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Four Indian startups feature in the coveted longlist for Aurora Tech Award

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-Indian startups making to the Aurora Tech Award longlist include Aica Health, Dzylo, MAMMA-MIYA and Tech4Good Community
-A non-profit initiative of inDrive, the annual award saw a record-breaking 2,018 applications from 116 countries, doubling last year’s submissions

NEW DELHI, Jan. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Four Indian startups – Aica Health, Dzylo, MAMMA-MIYA and Tech4Good Community have made it to the longlist of the coveted Aurora Tech Award. The Aurora Tech Award is an annual award and a non-profit initiative of inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, spotlighting the boldest and most ambitious female founders in emerging markets. The longlist featured a total of top 120 founders for 2025. The number of top finalists is set to be announced in February 2025, with winners celebrated at a global ceremony later in the year.

Founded by Manishaa Soin, Aica Health is a health-tech startup leveraging AI-powered assistance to manage chronic medical conditions and enable coordinated geriatric care at home. Dzylo, with Anita Tailor as one of Co-Founders, is an all-in-one AI- powered SaaS platform to empower interior designers and build businesses. Similarly, MAMMA-MIA also leverages AI-powered co-pilot to bridge moms’ productivity and well-being needs. Tech4Good Community featured in the list for developing Flake, an open-source data management platform for non-technical users, enhancing NGO tech capabilities.

This year, the award saw a record-breaking 2,018 applications from 116 countries, doubling last year’s submissions. The initiative also garnered increased support from venture capital firms, with the number of VC partners rising from 23 to 35. Notably, this year’s list includes new partners from Egypt, Brazil, and Pakistan, underscoring the growing global recognition of the award and its mission.

“The Aurora Top 120 is a first for us this year, created from a three-month open call that attracted over 2,000 applications from female founders. Through a rigorous selection process, we’ve identified 120 standout women entrepreneurs who are building bold and innovative businesses in emerging markets. These founders are poised to shape the future of their industries and countries, making them the ones to watch in 2025,” said Head of the Aurora Tech Awards, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith.

Healthtech emerged as the leading sector among Aurora’s Top 120, showcasing a global emphasis on innovation in healthcare, with 30 startups operating in this field.

Additionally, agritech and edtech remained highly relevant, while the e-commerce landscape appears to be evolving into more dynamic marketplace models. There are only a few startups in the renewable energy sector—one from Colombia and another from Iraq. Most of the HR tech startups come from Brazil, followed by Singapore in second place, with one from the UK.

The growing participation of women in entrepreneurship marks a significant global trend. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), women’s startup activity rates rose from an average of 6.1% (2001-2005) to 10.4% (2021-2023) across 30 countries.

Emerging markets demonstrate even stronger momentum. Research by WE-FI reveals that 17% of working-age women in developing economies are already entrepreneurs, with 35% aspiring to join them. In contrast, high-income countries report just 9% engagement and 14% aspiration rates. This shift has attracted global VC interest in emerging markets. In 2023, emerging economies received 17% of global VC investment, underscoring their resilience. Firms such as Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital continue to invest in startups across India, Latin America, and beyond, driving substantial growth.

Startups founded or co-founded by women also outperform their male-led counterparts in revenue efficiency. Research by BCG shows that female-led startups generate 78 cents of revenue per dollar of funding, compared to just 31 cents for male-led ventures. Over a five-year period, they also achieve 10% higher cumulative revenue—$730,000 versus $662,000 (MassChallenge 2019).

On a local scale, women-owned businesses fuel economic development and inspire future generations. Reports from ProMujer highlight the critical role female entrepreneurs play in strengthening communities and breaking barriers, reinforcing their long-term societal impact.

The Aurora Tech Award celebrates the boldest and most ambitious female founders in emerging markets, offering more than just recognition. It provides access to expertise, resources, and transformative opportunities to scale their businesses and shape the future. Award applicants gain mentorship, guidance on fundraising and pitching, support in preparing pitch decks, and validation of their efforts. They also connect with investors, VC funds, and PR support, opening doors to valuable networks and resources to drive their success.

About the project

Aurora Tech Award is a non-profit initiative of inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform. The Aurora Tech Award is an award for women tech startup founders whose projects have had a profound impact on global development. The objective is to support women in the field of advanced technologies, especially women entrepreneurs

inDrive is a global mobility and urban services platform. The inDrive app has been downloaded over 200 million times, and was the second most downloaded mobility app in 2023. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of urban services, including intercity transportation, freight delivery, task assistance and  courier delivery. In 2023, inDrive launched New Ventures, a venture and M&A arm.

inDrive operates in over 700 cities in 46 countries. Driven by its mission of challenging social injustice, the company is committed to having a positive impact on the lives of one billion people by 2030. It pursues this goal both through its core business, which supports local communities via a fair pricing model; and through the work of inVision, its non-profit arm. inVision’s community empowerment programs help to advance education, sports, arts and sciences, gender equality and other vital initiatives.

For more information visit www.inDrive.com

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/four-indian-startups-feature-in-the-coveted-longlist-for-aurora-tech-award-302341100.html

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MILESOPEDIA 2025 RANKINGS: The Best Programs, Credit Cards, and Bank Accounts in Canada to Amplify Your Purchasing Power

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MONTREAL, Jan. 9, 2025 /CNW/ – In an economic context where the rising cost of living heavily impacts households, personal finance is at the heart of Canadians’ concerns. To help them navigate this new year, Milesopedia, Canada’s leading platform for comparing credit cards and loyalty programs, publishes its grand 2025 Rankings of the Best Programs, Credit Cards, and Bank Accounts in Canada for the fourth consecutive year.

“2025 begins in an economy marked by the persistence of inflation and uncertainty contributing to the rising cost of living, making it essential to make the most out of every dollar spent. A good credit card can not only simplify payments but also enrich your daily life. Whether you want to reduce your everyday expenses, earn cash back on your essential purchases, gain access to airport lounges, or enjoy hotel upgrades, your credit cards can bring you much more than you might imagine. In the sea of banking offers, here is a ranking of cards and financial institutions that will allow you to maximize benefits according to your spending habits and needs. Too many Canadian consumers leave money on the table due to a lack of time or information. Our 2025 Rankings aim to democratize access to the best financial solutions and the rewards you deserve,” explains Jean-Maximilien Voisine, President and Founder of Milesopedia.

NOTABLE NEW ADDITIONS IN THE 2025 RANKINGS

The 2025 Rankings have been expanded to better represent the diversity of the Canadian market and are based on an in-depth analysis of 255 financial products (171 credit cards and 84 bank accounts), evaluated using over 190 criteria.

From this thorough review, Milesopedia has awarded:

22 awards for credit cards5 awards for banking services

New this year, 6 Milesopedia Community’s Choice Award were granted following a public vote conducted between December 1 and December 14, 2024:

2 credit cards, and4 loyalty programs.

The 2025 Rankings highlight notable changes, with new players emerging in the Milesopedia Community’s Favourite Categories.

Voted Best Travel Credit Card, the American Express Cobalt Card dominated the competition. It stands out for its generous rewards on dining and travel, offering an unparalleled travel experience for Canadians.

As for cash back Credit Cards, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has been recognized as the Best Cash Back Credit Card by the community. Offering 5% cashback on grocery and dining purchases, this card enables everyday savings while maximizing rewards.

New products also make their way into the rankings, highlighting the diversification of offers and the evolving expectations of consumers regarding flexibility and accessibility.

In the realm of preferred loyalty programs, the Aeroplan Program was recognized for its exclusive benefits and flexibility in earning and redeeming points, while the American Express Membership Rewards program stood out for its versatility and the wide range of reward options available.

Regarding bank accounts, the National Bank Checking Account for Newcomers was awarded Best Bank for Newcomers in Quebec, while the EQ Bank Personal Account was recognized as the Best Online Banking Account for its ease of access and lack of fees.

Discover our 2025 Rankings now and explore a selection of the best financial products on the market, including credit cards, bank accounts, and loyalty programs. A variety of options to meet the needs of every profile: families, travellers, students, entrepreneurs, and newcomers, with tangible benefits on everyday spending, travel, and financial management.

Press Room
https://milesopedia.com/en/about/press-releases/ 

Photos for release
Photo credit : Milesopedia (2025)
https://bit.ly/40oPRlW 

ABOUT MILESOPEDIA

Since its founding in 2015, the Montreal-based Fintech Milesopedia has established itself as the leading bilingual Canadian reference on loyalty programs, credit cards, and bank accounts (chequing and savings) offered to Canadians. Constantly sought after for its unique expertise, the company has experienced prosperous growth, particularly due to its advanced credit card and bank account comparison solutions, the most widely used in the country, reaching over 2 million unique consumers monthly through the Milesopedia Network, which includes nearly 15 partners: Protégez-Vous, François Charron, Educfinance, Dollars et cents | L’actualité, BB Jetlag, Retraite 101, Club Boomerang, Le Jeune retraité, NoovoMoi (Bell Media), InfoBref, The Canadian Jetsetter and RedFlagDeals (VerticalScope Inc.). Originally launched as a blog by Jean-Maximilien Voisine, an aviation and travel enthusiast, the team now includes 16 employees. The company makes financial products more accessible to consumers by simplifying financial literacy and promoting the responsible and profitable use of financial tools available in Canada.

SOURCE Milesopedia

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Senske Family of Companies Expands Southeast Presence with Acquisition of TurfPride

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DALLAS, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Senske Family of Companies (SFC) is proud to announce the acquisition of TurfPride, a leading provider of residential lawn care services in the Atlanta market. This strategic acquisition builds on SFC’s growing presence in the Southeastern United States, which began with the acquisition of Arbor-Nomics in 2024. TurfPride will now become part of the Arbor-Nomics portfolio, further solidifying SFC’s commitment to delivering industry-leading lawn care solutions in the region.

TurfPride has earned a reputation as a trusted name in lawn care, offering services tailored to the specific needs of Georgia’s unique landscapes and climate. Their offerings include lawn fertilization, weed control, aeration, overseeding, disease prevention, and tree and shrub care. With a customer-first approach and a dedication to excellence, TurfPride has been a key player in the Atlanta market, delivering customized treatment programs developed in collaboration with leading turf specialists from institutions like NC State, Clemson, and the University of Georgia.

“Expanding our Southeast operations through strategic acquisitions like TurfPride allows us to strengthen our footprint and bring best-in-class lawn care services to even more customers,” said Casey Taylor, CEO of Senske Family of Companies. “TurfPride’s expertise and dedication to their customers make them a perfect fit for the Arbor-Nomics portfolio. We’re excited to build on the strong foundation they’ve established and continue growing our presence in the Atlanta market and beyond.”

TurfPride will add an additional depot in Kennesaw to Arbor-Nomics’ existing locations in Norcross, Marietta, Cumming, Winder, and Douglasville, GA. This acquisition highlights SFC’s broader strategy to expand in key markets while maintaining the exceptional service and trusted reputation customers expect.

About Senske Family of Companies: Since securing investments from the private equity firm GTCR, the Senske Family of Companies has completed eighteen acquisitions. Senske serves customers in sixteen U.S. states as well as Canada and remains committed to its international expansion strategy by actively seeking partnerships with distinguished home services companies. 

More on Senske’s M&A process can be found at www.senske.com/why-senske/mergers-and-acquisitions/.

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SOURCE Senske Services

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West Academic, A BARBRI Company Partners with The American Law Institute to Elevate Legal Education Resources

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DALLAS, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — West Academic, a BARBRI company, the leading provider of legal education content and digital learning tools, has added a valuable new addition to its subscription offerings: The American Law Institute Collection. In partnership with The American Law Institute (ALI), this collection offers law schools access to official texts and Tentative Drafts of Restatements, Principles, and the Model Penal Code. The ALI Collection is available as a supplement to the West Academic Study Aids & Reference Collection, providing comprehensive support for legal education.

“We’re excited to partner with ALI to deliver their content with the West Academic Study Aids & Reference Collection. The user-friendly eReader format our platform provides will make it easier for law librarians, faculty, and students at subscribing schools to access this valuable content and incorporate it into their research, teaching, and studies. Our team has loved working with ALI and looks forward to continued collaboration,” said Pamela Siege Chandler, Chief Content and Learning Officer at BARBRI.

The inclusion of ALI’s collection with West Academic’s digital platform means access to critical legal texts with greater ease and convenience. The ALI Collection includes comprehensive resources fundamental to understanding and interpreting the law, such as Restatements of the Law, Principles of the Law, and the Model Penal Code.

“We are thrilled the published books and Tentative Drafts of The American Law Institute’s Restatements, Principles, and the Model Penal Code are now available through West Academic’s Study Aids Collection,” said ALI Director Diane P. Wood. “A core component of our mission is to clarify the law, and now students embarking on their legal education will have easy access to our current library to assist in their studies.”

Wood continued, “While our work in Torts, Contracts, Property, and other areas has long been a cornerstone of legal education, this partnership ensures law schools have convenient electronic access to not only our published books but also our works in progress, including Tentative Drafts on crucial subjects like Children and the Law, Copyright, and Corporate Governance.”

This partnership aligns with BARBRI’s ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and accessible legal education resources. By including ALI’s texts alongside its digital learning platform, West Academic continues to support the academic and professional growth of law students, equipping them with the essential resources needed for success in the legal field.

For more information about the ALI Collection or to learn more about subscription options, please contact your West Academic Account Manager.

About The American Law Institute
The American Law Institute is the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and improve the law. The ALI drafts, discusses, revises, and publishes Restatements of the Law, Model Codes, and Principles of Law that are influential in the courts and legislatures, as well as in legal scholarship and education. By participating in the Institute’s work, its distinguished members have the opportunity to influence the development of the law in both existing and emerging areas, to work with other eminent lawyers, judges, and academics, to support the rule of law and the legal system, and to contribute to the public good. For more information about The American Law Institute, visit www.ali.org.

About West Academic, A BARBRI Company
In 2021, BARBRI acquired West Academic. West Academic offers industry-leading legal education materials and digital learning resources for law schools. Rooted in a rich history of legal expertise and innovation, West Academic delivers trusted resources that support faculty instruction and enhance student learning.

BARBRI is the global leader and largest provider of tech-enabled legal learning solutions for law students, law schools, universities, professionals, law firms, and organizations.

BARBRI has been the number one brand in legal education for over 50 years and has forged a trusted relationship with more than 1.5 million legal professionals around the world. BARBRI’s ongoing commitment to innovation in technology, learning science, and expert content and curriculum — developed by renowned experts — empowers global legal learners at every step of their career journey. From helping aspiring lawyers prepare for the LSAT and succeed in law school, to delivering effective U.S. Bar and SQE preparation courses and a lifetime of legal education through professional development courses, BARBRI’s exceptional resources, data insights, and personalized support help legal learners, law schools and organizations achieve their goals and provide excellent learner outcomes.

BARBRI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices in the United States and United Kingdom.

For more information, please visit www.barbri.com

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SOURCE BARBRI

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