On Thursday, Bharti Airtel in a strategic move sealed stakes in Singapore-based blockchain company Aqilliz for an undisclosed sum. The company has developed a patented hybrid blockchain that integrates differential privacy & federated learning on a distributed ledger. The platform allows brands to create secure & consent-based solutions to engage with customers in this rapidly evolving decentralized digital economy.
Airtel is planning to deploy Aqilliz’s advanced blockchain across its growing Adtech, creator economy, digital entertainment & digital marketplace. Adarsh Nair, CEO – Airtel Digital, said “Blockchain technology is maturing and we see its application across areas such Adtech, Creator Economy, and Loyalty Programs. We are thrilled to have Aqilliz join our Startup Accelerator Program and be part of Airtel’s digital innovation.”
Previously, Airtel has acquired 25% stakes in a startup that works in software-defined wide-area (SD-WAN), Lavelle networks for an undisclosed sum. These acquisition announcements come on the back of US-tech giant Google investing $1 billion into the second-largest Indian telco.
Airtel Startup Accelerator programme is launched to invest in startups in their early stages working on technologies & can be used in Airtel’s service offerings. This also gives startups an opportunity to deploy their technologies & applications at a massive scale.