MG Cyberster achieves the fastest 0-100 kmph Acceleration at Sambhar Salt Lake
Neel Achary business
MG Cyberster achieves the fastest 0-100 kmph Acceleration at Sambhar Salt Lake

Gurugram, February 20, 2025: JSW MG Motor India’s newly launched luxury brand channel, MG SELECT, added yet another record to MG’s rich legacy of innovation and excellence. The MG Cyberster – the World’s Fastest MG Roadster, created the first-ever record at Salt Lake in India. Building on its heritage, the Cyberster with electric scissor doors, […]

The post MG Cyberster achieves the fastest 0-100 kmph Acceleration at Sambhar Salt Lake first appeared on Business News Week.

Bharti AXA Life Insurance Secures Investment from 360 ONE Asset to Drive Growth
Neel Achary business
Bharti AXA Life Insurance Secures Investment from 360 ONE Asset to Drive Growth

Chandigarh February 20th, 2025: Bharti AXA Life Insurance, one of India’s leading life insurance providers, today announced a significant investment from funds managed by 360 ONE Asset. As part of this transaction, 360 ONE Asset, through its funds will acquire a 15% stake in Bharti AXA Life Insurance, to strengthen the company’s growth trajectory, unlock […]

The post Bharti AXA Life Insurance Secures Investment from 360 ONE Asset to Drive Growth first appeared on Business News Week.

Mappls App Breaks Language Barriers, Now in 9 Regional Languages
Bhumika Lenka news
Mappls App Breaks Language Barriers, Now in 9 Regional Languages

New Delhi, 20 February 2025: Marking its 30-year milestone, Mappls MapmyIndia, India’s leading digital maps, IoT, and deep-tech company, has launched another groundbreaking initiative with Indic language maps & navigation support for 9 regional languages on its flagship Mappls App, accessible to all it’s 30mn+ app users and counting. The feature was launched by Surveyor General of India, Shri Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, IAS at an event held at India International Center, New Delhi. This initiative reinforces Mappls’ commitment to inclusivity, making map and navigation seamless and accessible to all Indians, in their native languages and the company expects to further increase its user base with a slew of such India-centric features.

Users can have a fully native language experience with maps, search, turn-by-turn navigation and voice guidance in 9 Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Punjabi, Malayalam, and Gujarati – across the entire country. All 9 languages are available for the entire country and not just for the state/region, meaning a user in one state can read the map in their native language, travel to another state and continue to interact with the map in their native language.

This feature is one amongst a series of India-first features that have contributed to the app gaining 30m+ users in a short period. Other popular features that users rely on include Junction Views (for better, safer guidance, particularly around flyovers in 3D mode), traffic monitoring alerts, speed breakers, trip cost estimates, Mappls Pin and many more.

Speaking at the launch, Shri Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, IAS, Surveyor General of India stated “I commend MapmyIndia for taking up this great initiative which is a strong example of ease of use of geospatial for the common man for their everyday needs. This also serves as the national digital infrastructure for location-based technology.”

Further, Mr. Rakesh Verma, Co-Founder & CMD, MapmyIndia, added, “India’s rich linguistic diversity is a strength, and at MapmyIndia, we believe in empowering every Indian with technology that speaks their language. With a fully native Indic-language experience in our Swadeshi Mappls App, we are taking a giant leap toward making navigation more inclusive. This initiative aligns with our vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Sarvottam Bharat’ and ‘Make in India, for India, and for the World.’

“With over 700 million smartphones in India, accessing navigation in their native language is essential. The Mappls App will feel as familiar as a local newspaper, ensuring seamless understanding and accessibility.”

This launch also marks a first for iOS users in India, as Mappls App becomes the only navigation platform to offer maps, search & turn-by-turn guidance in 9 Indic languages—a feature unavailable on other map apps.

Key Features of the Initiative:

  • Multi-Language Support: Easily switch between Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Punjabi, English, Telugu, and Marathi for a personalized experience anywhere in the country.
  • Voice Navigation: Get turn-by-turn voice guidance in all supported languages, ensuring safe, hands-free navigation in your favourite language.
  • Localized Search: Find addresses, points of interest, and businesses in your preferred language, enhancing search convenience and accuracy.

The Mappls App is built on MapmyIndia’s industry-leading digital maps, covering:

  • 99.9% of India’s road network encompassing 6.6 million kms
  • 30 million+ businesses
  • 550 million geo-referenced images
  • 7,900+ towns and 637,000+ villages covered

Beyond traditional 2D maps, MapmyIndia is innovating with 3D landmarks, terrain models, 4D real-time updates, HD high-accuracy maps, and RealView 360-degree geo-tagged panoramas, continually enhancing its AI-powered Digital Metaverse Twin of the Real World.

With this launch, MapmyIndia reaffirms its leadership in digital mapping and navigation by prioritizing India’s diverse linguistic landscape. By integrating technology with cultural and linguistic inclusivity, Mappls App ensures that every Indian, regardless of their native tongue, can navigate the country with ease and confidence.

IHCL Opens Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa in Delhi NCR
Rutuparna Rath news
IHCL Opens Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa in Delhi NCR

Chandigarh, FEBRUARY 20, 2025: The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company unveils the re-imagined Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR. Nestled along the gentle slopes of the Aravalli hills, the resort offers an enhanced retreat experience, inviting guests to unwind, rejuvenate and immerse themselves in the signature warmth of Tajness.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Akshat Gupta, General Manager, Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR said, “Taj Surajkund is a resort offering from the brand in the Delhi NCR region. Its rebranding and enhancements make it an ideal destination for luxurious stays, wellness journeys and exquisite dining experiences. Combining classic charm with modern comforts, we invite guests to experience its renewed spirit, all while offering the quintessential warm and sincere service that defines Tajness.”

Taj Surajkund offers a blend of refreshed accommodations, dining venues and public spaces that draw inspiration from the region’s rich cultural heritage and the elegance of the 1920s. The design thoughtfully pays tribute to Surajkund’s iconic stepwell while seamlessly merging with Taj’s renowned hospitality. Guests can unwind at the newly introduced bar; Promenade Lounge overlooking the serene garden courtyard, enjoy the eclectic dining experience at the multi-cuisine Oasis, or savour the flavours of food from the land of the five rivers at Paranda. Step into the world of curated wellness programs at the J Wellness Circle, Taj’s award-winning spa with a unique range of treatments inspired by ancient Indian healing rituals. The resort offers elegant banqueting and state of the art conferencing venue for social and corporate gatherings.

SIMSREE Launches M.Sc. Finance with FPSB India as Knowledge Partner
Bhumika Lenka business
SIMSREE Launches M.Sc. Finance with FPSB India as Knowledge Partner

Mumbai, February 20, 2025 – Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research & Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE) launches the M.Sc. Finance degree program. Knowledge Partner is FPSB India that awards globally recognized CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) Certification.

This M.Sc. Finance degree program full-time, two-year course opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities, including roles in financial planning, portfolio management, investment analysis, wealth management, and corporate finance to name a few, in both domestic and international markets. Graduates will benefit from lucrative job prospects and entrepreneurial opportunities. FPSB India, as a knowledge partner, will facilitate the integration of CFP® certifications into the academic journey of M.Sc. Finance students, enabling them to earn this prestigious credential alongside their degree, and join the network of 3,215 CFP professionals in India and more than 230,648 CFP professionals worldwide. With an impressive 17.7% growth rate, India is one of the fastest-growing markets for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) professionals in the world.

Key Features of the Program:

  • Forward-thinking curriculum to develop expertise in financial planning, portfolio management, investment analysis, and tax planning
  • Summer internships and live projects providing hands-on industry experience.
  • Guidance by renowned faculty and mentoring from industry leaders.
  • Access to global career pathways, leveraging the prestigious CFP® certification.

Speaking on becoming the Knowledge Partner for the M.Sc. Finance program of prestigious B-School SIMSREE, Krishan Mishra, CEO, FPSB India, said: “This partnership represents a significant step forward in developing a workforce equipped with both the technical expertise and professional ethics required in today’s financial services sector. With the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification enabled into the program, students will not only gain academic excellence but also a globally recognized professional credential that sets them apart in the industry.”

Lending SIMSREE’s vision to the launch of the M. Sc. Finance, Dr. Shriniwas S Dhure, Director, SIMSREE stated, “At SIMSREE, we are committed to delivering educational excellence that bridges the gap between academia and industry. The M.Sc. Finance program reflects our mission to prepare students for leadership roles in the rapidly evolving financial landscape. Through partnerships like this with FPSB India, we aim to equip our graduates with future-ready skills and an edge in the competitive global market.”

Recognizing the importance of financial planning education in shaping future-ready professionals, Prof. Rajanish K. Kamat, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Homi Bhabha State University, emphasized the value of empowering students with globally recognized credentials and future-focused skills and said, “Financial planning education is essential for building a secure future and we are proud to equip students with globally recognized skills through the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, preparing them to excel as ethical and skilled professionals in the evolving financial planning landscape.”

Dr. Sangeeta Pandit, HOD Finance, SIMSREE, was also present at the signing ceremony, underscoring the institute’s commitment to offering best-in-class education and career opportunities.

ZEE Entertainment Achieves Top S&P Global ESG Score, Surpassing Industry Standards
Rutuparna Rath news
ZEE Entertainment Achieves Top S&P Global ESG Score, Surpassing Industry Standards

Mumbai, 20th February 2025: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEE), the leading Media & Entertainment powerhouse, has earned an exceptional ESG score of 44 in the annual S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). The industry- leading score reaffirms the Company’s commitment towards implementing the best practices in sustainability across Environment, Social and Governance (ESG).

This achievement places ZEE significantly ahead of the industry average score of 20 and ranks it amongst the top 10% of global players within the sector, underscoring the Company’s dedication to responsible business practices and sustainable growth. The Company witnessed a significant improvement of 16 points in its score from 2023, placing it in the 93rd percentile across the global Media, Movies & Entertainment industry.

The Company has undertaken significant interventions across the core ESG domains to demonstrate exceptional standards in Corporate Responsibility. ZEE excelled in various aspects of the CSA score including Transparency & Reporting, where it ranked in the top 100th percentile; and Business Ethics, Information Security/ Cybersecurity & System Availability, Water, Labour Practice, Human rights and Customer relations, where it ranked above the 90th percentile.

ZEE’s high ESG score reflects its robust initiatives in various areas that include management of material ESG risks, opportunities and impact that were measured through a combination of company disclosures, media and stakeholder analysis, modelling approaches and in-depth company engagement.

Commenting on the noteworthy achievement, Mr. Punit Goenka, Chief Executive Officer, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “At ZEE, we believe in staying ahead of the curve by consistently delivering industry-beating performance across all aspects. The high ESG score achieved by the Company in the renowned S&P Global assessment is yet another firm testament to our commitment of implementing the best practices in the environmental, social and governance domains. As a responsible corporate citizen, sustainable growth remains key to driving long-term success and our efforts remain focused towards enhancing environmental sustainability, promoting social equity and maintaining strong governance frameworks. As we take concerted steps to achieve our targeted aspirations, prioritizing key initiatives in the realm of ESG is a core focus area, ensuring that ZEE continues to deliver industry-leading performance in entertainment as well as corporate responsibility.”

With a robust ESG strategy for the future, ZEE aims to attain industry leadership in sustainability and responsible business conduct. The Company’s exceptional ESG performance during the year, reflects its broader vision to generate higher long-term value for all its stakeholders while simultaneously contributing towards positive societal development.

Must-Watch & Must-Listen: Cricket’s Greatest Rivalries, Comebacks, and Battles
Rutuparna Rath news
Must-Watch & Must-Listen: Cricket’s Greatest Rivalries, Comebacks, and Battles

Cricket fever is back, and there’s no better way to gear up for India’s opening match against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 than by exploring some surprising sports stories! Whether you want to relive legendary matches, get inspired by tales of resilience, or simply soak in the excitement of the game, we have got you covered. With gripping audiobooks that take you behind the scenes to iconic films and docu-series that capture the highs and lows of cricket, this list is perfect for every cricket fan. So, as the tournament unfolds, why not set the mood with these unmissable picks?

Winning Like Sourav

If you are a fan of Sourav Ganguly, then ‘Winning Like Sourav’ is a must-listen! This audiobook dives into what made him one of India’s most legendary captains—from his fearless leadership to his incredible comeback story. With over 18,000 international runs and a record-breaking captaincy, he redefined Indian cricket. But what truly set him apart? This gripping listen unpacks his mindset, resilience, and winning strategies, offering valuable lessons for any aspiring cricketer looking to lead, fight back, and succeed against the odds.

The Miracle Makers

What an absolute treat this audiobook is, for cricket fans! Reliving one of the most incredible moments in the sport’s history when India stunned Australia on their own turf, breaching the Gabba fortress with a depleted squad, it was nothing short of legendary. Journalist Bharat Sundaresan, the only Indian-origin reporter covering the series live, takes you right into the heart of the action. From witnessing history unfold to navigating a pandemic-stricken Australia, his journey is as riveting as the matches themselves.

Crickonomics

Written by award-winning journalist Tim Wigmore and economist Stefan Szymanski, this audiobook unpacks the fascinating trends shaping modern cricket—from England’s school-based talent pipeline to India’s meteoric rise and the game-changing impact of players like Jayasuriya and Gilchrist. Narrated by David Thorpe, it’s filled with eye-opening stories and surprising stats that challenge conventional wisdom. This will change the way you see the sport forever. Tune in to find out more.

The Commonwealth of Cricket

In this audiobook, Ramachandra Guha takes you on a personal journey through India’s transformation from an underdog in the 1960s to the undisputed superpower of world cricket. Blending memoir, history, and sharp insights, he brings to life the passion of school matches, the grit of domestic cricket, and the rise of legendary icons. Richly detailed and deeply engaging, this audiobook is a love letter to the sport that unites a nation – an unmissable listen for anyone who lives and breathes cricket!

The Greatest Indian Rivalry

There is no rivalry more intense than India v/s Pakistan, and this audiobook brings it to life like never before. The Greatest Rivalry – India vs Pakistan takes you behind the scenes. Featuring legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, and Shoaib Akhtar, this docu-series brings viewers an inside look at the fierce competition, the camaraderie, and unforgettable moments shared between the two teams. If you have ever felt the adrenaline of an India-Pakistan game, you ought to catch this one!

83

‘83’ takes you back to the thrilling journey of the Indian cricket team as they head to England for the World Cup—without much hope from officials or fans. With early wins followed by crushing defeats, the team finds itself on the brink of elimination, until captain Kapil Dev pulls off an unforgettable knock against Zimbabwe, single-handedly keeping their dreams alive. What follows is a story of resilience, team spirit, and one man’s unshakable belief that leads India to a historic victory at Lord’s, proving the world wrong.

Jersey

This story follows Arjun Talwar, a once-legendary domestic cricketer from the late ’70s and ’80s, who now leads a forgotten, middle-class life in 1995. Struggling with job suspension and financial troubles, he promises his son an original Team India jersey…only to realize he can’t afford it. When an unexpected cricket match reignites his passion for the game, Arjun dares to dream of a comeback at 36—an age when most players retire. Will he defy the odds and reclaim his lost glory?

Air India and Lufthansa Group Unveil Major Codeshare Expansion, Adding 60 Routes Across India and Europe
Rutuparna Rath business
Air India and Lufthansa Group Unveil Major Codeshare Expansion, Adding 60 Routes Across India and Europe

GURUGRAM, 20 February 2025: Air India and Lufthansa Group have agreed to build on their longstanding codeshare partnership, which sees Air India enter into a new codeshare agreement with Austrian Airlines, as well as expand the existing codeshare agreements between Air India, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).

The expanded partnership significantly boosts flight options and connectivity for travellers between the Indian Subcontinent and Europe with the addition of close to 60 codeshare routes operated by the four airlines across 12 Indian and 26 European cities.

The expanded agreements increase the total number of codeshare routes between. Air India, Lufthansa and SWISS from 55 to nearly 100. Additionally, the new agreement between Air India and Austrian Airlines adds 26 codeshare routes. This provides greater choice, convenience, and seamless experiences to travellers from both regions.

Air India will now offer its customers a total of 26 destinations across Europe and 3 destinations in the Americas beyond its gateways in Europe (Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich), with the ‘AI’ designator code placed on the following services operated by airlines in the Lufthansa Group, including Austrian Airlines for the first time:

Lufthansa
Between Frankfurt and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Dublin, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Luxembourg, Lyon, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Nuremberg, Oslo, Prague, Riga, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Toulouse, Valencia, – Washington D.C.

SWISS
Between Zurich and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Dublin, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Luxembourg, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Prague, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Valencia.

Austrian Airlines
Between Vienna and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Lyon, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Prague, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Valencia.

Reciprocally, customers of Lufthansa Group will now be able to connect to Air India’s domestic services to or from 15 points within India, namely Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa Mopa, Goa Dabolim, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, Lufthansa Group carriers will add their respective designator codes to Air India’s international services to 3 destinations from Delhi and Mumbai: Kathmandu, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Additionally, flights currently operated by Air India and Lufthansa Group carriers between India and Germany or Switzerland will be covered under the expanded codeshare partnership. For example, customers who wish to fly between Delhi and Frankfurt will now have three daily flight options each way with ‘LH’ flight numbers, including two flights operated by Air India and one flight operated by Lufthansa.

Both airlines plan to progressively include other destinations in their network to the codeshare arrangements.

Air India and the three Lufthansa Group carriers are members of Star Alliance. Frequent flyers will continue to earn and redeem points/miles on all four airlines, while elite status holders of Air India’s Maharaja Club and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More programmes will benefit from Star Alliance Gold benefits including priority services, extra baggage allowance, and airport lounge access across the world.

“Our goal is to enable our customers to travel from any corner of the world to another via Air India and its partner airlines. The expansion of our partnership with Lufthansa Group is a step in that direction, and we are pleased to take this long-standing relationship to the next level,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India.

“With this renewed partnership, our customers will have access to more destinations and greater flexibility to travel across Europe on Lufthansa Group carriers. It also gives us the opportunity to serve Lufthansa Group customers, with warmth and quintessential Indian hospitality, aboard Air India flights. We look forward to continue working closely with our Star Alliance partners in making the world feel like a smaller place,” Aggarwal added.

“We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Air India and elevate the travel experience for our joint customers. By further enhancing our cooperation, we will increase the travel options between Europe and India and offer our passengers improved access to additional destinations. Lufthansa Group remains committed to India, and we are excited about the possibilities and potential the country and Air India as a partner have to offer”, according to Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer, Lufthansa Group.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively made available for sale through the airlines’ respective booking channels.

Data Trigger: Are Villas the Next Big Thing in Investment
Rutuparna Rath news
Data Trigger: Are Villas the Next Big Thing in Investment

New Delhi, February 20, 2025: In general, villas are often more expensive than apartments due to factors like land costs and the perception of luxury living. They also hold a more promising return on investment making it a lucrative option.

According to Magicbricks, in 2024, prices of villas appreciated significantly in cities such as Navi Mumbai (55.7% YoY), Greater Noida (50% YoY) and Noida (40% YoY). Between October and December 2024, average price of a villa in Greater Noida reached INR 13500 psf as compared to INR 8900 for multi storey apartments. Similarly, prices of villas in Noida averaged INR 19600 psf as compared to multistorey apartments which averaged INR 11000 psf.

% change in average rate of Villas (October-December 2024)
City QoQ YoY
Ahmedabad 4.3% 13.2%
Bangalore 2.3% 23.6%
Chennai 2.4% 28.0%
Greater Noida 11.6% 50.0%
Gurgaon 3.1% 20.0%
Hyderabad 0.0% 6.9%
Kolkata 19.7% 13.8%
Mumbai 0.9% 24.3%
Navi Mumbai 1.3% 55.7%
New Delhi 0.4% 8.2%
Noida 3.7% 40.0%
Pune 4.2% -27.1%
Thane 1.8% 20.1%

Avg price of Villa Avg price of Multi Storey Apartment
Ahmedabad 12000 6100
Hyderabad 10800 7000
Kolkata 9100 8500
Greater Noida 13500 8900
Pune 12400 10000
Noida 19600 11000
Bangalore 13,100 11,500
Chennai 12800 11900
Navi Mumbai 30200 14100
Thane 17300 14100
Gurgaon 26400 14300
New Delhi 52,700 18,000
Mumbai 43500 34900
Source: Magicbricks Research

Magicbricks is India’s No.1 property site
As the largest platform for buyers and sellers of property to connect in a transparent manner, Magicbricks has monthly traffic exceeding 2 crores and an active base of over 15 lakh property listings. Magicbricks has metamorphosed into a full stack service provider for all real estate needs, with services including home loans, interiors, and expert advice.

With 17+ years of experience and deep research-based knowledge, Magicbricks also presents a repertoire of insight-driven platforms like MBTV- India’s leading online real estate YouTube channel, and other proprietary tools so that home buyers can access all information related to price trends and forecasts, locality reviews and more.

AiHPC Unveils Open AI Healthcare Platform at Equinix to Propel Hong Kong’s Global Health Innovation
Rutuparna Rath news
AiHPC Unveils Open AI Healthcare Platform at Equinix to Propel Hong Kong’s Global Health Innovation

MUMBAI, INDIA– February 20, 2025 – Equinix, Inc., the world’s digital infrastructure company®, has collaborated with AiHPC to launch Orchestration AI (OrchAI), a dedicated open AI healthcare and life sciences platform on Platform Equinix®. This strategic collaboration aims to accelerate healthcare and life sciences R&D, clinical trials and the application of advanced biomedical technologies in Hong Kong, attracting top-notch innovative enterprises and research organizations from around the world to set up operations in the city.

Medical research institutions are increasingly prioritizing investment in AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure to overcome bottlenecks in computational power and data exchange limits for complex analyses. Particularly in research-intensive regions like Hong Kong, where AI is projected to expand to US$1.03bn in 2025 and to $3.43 billion by 2030 at an annual growth rate of 27.3% from 2025 to 2030, stakeholders often face challenges in managing large-scale data operations, implementing AI solutions and maintaining efficient workflow processes across multiple nodes. OrchAI, integrated on Platform Equinix with a comprehensive global healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, will bridge local and overseas hospitals, research, and medical institutions, fostering accelerated research processes and collaboration.

OrchAI addresses critical industry pain points by eliminating technological barriers and optimizing resource allocation. Research and medical institutions, as well as tertiary institutes, can access OrchAI to enjoy the benefits of end-to-end digital services. These services include high-performance computing acceleration, data orchestration and manipulation, and edge solution deployment.

In addition, healthcare and life sciences institutions can directly connect to a rich ecosystem of cloud service providers through Equinix Internet Access and Equinix Fabric®. This enables efficient data exchange for hospitals and medical institutions across multiple cloud environments. After deploying OrchAI on Platform Equinix, the upload speed to AWS Cloud in Hong Kong or Singapore via Equinix Internet Access has been reduced by over 90%, or up to 22 times faster, compared to the public internet. The robust connectivity infrastructure enhances data scalability and ensures secure and compliant data handling. This empowers healthcare and life sciences organizations to overcome existing limitations and drive cross-innovation in medical research and clinical trials.

This collaborative effort aims to expedite the journey from research to market for innovative healthcare and life sciences solutions. By leveraging AI-powered technologies to enhance service delivery, the goal is to solidify Hong Kong’s position as a crucial super-connector in the Asia-Pacific region. This will attract key healthcare stakeholders in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and throughout the Asia-Pacific region to conduct groundbreaking medical research in Hong Kong.

Dr. Sam Chu, Founder, AiHPC, said: “The challenges posed by Hong Kong’s aging population and the city’s journey to becoming an international health and medical innovation hub have highlighted the urgent need for new healthcare solutions. Our objective of establishing Hong Kong’s first integrated AI and HPC ecosystem is to streamline academic research, healthcare implementation, and cross-border collaboration between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the world. Based on the professional IT services and advice offered by our technology arm Ripen, we have chosen to deploy OrchAI on Platform Equinix. Equinix’s global footprint, cloud connectivity, and a vast ecosystem of AI and healthcare and life sciences stakeholders provide unparalleled infrastructure advantages, differentiating us from traditional cloud or standalone HPC solution providers in the industry.”

Joanne Hon, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Equinix said: “Equinix has faithfully served as a digital backbone in Hong Kong for over two decades. As the demand for AI and HPC in healthcare continues to surge, our collaboration with AiHPC highlights our commitment to advancing digital capabilities in the healthcare industry. This partnership with AiHPC empowers institutions to adopt bolder approaches in addressing increasingly complex and globally interconnected healthcare challenges, propelling Hong Kong’s strategic position in the Greater Bay Area and ambition of becoming a global healthcare and life sciences innovation hub.”