Latest from Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
2 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath Invests in Creative Agency One Hand Clap Media
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has invested in One Hand Clap Media, a creative agency started by former AIB heads Aakash Shah and Naveed Manakkodan. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. One Hand Clap Media focuses on digital-first storytelling, producing ad films, creative campaigns, and managing digital mandates. The agency has worked with leading brands like Swiggy, Netflix India, CRED, BGMI, and Bumble. Speaking about the investment, Aakash Shah, Co-founder of One Hand Clap Media, said, "Nikhil gets our DNA, and our visions align. 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." With its roots in satire and digital media, the agency aims to challenge traditional models with bold, fast, and efficient creative work for digital platforms.
Entrepreneur
3 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Less Talk, More Action
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. By the time most companies have finished their Monday stand-ups, Rebecca Kelly is already shipping product. It's 2025, and the founder and CEO of VenueScanner, a London-based platform that helps people discover and book venues for events, meetings, and experiences across the UK, has traded bloated meeting schedules for real-time execution - and it's working. "This year, our strength lies in focus and pace," she says. "We've tightened our team structure, which has enabled us to scale sales more efficiently and bring new products to market faster than ever. The way we now operate - where ideas move directly from founder conversations to engineering sprints - is something that wouldn't have been possible a year ago." VenueScanner's transformation is a story of intentional subtraction. What's gone: unnecessary meetings, outdated processes, the myth of arriving at some perfect startup equilibrium. What's replaced it: speed, alignment, and a belief that less noise means more signal. "We've drastically cut down on meetings. It sounds small, but it's been transformational. By analysing the actual output of meetings, we realised how much time was being spent talking rather than building." Even Friday afternoons have been reimagined - no longer for admin catch-up or quiet quitting, but for experimentation and AI deep dives. "It's an investment in our people that's already paying off," Kelly explains. "The team's technical skills and creative thinking have massively improved, and it's fueling faster experimentation." Her clarity is refreshing in a sector still addicted to hype. Rather than aiming for elusive finish lines, Kelly has embraced a founder truth that often goes unspoken: "I used to believe there was a point where you 'get there.' But that's just not how startups work. The trick isn't reaching the end, it's staying in the game long enough - and staying grounded - to build something that lasts." In an era of AI acceleration and capital constraint, she believes the overlooked edge for UK founders is not vision, but execution. "We are brilliant at getting things done," she says, "and we do it with fewer resources and more constraints. That's an advantage in 2025." Kelly sees the next decade as a make-or-break moment for Britain's start-up ecosystem. Her vision? A truly borderless hub that rivals global tech capitals - not just with lifestyle perks, but with smarter infrastructure and policy. "If we want world-changing companies to emerge from the UK," she says, "we need to create an ecosystem that supports relentless innovation, rewards risk, and builds community around ambitious thinking." At VenueScanner, that future is already being prototyped - not through flashy headlines, but in how a small team moves faster, thinks deeper, and acts with conviction. A startup culture not just optimised for scale, but for staying power.
Entrepreneur
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Entrepreneur
Okinawa Autotech Secures INR 60 Cr from Existing Investor
Founded in 2015, Okinawa Autotech is an electric two-wheeler manufacturer with eight models, including PraisePro, iPraise+, Okhi-90, Ridge+, Lite, and R30, promoting sustainable mobility in India. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Okinawa Autotech has raised INR 60 crore (approximately USD 7 million) from its existing investor, Dhruv Khush Business Ventures. The investment comes at a crucial time as the company grapples with a sharp decline in revenue and market share. According to a filing with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Okinawa issued 23,51,000 equity shares at INR 255.21 per share. Founded in 2015 by Jeetender Sharma and Rupali Sharma, Okinawa Autotech was an early beneficiary of schemes like FAME and EMPS. However, it later faced scrutiny for importing parts instead of sourcing them locally, violating scheme guidelines. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has ordered the company to repay INR 116.84 crore disbursed under these schemes. Due to funding constraints, Okinawa told the court it was unable to maintain production. In FY24, the company's revenue dropped to INR 182.2 crore from INR 1,143.8 crore in FY23. However, losses narrowed to INR 52.1 crore in FY24 from INR 81.7 crore the previous year. Despite its current struggles, Okinawa competes with leading EV brands like Ola Electric and Ather Energy, which reported revenues of INR 4,514 crore and INR 2,255 crore respectively in FY25.
Entrepreneur
4 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Diageo India Acquires Majority Stake in Craft Spirits Maker NAO Spirits at INR 130 Cr Valuation
This strategic move will see NAO Spirits become a subsidiary of Diageo India, further solidifying the company's commitment to India's growing premium craft spirits segment. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Diageo India (United Spirits Limited) has announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in NAO Spirits and Beverages at an enterprise value of INR 130 crore (approx. USD 15.2 million USD). This strategic move will see NAO Spirits become a subsidiary of Diageo India, further solidifying the company's commitment to India's growing premium craft spirits segment. NAO Spirits, founded in 2017 by Anand Virmani, is the force behind acclaimed brands such as 'Greater Than', India's first London Dry Gin, and 'Hapusa', a Himalayan craft gin made with foraged juniper. The company expanded into the rum category in 2024 with the launch of 'PIPA', an aged, spiced Indian craft rum made from jaggery spirit. Praveen Someshwar, MD and CEO of Diageo India, said, "Ventures, Diageo India's investment arm, is dedicated to strengthening our portfolio by investing in disruptive alco-bev startups. The acquisition of NAO Spirits represents a pivotal step in exploring future growth opportunities in Indian craft spirits. We believe it is the right time to scale up NAO Spirits using Diageo's expertise, unlocking new avenues for distribution and production." NAO Spirits' founder, Anand Virmani, stated, "We are excited to be a part of the Diageo India family. This acquisition is a powerful validation of what we've always believed—that India can create great craft spirits. With Diageo's support, we can scale further while staying true to our identity and community. Our DNA remains unchanged, and we'll continue to be the pathbreakers." Diageo India, a leading alcobev player, has a wide portfolio including iconic global and Indian brands such as Johnnie Walker, McDowell's No.1, and Godawan single malt. With this acquisition, the company aims to further strengthen its premium offerings and cater to the evolving preferences of modern Indian consumers.
Entrepreneur
6 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Inside the UK's Nigerian Tech Boom
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Across the UK's innovative tech hotspots, a new generation of Nigerian tech professionals are shifting the paradigm and reshaping the future of the UK's digital economy, with determination, innovation and community. With a growing reputation as one of the most successful migrant communities in the world, Nigeria now ranks among the top contributors to the innovation boom in the UK. From leading teams at Wise, Deliveroo, BT Group and Innovate UK to founding cross-border start-ups tackling logistics, climate, and global financial inclusion, Nigerian tech professionals are silently climbing the ranks and curating a new narrative. One that speaks of resilience and technical brilliance. Several high-profile Nigerian owned companies such as Reach Robotics (Mekamon) have raised over $12m operating in the UK digital space, a clear indicator of the impact of this diaspora community on the economy. According to data from the Home Office, Nigerians ranked among the most successful applicants for the Global Talent Visa, a clear indication of the growing presence of skilled talent from one of Africa's fastest-growing tech ecosystems in the United Kingdom. A similar report from Tech Nation also shows Nigerians as having one of the rising demographics in the UK's tech migration, alongside countries like India and the USA. Nigeria has a young, tech-savvy population, with a median age of 18 years old. The country ranks among the top contributors to Africa's 700,000 developers, with many structured training programs equipping more with skills in artificial intelligence, cloud, cyber security and more disciplines. This unique blend makes Nigerian talent very attractive in the global talent pool. Combined with high English language proficiency and a strong cultural familiarity with the UK - rooted in historical ties - Nigerians are often well-positioned to integrate quickly and contribute meaningfully in professional environments across the United Kingdom and beyond. Another key factor that sets this diaspora community apart is how effectively they are able to translate their understanding of their own native technology ecosystem into the reality of living and working in the UK, a fluency that allows them to see what others might miss. And while platforms like LinkedIn may help in sculpting career paths, it follows that optimal connectivity and reliance are enhanced through diaspora communities such as Tech Nation Naija (TN Naija), a fast-growing network of Nigerian tech professionals in the UK digital space. Through peer mentorship, workshops and referrals, this network is quietly bridging the gaps between both ecosystems. Networks and communities such as these are becoming pipelines for UK technology companies seeking African talent and vice such, the rise of the Nigerian tech diaspora forces a rethink of global talent. In a world where borders are tightening, these diaspora professionals are showing that innovation thrives on the movement of people, knowledge and opportunity. For the UK, this presents access to one of the world's youngest and fastest growing tech talent ecosystems and for Nigeria, it presents an opportunity for the perspective of migration to no longer be deemed to be a brain drain but instead to be viewed as a brain gain, as capital and knowledge return to the country through mentorship and its diaspora networks. As the UK grapples with talent shortages and the need to diversify its tech workforce, the Nigerian diaspora offers a blueprint for not only innovation but also inclusion and integration. This quiet community may not always be at the forefront of the news cycle, but it undoubtedly has its hands on the future of the global tech ecosystem, shaping possibilities and influencing policies across the two countries.
