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Jazmin Hogan to lead global client organization in next phase of growth     

New York, NY – April 23, 2026 – 73 Strings, the AI-native platform for valuation and portfolio intelligence, today announced the launch of a unified global operating model, bringing together its technology, expertise and client network to deliver the next generation of insights for alternative asset managers.

As part of this evolution, Jazmin Hogan has been appointed Global Head of Client Operations, based in New York, where she will lead the company’s global client organization.

With over 20 years of experience as a client-side valuation and analytics professional, including leadership roles at Apollo Global Management Inc., The Blackstone Group and Kohlberg & Company, Jazmin will drive a consistent, high-quality experience across regions, ensuring clients benefit from the full breadth of 73 Strings’ platform, expertise and innovation.

A key advantage of this global model is a connected client community. Clients benefit not only from 73 Strings’ SMEs, but from shared insight across some of the world’s leading alternative asset managers.

“Private markets are entering a new era, defined by data, AI and the need to operate at scale,” said Yann Magnan, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of 73 Strings. “Our global operating model brings together our platform, our people, and our clients into one connected ecosystem. It allows us to innovate faster and help our clients stay ahead, while maintaining the rigor and trust that underpin investment decisions. Jazmin will play a central role in bringing this vision to life by leading our model.”

This move marks a significant step in the company’s evolution, aligning its global teams to better support clients operating at scale across private equity, private credit, venture capital, infrastructure and multi-asset strategies.

At the core of 73 Strings is a single, integrated platform that combines valuation, portfolio monitoring and data extraction, powered by AI and built by practitioners. The firm continues to invest heavily in its technology and AI capabilities, enabling clients to scale operations and unlock deeper portfolio insight.

73 Strings combines advanced technology with deep domain expertise. Its team of valuation and portfolio specialists, including former industry leaders across private markets, ensures the platform reflects the realities of complex assets, delivering outputs that are robust and audit-defensible.

As a global, AI-first platform, 73 Strings brings together market insight, data and technology to help clients stay ahead of market shifts. At the same time, it remains focused on delivering consistent, transparent insights on complex assets at scale, without reliance on fragmented, spreadsheet-driven processes.

This announcement follows continued investment in 73 Strings’ platform, with recent enhancements improving performance, scalability and AI-driven capabilities across core workflows.

Hyderabad, Apr 23: Azad Engineering, at the forefront of precision engineering, marked another significant milestone with the inauguration of a 7,600 sq. m. next-generation lean manufacturing facility at its Centre of Excellence in Tunikibollaram, Hyderabad, this facility is built to meet growing commitments to support global energy technology company, Baker Hughes and is aligned with global manufacturing standards.

The facility was inaugurated by distinguished leaders from Telangana’s industry leadership, including Shri. D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Industries & IT, Government of Telangana; Shri. K. Shashanka, VC & MD, TGIIC; Shri. V Madhusudan, Director, Investment Promotion, Inds & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, Shri. Praveen P A, Director- Aerospace & Defence, Government of Telangana and Mr. PVS Raju, Mr. Davide Marrani (Vice President- IET Operations), Mr. Stephen Hinson (Sourcing Vice President), Mr. Marcello Bariani (Vice President- IET Procurement and Logistics), Mr. Vishal Murgudkar, (Senior Sourcing Director, India) along with other senior leadership from Baker Hughes and our Chairman & CEO Mr. Rakesh Chopdar.

What began in 2018 as a highly demanding engagement to supply critical rotating airfoils for Gas & Steam Turbine Finish stages has evolved into a deep and strategic manufacturing collaboration. The journey to this milestone has been defined by rigor, resilience, and relentless capability building. Over the years, Azad Engineering successfully navigated one of the most stringent global qualification pathways, encompassing multiple-grade raw material qualifications, complex process validations, and product-level approvals across critical components. In parallel, Azad also developed and certified a robust sub-tier ecosystem for specialized processes, ensuring full compliance with global standards across the value chain. Each stage demanded precision, consistency, and the ability to meet uncompromising technical benchmarks set by Baker Hughes which Azad Engineering successfully achieved.

Through vertical integration, advanced quality systems, state-of-the-art infrastructure and disciplined execution along with building skilled talent capable of delivering components with micron-level precision consistently and at scale, Azad has earned a reputation for delivering under the most stringent timelines and specifications. Today, Azad is also a key participant in the Baker Hughes- Oilfield Services and Equipment program, an integral part of its global supply chain strategy.

Key facility highlights:

●      Built for scale, speed, and precision

●      7,600 sq. m. advanced lean manufacturing infrastructure

●      Engineered for high-precision, high-volume Baker Hughes IET programs

●      ~230 skilled professionals onboard

●      Cutting-edge equipment and process flow designed for productivity excellence

●      Fully integrated with Azad’s COE & Innovation Centre ecosystem

●      Contributing to India’s growing global manufacturing strength

Marking the occasion, Mr. Rakesh Chopdar, Chairman and CEO, Azad Engineering, said: “The inauguration of this dedicated lean manufacturing facility is a defining milestone in our eight-year journey with Baker Hughes, a partnership that began in 2018 with one of the most rigorous qualification pathways we have ever undertaken. Our journey with Baker Hughes began with supplying critical rotating airfoils for Gas and Steam Turbine Finish Stages, and has since grown into a deep, strategic partnership for the Industrial & Energy Technology business. This 7,600 sq. m. facility at our Centre of Excellence in Tunikibollaram, Hyderabad is part of our deliberate strategy to build a dedicated, world-class manufacturing facility complete with in-house special process capabilities exclusively for Baker Hughes. With about 230 skilled professionals on board, we are creating a high-precision ecosystem capable of delivering complex components at volume and with tolerances measured in microns. This facility is also a statement of confidence in India’s manufacturing future and Azad’s commitment to being at the forefront of it.” 

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Davide Marrani (Vice President- IET Operations, Baker Hughes) said: “Azad Engineering’s new facility is a significant milestone that strengthens Baker Hughes’ global supply chain and supports our long-term growth strategy. This expansion enables Azad to deliver scalable, high-quality manufacturing that meets the needs of our business worldwide. Collaborations like this are essential to building a resilient and competitive global supply chain, and we are proud to celebrate this next chapter together.” 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Industries & IT, Government of Telangana, said: “Today marks a proud moment for Telangana as Azad Engineering inaugurates its state-of-the-art facility for Baker Hughes at Tunikibollaram, a true embodiment of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make in Telangana.’ I warmly welcome Baker Hughes, a global energy technology leader operating in over 120 countries, for choosing Hyderabad as its Make in India site, and I congratulate Mr. Rakesh Chopdar and the Azad Engineering family on this remarkable milestone. Telangana’s precision engineering sector has grown 30% year-on-year for a decade, with exports surging 103% last year alone, supported by over 1,500 MSMEs and repeat investments from global OEMs like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, GE Aviation, Safran, Airbus and Honeywell. Backed by India’s most progressive industrial policy and tailor-made incentives, our vision is to move beyond manufacturing and establish Telangana as a Global Centre for Engineering Innovation. This partnership between Baker Hughes and Azad Engineering is a blueprint for the world-class collaborations our ecosystem is built to deliver.” 

On the milestone, Mr. Vishnu Malpani, Executive Director, Azad Engineering, said: “This facility is the result of years of disciplined investment across every layer of our manufacturing ecosystem, from multi-grade raw material qualifications and complex process validations to the development of a fully certified sub-tier network for specialized processes. Each of these steps was non-negotiable, because the standards Baker Hughes holds its supply chain to are among the most exacting in the world. This lean state-of-the-art manufacturing facility we have built here has been engineered specifically for high-precision, high-volume global OEM production, with process flows designed to deliver productivity excellence without compromising on quality.  As global demand for power generation continues to grow, this facility positions Azad to not just respond to that demand, but to lead in fulfilling it.” 

This is Azad Engineering’s fourth dedicated facility inauguration, adding to earlier expansions and underscoring the company’s aggressive capacity build-out to meet surging global demand across Aerospace, Defence, Energy, and Oil & Gas sectors.

This inauguration is more than an expansion. It is a clear statement of intent. Azad Engineering is not just participating in global precision manufacturing; it is shaping it.

Bangalore, Apr 23: Plans are overrated. Cravings aren’t. And Third Wave Coffee is leaning right into that feeling with the launch of Third Rush — a bold new dessert brand designed for impulse, indulgence, and everything in between.

Built on the idea of being “Made for the Mood”, Third Rush flips the script on how we think about desserts. It’s not about waiting for the perfect occasion; it’s about giving in to the moment. Whether it’s a spontaneous celebration, a post-work wind-down, or simply a late-night craving with friends, Third Rush is where moods turn into something delicious.

As café culture continues to evolve, especially with younger consumers choosing cafés over bars for unwinding, Third Rush positions itself as the perfect after-7 PM destination. A space where you walk in undecided, and within minutes, you’re sharing bites, ordering seconds, and stretching conversations longer than planned.

Speaking on the launch, Rajat Luthra, CEO, Third Wave Coffee, said, “With Third Rush, we’re building something that goes beyond dessert as a category and instead focuses on dessert as an experience. Third Wave Coffee has always been envisioned as a young, fun brand, one that understands how our consumers like to spend time, connect, and unwind. With Third Rush, we’re extending that philosophy into a new space, continuing to build concepts that feel relevant to their evolving lifestyles and social habits. The way consumers engage with cafés today is changing; it’s more social, more spontaneous, and deeply rooted in emotion. Third Rush is our response to that shift. It’s designed to be high-energy, welcoming, and a little indulgent, a space where people can come together, unwind, and fully lean into the moment, whatever that mood may be.”

At the heart of Third Rush is a menu that feels both comfortingly familiar and excitingly new – a curated mix of throwback favourites, crowd-pleasers, and playful, new-age indulgences.

The brand puts a spotlight on Tres Leches as one of its hero categories, and this is where things get seriously fun. Leading the lineup is a playful, nostalgia-loaded Jim Jam–inspired version. For coffee lovers, there’s the Third Wave Tres Leches, infused with the brand’s signature cold brew, bringing coffee and dessert together in a way that feels familiar, but just a little more exciting. It’s the kind of menu where you come for one and end up trying three.

Beyond this, the menu opens up into layers of indulgence with soft, decadent Layered Cakes, where even the classics get a playful spin. At Third Rush, familiar favourites like the OG Chocolate Cake and Pineapple Cake are reimagined from their usual round form into logs, sliced to serve, so every layer is perfectly visible in each bite. It’s nostalgic, but designed to be a little more visual, a little more shareable. Alongside these are elevated options like Chocolate Pistachio, Carrot & Cream Cheese, and Passionfruit Vanilla, balancing richness with freshness, and comfort with a touch of the unexpected.

For those who love a little drama in every bite, the Stacks are Third Rush’s take on layered desserts – creamy puddings, crunchy biscuit crumbles, and bold, mood-lifting flavours all coming together in one indulgent moment. From Banana Custard and Strawberry Hazelnut to the ever-addictive Biscoff, each one is built to be scooped, shared, and gone in seconds. Nostalgia makes a strong comeback with playful throwbacks like the Parle-G Stack and a revamped Bombay Cassata, bringing back classic flavours, but cooler, creamier, and far more indulgent. And for the coffee loyalists, the Third Wave Stack ties it all together with a rich, coffee-forward twist that feels right at home.

The indulgence continues with a wide selection of tarts and pies, including Banoffee, Lemon, and Raspberry Pistachio, as well as more experimental offerings like Matcha White Chocolate and Chocolate Caramel tarts, each designed to deliver a perfect balance of richness and bite.

For those who lean towards classic decadence, there’s a range of mousses and cheesecakes, from a velvety Triple Chocolate Mousse to a perfectly caramelised Basque Cheesecake, alongside flavour-forward options like Blueberry Lemon and Biscoff Basque Cheesecake. Rounding off the experience are warm, comforting desserts like molten skillet cookies, indulgent brownies including a Pistachio Kunafa Brownie, and Cookies that are equal parts chewy and rich, perfect for those moments when one dessert simply isn’t enough.

Launching first in Bangalore, Third Rush will soon expand into Third Wave Coffee cafés across the country, adding a new dimension to the brand’s already strong community-driven approach.

More than just an extension, Third Rush is a natural evolution, one that builds on Third Wave Coffee’s understanding of its audience and their changing lifestyles. It continues to transform cafés into destinations for connection, comfort, and spontaneous joy, where great coffee is always at the heart of it all.

Because sometimes, you don’t need a plan. You just need a place that gets your mood.

Details:

Address: Third Wave Coffee outlets — Koramangala 4th Block, Sadashivnagar, Indiranagar (CMH Road) & Vijaya Bank Layout

Bengaluru, India, Apr 23:  STCH, an AI-native CDMO platform for sustainable textile innovation — building the AI-driven fabric R&D and manufacturing platform that helps global fashion brands develop and deliver trend-aligned, high-performing, sustainable fabrics at scale — today announced its emergence from stealth with a $5.5 million Pre–Series A funding round. The round was led by Omnivore, India’s leading agrifood and climate venture capital firm, with participation from Kae Capital and White Venture Capital.

STCH leverages AI to identify global fashion trends, develop sustainable fabrics, and deliver them through its closely controlled manufacturing network across India and Asia.  

STCH’s AI engine drives two critical functions: 

●        Fabric R&D — continuously innovating on textile recipes to enhance performance, while increasing the share of sustainable fibers, without compromising on the performance or price points of conventional synthetics 

●        Supply chain optimization — intelligently matching trending fabrics and designs with the right manufacturing capacities to enable agile, seamless production and delivery at scale 

Until today, STCH has operated under the radar, building a rapidly growing order book now exceeding $15 million across the UK, Europe, the USA, and India, serving global brands including Roman, Joe Browns, Shein, Crocodile, Being Human, CP Brands, and Rainforest. For its customers, STCH develops high-performing textile formulations, enabling higher use of sustainable fibers while reducing dependence on petrochemical-based synthetics that contribute to microplastic pollution and harm ocean ecosystems. 

STCH was founded by Narahari Payala and Aseem Chitkara, both formerly of Zetwerk, where Narahari built and led the textiles division globally at scale. Aseem brings deep industry expertise as a fabric veteran and former CXO across multiple textile mills. Their strong, long-standing relationships with global brands, mills, and manufacturers give STCH a distinct execution edge — building not just for materials innovation, but for how textile supply chains operate at commercial scale. 

According to Narahari Payala, Co-Founder & CEO, “While much of AI innovation in fashion is focused on the front end — largely driven out of the US and Europe — the real opportunity lies deeper in the backend of the supply chain: fiber – fabric – manufacturing. That is where we are focused on driving disruption using AI. Fabric, in particular, remains the most critical — most cost-intensive — yet least optimized layer. With much of this activity centered in Asia, and improving trade dynamics — including free trade agreements with the UK and Europe as well as easing tariffs from the US — we believe this is a defining moment to build a globally leading, AI-native textile innovation powerhouse from India.” 

Regarding their investment in STCH, Mark Kahn, Managing Partner at Omnivore, noted “Narahari and Aseem bring rare depth — they understand both the materials science and the supply chain realities of getting sustainable textiles to market at scale. India has the raw materials, the mills, and now — with STCH — the AI-native platform to become the world’s leading source of sustainable textile innovation.”

The capital from the Pre–Series A funding round will be used to expand STCH’s AI capabilities, build a world-class fabric R&D laboratory, deepen mill partnerships across India, and accelerate delivery to global fashion brands navigating increasingly urgent sustainability procurement mandates.

Discussions touched on how continued growth of Montenegro’s motorsport can help boost the economy

Dubai, UAE, Apr 23: FIA President H.E Mohammed Ben Sulayem has met with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to strengthen cooperation between the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Montenegro.

The meeting in Tivat yesterday provided an opportunity to discuss the FIA’s leadership across both motorsport and mobility, and to explore areas of collaboration aligned with Montenegro’s national priorities.

Motorsport and tourism were key topics of the meeting. The discussion touched on how the continued growth of Montenegro’s motorsport can help boost the economy, bring more visitors to Montenegro, and raise the country’s international profile, while ensuring events are run safely and sustainably.

Another key focus was Montenegro’s ambition to become a regional leader in road safety. President Mohammed Ben Sulayem shared how the FIA helps countries use data to better understand accidents, improve roads, and make driving safer.

This includes global tools like the FIA Road Safety Index (RSI), which helps track and measure progress using cutting-edge AI. Both leaders agreed that using data and new technology is essential to making real improvements for everyday road users.

The Prime Minister and President also spoke about the importance of keeping people safe online through the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign. They highlighted the need to promote respect and protect users, especially young people and those involved in sport, from online abuse.

H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said: “Montenegro is a country with clear ambition to lead in road safety. We are delighted to work with them to help bring that ambition to life by combining innovation, data, and collaboration.

“Together with the Auto-moto Association of Montenegro, we will work to deliver safer roads, more efficient mobility systems, and continued growth in motorsport, helping to build a future that is safer, more sustainable, and more connected for all.”

The FIA President has been in Montenegro to attend the FIA Region I Spring Meeting hosted in Budva by the Auto-moto Association of Montenegro.

Reaching its conclusion later today, the meeting brought together 102 FIA Member Clubs across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for three days of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing to advance safe and sustainable mobility for motorsport fans and road users.