Leadership

AI Is Now Replacing CEOs: Coca-Cola & Walmart Leaders Step Down

James Quincey (of Coca-Cola) and Doug McMillon (of Walmart) have stepped down, saying it's the right time for new AI leadership.

Meta Platforms Slashes 700 Jobs While Expenses Surge Toward $169 Billion Mark

Meta reduces headcount while increasing spending on artificial intelligence and executive compensation in response to escalating technological competition. Even though it expects its expenditures to reach $169 billion by 2026, Meta has cut off almost 700 workers to speed up its investment in artificial intelligence. Amidst the company's

Bharti Family Office’s Hospitality and Dining Arm Appoints Rohan Pewekar as CEO

Bharti family office’s hospitality and dining arm has announced the appointment of Rohan Pewekar as the Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Rohan will drive the strategic direction and operations of the group’s restaurant business, which includes internationally acclaimed brands such as PizzaExpress, Chili’s, P.F. Chang’

FusionStays Raises INR 75 Lakhs in Pre-Seed Funding Led by Vruddhi Capital Kolkata, India

FusionStays, headquartered in Kolkata, an offbeat travel platform focused on verified, quality-assured stays, has raised INR 75 lakhs in Pre-Seed funding from Vruddhi Capital, Udupi, along with participation from angel investors. The fresh capital will be utilised to strengthen product development, accelerate geographical expansion, and invest in leadership team development

CorporateConnections India’s BHAF 2026 Powers High-Impact Entrepreneurial Collaboration in Surat

Surat emerged as the meeting point of India’s entrepreneurial leadership as CorporateConnections®️ India hosted BHAF 2026 – The Big Hairy Audacious Forum, bringing together over 250 prominent entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the country. The two-day flagship forum took place on 13–14 March 2026 at the Surat Marriott

Delhivery Appoints Ms. Neelam Dhawan as Independent Director and Board Chairperson

Delhivery has appointed Ms. Neelam Dhawan as a Non-Executive Independent Director, effective March 20, 2026. Ms. Dhawan will also be designated as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, effective April 1, 2026. She succeeds Mr. Deepak Kapoor, who is stepping down from the Board of Delhivery after a tenure

Beyond Code: How Amruta Kharnal Is Shaping a Future-Ready Beyond Key

From cloud computing to AI-led innovation, Beyond Key is helping businesses transform at scale. At the heart of this journey are women leaders driving change, building inclusive teams, and redefining what leadership in tech looks like.

Inside Wealth & Legacy: Sreepriya NS on Trust, Leadership, and the New Age of Family Offices in India

As women take charge of wealth, succession, and investment decisions, Sreepriya NS reveals how leadership in family offices is shifting from control to trust, redefining the future of wealth advisory in India.

From Self-Doubt to Self-Mastery: Veena Dhandhia’s Blueprint for Women Leaders

Veena Dhandhia explores the power of inner leadership in shaping women’s careers. From overcoming self-doubt to building confidence and resilience, she shares how self-mastery and mindset shifts can unlock true leadership and long-term professional growth.

How AppSquadz is Empowering Women in Tech: Priyanka Agrawal on Leadership & Inclusion

From mentorship to leadership, Priyanka Agrawal reveals how AppSquadz is empowering women in tech and creating opportunities in AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation.

Who Is Sadanand Date? MBBS Doctor-Turned IPS Officer Appointed SEBI Executive Director to Lead Market Investigations

India’s market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has appointed senior police officer Sadanand Date as its Executive Director, placing him in charge of the regulator’s crucial investigations department. The appointment marks a significant step in strengthening oversight of India’s capital markets as SEBI

Shantanu Narayen to Step Down as Adobe CEO After 18 Years

Shantanu Narayen, who has been the CEO of Adobe Inc. for 18 years, has decided to stand down. Consequently, signalling a significant change in leadership at the innovative software juggernaut as it faces increased competition in the age of artificial intelligence. Narayen will continue in his position until a replacement

Dr Premila Naidu on Building India’s Sensory-Friendly Paediatric Dental Clinics

Dr. Premila Naidu has been at the forefront of transforming paediatric dental care in India by creating child-friendly, sensory-sensitive clinical environments. As the founder of Small Bites and Dr. ToothLittle, she pioneered one of India’s first specialised chains of paediatric dental clinics designed specifically for children’s needs. In

Masuma Siddique on Building InkCraft Communications & Women in Leadership

Masuma Siddique, Founder and Chief Strategist at InkCraft Communications, has built her agency on a simple but powerful belief: brands don’t just need visibility, they need trust. In an era where content is everywhere but credibility is rare, she has focused on creating strategic narratives that help brands build

TCS Follows Accenture, Makes AI Adoption Key for Senior Leadership

Senior staff members at Tata Consultancy Services have been instructed to aggressively develop and test artificial intelligence solutions. Thus, indicating a stronger drive to incorporate AI into leadership responsibilities. During his speech at the Nasscom Technology Leadership Forum in Mumbai, CEO K Krithivasan advised top leaders to put theory aside

Microsoft’s Xbox Leadership Reshuffle Won’t Lead to Layoffs, Says Matt Booty

Matt Booty, Microsoft's recently hired chief content officer at Xbox, has assured staff that studio jobs will remain unaffected by the division's leadership shakeup. Booty attempted to assuage fears in an internal message to employees following a significant executive reorganisation. Long-time Xbox boss Phil Spencer retired

Amazon Dethrones Walmart After 13 Years at No. 1, Becomes World’s Largest Company by Annual Sales

Amazon has officially surpassed Walmart to become the world’s largest company by annual revenue, marking a major shift in global retail and technology leadership. The change follows Walmart’s latest full-year earnings announcement on 19 February 2026, which confirmed that its sales fell just short of Amazon’s previously

Salesforce Leadership Shake-Up: Six New Executives Appointed After Five Departures

After five high-profile senior executives left the company since December, Salesforce reshuffled its leadership ranks and promoted six new leaders. The media has reported that the moves involve both new hiring and promotions from inside. As part of its efforts to solidify leadership across critical divisions like Slack, Agentforce, and

Target to Cut 500 Jobs Under CEO Michael Fiddelke’s Operational Restructuring Plan

In an effort to streamline operations and re-establish sales momentum, newly installed chief executive Michael Fiddelke has decided to lay off around 500 people at Target. The layoffs are a component of a larger reorganisation that will provide store managers more power and streamline the retailer's store field

How the Father of Modern SEO Builds AI-Driven and Semantic Search Systems

ThatWare, an advanced AI-powered digital intelligence and SEO solutions company, today announces its continued leadership in building AI-driven and semantic search systems inspired by Dr. Tuhin Banik, widely recognized as the Father of Modern SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Through a system-based, intelligence-first approach, ThatWare is redefining how advanced SEO operates

Salesforce Quietly Lays Off Around 1,000 Employees as it Ramps Up AI Strategy

In the midst of a major leadership change and an increased emphasis on artificial intelligence, cloud software giant Salesforce has slashed 1,000 jobs across various teams in yet another wave of layoffs. Staff members in marketing, product management, data analytics, and positions associated with Salesforce's main artificial

Kroger Brings in Walmart Veteran Greg Foran as Its New CEO

- A year-long search for a CEO comes to a halt right at Greg Foran. - Kroger shares jumped 6% in premarket trade after the news made headlines. - The company is hoping to compete with Walmart under his leadership.

Eternal Confirms CEO Change: Deepinder Goyal Passes Leadership to Dhindsa

The leadership shift that was announced last month has been finalised with the official confirmation of co-founder Deepinder Goyal's resignation as managing director, chief executive officer, and director by Eternal Ltd (formerly Zomato Ltd). On February 6, the company complied with SEBI's listing criteria and notified

Elevate Now raises ₹18 Crore seed funding to build India’s first clinical weight loss platform

Elevate Now, a doctor-led, root-cause-driven clinical weight loss platform, has raised ₹18 crore in seed funding, led by Physis Capital, with participation from Inflection Point Ventures and Titan Capital. The company was founded in November 2022 by Suryansh Kumar, an IIT Bombay and ISB graduate with over two decades of

Loop AI Raises $14M Series A

Loop AI, the enterprise-grade AI platform purpose-built for the restaurant and retail back office, today announced its $14M Series A funding round. The round was led by Nyca Partners with participation from prominent investors Gokul Rajaram, Base10, Afore Capital, Converge, Alumni Ventures, Data Tech Fund, John Pepper, 9Yards Capital and

Apple Faces Brain Drain as AI Researchers, Siri Leader Depart

Along with a senior Siri executive, Apple Inc. has lost at least four additional AI researchers in recent weeks. The employees have left for companies like Google DeepMind and Meta Platforms Inc. Yinfei Yang, Haoxuan You, Bailin Wang, and Zirui Wang are among the most recent departures. According to various

Arvind Krishna: Leading IBM’s Tech-Driven Future

In a technology landscape dominated by hype cycles and short-term bets, Arvind Krishna represents a different kind of leadership, measured, deeply technical, and future-focused. As Chairman and CEO of IBM, Krishna is steering the 100+-year-old enterprise through one of its most important transformations, doubling down on hybrid cloud, artificial

Ashok Kularia of ANJ Group on Design & Build Leadership, Future-Ready Workspaces, and Execution-Driven Growth

StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Ashok Kularia, Managing Director of ANJ Group, who reflects

Ranjan Agarwal of Collectedge on Building a Compliance-First Collections Platform, Scalable Recoveries, and the Future of India’s Credit Infrastructure

StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Mr. Ranjan Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of

Who Is Beth Galetti? Amazon’s HR Leader Behind the Layoff Announcement

Beth Galetti is a senior executive at Amazon, serving as the Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology, the company’s top human resources (HR) role. She is the executive who communicated the company’s decision to cut around 16,000 corporate jobs worldwide in January 2026. As head

Neha Mohanty of StarFishGlobal Communications on Strategy-First PR, Narrative Intelligence, and Trust in the AI Era

StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Neha Mohanty, Founder and Director of StarFishGlobal Communications LLP,

Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 28th January 2026: TakeTwo, AquaAirX, Agrani Labs Raise Capital; Flipkart Strengthens Leadership & Nike Cuts Jobs

India’s startup ecosystem saw steady momentum on 28th January 2026, with funding flowing into AI, deep-tech, clean-tech, aerospace, and health-focused consumer brands. Early-stage investments dominated the day, signaling continued investor confidence in emerging technologies and innovation-led businesses. From AI-powered film production and semiconductor design to autonomous robotics and sustainable

Ratish Pandey of Ethique Advisory on People-First Business Coaching, Brian Tracy Solutions Integration, and Building Execution-Driven Leadership Cultures

StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Ratish Pandey, Business Coach and Founder of Ethique Advisory,

Avinash Godkhindi of Zaggle on Building a Unified Spend Management Platform, AI-Led Finance Automation, and Scaling B2B FinTech-SaaS in India

StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Avinash Godkhindi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of

Ola Electric CFO Harish Abichandani Resigns, Rastogi Takes Over Company Confirms

The chief financial officer (CFO) of Ola Electric, a manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs), Harish Abichandani, has resigned. He resigned for "personal reasons". The listed electric two-wheeler (E2W) manufacturer also announced the appointment of former Puravankara (real estate developer) executive Deepak Rastogi as the new CFO in a

Mohit Jajoo of BKJ Airports on Fixing Ground Handling Bottlenecks in Regional Aviation

In this exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, conducted on the occasion of National Startup Day, Mohit Jajoo, Executive Director of BKJ Airports, shares how infrastructure-led startups are quietly solving some of the most critical bottlenecks in India’s regional aviation ecosystem. Drawing from BKJ Airports’ on-ground experience across Tier-2 and Tier-3

Kayess Square Raises ₹10 Crore in a Landmark Client and Leadership-Led Funding Round

Kayess Square Consulting Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based finance, risk, governance, and transaction advisory firm, has raised ₹10 crore in a strategic funding round led entirely by its long-standing clients and senior leadership team. What sets this round apart is its composition: 100 per cent of the capital has come from

Air India Looks to Replace CEO Campbell Wilson as Safety Concerns Mount After June Crash

According to The Economic Times, Tata Sons has started considering a potential leadership transition at its airline division; therefore, Air India might soon have a new CEO. According to the report, the group has discussed its top management structure with senior executives from major international airlines. According to those cited

TCS Reboots Strategy for an AI-Led Future, Says COO Aarthi Subramanian

As the IT services industry undergoes its largest technological revolution to date, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has started a comprehensive internal and market-facing reset to get ready for a future driven by artificial intelligence. The increased effort is indicative of a fundamental change in the adoption of AI, which has

Rolls-Royce Eyes Jet Engine and Naval Opportunities as it Plans India Expansion

In keeping with a strategy to fully realise the potential of prospects across a range of domains, including jet engines, naval propulsion, land systems, and advanced engineering, British aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce announced on Sunday that it is considering making India its third "home market" outside of the UK.

American CEO Graham Walker Distributes $240 Million in Employee Bonuses After $1.7 Billion Company Sale

An American business owner has made global headlines by sharing a large portion of the proceeds from the sale of his company with his employees, in a move described by many as rare and life-changing. Graham Walker, the former chief executive of Fibrebond, distributed around $240 million (approx INR 2,

Varun Arora of EkoStay on Redefining Premium Homestays, Experience-Driven Travel, and Building Scalable Alternative Hospitality

StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Varun Arora, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of EkoStay,

How Telegram Built a Billion-Dollar Empire with Just 30 Employees

Telegram is a messaging app with over 1 billion users and a $30+ billion valuation. Amazingly, its core team is only about 30 people. There is no big campus and no HR department – just a flat, global team led by founder Pavel Durov.  How can a tiny team power a

Starbucks Appoints Anand Varadarajan, Amazon Veteran, as Chief Technology Officer

In order to head its global IT operations, Starbucks has named Anand Varadarajan, a technology expert of Indian descent, as its new executive vice president and chief technology officer (CTO). Varadarajan has worked for Amazon for almost two decades. According to Starbucks, Varadarajan will assume leadership on January 19, become

Thyrocare Appoints Dr Ramesh Kinha as Chief Operating Officer

Thyrocare Technologies Limited (hereinafter referred to as “Thyrocare” NSE: THYROCARE, BSE: 539871), a leading healthcare diagnostics company, has appointed Dr Ramesh Kinha as its Chief Operating Officer, further strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to scale its operations across India.  Dr Kinha is a seasoned healthcare and diagnostics

TCS AI Revenue Hits $1.5 Billion, Grows 16% QoQ, Says CEO

As the largest IT services company in the nation intensifies its efforts to become an AI-led organisation, Tata Consultancy Services has revealed for the first time that its artificial intelligence division has crossed $1.5 billion in annualised revenue, gaining 16% quarter over quarter. Chief executive K Krithivasan stated during

Maruti Suzuki to Gradually Localise EV Components as Electric Push Gathers Pace

In order to improve the nation's whole EV ecosystem, Maruti Suzuki India intends to localise battery manufacture and other essential components over the coming years. In an effort to boost the EV ecosystem as a whole, the firm intends to inspire confidence in consumers by introducing its first

Hanisha Gandhi on Modernising Gifting & Reinventing Archies with Emotion-Led Innovation

As India’s gifting culture evolves and emotional expression takes new formats in a digital-first world, legacy brands are reimagining themselves for the next generation. In this interaction with StartupTalky, Hanisha Gandhi, Executive Director of Archies, talks about leading the iconic 46-year-old brand as its first woman and first non-family

India’s Female Founder Wave: What 2025 Revealed About Breaking Biases in Business

This article has been contributed by Ms. Upasana Sharma, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR If you spent enough time around founder events in 2025, especially the casual ones in coworking spaces where people talked more freely, you would have sensed something shifting. It wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t packaged

How Enterprise Tech Can Reduce Workplace Stress: Lessons From Building CRM, ERP & WMS Systems at Scale

This article has been contributed by Mr Veerendra Jamdade, Founder & CEO of Vritti Solutions Ltd One of the most ongoing problems facing organisations today is Workplace Stress. Companies typically spend time and effort developing culture, policies, and leadership styles to mitigate stress in their workplace; however, workplace stress often

Vikram Bajaj – Co-CEO with Jeff Bezos in AI Startup

Vikram Bajaj was never meant to be the centre of global tech attention. He built his reputation quietly inside labs and research institutes. Now he stands beside Jeff Bezos as co-CEO of Project Prometheus. The sudden rise has triggered intense curiosity across the tech world.  Why did Bezos choose a

What Entrepreneurs Learn About Themselves When Scaling Their Business

This article has been contributed by Tarun Dua, Founder and Managing Director of E2E Networks Scaling a company is an endeavor deeply rooted in leadership rather than in business mechanics alone. The individual who passionately ignites the venture is fundamentally not the same person who must steward it to maturity.

Morphle Labs Raises $5 Million Series A Funding from Inflexor Ventures to Revolutionise Cancer Diagnostics with Physical AI

Funding to accelerate Morphle Labs' market & team expansion, scale manufacturing, and deepen tech & IP leadership.

TotalEnergies to Divest 6% Holding in Adani Green Energy Amid Strategy Shift

According to many media sources, TotalEnergies is getting ready to sell up to 6% of Adani Green Energy (AGEL). Through two companies, TotalEnergies Renewables Indian Ocean Ltd (15.58%) and TotalEnergies Solar Wind Indian Ocean Ltd (3.41%), the French energy giant presently owns nearly 19% of the Adani Group&

How Rural Entrepreneurs Are Embracing Digital Finance for Growth

This article has been contributed by Mr. Amit Nigam, Executive Director & CEO of FindiBANKIT  Every financial inclusion initiative in India has followed the same playbook: build the infrastructure, expand the bank branches, deploy more ATMs, create better apps, and adoption will follow. Yet for decades, rural India remained stubbornly

Axirium Aerospace Raises USD 3.5 Mn Seed Funding to Deepen Inroads into the Global Aerospace Supply Chain Market

Axirium Aerospace has raised USD 3.5 Mn in seed funding led by Shastra VC and BEENEXT, with participation from angel investors including Ashish Gupta (Ex-MD & Co-founder, Helion Advisors) and PVS Raju (Vice Chairman, AIG Hospitals). The investment will support Axirium in building advanced precision-manufacturing capabilities, expanding engineering talent,

Apple Accelerates Search for Tim Cook’s Successor as Leadership Shift Looms

According to a Financial Times report, Apple is intensifying its succession planning efforts in anticipation of Tim Cook's resignation as the company's CEO as early as next year. According to multiple media reports that cite many people with knowledge of the talks, John Ternus, Apple'

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon to Retire, John Furner Named Successor

Walmart has announced that its long-time Chief Executive Officer, Doug McMillon, will retire on 31 January 2026, marking the end of his more than a decade‑long leadership. McMillon, aged 59, first joined Walmart in his youth, working as an hourly associate. Over the years, he climbed the ranks to

Paramount Cuts 1,600 Jobs Amid Leadership Overhaul Led by David Ellison

After combining his production company, Skydance Media, with Paramount in August in an $8-billion deal that removed the Redstone family from the entertainment industry, David Ellison, the chairman and CEO of Paramount, spoke directly to Wall Street for the first time on the conference call with analysts on November 10.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Hit by INR 2.16 Crore Cyber Fraud After Hackers Spoof Executive Email

According to a Moneycontrol report citing a formal complaint submitted to the Bengaluru City Cyber Crime Police on November 5, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd reportedly lost INR 2.16 crore in a cyber fraud in which hackers stole money by posing as a Group Pharmaceuticals executive. Mahesh Babu

Kingshuk Mitra Quits JioStar to Launch His Own Startup Venture

Kingshuk Mitra has announced his departure from JioStar to start an independent business aimed at fusing creativity and technology. He was in charge of impact properties, agency partnerships, measurement, and branded content. Having held senior leadership positions at WPP, Disney, and JioStar during her more than 20-year career, Mitra has

Vertiv to Acquire PurgeRite for $1 Billion to Expand Liquid Cooling Services Portfolio

The planned acquisition is set to boost Vertiv’s leadership in next-generation thermal management for AI and high-density data centres.

Interview with Fintech Visionary Manish Baranwal: The Indian Technologist Powering Global Payment Transformations

New Delhi [India], November 4: From building SEPA and HVPS+ systems across Europe to modernising the UK’s Faster Payments infrastructure, Manish Baranwal represents India’s growing influence in global fintech innovation and leadership. Q1: Manish, your fintech journey spans continents and core infrastructure. What first sparked your path into

AI-Driven Staffing Firm Tryfacta Set to File for $150 Million IPO at GIFT City

Under the leadership of Adesh Kumar Tyagi, Tryfacta Inc., a US-based AI-driven staffing and technology solutions firm, is preparing to file draft papers for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) aimed at raising between $100 and $150 million on the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) exchange. The filing is expected

Philipp Navratil: The Nestlé CEO shaking up the Company's Strategy

When a leadership shake-up suddenly happens at a powerhouse like Nestlé, there is tension created in the business world. After the unexpected departure of Laurent Fréixe in early 2025, Philipp Navratil stepped into the top job role that highlights both his 20 years of experience and Nestlé’s faith in

Kiran Deshpande: The Tech Mahindra Veteran and Mojo Networks Co-founder

When you hear the name Kiran Deshpande, you may only think of his popular son, Shantanu. But Kiran's own story in India's technology world is no less inspiring and filled with innovation and bold leadership. From the study of engineering at BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay,

Meta Lays Off 600 Employees from its AI Unit as Wang Strengthens Leadership

A spokeswoman confirmed to CNBC on 22 October that Meta will lay off some 600 workers in its artificial intelligence division as part of its efforts to streamline operations and cut layers. Alexandr Wang, the company's chief AI officer, who was brought on board in June as part

ChatGPT Not Ready, Warns Airbnb CEO Amid AI Integration Talks

Brian Chesky, the Chief Executive of Airbnb Inc., stated that the company's online travel app was not yet integrated with OpenAI's ChatGPT due to the startup's connective tools not being "quite ready". In an interview, Chesky stated that Airbnb will keep an

The Data-to-Decision Journey: How Cloud and Analytics Are Rewiring Enterprise Agility

This article has been contributed by Mr Amol Date, CRPO of Loyalty Division at Vernost Tech Ventures Scale no longer secures leadership alone. In a landscape shaped by rapid change and rising customer expectations, the organisations that lead are those that move decisively, learn fast, and evolve constantly. True competitiveness

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Earns Record $96.5 Million as AI Drives Growth

For the fiscal year 2024–2025, Microsoft Corporation Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella received a pay increase to $96.5 million, the biggest since taking over the position more than ten years ago. According to Bloomberg, the board credited the rise to the business's advancements in artificial intelligence

Chopard to Strengthen India Presence with Two New Luxury Jewellery Boutiques by 2026

Two new stores are scheduled to open in India next year as part of the Swiss luxury brand Chopard's efforts to increase its high jewellery presence in the nation, according to a company executive. India has a rich cultural heritage in jewels, according to Caroline Scheufele, co-president and

Thomas Kurian: How He Quietly Turned Google Cloud into an AI Powerhouse?

When Thomas Kurian stepped into Google Cloud’s corner office in early 2019, some people expected the quiet executive from Oracle to spark such a turnaround. Drawing on more than two decades at Oracle, Kurian brought structure to a division once known more for its potential than its profits.  Under

Bira 91 Employees Demand Ouster of Founder Ankur Jain

More than 250 workers at B9 Beverages, the firm that makes Bira 91 speciality beer, have demanded that founder Ankur Jain be fired from management and that the company's leadership be changed. The workers petitioned the company's board, the biggest lender, Anicut Capital, and significant investors,

Telefonica to Cut 6,000 Jobs in 2025 Amid Restructuring Plans

As the Spanish telecom juggernaut prepares for a comprehensive strategy overhaul in November, Telefónica is thinking of laying off up to 7,000 employees. Although the business has not yet finalised the details, a Reuters official and internal sources both say that staff reductions are being considered. On November 4,

Microsoft Relieves CEO Satya Nadella of Key Duties to Focus on AI Strategy

In an effort to free up CEO Satya Nadella and his engineering executives to focus on technical innovation, especially in artificial intelligence, Microsoft is reorganising its senior leadership team. Long-time sales boss Judson Althoff will now be in charge of marketing and operations. On October 1, Nadella sent out an

From Materials to Chips: Building the Chemical & Material Backbone of India’s Semiconductor Future

This article has been contributed by Deven Shah, Chief Executive Officer & Whole Time Director of Jyoti Global Plast The global semiconductor race is often described through the lens of billion-dollar fabrication plants, lithography machines and export controls. Yet, behind the gleaming cleanrooms lies a quieter contest, over who controls

boAt Deepens Leadership Bench to Power Next Phase of Growth, elevates Gaurav Nayyar as CEO

Imagine Marketing Limited (IML) brand owner of the mark "boAt", India’s leading audio & wearables brand, co-founded by Aman Gupta & Sameer Mehta, today announced that the Board of Directors has approved the elevation of Gaurav Nayyar to the position of Chief Executive Officer.  This leadership transition

Samira Gupta on Executive Presence: Practical Strategies and Inner Growth for Modern Leaders

In this exclusive virtual conversation with StartupTalky, Samira Gupta, Executive Presence, Leadership Communication & Life Coach, shares her personal and professional journey. She discusses the life lessons that enabled her career pivots, the essentials of executive presence, transformative practical strategies, and why leadership goes beyond titles. Gupta also elaborates on

From Boardrooms to Earbuds: How Leaders Can Build Influence Through Podcasts

This article has been contributed by Puneet Gulati, Founder & Promoter at Tecsox In today's fast-moving digital world, leadership persuasion is no longer done only in boardrooms, with annual reports, and slick keynote speeches. The science behind how leaders relate to people has changed and has found one

Why Podcasts Are the New Boardrooms for Leaders

This article has been contributed by Keshav Maheshwari, Managing Director of ALLEN Career Institute Overseas There was a time when leadership communication happened strictly behind closed doors. Boardrooms, annual town halls, maybe a keynote at a business conference and these were often the only platforms or opportunities where leaders addressed

Katyayani's Resilience: How Women Entrepreneurs Channel Determination in Business

In our sixth story, we look at Katyayani, the fearless warrior goddess who defeated Mahishasura. As the sixth of the Navadurgas celebrated during Navratri, she symbolises courage, determination, and resilience. Much like Katyayani, women entrepreneurs often face tough challenges and moments of uncertainty. Yet, it’s their resilience and determination

Larry Ellison’s Promise to Give Away 95% of His Fortune. Where’s the Money Going?

Unlike others, Larry Ellison has his own way of giving back. The Ellison Institute of Technology (Ellison's charity project) is now facing leadership issues...

Indian-Origin Leaders Rise: Srinivas Gopalan and Rahul Goyal Named CEOs of US Giants Amid H-1B Visa Fee Surge

Two significant US firms have promoted executives of Indian descent to their top leadership positions at a time when the country is embroiled in intense controversy over President Donald Trump's decision to charge a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications. Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced

Oracle Appoints Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as Co-CEOs in Major Leadership Shakeup

Oracle replaced Safra Catz, who played a key role in developing the company's cloud strategy and propelling it to the forefront of the ongoing AI boom with significant contract wins, with insiders Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as co-CEOs on September 22. During her 11 years in charge,

Cipla CEO Umang Vohra to Step Down, COO Achin Gupta Likely Successor

Cipla, one of India’s top pharmaceutical companies, is set for a leadership change. According to a Mint exclusive, Umang Vohra, the current Managing Director and Global CEO, is expected to step down by the end of fiscal year 2026. Achin Gupta, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, is likely

SEBI Eases Rules for Foreign Investors and IPOs to Boost Market Participation

SEBI announced changes on 12 September that will eliminate redundant paperwork for low-risk foreign investors such as sovereign wealth funds, central banks, and retail funds, and loosen minimum dilution requirements for IPO-bound businesses. The easing coincides with an increase in international outflows, which are being fuelled by high US tariffs,

List of Vidit Aatrey Investments: Companies Backed by Meesho’s Visionary CEO

E-commerce has changed the way people shop online in India. Leading this change is Vidit Aatrey, the co-founder and CEO of Meesho. With his vision, Meesho has grown into one of the country’s top online shopping platforms, helping millions of small businesses and entrepreneurs. An IIT Delhi graduate, Vidit

Government to Fast-Track Next Round of India Semiconductor Mission to Boost Chip Manufacturing

At the recently finished Semicon 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a roundtable conversation with executives from the global semiconductor sector, during which the industry shared their thoughts on the current projects and suggestions for the next iteration. During the last roundtable, one executive involved in the discussions told

Venture Catalysts Group Raises INR 150 Crore to Scale Multi‑Stage VC Platform

Round backed by public‑market veterans, corporates and Bollywood family offices; capital earmarked for leadership hires, AI‑driven tools and deeper presence across India.

Freshworks Founder Girish Mathrubootham to Step Down from Company

The founder of Freshworks, Girish Mathrubootham, who oversaw the company from its founding in 2010 to its initial public offering (IPO) in 2021, announced that he would leave the company as executive chairman on December 1, 2025. Why Girish Mathrubootham is Stepping Down? As he turns his attention to his

Why Meta’s Top AI Talent Is Walking Away: Chaya Nayak Quits to Join OpenAI

After 9 years, Meta's long-time executive (AI Researcher) Chaya Nayak exits. This is the 4th within a month. Is Meta struggling to keep its top talent? Learn more.

Raghav Gupta: The New Face of OpenAI’s Education Push in India

Nowadays, digital classrooms are starting to replace traditional classrooms as technology is stepping in to take over what were once considered impossible to bridge. Amid this transformation, but little did they know, OpenAI had made a bold move by appointing Raghav Gupta as the Head of Education for India and

IndiaAI to Procure 3,800+ GPUs in Third Tender to Boost AI Infrastructure

In the third round, the IndiaAI Mission plans to add over 3,850 graphics processing units (GPUs) to increase its GPU capabilities. Abhishek Singh, the chief executive of the IndiaAI Mission, was quoted in an ET report as saying that IndiaAI possesses 1,050 Google Trillium tensor processing units (TPUs)

Who is Shailesh Jejurikar? Procter & Gamble’s New Indian-Origin CEO

In what can only be called a strategic move in global corporate leadership, Procter & Gamble (P&G) recently announced that Mr. Shailesh G. Jejurikar will be taking over as the company’s President and CEO from 1st January 2026. As the current COO (Chief Operating Officer), this landmark

How HR and Leadership Teams Turn Independence Day into a Culture-Building Moment

This article has been contributed by  Ms. Hemalatha R, Co-Founder and CHRO- Sekel Tech Independence Day is a celebration of our nation’s freedom and it is also a reminder to us of the freedoms we need to nurture albeit responsibly and cultivate the same in our workplace: the freedom

AI Collapse of Middle Class by 2027: Ex-Google Exec Mo Gawdat Warns of White-Collar Job Loss

Former Google executive Mo Gawdat issued a warning on the Diary of a CEO podcast, stating that middle-class livelihoods would soon be destroyed by artificial intelligence (AI). He predicted that automation driven by AI would end all occupations, from podcasters to software engineers and CEOs, and that the disruption would

Truworth Wellness Appoints Khurshed Dordi to Board of Directors to Accelerate Strategic Growth and Deepen Client Value

Veteran CXO brings 30+ years of global leadership to guide Truworth’s strategic growth and wellness innovation. Truworth Wellness, a leading provider of holistic corporate wellness solutions, today announced the appointment of Khurshed Dordi to its Board of Directors. With over three decades of leadership experience across global banking, financial

Acko Marketing Strategy: Smart Digital Campaigns, Ads & Growth Tactics Explained

Acko is a digital-first, direct-to-consumer insurance company founded in 2016 by Varun Dua, Chief Executive Officer. Acko operates technology and services platforms focusing on delivering exceptional customer experiences. The company is driven by its unwavering commitment to creating superior value propositions for customers and enhancing engagement.  In September 2017, Acko

The Story of Rakesh Gangwal: From Aviation Executive to Billionaire Co-founder of IndiGo

Rakesh Gangwal, the Indian-American billionaire who co-founded InterGlobe Aviation, transformed India's aviation landscape by building IndiGo into the nation's dominant low-cost carrier and a rare profitable airline in a challenging industry.  The co-founder of IndiGo engineered one of the sector’s most remarkable success stories, turning

Analysts Warn: Apple Needs New CEO to Stay in the AI Race

According to observers, Apple may need a new CEO in order to avoid falling victim to AI. According to analysts Walter Piecyk and Joe Galone of LightShed Partners, Apple needs a CEO who is focused on products, even if Tim Cook, the company's current CEO, has brought operational