Category: Business

Delhi, May 21 : Meta Fashion, a new-age digital fashion platform which is building the “Zara for the Virtual World”, announced that it has raised approximately $400K in a pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Lumikai, India’s leading interactive media, digital platforms, and games-focused VC fund. The round also saw participation from prominent angel investors including Big Bets (the family office of Anton Gauffin, founder of HUUUGE Games), Akshat Rathee, Founder of Nodwin Gaming, and Pratham Mittal, Founder of Masters’ Union.

Founded in 2022 by Arjun Goel, a 19-year-old entrepreneur who appeared on Shark Tank, Meta Fashion designs and develops digital fashion items for platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto, ZEPETO and others. Arjun is joined by his co-founder, Sanjay Goel, a NIFT Delhi alumnus with two exited startups, one of which was acquired by PayTM. Sanjay brings 20+ years of industry experience in consumer tech, manufacturing, and exports.

Further, the company is building their original IP game called Glam Girls for Roblox. Meta Fashion has also created a consumer D2C line for superfans that has successfully converted virtual best selling items into physical fashion goods. At the core of Meta Fashion’s platform is a proprietary AI-native “fast fashion” engine for digital assets, using AI-powered styling and creation tooling that analyzes live marketplace trends and demand signals to improve discovery, accelerate asset creation, and drive higher conversion across virtual marketplaces. To date, Meta Fashion has sold over 2.5 million virtual fashion units on the Roblox marketplace, generating approximately $300K in gross merchandise value operating at a 92% gross margin. Global brands such as Walmart have also partnered with Meta Fashion to bring real world products into the digital world.

Their dress-up game, GlamGirls, launched in beta on Roblox in late 2025 and has attracted over 100K paying users with zero marketing, with a 75% female user base and 50% of users over the age of 18.

UGC platforms such as Roblox, Fortnite, and ZEPETO are emerging as new ecosystems for entertainment and IP creation, particularly for a Gen Z and Gen Alpha digitally-native demographic that has grown up on multiplayer, creator-led worlds. At current growth rates, this sector is expected to cross $100B by 2036.

Roblox alone has grown to 150 million average daily active users and $6.8 billion in annual bookings in 2025. The platform paid out over $1.5 billion to creators in 2025 (a 70% year-over- year increase). Roblox’s 40 million monthly paying users spend an average of $20 per month. The phygital opportunity is also already proven, with studios like Twin Atlas generating six- figure commerce revenue within weeks of enabling in-game purchases.

As Roblox’s user base ages up (with 65% of age-verified users now 13 or older, including 27% aged 18 and above) and as new monetization surfaces such as real-world commerce and ad- revenue sharing open up, UGC platforms are increasingly becoming home to venture-scale IP businesses.

Arjun Goel, Co-founder and CEO of Meta Fashion, said:

“I’ve been creating on Roblox since I was 15, and I’ve watched it grow from a children’s gaming platform into one of the most powerful consumer ecosystems in the world. With Meta Fashion, we want to build the definitive consumer IP company for these new platforms, one that combines taste, speed, and a digital-to-physical flywheel that no traditional brand can replicate. Lumikai backed our vision from day one, and their depth in this ecosystem makes them the right partner to build this with.”

Aditya Deshpande, Principal at Lumikai, said:

“We first came across Arjun’s work while tinkering on Roblox. His virtual items stood out in the marketplace with a level of taste that was hard to miss. What sets Arjun apart is a rare combination of foresight to pre-empt aesthetic trends on UGC marketplaces and the commercial discipline to convert that signal into a profitable, capital efficient operation. Meta Fashion sits at the intersection of two trends that drive our thesis on the space: the rise of UGC platforms as the next generation of consumer entertainment and the professionalization of creators on these platforms into real, venture-scale businesses. We’re truly thrilled to partner with Arjun.”

PAN India, May 21 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday conducted a high-level review of three important subjects linked to the future economy of the state, which include the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Cluster  Project Ganga, and possible exemption in mandi fee and cess to promote in-house processing of wheat. 

Reviewing the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Cluster  the Chief Minister said that the project will create the basic infrastructure for Uttar Pradesh’s AI mission. 

He said, “The Data Centre Cluster should not remain limited to the NCR region and other parts of the state should also be connected with it.”

Chief Minister directed that the project can begin from the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) area, where large-scale land is available. Dialogue should be established with major tech companies, including the Tata Group, to develop Lucknow as an ‘AI City’.

It was informed during the meeting that the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Cluster is a long-term strategy to make the state the biggest AI compute power centre of India and the Global South. Its objective is to make Uttar Pradesh a global hub for artificial intelligence, data centres, cloud infrastructure and high-tech digital manufacturing. 

The presentation informs that this is not just a project but a blueprint for the new economic structure of Uttar Pradesh for the next 50 years. Under this, targets have been set to build a 5 trillion dollar economy, generate more than 1.5 lakh direct jobs and develop a 5-gigawatt AI compute corridor by 2040.

It was told during the meeting that by 2040, the world’s new economy will develop around ‘future arenas’ such as AI, cloud, cyber security, semiconductors, electric vehicles, robotics and space technology, whose combined global market could reach 29 to 48 trillion dollars. 

For India, sectors like AI software and services, cloud services, cyber security, semiconductors, aerospace and EVs will become major economic engines of the future.

The meeting highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s 5 major structural strengths which include the geographical location, vast land availability, large youth population, rapidly developing infrastructure and strong leadership. It was stated that Uttar Pradesh’s inland location keeps it safe from sea risks and cyclones, while expressways, airports, logistics networks and power infrastructure are already developing rapidly. 

Due to Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, National Institute of Technology Prayagraj and more than 50 engineering institutions, the state has a large pool of technical talent.

The meeting described Uttar Pradesh as Asia’s most secure, scalable and connected inland AI territory. It was stated that almost all major fibre networks of the country pass through UP and the state is connected with all sea cable landing points of India. 

Connectivity of less than 5 milliseconds within the state and 5-12 milliseconds connectivity to digital hubs like Mumbai and Chennai is available. For global tech companies, UP is an ideal AI infrastructure hub with lower cost, better scalability and higher network redundancy.

Chief Minister also reviewed ‘Project Ganga’ – Government Assisted Network for Growth and Advancement. He directed that youth selected as digital entrepreneurs should be given quality training. He said a system should also be developed so that companies carrying out survey work can use these youths. 

Chief Minister stressed rapid expansion of the optical fibre network and complete transparency in all works. Proper incentives should be provided to digital entrepreneurs from the beginning.

It was informed in the meeting that Project Ganga is an ambitious initiative to bring high-speed broadband networks to rural Uttar Pradesh. Its objective is not only to provide internet but also to promote telemedicine, digital education, skill development, e-governance, digital employment and rural entrepreneurship. Under the project, more than 10,000 youths are targeted to be developed as Digital Service Providers (DSPs), which is expected to create around 50,000 direct and over 1 lakh indirect jobs.

Under the scheme, a target has been set to connect more than 20 lakh homes with fibre-based high-speed internet networks. Each DSP will be able to connect 200 to 300 homes in their area. Special priority has also been given to women entrepreneurship and a target has been fixed to include around 50 percent women entrepreneurs.

In the meeting, it was informed that only limited services are possible through mobile internet, whereas high-speed broadband is necessary for real digital transformation. Strong digital infrastructure was described as essential for services like AI-based agriculture, drone monitoring, smart villages, virtual labs, telemedicine and cloud computing.

Under Project Ganga, DSPs will not only be internet service providers but will also develop a complete network of digital services in rural areas. They will provide services such as high-speed broadband, IPTV, OTT access, CCTV solutions, public Wi-Fi, cyber security and enterprise connectivity. Under the scheme, each DSP will be provided interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh. The project is currently being prepared as a ‘proof of concept’ in 21 priority districts, after which it will be expanded across the state.

Chief Minister also conducted a detailed review of the strategy to promote in-house processing of wheat. Stressing the need for reforms in the mandi tax and mandi fee system, he said that the state’s mandi should be made modern, clean and attractive. He directed that cleanliness, painting, lighting during festivals, removal of encroachments and better management should be ensured in mandis.

Mentioning the possible impact of El Niño, the Chief Minister said that crops may be affected in the coming years, so the state must prepare from now for food security. The state’s food grain reserves should remain adequate and strong.

During the meeting, it was informed that Uttar Pradesh is the largest wheat-producing state in the country. In 2025-26, wheat production in the state is estimated at 372 lakh metric tonnes, while total availability may reach 407 lakh metric tonnes. Around 2.88 crore farmers in the state are connected with wheat production. Despite this, due to limited processing capacity, a large quantity of wheat goes to other states as raw grain, causing value addition, GST revenue and employment opportunities to move outside the state.

The state has 559 roller flour mills with a total milling capacity of 218.4 lakh metric tonnes, but actual utilization is limited to only 126.45 lakh metric tonnes. Apart from this, more than 40,000 flour mills are also operational. 

The report stated that if wheat processing is promoted within the state, there can be major growth in employment, electricity consumption, GST collection and food industries. 

The committee suggested that registered mills in Uttar Pradesh purchasing wheat for processing within the state should be given exemption in mandi fee and development cess, but this exemption should not apply to trading activities.

FILIUM CORP. AND FORMER SEATTLE MAYOR BRUCE HARRELL ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD, POSITIONING THE COMPANY FOR ACCELERATED GLOBAL GROWTH

Filium names former Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell as CEO and establishes an Executive Advisory Board with industry leaders, as retailers and brands, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, O’Neills and North Face, adopt Filium Activated technology.

Seattle, Washington — May 21, 2026 —  Filium, the Seattle-based award-winning material science innovator transforming textile performance through sustainable technology, today announced a series of strategic leadership and organizational developments designed to accelerate the company’s next phase of growth and reinforce its position as a leader in advanced textile solutions.

Filium has developed breakthrough PFAS-free textile technology engineered to deliver water repellency, soil release, and odor resistance while preserving breathability and fabric hand feel. The company’s proprietary solutions are helping redefine modern textile manufacturing by reducing water consumption, lowering energy use, extending fabric lifespan, and supporting healthier, more sustainable consumer products and ensuring that all communities benefit from this technology.

Filium technology has recently been featured in product lines carried by major global retailers and brands, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, O’Neills, and North Face.

As part of today’s announcement, Filium confirmed that Bruce Harrell will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Founder Raj Shah, who will continue to guide the company as Chairman of the Board.

“Raj Shah and his brother Ahkil Shah’s decades of leadership in the apparel and textile industry, combined with their deep understanding of sustainability and innovation, have positioned Filium at the forefront of a transformational movement in material science,” said Harrell, former Mayor of the City of Seattle. “I am honored to step into this leadership role at such an exciting moment for the company and the industry. Consumers and global brands are demanding products that perform at the highest level while reflecting modern environmental and wellness values, and Filium is uniquely positioned to help lead that evolution. The Shahs have been respected for decades as leading innovators and disruptors in the apparel industry. Their unprecedented success in brands like Mecca, supply chain innovation and record breaking 24% market share, gives Filium a unique advantage in material science.” 

Harrell continued, “Filium’s game-changing and award-winning technology is designed for every fabric type and every community. I am thrilled to join the team that is bringing this revolutionary approach to sustainable, innovative textiles to its next stage with new retailers, brands, and consumers.”  

Doug Lynch, President of Filium, added, “Bruce brings a unique combination of visionary leadership, operational discipline, AI integration and relationship-building expertise. Over the past several weeks, I have seen firsthand his commitment to collaboration, innovation, and performance excellence. His leadership will be instrumental as Filium scales its global growth strategy.”

Filium also announced the formation and expansion of its Executive Advisory Board, bringing together highly accomplished leaders from the global apparel, retail, sports, and brand marketing industries to support the company’s strategic initiatives and long-term expansion.

New members of the Executive Advisory Board include:

• Bob Philion, former President and CEO of Puma North America and COBRA PUMA Golf

• Laurie Black, longtime senior executive at Nordstrom, including service as President of Nordstrom Rack

• Chris Overholt, Chief Commercial Officer of Vinik Sports Group and the Tampa Bay Lightening, and former Senior Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships for Madison Square Garden Sports

• Dr. Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan, Founder of Infinite Sum Modeling, LLC.   

In addition, Larry Miller, Chairman of Jordan Brand at Nike and former President of Jordan Brand, who also serves on Filium’s Board of Directors, continues to provide strategic guidance to the company, commented, “The Shah brothers decades of stellar success in the apparel industry and with Bruce Harrell’s highly accomplished background will accelerate company’s mission. The Filum team understands innovation, culture and how to effectively build partnerships which will be key to their success.”  

Investor Brian Levine commented, “Filium has positioned itself as a true innovator within the textile industry by aligning performance, health, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in a way that is increasingly demanded by consumers and global brands alike. The company is challenging legacy assumptions in an industry historically driven primarily by cost and appearance.”

Chairman Raj Shah, who alongside Akhil Shah is a co-founder of Filium, added, “These leadership and organizational changes, coupled with their novel AI applications, reflect Filium’s unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and long-term industry leadership. For decades, I have witnessed the environmental and human impact of traditional textile manufacturing. Filium was created to help change that reality, and I believe the company is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth and global influence in the material sciences sector.”   

Stamford, Conn., May 21: The market for enterprise AI coding agents has entered a new phase of expansion and competitive realignment, according to Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company. 

This shift is driven by frontier model providers moving up the stack, more agentic workflows, expansion across the software development life cycle (SDLC), and more complex pricing and ROI dynamics. 

Enterprise AI coding agents mark a transformative shift from AI-assisted development to agentic software development, spanning the SDLC from planning to creating to reviewing code. Gartner predicts that by 2027, over 65% of engineering teams using agentic coding will treat integrated development environments (IDEs) as optional, shifting control, governance, and validation to automated platforms. 

“What began as a race to deliver the most ’magical’ developer experience is now evolving into a contest of operational excellence, commercial maturity, and enterprise readiness,” said Philip Walsh, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner. “Leading AI model providers are offering not just APIs and models, but integrated agentic workflows that promise to transform the entire SDLC. 

“Developer experience and model capabilities are important, but they are not the only criteria when evaluating which vendors are best positioned to help enterprises operationalize AI coding agents at scale. For enterprise-wide adoption, governance, pricing, support, workflows, commercial maturity and market durability also matter, especially for medium- to long-term commitments.” 

Gartner analysts said that when choosing a tool, product excellence and momentum matter, but do not eliminate the importance of enterprise sales maturity, customer support, governance, commercial clarity and the ability to serve buyers with more complex deployment, regulatory or procurement needs. 

“These factors may be less visible in public debate, but they matter in enterprise market evaluation,” said Walsh. 

Additional Insights Available

Gartner clients can read more in the report Leading in Enterprise AI Coding Agents Requires More than Product Momentum, and Magic Quadrant for Enterprise AI Coding Agents. Nonclients can visit Understanding the Enterprise AI Coding Agent Market for more information. 

Gartner is the World Authority on AI

Gartner is the indispensable partner to C-Level executives and technology providers as they implement AI strategies to achieve their mission-critical priorities. The independence and objectivity of Gartner insights provide clients with the confidence to make informed decisions and unlock the full potential of AI. Clients across the C-Level are using Gartner‘s proprietary AskGartner AI tool to determine how to leverage AI in their business. With more than 2,500 business and technology experts, 6,000 written insights, as well as more than 4,000 AI use cases and case studies, Gartner is the world authority on AI. 

Covestro today officially opened its new Thermoplastic Polyurethanes  Application Development  Center in Guangzhou, China. The opening marks a significant milestone in implementing the company’s strategy to bring innovation closer to customers across Asia-Pacific. The new AD Center complements the company’s soon-to-be largest global TPU production site in Zhuhai, which began operations earlier this year, and its existing regional R&D center in Changhua. Together, the three sites form an integrated network spanning R&D, application development and large-scale manufacturing.

The Asia-Pacific TPU market, particularly in South China, continues to see strong demand from fast-growing sectors such as consumer electronics, automotive and specialty films. The Guangzhou AD Center strengthens the company’s ability to translate this demand into tailored material solutions through closer technical collaboration with customers.

“This new Application Development Center represents a strategic cornerstone in our global TPU strategy to grow in high-value and emerging segments in Asia-Pacific,” said Dr. Andrea Maier-Richter, Global Head of TPU at Covestro. “We will explore, pilot and upscale new application fields for TPU in robotics, healthcare and mobility solutions together with our customers – in close collaboration and at the heart of the market.”

Capabilities designed for speed and precision

The center is designed to help customers move faster. Its processing simulation lines replicate real production conditions in extrusion and injection molding, enabling rapid formulation adjustments and material modification. These capabilities help reduce trial cycles, shorten time-to-market, and deliver solutions tailored to specific application needs.

“Asia is home to some of the world’s most dynamic and fast-moving industries, and our customers here expect partners who can keep pace with them. This center is our answer to that, bringing together our cross-business capabilities under one roof right here in South China,” said Holly Lei, President Covestro China. “It also reflects our deep commitment to this market and our belief that true innovation happens when you are close to your customers and the industry.”

Unlocking value through cross-business synergies

A distinctive feature of the Guangzhou AD Center is its multi-business setup, with Engineering Plastics (EP) and Specialty Films (SF) teams co-located on the same site, enabling close collaboration and faster integration of capabilities. The EP unit brings compounding expertise and color competence, supporting in-house color matching for applications such as consumer electronics, footwear and paint protection films (PPF). The SF unit enables pilot production and finished product commissioning for high-performance films and other extrusion-based applications. This integrated approach brings together capabilities across business entities, creating added value for customers.

“Innovation at Covestro is led by our markets and always strives to combine our global strengths across the business entities for our customers,” said Dr. Christian Haessler, Head of Global Innovation TPU at Covestro. “TPU is a material for a more sustainable future, and the Guangzhou AD Center will enable the development of highly versatile and recyclable TPU material solutions in one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems worldwide.”

The Guangzhou AD Center is now open for customer and partner collaboration across Asia-Pacific, offering end-to-end customer support from initial material consultation to pilot production and troubleshooting.

The Agreements strengthen Fujairah’s role as an important gateway for regional and global trade 

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 20 May 2026: Fujairah Terminals, part of AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, industry, and logistics solutions, announced the signing of three strategic land lease agreements with Fujairah International Airport, Fujairah Free Zone Authority and Al Dahra Agriculture Trading.

The agreements aim to enhance connectivity and unlock new commercial opportunities across regional and international markets. They will also support the development of logistics and industrial capabilities, enable more efficient use of port and adjacent infrastructure, and strengthen service integration across the supply chain.

 

The leased lands, with a combined area of 130,000 sqm, will be utilised to enhance the logistics capabilities of Fujairah Terminals, reinforcing Fujairah’s role as a key gateway for regional and global trade, and support the UAE’s position as a leading hub for logistics, maritime services, and industrial growth.

Together, these agreements reflect the shared commitment to collaboration and sustainable economic growth, while supporting national priorities to strengthen supply chain resilience and drive economic diversification.

H.E Sharief Habib Al Awadhi, Director General, Fujairah Free Zone Authority, said: “This collaboration marks an important step in advancing Fujairah Free Zone Authority’s mission to provide an integrated, business-friendly environment that supports innovation and sustainable growth. By strengthening partnerships across key sectors, we continue to enhance our offering to investors while contributing to the development of a resilient and future-ready economy.” 

Captain Mohamed Al Yahyaei, CEO of Fujairah Terminals, said: “We’re pleased to sign these agreements with strategic national entities, including Fujairah International Airport, Fujairah Free Zone Authority, and Al Dahra Agriculture Trading, reflecting our commitment to strengthening Fujairah’s position as a regional and global gateway for trade. By expanding partnerships across logistics, infrastructure, and key industries, we are enabling greater connectivity, enhancing supply chain resilience, and supporting the continued growth and diversification of Fujairah’s trade ecosystem.” 

Arnoud van den Berg, Chief Executive Officer, Al Dahra Agriculture Trading, said: “At Al Dahra Agriculture Trading, we are committed to building strong partnerships that drive sustainable value and strengthen supply chain resilience. This agreement aligns with our long-term vision to support national priorities, while leveraging our expertise to deliver impactful solutions across local and global markets.”

Fujairah Terminals is a strategic maritime hub on the UAE’s eastern coast, serving as a key gateway for trade with the Indian Subcontinent, African trade lanes, and global markets. Established in 2017, the terminal features a multi-purpose facility handling containerised and general cargo, Ro-Ro, and cruise operations. Its quay wall extends to 1,000 metres, with a depth of 15 metres, enabling the terminal to accommodate larger vessels.

As part of the wider AD Ports Group ecosystem, Fujairah Terminals plays a vital role in delivering integrated, end-to-end supply chain solutions, connecting ports, industrial and free zones, logistics platforms, and digital services. Through its comprehensive service offering Fujairah Terminals supports the UAE’s position as a global logistics and trade hub, strengthening connectivity across the GCC, India, the Red Sea, and East Africa.

IIOR Shows Record Outsourced Insurance AUM, Private Assets Near $1 Trillion, and Europe Emerging as a Global Growth Engine

 BOISE, Idaho, NEW YORK, CHICAGO, LONDON and HONG KONG, May 20 – Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN) today released the 2026 Insurance Investment Outsourcing Report (IIOR), produced in partnership with DCS Financial Consulting. The report captures $5.5 trillion in third-party general account insurance assets under management across 96 asset managers, a 23% increase year-over-year and a 65% increase since 2021, alongside $1.8 trillion in assets under advisement across 12 investment consultants. The findings point to an outsourcing market that has become larger, more global, and materially more complex.

 The 2026 IIOR reveals defining trends reshaping insurance investment management:

 Private Markets Cross a Threshold. Third-party private insurance AUM has more than doubled since 2021, reaching $947 billion and approaching one-third of outsourced insurance allocations alongside public assets. Insurers have moved steadily beyond traditional private placements into middle-market lending, infrastructure debt, and structured credit, and 67% of participating managers now offer private fixed income capabilities alongside their public strategies.

 Europe Rewrites the Map. Europe and the UK represent a major and expanding force in insurance outsourcing, with reported AUM growing 32% year-over-year and more than doubling since 2021, from $1.0 trillion to $2.1 trillion, reflecting both organic growth and broader manager participation in the IIOR. Europe and the UK now account for 38% of total outsourced insurance AUM. On a percentage basis, APAC and offshore markets grew even faster year-over-year, each significantly outpacing North America’s still-solid 12% gain. The findings reflect an outsourcing market that is no longer centered primarily in North America. Managers are increasingly winning mandates through global scale, regional specialization, or both.

 “The 2026 IIOR captures a transformation that no single number can fully convey. Private markets have crossed a threshold, Europe has reshaped the map, and the sophistication this industry now demands across asset classes, geographies, and regulatory environments is compounding,” said Sandeep Sahai, Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Analytics. “We believe the power of partnership is what allows insurers and their managers to move with the confidence this moment requires. We invite you to read the full report and see what this transformation means for your business.”

 “What the 2026 IIOR makes clear is that insurance outsourcing is the prevailing model for how insurers deploy capital globally,” said Steve Doire, owner of DCS Financial Consulting and Strategic Advisor to Clearwater Analytics. “The near doubling of consultant AUA in two years tells you that insurers are engaging experts to build and manage increasingly diverse and complex strategic investment programs. The European surge is equally significant. This market has moved well beyond North American dominance, and the managers best positioned for what comes next are those who recognized this global shift and invested in the capability and presence to win across regions.”

A More Competitive Market Takes Shape

The growth of the IIOR reflects the growth of the market itself. What began as a report covering 40 participants now includes 108 managers and consultants and $5.5 trillion in assets under management. Over the past decade, the top 10 managers’ share of total AUM has declined from 70% to 59%, showing that more firms are competing for insurance mandates. Specialized and mid-sized managers are gaining ground through insurance expertise, private markets capabilities, and regional strength. Consultant AUA has also nearly doubled in two years, as insurers turn to outside expertise to help manage more complex investment programs.

What the Report Covers

The 2026 IIOR includes 96 asset manager profiles, 12 investment consultant profiles, global and regional rankings, and data on asset allocations, client types, and regional growth across major insurance investment markets. Together, these findings provide a clear view of where insurance assets are being managed, which firms are gaining share, and how the market is changing. The report is produced with DCS Financial Consulting, with Institutional Investor serving as industry engagement partner.

 

Mumbai, May 20: Bringing together the worlds of fashion, sport and culture, the Lacoste x Roland Garros immersive takeover at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai celebrates the enduring partnership between two globally recognised French institutions Lacoste and Roland Garros. A landmark moment for both brands, the experience transforms the store into a dynamic celebration of tennis heritage, contemporary style and French luxury.

Arriving in sync with the Roland Garros season and bringing its 55-year heritage together with the latest global capsule collection, the takeover brings the energy of one of the world’s most celebrated sporting moments to Galeries Lafayette Mumbai through immersive window installations, a dedicated tennis-inspired pop-up and a curated showcase of the collection. As tennis and fashion continue to share an increasingly strong cultural dialogue globally, the Lacoste x Roland Garros Collection captures the spirit of the game through a contemporary lens.

Blending sport-inspired silhouettes with modern French sophistication, the capsule reflects Lacoste’s unique ability to seamlessly merge fashion, sport and culture. Featuring elevated ready-to-wear, polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, bags and lifestyle essentials, the collection balances performance with style through technical craftsmanship, refined colour palettes and contemporary design details reinterpreting tennis dressing for a new generation while remaining rooted in the timeless codes of the sport.

Known for introducing some of the world’s most coveted brands and elevated experiences to discerning consumers, Galeries Lafayette Mumbai continues to redefine luxury retail in India through exceptional curation and immersive storytelling. The arrival of this exclusive takeover further reinforces that vision, offering consumers a globally relevant retail experience rarely seen in the Indian market while celebrating one of fashion and sport’s most enduring partnerships.

Speaking on the launch of the Lacoste x Roland Garros Store Takeover at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai, Mr. Sathyajit Radhakrishnan, CEO – Galeries Lafayette, India & International Brands at ABFRL. said, “At Galeries Lafayette Mumbai, our focus is on creating immersive retail concepts that bring together fashion, culture and community in a way that goes beyond traditional shopping. As Indian consumers increasingly seek experiences alongside products, we see a strong opportunity to create distinctive retail moments that connect global brands with local audiences in more engaging and culturally relevant ways. The Lacoste x Roland Garros takeover is a strong reflection of our broader vision for luxury retail in India.”

At the heart of the takeover is the Lacoste x Roland Garros Collection, brought to life through a curated showcase of the latest global capsule collection at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai. Inspired by the spirit and energy of the iconic Parisian Grand Slam, the collection brings together elevated ready-to-wear, accessories and lifestyle essentials that reinterpret tennis dressing through a contemporary lens balancing sport-inspired functionality with modern French sophistication for both on and off the court.

The Lacoste x Roland Garros exclusive collection will be available at Galeries Lafayette, Mumbai for a limited period.

An Immersive Lacoste Universe at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai

Transforming the store into an experiential destination, the Lacoste x Roland Garros takeover will feature impactful visual merchandising, branded installations and interactive moments inspired by the spirit of tennis and the energy of Paris.

Designed to merge retail with experience, the takeover will also feature exclusive Novak Djokovic tournament merchandise, spotlighting professional-grade pieces inspired by the tennis champion’s on-court wardrobe and Lacoste’s high-performance apparel innovation.

Marking the debut of the takeover, the launch evening scheduled for Friday, 22nd May will be attended by ace actors Ahaan Shetty, Prateik Smita Patil and Jim Sarbh among others who will come together to celebrate the arrival of the exclusive Lacoste x Roland Garros experience in Mumbai. Bringing together fashion, sport and contemporary culture, their presence further amplifies the elevated and culturally relevant spirit of the takeover, marking a standout retail and social moment at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai.

Mumbai, May 20: The University of Aberdeen Mumbai has unveiled its first ever integrated brand campaign, ‘Find Your True North’, aimed at connecting with India’s new generation of purpose-driven learners. Rooted in the insight that today’s students seek more than just qualifications, the campaign captures a young aspirant’s journey of self-discovery, mirroring the aspirations of Gen Z learners who prioritise meaning, flexibility, and real-world relevance in their academic choices.

With this campaign, the University reinforces its proposition of bringing globally recognised UK academic rigour and research-led learning to India through its Mumbai campus, while enabling students to chart their own path in an increasingly dynamic world. The campaign spotlights the University’s academic offering in Mumbai, including a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed in alignment with evolving industry needs.

With a focus on interdisciplinary learning, personalised career support, and global exposure, the University aims to equip students with the skills required for future-ready careers. It also offers the Aberdeen Pioneer Scholarship, providing up to INR 2,00,000 in annual tuition fee waivers for eligible students. As part of the global learning experience, undergraduate students will also have the opportunity to undertake a mobility semester at Aberdeen in the UK during Year 2, while continuing to pay the same tuition fee with no additional tuition costs for the semester abroad.

Megan McFarlane, Deputy Director of Global Engagement, Marketing & Recruitment, University of Aberdeen, said, “Find Your True North’ reflects a fundamental shift in how students approach higher education today. They are no longer just choosing degrees—they are seeking direction, purpose, and global relevance. Through this campaign, we aim to demonstrate how a research-led, internationally recognised education can empower them to explore possibilities and create meaningful, real-world impact.”

Rolled out across print, digital, and outdoor platforms, the campaign marks a significant step in the University of Aberdeen’s India journey, with admissions for the 2026 intake now open for its Mumbai campus.

Yanis Varoufakis – economist, political thinker, and one of the world’s most outspoken critics of concentrated economic and technological power will headline Web3 Summit 2026 in Berlin. He joins Gavin Wood, co-founder of Ethereum and creator of Polkadot, among the leading voices gathering to advance privacy, self-sovereignty, and the future of user-centric decentralised technology. 

BERLIN, May 20 – Web3 Summit 2026 today announced a wave of headline speakers for its return to Funkhaus Berlin on 18 and 19 June 2026. Billed as a festival for digital freedom, the Summit will bring together leading voices in economics, decentralised infrastructure, platform critique and Web3 culture. 

Organised by the Web 3.0 Technologies Foundation, the Summit will convene artists, founders, technologists, and cultural thinkers to examine how privacy, digital sovereignty and decentralised usability can move from principle to practice. The speaker selection aims to deepen that conversation at a moment when public concern over centralised digital infrastructure, platform power and the erosion of privacy continue to grow. 

Economist and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, co-founder of Ethereum and creator of Polkadot and Kusama Gavin Wood, will join the Summit’s programme alongside Joan Westenberg, Friedrike Ernst and Amir Taaki, as it explores how technology can be built around people and not platforms. 

“Web3 Summit is not your run-of-the-mill tech conference – it’s a rally for digital freedom, and this year it arrives at a defining moment. Europe is debating chat control and Germany is pushing back against mass scanning of private messages. Surveillance is the default. At a time when platform extraction and dependency define most people’s digital lives, we’re bringing together the critics, builders and pioneers who are actually changing that – not in theory, but in practice.” said Thomas Fecker Boxler, Managing Director of the Web3 Foundation.

Vaourfakis will bring a controversial, political and economic lens to the question of who owns and governs digital systems shaping everyday life. Wood, one of the originators of Web3, will speak to the technical and philosophical foundations of a user-controlled internet. And To ground the programme in Web3 culture and practice, the Summit will also feature Joan Westenberg, writer and technology critic, Friederike Ernst, co-founder of Gnosis, and Amir Taaki, cypherpunk, early Bitcoin developer and privacy-tech pioneer. 

Westenberg offers cultural commentary on platform dependency and what it means to be human online. Ernst connects the Summit’s themes of privacy and self-sovereignty to the practical challenge of making decentralisation usable, drawing on her work across Gnosis Chain, Safe and the broader self-custody ecosystem. Taaki represents Web3’s radical roots: cryptography, free software, and resistance to centralised control, a thread that runs through Berlin’s own history of hacker culture and political experimentation. 

For the first time, Web3 Summit put these voices in the same room – critics of concentrated power, builders of decentralised infrastructure, cultural observers, and cyberpunk pioneers – to confront one of the defining questions of our time: who controls our digital future?

As part of Berlin Blockchain Week, Web3 Summit 2026 will put Web3 values into practice through talks, workshops, activations and open collaboration, with an evolving line-up built around openness, participation and experimentation. That same focus on Web3 values extends to the event’s ticketing: tickets with crypto payment are now available through a newly built ticketing app powered by the Polkadot blockchain.

Programme details and tickets are available at the event website.