Saturday, September 5, 2026
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Summit Hotels & Resorts launches three new collections to drive growth

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Summit Hotels & Resorts is reshaping its growth strategy around three distinct travel segments: spiritual tourism, lesser-known leisure destinations, and premium experiential hospitality.

The hospitality company has launched three new portfolio verticals—Mandir Collection, Offbeat Collection, and Signature Collection—which will increasingly guide how Summit positions its existing hotels and identifies destinations for future expansion.

The move marks a strategic evolution for the 18-year-old hospitality company. After building a strong presence across the Eastern Himalayas and leisure destinations, Summit now aims to create differentiated hospitality formats based on why people travel rather than simply where it can establish another hotel.

The Mandir Collection marks Summit’s entry into the spiritual hospitality segment. The company will launch the collection with the upcoming Summit Salasar, The Mandir Collection, in Salasar, Rajasthan.

The new format will combine accommodation with Satvik dining, wellness offerings and dedicated spaces for spiritual and community experiences. Furthermore, Summit plans to expand the Mandir Collection into other prominent pilgrimage destinations.

Meanwhile, the Offbeat Collection formalises a strategy that Summit has already pursued across the Himalayas. Through this portfolio, the company focuses on identifying destinations beyond established tourism circuits and entering these markets at an early stage.

The collection currently includes Summit Enigma Resort & Spa in Lamahatta, Summit Sherpa Mountain Hotel & Spa in Deolo, Kalimpong, Summit Bougainvillea Tea Resort in Kurseong, and Summit Tashi Ghang Heritage Resort in Pelling.

Additionally, Samthar, which remains relatively unfamiliar to mainstream travellers, represents the next phase of Summit’s offbeat destination strategy.

At the premium end, the Signature Collection brings together hotels that build luxury experiences around the unique character of their destinations.

The portfolio includes Summit Norbu Ghang, The Signature Collection, in Gangtok, and Rungkhung Village Resort – The Signature Collection, in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh.

Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “India’s next hospitality opportunities will not necessarily emerge only from destinations that are already established. We see considerable potential at the intersection of changing travel motivations and destinations that are still evolving. These three collections give us a sharper framework for that growth. Mandir addresses journeys driven by faith, Offbeat allows us to identify places before they enter the mainstream, and Signature gives us a distinct premium proposition. The strategy is ultimately about being early in markets where we believe travel demand will deepen over time.”

Through the Signature Collection, Summit aims to deepen its premium hospitality presence across the Northeast while offering destination-led luxury experiences.

With these three distinct portfolio verticals, Summit Hotels & Resorts is positioning itself to capture evolving travel preferences across spiritual tourism, emerging leisure destinations, and premium experiential stays.

Bizz Nextgen Finance raises ₹215-Cr to scale MSME lending business

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Pankaj Poddar, Promoter, MD & CEO, BNF

Bizz Nextgen Finance Private Limited (BNF), a new-age Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) focused on providing secured credit to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), has successfully raised ₹215 crore in equity capital from a marquee group of institutional and strategic investors.

The equity funding round was led by Beams Fintech Fund I and its affiliates, Baring Private Equity India Fund 6, Saison Capital Pte. Ltd. and UNLEASH 1st Investment Partnership, along with other investors. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has provided prior approval for the transaction.

Founded by Pankaj Poddar, BNF received its RBI Certificate of Registration in September 2025. Since then, the company has focused on building a differentiated, technology-led MSME lending platform targeting underserved and under-penetrated markets.

BNF provides secured credit facilities to MSMEs and aims to deepen access to formal financing for businesses across India.

The fresh capital infusion marks a significant milestone in BNF’s growth journey. The funding will strengthen the company’s capital base and support its plans to scale its secured lending business, expand its geographic footprint and invest further in technology.

Additionally, BNF plans to use the capital to deepen access to formal credit across India’s growing MSME ecosystem, particularly in underserved markets.

Pankaj Poddar, Promoter, Managing Director & CEO, Bizz Nextgen Finance, said, “The successful completion of our ₹215 crore equity raise is a significant milestone for BNF. The confidence demonstrated by marquee institutional and strategic investors reinforces our belief in the opportunity to build a differentiated and responsible MSME lending platform. We are focused on combining disciplined credit underwriting, technology and strong execution to become a trusted financial partner for India’s MSME entrepreneurs. This capital will enable us to accelerate our growth while remaining firmly committed to strong governance, sustainable profitability and long-term value creation for all our stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, the investors highlighted the significant opportunity within India’s underserved MSME lending market.

Sagar Agarwal, Partner, Beams, said, “We are excited to partner with Pankaj and the BNF team in their journey to build a high-quality MSME lending franchise. The significant credit gap in India’s underserved MSME segment presents a compelling opportunity for a differentiated lender with strong underwriting, technology and customer-centricity. We believe BNF is well positioned to build a scalable and sustainable platform and look forward to supporting the Company in its next phase of growth.”

BNF plans to combine technology, disciplined credit underwriting and strong execution to build a scalable and sustainable lending platform.

Debanshi Basu, Partner, Baring Private Equity India, said, “We are very impressed with Pankaj and his extensive experience in the space, especially in the way he is building out BNF in a uniquely differentiated manner—particularly in the way he envisions leveraging technology within a conventional touch-and-feel underwriting product to drive best-in-class, risk-based underwriting decisions while creating a sustainable opex advantage. This approach will create a sustainable competitive advantage as BNF grows its presence. We are very pleased to partner with Pankaj and the BNF team and look forward to supporting the Company as it scales its presence across India’s underserved MSME markets.”

The investment brings together a strong group of institutional investors with expertise across financial services, fintech and growth capital.

Following the completion of the proposed transaction, Beams Fintech Fund I and its affiliates will collectively hold more than 26% of BNF’s paid-up equity share capital on a fully diluted basis.

Importantly, the transaction will not result in any change in the management or day-to-day control of BNF.

With its strengthened capital base and support from institutional investors, BNF is well positioned to accelerate its next phase of growth.

The company aims to emerge as a trusted financial partner for India’s MSME entrepreneurs while expanding its presence across underserved and under-penetrated markets.

CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026 Set to Convene Finance Leaders in Johannesburg on 17 September

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17 September 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa

Intelligent Finance for a Digital-First Economy

Johannesburg, 2nd September 2026: With the CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026 just weeks away, senior finance and business leaders from across the country are preparing to gather in Johannesburg on 17 September 2026 to examine how finance leadership is evolving in an increasingly digital, data-driven, and unpredictable business environment.

Taking place at Focus Rooms – Universe, Johannesburg, the 27th edition of the CFO Leadership Summit South Africa is expected to bring together 200+ CFOs, Finance Directors, Group Finance Executives, Controllers, Treasury Leaders, Risk & Compliance Heads, Tax Leaders, Digital Finance Experts, business leaders, and technology innovators for a day of strategic discussions, peer networking, and knowledge exchange.

As organisations continue to navigate economic uncertainty, cost pressures, evolving regulations, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the summit will focus on how finance leaders can strengthen financial resilience while using technology and data to create greater business value.

The Countdown to a New Era of Finance Leadership

The role of the CFO is undergoing significant transformation. Beyond financial stewardship and compliance, finance leaders are increasingly expected to influence enterprise strategy, drive operational efficiency, improve forecasting, manage risk, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.

The upcoming summit will provide a platform for finance leaders to discuss these changing responsibilities and share practical experiences around building agile, technology-enabled finance functions.

Key conversations will focus on how organisations are using AI, automation, predictive analytics, real-time FP&A, intelligent treasury management, and financial data to improve decision-making and respond more effectively to changing market conditions.

Key Conversations Ahead:

The summit’s agenda will bring together finance experts and business leaders to explore some of the most pressing priorities facing today’s CFOs, including:

●      Building Financial Agility in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable economic environment

●      Strengthening Cash Flow and Liquidity Management while controlling costs and improving financial efficiency

●      Advancing FP&A through predictive analytics, scenario planning, and real-time financial intelligence

●      Leveraging AI and Automation to transform finance operations and enhance productivity

●      Repositioning the CFO as a Growth Architect through strategic capital allocation and value creation

●      Strengthening Governance, Risk, and Compliance while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment

●      Integrating ESG and Sustainable Finance into long-term profitability and business strategy

●      Driving Finance Transformation through digital technologies, analytics, ERP, and intelligent automation

The discussions are designed to move beyond theoretical conversations, giving delegates practical perspectives on how leading organisations are approaching finance transformation and responding to emerging business challenges.

Insights from Leading Finance Executives:

The summit will feature senior finance leaders representing some of South Africa’s prominent organisations, providing delegates with an opportunity to learn from executives who are actively shaping the future of finance.

The confirmed speaker line-up includes:

●      Mikaeel Tayob- Regional CFO, Bridgestone Middle East & Africa

●      Polani Sokombela- Chief Financial Officer, Auditor-General of South Africa

●      Qiniso Mthembu- Chief Financial Officer, Johannesburg Stock Exchange

●      Akesh Bansee- Chief Financial Officer, Unilever

●      Bradley Wentzel- Chief Financial Officer, Barloworld Equipment

Through keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, fireside conversations, and interactive sessions, these finance leaders will share perspectives on financial strategy, technology adoption, risk, innovation, and the changing expectations placed on modern finance functions.

More Than a Conference: A Meeting Point for Finance Leadership

With the event approaching, the summit is set to provide an important meeting point for South Africa’s finance community, enabling senior executives to connect with peers, exchange experiences, discuss common challenges, and explore emerging technologies and solutions.

The networking environment will also bring finance leaders together with experts and solution providers across AI, FP&A, treasury, ERP, analytics, automation, ESG, risk management, and digital finance transformation.

As organisations move towards more intelligent and digitally enabled finance functions, the summit will offer an opportunity for decision-makers to assess emerging trends, exchange practical ideas, and identify strategies that can support stronger financial performance and sustainable growth.

CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026

With the event now fast approaching, the CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026 is positioned to bring together some of the country’s leading finance minds for a focused day of strategic conversations and executive networking.

The summit will provide finance leaders with a platform to explore how intelligent finance can strengthen organisational resilience, enable better decisions, and position finance at the centre of business transformation.

Event Details

Event: CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026
Edition: 27th Edition
Theme: Intelligent Finance for a Digital-First Economy
Date: 17 September 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Focus Rooms – Universe, Johannesburg, South Africa
Expected Attendance: 200+ senior finance and business leaders

About Exito Media Concepts

Exito stands for “success,” a principle reflected in every experience we create. With over 16 years of expertise, Exito Media Concepts is a globally recognised B2B events organisation delivering more than 240 conferences annually across technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, healthcare, finance, human resources, and other emerging enterprise sectors.

Through carefully curated agendas, globally recognised speakers, and market-driven insights, Exito creates high-impact platforms that foster strategic collaboration, accelerate innovation, and enable business leaders to address the evolving challenges of their industries.

For more details on the CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026, visit:

https://cfoleadershipsummit.com/south-africa/

For Media Enquiries

Ashrith Shetty
Senior Marketing & PR Executive
Exito Media Concepts
Email: ashrith.shetty@exito-e.com

HR World Summit South Africa 2026 Set to Bring 200+ HR Leaders Together in Johannesburg

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16th September 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa

Two Weeks to Go: HR Leaders Prepare to Address AI, Talent, Leadership, and the Future of Work

Johannesburg, 2 September 2026: With just two weeks remaining until the 5th Edition of HR World Summit South Africa 2026, leading HR and business professionals from across South Africa are preparing to gather in Johannesburg on 16 September 2026 to discuss the workforce priorities shaping the future of organisations.

Organised by Exito Media Concepts, the summit will take place at Focus Rooms – Universe, Johannesburg, bringing together more than 200 CHROs, HR Directors, People & Culture Leaders, Talent Acquisition Heads, Learning & Development Executives, Employee Experience Specialists, business leaders, and solution providers for a day of strategic discussions, knowledge exchange, and executive networking.

As organisations continue to navigate rapid technological change, evolving employee expectations, skills shortages, and shifting business priorities, HR is increasingly moving beyond its traditional role to become a key driver of organisational transformation. The summit will provide a platform for senior HR leaders to explore how people strategies can support business resilience, innovation, and long-term growth.

AI, Skills, and Employee Experience Take Centre Stage

Artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, and data-driven decision-making are rapidly changing the workplace. At the same time, organisations are facing increasing pressure to attract and retain talent, strengthen employee engagement, develop future-ready skills, and create workplaces where employees can perform and grow.

HR World Summit South Africa 2026 will bring these issues into focus through keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside conversations, interactive sessions, and real-world industry perspectives.

Key discussions at the summit will include:

●      The evolving role of HR in driving organisational transformation

●      Exploring the impact of Artificial Intelligence on HR and workforce planning

●      Building future-ready skills for an increasingly digital workplace

●      Strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing top talent

●      Strengthening employee wellbeing and workforce engagement

●      Creating cultures of continuous learning and development

●      Navigating leadership, organisational change, and evolving employee expectations

●      Building inclusive workplaces that encourage innovation and performance

●      Leveraging HR technology to improve workforce strategy and employee experience

The discussions are designed to provide HR professionals with practical insights, industry perspectives, and actionable approaches that can be applied to today’s workforce challenges.

Insights from Leading HR Decision-Makers

The summit will feature senior HR and business leaders from some of South Africa’s leading organisations, offering delegates an opportunity to learn directly from executives who are navigating workforce transformation within their organisations.

The speaker lineup includes:

●      Tebogo Maenetja – Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN

●      Michele Seroke – Chief Human Resources Officer, Mediclinic

●      Nomsa Lewisa – CIO Group Human Technology, FirstRand

●      Mikateko Nkuna – Managing Executive: Talent & Culture, Vodacom

●      Lerato Thelejane – Executive: People Change Readiness and Enablement, Absa Group

Through their experiences and perspectives, speakers will share insights into leadership, people strategy, organisational culture, talent management, change readiness, and preparing workforces for the future.

A Strategic Meeting Point for South Africa’s HR Community

Beyond the conference sessions, HR World Summit South Africa 2026 will provide opportunities for senior HR professionals to connect with peers, exchange experiences, explore emerging workforce practices, and engage with organisations providing HR and workplace solutions.

The summit is designed to encourage meaningful conversations around the challenges facing today’s organisations while creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing among South Africa’s HR community.

With the event now only two weeks away, the summit is set to bring together HR decision-makers for a focused day of conversations around people, technology, leadership, skills, culture, and the future of work.

Event Details

Event: 5th Edition of HR World Summit South Africa 2026

Date: 16 September 2026

Time: 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Venue: Focus Rooms—Universe, Johannesburg, South Africa

About Exito Media Concepts

Exito Media Concepts is a global B2B events organisation with over 16 years of experience delivering conferences across technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, healthcare, finance, human resources, and other industries.

Exito brings together business leaders, solution providers, and decision-makers through conferences focused on knowledge sharing, collaboration, and executive networking.

For more details on HR World Summit South Africa 2026, visit:

https://exito-e.com/hrworldsummit/south-africa/

For Media Enquiries, please contact:

Ashrith Shetty | Senior Marketing & PR Executive, Exito Media Concepts

Email: [ashrith.shetty@exito-e.com](mailto:ashrith.shetty@exito-e.com)

AI smart crib startup Cradlewise raises $12 Mn to expand AI-powered smart crib business globally

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Radhika and Bharath Patil, cofounders, Cradlewise

D2C smart crib brand Cradlewise has raised $12 Mn (approximately ₹100 Cr) in a Series A funding round led by 3one4 Capital and Prudent Investment Management.

The San Francisco-headquartered startup plans to use the fresh capital to accelerate growth, expand its distribution channels, strengthen product research and development, and enter new international markets.

Currently, Cradlewise sells its products through its own website and ecommerce marketplaces. However, the startup now plans to broaden its distribution network through offline retail stores, partnerships, and other channels.

The company said the expanded distribution strategy will help it reach parents across multiple touchpoints while reducing its dependence on a single route to market.

Founded in 2019 by husband-wife duo Radhika and Bharath Patil, Cradlewise develops and manufactures an AI-enabled smart crib. The crib uses sensors and an integrated monitor to detect when a baby starts stirring and automatically bounces to help soothe the baby back to sleep.

The crib also connects to a mobile app that enables parents to monitor their baby remotely, track sleep patterns, and access sleep-related insights. Additionally, the system learns a baby’s individual sleep patterns over time and personalises its response accordingly.

Cradlewise currently designs its products for children aged up to 24 months. The startup said patents protect its hardware and sensing systems.

Meanwhile, Cradlewise’s connected products have generated more than 75 Mn hours of sleep data. The company uses this data to improve sleep detection, predict when a baby may begin stirring, and personalise the overall sleep experience.

With the fresh funding, the D2C startup also plans to expand its product portfolio beyond smart cribs and develop sleep-focused products for older children.

Its future roadmap includes software-led sleep routines, additional child sleep hardware products, and lower-priced entry-level offerings. Furthermore, the startup plans to develop reusable sensing and electronics modules that could reduce the time required for future product development cycles.

The latest funding round takes Cradlewise’s total funding to $26 Mn. The startup’s existing investors include Sean O’Sullivan Ventures, Footwork VC, Charles River Ventures, 3one4 Capital, and Prudent Investment Management.

Previously, Cradlewise raised $7 Mn in a seed funding round in 2021.

With its latest Series A funding, Cradlewise aims to strengthen its position in the growing baby technology market while expanding its global footprint and developing new AI-powered sleep solutions for children.

AssetPlus expands wealth management offering with PMS for MFD Partners

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L-R: Vishranth Suresh & Awanish Raj, co-founders, AssetPlus

AssetPlus, a fully digital wealth management platform designed for India’s Mutual Fund Distributors (MFDs), has launched Portfolio Management Services (PMS) to help its certified partner MFDs serve eligible high-net-worth clients.

With dedicated support at every stage, certified partner MFDs can now onboard, track, manage, and report PMS investments for eligible clients directly through AssetPlus. However, partners must obtain the NISM Series-XXI-A certification mandated by SEBI to distribute PMS products. To support this requirement, AssetPlus Academy provides end-to-end training and assistance.

The HNI-focused PMS segment has witnessed significant growth in recent years. According to SEBI data, PMS assets, excluding EPFO and provident fund money, have crossed ₹10 lakh crore, compared with approximately ₹5 lakh crore in FY21.

Meanwhile, the client base has also expanded to around 2.2 lakh, according to SEBI and APMI data. In addition, SEBI has simplified PMS distribution by introducing formal registration for distributors through the APRN framework.

As MFDs’ clients increasingly reach the investment threshold required for PMS, partners have often needed to manage those relationships through separate and disconnected systems. AssetPlus aims to address this gap by enabling partners to manage their clients’ PMS relationships directly through its platform instead of transferring them to another system.

“Some of our partners have worked with the same client since AssetPlus’s earliest years, when their first investment was a modest SIP,” said Vishranth Suresh, Co-founder and CEO, AssetPlus. “A decade on, that client’s wealth has grown many times over, and with PMS, so has their partner’s ability to serve them. That’s the kind of platform we want AssetPlus to be: one that partners build their entire practice on, not just where they start.”

Unlike mutual funds, which follow a pooled investment structure, PMS provides clients with individually managed portfolios based on their financial goals and risk profiles. A SEBI-registered Portfolio Manager manages these portfolios, while the investments remain directly held in the client’s demat account.

Through the new PMS offering, AssetPlus partners receive end-to-end NISM Series-XXI-A certification training and support through AssetPlus Academy, helping them prepare for PMS distribution.

Furthermore, the platform provides a single dashboard and app for partners and clients, covering the entire journey from onboarding to reporting.

AssetPlus also offers daily portfolio updates, including holdings, performance, and valuation, through a single view. The company claims this feature marks a first for PMS distribution platforms in India.

As mandated by SEBI, PMS requires a minimum investment of ₹50 lakh. The offering operates under the SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2020, while the respective Portfolio Managers provide disclosure documents and regulatory information.

“Every Portfolio Manager reports holdings and valuations in a different format; most systems reconcile that periodically,” said Awanish Raj, Co-founder and CTO, AssetPlus. “We built AssetPlus PMS to reconcile it daily instead, so partners and clients see an updated portfolio every day, not once a month. That makes us the first PMS distribution platform in India to do it, and it’s the piece we spent the most engineering time getting right.”

AssetPlus currently works with more than 22,000 MFD partners across India. Together, these partners manage over ₹9,000 crore in assets under management, operate a monthly SIP book exceeding ₹150 crore, and serve approximately 2 lakh investing customers.

Since its founding in 2016, AssetPlus has expanded beyond mutual fund distribution into insurance, NPS, LAMF, CFDs, and SIFs. With the launch of PMS, the company has added another service to its growing wealth management ecosystem.

Ultimately, the PMS offering, supported by AssetPlus Academy’s certification training, represents the company’s latest effort to help MFD partners serve clients throughout every stage of their wealth management journey.

PayPal lays off around 600 employees in India amid global restructuring

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PayPal Holdings has reportedly laid off hundreds of employees across multiple teams in India as the American fintech giant restructures its global workforce to reduce costs, people familiar with the matter said.

The job cuts have affected teams across technology, engineering, operations, payments, and finance, among other functions, at PayPal’s offices in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, according to multiple sources.

PayPal India employs more than 6,000 people, which means the reported layoffs could represent a significant reduction in its overall workforce.

However, a PayPal spokesperson, responding to queries on Thursday, said the company reduced its India headcount by approximately 220 employees on August 31. “This is a 4 percent reduction of our India employee headcount,” the spokesperson said.

“We didn’t get any prior notice. We got an invite to join a call on Monday morning (August 31), and there were many employees on it from across offices in India. We were informed that we would be let go. Right after the call, our access was immediately revoked,” one of the impacted employees said.

The employee added, “After that we only got an off-boarding email informing us about the further process. We are getting some job assistance and were promised one month’s salary as severance pay. But we are yet to hear back on that and the full and final settlement.”

Meanwhile, another employee said they received a direct email on Monday morning informing them that the company had terminated their employment.

The PayPal spokesperson stated, “The recent staffing changes are part of our previously announced multi-year transformation to simplify our global operations, strengthen execution, and position the company for long-term growth. Decisions like these are never easy. We recognize the impact they have on our employees and are committed to supporting them through this transition.”

According to several media reports, PayPal has been carrying out the layoffs in phases. The process reportedly began in the Asia-Pacific region, including India, before the company held meetings with affected employees across the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa on Monday.

In Ireland, PayPal reportedly laid off around 164 employees on the same day, affecting approximately 12 percent of its workforce in the country.

The latest job cuts follow the company’s management announcement in May 2026, when PayPal revealed plans to reduce its global workforce by 20 percent over the next two to three years. Through the restructuring initiative, the company aims to generate at least $1.5 billion in gross run-rate savings during the same period.

As of the end of 2025, PayPal employed around 23,800 people globally. Therefore, a 20 percent workforce reduction could potentially impact approximately 4,760 roles.

PayPal opened its first development centre in Chennai in 2008. The centre serves as the company’s largest technology hub outside the United States and focuses on core payment platforms, cloud infrastructure, mobile experiences, and distributed computing.

The company later opened its second centre in Bengaluru, which operates as an innovation lab and works on advanced technologies, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and data science.

In addition, PayPal opened its third technology hub in Hyderabad in 2019. The facility focuses on risk management, fraud prevention, and data science to support small and medium-sized businesses.

PayPal’s layoffs have also added to concerns surrounding India’s distressed GCC workforce. Earlier this week, Oracle reportedly started another round of job cuts that could impact nearly 3,000 employees in India.

India’s GCC sector witnessed a significant wave of restructuring in 2025, with global parent companies cutting more than 6,000 jobs. Companies have increasingly responded to macroeconomic pressures and accelerated their shift towards AI-led efficiency instead of traditional headcount-driven growth.

SLH adds Dharana at Shillim and 6 global retreats to its wellbeing collection

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has expanded its Wellbeing Collection by adding seven new properties, taking the portfolio to 21 independently operated hotels worldwide. The expansion comes one year after SLH launched the collection.

Introduced in 2025, the Wellbeing Collection brings together hotels that offer wellness experiences beyond conventional spa treatments. Instead, these properties focus on physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing while integrating nature, nutrition, local culture, thoughtful design, and destination-specific wellness practices into the overall guest experience.

The latest additions span India, Indonesia, Romania, Panama, Finland, Italy, and Costa Rica. Consequently, each property offers a distinct approach to wellness influenced by the culture, landscape, and traditions of its respective destination.

Among the latest additions is Dharana at Shillim in Pune, which combines modern diagnostics with Ayurveda, therapeutic nutrition, yoga, and breathwork. Located within the UNESCO-listed Sahyadri Mountains, the wellness retreat offers an immersive experience surrounded by forests, lakes, and hills.

Dharana at Shillim develops personalised wellness programmes based on detailed assessments of sleep, nutrition, movement, recovery, and metabolic health. The property features 99 villas and follows an earth-to-table philosophy through its dining programme.

Green Table offers personalised wellness-focused menus, while Ojas serves local and international cuisine. Meanwhile, Vyoma provides lighter dining options using produce sourced from the retreat’s gardens and neighbouring farms.

SLH has also added REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort in Bali, which combines functional fitness, hydrotherapy, and mindfulness with traditional Balinese healing practices. Similarly, Zabola Estate in Transylvania offers wellness experiences through woodland walks, horse riding, and wildlife encounters.

Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort in Panama focuses on surfing, yoga, and curated dining experiences. Meanwhile, Skýra Retreat in Finland incorporates traditional sauna rituals, cold-water immersion, and forest bathing into its wellness offerings.

In South Tyrol, Hotel Saltus combines its alpine setting with a Forest Spa, panoramic Sky Pools, and nature-focused experiences. Additionally, The Retreat Costa Rica, located on a crystal-quartz mountain, offers yoga, sound healing, wellness-focused cuisine, and mountain hiking experiences.

The seven new properties join existing members of the SLH Wellbeing Collection, including Acro Suites in Crete, Namia River Retreat in Hoi An, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, and Rio Perdido in Costa Rica.

Through the expanded Wellbeing Collection, SLH aims to highlight diverse approaches to wellness tourism. Moreover, the collection focuses on experiences that draw inspiration from the culture, natural landscapes, and traditional practices of individual destinations.

VAHDAM India’s net profit soars over 6X to Rs 32-Cr in FY26

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VAHDAM India, a direct-to-consumer wellness brand, delivered a strong financial performance in FY26 and significantly improved its profitability after achieving profitability for the first time in FY25. The company reported a more than sixfold increase in net profit during the fiscal year, driven by robust growth in international sales, particularly in its key overseas market, the United States.

VAHDAM India’s revenue from operations grew 31 percent year-on-year to Rs 349.6 crore in FY26 from Rs 267.5 crore in FY25. The company continued to benefit from rising demand for its wellness products across domestic and international markets.

Founded as a global wellness brand, VAHDAM India offers a diverse range of teas, herbal infusions, and nutritional supplements. The company directly sources its products from farms across India and sells them in domestic and international markets, including the United States, Canada, and several European countries. Moreover, revenue from product sales remained the company’s primary source of income during the fiscal year.

International markets continued to serve as VAHDAM India’s largest revenue driver, contributing nearly 96 percent of its total operating revenue. Overseas sales generated Rs 335.3 crore in FY26, highlighting the company’s strong presence across global markets. Additionally, VAHDAM India recorded Rs 10.2 crore in non-operating revenue, taking its total income for the year to Rs 359.8 crore.

As the company continued to invest in expansion and customer acquisition, advertising and promotional activities emerged as its largest expense category. VAHDAM India spent Rs 95.9 crore on marketing and promotional initiatives during FY26, marking a 65 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, transportation also remained a major cost component, with logistics expenses reaching Rs 70 crore.

The cost of materials consumed increased 32 percent year-on-year to Rs 63.4 crore, primarily due to higher sales volumes and continued business expansion. Furthermore, employee benefit expenses rose 30 percent to Rs 35 crore, including Rs 3.76 crore towards employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) costs. The company also spent Rs 28.9 crore on commissions paid to selling agents.

Despite higher operating expenses, VAHDAM India leveraged strong revenue growth to significantly improve its profitability. Net profit surged to Rs 32.2 crore in FY26 from Rs 5.2 crore in the previous fiscal year, largely supported by increasing demand across international markets.

The company also strengthened several key financial indicators during the year. Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) increased to 9.5 percent, while its EBITDA margin reached 5 percent. In addition, EBITDA grew 2.7 times year-on-year to Rs 17.5 crore, reflecting stronger operating performance and improved scale efficiencies.

From an operational perspective, VAHDAM India spent Rs 0.96 to generate every rupee of operating revenue during FY26. This performance indicates improved cost management despite the company’s continued investments in marketing, customer acquisition, and business expansion.

As of March 2026, VAHDAM India reported current assets worth Rs 154 crore, including approximately Rs 42 crore in cash and bank balances. Consequently, the company maintained a healthy liquidity position to support its future growth and expansion initiatives.

VAHDAM India has raised more than $40 million in funding since its inception. The company also secured an additional $3 million investment last year in a funding round led by SIDBI Venture. Its investor base includes prominent venture capital firms such as Fireside Ventures, Sixth Sense Ventures, and IIFL Asset Management.

DocPharma raises $2 Mn to scale prescription-compliant quick commerce network across India

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Saquib Ali, Shashank Rai, and Sagar Chauhan, cofounders, DocPharma

DocPharma, a prescription-compliant quick commerce supply chain platform for the healthcare sector, has raised $2 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Equentis. Meanwhile, existing investors 100Unicorns, Vinners, and a consortium of strategic angel investors also participated in the round.

The company will use the fresh capital to establish 100 new compliant and licensed dark stores as it expands its presence from more than 12 cities to over 50 cities. Consequently, this expansion will strengthen the infrastructure that currently supports more than 30 health and wellness platforms across India, DocPharma said in a press release.

Founded in 2023 by Saquib Ali, Shashank Rai, and Sagar Chauhan, DocPharma operates as a backend supply chain platform for healthcare businesses. In addition, its network of licensed dark stores, DocPharma One SaaS platform, AI-powered inventory management system, and prescription-compliant fulfilment infrastructure support more than 30 healthcare and wellness platforms.

Furthermore, the company serves businesses across several categories, including e-pharmacies, health insurers, corporate wellness providers, hospitals, D2C wellness and nutraceutical brands, and pet care companies. Through its infrastructure, DocPharma enables these platforms to deliver medicines and healthcare products to consumers without requiring them to develop and manage their own supply chains.

The Bengaluru-based startup currently operates across more than 12 cities and has fulfilled over 800,000 orders, achieving a fulfilment rate of more than 95%. Moreover, DocPharma said its operations have impacted more than 500,000 lives across India.

DocPharma also said its proprietary SaaS platform combines warehouse management, inventory intelligence, order management, and fulfilment through a single operating system. As a result, the platform offers real-time inventory visibility, directs orders to the nearest compliant fulfilment centre, and supports prescription-compliant processing.

The funding arrives as healthcare supply chain and quick commerce companies continue to expand across India. At the same time, these businesses increasingly focus on delivering medicines faster while meeting the regulatory requirements associated with pharmaceutical fulfilment.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru-based pharmacy-first quick commerce startup Plazza raised $15 million in a Series A funding round in July. Accel, Elevation Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners co-led the round. The company plans to deploy the funding to strengthen its AI-driven inventory intelligence, supply chain capabilities, and pharmacy network. Additionally, Plazza aims to offer medicine deliveries within 15 to 30 minutes.

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