Achieves rapid scale within a quarter of funding—while keeping most capital undeployed—highlighting strong demand, repeat usage, and a scalable multi-channel modelHYDERABAD, India, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fabpad, India's fast-growing menstrual hygiene brand, has achieved its 12-month post-seed projections within just three months of closing its funding round in December 2025. The company also reported a 300% year-on-year growth for FY 2025–26. Fabpad has reached this milestone within the first quarter post funding, with a significant portion of the raised capital still undeployed, pointing to strong underlying demand and disciplined execution.The company is now planning to raise its Pre-Series A round to support its next phase of growth, with a focus on expanding access and scaling operations across markets.Fabpad's product portfolio—including reusable period panties, cloth pads, biodegradable disposables, and intimate hygiene solutions-—is designed to serve both individual consumers and larger-scale use cases.Fabpad operates as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand in India, where it has built strong user engagement through product performance and repeat usage. Alongside this, the company has scaled across multiple demand channels and markets, enabling it to grow rapidly without relying on a single growth engine.The company's growth has been driven by a combination of:Strong repeat behaviour and customer retentionConsistent product performance across use casesExpansion across geographiesCommenting on the milestone, Dipesh Dhelia, CEO, Fabpad, said, "What stands out to us is not just the speed of growth, but how efficiently it has come together. We've been able to hit our projected numbers early while still keeping most of our capital undeployed. That's a strong signal that we have built a strong scalable model."Commenting on product adoption, Shripriya Khaitan Dhelia, Co-Founder, Fabpad, said, "Our focus has always been on solving for real, everyday use. This isn't a one-time purchase decision—it's something customers evaluate every single month. That's where trust gets built. If the product performs consistently, it earns credibility over time, and that's what ultimately drives repeat usage and growth."About FabpadFabpad is a personal hygiene brand founded by Shripriya Dhelia, focused on building high-performance, affordable, and sustainable hygiene solutions for modern consumers. The company has developed a diversified business model, combining its direct-to-consumer (D2C) presence in India with institutional partnerships, export markets, and B2B distribution channels, enabling it to scale across both individual and large-scale use cases.Fabpad's product portfolio spans reusable period panties, cloth pads, biodegradable disposables, and intimate hygiene products, designed to deliver consistent performance while addressing cost efficiency and environmental impact. Built with a strong focus on product quality, repeat usage, and real-world functionality, the brand has gained traction across multiple markets and customer segments.Fabpad is building a capital-efficient hygiene platform designed to scale across markets, channels, and use cases—without compromising on performance or accessibility.Website: https://fabpad.in/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2966131/Shripriya_Dipesh_Fabpad.jpg  View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/fabpad-surpasses-12-month-projections-in-90-days-delivers-300-growth-following-seed-round-302753999.html

MUMBAI, India, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), a diversified R&D-focused food and agri-business conglomerate, announced the launch of Disha, a Women's Career Accelerator Programme, at the third edition of its Women in Agriculture Summit, reaffirming the company's commitment to building an inclusive and future-ready agri talent ecosystem. India's agricultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation with productivity, sustainability, and rural income growth emerging as national priorities. However, a persistent structural gap continues to limit the sector's potential - the underrepresentation of women in formal agribusiness roles. While women contribute 60–80% of agricultural labour force and constitute 30–50% of students across agricultural education, they account for only 6–10% representation in agri companies and under 13% in leadership roles. The challenge, therefore, is not participation, but transition.Speaking on the launch, Sunil Kataria, MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet, said, "India's agri and allied sectors is at a pivotal point, with ambitions to drive sustainable growth, productivity and rural prosperity. Nurturing industry ready talent will be central to this potential. Through Disha, we are strengthening the pipeline of skilled women professionals, well prepared to take on meaningful roles and support a sector on which nearly 50 percent of our country's population depends."The Disha Programme, a CSR initiative by Godrej Agrovet, is a focused career-accelerator designed to strengthen employability among women pursuing B.Sc. Agriculture and allied disciplines. Conceptualized as a campus-to-corporate finishing school, the programme equips women graduates with industry-relevant skills across sales, communication, professional readiness and confidence building, enabling a smoother transition from education to formal agri careers. Disha is being implemented in partnership with 1M1B Foundation and Ikka Learning Foundation."Since its pilot phase across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Disha has engaged over 276 women students, with several participants progressing into industry roles at various organisations including Hindustan Coca-Cola, GRB Dairy Foods, Jubilant Foodworks and more," added Sunil Kataria.Commenting on the Disha programme, Pakzan Dastoor, Head – Sustainability & CSR, Godrej Industries Group, added, "At Godrej Industries Group, inclusion is central to how we build and grow. Disha is a reflection of this commitment - enabling women to transition into formal agri-industry and access meaningful employment opportunities. This pilot underscores the power of partnerships, and we are proud to see over 33% women already placed across agri-industry roles, with many more to follow." The company has been taking a deliberate, integrated approach to strengthening women participation across its own value chain. Over the past two years, women's representation within the company has increased from 8 percent to ~15 percent, reflecting a shift from intent to measurable outcomes."Building a strong and inclusive workforce requires sustained investment across the talent lifecycle. At Godrej Agrovet, we enable women from early-career entry through to leadership progression. Initiatives like Disha alongside our broader hiring and development programmes, reflect our commitment to creating a meaningful career pathway and building a resilient, future-ready workforce," said Mallika Mutreja, CHRO, Godrej Agrovet.The launch of Disha also advances Godrej Agrovet's broader commitment to nurture 1 lakh women across the agri-sector for improved employment opportunities and economic upliftment. To date, the company has reached 63.3k women through skilling, scholarships, early-career programmes, and leadership initiatives.This integrated approach includes initiatives such as WINGS for early-career exposure, Women in Sales and Manufacturing Circles for peer learning and retention, and RISE, a leadership development programme aimed at accelerating women into senior roles. Additionally, following the launch of Godrej Agrovet Women in Agriculture Scholarship to empower students pursuing agricultural studies and fostering the next generation of women leaders last year, this year, company honored six students.The summit also featured a panel discussion on the need for industry–wide collaboration to build a strong women talent pipeline in agriculture. The discussion brought together leaders from industry and ecosystem partners, including Manav Subodh, Founder & CEO - 1M1B, learning partner for Disha Program; Sruthi Kunnel, Founder & CEO - Ikka Learning Foundation, learning partner for Disha Program; and Ravikumar D., Head - Human Resources, Shreeja Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited; who underscored the importance of coordinated efforts across education, skilling, hiring, and career progression to unlock women's full participation in the formal agri economy.The panel concluded that scalable and employer–led interventions are critical to ensuring women are not only educated but also equipped to build long–term careers in agriculture and allied sectors.About Godrej AgrovetAt Godrej Agrovet, part of the Godrej Industries Group, we craft abundance through innovation that empowers farmers and nourishes our nation. We are one of India's leading food and agri businesses, with a presence across Animal Feed, Crop Protection, Dairy, Food, and Oil Palm, serving farmers and partners across the agricultural value chain.We are the number one producer of crude palm oil in India and the leading player in animal feed, contributing to food security and farmer livelihoods. Sustainability is at the core of how we operate. We are recognised as a leader, with a CDP A- rating across Climate, Forests, and Water, and as the first agri company in India with an SBTi-approved emission reduction target.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2961617/Godrej_Agrovet_Scholarship.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/godrej-agrovet-launched-disha-programme-to-strengthen-industry-ready-women-talent-302748685.html

TOKYO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Clé de Peau Beauté announced the renewal of its three-year global partnership with UNICEF, marking a new phase of commitment to empower an additional 7.3 million girls. With a total pledge of US$17.4 million since 2019, this represents the largest private sector contribution to UNICEF's Global Gender Equality Program that aims to accelerate positive change for adolescent girls. To date, the partnership has already supported 12.9 million girls worldwide, significantly surpassing the partnership's original expectations. With the renewal of its third term, programs supported by Clé de Peau Beauté will expand beyond a sole focus on STEM to place greater emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), integrating art and creativity as complementary forces alongside science and technology. In Indonesia, for example, girls participating in project-based learning initiatives are already combining scientific knowledge with creative expression to develop innovative solutions to enhance climate resilience."Witnessing how this partnership has transformed the lives of the girls – inspiring confidence, creativity and new possibilities for their future – made the decision to renew our commitment an incredibly meaningful one," said Naomi Kawanishi, Global Brand President of Clé de Peau Beauté. "We are particularly excited about the focus on STEAM, empowering girls not just with technical knowledge but with the creative confidence to become true innovators. This is how we help unlock their full potential."The renewal builds on the strong foundation of impactful programs with innovative STEM learning initiatives already providing a breadth of opportunities for girls through the partnership."UNICEF welcomes Clé de Peau Beauté's continued leadership on gender equality and deep commitment to empowering girls," said Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF's Director of Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships. "Our renewed partnership, and expanded focus on strengthening critical STEAM skills, is a powerful investment in girls as changemakers who have a powerful role to play in shaping our future."The Critical Need for Continued Investment[1]This renewed commitment comes at a crucial time. Globally, girls continue to face significant barriers to education and skills development. 122 million girls remain out of school, and nearly 40 percent of adolescent girls and young women do not complete upper secondary education. Girls are also underrepresented in STEM and digital fields, accounting for just 35 percent of STEM graduates and 3 percent of ICT graduates, while nearly 50 million girls lack basic literacy skills. In low-income countries, around 90 percent of girls remain offline, limiting access to learning and opportunity.These challenges are driven by intersecting barriers – including harmful gender norms, child marriage, and unpaid care responsibilities – underscoring the critical need for sustained investment and gender-responsive approaches that enable girls to gain the skills and opportunities necessary to build their futures.Through this renewed collaboration, Clé de Peau Beauté and UNICEF will continue working together to expand opportunities for girls worldwide and support the next generation in realizing their full potential.Notes to EditorsAbout the Clé de Peau Beauté – UNICEF PartnershipSince 2019, Clé de Peau Beauté has partnered with UNICEF to support girls' education, skills development and empowerment through the Skills4Girls initiative. The partnership focuses on expanding access to future-ready skills, including digital literacy, STEAM learning and life-skills programs, while addressing the social and structural barriers that limit girls' opportunities.About Clé de Peau BeautéClé de Peau Beauté, the global luxury brand from Shiseido Co Ltd, was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Clé de Peau Beauté means the key to skin's beauty. The philosophy of the brand is to unlock the power of a woman's radiance by harnessing makeup technologies and advanced skincare from around the world. Forever guided by an exquisite aesthetic sensibility and intelligence, Clé de Peau Beauté has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within. Available in 28 countries and regions worldwide.Clé de Peau Beauté Official Website: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/global/Clé de Peau Beauté for UNICEF Landing Page: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/global/cpb-for-unicef.htmlClé de Peau Beauté Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cledepeaubeaute/Clé de Peau Beauté Official Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cledepeaubeaute About UNICEFUNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. Visit https://www.unicef.org/UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product, or service.[1] UNICEF Girl Goals: What Has Changed for Girls? Adolescent girls' rights over 30 yearsTranslations in languages other than English and Japanese are provided for distribution convenience only.Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2951020/CPB_26SS_UNICEF_Duratrans_NK_Ver1.jpgLogo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1740205/cpb_logo_set_bold_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cle-de-peau-beaute-renews-global-partnership-with-unicef-aiming-to-reach-an-additional-7-3-million-girls-302740269.html

B2R Technologies, Futwork, Karya, and Myna Mahila Foundation each receive ₹35 lakh milestone grants to scale to 5,000-10,000 women eachBENGALURU, India, April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Naukri Challenge yesterday named four finalists who will each aim to place 5,000+ women in flexible digital jobs over the next nine months, with a collective target of enabling 30,000+ digital livelihood opportunities. B2R Technologies, Futwork, Karya, and Myna Mahila Foundation were announced at a Bengaluru event, and each received milestone grants of ₹35 lakh to fund their next stage of growth. The Challenge is an 18-month results-based financing initiative run by The/Nudge Prize, in partnership with Mphasis through the Mphasis F1 Foundation. It addresses a critical gap: India has over 80 million women aged 25–40 outside the workforce, many of whom face barriers such as mobility constraints, caregiving responsibilities, and the absence of local opportunities.Early Achievements & Insights from the First PhaseOver the first nine months, eleven organisations, with a presence across 13+ States in India, tested digitally enabled work models across sectors, including agriculture, rural healthcare, BPO services, emerging data and AI services, and edtech and jobtech platforms. Participating organisations were evaluated on their ability to provide at least 500 women from low-education, low-resource communities with consistent work earning ₹200–₹500 per hour for a minimum of 10 days a month, with time and location flexibility.The cohort's achievements highlight a clear pattern: flexibility in when and where work happens is essential to enabling participation. Around 45% of participants required permission from family members to travel for work. Models that reduced or eliminated the need for travel were able to reach women who would otherwise remain excluded. Across all eleven organisations, 70% of workers had access to flexible working hours, and remote roles consistently expanded access in areas with limited local employment options.Two categories produced the strongest results. AI model training and data evaluation work, particularly tasks broken into short, smartphone-based tasks, proved accessible to women with significant mobility constraints and required lower onboarding time. BPO models, both fully remote and supported by low-cost local centres, delivered higher and more consistent earnings.Income and consistency varied significantly across models. Remote BPO roles delivered the strongest earnings, with participants averaging ₹10,000–₹14,000 per month. Task-based AI data work ranged from ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 per month, often serving as supplementary income. In terms of consistency, BPO-based models operated closer to formal employment, with 85–95% of workers engaged month-on-month, while task-based models saw fewer than one in three participants receiving work consistently for 10+ days per month.The four finalists, B2R Technologies, Futwork, Karya, and Myna Mahila Foundation, now enter the 'Scalability Phase', the next stage of the Challenge, where they will focus on expanding these models while maintaining accessibility, income stability, and safety. Each organisation will work towards scaling sustainable livelihood pathways, with a combined target of generating over $10 million in new livelihoods."The learnings from the first phase of the Digital Naukri Challenge show that when work opportunities are designed with flexibility and consistency in mind, they can enable meaningful income for women who face constraints around mobility and access. With the selection of the finalists, the next step is to scale these approaches in a way that remains inclusive while strengthening income stability. At Mphasis, we see this as a critical step towards building sustainable livelihood pathways for women at scale," said Deepa Nagraj, Global Head of CSR and ESG, Mphasis."Tonight marks a significant milestone for the Digital Naukri Challenge and for the broader question of what ethical, dignified digital work can look like for women in India. Across eleven organisations and over 1,200 women, we learned the true shape of this problem: the mobility constraints, the flexibility requirements, the distance between onboarding and livelihood. Four models are now moving faster and deeper than the rest, demonstrating that this market can be made, deliberately and responsibly. The finalists carry with them not just prize capital, but the evidence, the ethics, and the ambition to scale what works," said Kanishka Chatterjee, Ecosystem Partner and Advisor, The/Nudge Institute. The Challenge also highlighted broader shifts in the nature of digital work. Advances in generative AI are reshaping demand, with routine tasks increasingly automated and greater emphasis placed on higher-value work such as AI evaluation and quality assurance. This is expected to influence how digital livelihoods evolve, with a growing need for skills, consistency, and quality in emerging roles.As the finalists move into the next phase, the focus will be on translating early learnings into models that can scale sustainably across geographies while continuing to address barriers related to access, flexibility, and income stability at scale.Access more details here - https://www.thenudge.org/digital-naukri-challenge/ About The/Nudge InstituteThe/Nudge is an action institute building resilient livelihoods to alleviate poverty. We work with social entrepreneurs, women, farmers, tribals and youth on rural development, agriculture, skilling and economic inclusion, along with 15 central and state government partners. Set up with support from 90+ eminent philanthropists, 40+ corporates and 15+ foundations, The/Nudge is contributing towards a "poverty-free India, within our lifetime."LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram About MphasisMphasis' purpose is to be the "Driver in Driverless Car" for Global Enterprises by applying next-generation design, architecture, and engineering services, to deliver scalable and sustainable software and technology solutions. Customer centricity is foundational to Mphasis, and is reflected in the Mphasis'Front2Back™ Transformation approach. Front2Back™ uses the exponential power of cloud and cognitive to provide a hyper-personalised (C=X2C2TM=1) digital experience to clients and their end customers. Mphasis' Service Transformation approach helps 'shrink the core' through the application of digital technologies across legacy environments within an enterprise, enabling businesses to stay ahead in a changing world. Mphasis' core reference architectures and tools, speed and innovation with domain expertise and specialization, combined with an integrated sustainability and purpose-led approach across its operations and solutions are key to building strong relationships with marquee clients. Click here to know more. (BSE: 526299) (NSE: MPHASIS)Media Contact: Manasa Ramakrishnan, manasa.ramakrishnan@thenudge.orgAnnexure: About the Four FinalistsFutworkFutwork is a distributed BPO platform that trains and connects women from tier-2 and tier-3 cities to flexible, remote telecalling and customer service jobs in sectors such as edtech, fintech, and e-commerce. With over 70% of its agents being women, Futwork has democratised the BPO model by distributing work entirely via smartphone, eliminating travel requirements and enabling workers to choose their timings. Once onboarded, women have a clear career progression pathway from certified telecaller to senior and expert roles.Myna Mahila FoundationMyna Mahila Foundation's RaniWork platform offers flexible, remote data and AI solutions jobs, including data annotation, transcription, and AI-related microtasks. They enable this while addressing critical gaps that mainstream platforms miss: community support, trust-building, and culturally sensitive onboarding. Operating out of Maharashtra, Myna Mahila offers flexible work and has also established physical safe-space centres within 5 minutes of women's homes.B2R TechnologiesB2R Technologies unlocks the potential of rural women from the hills of Uttarakhand by transforming their skills into inclusive digital livelihoods through its low-cost BPO centres. B2R offers a wide range of BPO services from data management and analysis, telecalling, AI/ML annotation, bookkeeping, and background verification, while deeply investing in the skills of local women who have very limited access to white-collar employment. B2R's model has provided a compelling alternative to outmigration, bringing underserved women into the economic mainstream with consistent, higher-wage employment.KaryaKarya connects rural women across India to remote, flexible opportunities in AI and ML data services, including speech tasks, LLM evaluations, audio transcription, and conversational data work in Indic languages. Karya's platform-based model is accessible via a mobile app and requires only basic digital literacy, making it one of the most inclusive entry points into digital work. The organisation has also developed a vulnerability index to ensure it targets women most in need, and is now exploring a Platform-as-a-Service model.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2952954/The_Nudge_Prize_DNC.jpg  View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/mphasis-f1-foundation-and-thenudge-prizes-digital-naukri-challenge-announces-four-finalists-to-scale-digital-livelihoods-for-over-30-000-women-across-india-302737987.html

HONG KONG, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HEARTS ON FIRE, the international jewelry brand known for the unparalleled sparkle of its diamonds, launches its 30th anniversary celebration with a new global campaign, What's Your Signature?  Marking three decades of craftsmanship, innovation and artistry, the campaign honors the brand's legacy and reputation as "The World's Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®": a belief in diamonds as a form of personal expression, empowering women to shine confidently.For 30 years, HEARTS ON FIRE has been dedicated to crafting diamonds of exceptional fire, brilliance, and scintillation, achieved through the precision of its signature cut. Designed to reflect individuality, What's Your Signature? redefines modern self-expression - not how a woman is seen or what she wears, but how she sees herself. At the heart of the campaign lies a powerful idea of self-reflection, where the camera becomes a mirror capturing a quiet confidence that is self-defined and deeply personal. As diamonds respond to light and movement, each woman reveals her signature in a way that feels alive and personal.Featuring the brand's iconic collections, including the newly released DREAM collection, the campaign presents each piece as an extension of the wearer, with the brilliance of each diamond reflecting her strength, authenticity, and individuality, mirroring the precision and perfection that define every HEARTS ON FIRE creation. As the brand celebrates 30 years of signature sparkle, What's Your Signature? sets the tone for a year of global anniversary initiatives. From private client experiences and in-store installations to a globally amplified social conversation led through creators and tastemakers, the campaign invites women to define and share their own signature. Later in the year, the brand will also introduce commemorative special-edition creations designed to mark this milestone.Launching globally on April 2, 2026, What's Your Signature? marks the beginning of HEARTS ON FIRE's 30th anniversary year - a celebration of brilliance, individuality, and three decades of setting the standard for diamond perfection.#HeartsOnFire #30YearsofBrilliance #WhatsYourSignatureHigh resolution film and images are available: LINK View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/hearts-on-fire-celebrates-30-years-of-brilliance-with-new-global-campaign-whats-your-signature-302731122.html