Latest news with #AakashShah
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nikhil Kamath backs creative agency One Hand Clap
Entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath has invested in One Hand Clap Media , a creative agency founded by former All India Bakchod (AIB) executives Aakash Shah and Naveed Manakkodan . The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The investment is part of Kamath's broader effort to support India's creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo One Hand Clap is positioning itself as a partner of choice for Indian brands seeking digital-first, culturally relevant campaigns. With a focus on fast, efficient, and high-impact storytelling, the agency has worked with prominent brands such as Swiggy , Netflix India, BGMI, Bumble, CRED, Ather, EMotorad, and Prime Video India. Live Events The agency's work spans ad film production, digital campaign execution, and influencer marketing. 'Nikhil gets our DNA, and our visions align,' said Aakash Shah, co-founder of One Hand Clap. 'We both never cared for the status quo; we have always aimed to disrupt it, defy the metrics and algorithms to tell stories, not just campaigns for our clients." Co-founder Naveed Manakkodan added: 'Nikhil's investment validates our thesis that in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, speed and authentic storytelling are paramount. This partnership fuels our ambition to redefine the agency model, delivering impactful creative solutions with unparalleled agility."
United News of India
6 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
EEPC India holds open house session on India-US bilateral trade
New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) EEPC India, the country's apex engineering exports promotion body, on Friday held an Open House Session on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) here in which participating members shared that buyers in the US are delaying orders due to policy uncertainty, making it hard for businesses to plan and grow. Even as India and the US are holding bilateral trade agreement (BTA) talks, the US recently doubled tariffs under Section 232 — from 25 percent to 50 pc on steel, steel products, and aluminium. Auto components face a 25 pc duty, while other items are taxed at 10 pc. Unlike countries like Canada, Mexico, and the UK, India does not enjoy tariff exemptions from the US. This puts Indian exporters at a disadvantage, especially for low-margin products that are easily replaceable and sensitive to price changes, the speakers said. EEPC India chairman Pankaj Chadha, emphasised that while the BTA may take time, India must ensure that its final agreement is on par or better than those of other US trade partners. Aakash Shah, Vice Chairman of EEPC India, pointed out that India's penetration in the US engineering market remains low. India ranks only 13th among the US's engineering trade partners, with a modest 1.8 pc share. 'These small figures might offer India an opportunity to request more favourable trade terms under the ongoing BTA discussions to support its engineering exporters,' he noted. The aluminium industry raised concerns about high power costs in India, which make production expensive. In contrast, countries like Canada and those in Europe, which use cheaper renewable energy, can offer better prices and gain market share in the US. Producers in the Middle East, such as UAE and Bahrain, are also expanding rapidly. EEPC India members appreciated the Government's support in dealing with various challenges which hit the industry from time to time. Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce and India's Chief Negotiator for the BTA was the chief guest at the session. UNI PC SSP
United News of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Avaana Capital leads 1.2 million dollars seed round in High Time Foods
Bengaluru, May 8 (UNI) Avaana Capital, a venture capital fund backing deep-tech and frontier innovation, has led a USD 1.2 million seed round in High Time Foods, a food-tech startup offering cost-effective, shelf-stable plant-based protein solutions. Existing investors also participated in the round. The funding coincides with High Time Foods' official launch in India, where it aims to address the country's protein gap by building a climate-resilient, non-refrigerated, and versatile protein product line catering primarily to the institutional food sector. The Bengaluru-based startup had earlier secured a distribution deal with US-based Sysco, one of the world's largest foodservice providers, which it described as a significant global validation of its product innovation and operational efficiency. "With Avaana Capital backing us, my co-founder Damian and I are doubling down on our mission to deliver delicious and versatile plant-based protein to our B2B partners across India and beyond,' said Aakash Shah, Co-Founder and CEO, High Time Foods. "We're launching at a very affordable price point, and as we scale, we aim to be cheaper than conventional protein sources, including meat." The firm's offerings, designed for restaurants, hotels, caterers, institutions, and manufacturers, are intended to function as adaptable ingredients in diverse preparations, including Indian staples like samosas and kebabs. The company's early India operations include a partnership with Vasantha Bhavan, a 65-year-old restaurant chain with presence across Tamil Nadu and abroad. According to Avaana Capital's Investment Director Shruti Srivastava, 'High Time Foods is tackling one of the most urgent gaps in food systems today—affordable, scalable protein. Their shelf-stable innovation is built for real-world conditions, especially in markets where infrastructure can be a challenge.' Founded by MBA classmates Aakash Shah and Damian Felchlin, the company combines experience in foodservice, logistics, and international trade. Shah has previously co-founded a cloud kitchen venture and held leadership positions at Zomato, while Felchlin served as a Swiss Trade Commissioner in the United States. The fresh capital will be deployed for product development, hiring across R\\\\\\\\&D, culinary innovation and business operations, and expanding partnerships across India, the US, and emerging markets in the Global South. UNI BDN SSP
