Business Bureau

WhatsApp has announced the launch of Meta Business Agent, an artificial intelligence-powered solution designed to help businesses engage with customers and manage operations round the clock, at the third edition of its annual Business Summit in Mumbai. The company also introduced the Meta Business Agent Platform for large enterprises, enabling them to build, customise and deploy AI-powered business agents at scale.Meta Business Agent is designed to deliver faster and more personalised customer experiences by answering business-specific queries, recommending products, booking appointments, qualifying leads, escalating conversations to human support when required and helping businesses close sales. The AI tool also provides…

B. Borooah College (Autonomous) will introduce the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) from the 2026–27 academic session, enabling students to earn both an undergraduate degree and a Bachelor of Education qualification through a single integrated course. The programme, to be conducted in partnership with Government Banikanta College of Teacher Education, will offer B.A. B.Ed. and B.Sc. B.Ed. dual-degree courses in line with ongoing national reforms in teacher education. The integrated programme will allow students to complete both qualifications within four years, reducing the duration by one academic year compared to pursuing the degrees separately. Graduates will be eligible to…

Kolkata's affordable housing market continued to show resilience in the first quarter of 2026, with residential sales rising 5 per cent year-on-year despite a broader slowdown across India's major housing markets. According to Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd., the city recorded sales of 4,043 residential units during the January-March quarter, supported by its status as one of the country's most affordable housing markets and an EMI-to-income ratio of 22 per cent. The sustained demand from first-time homebuyers, middle-income households and self-employed individuals has also strengthened the need for accessible housing finance. Against this backdrop, Aadhar Housing Finance will organisePradhanMantriAwasYojana (PMAY) Spot…

SBI Funds Management Ltd has announced that its maiden initial public offering (IPO) will open for public subscription on July 14 and close on July 16, with a price band fixed at Rs 545 to Rs 574 per equity share of face value Re 1. The anchor investor bidding will take place on July 13. Investors can bid for a minimum of 26 equity shares and in multiples of 26 thereafter. The IPO is entirely an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 203.71 million equity shares, with the total issue size estimated at around Rs 11,102 crore at the lower end…

BharathCloud, an Indian sovereign AI cloud service provider has unveiled 'Badal', its first-ever brand mascot, as part of its strategy to make cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies more accessible and relatable for businesses, institutions, start-ups and government organisations across the country. The company said the mascot symbolises sovereignty, trust, security and the spirit of Made in India, while simplifying conversations around cloud infrastructure and AI. The launch comes as BharathCloud expands its customer base and strategic partnerships across multiple sectors. "Cloud technology, including infrastructure, should never feel intimidating. With Badal, we are bringing a human face to BharathCloud and…

Dreame Technology has expanded its smart home portfolio in India with the launch of two new robotic vacuum cleaners—the Dreame L50 Plus and Dreame L50—targeting consumers seeking advanced home cleaning solutions at competitive prices. The products are priced at Rs 34,999 and Rs 27,999, respectively, and are available from July 6 through Amazon India and the company's official website. The new L50 Series features Dreame's 25,000Pa Vormax™ suction technology, dual-rotary mop pads with MopExtend™ technology, and a 10.5mm intelligent mop lift that automatically raises the mop pads while cleaning carpets. The devices also offer intelligent navigation, obstacle avoidance, anti-tangle brush…

IIMA Ventures, in partnership with SAP has launched the second cohort of the North East Growth Lab (NEGL), inviting applications from 25 high-potential startups and social enterprises across Northeast India to accelerate innovation and enterprise growth. The programme is open to entrepreneurs from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura working in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, climate, livelihoods, biotechnology, financial inclusion and deep technology. Selected ventures will receive mentorship, strategic guidance, investor access, market linkages and capacity-building support to help scale their businesses. The latest cohort builds on the success of previous editions, which have…

Rasna has strengthened its presence in India's fast-growing ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage segment with the nationwide launch of its Jumpin 1-litre Tetra Pak carton, targeting an estimated Rs 1,000 crore premium fruit nectar market. The family-size pack, priced at Rs 110, is fortified with 10 vitamins and minerals and will be available through modern retail, e-commerce, quick-commerce platforms and other retail channels across the country. The new range, available in Litchi, Mixed Fruit and Orange variants, complements Rasna's existing 125 ml and 200 ml packs. Manufactured in India under the 'Make in India' initiative using Tetra Pak packaging, the beverages are…

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. on Wednesday launched the Aerox E, its premium high-performance electric scooter developed in India, at an introductory price of Rs 2.81 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The scooter will be sold through Yamaha Blue Square Showrooms in select cities and is available in a single Bluish White Cocktail colour option. The launch marks another step in Yamaha's strategy to strengthen its electric vehicle portfolio and cater to the growing demand for premium urban mobility solutions. Built on Yamaha's Maxi Sports DNA, the Aerox E is powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) producing 9.4 kW…

Millennials now account for 55 per cent of India's C-suite, making them the largest generational group among senior executives, as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape leadership and decision-making, according to the latest research and platform data released by LinkedIn on Wednesday. The report said Millennial representation in India's C-suite has increased by 14.5 per cent over the past seven years, while leadership careers are becoming less linear. Executives with experience across multiple industries are rising, with single-industry experience among C-suite leaders falling from around 80 per cent to 58 per cent. AI is also becoming central to business leadership,…