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Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal: Redefining Success in India’s Startup Landscape

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In a conservative society like India, it’s not uncommon for tradition to clash with innovation. Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, the co-founders of Meesho, experienced this first-hand when they embarked on their journey to create a social commerce platform that empowers women across the country. The Meesho story began towards the end of 2015, and like many start-ups, it witnessed course corrections and pivots. However, by the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Meesho had millions of women using its platform. In 2021, the number of women micro-entrepreneurs surged to over nine million, reflecting a 2.5x increase. Meesho is now making a significant impact even in conservative small-town and village communities in India.

The evolution of Meesho has been remarkable. The founders have set their sights on a grand vision, far removed from the app’s early days of WhatsApp group-based purchases. Vidit Aatrey explains, “We are building the single shopping destination for the next billion consumers in India.” This vision encompasses creating a “horizontal platform” that aims to bring 100 million small businesses and merchants online, even from the smallest towns and eventually villages. Today, approximately five percent of all households in India visit the Meesho app daily, indicating its growing influence. Meesho has also attracted an increasing number of consumers.

Investors initially took their time to understand the business model, but now they are eager to support Meesho. The recent Series F funding round secured $570 million, valuing the company at nearly $5 billion, making it one of India’s most valuable start-ups. Meesho’s investor roster includes Fidelity Management & Research Company, B Capital Group, Prosus Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Facebook.

Amit Somani, Managing Partner at Prime Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm in Bengaluru, praises Meesho’s journey, stating, “Meesho is a phenomenal story. It is a category-creating start up, not just a category-defining one. It will probably be ranked alongside companies like Airbnb.” The founders’ journey has not only transformed their lives but also positively impacted their employees and the next generation of founders. Aatrey and Barnwal have invested in over 30 start-ups in India and Southeast Asia, offering mentorship and guidance to budding entrepreneurs.

Sanjeev Barnwal highlights the significance of angel investors in the early stages of a start-up and their commitment to giving back to the ecosystem. “It allows us to stay connected to newer founders and newer business ideas, which keeps us informed, and that is also an exciting part of whatever we do,” he says. Aatrey and Barnwal’s friendship, which dates back to their IIT-Delhi days, has been a source of strength throughout their entrepreneurial journey. They also credit their wives as their pillars of support, enabling them to focus on building Meesho.

The co-founders are continually dreaming bigger and bolder with each milestone, and they acknowledge their transformation as leaders. Their journey serves as an inspiration for youth from India’s middle class, showcasing what can be achieved when innovation meets determination. As they emphasize, they are just getting started.

In a conservative society like India, it’s not uncommon for tradition to clash with innovation. Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, the co-founders of Meesho, experienced this first-hand when they embarked on their journey to create a social commerce platform that empowers women across the country. The Meesho story began towards the end of 2015, and like many start-ups, it witnessed course corrections and pivots. However, by the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Meesho had millions of women using its platform. In 2021, the number of women micro-entrepreneurs surged to over nine million, reflecting a 2.5x increase. Meesho is now making a significant impact even in conservative small-town and village communities in India.

The evolution of Meesho has been remarkable. The founders have set their sights on a grand vision, far removed from the app’s early days of WhatsApp group-based purchases. Vidit Aatrey explains, “We are building the single shopping destination for the next billion consumers in India.” This vision encompasses creating a “horizontal platform” that aims to bring 100 million small businesses and merchants online, even from the smallest towns and eventually villages. Today, approximately five percent of all households in India visit the Meesho app daily, indicating its growing influence. Meesho has also attracted an increasing number of consumers.

Investors initially took their time to understand the business model, but now they are eager to support Meesho. The recent Series F funding round secured $570 million, valuing the company at nearly $5 billion, making it one of India’s most valuable start-ups. Meesho’s investor roster includes Fidelity Management & Research Company, B Capital Group, Prosus Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Facebook.

Amit Somani, Managing Partner at Prime Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm in Bengaluru, praises Meesho’s journey, stating, “Meesho is a phenomenal story. It is a category-creating start up, not just a category-defining one. It will probably be ranked alongside companies like Airbnb.” The founders’ journey has not only transformed their lives but also positively impacted their employees and the next generation of founders. Aatrey and Barnwal have invested in over 30 start-ups in India and Southeast Asia, offering mentorship and guidance to budding entrepreneurs.

Sanjeev Barnwal highlights the significance of angel investors in the early stages of a start-up and their commitment to giving back to the ecosystem. “It allows us to stay connected to newer founders and newer business ideas, which keeps us informed, and that is also an exciting part of whatever we do,” he says. Aatrey and Barnwal’s friendship, which dates back to their IIT-Delhi days, has been a source of strength throughout their entrepreneurial journey. They also credit their wives as their pillars of support, enabling them to focus on building Meesho.

The co-founders are continually dreaming bigger and bolder with each milestone, and they acknowledge their transformation as leaders. Their journey serves as an inspiration for youth from India’s middle class, showcasing what can be achieved when innovation meets determination. As they emphasize, they are just getting started.

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Entrepreneurs

Rising with Ras Al Khaimah Cement: 26 Years of Innovation and Sustainability

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Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company has grown into a leading player in the construction sector of the UAE. Over the 26 years since its inception, Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company has managed to remain as a respected cement producer that has significantly contributed towards the development of the UAE and the broader region within the Middle East.

The main reason for the success of RAKCC is its strategic location in Ras Al Khaimah, which makes it easy to gain access to high-quality raw materials, and the fact that the Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah have a lot of limestone-which is one of the products most needed in cement production. Acquisition of raw materials within the region leads to a minimal risk of causing harm from environmental damage due to transport and the guarantee of better quality products. RAKCC can enjoy proximity to Saqr Port. The company could quickly and easily load vessels up to 40,000 dwt, on which exportation of cement to international markets is eased. The task of handling voluminous shipments within a minimum time frame has simply propelled the company to become one of the leading suppliers in the GCC region and elsewhere.

RAKCC was a plant based on the best technology back then to ensure cement to be of the international finest class. The pursuit of state-of-the-art technology leads its activities to date. Of raw material processing, from start to finish, each step to the final stages of production is carefully controlled for consistency and quality of the final product produced. Such dedication to excellence has helped Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company establish long-term relationships with its customers, who are mostly reliant on the company for quality, dependable cement for use in any construction projects. From infrastructure and residential to commercial developments, RAKCC cement products have become synonymous with strength and durability.

The greatest achievement of Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company is customer satisfaction, where the company creates a mutually beneficial partnership with clients through quality products delivered at the right time. The approach of its customer-centric focus towards its customers has made RAKCC a dependable company, which is now on top of the list for many contractors and construction companies in the UAE as well as the whole GCC region.

Management and employees share the same close contact with their clients to understand their needs and give them solutions tailored to their requirements. The whole idea behind this form of cooperation is it creates trust and leads to long-term relationships, which in turn continues to add growth in a company’s success and longevity. Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company also commits to environmental mitigation. The company invested on various initiatives that will make it go green and will ensure that the operations of the plant are environmentally sustainable. These include the modern technologies in the reduction of emissions and wastes, and conservations of water and energy on the production process.

RAKCC also takes its responsibility to the surrounding communities very seriously. The company works to protect the environment in Ras Al Khaimah by strictly adhering to environmental regulations and continuously improving its process to reduce its carbon footprint. With such initiatives, RAKCC aims at being a model to other companies in the region that one can balance industrial growth with concern for the environment.

Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company has been playing a pivotal role in the development of the UAE for the past 26 years through superior cement quality that has assisted in shaping the modern landscape of the nation. RAKCC focuses on achieving technological innovations, customer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability. Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company is more than just a cement producer-it’s an integral partner that will guarantee steady growth in the economy of the UAE. RAKCC is poised as it goes forward into the future, building on a legacy of quality and excellence prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow.

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Entrepreneurs

Strengthening Insurance Through Partnership: Arig’s Impact on Afro-Asia’s Markets

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Arig, as a specialist reinsurer in the Afro-Asia region, has over 36 years of honing that craft. As a trusted partner with an intimate understanding of the dynamic regional economy, Arig brings much more than security. It brings much-needed knowledge, commitment, and local know-how into the support of your growth. Arig delivers a unique level of understanding of risks in the Afro-Asia region, varying in countries with emerging economies, different regulatory regimes, and specific forms of risks. This reinsurer is relatively conversant with the risks involved with these countries and hence truly satisfies the needs of those operating in such markets. With this proactive nature, Arig can serve up custom reinsurance solutions that fit the dynamic nature of the respective economies.

Launched in 1980 and based in the kingdom of Bahrain, Arig has transformed itself not only as a regional leader but also as a truly global brand name in the field of reinsurance. Listed on both the Bahrain and Dubai stock exchanges, Arig boasts more than 6,000 institutional and private investors, signifying full backing and sound financial security to qualify as a reliable reinsurer. Among the foundations of sound security, customer-centric service, and in-depth market expertise, it has built up the reputation of the company. What stands out for Arig apart from its contemporaries is the particularity concerning how it addresses a client’s specific needs. The company provides reinsurance products with wide choices that ensure flexibility and adaptability on its side to let insurers be well-equipped to respond effectively to market demands. Whether it is property, liability, motor, or marine, Arig’s solutions are built with the insurers in mind – to help them grow and win within the ever-changing landscape.

Arig’s people are product specialists and experts in technical fields as well as deep indigenous knowledge of the regional markets of Africa and Asia, making the company uniquely positioned to add real value to clients with predictive market change signals. From regulatory movements to economic developments, the team of Arig collaborates closely with clients to help them prepare well for the future. At the core of Arig’s operations is a very strong commitment to long-term partnership. Transactions are clearly not an option, but mutual trust and shared growth into the future. Clients of Arig will benefit from the fast response time and a customer-centric approach so that customers will receive support toward the fulfilment of business objectives.

In addition, Arig has a vision for the future that also includes operating with respect for the environment. With regard to sustainable business practices growing in prominence on the global scene, the reinsurance industry is no exception in this regard. The work done by Arig is aimed at ensuring that the company’s operations are modern and up-to-date with the expectations that exist when it comes to environmental stewardship, yet always maintaining the high level of service it provides.

Arig understands that no partnership is possible without good communication. A reinsurer with deep roots in the Afro-Asia region, Arig communicates in its markets, not just literally, but certainly figuratively by being conversant with the nuances surrounding culture, economics, and regulation, all of which are shaped into nuances around insurance. This kind of expertise permits Arig to offer invaluable support to insurers: support over whether it is possible to respond to local market demands confidently.

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Entrepreneurs

Jumana Khan: Fashion, Fun, and Influence Across Social Media

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Jumana Khan is famous for her success as an oriental model, Dubai-based fashion blogger, and social media influencer. She is a raging tornado in the digital world, being a household name, mainly because of her fashion tips and trend-setting styles inspiring millions of followers in her 5.8 million followers on Instagram. She has bagged 9.2 million followers on TikTok where her creativity knows no bounds. There she showcases lip-syncing, dancing, and comedic sketches garnering a whopping 213.6 million likes. But her road to stardom on social media is not only a testament to entertainment; it is a path of hard work, fashion forward-thinking, and the authentic connection she has made with her fans.

Jumana Khan was an ardent fan of fashion; she went to Instagram, then sort of leaned into everything there while fostering an online presence that is now taking on a life of its own. From street-style styling to glamorous evening wear, Jumana’s effortless sense of style quickly captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts across the UAE and beyond. She can easily mix high-end pieces with affordable fashion and is making it possible for her style to reach a wide audience, giving her an enticing appeal in the world of influencers. Joining TikTok made her diversify her content on Instagram. She started making entertaining lip-sync videos and uploading dance routines and comedy clips that helped propel her into new levels of fame, making her one of the most recognizable faces around the world on the app. Her creativity defines her presence on TikTok, and with a very authentic and fun-loving personality, she has become relatable to millions of fans.

Major social media followings have not gone unnoticed by big brands. Jumana’s influence, especially within the fashion and lifestyle sectors, has led to collaboration projects with various high-profile companies. Some of her most notable partnerships include brands like Alhaji Perfumes, Oppo, Splash Fashion, and Intel. Every collaboration spotlights Jumana’s product integration, ensuring that her audience is engaged with the content but, more importantly, aligns with the brand message. It also opens up new avenues in the markets where she will expand while further proving her versatile facet as an influencer. To get more information on the latest of products, be it the latest gadget in the tech world or high-end fragrance, Jumana Khan has proven how flexible she can be and will continue to do so as a partner in demand by global brands.

In 2019, all the hard work and newfound popularity had finally led Jumana to an award-the Dubai Wow Award-for a very reputable accolade that honours those influencing agents whose works make a difference in their respective fields. This then spelled out a further stance where she is now placed as one of the top influencers in Dubai, opening doors to many more different opportunities in the niches of fashion and lifestyle. Her influence grows with every new post, video, and collaboration that pushes her into the spotlight. It is a quality of staying unique in this fast-changing world of social media, channeled through innovation and creativity in her craft.

Engaging is one of Jumana Khan’s strengths.  For she’s not just concerned with the content being focused on fashion or promoting a product. The important thing is to connect with people. And how does that get done? Her Instagram stories, for instance, are akin to another part of her writing down her every day; her TikTok videos, at the same time, fusing entertainment with style; Jumana makes the fans feel that they are part of her journey. This connection and appreciation keep driving her. Her fans are welcome to her sincerity and do not hide behind the fact that she responds to comments, messages, and questions that help her bond with the fans.  Such levels of interaction make her audience very loyal to her content.

Jumana Khan is one of the largest influencers in Dubai and continues with an unstoppable pace. Her style evolves as she introduces newer collaborations and fresh ideas to keep the users hooked with her. As social media continues to grow and trends keep on emerging, Jumana will stay ahead of the game being flexible. In a social media landscape characterized as fast-paced and where “likes” can dramatically change overnight, Jumana Khan has kept up with-and even stayed ahead of-her curve. Jumana has been taking the internet by storm with her interesting fashion blogs on Instagram and quirky lip-sync, dance, and comedy videos on TikTok and has earned millions of followers.

With over 9.2 million fans on TikTok and 5.8 million followers on Instagram, her magnetic presence, and relatable content have crowned her one of the top influencers in Dubai. Yet, it is the ability with which she can combine fashion, fun, and authenticity that makes her quite a beloved figure across platforms.

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