleep on it wet, subject it to sun menu of services and the finest rays, pollution, heat style it too international products. often and to colour it within an So on a bright Wednesday inch of its life as long as one is morning I walked into the planning to put the hours (and humongous Snip branch at money) back into caring for it Porvorim. I was assigned to at some point. Erica, the salon’s top hairstylist,

So when Sumeet Bhobe who took time to sit with me of Snip Salon & Spa said he and discuss what my hair would like review of the new wanted and needed from the luxury brand, Kérastase with personalised conditioning new Fusio-Dose treatments, I treatment. I informed her that jumped at the offer. I had terrible hair fall thanks to

Established as a passion various ailments over the years project in 1999 in the avatar of and she decided we’d go for an a small and trendy hair salon, anti-hair loss Fusio dose which SNIP has metamorphosised would make my hair look fuller into one of the country’s and repair the hair fibre. largest and most recognized They have a range of special brands spread over 4 branches capsules full of hair-nourishing and 16,500 sq ft. For over two goodness that can be mixed decades, SNIP is renowned for and matched depending on its quality of service, innovation your requirements. It all looked and its unparalleled customer- very slick and high-tech. centric ethos. As a first step, the hairstylist

With the cornerstone and her assistant Muriel applied philosophy of ‘affordable a mix of the Kerastase sea salt luxury’, SNIP continues to grow scrub and essential oil to my and set its own benchmarks scalp to get rid of the flakes, dirt in the grooming and wellness and excess oil. After rinsing my industry. hair she applied the Kerastase

Locals, business visitors Fusio Dose Concentré with a booster shot of the Kerastase Fusio-Dose Booster which would add density and strengthen the roots. This emulsion was massaged into my hair roots and hair. Next, two kinds of masks were applied. The first was the Kerastase Densifique with Hyaluronic and Stemoxydine which, when applied to the scalp, would amplify the roots of the hair so it looks and feels thicker. The next mask was the Kerastase Specifique Masque Hydra Apaisant with ingredients like Rhamnose and Complexe Aox which was applied to the strands so it feels and looks fuller. After applying both masks, my head was massaged for ten minutes to that the products would be absorbed.

After that, my scalp and hair were steamed with a fine mist steam so as to lock in all the enriching goodness.

After rinsing my hair two kinds of hair serums were applied to the roots and strands; the Kerastase Initialiste which gives nutrients to the roots; and the Kerastase Elixir Ultime which protects the hair from heat.

Lastly, my hair was blow dried and styled giving it a volumising look. The first noticeable difference besides the softer, smoother texture and delicious smell was the lesser number of strands on my comb the next morning. The hairstylist recommends getting the treatment done every 15 days for long term results.

There are five kinds of the Kérastase Fusio-Dose Concentrés. The Nutrition Concentré Oléo Fusion which is designed for instant nutrition and softness, this micro-

During your Kérastase treatment, your hairstylist will ask you plenty of questions about the problems that you have with your hair and your hair goals before concocting a customized Fusio-Dose recipe just for your hair, mixing one of four concentrés with a booster for one of 20 possible treatment combinations

emulsion of natural jojoba and avocado oils provides immediate nutrition from roots to ends – without weighing down the hair; the Shine Concentré Pixelist, which is an ultra-fine emulsion of microluminescent active ingredients that coat the hair fiber and help provide radiance for hair colour; the Strength Concentré Vita-Ciment, which is a biomimetic cellular cement made of ceramides that helps repair and protect the hair fiber while filling in any gaps to provide uniformity and the Density Concentré Densifique which is a concentrated enriched with pro-calcium to instantly help the hair look stronger and fuller. Meanwhile, there are six Kérastase Fusio-Dose Boosters. The Booster Cicafibre which is formulated with concentrated healing ingredients to instantly restore hair that’s been sensitized by lighting and to minimize the oxidation; the Booster Nutrition which helps fill in the hair fiber to provide three times more nutrition; the Booster Brilliance whose polymers adhere to the overprocessed areas of the hair, smoothing the cuticle with the help of zinc gluconate and vitamin E; the Booster Reconstruction which promises gorgeous, model perfect hair; the Booster Densité for thickerlooking, better-feeling hair and the Booster Discipline which provides and an anti-frizz effect while making detangling easier and amping up manageability. Thanks to this formula, hair is left with 72-hour anti frizz protection and smoothness.

Think of Fusio-Dose as a customised in-salon treatment for your specific hair needs. The formulas contain concentrated active ingredients which fuse – get the name now? – for mega results. The process treats your hair and has lasting results, leading to hair that's visibly transformed.

During your Kérastase treatment, your hairstylist will ask you plenty of questions about the problems that you have with your hair and your hair goals before concocting a customized Fusio-Dose recipe just for your hair, mixing one of four concentrés with a booster for one of 20 possible treatment combinations.

So what are you waiting for? Book your appointment at Snip Salon & Spa for gorgeous, healthy hair. Thank me later

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LOKMANYA MULTIPURPOSE CO-OP SOCIETY LTD SERVING BEYOND BANKING

Over the years Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-Op Society Ltd has made great strides in the finance sector and has been providing various related services

Established in 1995, as a small credit society in the suburb of Belgaum, Lokmanya Society has come a long way since then; making their presence felt all over Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, and Delhi with a network of over 213 branches.

With a single-minded focus on working for the good of the people by uplifting their living standards through sustainable and meaningful initiatives, Lokmanya Multipurpose Coop. Society Ltd. was founded by Kiran Thakur.

Thakur is a renowned social worker, a reputed journalist, and the editor of Tarun Bharat daily. Under the aegis of Thakur, Lokmanya has been nurtured by honest intentions and unparalleled passions to serve and empower the people and society.

The primary goal of the company was to provide financial support to the ambitious yet needy people with access to limited resources, who believed in following their dreams. Lokmanya is building platforms that can deliver education to people, as well as creating healthy living for the people via an expertise driven medical ecosystem, thus guiding them towards financial prosperity. Over the years, Lokmanya Multipurpose Coop. Society Ltd. has diversified its presence from financial services to travel planning and assistance with the people and their convenience at the centre of it. With a fine balance between income from different ventures and transparent work culture, Lokmanya offers various services like banking and finance, education, life and general insurance, loans, and more.

The Society has flourished in the co-operative financial sector, providing various services as well, like life insurance, general insurance, health insurance, etc. As a matter of fact, all multi-purpose businesses of Lokmanya Society are associated with leading companies in their respective fields.

Standing amongst the top corporate agents, the Lokmanya Society is the corporate agent of LIC of India and has a tieup with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, offering the best services to their customers.

Lokmanya Society as a corporate agent also represents IFFKO TOKIO, ICICI Lombard, and New India Assurance in the general insurance space. In the health insurance sector, they represent CARE health insurance, and will very soon be representing Star Health Insurance.

Countering the growing demands for mutual fund investments, Lokmanya Society has slowly entered this field of the market, as well. Being one of the largest multipurpose coop societies, they have been approached by many mutual fund companies for joint business. At present, Lokmanya Society is in agreement with Nippon India Mutual Funds, HDFC Mutual Funds, Aditya Birla Sun life Insurance, Prudential ICICI Mutual Funds, and Kotak Mutual Funds.

In collaboration with RBIapproved banks, Lokmanya Society is also offering home loans against properties as well as personal loans, at affordable market rates – making the availability of loans easier with less documentation and quicker disbursement time.

Recently, Lokmanya Society has ventured into logistic services in collaboration with IXG Logistics, an international logistics provider in 197 countries across the globe. They deliver goods accurately in a short span of time at reasonable prices while following all international rules and regulations. Highest Rate of Interest, additional 0.50% interest to senior citizens, door to door service by staff, and proper orientation of young staff by experienced branch heads lead to encouraging results; and the excellent services provided by Lokmanya society has ensured its place as a well known credit society. After more than two decades, Lokmanya continues to support countless dreams across the rural-urban divide of India. A place where every thought, decision and action is for the people, it is touching, nurturing and enriching the lives of people while strengthening the society.

Under the keen eyes of Chairman Kiran Thakur, various multipurpose activities are sure to be introduced in the near future. Being a great source of inspiration and motivation to his employees, Thakur’s message to his employees is simple, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure”

Kiran Thakur

BIZ NETWORKS Networking and Building Relationships

BNI offers its members opportunities to network, share contacts; besides giving and gaining business referrals

BNI (Business Network International), known to be the world’s leading business networking and referral organisation, has also achieved tremendous strides in India – becoming India’s largest and most successful business networking organisations, as well.

With core objectives of offering the best business opportunities, contact sharing and business referrals, BNI Goa strives to enable its members to thrive in the business scenario

by building relationships and creating a well thought-out and

compassionate system of giving and receiving business referrals.

BNI Goa was launched in April 2010 by Rajkumar Kamat, Founder and Managing Director of EP Kamat Group. Though Rajkumar may have sown the seeds of BNI in Goa and has been overseeing its overall progress in the state, BNI Goa has been nurtured and grown by many of its passionate BNI stalwarts, who have enthusiastically volunteered their valuable time, experience and efforts to bring it to the level that it has reached today

TOP PERFORMERS OF BNI GOA VCM FABRICATORS & BUILDERS VILANOVA LOBO

Vilanova Lobo

A civil engineer by training and a businessman by calling, with a primary focus on construction and fabrication since 2004, Vilanova Lobo has completed numerous construction projects across the entire state of Goa; and is an expert in building hotels, villas, restaurants, container cottages, industrial sheds, metal-framed structures, jetties, house roofs, dismantling temporary structures, hotels and villas with steel fabrication, temporary fabricated cottages, industrial sheds, parking lots, jetties, pontoons for casinos, and other commercial construction projects.

Having many satisfied clients, Vilanova consistently strives to develop business SMVV (Smart Money Value Venture) Edutech Advisory Pvt. Ltd started off on 21st March 2021 as a small unit by Chandan Venkatesh and now employs more than 50 people. Loan processing, investment planning and stock market trading are the prime services that they offer. SMVV has 100+ happy customers for loans. Be it a commercial loan or a housing loan, the company delivers instant loan sanctioning within 24 hours. Lending 100% housing loan value with attractive EMI plans that interests prospects towards

relationships and bag business from new clients.

Majority of the projects completed by his organisation are villas and grey building structures. His company has had the honour of building a fabricated jetty in Panaji. Vilanova believes that by working as a team and being dedicated, anyone can accomplish their goals. VCM has built a 6000 square foot large fabricated hall in a Star hotel in Calangute in 2020.

Vilanova endeavours to carry everyone along with him, as he believes in simplicity and dedication. His ultimate goal is to become one of Goa’s top ten builders, building classic villas and large fabrication projects SMVV. In association with their policies, the customised EMI plan covers the loan amount as well as helps the client to yield additional income.

The initial challenges of the business included concerns questioning survival, investment returns and security of services and SMVV laud all those clients who invested with them despite the odds. The dedicated management and continuous efforts led by the enterprising Chandan Venkatesh, fuels SMVV’s growth as they live up to their tagline ‘Let’s Get Rich’

SMVV EDUTECH ADVISORY PVT. LTD. CHANDAN VENKATESH

SYNERGY CHAPTER BNI SYNERGY is one of the most consistent BNI chapters in Goa – vibrant, young and booming with energy; doing great business with not just their own chapter but cross chapter and cross region members DS FINANCIALS DHILAN SHAH

Dhilan Shah was born and raised in Goa. With origins in Gujarat, Dhilan began his professional career with a prestigious private sector bank in Goa after receiving his degree in Commerce; and worked there for more than 8 years before beginning his entrepreneurial journey in 2017. Since then, there has been no turning back. DS Financials is a proprietary firm registered in Panaji, founded by Dhilan Shah in 2017. He has a PGDM from the Goa Institute of Management.

Investments and portfolio management are his firm’s specialties. They provide advice and product recommendations based on one’s needs and return expectations from the various investment options. They support an asset classbased strategy and multi-asset

@FINANCIALEE SAILEE CHARI

Sailee Chari, who operates under the company name @ FinanciaLEE, began her career in 2017 as a life insurance advisor. She has more than five years of experience working in the life insurance industry and has held various Centurion Agent positions with LIC; serving more than 100 customers around Goa. class investing. In order to build wealth over the long term, it is crucial to maintain the proper asset allocation. DS Financials says that simple investment discipline will help you outperform 90% of return seekers.

Keep things simple; don’t complicate investment; that’s what they strive to do. They offer will writing, estate planning solutions, cash flow and liquidity management, goal-based planning, financial planning, retirement planning, and PMS (portfolio management services) XEA COMMERCIAL LEASING HARSHAL SHAH

XEA Commercial Leasing, a RERA registered firm is owned by Harshal P Shah from Panaji. They are a commercial leasing company with the mission of providing the finest properties on the market in accordance

Sailee specialises in several different insurance products, including term life insurance, retirement insurance, child education insurance, moneyback plans, employer-employee insurance, group insurance, and more. She is engaged by LIC and a few private insurance firms. By 2025, Sailee hopes to cover the lives of 1000 clients; she values both customer satisfaction and company transparency with the needs of the companies. They assist owners in receiving the highest value for their properties.

XEA has expertise in leasing spaces to businesses from a variety of industries, including apparel, footwear, jewellery, pharmacies, quick service restaurants, co-working spaces, etc.

XEA has worked with several well-known brands and have provided their leasing services to them.

From property scouting to deal closure, XEA helps businesses from start to finish. In order to lawfully secure the necessary licence for efficient operation, they also offer services for documentation and interacting with government offices. XEA has currently leased more than 145 storefronts for various retail brands. XEA serves Goa, Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Along with leasing, they also pre-lease properties and offer them for sale to investors with rentals available right now. The market is expanding, and so is XEA.

Goa is attracting brands from all over the world, and XEA Commercial Leasing is here to make sure that both retailers and landlords profit

DEVIKA MANGALDAS, POSITIVE PERCEPTION COUNSELLING & TRAINING SERVICES Devika Mangaldas, is a Certified Counselling Psychologist, who brings 15+ years of professional experience in the field of mental health, social work, education, research and holds post-graduate degrees in industrial and advanced counselling psychology. Through her mental health initiative, founded by her as Positive Perception Counselling & Training Services, she aims to develop the client, personally and professionally by facilitating them into achieving their fullest potentials and by transforming mindsets to being more positive. The therapeutic services include psychotherapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, rational emotive behaviour therapy, psychosomatic therapy, couple therapy, art therapy, tarot psychotherapy, dream therapy, group therapy, travel therapy, adventure therapy and integrated and customised therapy. These therapies help those who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, anger issues, communication skills, conflict at work, work life balance and related concerns. She leads workshops and sessions on changing one's thinking to improve various skills because she is passionate about inspiring others in life.

Devika has been conducting successful workshops, webinars, soft skills training programs, career guidance and parenting sessions for hospitals, schools and corporates, respectively. She is also a Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Consultant and an internationally certified Behavioural Trainer and Life Coach

MANASI KAMAT WARTY | WISELY HR CO Adding the ‘Personnel’ touch

Manasi Kamat Warty elaborates on setting up her recruitment firm and being an entrepreneur in a man’s world

By SYBIL RODRIGUES

When it comes to adding a new member to one’s organisation, focuses on ‘Working with your Vision’ to understand and determine swiftly which candidates will be the perfect fit to the organisation’s requirements. Wisely HR Co. is founded by Manasi Kamat Warty. The firm is armed to provide multiple recruitment solutions. Their business model is agile and adaptive, built to foresee and overcome the complexities of the future and current job market.

Manasi was born and raised in Goa. When it came to choosing a stream for her higher education, she was clueless about what she wanted to pursue as her profession; but was very sure about what she didn’t want to take up which were the professional courses lined up after science which was expected from an excellent student like her. “Thankfully I had very supportive parents who suggested (among many options) pursuing a career in HR by studying Industrial Psychology and that is what clicked for me. It aligned with my interest for human thoughts and emotions while focusing on work-life,” she says. She took off to Mumbai to pursue her graduation and then post graduation in Industrial Psychology. The five years spent in the hustle bustle of the city navigating academics along with variety of extracurricular activities was a great learning experience for her. “It gave me a lot of exposure through interactions with reputed faculty in the field and work experience in HR dept of a renowned advertising agency.”

After completing her postgraduation Manasi returned to Goa and started working in the HR department in the pharmaceutical industry.

Manasi Kamat Warty

Having worked with established companies like Medizest Pharmaceuticals and Indoco Remedies gave her immense exposure and learning into the HR processes especially recruitment. Later as she joined Xerviz Wlobal as Executive Director, it gave her a better insight into the IT / ITES industry. “As Xerviz Wlobal marked its place in the market with 6+ years in business, we considered expanding the business in new verticals. Owing to the booming growth in the IT industry in the recent years and the opportunities it brings with itself, stepping into IT recruitment seemed like the next organic step based on my previous work experiences and educational background,” she adds while explaining how the idea of Wisely came about.

Manasi goes on to explain about her company and believes that there is a right fit for all kinds of organisations and candidates. “Not all jobs are meant for one person and similarly not everyone is meant for one job. It is all about finding the perfect fit for that person and for that company. And that is what we strive to achieve. Job seekers feel that there is a lack of job opportunities and job givers complain of lack of resources. Wisely aims to bridge the gap here and connect the right candidate to the right job opportunity.”

Manasi set up Wisely HR Co, a recruitment agency based in Goa and currently servicing pan India. “We are focused on IT Recruitment right now so we handle hiring of candidates ranging from fresh graduates to highly experienced personnel. We also specialise in Executive Search to effectively search for the perfect leadership candidate for the organisation. We believe in bridging the gap between what the industry is looking for and what the talent pool is expecting. On that account we have recently started with training and guidance to groom eager candidates to become industry ready. This includes effective CV building, interview preparation and overall skill development.

With Wisely, Manasi aims to distinguish them from the rest of the market as they are uniquely focused on the IT Industry. “The fast pace at which the IT industry is growing their recruitment needs are urgent and require undivided attention. By staying focused on this industry, instead of branching out into hospitality, pharmaceuticals etc., we are more competent to find the best suitable candidate in a manner that is time and cost effective,” she says.

Manasi goes on to speak on being an entrepreneur in a male dominated world. “While it can be a challenge to take on such a task nothing seems impossible when you have the support of your well-wishers. I personally feel extremely blessed to have the full support of my husband Rohan Warty who is also the cofounder of Wisely HR Co. His encouragement, guidance and exceptional business acumen has been irreplaceable for me. Building a good team with great work ethic has been crucial to lay the foundation. Constantly evaluating our process and making adjustments to achieve the optimal performance has worked for us from the beginning. Every experience good or bad is a learning experience for us.”

As an entrepreneur, she mentions that engaging in hobbies can be quiet therapeutic as the work never stops. Manasi chooses to indulge in activities where she can experiment with her creativity, like crochet, embroidery, lippan art (mud and mirror work), and DIY projects. Off late, gardening has become a passion.

Regarding her future plans Manasi says that they have had a good run this year and are looking to scale new heights in the coming year. “Next year, we are looking to expand our current team of 5 by at least double the size and make a mark in the international market. We look forward to grow the scope of our work, while maintaining the quality and focus we currently deliver.”

She signs off with a message to aspiring women entrepreneurs. “Bet on yourself. Often as women we are not encouraged to take a risk and are always asked to choose the safer or stable option. When you believe in yourself, automatically all the negativity around you will tune out and the confidence will be reflected in your work”

Legally Yours

Senior Advocate Anarkali Agni highlights her journey as a lawyer and enjoying her practice in present times

By SYBIL RODRIGUES

Anarkali Agni is a senior advocate, a counsel for Goa University and a Senior Counsel at the Bombay High Court with a rich experience in the legal industry.

Sr Adv Agni hails from Ribandar, her father Dr Savlo Keni was a very notable doctor and the Vice Chairman of Kala Academy. Her mother, Sudha was a poetess who penned various poems in Konkani and Marathi along with writing for All India Radio, as well. The renowned Konkani poetess Vijaya Bai Sarmalcar was her aunt. Sr Adv Agni grew up surrounded by music, art, poetry and books in her childhood home. She studied at Bal Bharti Vidyamandir and mentions that she grew up along with the school. “I was in the first batch in the fifth standard and they kept on adding classes as I advanced every year. After completing my eleventh standard I went on to graduate in Arts from Dhempe College of Arts and Science. Later I joined V M Salgaocar College of Law, where again, I was a student of the first batch,” she adds.

Sr Adv Agni still wonders how she got into the legal profession given that there were no lawyers in her family. “My father was a doctor and no one in my family had ever taken up law. When I was young, I had a passion for public speaking and when I was studying for my second year in Faculty of Arts, I was part of a congregation held in honour of V. S. Khandekar, the noted Marathi writer. I got a chance to speak in front of a large crowd at the Institute Menezes Braganza and it was something I thoroughly enjoyed. My father, on seeing my enthusiasm, advised me to take up law as a profession and since then there was no looking back.”

Sr Adv Agni says that in Goa it is not possible to specialise in any one specific area of law, and personally she feels that it is a

Sr Adv Anarkali Agni

blessing in disguise as lawyers get an opportunity to handle cases of all kinds, else there is no challenge to one’s intellect. As a counsel of Goa University, she mentions that she has handled admission matters, service matters, matters under Article 30 (minority educational institutions) of the Constitution and other such cases. She would handle matrimonial cases, custody matters of children and also matters of completely different texture such as labour laws. She has also handled diverse type of cases like property matters, and criminal cases, once in a while. In 2014, Adv Agni was designated as Senior Advocate by the Bombay High Court; and till date, she is the only lady advocate to be designated as Senior Advocate in the state. The early years in the profession for her were marked with very interesting cases. Fortunately for her, she never faced adversity or bias on account of being a lady and does not recall any discriminatory treatment meted out to her. “I started out at a time when lady lawyers were few and far between. But I did not face a situation where judges or clients made distinction between lady and the male lawyers. On the contrary, people were very interested in seeing a lady lawyer during those days. Everything so far for me as a woman has been smooth sailing,” she adds.

Over the years, Sr Adv Agni has handled an interesting mix of cases. “The challenge to a lawyer is when a law point is brought up one has to argue not only on facts but also on the statutory provisions of the law. I have even argued rape cases, but steadfastly avoided to accept briefs where cases pertain to rape on minors. Some of them really stand out as special cases in my memory.”

She states that the most challenging thing about her profession was balancing her career and family. “When a woman succeeds, she works more than a man, as a woman has to balance her career, her home and her children. I did all of this. My daughter is a lawyer, too; and when she was small I did have a tough time. My husband had fallen sick back then and there were times when there was no help and I had to rush from the court after attending to my matters for the day, to tend to my husband and child at home. But then it gives one experience which I feel is the best teacher.”

Sr Adv Agni says that spending time with her grandson is what makes her ecstatic. “Now at my age, I have gotten used to my work and I feel it is necessary to work to keep my mind active.”

Apart from her legal work she is very interested in dramas and had participated in a few of them when she was young. She loves music and plays the harmonium sometimes. “I love to write and have written a book on poetry in Hindi and Urdu and have published a book of short stories.”

Sr Adv Agni credits her parents who inspired her and her biggest support has been her husband, Advocate Ajit Agni. “My first matter in the High Court was referred to me by my husband, and I will always be grateful for his support. Professionally, we have worked together and we have faced comparisons over the years, but he has always been my pillar of strength.” Sr Adv Agni plans to write another book and says one is as old or as young as one thinks. “When I am with my grandson, I am five years old and those are my happy hours.”

She signs off with a message to aspiring professionals. “Hard work, tenacity and perseverance are the most important factors. No matter how intelligent one is, if there is no hard work, things don’t work out. Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration; and it is a mantra I firmly live by”

Goa’s startup ecosystem: A boon to first-time entrepreneurs

As the startup scenario flourishes in Goa, Forum for Innovation Incubation Research and Entrepreneurship (FiiRE) assists new entrepreneurs to apply for various government programmes

The Indian startup ecosystem has expanded rapidly over time. India now has the thirdlargest startup environment because of favourable demographics, rising investor confidence, and several government initiatives.

Due to these favourable demographics and government initiatives, India boasts the third-largest startup environment in the world.

Early-stage businesses are also growing because of initiatives like establishing technology business incubators like FiiRE (Forum for Innovation Incubation Research and Entrepreneurship), located in Goa.

The number of early-stage businesses in India has surged due to such strategic efforts. The number is likely to proliferate as entrepreneurial fever continues and the young generation, uses technological innovations a lot more across various fields.

Goa was also, one of the first four Indian states to develop a startup policy.

In addition to fostering innovation and technology, Goa also boasts of an exceptional work-life balance and a progressive administration dedicated to assisting businesses and making them successful.

Goa’s startups benefit from a unique location that allows for a beautiful blend of work and pleasure, close to rural and urban attractions. Goa is unrivalled in terms of culture, weather, infrastructure, and quality of life, scoring highly on work-life balance. Additionally, the people’s innate English language proficiency, relaxed pace of life, and the state’s large talent pool – all serve as incentives for business owners to establish themselves on Goa’s sunny coasts.

Goa offers good access to all major cities, a nice balance of urban and rural areas, and a good spot for individuals to establish their lives.

By 2025, Goa government aspires to have the state rank among the top 25 startup hotspots in Asia and as India’s ‘most popular’ startup locations. Through its Startup Policy, Goa seeks to support 100 early-stage enterprises’ success, over the following five years.

The state government is developing a thriving and long-lasting startup ecosystem by combining favourable rules, constructing necessary infrastructure, various financial and other incentives, and advancing human capital.

Goa has a great choice of co-working spaces that make for affordable and accessible shared workspaces for startups to work, collaborate and grow, such as FiiREWork, which has its co-working spaces in Fatorda, Margao, as well as in Panaji.

A startup ecosystem’s lifeline, accelerators and incubators are among the most significant institutions. Accelerators and incubators help startups accelerate their learning process but also help them avoid common mistakes made by new businesses and connect with the right people who can help them further. Goa features several incubation support players that span private, state, and academic initiatives, including FiiRE’s incubation centres at Don Bosco Engineering College in Margao and the Don Bosco High Secondary School in Panaji.

Goa’s entrepreneurial spirit is at an all-time high and is set to soar much higher as it generates value, jobs, and new opportunities. The state appears to be intentional and promising with implementing the brand-new Startup Policy. As Goa combines its resources to build the ideal startup ecosystem, a new era of startups is beginning. Goa is the clear choice for businesses looking to enjoy some time in the spotlight in more ways than one.

For the second edition of the Grand Challenge, FiiRE Goa partnered with Campus Fund, Arthayan, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to encourage India’s student population to be job creators rather than job seekers.

The Challenge’s goal was to change India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in a way that would support and encourage studentled enterprises. The top three applicants would have the opportunity to present their startup to the Investment Committee of Campus Fund for a 50 lakh investment. Student founders, graduates within the previous three years, and enterprising college dropouts with goals were eligible to apply.

Incubatees are continuously supported through the various stages of their business growth at FiiRE, which is housed in a 2500 sq mt space and furnished with a co-working space, labs for prototype testing, a cafeteria, conference rooms, and meeting rooms.

To uncover and support TourismTech startups that offer solutions to enhance visitor experiences and produce ideas that will progress the industry, FiiRE developed the Goa Tourism Accelerator Program.

For startup entrepreneurs who are developing strategies to future-proof travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, Goa Tourism Accelerator programme is a 16-week programme. The go-toadvertise process utilised to market their solution is improved with the help of this programme.

Additionally, new business owners can apply for government programmes that FiiRE administers after doing their due diligence and determining eligibility:

1. NIDHI-PRAYAS is a programme that offers to fund prototype ideas. Due to the lack of assistance for early-stage prototypes, many entrepreneurs and innovators lose interest in their technological projects. The NIDHI: Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Technology Entrepreneurs (NIDHIPRAYAS) programme, a preincubation project, helps young inventors create a proof-of-concept for their concepts. With this assistance, business owners may test their ideas without fear of failure, moving forward to the point where they have a finalised product and are prepared to speak with incubators about commercialisation.

It also enables the conversion of an original idea into a functional prototype

and generates new solutions that address local and global concerns. Encourage the creation of an innovative ecosystem, provide young people the opportunity to work on their new technology, knowledge, or innovationbased enterprises, and build a diversified network of innovators, academics, mentors, and investors.

2. The NIDHI-EIR Program provides opportunities such as advice on the business concept, strategy, or venture from seasoned, innovative, and highly successful entrepreneurs as well as insight into specific industries or markets, the best practices for starting a business and broadening the professional network, and co-working spaces for developing the idea into a marketable product.

To provide deserving and aspiring startup entrepreneurs with a prestigious platform where they can pursue their business ventures without taking on any additional risks associated with technologybased businesses.

The NIDHI-EIR Support Program’s goals are to encourage graduating students to pursue entrepreneurship by providing financial assistance through fellowships; build up and strengthening the incubator’s pipeline of entrepreneurs.

3. Startup India Seed Fund

Program: In addition, FiiRE administers the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) intends to support entrepreneurs in market entry, product testing, prototype creation, proof of concept, and commercialisation.

By doing so, these businesses would be able to develop to the point where they might look for funding from venture capitalists or angel investors or submit an application for a loan from commercial banks or other financial institutions.

4. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises will administer the PMEGP, a central sector programme (MoMSME). Its goals include creating new self-employment ventures, projects, and micro businesses, bringing together traditional artisans who are widely distributed and unemployed youngsters from rural and urban areas, and providing them access to selfemployment options, locally.

5. The Chief Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (CMRY)

Together with the Economic Development Corporation of Goa (EDC), the State Government launched CMRY to help young people without work. This project calls for the employment of all common people, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other members of the lower socioeconomic strata through government loans.

This program’s primary goal is to empower and educate unemployed young people. Introducing self-employment activities supported by institutional loans, financial support from the government, and income generation.

6. PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME)

The PMFME Scheme, a onestop shop for the food business, is currently gaining popularity nationwide.

It is a single, centrally funded initiative that seeks to address the challenges faced by microbusinesses, while primarily utilising the cooperative and group potential to aid in the growth and formalisation of businesses.

To make the most money available from the sale is the crucial goal. One of the essential components of this strategy is the capacity to grow the current micro-entrepreneurial community.

One of the significant facilitators in this process is FiiRE. FiiRE is an important TourismTech accelerator in the nation with a mission to assist emerging tourism technology entrepreneurs in taking off.

To help tech entrepreneurs design and scale innovations in the tourism industry across various market categories, including sustainability, mobility, and operational efficiency.

FiiRE, as a TourismTech Accelerator and incubator, promotes early-stage entrepreneurs by helping them develop and test their ideas. They also provide funding, knowledge, and access to the market so that they may try their inventions. FiiRE assists entrepreneurs in growing their businesses by providing them access to mentors, needs, and capital, emphasising accelerating innovative advances across many industries.

FiiRE can provide a strong foundation of industry knowledge because of its strong partnerships with organisations like BBRi (Big Blue Road (India) Pvt. Ltd.), a prominent provider of advisory services for the tourism, analytics, and technology industries.

Like the FiiRE-BBRi alliance FiiRE has also forged a few more powerful collaborations to strengthen its proposition and really empower TourismTech startups to scale and grow.

FiiRE’s focus has always been on simplifying startup innovation, whether it is through investor meetings, pitch clinics, workshops with industry experts and mentors in specialised business fields, or competitions and challenges meant to encourage entrepreneurs to show off their best abilities. Their approach towards first-time entrepreneurs starting their journey significantly provides the right conditions for growth and success