One of the fastest-growing homeownership platforms, Better.com has closed its Series C fundraise at $160 million. This brings United States-based company’s total funding to $254 million to date. Activant Capital, Ping An Global Voyager Fund, Ally Financial, Citi, AGNC, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and American Express Ventures joined existing shareholders Goldman Sachs, Pine Brook, and Kleiner Perkins participated in the round.

The new investment round comes amid a period of tremendous growth for the fintech disruptor; Better.com has grown 3x year-over-year and is currently funding $375 million in mortgages a month in the US. This puts the company on track to lend over $4 billion in 2019.

Commenting on the development, Vishal Garg, CEO and Founder of Better.com said, “The capital we’ve raised will enable us to accelerate our investment in product development, grow our strategic partnerships, expand our team and scale our platform to continue making it easier for borrowers to get home financing.”

Better is a full-stack digital mortgage company, speeding and simplifying the process to purchase or refinance a home. From its offices in New York, San Francisco, Irvine, and Gurgaon, Better is using technology to change the way people finance their homes, for the better. It is a direct lender that provides a fast, transparent digital mortgage experience backed by superior customer support. 

Inception

Better.com was founded in 2016 after its founder, Vishal Garg, lost a home to an all-cash buyer due to a slow and antiquated traditional mortgage process. His wife was pregnant with their second child at the time. He used the money he had saved for the down payment to start Better.com, which has digitized the entire mortgage process to eliminate commissions, fees, unnecessary steps, and time-wasting branch appointments. Customers are able to upload and eSign documents, get loan estimates in seconds and a pre-approval within minutes.  

“Similar to how Amazon upended the retail industry, Better.com is digitally disrupting the $15 trillion mortgage industry through best-in-class technology, a commission-free business model and first-rate customer support,” said Vishal Garg.

Future Plans 

In the last 8 months, Better scaled its India employee strength from 50 to 300 and moved to a new office in Gurgaon to accommodate its rapid growth. Better’s India operations play a key role in business operations, risk management, fulfillment and analytics. To continue its growth, the fin-tech disruptor anticipates hiring an additional 150 people in India across various functions by the end of 2019 taking its team size to 450 in India. 

“At Better.com, we are delivering digital experience to our customers in a highly innovative and scalable way.  Our numbers validate the customer’s conviction in our product, and we’re looking for people to help grow it and be a part of this journey”, said Bhavesh Sharma, Country Head, India, of Better.com.

The Indian education system, catering to the largest population of youth in the world, is currently at the most significant stage of development, with vast potential and a crucial task at hand. This is also the time when Education sector became most funded industry as per the recent survey, where startups are bringing in new age education for the ‘Gen-Z’ in form of app-based learning, smart classes, introduction of robotics, AI, IOT, VR, AR, Laser & 3D printing and various other forms of learning. 

But one void which still remains is the pedagogy to teach/educate this content to our new generation, who’s attention span is in seconds. We are still ignoring the fact that our existing classrooms are not equipped to handle millennials, where they spending most of their active time. The introduction of various tech platforms resulted in creating a parallel ecosystem which provides personalized, on-demand, self-assisted learning to our kids, making our classrooms redundant. 

Schools are finding it challenging to keep up with the expectations of our ‘Gen-Z’ and already started drifting towards their need of a fresh, intuitive, discovery-based, challenging education environment which has created inroads for STEAM education or experiential learning to our new age classrooms. 

STEAM education is basically an experiential form of learning which is focused on building skills in children and provide deep conceptual understanding. STEAM is an amalgamation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics – where two or more (all) subjects taught together which leads to a conceptual understanding. 

Focus on skill-based education

STEAM education build skills but also challenge students in every form of life. Students learn to build things which they can relate with real life and hence its gaining tractions. STEAM covers life-skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving as core and helps in overall development of child. 

STEAM based concepts are supported with an activity which works with natural curiosity of child and help them create their personalized learning curve. STEAM doesn’t focus on building knowledge only but also on skills which remains for lifetime. These skills prepare children for future which we can’t predict today. 

Interdisciplinary & Trans-disciplinary 

Most popular misconception with STEAM or experiential learning is, only IB or Cambridge curriculum supports it and doesn’t fit with Indian education boards. Though Indian boards are well knit with traditional curriculum but STEAM methodologies can be well integrated with any Indian board. 

STEAM educations work on inter & trans disciplinary and can be applied as an umbrella methodology over (on top of) any board. i.e., any subject can be integrated with a respective topic and outcomes can be plugged as input to another subject resulting inquiry-based learning, which leads to interdisciplinary approach. In similar way, any curriculum can be set as nucleus and learning outcomes are created across the program for trans-disciplinary approach. 

Schools today are looking at in-classroom innovations in form of STEAM lab setups or AI based curriculum integrated with STEAM education as in-curriculum program to enhance classroom experience. 

Teachers Vs Educators

Most important role in STEAM education is of educators as they become architects of experiential learning in classroom. In STEAM education, educator join hands with students and enable them rather becoming source of knowledge. Educators work together with to build critical thinking towards a problem and define learning outcomes. 

Unlike teachers, educators are alleviating themselves by moving away from traditional education trap and focusing on informal, open, creative learning approach with experiential learning in classrooms. Young teachers are the real flag bearers especially when it comes to bringing innovation inside classroom.

Innovation as evaluation parameter

Biggest advantage of adopting STEAM or experiential learning methodology is that evaluation process becomes transparent and it takes child into process of self-discovery. STEAM enables children to build solutions with tangible outcomes. Robotics, artificial intelligence, coding, laser & 3D printers and various other tech solutions are at disposal of children which help them create, innovate and implement. Hence, students learn from their own innovations rather than set of instructions. 

STEAM education is putting foundation to strong innovation culture in India which will lead us to become an innovation hub and put forth our offerings to world as creators than followers.  

Way Forward:

In essence, the future will belong to the ones who are ready to accept change and adapt technology like new rules of the game. It is estimated that the future of global economy will be led by the Industrial 4.0 revolution, which will be driven by more than 20% new job opportunities in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, 3D printing, Digital marketing, Cyber Security Specialists so on and so forth. These careers were not heard by most of the 19th Century and 20th Century educators. Hence, there is a dire need for quick change in the education sector with a curriculum revamping from Elementary Education to Higher Education. The introduction of STEAM education domain will be a beginning of new era making all of us look at learning and exploring things a distinct way. 

The Author is Director & CEO, Makebot

Maitham Hubail from Bahrain having big dreams and a successful idea of being a renowned name in the digital marketing world started his company @askbahrain which works in Online marketing sector and is Bahrain’s leading Q&A portal.

Maitham Hubail from working with celebrities on digital reputation management to obtaining number one ranking for his blog Maitham has his hands on all the digital marketing sector.

Today he is one of the most resourceful entrepreneurs in his field. Having to take up a number of projects, Maitham has made his way to the moons with his tremendous digital marketing knowledge.

Maitham Hubail is Googles certified partner and carries 15 years of experience and taking over a number of digital marketing projects across the region.

Maitham Hubail has influenced a number of digital bugs with his tremendous digital media power and potential. He is an active member of the Social Media Club, Bahrain and encourages youth to build up their own startups guiding them for business generation and expansion has made an honorable reputation in the digital marketing industry. Making him one of the renowned and worthy ones to win the popular Digital Marketing influencer award.

Goldy Hunjan, who hails from Ludhiana, is Kryolin US certified professional makeup artist and is one of the best known Makeup Artist for Pro-Bridal Makeup and even a lot more. Diversifying with his artistry skills, he is very keen and passionate about learning, exploring, working with gratitude and honour to always grow even more, gradually.

For Entrepreneur Anubhav Bharadwaj and Make Up Artist Goldy Hunjan, entrepreneurship was not something they wanted to do. However, today being a renowned makeup artist, the duo is glad that they decided to take a plunge. “Entrepreneur, not really but I ended up becoming one and I am really glad I did. I dint choose to do something for just the money. I did it because I want to live life on my own terms. Money comes as an added bonus, but the ultimate motive is to create something that can solve problems. And I believe the key to becoming a successful entrepreneur lies in being able to think like one.”

His great experience brings in the deeper understanding of his client’s requirement(s), which has helped in giving 100% customer satisfaction.

Goldy Hunjan’s signature makeup look being the flawless Airbrush with sultry glittery eyes which is bright and yet subtle. He never compromises on the Quality of services and products. He keeps himself updated on the latest makeup techniques and products. For this, he travels across the globe to enhance his skills and knowledge. In addition to this, all the products used are directly bought from Branded Stores across countries.

The youth of today are faced with multiple opportunities and choices. While on the one hand, this can be very empowering, in the absence of proper guidance and inspiration it is very easy to lose one’s true self among the aspirations thrust on us by others. In these turbulent times, influencer and motivational speaker Samuel Jacobs is inspiring youngsters to find the courage to follow their dreams.

A Beacon Of Hope

Jacobs is a shining example of how following your own path can lead to spectacular results. At only 18, Jacobs has achieved what many take years when following the safe route. Jacobs has, over the period of only six months, been able to earn over $1.5 million dollars in revenue from his eCommerce ventures. This goes to show that while a traditional career may bring with it security and monotonic complacency, following your ideas can open doors previously unheard of.

An eminent influencer, Jacobs commands a large fan following over social media, who themselves get inspired by the rapid rise of this young entrepreneur. Jacobs does not believe in age being a determining factor for achieving success. “With the online world, it’s me and my laptop, so age doesn’t interfere,” is what he has to say. 

While the traditional career paths may be limited by experience and seniority, the 21^st century offers youngsters a wide variety of options. The internet is opening up newer avenues every moment. One only has to recognize and seize opportunities. Jacobs helps his students do just that by teaching them his methods of creating an online income and becoming financially independent.

Jacobs is living proof that the only things you need to succeed are grit, determination and the courage to follow your dreams. If you can bring yourself to rise above the clamor and carve out your own niche, you are well on your way to victory.

Ankita Kochhar has shown that it doesn’t matter that you come modest family or from a small town. If you have the passion in you, and you know the basics of fashion than you too can become one of the best blogger and influence people with your fashion trends.

Ankita Kochhar went on with taking her love for fashion a step forward by making her hobby to a passion for life. She knew from her childhood that she could pursue in her career in the fashion world. 

Ankita Kochhar, a young blogger, decided to make her passion and her choice has worked for her. She loves to experiment with things in fashion; she is known for mixing things beautifully, which becomes and a new trend in the world of fashion. 

Currently showcasing a wide array of content on her social media platforms, ranging from the latest makeup to modern-day fashion is now keen on figuring out the best products and becoming a face of top brands is commendable.

She is born in Bareilly in a modest family, but it didn’t affect her growth in studies and now in career. She has achieved everything in her life with her own choices.

While growing up, she has always loved the fashion industry and has always wanted to make it big in the fashion world by adding her new concepts and trends.  

She has been fabulous in her every new designs and sense. Right now, there are many follow her footsteps in fashion. It is so good to see a young girl achieving big in the fashion world in Indian and around the places. Surely it will inspire many young girls that it is a field which can help you make a career.

Ankita’s style is elegant and clean, her style line is minimal, She is Pro when it comes to fashion. She always focuses on giving a fashion tip, which is very practical for all the sizes.  She comes from a small town, but she has given fierce competition to masters of this field.

Many celebrities too are loving her fashion sense; her popularity is growing in B-town and the general public from the past two years. Ankita is giving her all-time in her work, and she is the most dedicated fashionista you see in our time.

What makes her stand out against others is her choice, colors, and quality. These things are making her the most fashionable diva of the fashion world. Ankita feels if you love to look cool and trendy than follow your heart and believe in your fashion so that you can carry that beautifully with confidence.

Ankita comes with different confidence, and her spirit and choice of fashion are making her most desirable personality online in India. You cannot question her decision; she is damn good.

Technology has served as a yardstick to progress, modernization, and several advancements in various fields, reshaping the world as we know it, turning the impossible into possible. Dr. John Jaquish, popular fitness influencer on Instagram and inventor, shares his views on the innovations we are seeing in the fitness industry today.

Dr. Jaquish, a speaker at many scientific conferences worldwide, has now focused his attention on the fitness industry. He observed that people spend hours a day at the gym in a quest to stay fit, lose weight, and of course to build muscle mass, while many simply cannot manage to squeeze in the time. According to him, there is a new wave of transition towards weight training due to the impact it can have on the body’s performance. This has been revolutionized in the form of variable resistance training. 

Discoveries that Dr. John had made while performing original research to aid the development of his bone density device gave him a clear insight into how fitness could be improved. Based on his unique observations made during medical research into the biomechanics of impact absorption in humans, he created the X3 Bar that turned the fitness industry upside down. The increase in strength, muscle gains, and upregulation of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) far exceeds the results achieved through conventional weight training.

Dr. John firmly believes that actions speak louder than words and chose to lead by example. He used the X3 Bar himself for only 10 minutes per day. He spent 2 full years, using only the X3 Bar and nothing else, which yielded outstanding results. Not only did he become leaner and gain a great deal of strength, he gained approximately 45lbs of muscle mass, dropping 16lbs of fat all without any cardio.

Dr. Jaquish’s work is helping professional athletes, Olympians, and sports teams such in the NBA and NFL along with thousands of consumers across the globe. The device is gradually changing the mindset of people while helping save several hours of precious time which would otherwise be spent at the gym.

Dr. Jaquish believes that technology holds the key to the future. He is working on several other projects that will help the fitness industry evolve by leveraging technology and creating new solutions to the problems that people face. He has already achieved a great deal and continues to look to the future. We are certain that he will continue with his work, as tech innovations continue to re-define the fitness industry.

Standing out and different approaches towards doing things on his own have landed him this name and fame. The former when asked about why he wanted to be an entrepreneur says he always wanted to be financially independent, make his own money with his own efforts and his own name on it. This was the reason he had different views and different ways of doing business which is why he is here today. 

He is graduated just like all others, but as they say, a mind is the sharpest tool if used correctly. His hobbies are playing cricket as it is a sport which keeps him energetic, healthy and fit. 

Not only does he do business with a distinctive mindset but also understands the roles and responsibilities he has an individual towards the society, unlike others. The former has an NGO name by S&D. He says ” I started S&D because I had a love for animals since I was a kid. I used to feed the stray dogs also from my childhood days. I wanted to see them happy on not on roads where they would lead a very uncertain life. So, I just started S&D with a motive to treat the stray animals, to feed them and provide them with shelter as much as I could. I also look forward to a complete end of use and abuse of animals which is cruel.” 

His future plans are to have this complete goal to the protection and equality of all animals and one day he shall achieve it and shall open the biggest shelter for them where each and every animal can stay, eat, play and spend their life happily.

Music, as we all know, is an essential part of India, especially in North India. We Indians love our music. From the past decade or so we are seeing our music industry has changed a lot and we are getting a considerable number of talents from different parts of our country. 

Mostly music which is running high is from north India, not only in our country but everywhere in the world. As many talented singers and production houses have promoted our music beautifully worldwide. And one more guy who is going to add in this list is Haryana’s popular name, Sazal Jain.

Sazal Jain who is known for his work in the various field whether it is politics or music world. He is also called a youth Icon of Haryana. Sazal is a music lover, and if you see his friend list, he is having a large number of friends which belongs to the music industry. You take any big name of North India that will be his friend.

As his interest is in the music industry is from childhood, he has a soft corner for every young artist who needs a platform. He has also helped many good singers in the past, and he is going to continue doing it in future too. He knows North Indian music has become International music from the past few years. So, Sazal never misses promoting young singers when they require a platform.

Sazal has also organized events in Haryana and around the places in north India. All of his activities are star-studded you will see lots of top singers and others joining him in his events and making it superhit.

Sazal is planning to make his own production house where he can promote more good singers and artists from his production house. Basically, as a youth Icon of Haryana, he wants to do as much as he can for Haryanvi and other young talents from India.

His thoughts are very encouraging and promising, too, and he is known for his words. He does what he speaks. So it will be a massive benefit for the artists who are looking to join the Music Industry or any other field. They will get help from Sazal Jain’s production house in coming years.

Life is all about encountering challenges and finding ways to surpass them. Whether it’s the first steps of a baby, or the first steps towards building your own business, it all begins with the will to make a change. Steve Holbrook is no stranger to adversity, having dedicated his life to help people to grow and succeed. Having garnered a huge fan base both online and off, Steve Holbrook is a motivational speaker, who practices what he preaches.

Steve wanted to reach out to a wider audience so that he can help other people achieve success, just as he has. Thus, he embraced social media and the digital world. Steve’s work as a motivational speaker has led him to use various mediums, including a widely successful blog, where he shares his experience, advice and inputs on business, life, family and health.  Steve has more than 68,000 followers on Instagram alone, along with a strong presence on other platforms which has helped him reach out to hundreds of thousands of people.

Through Instagram, Steve has helped people excel at a variety of subjects which include, fitness, family, business and the pursuit of your dreams. Steve elaborated further, “Life is a gift, and we must do all we can to live it to the fullest. Anything less is unforgivable. We have everything we need to succeed within ourselves. I simply help people unleash it.”

Steve is a powerful social influencer, who specializes in grooming, creating and mentoring leaders. As a peak performance expert, he helps individuals achieve their true potential while he simply guides them along the way. Having faced Crohn’s disease and prevailed, Steve continued to focus on his work, family and health to lead a truly fulfilling life. He hopes that his story will serve as a reminder to people, that we can achieve truly anything, so long as we set our minds to it. He continues to do his best to leverage social media to expand his reach and help people across the globe.