atQor Wins CIO CHOICE 2026 for Most Trusted ICT Brand in Emerging Technologies – Data Lakes

atQor Wins CIO CHOICE 2026 for Most Trusted ICT Brand in Emerging Technologies – Data Lakes

Mumbai, India – January 30, 2026: atQor, a long‑standing Microsoft Solutions Partner, Fabric Featured Database Partner and Azure Expert MSP, has been honoured with the CIO CHOICE 2026 Trust Seal in the category Emerging Technologies – Data Lakes. What makes this recognition special is that it comes directly from the CIO community voted and endorsed by enterprise technology leaders from across India.

Marking 14 successful years, CIO CHOICE continues to be India’s most credible barometer of ICT brand excellence. Produced by CORE Media with KPMG as the Knowledge Partner, the 14th Annual CIO CHOICE Red Carpet Night brought together 300+ CIOs and Digital Leaders across industries.

The “Gold Seal of Trust” is unique: winning brands are chosen solely by CIOs and IT decision makers through a pan‑India voting platform. The selection is based on real‑world experience, performance reliability, and top‑of‑mind recall guided by an advisory panel of distinguished CIOs and technology leaders including leaders from .

  • Aarti Singh, Enterprise CIO, Mahindra Group
  • Goutam Datta, CIDO, Bajaj Life
  • Jayant Goyal, CIO, Coforge
  • Prosenjit Sengupta, Group CDIO, ITC
  • Rajiv Arora, Global Head of IT Hubs (Regions) & Regional Countries, Siemens
  • Ravi Pichan, CIO and Head of Digital Banking, RBL Bank
  • Sampath Manickam, CTO, NSE India
  • Shiv Kumar Bhasin, Chief Transformation Officer, IndusInd Bank
  • Tapan Sahoo, Executive Officer – Digital Enterprise, Information & Cyber Security, Maruti Suzuki

“Being recognized with the CIO CHOICE 2026 Trust Seal underscores the confidence that India’s CIO community places in atQor,” said Anoop Mathur, Founder, CORE Media.

“This distinction reflects the brand’s ability to stay relevant, resilient, and responsive as enterprises navigate rapid business transformation.”

A Recognition Built on Data Excellence and Why atQor Won

CIOs across India voted for atQor because of one clear reason: our ability to translate complex data ecosystems into business‑ready intelligence.

atQor is among the very few global partners to hold:

  • Microsoft Fabric Featured Partner
  • Microsoft Fabric Database Partner
  • Azure Expert MSP – a distinction held by less than 1% of partners worldwide

Our Data & AI engineering strength has enabled enterprises to adopt Microsoft Fabric and modern Data Lakes with unmatched governance, speed, and reliability. This award reinforces our leadership in building AI‑ready data foundations on Microsoft Cloud.

Over the past year, atQor has delivered one of India’s strongest Microsoft Fabric adoption journeys, helping enterprises unify their data, simplify pipelines, activate analytics, and establish a single source of TRUTH.

What This Award Means for atQor’s Data & Fabric Story

This recognition highlights atQor’s proven excellence in:

Enterprise Data Capabilities

  • Modern Data Lakes for structured + unstructured data
  • Azure Synapse, ADF, Databricks, and Lakehouse architectures
  • Real‑time analytics and large‑scale data engineering

Microsoft Fabric Leadership

  • OneLake‑centric data unification
  • Real‑Time Analytics, Data Factory, and Warehouse workloads
  • End‑to‑end implementation across ingestion → modelling → insights

AI & Industry Solutions

  • Predictive and prescriptive intelligence for Manufacturing, Retail, BFSI, Pharma & CPG
  • Secure data modernization for regulated industries
  • Business accelerators that reduce time‑to‑value

These strengths are why CIOs considered atQor a trusted, dependable, future‑ready Data & AI partner.

Leadership Perspective

Pushkaraj Kale, CEO, atQor, commented:

“This recognition means a lot because it comes directly from CIOs, the people who see the business impact of technology every single day. Being chosen for CIO CHOICE 2026 reaffirms our commitment to helping enterprises build trustworthy, AI‑ready data foundations. We are deeply grateful to our customers, partners, and our team. This trust pushes us to keep raising the bar.”

Aligned with atQor’s 2026 Vision

The year 2026 marks atQor’s “Year of Kiln” a renewed focus on strengthening core engineering, expanding AI‑first data solutions, elevating delivery excellence, and deepening capabilities across Microsoft Fabric, Data Lakes, Azure Analytics, and Cloud Modernization.

About CORE Media

Founded in 2012, CORE Media (Centre of Recognition & Excellence) operates premier ICT leadership platforms, account‑based marketing programs, and digital properties focused on the CIO and Enterprise Technology ecosystem. Its initiatives connect with ~150,000 C‑suite ICT decision makers across sectors.

About atQor

atQor is a global Microsoft‑focused consulting and services organization specializing in Azure, Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Modern Work, Security, and Business Applications. With a 23‑year legacy, 200+ professionals, and 1600+ successful projects delivered, atQor continues to empower enterprises “At the Heart of Their Digital Journey.”

Contact Information:

Manager of Communications: marketing@atqor.com
USA: +1-844-294-5383
Canada: +1-289-290-4490
India: +91-7069043269

Technoidentity hosts HackTIvate 2025 — a 48-hour Temporal-themed innovation marathon fueled by creativity and engineering excellence

Technoidentity hosts HackTIvate 2025 — a 48-hour Temporal-themed innovation marathon fueled by creativity and engineering excellence

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 15: Technoidentity, a data and AI product engineering partner to global enterprises, today announced the successful completion of HackTIvate 2025, a 48-hour internal hackathon held on 22-23 November at its Hyderabad campus. Designed as a continuous two-day innovation sprint, HackTIvate 2025 brought cross-functional teams together to imagine, design, and prototype solutions for real-world business and technology challenges — with Temporal at the centre.

HackTIvate is part of Technoidentity’s growing focus on structured innovation programs that combine experimentation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. This year’s edition was themed around Temporal, a leading platform for durable workflow orchestration, reflecting Technoidentity’s emphasis on scalability, reliability, and cloud-native execution. The event builds on the company’s journey as a Temporal Cloud Service Partner, giving engineers a focused setting to deepen their expertise, explore new orchestration patterns, and translate Durable Product Engineering into working systems.

“HackTIvate 2025 showcased the very best of Technoidentity — innovation, resilience, and teamwork,” said Venkat Chitturi, CEO of Technoidentity. “It’s how our teams learn together, pressure-test new ideas, and translate emerging technologies into practical capabilities for our customers.”

A high-energy engineering challenge

Over 48 hours, Technoidentity’s Hyderabad campus transformed into a high-energy innovation lab. High-performing teams from software engineering, platform engineering, data, and workflow orchestration design came together to turn ideas into running prototypes, moving from whiteboards to working code through tightly time-boxed sprints.

Key highlights included:

  • Cross-functional teams competing across diverse, real-world problem domains
  • 48 hours of non-stop ideation, mentorship, and rapid prototyping
  • Live demos showcasing cloud-native solutions with strong architectural rigor
  • Deep collaboration under the guidance of senior technologists and architects

The final demo session featured solutions spanning operational optimization, intelligent systems, and workflow automation powered by Temporal. A panel of senior leaders and technical experts evaluated entries against five criteria: Business Value, Innovation & Creativity, Execution & Prototype Quality, Technical Feasibility, and Presentation & Communication.

“HackTIvate has become an integral part of our engineering culture,” said a senior engineering manager at Technoidentity. “It pushes teams beyond conventional thinking, encourages bold experimentation, and accelerates our growth as a modern engineering powerhouse.”

Celebrating the winners

Winning Team – “Workflow Wizards”

  • Pardhu Bharadhwaz Vangipuram
  • Thilagavathi Mani
  • Venkata Sai Ashwin Kumar Modala

Runners-up – “Temporal Trailblazers”

  • Jagadeesh Kotra
  • Anshul Bhargav
  • Adi Seshu Bathula
  • Charan Harshath Kumar Tammina

Special Award – Spirit of HackTIvate

  • Kiran Kumar Reddy Bhavanam

The Spirit of HackTIvate recognition was presented to Kiran for consistently embodying the ethos of the event — collaborating generously, celebrating individuality, and actively contributing to a high-trust, high-performing engineering culture.

HackTIvate in Technoidentity’s innovation journey

HackTIvate 2025 is a key step in Technoidentity’s broader innovation journey, using focused hackathons as a practical engine for innovation and skill-building. This Temporal-themed edition underscored:

  • A strong commitment to experimenting with cutting-edge platforms in real, hands-on settings
  • Growing depth as a trusted Temporal implementation and consulting partner
  • A focus on solving complex business problems through durable, cloud-scale architectures
  • An engineering culture that values learning, experimentation, and technical excellence

Temporal is a modern workflow orchestration platform that provides durable execution for long-running business workflows, enabling engineering teams to build reliable, cloud-native applications that automatically recover from failures while maintaining end-to-end visibility. For Technoidentity, Temporal is a key pillar in delivering Durable Product Engineering at scale.

Looking ahead

Building on the momentum of HackTIvate 2025, Technoidentity will continue to invest in its engineering and innovation culture. The company plans to deepen its Temporal expertise, expand structured innovation programs tied to real customer problem statements, and develop reusable patterns and assets for durable, cloud-scale architectures. These efforts are aimed at accelerating delivery, strengthening reliability, and reinforcing Technoidentity’s position as a partner of choice for mission-critical, cloud-native systems.

“Durable, cloud-scale systems are built by teams that keep learning and experimenting,” added Venkat Chitturi. “HackTIvate gives our engineers the space to explore platforms like Temporal and then channel those learnings into production-grade solutions that move the needle for our customers.”

About Technoidentity

Technoidentity is a data and AI engineering partner for enterprises, specializing in designing and running durable Temporal workflows, data platforms, and digital twins that scale securely in regulated industries.

With teams based in Houston, Dallas, and Hyderabad, Technoidentity provides end-to-end product engineering — from secure architecture and platform design through build, run, and continuous improvement.

Core areas of expertise include Durable Product Engineering (Temporal), Data & Analytics, AI-assisted Product Engineering, and Digital Twins for tolling, utilities, and complex enterprise operations. By combining deep engineering capability with automation and operational excellence, Technoidentity delivers measurable outcomes for its clients, including faster release cycles, higher reliability, and optimized run costs.

For more information:

Website: www.technoidentity.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/technoidentity

Mantra Softech Secures USD 14 Million in Private Equity to Advance Innovation in Identity, Security and AI

Mantra Softech Secures USD 14 Million in Private Equity to Advance Innovation in Identity, Security and AI

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], November 25: Mantra Softech, an Indian deep-tech company focused on identity management, security systems and computer vision, has raised USD 14 million in its first institutional investment round. The funding was led by India SME Fund II, with participation from Motilal Oswal Principal Investments.

The company said the capital will be directed towards strengthening its research and development programmes, expanding its intellectual property portfolio, and establishing a dedicated Center of Excellence for AI-powered computer vision and security technologies.

“This investment represents a significant step in our long-term strategy to build globally competitive technologies from India,” said Hiren Bhandari, Co-Founder, Mantra Softech. “We are focusing on advanced R&D, core engineering talent, and systems that can support large-scale authentication and security applications.”

Mantra Softech develops biometric devices, access control infrastructure and AI-driven identity platforms used in high-security and high-volume environments. Its hardware and software solutions have been adopted across aviation, defence, financial services, workforce management and digital public infrastructure.

The company’s technologies are currently deployed in airport employee access systems, DigiYatra-linked identity solutions, defence identity management, and enterprise workforce authentication projects. According to the company, more than 20 of India’s top 100 corporates use its platforms for secure access, compliance and operational efficiency.

“We are expanding into new aviation and industrial projects and increasing our presence in international markets, particularly in the Middle East,” said Bhavyen Bhandari, Co-Founder, Mantra Softech.

Explaining the rationale behind the investment, Mitin Jain, Founder and Managing Director of India SME Fund II, said:

“Our partnership with Mantra Softech is backed by their consistent execution in biometric and security technologies. Their experience in national identity and critical infrastructure initiatives positions them well for the next phase of growth.”

About Mantra Softech

Founded in 2006, Mantra Softech designs and manufactures biometric sensors, RFID-based systems, access control terminals and AI-enabled IoT hardware. The company holds multiple U.S. patents and complies with industry standards including STQC and FBI biometric certification. Its solutions are deployed by government organisations and enterprises in more than 50 countries.

Ambit Private Limited served as the exclusive financial adviser for the transaction.

IITian develops flagship technology in the field of AI, search, and social networks of the future

IITian develops flagship technology in the field of AI, search, and social networks of the future

While the entire tech-innovators community is running behind investors, IIT Delhi alumni Ketan Sharma, also an alumnus of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom, is on a different mission. “3G – AI” – Just like we have generations in Telecom Networks (2G, 3G, 4G, and now 5G), similarly, we also have generations in Artificial Intelligence or AI GPTs. Currently the all the major AI products and GPTs are based on 2G neural networks. But things are about to change with the launch of the ‘unified platform’, which has a state of art AI, search, and social connectivity platform, independent of ultra costly GPUs and hardware.

After launching an 8.2 Million parameter 2G – AI GPT and LLM (built from scratch without funding, bootstrapped) this year on August 15th, Ketan and his fellow researcher Chandramohan (also an alumnus of University of East Anglia, Norwich), they both are now developing the cutting edge – 3G neural Network based AI – GPT. Once released, it will be the most advanced AI based GPT application worldwide. The 3G – Artificial intelligence will be ultra-cost-effective and will not require costly Nvidia GPUs. Instead, users will have the power of AI at a much more affordable price. The researchers are toiling on the AI know-how for the next generation machine learning tools and learning languages to develop state-of-art AI human-machine interface. If smartphones were the tech revolution of the yester decade, AI induced automation could be the next big thing in this decade.

Ketan, the trail-blazer at the forefront of next gen technologies that may unravel soon says , “Always chased new ideas and tried to push the envelope of what is achievable Coding for long hours did take a serious toll on my health. From frequent headaches to increasing the number of my eyeglasses, with regular neck and back pains! The obstacles during the first steps were a nightmare to endure while! Eventually, you get used to it. I worked out my schedule to reduce coding from 16 hours a day to 10-12 hours. Streamlining the thought-process and efficient prioritisation of tasks did help along with regular exercises. Support from UEA Norwich and IIT Delhi is really commendable as well.”

Chandramohan says, “ubiquitous access to the internet and technology has provided them with a level playing field which was harnessed to benchmark them from any of their peers around the globe.” Ketan, the emerging tech visionary’s plan is not without humane or ethically aware ideals. “While Holographic Virtual AI-Humans is still a far-fetched reality, the initial tests are amazing! But that’s only possible if users love our initial innovations!” He is testing the waters of the “blue ocean” which could be the next unknown frontiers.

You can reach Ketan at –
www.linkedin.com/in/ketan000
to know more about this innovation and how can it be integrated with your business and technology.

Future is AI: IIBM Institute Launches Vision 2026 to Build India’s Next Generation of AI-Driven Business Leaders

Future is AI: IIBM Institute Launches Vision 2026 to Build India’s Next Generation of AI-Driven Business Leaders

Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 2: As artificial intelligence reshapes global industries, the IIBM Institute of Business Management has officially launched Vision 2026, a future-forward initiative to cultivate ethical, inclusive, and globally capable AI-driven leaders.

Vision 2026 introduces two flagship programs–Executive MBA in Generative AI and Doctorate (DBA) in AI-Driven Strategic Leadership–developed in partnership with leading European institutions. These 100% online programs aim to produce forward-thinking professionals equipped to manage the complex intersection of AI, ethics, and business strategy.

The future of leadership is not just about using AI — it’s about using it wisely,” said Vikas Maheshwari, CEO of IIBM Institute.

“With Vision 2026, we aim to prepare professionals who are technically strong, ethically grounded, and capable of making decisions that balance business growth with societal good.”

Vision 2026 is designed for professionals, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers seeking to expand their global footprint without interrupting their careers. The program emphasizes ethical leadership, global relevance, and direct access to cutting-edge thought leadership.

To foster continuous learning and engagement, IIBM will host an ongoing series of international webinars, expert-led seminars, and global roundtables, giving learners direct exposure to AI pioneers, policymakers, and academic thought leaders from across the world.

We’re creating more than just academic programs–we’re creating a global leadership experience,” said Vidhi Maheshwari, International Academic Head of IIBM Institute.

“Through real-time engagement with top experts, learners develop the confidence, clarity, and conscience needed to shape the future of AI in business and society.”

The initiative especially targets professionals from emerging regions, enabling access to high-quality, globally respected AI education without the need to migrate or leave their communities behind.

With the world expected to see millions of AI-driven roles by 2026, Vision 2026 serves as a launchpad for those ready to lead AI with a global mindset and ethical purpose.

Admissions Open — July 2025 Intake

If you’re a professional, entrepreneur, or mid-career leader who values purpose as much as performance, Vision 2026 is for you.

Visit our Website – www.iibmindia.in

Email id – administration@iibmindia.in

Contact No. : +91 93191 23456

About IIBM Institute

The IIBM Institute of Business Management is one of India’s leading institutions for executive and online education. With a mission rooted in access, integrity, and excellence, IIBM partners with global academic leaders to empower professionals with education that is future-ready and value-driven.

Shoaib Kudsi, CEO of AlifCloud IT Consulting, reshapes the tech landscape

Shoaib Kudsi, CEO of AlifCloud IT Consulting, reshapes the tech landscape

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], October 17: Alif, a rising tech company, is making waves in the industry under Shoaib Kudsi’s visionary entrepreneurship. From a humble beginning with just an idea and a laptop, Alif has grown into a vibrant company boasting a team of over 100 brilliant minds, all dedicated to discovering what’s possible in technology.

Shoaib Kudsi, a mechanical engineering graduate turned IT industry leader, reflects on his decade-long journey in tech. “Transitioning from mechanical engineering to IT was easy for me, but changing people’s mindsets was challenging. I was often seen as an outcast, struggling to blend in and cope,” he shares, “today, technology is at the heart of everything we do, transforming the world around us. AI, Blockchain, and Machine Learning are important to India’s growth, making the tech industry one of the fastest-growing sectors and a backbone of our nation.”

Reflecting on his career, he recalls his time at a top Big 4 MNC, where despite a high salary, Shoaib experienced limited exposure and no flexibility to learn from different departments. “The lack of opportunities and the monotony of technical requests were demotivating. At Alif, we do things differently,” he adds.

Alif strongly emphasizes upskilling, ensuring employees are equipped with the latest technologies. “In this rapidly advancing industry, staying updated with tools like Microsoft’s Co-pilot is crucial. Not keeping up can hinder both career and personal development,” Shoaib explains.

What sets Alif apart from other startups and MNCs is its approach to employee engagement. “Our employees engage directly with stakeholders and clients from the start of their projects, gaining valuable exposure and experience. This helps create a lively and motivating environment where growth and innovation excel.

Alif also champions work-life balance, valuing employees as their most valuable assets. “When they grow, we grow,” he says.

Looking ahead, The Tech -CEO aims to upgrade the opportunities available to India’s young tech talents. “We’re here to turn big dreams into realities, creating numerous remote job opportunities and ensuring everyone can make their mark in the IT world. It’s my responsibility to open more opportunities for remote jobs and shake up the tech scene, giving everyone a chance to shine.”

As Alif continues to expand and take on new challenges, Shoaib remains confident in his team. He strongly believes that the employees are the heart of the organization. They are not only building a company but also crafting a tech world.

About Alif: Alif is a Growing tech company committed to redefining what’s possible in technology. With a team of over 100 dedicated professionals, Alif focuses on innovation, employee wellbeing, and growth in the latest technological advancements, aiming to transform the tech landscape in India and the globe.