IronNet Makes its Collective Defense Solution Available To All Singapore Enterprises

IronNet has announced that it is making its flagship Collective Defense solution available to all enterprises in Singapore. The technology will empower organizations in Singapore to stay ahead of the evolving threats and defend their network through real-time cyberattack intelligence sharing and collaboration across industries and sectors.

“It is very exciting to see IronNet's Collective Defense platform expanding globally into Singapore. Our approach is truly a revolutionary one, enabling AI-based threat detection and collaboration across enterprises for a stronger, more proactive cyber defense,” said General (Ret.) Keith Alexander, Founder and Co-CEO at IronNet Cybersecurity.

The Collective Defense Solution platform uses behavioral analytics and artificial intelligence to deliver visibility across enterprise ecosystems, group-level detection and correlation, and instant collaboration with fellow defenders.

“Given the shortage of skilled cybersecurity operations resources coupled with rapidly evolving cyber threats, it is vital to build a cyber-defense framework that can leverage our collective wisdom across enterprises and help scale over time. This expansion of the Singapore Collective Defense community allows businesses in Singapore to detect threats together and defend together,” said Gaurav Chhiber, VP of Asia Pacific and Japan at IronNet.

 

Popular investment firm Aretha Capital Partners is gearing up to launch a new real estate platform to ease buying and selling

Aretha Capital Partners, a popular name in the investment segment, has recently made an announcement that it will be launching a platform called Novyy.com. The new platform is expected to be a unique integrated platform aimed at global real estate investing and buying. The main motto of the platform is to democratize the retail real estate segment so that there is reduced friction while the buyers have to go through various stages. The cost is also expected to reduce, and the fees will also be lower by almost 50-70 percent for the buyers.

As of now, Novyy.com has properties listed in the UK, India, and Key European markets with a valuation that is the same for any buyers globally. New features are expected to be added soon to identify and fulfill the requests. The integration for real estate was long overdue, and it was left unaddressed for a long time.  Heft price and multiple prices offered for the same property was creating a huge gap in the buying and selling process of the real estate. More than 100 million people are expected to buy homes in the coming decade, and half of the same are expected to be in the emerging market.

 

The lawmakers requested gaming companies in the US to make kids-friendly designs

preventing cybercrimes, online services, software, technology, the silicon review

Lawmakers in the U.S. have urged gaming companies to promote child-friendly designs for their games. Many major gaming companies like Sony, Walt Disney, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Niantic were called upon to protect kids from schemes that are predatory. The lawmakers have also asked the game creators to comply with U.K.’s AADC for the U.S. The letter had stated that it is important for Congress to act with urgency and bring in strong privacy laws for the teens and children of the 21st century.

As the lawmakers continue to work towards that goal, the companies were requested to consider the teens and children living in the U.S. to enhance privacy and comply with the AADC. Last year, the data privacy regulators from the U.K. had introduced a new set of design guidelines for the providers of digital services to follow, and it was aimed at safeguarding children under the age of 18 from committing cybercrimes. The AADC code has 15 regulations that must be followed while designing and developing online services to protect the interest of the child. The lawmakers have also reached out to cover websites that children often frequent to promote data privacy.

 

Tokyo-Headquartered TechnoPro Group Acquires Robosoft for $108 Million

India-headquartered digital transformation pioneer Robosoft has been acquired by Japan’s TechnoPro Group for a reported $108 million. Headquartered in Tokyo, TechPro specializes in IT, engineering, and R&D.

“Robosoft has had a phenomenal journey over the last two decades and has grown by leaps and bounds during this period. The partnership with Ascent Capital and Kalaari Capital heralded a strong growth era for us and I am very happy that we are handing over the reins of the Company to a global player like TechnoPro,” said Rohith Bhat, Founder of Robosoft, in a press release.

TechnoPro Group is one of Japan’s largest technology solutions group with more than 20,000 engineers and researchers in its payroll. The company provides support for technical development and R&D to 2,000 companies including major corporations, universities, and research organizations.

“We look forward to a close collaboration with Robosoft in the company’s next phase of growth and see tremendous synergies between TechnoPro and Robosoft,” said Takeshi Yagi, President, Representative Director and CEO, TechnoPro.

Founded in 1996, Robosoft has worked with the largest firms of the world. Its first client was famously Apple. Today, Robosoft counts media network Viacom and McDonald’s India as its clients.

This partnership with TechnoPro will provide Robosoft with new opportunities to grow in Japan. It will also help it expand in its core markets of US, Europe and India.

 

Packaging Solutions Major Berry Global Announces Healthcare Investments in India

The U.S. Packaging and Protective Solutions major Berry Global has announced that it will be making big healthcare investments in India. Through this investment, the Fortune 500 Company will be establishing a second manufacturing facility and global center of excellence in India.

This planned development through fresh investment is going to happen in Bangalore, India close to its first site. The first facility opened in 2009.

The new facility will help Berry Global to extend its R&D expertise and scale up production in several key healthcare sectors, including ophthalmic, nasal pumps, inhalation, and injectable administrations. The facility will also enable the company to enhance its supply in India and throughout South Asia.

“Investing in our global healthcare business in Bangalore is a significant step in supporting our pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, and medical device customers aligned to forecasted market needs,” remarked Tom Salmon, Berry Global's Chairman and CEO. "During the pandemic, we've learned that strategically placed facilities across the world provide efficient localized support for customers of any size. We believe this investment significantly benefits the India and South Asia patient populations."

The work on construction of the new facility is set to begin later this year and expected to be completed in 2023.

 

Ronnie Screwvala-led upGrad Achieves Unicorn Status

Yet another Indian education tech startup has achieved a unicorn status. This time it is the Ronnie Screwvala-led upGrad, which offers higher education and upskilling courses in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, blockchain, finance, programming and law in collaboration with universities such as Michigan State University, the IIT Madras and IIT Delhi, and Swiss School of Business Management, Geneva.

The six-year old startup has achieved the unicorn status after raising $185 million in its latest funding round, which was led by Singapore’s Temasek. Among the participants in the round were World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and IIFL.

“We are pleased with the investor interest ever since we opened up for fundraise and had our maiden raise from Temasek, followed by IFC and IIFL in the last 60 days,” said Ronnie Screwvala, co-founder and chairperson of upGrad, in a statement.

Prior to the latest funding round, upGrad was valued at $600 million. Now, its valuations stands at $1.2 billion. Screwvala has said that upGrad will use the funding to explore merger and acquisition opportunities.

There have been many edtech startups based out of India that have seen fantastic growth in the recent quarters, including the famed Byju’s and Unacademy. Now, upGrad with its latest round joins the ranks of such soaring edtech companies from India.

 

HGS to Divest its Healthcare Services Biz

Hinduja Global Solutions Limited has announced that it will be divesting its healthcare services business. The healthcare services biz will be bought by Baring Private Equity Asia for a reported $1,200 million. Baring Private Equity Asia is one of the largest private alternative investment firms in Asia.

The HSG healthcare services delivers solutions that support payer, providers, laboratories, durable medical equipment firms and pharmaceutical companies. These services cover the entire lifecycle of a payer organization, including member acquisition, enrollment & billing, benefit set-up, claims adjudication, provider credentialing & data management, payment integrity & financial recovery, grievance & appeals, provider & member engagement, prior authorizations, case management and population health management, and the various functions in the revenue cycle of a provider organization.

“Our Healthcare Services business has steadily grown over the years. We reached a stage where we could recommend to promoter to divest stake in this business to unlock value for all HGS stakeholders. We will use the generated funds to strategically invest for the future growth of the organization. We see a long-term value and benefit to HGS in doing so. HGS will continue to focus on aggressively expanding its CES and Digital businesses in line with our goal to transform itself into a "digitally-enabled customer experience (CX) company", said Partha DeSarkar, Global CEO, HGS.

With over 20,000 employees on its payroll across India, Philippines, the US, and Jamaica, the company recorded $400 million in revenues in FY2021. In a statement, HGS said that post the completion of transaction, HGS will transfer all client contracts, employees, and assets, including infrastructure related to the Healthcare Services business.