Connect with us

Technology

Standard Chartered and Dun & Bradstreet launch Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index

Published

on

MUMBAI, India, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Standard Chartered Bank and Dun & Bradstreet, a global leader in business decisioning data and analytics, today released the first-ever edition of Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index (WEOI). The composite Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index for Q4 2024 stood at 68.93 (up by 97 basis points from 67.90 in Q3 2024), indicating that women entrepreneurs had anticipated improved prospects in the last quarter of 2024.

The WEOI has been launched as part of the SC WIN – the Women’s International Network programme of Standard Chartered Bank that supports women-led businesses with funding, cash management, dedicated managers, and a community for supporting them in their growth journey.

This first-of-its-kind index is based on a survey of more than 200 women entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries and cities, and presents effective insights into the outlook, opportunities and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. It focusses on five key dimensions that shape women entrepreneurs’ confidence: business performance, access to finance, skill development, digital adoption, and support of government policies along with personal and professional networks.

Some of the key findings of the survey are:

Thriving business confidence among women entrepreneurs can be attributed to the projected increase in domestic orders, which in turn reflects buoyant demand for their products and services in domestic markets.Women entrepreneurs in Tier 1 cities were more optimistic than those in Tier 2 cities, especially regarding digital adoption and confidence in their skills.Entrepreneurs in health services and those engaged in production of basic and intermediate goods exhibited lower optimism, and those in consumer goods sector seemed to be most optimistic about Q4 2024.In Q4 2024, 64% of the women business owners surveyed expressed interest to digitise their business operations – including Financial Management – to modernise processes and improve efficiency.With the goal of expanding customer base, they also displayed strong preference towards investing in tech tools, with 70% women entrepreneurs planning to invest more on digital tools and processes for customer acquisition in Q4 2024.For growing their business, women business leaders placed topmost importance on leadership and management skills, along with an entrepreneurial mindset.There is also a growing demand for government-backed skill development programs and support initiatives, with 2 in every 5 conveying optimism about the value of these resources.71% women entrepreneurs did not expect to find access to finance easy.

Launching the WEOI Q4 2024 report, Aditya Mandloi, Managing Director, Head, Wealth and Retail Banking, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “Women entrepreneurs are a powerful force in India’s business landscape, yet systemic barriers continue to hinder their progress. SC WIN reflects Standard Chartered’s commitment to breaking these barriers by equipping women with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. The Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index further reinforces this commitment, providing data-driven insights to shape policies and initiatives that drive meaningful change.”

Avinash Gupta, Managing Director & CEO – India, Dun & Bradstreet, said, “The Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index is an essential resource for policymakers, financial institutions, and other key players to create strategies that help women entrepreneurs thrive as it pinpoints factors that either boost or hinder growth. The Index is expected to serve as a barometer to gauge the tone and direction in which our women entrepreneurs perceive their business would grow.”

To download the report for free, log on to the SC-WIN website: https://www.sc.com/in/business/sc-win/You can also download it from the Dun & Bradstreet India website: https://www.dnb.co.in/perspective/reports-and-insights

About Standard Chartered:

Standard Chartered Bank has been operating in India with a continuous presence of over 165 years making it one of the oldest foreign banks in the country. The Bank has a network of 100 branches across 42 cities. Key business segments include Corporate and Investment Banking and Wealth and Retail Banking. For more information, visit https://www.sc.com/in/

Globally, we are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 52 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions, please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Dun & Bradstreet: 

Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com

Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions across finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India’s vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity. 

Visit www.dnb.co.in for more information. Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases. 

 

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2314099/5170280/DB_Logo.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/standard-chartered-and-dun–bradstreet-launch-women-entrepreneurship-optimism-index-302407770.html

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

ECHO IQ SIGNS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND INTEGRATION AGREEMENTS WITH SCIMAGE AND MEDAXIOM TO EXPAND ECHOSOLV AS ACROSS 36 US CARDIOLOGY NETWORKS

Published

on

By

EchoSolv AS will be fully integrated into ScImage’s medical workflow platform, facilitating streamlined deployment within MedAxiom’s hospital and cardiology networks.ScImage is a nationally recognised Cloud and integrated workflow management platform, with over 1,200 users, specialising in the collation of medical images and secure, real-time access to patient information for a broad client base across the US.MedAxiom is an American College of Cardiology company and the cardiovascular community’s premier source for organisational performance solutions.Expanded distribution will further demonstrate EchoSolv AS’ ability to enhance detection rates for severe Aortic Stenosis, a key factor in Echo IQ’s pursuit of a Category I CPT code in the US market.Echo IQ is in active discussions with ScImage to extend availability of EchoSolv AS to additional cardiology networks across the ~1,200 active users of ScImage’s PICOM365 platform in the US.

SYDNEY, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AI and Medical Technology company Echo IQ (“the Company”) (ASX: EIQ) is pleased to advise of significant Partnership and Integration Agreements with ScImage and MedAxiom, two leading US healthcare technology providers. This collaboration will considerably expand the distribution of EchoSolv AS, integrating its advanced AI-powered cardiology technology across an extensive network of hospitals and cardiology practices in the United States.

Under the agreement, EchoSolv AS will be initially deployed across 36 MedAxiom/ScImage-affiliated hospitals and cardiology practices, enabling physicians to access advanced AI-driven diagnostics through ScImage’s industry-leading image management and workflow platform. By leveraging ScImage’s agile cloud- native architecture, EchoSolv AS will be delivered seamlessly for easy user adoption. This partnership significantly expands EchoSolv AS’ presence in the US market, providing broader access to cutting-edge technology for early, accurate detection of severe aortic stenosis.

This agreement solidifies Echo IQ’s position as a key innovator in AI-driven cardiovascular disease detection, reinforcing its commitment to advancing patient outcomes through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships.

Management Commentary:

Founder and CEO of ScImage, Inc., Dr Sai Raya PhD, said: “We are proud to be making Echo IQ’s extraordinary capabilities available to our customers. Both companies share a vision of technology-powered tools that enhance cardiology as well as patient outcomes. The limitless benefits of AI technology represent ScImage’s continued commitment to improving efficiency and ensuring our partners’ patients have access to the best technology available. I am confident our customers will embrace the benefits of seamless integration with this ground-breaking AI technology.”

Echo IQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Dustin Haines, said: “This partnership marks a pivotal milestone in our mission to transform cardiovascular diagnostics in the US. By integrating EchoSolv AS into ScImage’s workflow platform and deploying it across MedAxiom’s extensive network, we are ensuring that more physicians have access to innovative, AI-driven solutions to detect and manage severe aortic stenosis. This partnership further supports our approach of prioritising integrations in the lead up to our CATIII reimbursement. We look forward to deepening our collaboration and expanding access to this life-saving technology across more hospital networks nationwide.”

About ScImage:
A pioneer in the healthcare industry, ScImage was founded in 1993 and has consistently provided innovative enterprise image management and workflow solutions that are flexible, scalable and secure with an emphasis on establishing and nurturing excellent relationships with partners. Learn more at scimage.com.

About MedAxiom:
MedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology company, is the cardiovascular community’s premier source for organisational performance solutions. MedAxiom is transforming cardiovascular care by combining the knowledge and power of hundreds of cardiovascular organisation members, thousands of administrators, clinicians and revenue cycle experts, and dozens of industry partners. Through the delivery of proprietary tools, smart data and proven strategies, MedAxiom helps cardiovascular organisations achieve the Quadruple Aim of better outcomes, lower costs, improved patient experience and improved clinician experience.

Authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Echo IQ Limited.

Investor Enquiries:
Deon Strydom
deon.strydom@echoiq.ai 

ABOUT ECHO IQ
Echo IQ uses AI-driven technology and proprietary software to improve decision making in Cardiology. The company is based in Sydney, Australia.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/echo-iq-signs-strategic-partnership-and-integration-agreements-with-scimage-and-medaxiom-to-expand-echosolv-as-across-36-us-cardiology-networks-302416563.html

SOURCE Echo IQ Limited

Continue Reading

Technology

Tell the world the beauty of Jingchu culture! The “Meet in spring to enjoy cherry blossoms • International Internet Celebrities Tour Hubei” event is held

Published

on

By

WUHAN, China, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On March 28th, the “Meet in spring to enjoy cherry blossoms • International Internet Celebrities Tour Hubei” event hosted by Jimu News opened in Wuhan.

10 internet celebrities from different countries and regions, as well as 10 mainstream media reporters, gathered in Hubei to use cherry blossoms as a guide and culture as a medium, telling the story of Hubei to the world through cameras and words, and conveying the profound charm of Jingchu culture.

How can we better convey the beauty of Jingchu culture to the world? During the event, a training course for Jingchu Cultural Network Observers was held. On site, Wu Zhiyuan, Director and Professor of the Self Media Research Center at Central China Normal University, was invited to give lectures to international internet influencers.

At the “Spring Cherry Blossom Appreciation Interactive Party” held on the Hankou Changjiang River beach, international internet celebrities listened to classic music, watched Hanfu performances, and tasted Jingchu cuisine in the pink flower sea.

After seeing the beautiful scenery and tasting the delicious food, international internet celebrities entered the Hubei Provincial Museum. As they exposed to Chu Culture over 2400 years ago and appreciated precious cultural relics up close, these internet celebrities may feel transported through time and space.

At the end of the event, South Korean internet video celebrity Chen Rong‘en and Arab internet video celebrity Ou Fu were also awarded the title of “Jingchu Culture Network Observer”. In the future, they will continue to tell the story of Hubei to the world through various forms such as multilingual blogs and short videos on online platforms.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tell-the-world-the-beauty-of-jingchu-culture-the-meet-in-spring-to-enjoy-cherry-blossoms–international-internet-celebrities-tour-hubei-event-is-held-302416564.html

SOURCE Jimu News

Continue Reading

Technology

STL successfully completes the demerger of its Global Services Business

Published

on

By

–  Drives strategic growth for two business entities
–  The new demerged entity is to be named STL Networks with the brand name ‘Invenia’
–  STL Networks enables digital transformation by providing state-of-the-art system integration services and future-ready digital solutions

MUMBAI, India, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — STL (NSE: STLTECH), a leading optical and digital solutions company, has completed the demerger of its Global Services Business. The services business will transition from Sterlite Technologies (STL) to STL Networks under the brand name ‘Invenia’. This milestone marks the culmination of a strategic initiative to create two specialised, future-ready organisations poised for accelerated growth.

STL’s demerged entity (now STL Networks) has delivered substantial value to its customers over the past decade. With its capability to build large-scale, IT infrastructure-led digital ecosystems, the business has been making significant strides in India and the UK. It has played a pivotal role in India’s digital growth story, blending the spirit of nation-building and digital infrastructure creation. Over 1.35 lakh km of Optical Fibre network have been deployed nationwide in 23 states, positioning STL Networks as a trusted partner for delivering critical connectivity solutions.

This demerger is aligned with the long-term strategy of creating two highly specialised entities. This demerger will enable STL and STL Networks—to grow independently with enhanced agility and sharper focus on their respective customer segments, creating strong, distinct platforms for future growth. This will also bring more value to investors and strategic partners with a specific interest in the services business. Both businesses will have dedicated leadership teams with proven track records, ensuring a smooth transition and continued success. Rahul Puri will lead as the CEO of Optical Networking Business at STL, and Pankaj Malik will be the CEO of STL Networks.

With 10+ manufacturing plants globally and a customer base spanning 100+ countries, STL is poised to lead the next wave of digital infrastructure innovation. As a trailblazer in Optical Networking, Optical Connectivity, Data Centres, and Enterprise solutions, STL will keep innovating with state-of-the-art products like Optical Fibre, Fibre Cable, and Optical Connectivity—engineered to set new benchmarks and power tomorrow’s connected ecosystems. The demerged entity STL Networks, with its expertise in large-scale deployments, will further strengthen its portfolio in the global digital infrastructure and services space that will enable enterprises, telecom companies, cloud service providers, government, and defense. The recently awarded INR ~2600 Cr Bharatnet project in Jammu and Kashmir will be part of STL Networks post demerger.

The demerger is anticipated to drive profitability, enhance operational efficiency, and provide a more compelling investment opportunity for shareholders.

Ankit Agarwal, Managing Director of STL, commented, “The completion of this demerger marks a pivotal moment in our strategic roadmap. This transition empowers STL and STL Networks to operate with greater focus, agility, and independence, creating exceptional value for all stakeholders. STL remains committed to pioneering optical solutions and driving customer-centricity, while STL Networks is now uniquely positioned to redefine global services with agility. This new structure will drive sustained growth, operational efficiency, and shareholder returns for both entities.”

About STL Networks

STL Networks, with the brand name Invenia, is a leading global digital infrastructure and IT services company. We enable enterprises, telcos, cloud service providers, government, and defense with advanced capabilities in designing, building, managing, and transforming future-ready digital landscapes..

About STL – Sterlite Technologies Ltd

STL is a leading global optical and digital solutions company providing advanced offerings to build 5G, Rural, FTTx, Enterprise and Data Centre networks. Read more, Contact usstl.tech | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

For more information, contact: 

Media Relations
Shaily Rai Sinha
shaily.sinha@stl.tech

Investor Relations
Ajay Jhanjhari
investor@stl.tech  

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2259921/4968402/STL_Logo.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/stl-successfully-completes-the-demerger-of-its-global-services-business-302416583.html

Continue Reading

Trending