Startup
Amar Bose: The MIT Genius Behind the Bose Audio Revolution
Amar Bose, the founder of Bose Corporation, is celebrated not only for his contributions to audio technology but also for his enduring legacy in the realms of research and innovation. As a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Bose’s dissatisfaction with an expensive stereo system set the stage for a groundbreaking career.
Early Inspiration and Academic Pursuits
Amar Bose was born to an Indian Bengali father, Nani Gopal Bose, and an American mother. His early life was marked by a passion for tinkering with electronics, a passion he carried into his academic career. Bose enrolled at MIT, where he completed his undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering. His time at MIT laid the foundation for his future endeavors, particularly his focus on acoustics and sound systems.
In 1956, while still a graduate student, Bose purchased a high-priced stereo system. To his dismay, the system’s performance fell short of his expectations, sparking his interest in improving audio technology. This experience led him to explore the principles of acoustics, ultimately leading to his lifelong mission to create better sound systems.
Founding of Bose Corporation
In 1964, Amar Bose founded Bose Corporation with the aim of developing audio equipment that could reproduce the rich, immersive experience of live music. His innovative approach involved studying how sound interacted with different environments, particularly focusing on reverberant (indirect) sound. This research culminated in the creation of the Bose 901 Direct/Reflecting speaker system in 1968, which became a benchmark in the industry.
Bose’s unique perspective on sound engineering emphasised the importance of psychoacoustics—the study of how humans perceive sound. His designs often included multiple small speakers that directed sound towards walls and ceilings, creating a more natural and enveloping audio experience.
The Birth of Noise-Canceling Technology
In 1978, during a flight, Bose conceived the idea of noise-canceling headphones. By 1989, Bose Corporation had introduced the first commercial noise-canceling headset, a groundbreaking product that became popular among pilots and travelers alike. This innovation underscored Bose’s ability to transform everyday challenges into revolutionary products.
Innovations and Legacy
Beyond speakers, Bose Corporation expanded into various areas of audio and sound technology. Notable products include the Bose Wave Radio. These innovations solidified the company’s reputation for high-quality audio products, widely used in homes, vehicles, and professional venues worldwide.
Bose’s commitment to long-term research and development was evident in projects like the Bose suspension system for cars, which aimed to enhance ride comfort through advanced engineering. His approach to innovation was characterised by patience and a willingness to explore seemingly impossible ideas—a trait that set him apart in the corporate world.
Educational Contributions and Philanthropy
Amar Bose’s connection to MIT extended beyond his student years. He joined the faculty in 1956, teaching electrical engineering for over 45 years. His classes were renowned for their depth and focus on both technical knowledge and broader life skills. In 2011, Bose made a significant philanthropic gesture by donating a majority of the company’s non-voting shares to MIT, ensuring that the institution benefited from the company’s profits.
This gesture was not just a financial contribution but also a testament to Bose’s belief in the power of education and research. The dividends from these shares have been used to fund various research and educational initiatives at MIT, including the Amar G. Bose Research Grant Program, which supports innovative and cross-disciplinary projects.
Amar Bose passed away on July 12, 2013, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, education, and philanthropy. His contributions to audio technology and his commitment to excellence continue to inspire and influence the fields of engineering and acoustics.
Amar Bose’s legacy is a testament to the power of curiosity, innovation, and education. From a disappointed customer to a revolutionary in the audio industry, his journey illustrates the profound impact one individual’s vision can have on technology and society. Bose’s story is not just about the products he created but about the enduring principles of curiosity, excellence, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge that continue to inspire generations.
Startup
Magenta Mobility’s FY24 revenue rises three fold, losses widen by 17.1%
Magenta Mobility on Thursday reported a 199.5% jump in its full-year revenue to Rs 35.53 crore compared to Rs 11.86 crore in the previous year helped by a significant rise in its revenue from services.
The company provides a 100% electric fleet and AI and IoT-enabled fleet management and data analytics platform to optimise logistics operations and deliveries. Revenue from these services for the year ended March 31, 2024, increased to Rs 30.17 crore compared to Rs 10.15 crore in FY23.
However, the company reported a 17.1% increase in its loss for the period to Rs 46.44 crore as opposed to Rs 39.66 crore in FY23, bogged down by rising expenses during the year. The 109.1% rise in expenses to Rs 90.17 crore was primarily due to rising driver costs, employee benefit expenses, and finance costs.
Magenta Mobility appoints drivers on a contract basis to provide services to its customers, which it accounts as an expense. The drivers’ cost for FY24 increased to Rs 18.49 crore, compared to Rs 6.34 crore in FY23.
The rise in demand for the company’s fleet comes amidst a boom in the last-mile delivery sector in India owing to the rise of ecommerce and quick commerce players. Magenta Mobility caters to clients such as Flipkart and hyper-local delivery platform Dunzo, among others.
Founded in 2017 by Maxson Lewis and Darryl Dias, the company last raised $22 million in a Series A funding round from BP Venture and Morgan Stanley India Infrastructure-managed investment fund.
Startup
Juspay cuts losses by 7.7% as revenue surges 49.6% in FY24
Payments startup Juspay Technologies saw its losses narrowing in FY24 as revenue growth outpaced expenditure. It narrowed its total loss for the period to Rs 97.54 crore, down 7.76% from Rs 105.75 crore in FY23.
According to the consolidated financial statements accessed from the Registrar of Companies, the SoftBank-backed fintech firm’s revenue from operations surged 49.64% to Rs 319.32 crore, up from Rs 213.39 crore in FY23.
Juspay’s primary revenue source—payment platform integration fees—brought in Rs 286.52 crore. Additional operating revenue from services like product implementation and support added Rs 32.80 crore.
Total expenses rose by 29.52% to Rs 443.74 crore in FY24, compared to Rs 342.59 crore in the previous year. This increase was largely driven by employee benefit expenses, which saw a 41.73% jump to Rs 303.36 crore, while other expenses increased slightly over 3.56% to Rs 123.76 crore.
Juspay, founded in 2012 by Vimal Kumar and Ramanathan RV in Bengaluru, specialises in developing payment orchestration solutions that act as a technology layer over traditional payment gateways.
The Accel-backed startup has also developed Namma Yatri, a mobility app focusing on ride-hailing services, leveraging Juspay’s strengths in payments and open-source protocols. Namma Yatri is built on the Beckn Protocol and aligns with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), aiming to provide low-cost ride-hailing options and open access to digital mobility services.
Recently, Juspay decided to spin off Namma Yatri as an independent entity to attract separate investors and scale further. In February, the company said it acquired LotusPay in an all-cash deal to strengthen its offerings to the BFSI segment and merchants.
LotusPay, founded in 2016, pioneered NACH Debit technology with cloud-based software for merchants and banks. Using NPCI’s NACH Debit, it facilitates recurring payments for loans, insurance, and subscriptions.
Startup
Flipkart selects five startups for third cohort of Flipkart Leap Innovation Network
Flipkart Leap Innovation Network (FLIN).
has selected five innovative startups for the third cohort of its flagship startup accelerator programme,The cohort is introducing startups that are driving advancements across GenAI, omnichannel, analytics, and video commerce, the company said in a statement.
The selected startups— Intelligence Node, Invenzo Labs, StoryBrain, Phyllo, and D-ID— are set to run pilot programs with Flipkart to develop solutions.
“The selected startups get access to mentorship, resources, and the opportunity to execute pilot projects within the Flipkart ecosystem, scaling their solutions to meet the demands of India’s digital economy and e-commerce growth,” the company said.
Since its launch in 2022, the accelerator programme aims to accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem in India, driving collaboration, and championing cutting-edge retail innovations.
“Through the FLIN programme, Flipkart continues to expand its role as a catalyst for innovation within India’s startup ecosystem, providing a collaborative platform for startups to test, refine, and deploy solutions that can shape the future of e-commerce in India,” said Naren Ravula, Vice President and Head – Product Strategy and Flipkart Labs.
The programme is designed to engage with startups through commercial partnerships in Flipkart’s areas of interest. Successful startups get the opportunity to scale up to a business partnership.
Over 20 startups from the initial two cohorts have concluded pilots working closely with the Flipkart Product and Engineering teams.
The company added that four startups from the previous cohort— Anagog, Speedsize, Sangti, and Vtion— have recently concluded successful pilot projects with Flipkart.
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