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Good morning and welcome to your weekday morning roundup of the top stories you need to know.For more daily and weekly briefings, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter">sign up for our newsletters here</a>.What's going on today: <ul><li>AOC says infrastructure's a win. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aoc-praised-35-trillion-infrastructure-bill-progressive-victory-2021-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill as a "progressive victory."</a> "If it wasn't for progressives in the House, we probably would be stuck with that tiny, pathetic bipartisan bill alone," Ocasio-Cortez said. </li><li>Where isn't the bathroom? <a href="https://www.insider.com/decaying-house-in-auckland-no-toilet-just-sold-2021-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A decaying house in Auckland with no toilet just sold for $1.45 million, an indicator of how hot the New Zealand property market is getting</a>. The sale of the house follows a landmark $3.5 million auction of an "uninhabitable" house in Australia that also did not come with a bathroom.</li><li>"No family. No friends. No fans. No support system outside of my team. It's honestly terrifying for me." <a href="https://www.insider.com/elizabeth-cambage-australian-womens-basketball-star-withdraws-olympics-citing-anxiety-2021-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A controversial member of the Australian women's basketball team is withdrawing from the Olympics, saying the Olympic bubble is 'terrifying.'</a> Australian basketball star Elizabeth Cambage has pulled out of the Olympics one week before the Games, citing a struggle with mental health. </li><li>Farewell Whitespace. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lululemon-will-shutter-whitespace-innovation-team-leader-to-resign-2021-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lululemon CEO announced in an internal email it will no longer use contentious 'Whitespace' name for its innovation team and also reveals the resignation of the group's leader.</a> Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald unveiled a series of sweeping changes as the athletic brand reaches an "inflection point," he told staffers on Thursday. <a href="https://www.insider.com/gymnast-jordan-chiles-mother-prison-sentence-delayed-olympic-2021-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a></li><li>An Olympic reprieve. <a href="https://www.insider.com/gymnast-jordan-chiles-mother-prison-sentence-delayed-olympic-2021-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Team USA Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles' mother granted a delay in her prison sentence so she can watch her daughter compete</a>. Gina Chiles was to report to the Federal Bureau of Corrections on July 27 after being convicted of wire fraud. </li></ul><ul><li>That's all for now. See you Monday.</li></ul>

This company is hiring a thousand in Bengaluru

<keyword id="299675" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Eduardo-Saverin">Eduardo Saverin</keyword>, the co-founder of Facebook, and prominent Silicon Valley investor <keyword id="3371248" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Raj-Ganguly">Raj Ganguly</keyword> have come together and raised $143 million fund for an <keyword id="3371558" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Asia-focus-fund">Asia focus fund</keyword>, using which they would invest in India and South East Asian countries. 
 As per sources, the amount was raised for venture capital investments from a pool of 18 investors. <keyword id="3371559" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="B-Capital">B Capital</keyword>, the firm that Saverin and Ganguly run, invests in varied sectors like e-commerce, financial services, health &amp; wellness and travel &amp; transportation. 
 
The reason behind a special emphasis on India and South Asia is that the region still faces many gaps, the duo stated. 
 
"Whether it is funding availability, stage, talent, institutions, or exits, the presence of such whitespaces in the ecosystem makes it equally challenging and rewarding for investors," said Saverin and Ganguly in a blog post. 
 The fund would focus more on Series B and C rounds, given the potential openings that this segment offers. Having invested in Menlo Park-based <keyword id="3371561" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Evidation-Health">Evidation Health</keyword>, a population health management and analytics platform and Singapore-based <keyword id="3371560" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ninja-Van">Ninja Van</keyword>, a last-mile logistics company for E-Commerce delivery and return, the firm is based in Singapore. 
 
<a href="https://az598155.vo.msecnd.net/wp-uploads/2015/10/Eduardo-Saverin-justrichest.com_.jpg">Image source</a>

Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin raises $143 million fund, to focus on India

New Delhi [India], December 21: While making significant strides in various sectors, there are leaders in India who are standing out for their work worldwide. The "Global <keyword id="397956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-leaders" source="Orion">Indian Leaders</keyword> 2023" list curated by World Brand Affairs has featured leaders from across the country who are known for their innovative, resilient, and persistent approach to functioning in their respective industries. These people are heading towards new heights and establishing standards for excellence. The list honors their outstanding efforts and accomplishments which have propelled their companies to unbound success. Their inclusion in the list highlights their exceptional abilities to navigate challenges, adapt to changing market trends, and consistently deliver groundbreaking results. Gaurav Munjal, CEO of Unacademy Gaurav Munjal is the co-founder and CEO of Unacademy, India's largest online learning platform. With a vision to democratize education, Munjal pioneered Unacademy's growth, transforming it into a leading ed-tech powerhouse. His innovative leadership has revolutionized accessible and quality education, empowering millions of learners across the globe. Kunal Shah, Founder of CRED Kunal Shah is the founder and CEO of CRED, a fintech startup revolutionizing credit card payments in India. As a serial entrepreneur, Shah previously founded FreeCharge, later acquired by Snapdeal. His innovative approach to creating rewarding credit experiences has helped CRED to redefine credit card usage while fostering financial literacy. Ashish Hemrajani, Co-founder and CEO of BookMyShow Ashish Hemrajis the co-founder and CEO of BookMyShow, India's leading online entertainment ticketing platform. Hemrajani's unique idea revolutionized the way people book tickets for movies, events, and live performances. His ingenious leadership transformed BookMyShow into a cultural phenomenon, reshaping the access to entertainment industry across the country. Fardin Sheikh, Managing Director at Wizence Group Fardin Sheikh is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of exemplary leadership experience, earning him recognition as a Distinguished Digital Transformation Leader. His dynamic career spans across various roles, showcasing a remarkable blend of strategic vision, project management acumen, and a strong commitment to driving digital innovation. Pariksha Rao, Founder of NuWe Starting as a Clinical Nutritionist, Pariksha Rao has morphed into various roles with the intent to help demystify and democratize healthcare. From maternal well-being to fetal health and tailored nutrition for weaning kids to teens, her work has helped impact over 200,000 lives over nearly two decades of her career. She continues to amplify her impact with NuWe. Poojaa Choprah, CEO and MD of Felix Impex Poojaa Choprah, a visionary CEO &amp; MD of Felix Impex Pvt Ltd., and founder of PNA ORIGINE, is renowned for strategic business acumen and market expansions. A trailblazer in entrepreneurship, her global fashion insights, artistic fervor as a Kathak dancer, and bespoke training expertise redefine success, weaving innovation and cultural fluency into her vibrant career. Amandeep Kaur Khangura, Director of Tru Prime Amandeep is a Canadian born entrepreneur who moved to India in 2011, and acquired Indian Citizenship to follow her passion to bring social empowerment in rural Punjab. During her time in Canada, Amandeep chaired HR &amp; Finance for a $500M project. Currently, in India, she operates Majara Dairy Farm which has 2,600 livestock and is the largest dairy farm operator in Punjab and one of the largest in India. Pt. Dr Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava, Nadi and Vedic Celebrity Astrologer Renowned globally as a luminary in Nadi and Vedic astrology, Pt. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava is celebrated across 70+ nations for his remarkable precision in predictions &amp; teaching Nadi Astrology. With an illustrious career spanning 27 years, his astonishing success rate of 95-97% and expertise in Nadi Nakshatra Sutras exemplify his command in the celestial arts. Dr Prachiti Punde, Director of Proluxe Dr Prachiti Punde is a powerhouse in Integrated Medicine, Director of Proluxe Pvt Ltd, and Mrs. Universe Tolerance 2021. She transforms health and lifestyle with an exclusive GLAMOWELL multi-experience centre and revolutionizes wellness with patented tools and a unique mobile app. Along with being a spiritually blessed child, she is also an Anesthetist and mindskills Trainer with 15+ books published. Sanju Pudyandil, Founder of Whitespace Brand Consulting Sanju Pudyandil, a luminary in brand management and marketing, launched Whitespace Brand Consulting after honing his expertise at Ray+Keshavan, presently Super Union. Renowned for orchestrating transformative corporate revamps, he spearheaded impactful makeovers for illustrious brands like Canara Bank, Trident Hotels, J&amp;K Bank, Punj Lloyd, CEAT Tyres, and Fair &amp; Lovely, among others. Stuti Galiya, Partner at Khaitan &amp; Co. Stuti, an esteemed Advocate and solicitor, serves as a Partner at Khaitan &amp; Co., excelling in mergers &amp; acquisitions, private equity, corporate laws, commercial contracts, and foreign investments. Recognized as the "Luxury Retail Lawyer of the Year 2023" by APAC Insider, her expertise in the luxury retail sector marks her as an ingenious leader in the Asia-Pacific legal domain. Srividhya, Founder of HITECH Engineering Solutions (India) Srividhya, founder of HITECH Engineering Solutions (India) holds a deeply rooted legacy in Construction since 1998. Her indomitable optimism defied industry challenges, establishing a prominent platform despite male-dominated norms. Under her guidance, the company thrives as a certified SSI unit with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 &amp; OHSAS 4500: 2018 qualifications, renowned for cost-effective solutions nationwide and across Asia. Debabrata Sarkar, CMD at MicroAlgae Solutions Debabrata Sarkar is an agricultural innovator with 26+ years of global experience. Armed with a BCKVV agriculture degree and IIM Kolkata alumni status, he led strategic units for esteemed firms in Asia Pacific. He is currently serving as the CMD at MicroAlgae Solutions India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of AlgaEnergy Spain. Mogilipuri Krishna Chaitanya, Director at Wonder View Media As a Director at Wonder View Media Pvt Ltd, a CMPTL franchise specializing in IT services and Business Consulting, Mogilipuri Krishna Chaitanya facilitated substantial growth for his brother's business. With over 9 years of experience, he continues to excel as a Software Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and has made significant contributions to tech giants like Apple, Google, and more. Subhajit Banik, Founder of Birdlens Creation Subhajit ventured into photography in 2007 as a model, cultivating expertise in lighting and creative framing. Winner of the Glamhunt competition by ABP group in 2010, he founded Birdlens Creation in 2015. Specializing in wedding photography, Subhajit crafts timeless, emotive images reflecting couples' love and joy. Dr Rahul Mirchandani, Chairman &amp; Managing Director of Aries Agro Limited Dr Rahul Mirchandani, ranked among the 30 Most Innovative CEOs in India, has pioneered unique strategies to build 130+ Aries specialty crop nutrition brands. With a PhD in Management Studies, he teaches Marketing, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship across 50+ B-Schools. He plays key roles in CII's agriculture council, and key governmental panels and was the National Chairman of CII's Young Indians. Vinay Kumar Singh, Executive Director and CEO of Thomson Digital and Q&amp;I (India) Vinay Kumar Singh is the Executive Director and CEO of Thomson Digital and Q&amp;I, with over 30 years of industry expertise. He pioneered Thomson Digital in India and globally, founding associated companies and an education technology startup. Specializing in scientific and educational content, Vinay completed his Executive Training Programs at ISB Hyderabad. Saurabh Gupta, Founder &amp; CEO of Verismart.ai A 3-time entrepreneur and angel investor in 9 deep tech firms, Saurabh Gupta is now leading Verismart.ai which pioneer in blockchain-based Ad-tech/Data Interoperability platform with over 520M+ users data pipeline while ensuring privacy compliance. He also acquired dolphinchat.ai., and has been a speaker at 50+ global conferences talking about Blockchain and data privacy. Vikkas K Jha, Founder of Brand Kettle Vikkas K Jha, an ace marketing professional turned visionary entrepreneur, founded Brand Kettle amidst the pandemic. With expertise in Commercial Fitouts, Retail Roll-Outs &amp; experiential marketing, he expanded Brand Kettle's services, integrating 30+ brands, within 3 years. He is also driving impactful social change via the Brand Kettle Foundation's NGO initiatives. Atharva Bahadur, CEO of Drishti Pures Atharva Bahadur is the CEO of Drishti Pures in Lucknow. Under Atharva's leadership, Drishti Pures, a pioneering endeavor, engages abandoned, differently-abled children in producing Cold Pressed Oil and processing pure spices, aiming to foster self-reliance among them. Currently housing 260 abandoned children, Drishti remains the largest institution of its kind globally. Harsh Niwas, Manager Legal and Team Lead at Unitech Limited Harsh Niwas is an international consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the Real Estate and Mining industries. His expertise lies in project management, legal strategy, and stakeholder communication, delivering successful outcomes and operational efficiency. Known for strong leadership, negotiation, and collaboration skills, he ensures compliance and value creation within teams and organizations. Hussain Kalsekar, Founder and CEO of 366 DigitX Renowned for fostering enduring relationships with corporate decision-makers, Hussain Kalsekar has steered 366 DigitX to unparalleled heights. His client-centric approach has garnered him accolades globally. Recognized as one of the top 100 smartest digital marketing leaders by the World Marketing Congress, he was also recently honored among the Top 50 Global High Flyers and awarded as the Leader in Digital Marketing for 2023. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

Global Indian Leaders of The Year 2023 as per World Brand Affairs

<ul><li><keyword id="172902" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mintel">Mintel</keyword>, a market intelligence agency that has been around since 1972 studies what consumers want and why and helps brands make better business decisions faster.</li><li><keyword id="9717043" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="mark-leadercramer">Mark Leadercramer</keyword>, General Manager, South APAC, Mintel walks us through some of the larger trends and <keyword id="139079" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Consumer-behaviour">consumer behaviour</keyword> changes that have come about in the last few months, post the outbreak of Covid-19.</li><li>He also has some advice for brands to help them effectively weather the storm that we are living in currently.</li></ul> The outbreak of the novel <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> and the resulting <keyword id="91743" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="lockdown">lockdown</keyword> has changed the world. Not just the way we live, but also the way we communicate, consumer, socialize has undergone a sea change. Consumer behaviour is evolving, keeping in mind the dynamic times. With this changing consumer behaviour, it is imperative for brands to become better listeners than they have ever been before. Because at times like these, brands that are empathetic, and are really listening to what their consumers want, and changing their business accordingly, are the ones that will come out of this successfully. In such a scenario, research has become very important, to understand the kind of changes happening around us. Market intelligence agency Mintel that studies what consumers want and why, has helped brands, over the years, to make better business decisions faster. We recently caught up with Mark Leadercramer, General Manager, South APAC, Mintel, to understand the kind of changes that have been happening not just in India but across the world. He tells us how brands can navigate the situation and a few things they need to keep in mind to succeed in this new world order. Excerpts: Q) There has been a huge change in consumer behaviour due to the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown. What are some of the biggest changes you have observed in the past few months? While the current situation is completely unique, we do have past virus crises like SARS and economic recessions to look back on and learn from. Luckily, Mintel have been around since 1972 and so can draw on our research from those difficult times to help our analyst provide thorough insight today. For example, in the UK, some of the biggest winners of the last recession were absolute luxuries, the likes of premium skincare and sparkling wine. They are products that, whilst not critical, did a great job of providing small treats, lifting people’s moods in tough times. The outbreak has certainly created many challenges for companies in the short-term, but it has also made understanding markets and consumers more relevant and important than ever. Understanding that generations before us have experienced similar situations and persevered should encourage consumers, businesses and governments that this pandemic is also not the end. Sometimes a look back is the best way to take a step forward. Inevitably smart and agile companies will be able to adapt their business to match consumer needs We started tracking the COVID-19’s impact on consumer behaviours and market shifts as early as February 2020, starting from China, when the country was in a serious situation amidst the pandemic. We realised that COVID-19 will have a long-lasting impact on businesses over brands and we quickly started conducting research and sharing insights via thought pieces on our blog, exclusive insight reports and running COVID-19 sessions for our clients both in India and globally to help provide any insights or guidance for their brand repositioning, product innovation or market opportunities. Q) What are a few of these changes that you think consumers will stick to, even once things get better, hopefully later this year? Lifestyle changes triggered by COVID-19 are impacting consumer mindsets. Our research shows that increased handwashing, usage of masks, hand sanitisers, and household cleaning products indicates that consumers are actively taking steps to change their lifestyle as a result of the virus. In order to resonate with consumers, brands need to cater to the growing need of hygiene and holistic wellbeing. In fact, our research highlights that Indian consumers are expecting to spend more on areas such as health care (47%) and household care products (43%). We see this continuing even as the threat of Covid-19 diminishes. In India as well as in other markets, the spread of the virus has led to consumers looking at health more seriously. This includes a focus on healthy eating, better hygiene, increased consumption of immunity-building foods, exercise, and financial planning for a health ailment. The health wave, which has been a growing focus for consumers and brands even before the pandemic outbreak, will become essential as everyone takes health and wellness more seriously. We have also seen growing awareness and focus on mental health as part of this. It is important for brands to keep a close track of consumer sentiments in the current situation and use ‘empathetic innovation’ to help consumers focus on overall physical and mental well-being as consumers face tough times ahead. Moving ahead, after months of being sequestered, we know consumers are looking forward to socialising face-to-face with friends and family as lockdowns ease. For some consumers, outdoor rendezvous is likely to be the first step in a long return to socialising. These anxious consumers are likely to continue to wear masks and keep their distance from friends and family when getting together, staying away from gatherings indoors. Many consumers will be reluctant to start eating out, travelling, and going to public spaces after weeks or months of self-sequestering. This is the time for retailers, hospitality and foodservice leaders to make these activities attractive again by being innovative on how they deliver their product in a safe but engaging manner. Q) A lot of brands are hopeful for a good festive season. Do you anticipate consumer behaviour, especially in India, will go somewhat back to normal during the festive season or do you expect a muted festive season for India this year? As India continues to reel under the impact of the pandemic, our latest research highlights that, while consumers are showcasing low fear about contracting the infection, they are now increasingly concerned about economic distress as 52% of Indian consumers are worried about the negative impact on domestic growth and 50% are concerned about unemployment. Moreover, the biggest shift in what Indians are looking forward to post-COVID was in spending time with friends or family; which slipped 9 percentage points from 43% in late June to 34% in early July. Working/studying normally went from 33% to 31% over the same period. Clearly, Indian consumers are beginning to realise that restrictions are likely to drag on longer than originally anticipated, as cases continue to rise. Q) What are the larger trends in other Asian regions that Indian brands could learn and therefore adopt from? The 7 consumer trend drivers mentioned below are very relevant in the current market scenario. 1. Wellbeing: Seeking physical and mental wellness. 2. Experiences: Seeking and discovering stimulation. 3. Identity: Understanding and expressing oneself and place in society. 4. Rights: Feeling respected, protected, and supported. 5. Surroundings: Feeling connected to the external environment. 6. Technology: Finding solutions through technology in the physical and digital worlds. 7. Value: Finding tangible, measurable benefits from investments. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a profound impact on the global economy and consumer markets. As a result, many of the predictions set forth in our 2030 Global Consumer Trends have been accelerated and are now relevant more than ever. Q) What would your advice for brands be to weather out situations like the ones we are facing today which could help them minimize the business impact? Just like we ask our analysts to ‘be bold’, we ask the same of our clients. Innovation is critical in a crisis and hand in hand with that comes good smart and agile research to make sure you understand your market and consumer which has changed dramatically. In the current scenario, research can be an enabler for brands and let them keep track of changing consumer sentiments as well as consumers’ expectations from brands. Thus, it is crucial for companies and brands to align their marketing, communications and branding strategies and keep the innovation pipeline ready, even during a crisis. In the foreground of this pandemic, brands that quickly pivot and offer the best consumer experience even under exceptional circumstances will find themselves with a greater market share in the long run. It is important to connect with consumers in a personal way to deepen trust and loyalty, which will set the tone for how consumers view and interact with them, moving forward. Smart brands will be thinking about not just this moment of panic, but their longer-term positioning and the potential whitespace that comes with such a massive shift in the way consumers live their lives. Brands have an opportunity to become pillars of stability in an unstable world by offering realness and intimacy to consumers. Humanity and empathy will become the benchmarks by which brands are judged, rather than the old ideas of perfection and brands ‘knowing what’s best’. Hence understanding what consumers want and why is the key to success. In this way, the right consumer trends can be used as a critical guide for brands through the uncertainty of crisis. Q) How do you see the rest of the year pan out, both India and in APAC? By when do you think the industry will see growth come back? Compared to all the crises the world has seen till now, the COVID-19 pandemic is a different situation – and it is still a moving target, waiting for resolution in the form of some sort of remediation, either a vaccine or a medicine that will control the virus’s effect on humans. Given COVID-19’s ferocity, its speed and its potential to return – the situation we find ourselves in now demands a different descriptor coined by Mintel: we are in the ‘next normal’. To understand the difference between ‘the new normal’ and ‘the next normal’, consider this: ‘New’ is static, ‘next’ is always looking forward. ‘Next’ has a more complex meaning, it suggests a forward movement. And that’s what our current state of affairs is, because of COVID-19. Since the progression of the disease remains unknown, there are many more ‘next normals’ that will challenge us until the virus is resolved. More than ever, businesses need to be quick and flexible in adapting to the changes in market conditions. Listening to their consumers at every stage, and adapting their innovation pipeline to become less vulnerable to risks. Brands need to pay more attention to shifts in values in the long term, as the social impact will be longer lasting than the economic impact. Businesses need to prepare for a longer period of economic recovery, as consumer spending will become more prudent due to increasing financial stress. Some industries and companies will experience growth as they adapt to this situation but critical to all of this is understanding your consumer and crucially throwing out the rulebook of the past. We are entering the next normal and a company's agility will be its best indicator for success.

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