• Startup Pulse
    Vama raises ₹19.03 crore in ongoing pre-Series A funding led by Writers and Publishers Private Limited (Dainik Bhaskar family office). CHOSEN raises an undisclosed amount in a Series A extension from Wellbeing Nutrition founders Avnish Chhabria and Saurabh Kapoor. QwikBuild raises $2.3 million in pre-seed funding led by Globalway, with Blume Ventures, DeVC and Marsshot participating. BE Hub opens applications for Udaan, its first 12-week accelerator cohort for deep-tech and technology-led startups, closing 18 November. dubdub raises $1.3 million in seed funding co-led by 3one4 Capital, Antler and Stellaris. Vama raises ₹19.03 crore in ongoing pre-Series A funding led by Writers and Publishers Private Limited (Dainik Bhaskar family office). CHOSEN raises an undisclosed amount in a Series A extension from Wellbeing Nutrition founders Avnish Chhabria and Saurabh Kapoor. QwikBuild raises $2.3 million in pre-seed funding led by Globalway, with Blume Ventures, DeVC and Marsshot participating. BE Hub opens applications for Udaan, its first 12-week accelerator cohort for deep-tech and technology-led startups, closing 18 November. dubdub raises $1.3 million in seed funding co-led by 3one4 Capital, Antler and Stellaris.
  • Orion Innovation Board Expansion: Melanie Kalmar and Randy Kern Join Board of Directors

    Orion Innovation Board Expansion

    ISELIN, N.J.: Orion Innovation took a major step forward as the company announced the appointment of industry veterans Melanie Kalmar and Randy Kern to its Board of Directors. (Orion Innovation Board Expansion)

    The company, a global leader in data- and AI-driven software engineering, said that the new additions will support its strategic priorities across Data, AI, and Cloud.

    Orion Innovation Board Expansion Marks Strategic Move

    As part of the Orion Innovation Board Expansion, the company highlighted that both leaders will provide deep strategic guidance as Orion accelerates its mission to help global enterprises modernize, innovate, and scale.

    Also Read: Orion Innovation Expands India Operations with New Pune Delivery Center

    Orion Innovation Board Expansion: Melanie Kalmar Brings Four Decades of Digital Leadership

    Kalmar joins the Board after nearly 40 years at Dow, where she most recently served as Corporate Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Digital Officer.

    Her portfolio included global IT strategy, cybersecurity operations, AI/GenAI programs, and digital transformation across multiple business units.

    She has been recognized with top industry honors including the National CIO of the Year ORBIE Award and the Forbes CIO Next list of the 50 leading technology executives.

    Kalmar is also known for her advocacy for women in technology and STEM education initiatives.

    Also Read: David Winter Appointed Chief Cloud and Strategic Partnerships Officer at Orion Innovation

    Orion Innovation Board Expansion: Randy Kern Adds Expertise in Cloud, Engineering, and Enterprise Modernization

    Randy Kern brings more than 30 years of engineering and technology leadership experience gained at Marqeta, Salesforce, and Microsoft. He has led large-scale software and cloud engineering teams, driving innovation in infrastructure, architecture, and enterprise scalability.

    Carlo Padovano, Chairman & Partner at One Equity Partners (OEP), said the Orion Innovation Board Expansion enhances the company’s depth in technology and business transformation. He noted that the combined expertise of Kalmar and Kern will strengthen Orion’s strategic direction as it continues to innovate and deliver value to global clients.

    Brian Bronson, CEO of Orion Innovation, added that both leaders bring “vision and real-world experience” that will help Orion differentiate itself and drive its growth agenda.

    New Board Members Express Their Vision

    Kalmar said she is honored to join at a time when Orion is advancing a strong innovation and growth agenda. She emphasized the company’s technology-driven transformation approach and its agility in serving clients.

    Kern noted that Orion is redefining how enterprises leverage technology for scaling and innovation. He said he looks forward to strengthening the company’s engineering and data capabilities to power next-generation digital solutions.

    Author

    • Salil Urunkar

      Salil Urunkar is a senior journalist and the editorial mind behind Sahyadri Startups. With years of experience covering Pune’s entrepreneurial rise, he’s passionate about telling the real stories of founders, disruptors, and game-changers.

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