Stay informed about the latest startup and business developments in Pune with updates on bits and bytes.

Tata Technologies has revealed the champions of the inaugural InnoVent hackathon, a platform providing young engineering students in India an opportunity to display their creativity and develop innovative solutions to tackle challenges in the manufacturing industry. The top 10 teams presented their prototypes at the Demo Day held at Tata Technologies headquarters in Hinjawadi, Pune. The winning team, Rolex from Bannari Amman Institute Of Technology, Erode, received a cash prize of ₹300,000 for their Generative AI for car design. The second prize went to Blitzkrieg from RVCE, Bangalore, for their Autonomous Electric Vehicle (AEV) design, while the third prize was awarded to ThunderBolt from VIT, Vellore, for their Vanadium redox flow battery for buses.

iMocha, an AI-powered Skills Intelligence cloud platform, has introduced the 'AI-Skills Match Engine' feature in its talent acquisition suite. This feature enhances talent acquisition by aggregating and refining external talent using AI to provide accurate matches between candidates and job requisitions. The system seamlessly integrates with SAP SuccessFactors and other Application Tracking Systems, allowing HR leaders to centralise job applications, assess candidates against skill requirements, and validate their skills through AI.

nRoad is expanding its presence in the Indian market by strategically growing its Pune office and other locations across the country. The company aims to strengthen its service delivery capabilities, recruit a significant workforce, and expand its client base domestically and internationally. As a self-funded enterprise, nRoad plans to make substantial investments in the Indian market, with a focus on recruiting over 50 AI engineers in the coming year. The company also has plans for expansion in the Middle East, Singapore, and Australia, anticipating a substantial growth rate of 500% in 2024.

Walchand PeopleFirst Limited (WPFL) is extending its footprint in Pune by appointing Reset Learning as the sub-franchise for Dale Carnegie. Dale Carnegie, established in Pune, has built successful collaborations with industry leaders such as Bajaj, Alfa Lava, Bharat Forge, Gera Developments, and Piaggio. Pallavi Jha, Chairperson and Managing Director of WPFL and Dale Carnegie Training India, expressed optimism about unlocking new possibilities, driving professional development, and making a positive impact in the Pune workforce through this expansion. WPFL sees significant opportunities for its Walchand Plus verticals, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Education and Skilling, HR Consulting, and more, with this strategic move.