MAM
ACME Group’s ‘Connect’ Fund Receives First Round of Funding, Propelling India’s AVGC Sector Forward
In a groundbreaking move, the ACME Group’s ‘Connect’ Fund has successfully secured its first round of funding, marking a significant milestone for India’s burgeoning Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comic (AVGC) sector. This fund, established under the AFPL CAT II AIF Trust and registered with SEBI (Registration No.: IN/AIF2/23/24/1309), is the first of its kind in India dedicated to the AVGC industry.
Ramon Talwwar, the Managing Director and CEO of ACME Group, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the support received. “We are incredibly grateful for the confidence shown by our investors. This funding is a testament to the potential of the AVGC sector and our commitment to nurturing its growth,” Talwwar said. With over two decades of experience in capital markets, investment banking, and corporate finance, Talwwar’s strategic vision is set to drive the fund’s success.
Abhinav Shukla, the co-founder of the ‘Connect’ Fund, emphasized the transformative impact this fund will have on the AVGC industry. “Our goal is to integrate cutting-edge technology and digital platforms into our investment strategy, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry,” Shukla stated. A veteran in the media and entertainment industry, Shukla’s expertise will be pivotal in attracting further investments and forging strategic partnerships.
The AVGC sector in India, recognized by the government as a critical area of focus, is currently valued at approximately $4 billion and is projected to triple to $12 billion by 2030. This rapid growth is fueled by the increasing demand for digital media, immersive gaming, and innovative entertainment content. The ‘Connect’ Fund’s project scope, nearly INR 300 Crores, is poised to capitalize on this growth, providing much-needed capital to high-potential AVGC companies.
The infusion of capital from the ‘Connect’ Fund is expected to act as a catalyst for the AVGC sector, driving technological innovation and creating new market opportunities. As the industry continues to evolve, the fund aims to support companies that are pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology, ultimately contributing to the sector’s long-term sustainability and growth.
Brands
Boeing appoints Barun as head of FP&A for global engineering function
Seasoned finance leader to steer budgets and strategy across global centres
BENGALURU: Boeing’s finance cockpit has a new pilot, and he is no stranger to turbulence or transformation. Boeing has appointed Barun as head of FP&A for global engineering, placing him at the centre of financial strategy for its worldwide engineering and technology operations.
Based in Bengaluru, Barun steps into a role that is as expansive as it is critical. He will serve as the primary finance lead for Boeing’s Engineering and Technology Centers globally, working closely with executive leadership to shape financial decisions, manage complex budgets, and design scalable finance processes that support the company’s growing engineering footprint.
In a note announcing his move Barun said, “I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Boeing Global Engineering. This opportunity is incredibly meaningful to me not just from a professional standpoint, but also for what Boeing represents globally.” He added that he looks forward to contributing to an organisation that continues to shape the future of aerospace and innovation.
Barun’s mandate spans strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement. From directing large-scale budgets and schedules to influencing long-term organisational goals, the role blends financial discipline with business foresight. He will also lead cross-functional teams and partner with finance colleagues worldwide to support engineering programmes across geographies, including India.
The appointment caps a long stint at Juniper Networks, where Barun spent over a decade, most recently as finance senior manager. There, he led FP&A for global product business units and G&A functions, driving budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning. He also played a key role in enterprise-wide transformation, including spearheading an Oracle to SAP ERP migration and building advanced analytics capabilities using tools such as Tableau and SAP Analytics Cloud.
His earlier career includes finance leadership roles at Sony India Software Centre, Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Mphasis, where he focused on financial planning, governance frameworks, and operational efficiency across global delivery centres.
A chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Barun brings nearly two decades of experience across financial planning, digital transformation, and analytics-led decision making.
His appointment comes at a time when global engineering operations are becoming increasingly complex and distributed, requiring sharper financial oversight and agile planning. With Barun at the helm of FP&A for engineering, Boeing appears to be tightening its financial playbook as it looks to scale innovation with discipline.
