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Industry veteran to scale Refroid’s AI datacenter infrastructure business globally, leveraging India-based engineering and manufacturing

India – Apr 06 — Refroid Technologies, an India-headquartered datacenter infrastructure company focused on enabling next-generation AI and high-performance datacenters, today announced the appointment of Vijay Sampathkumar as Chief Business Officer (CBO). In this role, Vijay will lead Refroid’s global go-to-market strategy, partnerships, and business expansion, taking the company’s Make-in-India datacenter infrastructure innovations to international markets.

Vijay brings extensive leadership experience in the datacenter cooling and infrastructure ecosystem and has played a key role in advancing next-generation cooling technologies across emerging and high-growth data center markets. At Refroid, he will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships, accelerating adoption of advanced cooling technologies, and scaling the company’s presence across global AI datacenter ecosystems.

Satya Bhavaraju, CEO of Refroid Technologies, commented, “Vijay brings deep domain expertise and a global perspective on datacenter cooling and infrastructure technologies. As AI workloads drive unprecedented demand for high-density datacenters, Refroid is focused on building innovative infrastructure solutions from India for the global market. Vijay’s leadership will be instrumental in scaling our global go-to-market strategy and strengthening our position as an emerging innovator in AI datacenter technologies.”

Vijay Sampathkumar, Chief Business Officer, Refroid Technologies, said: “India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for AI and datacenter innovation. Refroid has a unique opportunity to build globally competitive, Make-in-India datacenter technologies from hybrid load banks to advanced liquid cooling and deliver these innovations to datacenters worldwide. I am excited to help scale Refroid’s global footprint and strengthen partnerships across the AI datacenter ecosystem.”

Prior to joining Refroid, Vijay served as Vice President & Country Manager – India and Southeast Asia at ZutaCore, where he led regional business expansion and drove adoption of direct-to-chip liquid cooling technologies across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

At Refroid, his role will extend beyond cooling technologies to include the company’s broader portfolio of datacenter infrastructure innovations, including: Single-phase direct-to-chip liquid cooling (DCLC), Immersion cooling systems, Hybrid load banks & Advanced datacenter testing and validation infrastructure

In the initial phase, Vijay will focus on expanding partnerships with server OEMs, AI infrastructure providers, and datacenter operators, while accelerating adoption of liquid cooling technologies including single-phase DCLC and immersion cooling. Refroid will also position its hybrid load banks as a critical solution for testing and validating high-density AI datacenter infrastructure.

With engineering and manufacturing rooted in India, Refroid aims to leverage the Make in India initiative to build globally competitive datacenter technologies that support the growth of energy-efficient and sustainable AI infrastructure worldwide.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 06 April 2026: Noatum Ports, the international ports operating arm of AD Ports Group (ADPORTS:ADX), today confirmed the delivery of three new ship-to-shore (STS) and six rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes to its new multipurpose terminal in Safaga, Egypt, marking a crucial step ahead of the opening later this year of a major new commercial maritime gateway on the Red Sea in southern Egypt.

The Super Post-Panamax-class cranes made by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (ZPMC), a leading global manufacturer of industrial cranes, were successfully delivered following ocean transport from China, confirming the commencement of phased operational activities at Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal, subsequent to the completion of major infrastructure development works.

Strategically located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal is poised to be the first internationally operated port terminal in the Upper Egypt region of southern Egypt, serving as a key gateway for the region and strengthening connectivity across Egypt, the Middle East, Africa, and global shipping routes. Designed to handle containers, general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, and Ro-Ro cargo, the terminal will support regional and international trade flows while delivering high productivity, deep draft capabilities, and best-in-class port operations, in addition to playing a central role in enabling industrial development across Upper Egypt and the wider Red Sea region, including container trade, project cargo for industrial and green energy infrastructure, and mining logistics.

Mohammed Al Tamimi, Chief Executive Officer of Noatum Ports, said: “The arrival of the STS and RTG cranes marks a key operational milestone for Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal, ahead of its opening later this year as a major gateway for economic development in southern Egypt. This milestone signals the transition from development to operations at a strategically important location. The terminal will serve as a key Red Sea gateway, supporting global trade flows and contributing to Egypt’s economic growth.”

Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal will span approximately 810,000 m², featuring a 1,000-metre quay wall designed to handle up to 450,000 TEUs, alongside 5 million tonnes of dry bulk and general cargo, 1 million tonnes of liquid bulk, and 50,000 CEUs of Ro-Ro cargo.

The development includes administration buildings, workshops, warehouses, and authority facilities, supported by comprehensive infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and integrated security systems.

AD Ports Group has invested AED 193 million to procure the cranes for Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal, which is expected to commence operations in the second half of 2026. The cranes form a part of a total investment of USD 200 million committed by the Group for the Safaga Terminal, following the award in 2023 of a 30-year concession to develop and operate the multipurpose terminal in partnership with Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA).

The project is partially financed through a USD 115 million facility from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with participation from the National Bank of Kuwait – Egypt (NBK – Egypt) and other institutional investors, as announced by the Group in February 2026. The IFC managed co-lending portfolio programme carries a tenor of 15 years and reflects strong international confidence in AD Ports Group, as well as Egypt’s strategic role in the global supply chain.

The new terminal forms part of AD Ports Group’s broader strategy to develop and operate high-performance port assets across high-growth trade corridors, particularly in Egypt, one of the Group’s most important international markets. The successful delivery of the cranes reflects Noatum Ports’ long-term commitment to investing in advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment, reinforcing its role in delivering safe, efficient, and reliable terminal operations worldwide.

Apr 06: Early–stage investment platform JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF) has invested over ₹150 crore across more than 100 pre-seed and seed-stage startups over the past two years and plans to deploy an additional ₹80–100 crore over the next 12–18 months. The start-up incubator reported over 15 exits during the period. 

The platform has also made a ₹26.5 crore investment in Mumbai-based Atomic Capital, marking its entry into a fund-of-funds approach. The move allows JIIF to participate in a wider set of investment opportunities beyond direct startup investments.

JIIF said it plans to launch an accelerator programme focused on the Asia-Pacific region, covering India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The programme will target early–stage startups across sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, climate, mobility and digital infrastructure.

Over the next 12–18 months, the platform plans to invest approximately ₹80–100 crore, with an aim to back 20–25 startups annually. Its investment ticket size currently ranges between ₹1.5 crore and ₹2 crore depending on stage and sector.

The portfolio is spread across sectors including AI and deeptech (15%), consumer and D2C (25%), health (15%), fintech (15–20%), and mobility and sustainability (20%), among others. Some of the sectors, including consumer, mobility and fintech, have seen relatively quicker exits through secondary transactions and buybacks.

Some of its portfolio companies include Aten Porus, Elixia, Zintlr, DTown Robotics, Nautical Wings, BatX, S3V, Stroom, Snackible, Elefant, among others across sectors such as SaaS, defence tech, mobility, sustainability, health tech and D2C.

Commenting on the development, JIIF Chairman Jeenendra Bhandari said, “We have focused on building a founder-first investment platform that goes beyond capital. Our partnerships with platforms such as Startup Singham and Lead to Unicorn have helped us access high-quality opportunities. Our investment in Atomic Capital marks a significant step in expanding our investment capabilities and accessing differentiated opportunities. Alongside, the planned APAC accelerator programme will support founders at scale across geographies.”

The platform said its exits have primarily taken place through secondary transactions and buybacks, with returns aligned to its target IRR of 20–30%+ over the lifecycle of investments.

Developer reveals four ultra-luxury waterfront mansions and 110 luxury apartments secured at Ritz-Carlton Residences 

Dubai, UAE, 6^th April; 2026:  Investors have secured four ultra-prime waterfront mansions and more than half of the luxury apartments at The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Keturah Resort, the Middle East’s first fully wellness-certified resort in Dubai. 

Located on the shores of Dubai Creek and adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, the Resort continues to advance steadily, with construction activity continuing as planned in recent weeks, luxury developer Keturah said in a project update today. 

The gated community comprises 12 Creek-side mansions of 42,000 sq ft, eight residential buildings with 193 apartments – 110 now sold – a five-star Ritz-Carlton boutique hotel, a standalone wellness centre, and a private marina with moorings for yachts up to 120 feet. 

With eight remaining mansions priced in the AED335 million to AED363 million range, Keturah is confident of continued interest from buyers, many aiming to make Dubai their home. The developer also believes the resort will help reinforce the UAE’s $40.8 billion wellness economy. 

The UAE ranks first in the latest global five-year wellness growth figures, and Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand, says this reflects the UAE’s Wellbeing 2031 agenda to make the country a global leader in quality of life. 

“The UAE’s wellness economy is already the fastest-growing in the MENA region, as a direct result of genuine intent, and Keturah Resort is our contribution to that vision,” says Talal. 

“Dubai recognises that there has been a clear shift in how luxury real estate is defined and valued, with buyers now asking whether a home will improve their health, enhance sleep, lift mood, support family wellbeing, and strengthen their connection to nature.” 

Added Talal: “Dubai’s luxury property market has always emerged from periods of uncertainty with renewed momentum. We see high-net-worth capital continuing to flow from international buyers, particularly those seeking freehold assets underpinned by a globally recognised hospitality brand.” 

A recent Keturah survey of Dubai real estate brokers showed that the majority of global investors in luxury real estate want to live in the city, not just own property. It also found that lifestyle quality and wellness are key factors shaping luxury purchasing decisions.

According to the latest Global Wellness Institute (GWI) rankings, the UAE is No.1 globally for five-year wellness growth. In the GWI’s 2025 report it also led the MENA region in wellness real estate ($1.4 billion), spa revenue ($2.9 billion), and personal care and beauty ($14.8 billion).

Meanwhile, the Emirates has been growing faster than any other MENA country in public health, prevention and personalised medicine, physical activity and workplace wellness. Reflecting these trends, the Keturah Resort, is certified by Delos, the US-based wellness real estate and technology firm, and the International WELL Building Institute.

Management under The Ritz-Carlton brand brings residents a full range of personalised attention, including dedicated concierge and butler services and in-residence dining. They also have access to the Keturah Wellness Centre featuring a 5-star Spa, health & fitness club, multiple yoga rooms and organic health care facility.

The resort features over 550 meters of waterfront promenade and 80,000 sqm of landscaped green spaces. The nearby sanctuary’s natural mangroves attract over 20,000 birds of 67 species, including the renowned greater flamingo.

New Delhi, Apr 06: Automotive Skills Development Council in partnership with the HCLFoundation, celebrated the successful completion of a transformative skill development initiative with the convocation of 90 trained taxi driver candidates in Bengaluru. The program is aimed at empowering marginalized youth by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in India’s rapidly evolving mobility sector.

The convocation marked a significant milestone with a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment. Of the certified candidates, 82 were women trained as taxi drivers, underscoring a meaningful step toward enhancing female representation in the traditionally male-dominated mobility sector. The training was conducted at the Ashok Leyland – Institute of Driving & Training Research, a premier facility known for its industry-aligned driver training programs. “Through this initiative, ASDC continues to strengthen its mandate of creating an industry-ready workforce for the evolving mobility ecosystem,” said Vinkesh Gulati, ASDC Chairman. “Our focus is not just on skilling but on enabling sustainable livelihoods, particularly for underserved communities and women, while also promoting road safety awareness and responsible driving practices to build a safer and more accountable mobility ecosystem.”

On the occasion of convocation Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC said, “Partnerships like this are critical to addressing real-time industry demands. By aligning training with employer expectations, we are ensuring that candidates are job-ready from day one.”

The candidates underwent comprehensive training for the Taxi Driver job role through a structured curriculum that included:

• Safe and professional driving practices
• Road safety norms and regulatory awareness
• Customer service and communication skills
• Digital literacy
• Life skills for long-term career growth

HCLFoundation and Automotive Skills Development Council are actively collaborating with mobility platforms, fleet operators and industry stakeholders to facilitate placement opportunities for all trained candidates. While the placement process is currently underway, the organizations remain confident that the industry readiness of the candidates will translate into successful employment outcomes in the coming phase.

HCLFoundation’s steadfast commitment to inclusive and sustainable development continues to enable meaningful livelihood opportunities for underserved communities through focused skilling interventions.

ASDC underscores its continued commitment to building a skilled, inclusive, and future-ready workforce for India’s mobility sector while contributing to broader goals of sustainable and equitable growth.

Apr 6: Strengthening its engagement with local markets and government institutions in the Northeast, Summit Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shova Lama as Public Relations Officer for Sikkim. In her new role, Shova Lama will be responsible for strengthening the brand’s relationship with various government departments and public institutions across the state. Her responsibilities include facilitating room bookings for official travel, coordinating hospitality arrangements for government events and conferences, and expanding institutional business opportunities for the group.

 She will also work closely with local communities and organisations to promote Summit’s properties as venues for weddings, social gatherings, and private celebrations, thereby strengthening the brand’s presence in the regional events and social hospitality segment.

As part of her responsibilities, Shova Lama is also assisting the company with government registrations and empanelment processes, working on compliance and documentation matters. In addition, she has been tasked with supporting the company’s expansion plans in the Northeast by liaising with stakeholders across neighbouring states for potential hotel properties that could be brought into the Summit portfolio on a lease model.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka, CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts, said,“The Northeast has always been central to Summit’s journey, and Sikkim in particular remains one of our strongest operating regions. As our network of properties continues to grow across the hills, building closer relationships with government institutions, local communities, and regional stakeholders becomes increasingly important. Shova’s role will help us strengthen these connections while also supporting our expansion initiatives across the wider Northeast.”

Shova Lama’s appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is actively strengthening its footprint across the Himalayan and Northeast regions, focusing on destinations where tourism demand, social events, and institutional travel continue to grow.

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New Delhi: The Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 concluded successfully in Delhi, attracting large crowds and generating sales exceeding ₹4.5 crore. The festival celebrated India’s vibrant tribal culture, showcasing a wide variety of traditional crafts, textiles, artwork, and organic products.

The event provided tribal artisans with a unique platform to reach wider audiences, share their heritage, and boost their livelihoods. Visitors had the opportunity to engage directly with craftsmen, learn about their art forms, and purchase authentic products, supporting both cultural preservation and sustainable entrepreneurship.

Organizers highlighted that the strong turnout and robust sales reflect growing interest in India’s indigenous arts and crafts, and underline the festival’s role in promoting tribal innovation and economic empowerment.