04: Kula Connect Digest March 2024
Kula Connect Digest covers Kula progresses, news, and events in the Indo-European space
Hello Kula Community! 👋
Today's newsletter brings a change of pace as we do not bring to you the story of a special guest and instead offer you a unique blend of updates. Once a month, you can expect this kind of newsletter.
You’re new to Kula? Learn more about us here
So, what's the deal with this change? Well, we want to give you a more complete picture of what's happening in our community. Instead of just focusing on one person's story, we're bringing you a mix of news, discoveries, and thoughts from all around. Think of it like a monthly roundup that keeps you in the loop and gives you a taste of everything going on.
Think of this newsletter as your ticket to a journey full of surprises and interesting stuff. We're all about exploring new ideas and staying connected with you.
Structure of Kula Connect Digest
💡 Kula Connect Progresses: We'll make you part of our journey building Kula.
🚀 What’s next: Insights on our future plans.
🤓 March Newsletters Recap: Highlights from our past three newsletters.
🚨 Top Headlines: Selction of news regarding Europe and India
📊 Interesting Reads: Articles and reports worth to read.
📅 Upcoming Events
Kula Progresses 🚀
On March 5th, we launched the first Kula Connect Newsletter, driven by our bold mission to create a bridge between Europe and India. We published our first three newsletters delving into interviews with individuals who have traversed this bridge in various ways, uncovering valuable insights along the way.
When we tell people we want to publish one newsletter per week, they think we are over ambitious. We love to hear it. “You are running a marathon at a 100m pace.”
Here's a glimpse into what we've learned thus far.
🚀 Growing takes time: We hit a milestone of 100 subscribers in less than a month! Let’s celebrate.. growing on Substack is a little bit more difficult than on TikTok
🤸♀️Writing is hard: People were right. Crafting a comprehensive newsletter demands effort and time. We are still trying to find the perfect balance between depth and brevity. Your feedback is crucial in this journey.
🗣️Hunting for Interviewees: Finding the right voices to feature in our content is one of the most enjoyable yet challenging aspects. We have been asking friends and reaching out to people on LinkedIn, it is somehow working, for now! Would you or someone you know be a good star for our next newsletter? Let us know!
What’s next 🚀
Kula Connect meet-up: We are organizing a meet-up for our subscribers and members of our community to start creating an EU-Indo ecosystem where to talk about business and foster connections. Would you like to join?
Partnerships: We are looking for Universities and Associations who wants to partner to grow together. If you know anyone, reach out.
Ambassadors: We are working on crafting an ambassador program that can help us grow and give the opportunityt to talented individuals to contribute more to Kula. Interested in joining? Fill this form.
March Newsletters Recap 🤓
Flix(Bus) launched in India in February 2024
Flix's asset-light model, which involves not owning buses, has proven to be the key success factor, allowing the company to quickly adapt to new markets.
Characteristics of the Indian bus market are the widespread use of meta-search platforms for travel booking and the fragmentation of the market with many small local players
02: Francesco Volpe's Journey: Accompanying Macron to India's State Visit and Forging Bonds in the Indian Nuclear Energy Sector
Macron's visit to India for the 75th Republic Day of India underscores, among others, strategic diplomatic efforts to foster collaboration in nuclear energy.
Both France and India increasingly invest in nuclear energy as a clean alternative (learn more here and here).
Renaissance Fusion sees India as a promising market for future expansion, awaiting the readiness of their fusion technology.
03: Coumar Ananda’s Insights: Expanding Your Indian Business in France
France emerges as the key gateway for Indian enterprises seeking global expansion, offering a seamless entry point into the European market.
Coumar, founder of India Advisory Paris’ recipe for success lies in leveraging the strengths of both nations, tapping into France's intellectual property rights (IPR) and research prowess while embracing India's entrepreneurial spirit and burgeoning consumer market.
Biotech and fashion are emerging as key growing industries in Indo-French business relations.
Top Headlines 🚨
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a $100bn (£77.8bn) free-trade agreement (FTA). 💰 [BBC]
India is set to hold its next general election from 19 April 2024 over a seven-phase period that will last 44 days. [Time]
Naxnova 🇮🇳 acquires Quad Industries 🇧🇪 for ₹90 crore (€9M) with the aim to strengthen product offering for the automotive industry. [Financial Express]
Volkswagen Group 🇩🇪 and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. 🇮🇳 have signed the first supply agreement on components of Volkswagen´s MEB for Mahindra’s purpose-built electric platform INGLO, taking a step further on their joint vision for e-mobility collaboration. [Volkswagen Group]
Kiabi 🇫🇷 plans to enter the Indian market through the Indian fashion e-commerce company Myntra. 👗 [The Economic Times]
State-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) 🇮🇳 said it has become the first government firm to collaborate with SACE 🇮🇹, an Italian export credit agency, to boost the cooperation between the two countries. [Business Standard]
Interesting Reads 📊
The India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor: an early assessment [The Forum]
India Venture Capital 2024 📈 [Bain & Company]
Upcoming Events 📅
Kula top events to look for in April 2024:
🇮🇳 Based in India? Don’t miss on these event!
Global Focus India | Milan | March 26
Meet 20 young talents selected for the French Indian Young Talents Program | Paris | Apr 04
Impresa Awards 2024 | Mumbai | Apr 5
ITALIAN TECH in INDIA | Pune | Apr 05-06
Italy in India Conclave | New Delhi | Apr 12
INDO-FRENCH BUSINESS AWARDS 2024 | New Delhi | Apr 16
Webinar to excel B2B meetings with German suppliers | Online | Apr 18
Do you know any more events in the Indo - European business environement? Please write them in the comments so that our community can thrive
Do you like this new format? Let us know! 🩷