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Standard Chartered and Dun & Bradstreet launch Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index

MUMBAI, India, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Standard Chartered Bank and Dun & Bradstreet, a global leader in business decisioning data and analytics, today released the first-ever edition of Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index (WEOI). The composite Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index for Q4 2024 stood at 68.93 (up by 97 basis points from 67.90 in Q3 2024), indicating that women entrepreneurs had anticipated improved prospects in the last quarter of 2024.

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The WEOI has been launched as part of the SC WIN – the Women’s International Network programme of Standard Chartered Bank that supports women-led businesses with funding, cash management, dedicated managers, and a community for supporting them in their growth journey.

This first-of-its-kind index is based on a survey of more than 200 women entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries and cities, and presents effective insights into the outlook, opportunities and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. It focusses on five key dimensions that shape women entrepreneurs’ confidence: business performance, access to finance, skill development, digital adoption, and support of government policies along with personal and professional networks.

Some of the key findings of the survey are:

  • Thriving business confidence among women entrepreneurs can be attributed to the projected increase in domestic orders, which in turn reflects buoyant demand for their products and services in domestic markets.
  • Women entrepreneurs in Tier 1 cities were more optimistic than those in Tier 2 cities, especially regarding digital adoption and confidence in their skills.
  • Entrepreneurs in health services and those engaged in production of basic and intermediate goods exhibited lower optimism, and those in consumer goods sector seemed to be most optimistic about Q4 2024.
  • In Q4 2024, 64% of the women business owners surveyed expressed interest to digitise their business operations – including Financial Management – to modernise processes and improve efficiency.
  • With the goal of expanding customer base, they also displayed strong preference towards investing in tech tools, with 70% women entrepreneurs planning to invest more on digital tools and processes for customer acquisition in Q4 2024.
  • For growing their business, women business leaders placed topmost importance on leadership and management skills, along with an entrepreneurial mindset.
  • There is also a growing demand for government-backed skill development programs and support initiatives, with 2 in every 5 conveying optimism about the value of these resources.
  • 71% women entrepreneurs did not expect to find access to finance easy.

Launching the WEOI Q4 2024 report, Aditya Mandloi, Managing Director, Head, Wealth and Retail Banking, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “Women entrepreneurs are a powerful force in India’s business landscape, yet systemic barriers continue to hinder their progress. SC WIN reflects Standard Chartered’s commitment to breaking these barriers by equipping women with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. The Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index further reinforces this commitment, providing data-driven insights to shape policies and initiatives that drive meaningful change.”

Avinash Gupta, Managing Director & CEO – India, Dun & Bradstreet, said, “The Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index is an essential resource for policymakers, financial institutions, and other key players to create strategies that help women entrepreneurs thrive as it pinpoints factors that either boost or hinder growth. The Index is expected to serve as a barometer to gauge the tone and direction in which our women entrepreneurs perceive their business would grow.”

About Standard Chartered:

Standard Chartered Bank has been operating in India with a continuous presence of over 165 years making it one of the oldest foreign banks in the country. The Bank has a network of 100 branches across 42 cities. Key business segments include Corporate and Investment Banking and Wealth and Retail Banking. For more information, visit https://www.sc.com/in/

Globally, we are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 52 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions, please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Dun & Bradstreet: 

Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com

Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions across finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India’s vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity. 

Visit www.dnb.co.in for more information. Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases. 

 

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Human Capability Initiative Unveils Speaker Lineup Featuring 300 Global Thought Leaders, Experts and Policymakers

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) organized by the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP) – one of the Saudi Vision 2030 realization programs – has announced the speaker lineup for its second edition. Held Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP) Committee, HCI 2025 will take place on 13-14 April, 2025, at King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh.

Human Capability Initiative 2025

The conference will bring together 300 prominent leaders, policymakers, and global experts from academia, corporations, international organizations, and non-profits across 38 countries. Participants will engage in 100+ sessions designed to exchange insights and advance strategies for enhancing global human capability development amid rapid technological, demographic, and geopolitical shifts. The event will include over twenty ministers from Saudi Arabia and abroad. HCI will also feature a ‘Success Stage’ which will showcase more than thirty Saudi success stories.

As the world braces for a transformative shift in the labor market over the next five years, the conference will shine a spotlight on the critical skills gaps that persist across the globe. By emphasizing themes such as education, technology, and the future of work, HCI aims to reimagine the ways we live, work, and thrive, paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive workforce.

HCI speaker, Dr. Paul Gruenwald, Global Chief Economist, S&P Global Ratings, said: “I look forward to discussing the critical issue of skills gaps at the second annual HCI conference in Riyadh. In a world driven by changing technologies, demographics and geopolitics, lifetime learning and adaptation will be essential to ensure sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”

Dr. Bedour Alrayes, Vice President of the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), said: “We are thrilled to welcome such distinguished speakers to the second edition of HCI. This year’s theme focuses on preparing for a future that demands significant global upskilling. The world will change substantially due to the rapid advancement of technology. The speakers we have assembled are leading experts who will guide us in addressing the urgent needs of human capability development.”

The HCI program was officially announced earlier this week on its website, and registration remains open. Additional high-profile speakers are set to be revealed as the event approaches.

In collaboration with the conference, the Saudi Ministry of Education will hold the Education Global Exhibition (EDGEx) over 13 – 16 April, 2025, forming the Human Capabilities & Learning Week, a unique platform to unlock the full potential of human capability.

About Human Capability Initiative (HCI):

The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) is the first global cooperative platform designed to unify international efforts and enrich global dialogue on the challenges and opportunities for developing human capabilities. Organized by the Human Capability Development Program – a part of the Vision 2030 realization programs – in partnership with Ministry of Education, HCI unites government entities, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations to foster collaboration and drive innovation in the realm of human capabilities.

The conference will take place on 13th – 14th April, 2025 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh under the theme ‘Beyond Readiness’.

For more information, contact media@humancapabilityinitiative.org or visit:

Program: https://humancapabilityinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/HCI-2025-Official-Program.pdf

Website: www.humancapabilityinitiative.org  

X: https://x.com/HCI_KSA  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hci_ksa/?next=%2F   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HCI_KSA/videos   

About the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP):

HCDP is one of the Vision 2030 Realization Programs (VRP) that aims to position the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a global leader. HCDP will prepare citizens with the required skills, values and knowledge to compete globally.

https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/ar/explore/programs/human-capability-development-program

About Saudi Vision 2030:

Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi Vision 2030 was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, with a roadmap to build Saudi Arabia’s prosperous and bright future through a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.  https://www.vision2030.gov.sa

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CleverTap and ETBrandEquity Return with Season 4 of ‘The Big Leap’

Insights into customer behavior have always been the key to successful customer engagement. However, the crucial question remains: Can AI and hyper-personalization enable brands to differentiate and become more relevant? ETBrandEquity.com and CleverTap return with The Big Leap Season 4 to help brands navigate the modern customer engagement landscape.

NEW DELHI, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In recent years, brands have been on a journey to meet customer expectations for tailored, seamless experiences while also striving to deliver omnichannel and hyper-personalized engagement at scale. However, for many brands, a key question remains: How can they create differentiation and gain a strategic advantage in their customer engagement strategy?

Building on the success of the past three years, ETBrandEquity.com and CleverTap return with The Big Leap Season 4, a platform designed to engage India’s vibrant community of growth leaders across sectors such as retail, ecommerce, travel, banking, insurance, fintech, streaming, gaming, edtech, healthtech, etc. This platform brings together leading brands who share bold ideas for innovation in customer engagement unlocking the next wave of business growth.

As the driving force behind The Big Leap, CleverTap’s expertise in AI-powered engagement, omnichannel personalization, and customer retention will play a central role in every session—ensuring businesses leave with actionable insights that enhance their engagement strategies and deliver real impact.

The Big Leap Season 4 will engage 160+ industry leaders through eight multi-city roadshows and twelve roundtables across its Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru editions. These community events will attract top industry leaders who are shaping the customer engagement frameworks for their respective organizations. Over the years, these roadshows have become a must-attend event for marketing leaders eager to stay ahead in the fast-evolving customer engagement landscape.

The Big Leap Season 4 will also feature interactive workshops designed to provide hands-on learning experiences. These workshops will equip participants with practical action plans to enhance customer retention, covering topics such as streamlining customer journeys and improving personalization. Attendees will gain immediate, actionable takeaways that they can apply directly to their businesses.

Anand Jain, Co-founder, CleverTap, said: “Customer engagement is evolving rapidly, driven by innovations in AI-powered personalization, predictive analytics, and omnichannel automation. These advancements are enabling brands to create seamless, highly relevant experiences that enhance retention and long-term loyalty. As the industry continues to push the boundaries of engagement, platforms like The Big Leap play a critical role in fostering discussions that turn innovation into action. It has become a key space where industry leaders not only explore emerging trends but also exchange strategies that define the future of customer experience. We’re excited to once again partner with ETBrandEquity.com to drive these conversations and help brands stay ahead in this dynamic landscape.”

Amit Kumar Gupta, Business Head of ETB2B, said: “In today’s digital landscape, the true differentiator isn’t just engaging customers but creating experiences so memorable they become your brand ambassadors. The future belongs to those who can transform data into relationships.”

At its core, The Big Leap is about equipping brands with the tools and strategies they need to create unique customer experiences. With an increasing reliance on data and digital channels to engage customers, businesses must stay at the forefront of innovation to build meaningful and lasting relationships. Through roadshows, leadership discussions, and experiential workshops, The Big Leap Season 4 will empower brands with the knowledge and insights they need to achieve their strategic goals.

For more information, visit:

https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/

https://clevertap.com/

Media Contact: yogesh.kaushik@timesinternet.in

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Pavilion Picks, a fantasy game that’s more than just rewards

Featuring 1983 World Cup hero Krishnamachari Srikkanth in a never-seen-before avatar, conceptualised by Clevertize

MUMBAI, India and BENGALURU, India, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — When it comes to cricket, India tops the world fandom chart. The cricket craze in this country is phenomenal, so much so that even the fantasy cricket league platforms are popular here. Their blockbuster commercials and ultimate cash prizes are driving conversations on social media. However, they are more about winning than building a community for true fans. They have big budgets but less emotional appeal. It’s a challenge, but Pavilion Picks, India’s newest fantasy cricket league platform, has addressed it with quirk and great insight.

Pavilion Picks has flipped the traditional fantasy model on its head. Winning here is just one deal; striking a chord with fans everywhere is another. So, no obvious star picks here, but six unique players who users believe will score a 150+ strike rate in a single game week. It’s a test of true cricketing insight, rewarding bold, informed calls rather than safe bets.

“What truly sets Pavilion Picks apart is its focus on building a tight-knit community within the Indian cricket fandom. It’s not just about playing a fantasy game; it’s about being part of a space where fans can chat, banter, and share memes about their favourite players. Whether you’re in it for the competition or the conversation, there’s a place for you here,” proudly elaborated Jack Wheeler, the founder & CEO of Pavilion Picks.

Clevertize was mandated with the challenge to carve out a niche for Pavillion Picks by shaping the identity. It helped craft a brand that stands out as the ‘Fun Uncle’ of the Indian fantasy market: light-hearted, engaging, and full of personality, while still being seen as a credible and trusted player in the space. “One standout moment was the idea of bringing on Cheeka for our ad films; someone who’s not only knowledgeable and respected in the cricketing world but also naturally funny and full of charm. It was a masterstroke that perfectly captured the tone we were aiming for,” said Jack.

Film link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0_On5gfMrs

“At Clevertize, we build campaigns that tap into real emotions, not just sell. With Pavilion Picks, when we started with research, we uncovered what fuels every cricket fan—the thrill of proving they’re right. That’s why Kris Srikkanth was the perfect fit—his unfiltered passion mirrors every heated cricket debate. The toughest part, however, was pitching a Hindi script to Jack and Sash, who don’t speak the language. But the moment they saw the films, they simply said, ‘We love the vibe!’ That’s the power of emotion—it speaks louder than words,” said Sagar Nidavani, CEO of Clevertize on the successful launch of the campaign, Ab Karo #HisaabChukta.

At pavilionpicks.com, one can participate in debates, start a new cricket conversation, and settle scores with anyone. It’s coming soon on PlayStore & AppStore too.

YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/K0_On5gfMrs?si=rInJC1VvvAAl-Az9

Contact

Saumya Agarwal

+91 98808 96097

CO Founder at Clevertize

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