How techies are working, What tech-first VCs are investing in, and more

More than 50% women worked in on-site roles in the technology, information and media sector in 2023, shows LinkedIn’s latest Workforce Report. This number stood at 53% for men, and the sector also led the way for both women and men in remote and hybrid roles, shows the data. 

This data reflects the industry trend, with IT firms like Infosys, HCLTech, and Wipro setting up new offices or expanding their centres, and companies in the sector calling employees back to office. However, as gig work picks up pace in the technology sector, and hybrid and remote continues to be the major trend for some firms, how can tech professionals set themselves up for success, no matter the work mode?

“In a digital landscape where every click can be quantified, the emphasis on measurable outcomes over mere effort is becoming the norm. The gig economy, with its task-oriented model, offers a blueprint for all workers: Focus on delivering tangible results,” says Namrita Mahindro , Chief Digital Officer and CIO at Aditya Birla Chemicals .

She adds that linking one’s work to the tangible impact on a company’s financial health can clear the path to success. And professionals need to align with and actively contribute to the company’s mission and ethos.

🖥️ Check out Namrita’s post on thriving in diverse work modes

“The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to the remote and hybrid work dynamic carving out an opportunity for companies to hire talent from anywhere and allow them to work from a location of their choice, incentivising continuous learning and team loyalty,” says Animesh Samuel, co-founder and CEO at E42.ai.

He adds that transparent development tools enable techies to showcase their contributions efficiently, saving time and keeping them relevant in the fast-paced tech landscape.

🖥️ Check out Animesh’s post on succeeding in the new tech landscape

Sharing her take on data from the Workforce report, Krishna Vij, Business Head- Captives at TeamLease Digital, says that the future of work modes for women in tech presents both opportunities and challenges. While remote and hybrid models empower work-life balance and potentially foster diversity, challenges remain like potential reinforcement of gender roles, navigating visibility in remote settings, and unequal access to resources. 

She suggests that firms work on promoting inclusivity, addressing biases, and ensuring equal opportunities to ensure women’s success in the tech industry — no matter the work mode. 

“Every consumer brand today has digital as its lifeblood,” writes Naiyya Saggi, group co-founder, The Good Glamm Group on LinkedIn. Having founded startups in both the tech and consumer space, she thinks that synergies between the two have been a long time coming. 

Tech-first venture capital firms are investing in new-age consumer brands which have an offline presence — with technology use being the driving factor, reports The Economic Times. While specialty coffee chain AbCoffee raised $3.4 million from Nexus Venture Partners in a Series A funding round in March, luggage brand Mokobara recently secured $12 million in a funding round led by Peak XV Partners, according to the report.

“Some may complain, but I think tech VCs coming in is a boon, as well. It expands the market and capital pool, and brings a new perspective,” writes Arjun Vaidya, co-founder at V3 Ventures, in a post on LinkedIn. 

However, he adds, investing in consumer brands is a fundamentally different ball game from tech investing. According to him, consumer brands take time to build and hyperscaling them with the “growth at all costs” approach may not be the best idea. 

💸 Check out Arjun's post on how investing in consumer brands differs from tech investing

“The e-commerce wave didn’t replace traditional retail, it augmented brick and mortar commerce,” says Pushkar Singh, co-founder of Tremis Capital. Building a new-age consumer brand is no longer a branding exercise,  it’s about creating functional benefits through R&D —  and VCs are realising this and investing in these firms, he adds.

💸 Check out Pushkar’s deep dive into the consumer startup funding landscape

What technology integrations should consumer brands look at to succeed? A data analytics stack plugged in with marketing automation, and a robust customer relationship management tool are critical to unearth insights and real-time scale actions, says Saggi. 

💸 Check out Naiyya's post on the tech critical for consumer brands 

• Perfios turns unicorn: The B2B SaaS fintech firm raised $80 million from Teachers’ Venture Growth  at a valuation of more than $1 billion — the second startup to join the unicorn club this year after Krutrim. 

• Tech talent in demand: Semiconductor firms are looking to hire tech talent — both freshers and at the senior level — amid a government push and increasing investments. Companies like Navi and Axtria are also looking to expand their tech teams.

• India on AI mission: The Union Cabinet last week approved the IndiaAI Mission with an outlay of ₹10,372 crore for the next five years. The initiative aims to bolster innovation in AI through public-private partnerships.

💬 Co-founder and MD at upGrad Mayank Kumar shares how he approaches mentoring entrepreneurs:

💬 Muthulakshmi N, Entrepreneur in Residence at Tata Consultancy Services, shares how AI is powering the B2I sales model:

Reported by: Isha Chitnis

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