MUMBAI, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NYUCT Design Labs, India’s first Venture Design and Experience Innovation Collective, announced the launch of Edible Ventures™, a first-of-its-kind, full stack Design and Development Cell for culinary ventures, restaurants and premium experiences.

This turnkey development cell works as a strategic growth partner with hospitality chains, founders or chef-entrepreneurs, brands and institutions, to design, build, launch, and scale food ventures, restaurant brands & experiences through an integrated, end-to-end approach.

With researchers, food scientists, product developers, menu engineers, architects & spatial designers, business designers, branding experts, experience designers, and a community of makers, Edible Ventures™ ensures that agile development of food ventures and brands is seen as a system design rather than as fragmented components. This ensures that the original ideas of founders and clients transform into profitable, desirable and scalable food businesses, without losing cultural depth, operational clarity, branding rigour or execution discipline.

An industry-focused, specialized cell, Edible Ventures™ is helmed by a team that has deep, hands-on experience. It is designed to help food investors, entrepreneurs & hospitality businesses move from intent to last mile business execution with an integrated cell that leaves nothing off the menu when building a food venture or reimagining it.

Edible Ventures™ is currently working with a spectrum of clients, including luxury hospitality chains, food entrepreneurs, and distillers, to develop unique experiences and brands. It is also engaged with a few state governments to help them in building capabilities in culinary tourism, revivalism of lost cuisines, and conceptualise unique visitor experiences around food, community & culture. Having venture designed for Himmaleh Distillery (Kumaon&I, Bandarful, Neoli, Darma), positioned and designed brands for luxury hospitality chains, incubated micro-ventures like Dongaon Local Ghee and currently incubating a social agro-led brand and venture at Ratnagiri with a community of 1000 women, the team considers food as not only a very valuable heritage of the country but also a means to unlock entrepreneurship.

Addressing structural gaps in the system, Edible Ventures™ works as a strategic growth and design partner in a format where sourcing, menus, operations, spaces, brand, experience, and economics are designed together rather than assembled in fragments.

“The business of food isn’t just about flavour or service. Edible Ventures is a unique, turnkey venture development cell to help food businesses and brands move from instinct-driven decisions to intentional, well-designed ventures and premium experiences. It’s about system design, and how original concepts & ideas can translate into high quality experiences and brands that drive growth and leverage our unique culinary heritage,” said Manojeet Bhujabal, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at NYUCT Design Labs.

Edible Ventures™ works as a strategic development partner with the following areas of focus:

1. Collaborates with large hospitality chains, real estate businesses to create and design new restaurant brands. innovations and experiences with an agile approach, supported by a maker community.
2. Enables food entrepreneurs and chef-preneurs to build, brand and scale right with professional expertise in product development, design, branding, marketing, digital applications and agile innovations.
3. Helps brands with market positioning & development, and creates innovations and experiences.
4. Helps state governments and tourism departments to develop strategic capabilities, shape their culinary heritage, build local brands and design experiences for visitors.

Unlike traditional consultants or creative houses, the work of Edible Ventures™ spans the full spectrum of a food venture – from product research, opportunity mapping and shaping concepts to aligning food-to-table realities, designing operations, branding and experience design, to building systems that can scale across formats, locations, or time.

Dr. Samir Mulaokar, Patron Chef, Operations Lead and Partner at Edible Ventures™, added, “A well-designed food venture doesn’t just launch. It builds an ecosystem of desire, authenticity, consistency, and repeatability. What’s often missing in the food and hospitality industry is continuity between idea, execution, and scale. Edible Ventures bridges that gap by integrating creative thinking with operational excellence and brand focus.”

With Edible Ventures, NYUCT Design Labs partners with founders and hospitality chains seeking to build new ventures and food experiences for longevity and scale. It is a specialized extension of NYUCT Design Labs’ Venture Design and Innovation practice, bringing the firm’s multidisciplinary, maker-led approach into the food and hospitality domain. NYUCT Design Labs has previously worked across ventures that intersected food, culture, experience design and brand development such as Outpost 12 in Kanha, Himmaleh Spirits and more. Its partners and leads have created luxury experiences and F&B brands that have wooed global audiences.

Says Partner and Hospitality Lead, Shifaali Sinha, who has led large-scale growth mandates at Taj, Marriott, and amã Stays & Trails, “We partner with founders and institutions building future-ready food businesses, shaping premium brands that are commercially robust, strategically positioned, and designed for long-term relevance.”

Food and dining are the new adventures, for both residents and travellers. The world over and including in India’s bustling metropolitan cities, a culinary revolution is unfolding with both large brands and startups reimagining the gastronomic landscape. From delectable snacks to artisanal beverages, and from hyperlocal restaurants to the revival of heritage cuisines, the entrepreneurial landscape is buzzing with ideas, local flavours and innovative experiences.

India’s food services market estimated at $66 billion is estimated to reach anywhere between $110- $125 billion by 2030 (Source: ‘How India Eats’ by Kearney). The Online Food Delivery market in India was estimated to be US$43.78bn in 2024 and projected at US$91.88bn by 2029 with expected CAGR for 2024-2029 of 15.98%.

Urban residents and food loving audiences with rising disposable incomes are looking at more premium food and dining experiences, rediscovering heritage cuisine and expecting more immersive restaurants. The addressable customer base is expected to grow to 43 crores from the current 34 crores. Such a large TAM, strong growth, surge in cloud kitchens and increasing penetration of distribution with players like delivery platforms (Zomato made 640 million deliveries across 800 cities in 2022-2023), makes this an extremely exciting investment space.

Be it luxury restaurants, new hospitality formats, local food brands, menu innovations, digital transformation or exceptional curated experiences and pop ups, the action is intense and the seek for new adventures is real.

Businesses or founders looking for the right strategic partner to design and develop their dream venture or brand can reach out to Edible Ventures™ at https://www.edibleventures.co/contact.html. 

For media inquiries, please contact wakeup@nyuct.com. 

For more information on Edible Ventures™ visit www.edibleventures.co.

About NYUCT Design Labs

NYUCT Design Labs is a full stack Design & Innovation firm, venture development studio and makers-community. For new ventures, experiences and futures.

It helps businesses, institutions & founders, transform exponential ideas into launch-ready ventures, brands, products, experiences, and platforms. From blueprint to launch.

Its work spans multiple sectors and industries including retail, luxury, finance, government, tourism, hospitality, real estate, travel and discovery, healthcare, lifestyle, and the impact sector.

Helmed by multidisciplinary professionals with a collective industry experience of more than 188 years, lived between a world of business and creativity, it understands both scale and agility. Along with a diverse makers community, it stays mission-central about unlocking innovation for forward thinking organizations and founders, helping them move from concept to market with clarity and speed.

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PATNA, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Japan, has announced the launch of a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on music education and livelihood creation. In partnership with Delhi-based non-profit organisation Manzil Mystics, the initiative aims to promote skill-based musical training and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for children and musicians from underserved communities.

As a company deeply rooted in the music industry through its Electronic Musical Instruments portfolio, Casio India has consistently championed the role of music in education and creativity. Building on this legacy, the newly launched initiative seeks to integrate structured music learning into community spaces and schools while enabling aspiring musicians to develop professional skills in the performing arts and media ecosystem.

Under this collaboration, the program will focus on providing structured musical training through Casio electronic keyboards, alongside curriculum-based modules designed to develop practical skills that can translate into future music education. The initiative will particularly target underprivileged students studying in government schools and young musicians from low-income communities, enabling them to access high-quality music education and professional development opportunities.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Takuto Kimura, Managing Director, Casio India, said, “At Casio, we believe that music has the power to inspire creativity, build confidence, and transform lives. Through this CSR initiative, we aim to make music education more accessible to children and young artists from underserved communities. By partnering with Manzil Mystics, we hope to nurture musical talent while creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to build sustainable careers in the creative industry.”

The event commenced with a welcome address for the Casio India leadership team and representatives from Manzil Mystics, followed by a felicitation ceremony recognising key contributors and educators associated with the initiative. The program highlighted the role of music as a powerful tool for learning and creative development among young students. As part of the event, Casio India also facilitated the students with instruments from its range of electronic musical keyboards, enabling them to begin their training and supporting the broader objective of promoting skill-based music education among children from underserved communities.

Through this initiative, Casio India aims to equip young learners with vocational skills in music, encourage creative expression, and support aspiring artists in pursuing sustainable careers as educators, performers, and creative professionals. The program also seeks to foster an inclusive ecosystem that celebrates India’s diverse musical traditions while preparing artists for opportunities in the country’s rapidly expanding media and entertainment industry.

About Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd:

Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd. (CIC) is the Indian subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Casio India has established a dynamic presence in the Indian market since 1996, emerging as a leading and cherished consumer goods manufacturer. Casio India’s range of products include sales and marketing of Timepieces, Electronic Musical Instruments, Desktop Calculators and Scientific Calculators.

Setting the benchmark for excellence, Casio India is dedicated to embodying the spirit of innovation and quality that defines the Casio legacy. With a strong commitment to its corporate creed of ‘creativity and contribution,’ Casio has consistently translated this ethos into the creation of innovative products making a positive impact on society.

For more information, visit https://www.casio.com/in/

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Launch of three programmes addressing critical AI talent shortage through accessible, practice-led learning in business analytics, strategic decision-making and cyber-resilient transformation

PLANO, Texas, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Simplilearn, a leading digital skills training provider, has partnered with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, to launch three AI-focused programmes for professionals leading AI integration within their organisations. The programmes – Oxford Programme in AI and Business Analytics; Oxford Programme in Strategic Analysis and Decision-Making with AI; and Oxford Programme in Cyber-Resilient Digital Transformation – are designed to address the widening AI talent gap and train leaders with the frameworks and technical fluency required to lead responsible AI integration at scale.

As artificial intelligence transforms industries at an unprecedented velocity, organisations face acute shortages of experienced professionals capable of translating AI capabilities into business value while managing associated risks. According to a recent McKinsey report, 88% of companies now use AI regularly in at least one business function, up from 78% last year, yet less than a third of executives feel their organisations have adequate AI talent to execute strategic initiatives effectively. These programmes address this critical gap by preparing professionals with the strategic frameworks, ethical considerations and practical implementation capabilities required to lead AI integration initiatives that deliver measurable business impact.

Speaking about the programmes, Kashyap Dalal, Co-founder and COO of Simplilearn, said: “AI has moved from experimental adoption to become foundational infrastructure across every sector, yet the leadership skills required to harness its potential responsibly remain scarce. Our partnership with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, reflects our commitment to making advanced AI education more accessible and bringing industry and academia closer together.

The curriculum is built to develop strategic judgement, governance frameworks and implementation capabilities to lead enterprise-wide AI transformation with confidence. As AI reshapes competitive dynamics and operational models, organisations need leaders who can translate analytics into strategy, integrate AI responsibly into decision-making frameworks and build cyber-resilient digital infrastructures. By making the School’s world-class faculty expertise accessible through flexible, online formats designed for professionals worldwide, we are addressing a critical market need while advancing our mission to develop future leaders who lead responsibly and effectively.”

The three programs collectively form a comprehensive AI leadership curriculum addressing complementary dimensions of AI-enabled business transformation:

• Oxford Programme in AI and Business Analytics focuses on translating descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics into strategic business decisions, preparing leaders to bridge the divide between data science and boardroom strategy through real-world case studies, including Hartford HealthCare and the Rialto e-commerce capstone project.
• The Oxford Programme in Strategic Analysis and Decision-Making with AI enables professionals to strengthen their strategic thinking capabilities by leveraging AI as a decision-support partner, exploring frameworks such as PESTEL analysis and Porter’s Five Forces and using generative AI tools for scenario planning, competitive analysis and evidence-based recommendation development.
• The Oxford Programme in Cyber-Resilient Digital Transformation addresses the critical imperative of embedding cyber-risk thinking into AI-powered enterprises, teaching leaders to evaluate emerging technologies, protect critical assets and communicate technology risks effectively at the board and executive levels.

Designed using evidence-based learning principles grounded in the Universal Design for Learning framework, the programme is developed by Oxford Saïd faculty and includes self-paced modules alongside live sessions that support applied learning and practical application. This approach offers flexibility for working professionals while maintaining strong academic rigour and practical relevance.

Commenting on the partnership, Rishad Lilani, Associate Director, Oxford Saïd Online, at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, said: “The collaboration with Simplilearn represents a strategic alignment between academic excellence and global accessibility in addressing responsible AI integration at an organisational level. Cybersecurity, strategic analytics and AI-driven decision-making are core leadership imperatives that require judgement, ethical frameworks and the confidence to navigate uncertainty. With these programmes, we are equipping leaders with the analytical rigour, human-in-the-loop oversight principles and cross-functional integration capabilities required to drive digital transformation that withstands executive and board-level scrutiny while creating measurable business value.”

Learners will earn a certificate of attendance from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, upon successful completion of the programme, subject to meeting the requirements outlined in the programme orientation module. They will also join the Oxford Saïd elumni community, a global network of over 50,000 professionals across more than 195 countries, with access to exclusive resources, events and opportunities.

These programmes are designed for professionals in strategic, leadership, or management roles. This includes business managers and functional leaders, strategy and transformation professionals, analytics and business intelligence leaders, consultants advising on AI-driven change, product and digital and technology leaders responsible for enterprise AI initiatives.

About Saïd Business School

Saïd Business School is a vibrant and innovative school, embedded within the University of Oxford, offering accredited degrees and diplomas for undergraduates and postgraduates and a broad portfolio of on-campus and online courses for business executives. The School educates global business leaders, change makers and innovators across every industry and sector. Its ground-breaking research and exceptional teaching transforms individuals, who transform businesses, which transforms the world and creates impact from within.

In partnership with Simplilearn, the School’s professional programmes are promoted and delivered to professionals worldwide through a high-quality digital learning experience. This partnership brings together Oxford’s academic excellence and Simplilearn’s digital learning strengths, offering a transformative and future-ready learning journey for aspiring leaders.

About Simplilearn

Founded in 2010, Simplilearn, a Blackstone portfolio company, is a global leader in digital upskilling, enabling learners across the globe with access to world-class training for individuals and businesses. Simplilearn offers 1,500+ live classes each month across 150+ countries, impacting over 8 million learners worldwide. Its programs are designed and delivered in collaboration with world-renowned universities, top corporations and leading industry bodies. From early-career professionals to managers, executives, small businesses and large enterprises, Simplilearn’s role-based, skill-focused, industry-recognized and globally relevant training programs provide ideal upskilling solutions for diverse career or business goals.

For more information, please visit www.simplilearn.com

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