Vital Capital, an impact investor focused on companies in sub-Saharan Africa, announced a new debt facility providing loans to promising businesses to help them get through the coronavirus pandemic while continuing to offer essential services.

The Vital Impact Relief Facility offers businesses immediate access to capital in anticipation of a severe economic crisis that could result from the rapid spread of coronavirus in the region.

Vital also plans to open the facility to other investors to extend the available pool of capital.

Founded in 2011 and led by Nimrod Gerber, Managing Partner, Vital Capital is an impact investment, private equity fund that is focused on sub-Saharan Africa.

It manages the $350 million Vital Capital Fund as well as the new debt facility. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585936808.3636022/Vital-Capital-Announces-Vital-Impact-Relief-Facility?ref=audio_experience

The State Bank of India has given a three-month relief to borrowers under its settlement schemes and will not charge extra interest keeping in mind the coronavirus pandemic, said the country's largest lender, on Wednesday.

Customers on-boarded under settlement scheme SBI OTS 2019, Rin Samadhan 19-20, and general compromise can meet payment obligation by June 30, 2020, said the country's largest lender.

"The balance OTS amount can be paid by June 30, 2020.

Bank will not charge any interest on the amount for this extended period," SBI said.

This will provide an extended opportunity to borrowers who are unable to visit branches owing to the lockdown, it said. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585935005.447844/Coronavirus:-SBI-provides-3-month-relief-under-loan-settlement-repayment?ref=audio_experience

Atmosphere Receives $14M Series A Investment Back to HomeAUSTIN, TX, Atmosphere announced a new $5M investment from Valor Siren Ventures, closing the Series A round at $14M.

Current investors, including Austin-based S3 Ventures (www.s3vc.com), also participated in the financing, closing the Series A round at $14M.

"TV programming for businesses is broken and expensive," said Leo Resig, Co-founder and CEO of Atmosphere.

Brands can reach highly-targeted audiences on the Atmosphere platform, particularly younger demographics, who are much more difficult to reach through traditional advertising mediums.

About AtmosphereAtmosphere is the worldwide leader in streaming TV for businesses, offering 21 original and partner TV channels. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585933206.0333765/Atmosphere-Receives-$14M-Series-A-Investment?ref=audio_experience

Fifty percent of the 12.5 million heavy, medium, and small commercial vehicles have shut their engines because of coronavirus.

However, technology firm LogisticsNow makes some recommendations on how Indian logistics should change immediately and carve out a new future.

From raw materials and packaging material supply to manpower at manufacturing plants (to load/unload/operate) to logistics, and transport to retail.

Scale-up manufacturing of essentialsNo country can afford its manufacturing capacity for essentials like food and medicines to be less than optimally utilised in this time of need.

Secondary and last-mile transport capacity needs to pro-actively be kept ready to distribute all inventory to retailers. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585931406.8817737/How-Indian-logistics-can-revamp-despite-coronavirus-pandemic?ref=audio_experience

Too many small businesses make a common mistake when it comes to their marketing efforts.

You need a holistic, integrated, cohesive marketing strategy that connects your various marketing channels and platforms.

How do you develop an integrated marketing plan?

Siloed marketing efforts might involve multiple marketing channels, but the efforts are not coordinated or integrated.

Measure and repeatAnother mistake small businesses often make is not measuring the results of their marketing efforts. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585929607.1742728/Why-You-Need-an-Integrated-Marketing-Plan-for-Your-Small-Business?ref=audio_experience

A global marketing strategy is a string that ties all of these individual campaigns together.

Higher Brand AwarenessA global marketing strategy can result in more people knowing about your brand and your business.

Any Business Can Benefit from Global MarketingEven if you’re a one-person show, you have a great opportunity to build a global brand.

The Importance of Global MarketingThe importance of global marketing shouldn’t be understated.

A global marketing strategy has the power to impact every single department in your company. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585927815.9026706/Here’s-Why-Your-Business-Should-Focus-on-Global-Marketing?ref=audio_experience

If you can build a solid American client base, your business will reap the benefits.

RELATED ARTICLE: GO GLOBAL: 6 KEY BENEFITS OF EXPANDING YOUR COMPANY INTERNATIONALLYWhy is it so important for your UK company to expand its horizons and build an American client base?

Networking Opportunities with American ClientsIn order to start building your business relationship in the States, you’re going to have to visit with American prospects.

New York City is a hub for international business, so it’s a good place for you to start.

You need to do your research of the clientele there, and see where your business can fill the gap in the American market most successfully. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585926005.9349349/An-American-Client-Base-Is-Pivotal-to-UK-Business-Success-–-Business?ref=audio_experience

While coronavirus is causing unprecedented disruption to businesses and the self-employed, lots of big-name brands are stepping up and offering great discounts and freebies to help businesses.

Existing agency and SME clients will also have their billing suspended for the same time period.

From 26 March, new businesses registering on the UK online buying and selling site will not have to pay fees to list or sell until 31 May 2020.

Hootsuite – the social media management tool is offering organizations affected by COVID-19 free use of the professional version of their software until 1 July 2020.

Digital Risks – the providers of business insurance are offering self-employed healthcare professionals three months of professional cover for free. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585924211.5326989/The-best-big-brand-freebies-for-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus?ref=audio_experience

With uses like improved marketing efforts and increase in sales using the right quality lead, AI intervention can boost your businesses.

Below are some of the ways AI can be a potent weapon to fight COVID-19 in the marketing sphere:1.

Forecasting Sales using AI-enabled Marketing and Sales SuiteMarketing Suite powered by Artificial Intelligence is the right platform for your business to boom.

Many websites are using chatbots as they are great for answering general FAQs asked by the customers, without the requirement of personnel.

Thus, COVID-19 can be mitigated by equipping ourselves with AI and using it as a potent weapon in the time of need. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585922405.571568/How-AI-can-become-a-powerful-marketing-tool-to-mitigate-economic-impacts-of-COVID-19?ref=audio_experience

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday announced a series of initiatives to help the Central and state governments in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Shah Rukh said he along with his wife Gauri Khan and business partners -- Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta -- will be contributing to the PM-CARES Fund through IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Shah Rukh and Gauri will also be making a donation to the Maharashtra CM's Relief Fund through their film banner Red Chillies Entertainment.

Shah Rukh said in the current times, everybody must come together and support each other.

Only together we will be able to fight through these difficult and unimaginable days," Shah Rukh said. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585920606.3132148/Coronavirus:-Shah-Rukh-announces-series-of-initiatives-to-help-citizens?ref=audio_experience