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Ahmedabad, June 08: Ajay’s Café, one of India’s fastest-growing homegrown café and quick service restaurant (QSR) brands, has been honoured with the ‘Leading Café Chain of the Year’ award at the ‘Pride of Gujarat Awards 2026’.

The award was presented by Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel at a ceremony held at Hyatt Regency, Ahmedabad, recognising Ajay’s Café contribution to entrepreneurship, employment generation and the growth of the organised café industry.

Founded by brothers Ajay Solanki and Jaideep Solanki, Ajay’s Café has grown from a single outlet in Navsari into a network of more than 265 outlets across 58 cities, emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing cafés and QSR brands. The recognition marks another milestone in the company’s growth journey, which has been built on a franchise-driven model focused on creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Receiving the award, Ajay Solanki, Founder & Director of Ajay’s, said, “Awards recognise what has been achieved, while responsibility lies in what comes next. This honour acknowledges our journey so far, but it also strengthens our commitment to dream bigger, execute better and create a greater impact. We accept this recognition with gratitude and renewed determination to achieve our future goals.”

Looking ahead, Ajay’s Café plans to launch 30 outlets in the Vasai-Virar region, along with additional outlets in Rajkot and Udaipur, under the Company Owned, Company Operated (COCO) model by the end of the current year. It aims to cross 500 outlets by 2027 as part of its vision of becoming India’s largest QSR and café chain by 2030.

Chennai, June 08: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) hosted the ‘3^rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium 2026’ from 5th to 7th June 2026, bringing together leading neuroscientists, clinicians, academicians and researchers from BRICS.

The event, being held in India for the first time, focused on increasing collaboration between BRICS nations to advance international cooperation in neuroscience research and neuro-technologies.

The event spotlighted the growing importance of global scientific cooperation to understand the human brain and develop technologies that can address neurological disorders and improve healthcare outcomes worldwide.

Organised by Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC), IIT Madras, the symposium was themed ‘Expanding Neuroscience: BRICS & Extended Nations’ and featured scientific sessions, keynote lectures, panel discussions, clinical perspective talks, cultural events and a major data release of the Human Brainstem Atlas by SGBC.

The Symposium was graced by Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder, Infosys, and delegates from the BRICS Nations.

Welcoming delegates from all over the world, Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, said, “We are entering a world today where the problems are multiplying faster than they ever were before. but we are also in a world where some of the solutions that we are finding are themselves creating new problems of their own. It is in that kind of a world that the value on international collaboration and cooperation is even more. And that spirit of collaboration and cooperation of working together is precisely what BRICS symbolizes. This gathering of countries that represent developing countries and emerging markets pooling their resources, abilities and knowledge. This is what is remarkable about BRICS.”

Wishing the researchers success in their efforts, Shri Vikram Misri added, “India is chairing BRICS this year. We are working up to the summit of BRICS countries in September of this year. I am sure in every week, there are 200 different meetings at different levels that are being organized in the runup to this conference. I am sure the work that this conference is doing will also, in its own way, feed into the success of BRICS summit in September.”

Addressing the international gathering virtually from Delhi, Chief Guest Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said, “An important feature of SGBC is that it has been a multi-institutional, multinational and multi-disciplinary endeavour with the support of the Government, industry and philanthropy. The Centre has become an exemplar of research and innovation through collaboration and diversified support system for long-term sustainability.”

Addressing the symposium, Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head, SGBC, IIT Madras, added, “In a highly complex field like neuroscience, multi-national and multi-disciplinary teams are key to solve hard problems and create breakthroughs. This gathering will further expand our international collaboration network at SGBC.”

The symposium aimed to strengthen international scientific partnerships, promote collaborative research frameworks, encourage interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and position India as a key contributor to global neuroscience initiatives. The scientific programme covered a broad range of topics, including human brain organisation, neural function in health and disease, developmental neuroscience, comparative studies across model systems and application of emerging technologies in neuroscience research.

The event also showcased the capabilities of the SGBC, which developed and operates a world-class high-throughput multimodal whole-brain imaging pipeline to map human brains at cell resolution. The symposium continued the momentum created by the earlier BRICS Neuroscience Symposia held in Shanghai in September 2023 and Moscow in October 2024. These international meetings were jointly organized by neuroscientists from BRICS nations to foster multilateral cooperation in neuroscience research, capacity building and technology development.

Launched in March 2022, SGBC is a cutting-edge R&D Centre for human brain research to create transformative impact in neuroscience and neurotechnologies.

June 8 : SalarySe announced the expansion of its employee financial ecosystem with the launch of SalarySe SmartPerks, including Flexi Benefits and Device Benefits. These new-age, AI-powered solutions are designed to help organizations deliver smarter, more personalized employee experiences.

 The company also announced the appointment of veteran HR leader Sunita Cherian as Advisor, further strengthening its leadership as it scales its enterprise and product ecosystem across India.

The launch comes at a time when organizations are rethinking employee benefits, compensation experience, and financial flexibility as core workforce priorities. With India’s new labour codes bringing  renewed focus on wage structures, benefits administration, and compliance, employers are facing a compensation-design challenge: how to make salary structures more tax efficient, flexible, and compliance-ready, while also looking for solutions that can modernize benefits delivery without adding operational complexity.

Built in India, SalarySe SmartPerks is designed as India’s first AI and UPI-powered employee financial benefits solution to address these emerging needs, solving for both sides of the benefits equation: helping employees improve everyday financial outcomes while enabling employers to deliver more relevant, flexible, and compliance-ready benefits at scale.

SalarySe Flexi Benefits enables employees to increase their effective take-home salary by up to 8-10% through tax-efficient salary structuring within a seamless app-led experience and no blocked working capital for organisations. Unlike traditional wallet-based models, the platform operates on an AI led Pay via UPI infrastructure where spends are automatically categorized, validated, and mapped into relevant benefit baskets in real time.

Integrated directly with payroll systems, the solution enables real-time compliance, automated reporting, and significantly lower administrative overhead for organizations.

The company has also launched Device Benefits, a payroll-linked solution that enables employees to access premium devices including smartphones, laptops, and tablets at up to 40% lower cost, with zero upfront cost to the employer. The platform combines employee tax savings and employer GST efficiencies while helping organizations strengthen employee experience and retention without increasing compensation costs.

As part of its next phase of growth, SalarySe has appointed Sunita Cherian as Advisor. With nearly three decades at Wipro, most recently serving as Chief Culture Officer and Senior Vice President- Human Resources. Sunita brings deep expertise in building people-first workplaces at scale. In her advisory role at SalarySe, she will work closely with the leadership team across product strategy, employee experience design, and market positioning to help build more employee-centric and enterprise-relevant financial solutions.

Speaking on her appointment, Sunita Cherian, said:

“ I’m excited about partnering with SalarySe as an Advisor and look forward to working closely with the SalarySe leadership in fuelling the company’s growth trajectory. This role gives me an opportunity to share insights on product roadmaps and market strategies aimed at driving innovation. I’m also delighted to see SalarySe’s new product offerings, with Flexi Benefits and Device Benefits, reflecting the platform’s strong understanding of evolving workplace needs and the opportunity to create value for both employees and employers ”

Piyush Bagaria, Co-Founder, SalarySe, said:

“The launch of SmartPerks including Flexi Benefits and Device Benefits reflects our focus on building practical solutions that improve financial outcomes and everyday experiences for employees, while helping employers deliver more impactful and relevant benefits. Together, these developments strengthen our long-term vision of making salaries work harder for people and creating a more comprehensive ecosystem around the salary itself.

Further, Sunita joining the SalarySe team marks an important step in our journey. Her in-depth understanding of people and organisations brings a valuable perspective as we continue to scale.”

SalarySe plans to serve over 100 million salaried employees to build stronger financial futures through AI-driven, payroll-linked tools that transform every salary into an active financial engine and continue investing in technology while expanding its enterprise footprint and scaling its salary-powered platform

Nexedge Capital, a wealth management and advisory firm, today announced the launch of its Ahmedabad office, marking a strategic expansion into one of the most dynamic centres of entrepreneurship and business ownership, and a continued commitment to becoming India’s most trusted net worth confidant.

The move comes as Gujarat continues to strengthen its position as a key driver of India’s economic growth. Nexedge Capital plans to open three additional offices across Gujarat, building on this initial presence in Ahmedabad.

Despite accounting for only around 5% of the country’s population, the state contributes approximately 8.3% of India’s GDP, nearly 18% of industrial output and around 31% of the nation’s exports. With nearly 28 lakh MSMEs (approximately 2.8 million) and a large concentration of promoter-led businesses and family enterprises, Gujarat remains one of India’s most significant legacy-planning markets.

The Ahmedabad office will enable Nexedge Capital to serve the evolving needs of entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals and multi-generational families through personalised wealth management, investment advisory, succession planning and family office solutions.

ON THE EXPANSION

Commenting on the launch, Market co-heads, Varun Menon and Santosh Meena, Nexedge Capital, said:

“Gujarat is home to some of India’s most sophisticated wealth creators — families who have built businesses across generations and are now navigating complex decisions around succession, expansion and legacy. This is precisely the depth of advisory work Nexedge was built for, and Ahmedabad is central to that ambition.”

Adding to this, Pankaj Walia, Co-founder, Nexedge Capital, said:

“Most wealth firms in this market are built around product distribution. Nexedge is built around advice. For the clients we serve in Gujarat — entrepreneurs managing operating businesses, real estate, public markets and succession simultaneously — that distinction is not a positioning statement. It is the difference between a firm that serves their interests and one that serves its own. That is the standard we hold ourselves to, and it is why we are here.”

The Ahmedabad office forms part of the firm’s broader strategy to deepen its presence across India’s key centres of family wealth enterprise and strengthen its role as a trusted partner in long-term wealth preservation, continuity and legacy planning.

Bengaluru, June 08: Vestige Marketing Pvt. Ltd., India’s leading homegrown direct selling company, marks 22 years since its inception, reflecting on a legacy built on trust, entrepreneurship and distributor-first growth, as it steps into its next phase with the announcement of its theme “Activate the $1 Billion Mindset” to achieve $1 billion growth by 2030.

The goal represents more than a business milestone. It reflects Vestige‘s commitment to scaling entrepreneurship, expanding opportunities and strengthening its contribution to India’s evolving direct selling ecosystem. Built on a foundation of trust and innovation, Vestige aims to accelerate its next phase of expansion through portfolio innovation, digital transformation, distributor empowerment and global market growth.

Over the past two decades, Vestige has built a strong presence across India, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, and has emerged as one of the country’s largest direct selling companies. With a diversified portfolio spanning Health & Wellness, Beauty & Personal Care, and Agriculture, the company continues to create pathways for entrepreneurship and economic participation for millions of individuals. Its growth has been driven by a diverse community of people, including women, young entrepreneurs, homemakers, working professionals and many others who have transitioned into entrepreneurship, became economic independence and embraced flexible income opportunities. 

Commenting on the 22nd anniversary milestone, Gautam Bali, Founder & Managing Director, Vestige Marketing Pvt. Ltd., said, “The journey of Vestige has always been about people. Over the last 22 years, we have seen individuals from all walks of life build confidence, achieve economic independence, and create better opportunities for their families and communities. As we look towards 2030, our commitment remains to empower more people to dream bigger, grow further, and transform their lives. The $1 Billion Mindset is not just about scale, it reflects the collective ambition and potential of the entire Vestige family.”

As a part of its growth strategy, Vestige will continue investing in digital capabilities, innovation-led product development, operational excellence, and leadership development. The company also remains focused on expanding opportunities for women, youth, and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly across emerging markets.

With the launch of the “Activate the $1 Billion Mindset”, Vestige aims to reinforce its position as a key driver of entrepreneurship-led growth while contributing to the advancement of India’s direct selling industry.

Capture local culture at the in-store tram stop and Goldfish Street photo spots,

take home Wah Yuen and Koon Wah nostalgic snacks and Stir-fried Beef Ho Fun Flavoured Popcorn, and pick up Hong Kong-themed magnets and keychains

8 June 2026, Hong Kong: Wellcome has been part of Hong Kong neighbourhoods since 1945 – and with its Everyday Value (係堅價) campaign locking in low prices on 500 daily essentials, it is taking that same community spirit in a new direction, bringing its nostalgia-themed retail concept to two more stores. The Victoria Road store in Kennedy Town gets the ding–ding treatment – Hong Kong’s beloved tram – with tram tracks on the floor, vintage green and yellow throughout, and a 1990s tram stop installation inside. Over in Mong Kok, the Sim City store goes full dai pai dong, with corrugated tin, neon signs and milk tea kettles to match.

 Both follow the success of Wellcome’s first nostalgia–concept store at Prosperous Garden in Yau Ma Tei, which opened earlier this year. All three are built around the same idea: old Hong Kong, brought back to life – through immersive displays, plenty of photo-taking opportunities, exclusive souvenirs and brand collaborations that locals and visitors can enjoy together.

 Wellcome Time Machine – First Stop: Victoria Road, Kennedy Town

 The Victoria Road store’s tram theme taps into something most Hong Kong people carry with them. The ding–ding has always been more than just a way to get around – it is woven into the fabric of daily life, the way Wellcome itself has been for generations.

 Holding a parent’s hand on the ride home after a supermarket run. Piling onto a packed tram with school friends, still finishing an ice cream. Small moments, but the kind that stay with you. The store brings all of that back. The tram-inspired vintage green and pastel yellow hues run throughout, with photo-worthy installations and nostalgic details at every turn. Tram tracks printed along the aisle floors invite shoppers to follow the route – trolley in hand – through the streets of old Hong Kong.

 The nostalgia does not stop at the store doors. From 8 June to 11 July 2026, a specially themed Wellcome tram will travel along Hong Kong Island, inviting everyone to embark on a retro journey through the city. Decked out in vintage colours and classic Wellcome motifs, the tram becomes a moving time capsule – a chance for locals and visitors alike to step aboard, relive collective memories, and experience the spirit of old Hong Kong.

Wellcome Time Machine – Second Stop: Sim City, Mong Kok

 The Sim City store sits at the heart of one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant districts – and it feels like it. The store replicates the street-dining energy of open-air dai pai dong food stalls indoors, with a nod to that uniquely Hong Kong institution, the cha chaan teng – the milk-tea café where East meets West on every menu.

 Spread across two floors, the store greets customers with vintage red and yellow Wellcome signage at the entrance, while the staircase walls are lined with photographs of Nathan Road after dark in the ’80s and ’90s – neon lights, roast meat shops, cha chaan tengs and all.

 Photo spots and nostalgic installations add to the immersive experience, transporting shoppers back to the bustling nightlife and golden-era charm of old Kowloon. But the centrepiece is the Wellcome Dai Pai Dong – instantly familiar to anyone who remembers the food stalls that once lined the district’s back streets. Kerosene stoves, oil lamps and Hong Kong-style milk-tea kettles recreate the atmosphere with real attention to detail. There’s also a retro ping-pong spring-pull machine, once a staple of local arcades – play for free with any purchase.

Wellcome’s Nostalgia Concept Store Locations:

Dubai, UAE – 8th June 2026 – The MENA Fintech Association (MFTA), under its SHIFT: Payments Working Group, has announced the launch of a new series of specialized subcommittees aimed at fostering deeper industry collaboration, advancing innovation, and supporting the development of policy and market frameworks across the rapidly evolving payments landscape.

The initiative marks the next phase of SHIFT’s evolution as a leading industry forum, bringing together global payment leaders, financial institutions, fintech innovators, and ecosystem stakeholders to address the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of payments.

The first three subcommittees to be launched will focus on:

●      B2B & Commercial Payments

●      Gateways & Merchant Acceptance

●      Stablecoin Payments

Additional subcommittees covering other critical areas of the payments ecosystem will be announced in the coming weeks.

To lead these inaugural workstreams, MFTA has appointed three distinguished industry leaders with extensive global experience across payments, financial services, and digital assets.

Swapna Rege, VP, Commercial Product Head EEMEA at Mastercard, has been appointed Chair of the B2B & Commercial Payments Subcommittee, where discussions will focus on the modernization of commercial payment infrastructure, embedded finance opportunities, cross-border payment efficiencies, and the digitization of enterprise payment flows.

Diego Falanga, Director, MENA at Checkout.com, will serve as Chair of the Gateways & Merchant Acceptance Subcommittee, leading industry engagement around merchant acquiring, payment acceptance, orchestration, checkout innovation, and the infrastructure powering digital commerce across the region.

Evgeny Koval, Head of Fiat CIS/CEE/MENA at Binance, has been appointed Chair of the Stablecoin Payments Subcommittee, reflecting the growing significance of digital asset-enabled payment rails and the increasing convergence of traditional finance and blockchain-based settlement infrastructure.

The broader SHIFT: Payments Working Group will continue to be led by Akshay Chopra and Clyde Rosanowski, whose leadership has helped establish the group as a trusted platform for industry dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaborative problem-solving across the payments ecosystem.

“The payments ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by new technologies, evolving business models, and changing customer expectations. As the industry continues to mature, structured collaboration between market participants becomes increasingly important.

The launch of these specialized SHIFT subcommittees reflects MFTA’s commitment to convening the right expertise around the most important developments shaping the future of payments. By bringing together leading practitioners from across the ecosystem, we aim to foster meaningful dialogue, advance industry best practices, and contribute to the continued growth and competitiveness of the MENA fintech landscape.”

– Nameer Khan, Chairman, MENA FinTech Association

Swapna Rege stated: “For years, the big payments story in MENA has been consumers; tap to pay, digital wallets, instant transfers. But the next big story is businesses. How a company pays its suppliers, settles invoices, moves money across borders. That’s still slow, manual, and expensive for too many businesses in this region. The good news is we have everything we need to change that: great infrastructure, supportive regulators, and some of the best talent anywhere in the world. I’m excited to be part of the group working to make that happen”

Diego Falanga, on his appointment as the chair of Gateways & Merchant Acceptance Subcommittee stated,”I am incredibly excited to take on this role and, with the SHIFT working group, truly empower performance through payments in the MENA region. My main goal is to drive innovation and streamline merchant acceptance across the board”

Evgeny Koval, Head of Fiat CIS/CEE/MENA at Binance added “Stablecoin payments are becoming core infrastructure faster than any other global initiative right now, and MENA, already a leader in many areas of fintech, is positioned to lead here too. My goal as Chair is to make this Sub-Committee the room where the best experts shape that agenda, convening crypto exchanges, issuers, banks, infrastructure providers, and regulators around real use cases and turning them into concrete deals and regulatory progress”

The launch reflects MFTA’s continued commitment to convening industry leaders to drive meaningful conversations around the technologies, business models, and regulatory developments shaping the future of financial services across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.