Slurrp Farm explores fresh fundraise as existing investors seek exit

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October 3, 2026

Slurrp Farm explores fresh fundraise as existing investors seek exit — Meghana Narayan and Shauravi Malik, co-founders, Slurrp Farm

Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma-backed healthy snacking and breakfast cereal brand Slurrp Farm is exploring a fresh fundraise as some existing investors consider selling their holdings, according to people familiar with the development.

The company has entered early-stage discussions with potential investors amid growing investor interest in the healthy snacking segment. However, the company has not yet finalised the size or structure of the proposed transaction, including the quantum of stake that it may sell.

“Slurrp Farm is in talks for a large fundraise which may include offloading a significant minority stake, while details around valuation are in the process of being discussed,” said one of the persons cited above. “A majority stake sale is also a possibility, depending on the valuation.”

Meanwhile, Meghana Narayan and Shauravi Malik co-founded Slurrp Farm around a decade ago and built the brand around the growing demand for healthier everyday food products. The company initially focused on incorporating supergrains such as finger millet, sorghum, and oats into products, including cake mixes and breakfast batters.

Over the years, Slurrp Farm has expanded its presence in the healthy snacking and breakfast foods segment. Consequently, the brand has attracted investors and consumer interest as demand for healthier packaged food continues to grow.

According to Tracxn data, Slurrp Farm reached a valuation of ₹827 crore during its Series C5 funding round in August. The company’s investor base includes angel investors such as Anushka Sharma, former IndiGo executive and Akasa Air cofounder Aditya Ghosh, and investor Ashish Dhawan.

Together, these angel investors hold approximately 4.2% of Slurrp Farm, according to the available data. The potential transaction could therefore provide some existing shareholders with an opportunity to exit while potentially bringing additional capital into the company.

Cybersecurity startup Zaperon raises ₹7-Cr to scale AI security platform

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October 1, 2026

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Cybersecurity startup Zaperon raises ₹7-Cr to scale AI security platform — Vineet Gupta and Sachin Aggarwal, co-founders, Zaperon

Cybersecurity startup Zaperon has raised ₹7 crore in a seed funding round led by Inflexion Point Ventures (IPV). The company will use the fresh capital to strengthen its product capabilities, develop enterprise-grade AI security frameworks, and expand its operations across India and the US.

Founded in 2021 by Vineet Gupta and Sachin Aggarwal, Zaperon is developing a unified cybersecurity platform for the emerging Agentic AI ecosystem. The platform focuses on securing both human and non-human identities while controlling their access to sensitive data and cloud infrastructure.

Moreover, Zaperon brings identity security, data security, and AI governance together on a single platform. As a result, enterprises can manage how users, applications, and AI agents access and interact with sensitive information and critical digital infrastructure.

The startup serves enterprises across banking, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and government sectors. In addition, Nasscom and MeitY have recognised Zaperon among innovative cybersecurity products.

“As enterprises move from experimenting with AI to deploying AI agents across critical workflows, securing the identities, access, and data associated with these systems is becoming increasingly important,” said Minal Shah, Principal – Southeast Asia, IPV.

Shah said Zaperon is responding to this evolving requirement through an integrated approach to identity and data security. She added that the company can leverage its existing enterprise experience to strengthen its AI security capabilities and expand into international markets.

Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Zaperon, said the company aims to develop a unified cybersecurity platform that protects enterprises against data breaches involving both human and non-human identities.

“We aim to make enterprise security more effective, accessible, and scalable, while enabling organisations globally to confidently adopt AI without compromising security,” Gupta said.

Zaperon said the convergence of identity security and data security represents an estimated $16 billion global market. According to the company, the market could reach $35 billion by 2030, driven by growing AI adoption and rising data leakage risks linked to non-human identities accessing enterprise applications and sensitive information.

Furthermore, Zaperon’s founding team brings experience from major technology and consulting companies. Gupta previously held product and engineering positions at VMware, Juniper Networks, and Norton, while Aggarwal has worked in corporate strategy and consulting roles at KPMG, POSCO, and Kia Motors.

Meanwhile, IPV has invested more than ₹900 crore across over 280 startups. The angel investment platform backed 16 startups during the first quarter of 2026 and has more than 9,600 CXOs, HNIs, and professionals participating in its network.

Kumar Sangakkara’s Crystal Property Group Opens Sri Lanka’s Branded Residences to Indian Buyers

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October 1, 2026

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Kumar Sangakkara's Crystal Property Group Opens Sri Lanka's Branded Residences to Indian Buyers — Kumar Sangakkara, Chairman, Crystal Property Group

Chairman Kumar Sangakkara and CEO Reza Magdon-Ismail offer fully serviced and income-generating coastal homes as an accessible international alternative for Indian investors.

For Indian investors seeking luxury second homes, traditional domestic coastal havens are becoming increasingly saturated and prohibitively priced. As buyers look further afield for exclusivity and better value, Sri Lanka has naturally emerged as a compelling alternative. Recognising this shift, Crystal Property Group (CPG), the luxury developer chaired by former Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, has officially opened its branded residence portfolio to the Indian market.

Founded by Sangakkara and Chief Executive Officer Reza Magdon-Ismail, CPG offers foreign buyers full freehold ownership of coastal and highland properties. It is a sophisticated international investment that sidesteps the congestion of domestic real estate markets while remaining just a short flight away. Sangakkara brings a long-standing interest in architecture and design to the board, and Reza has successfully navigated the island’s recent economic hurdles to build a reliable delivery track record.

Sangakkara believes that investor confidence relies entirely on dependable project execution. “Trust is the foundation of everything we do, and we aim to under-promise and over-deliver. For an Indian buyer evaluating Sri Lanka, the island’s natural appeal is already established. The decisive factor is whether the developer will deliver what was promised on schedule and support the property long term. That is the standard we hold ourselves to,” said Sangakkara.

Acquiring property across the Palk Strait is straightforward. Sri Lankan real estate regulations allow foreign nationals to hold full freehold titles on condominiums, provided the funds move through official Inward Investment Accounts (IIA) prior to completion. CPG’s developments, including the 45-unit Mira project on Weligama Bay, operate smoothly within this framework. Furthermore, the company’s standalone villa projects also provide freehold ownership so Indian buyers can secure beachfront land titles outright.

What truly separates these properties from a standard domestic holiday home is the operational model. Every CPG residence is delivered fully furnished and integrated directly into a working resort. Owners gain immediate access to complete hotel amenities alongside a dedicated rental programme that generates commercial yields while the property remains unoccupied. Unlike many standard branded residence schemes that enforce strict blackout dates, CPG allows owners unlimited personal use of their homes throughout the entire year.

This expansion is grounded in a proven portfolio of operating developments. Crystal Sands in Hikkaduwa opened as the south coast’s first fully serviced mid-rise project in May 2022 and completely sold out. Following this success, The Six, a collection of bespoke beachfront villas in Weligama priced at approximately USD 2 million each, sold half its inventory within two weeks of launch. Since opening in December 2023, The Six has maintained a 65 per cent occupancy rate and secured the highest average daily room rates in the country. In the lush central highlands, the Digana development offers wellness residences starting from USD 815,000, and Mira provides elegant suites right on Weligama Bay.

All hospitality operations are managed by The One Group of Hotels (TOGOH), which is CPG’s in-house management arm. This setup ensures continuous property maintenance and steady revenue generation. Reza points to the company’s ability to deliver during volatile market conditions as their most significant credential.

“We built and handed over keys through a currency collapse, a fuel crisis, and severe construction industry disruptions. That track record is the most meaningful credential we can present. Indian buyers have access to luxury options worldwide, so we do not ask them to speculate on macroeconomic conditions. Instead, we show them completed, income-producing properties that they can visit and inspect immediately,” said Reza.

CPG’s entry into the Indian market is naturally bolstered by Sangakkara’s enduring public profile across the subcontinent. His leadership offers a familiar sense of trust, while Reza oversees the operational delivery backed by three completed developments.

The geographic proximity further strengthens the proposition. Direct flights from Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi range between one and three and a half hours. This makes a beachfront villa in Sri Lanka quicker to reach from several Indian cities than comparable properties in domestic coastal markets, and it comes at a highly competitive price point.

Ultimately, the investment model removes the typical headaches of overseas real estate. The residences are fully serviced and generate passive income without demanding active management, and financial transactions follow clear statutory guidelines. For an investor looking beyond India’s familiar coastal markets, it presents a seamless transition into international property ownership.

About Crystal Property Group:

Crystal Property Group develops luxury residential and resort real estate across Sri Lanka’s south coast and central highlands. The company is chaired by Kumar Sangakkara and led by Chief Executive Officer Reza Magdon-Ismail. Hospitality operations across its portfolio are managed by its subsidiary, The One Group of Hotels.

AI hardware startup Flow Engineering secures $50 Mn to accelerate hardware design

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October 1, 2026

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AI hardware design startup Flow Engineering has raised $50 million in a Series B funding round at a valuation of $750 million, marking another major funding milestone for the three-year-old company.

The latest round was co-led by Antonio Gracias of Valar Equity Partners and Gavin Baker of Atreides Management. Meanwhile, Sequoia Capital, which led Flow Engineering’s Series A round in October 2025, also participated in the latest financing.

In addition, former Sequoia partner Roelof Botha invested in the company in his individual capacity and has joined Flow Engineering’s board. The company is using the fresh capital to advance its technology and make hardware development and iteration more efficient.

Based in San Francisco, Flow Engineering is developing AI-powered tools to address complex challenges in hardware design. Specifically, its AI agents automatically connect computer-aided design (CAD) drawings with product requirements, simulation results, and other testing data.

Consequently, the company aims to help hardware teams accelerate design iterations and bring development workflows closer to the speed associated with software engineering.

Flow Engineering counts several prominent companies among its customers. Its customer base includes Anduril, Rivian, Joby Aviation, General Motors PPU, RV Tech, Stoke Space, and other companies operating across automotive, aerospace, defence and mobility sectors.

General Motors PPU operates as a joint venture between General Motors and TWG Motorsports, while RV Tech operates as a joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen. Through its AI-driven platform, Flow Engineering is targeting companies that require faster and more integrated hardware development processes.

CPP Investments to invest ₹3,000-Cr in Prestige Hospitality Ventures

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October 1, 2026

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Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, through CPP Investment Board Private Holdings (4) Inc., will invest up to ₹3,000 crore in Prestige Hospitality Ventures Ltd (PHVL) and acquire an aggregate stake of approximately 27%, according to a regulatory filing by Prestige Estates Projects.

The investment will take place across three tranches and will combine a primary capital infusion into PHVL with a secondary purchase of shares from Prestige Estates Projects. Consequently, the transaction will provide both fresh capital to PHVL and proceeds to its parent company.

Under the first tranche, Prestige Estates will receive ₹950 crore by selling equity shares in PHVL to CPP Investments. At the same time, PHVL will raise another ₹550 crore by issuing Series A compulsorily convertible preference shares to CPP Investments.

Furthermore, PHVL will raise ₹750 crore each through the issuance of Series B and Series C compulsorily convertible preference shares under the second and third tranches, respectively.

Overall, Prestige Estates will receive ₹950 crore through the secondary share sale, while PHVL will secure ₹2,050 crore in fresh capital through the primary investment.

Following the completion of the transaction, CPP Investments will receive certain governance and affirmative voting rights in PHVL. Additionally, the transaction documents will provide CPP Investments with exit options through either an initial public offering of PHVL or a put option against Prestige Estates and PHVL after five years from the transaction’s completion.

CPP Investments said the transaction represents its first direct investment in India’s hospitality sector. Meanwhile, PHVL owns and develops luxury and premium hotels and maintains a development pipeline across Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

Separately, Prestige Estates Projects said it has issued a corporate guarantee for a loan facility of up to ₹400 crore that PHVL will avail from Axis Bank. The company has provided the guarantee to secure the borrowing of its wholly owned hospitality subsidiary.

Mahindra Lifespace targets ₹1,500-Cr revenue from Mumbai redevelopment

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October 1, 2026

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Real estate developer Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd has added three housing societies to its residential redevelopment portfolio in Mumbai, with the projects carrying a combined revenue potential of ₹1,500 crore from the saleable area.

According to a regulatory filing, the company has added two societies in Borivali to a redevelopment project and another society to an existing redevelopment project in Chembur.

Together, the three societies will generate a total revenue potential of ₹1,500 crore. Consequently, the latest additions will strengthen Mahindra Lifespace’s residential redevelopment presence across key locations in Mumbai.

Vimalendra Singh, Chief Business Officer, Residential, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., said, “Mumbai’s redevelopment market gives us an opportunity to grow our residential business in established locations while bringing our strong development track record to projects that meaningfully contribute to neighbourhoods.”

Furthermore, Singh said the three new societies will help the company expand its redevelopment portfolio across Mumbai. The company will continue to leverage redevelopment opportunities in established neighbourhoods as it grows its residential business.

Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd, the real estate arm of the Mahindra Group, operates as one of India’s prominent real estate developers. The company’s latest Mumbai additions further strengthen its focus on residential redevelopment in established urban markets.

Spree Hospitality expands India portfolio with 8 new hotels

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October 1, 2026

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Spree Hospitality has signed eight new properties during Q2 FY27, strengthening its presence across India’s business and leisure hospitality markets. The latest agreements mark another step in the company’s asset-light expansion strategy.

The newly signed properties span Kolhapur, Karjat, Pune, Jaisinghpur, Indapur, Goa, Zirakpur, and Angul. Consequently, Spree Hospitality will strengthen its footprint across established commercial hubs as well as emerging leisure and destination markets.

Moreover, most of these properties are expected to commence operations within the next six months. The company will therefore focus on preparing each property for a smooth launch while working closely with its hotel partners and operating teams.

Spree Hospitality is pursuing an asset-light growth model that centres on long-term partnerships with hotel owners. Through this approach, the company will bring its operating systems, brand standards, distribution network, and guest-centric practices to the newly signed properties.

In addition, the latest signings will expand the company’s presence across Maharashtra, Goa, Punjab, and Odisha. The properties will cater to a combination of business travellers, leisure guests, and destination-driven demand across these markets.

Sagar Khurana, Chief Operating Officer, Spree Hospitality, said, “Signing eight new properties in a single quarter is encouraging for us, but what is equally important is the quality of the partnerships we are building and the markets we are entering.

Our focus has always been on growing responsibly and building long-term relationships with our hotel partners. With most of these properties expected to open within the next six months, our immediate priority will be to work closely with our partners and teams to ensure smooth openings and establish each hotel strongly in its respective market.

As we continue to expand, we remain committed to our philosophy of DO MORE—for our guests, our hotel partners, and our people.”

Meanwhile, Spree Hospitality said the latest signings will further strengthen its operating platform across India. At the same time, the company will continue to prioritise hotel-owner partnerships and asset-light expansion as it grows its portfolio.

Peak XV Partners raises Surge Startup Investment Cap to $5 Million

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September 29, 2026

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Peak XV Partners, a major venture capital firm investing across India and Southeast Asia, has increased the amount it can invest in individual startups through Surge, its seed-stage investment platform. The firm, which manages more than $10 billion in assets, announced the latest Surge cohort featuring 18 startups.

At least three startups in the new cohort had secured external funding before entering Surge. In some cases, Peak XV had also invested in these companies earlier. Consequently, the new cohort, named Surge 12, marks the first group to operate under Peak XV’s increased investment limit of up to $5 million per startup, compared with the previous ceiling of $3 million.

Peak XV invested more than $50 million across the 18 companies in Surge 12. Meanwhile, the startups collectively raised more than $90 million in seed funding, according to the venture capital firm. Although Peak XV did not reveal its median cheque size, the firm confirmed that the median investment per startup has also increased.

“The bar to raise a Series A has gone up pretty significantly,” Rajan Anandan, managing director at Peak XV, said in an interview. He added that the firm is also seeing more capital-intensive companies, particularly in deeptech, that are raising larger rounds at the seed stage.

Moreover, Surge has continued to expand its international footprint with every new cohort. Anandan told TechCrunch that Surge 12 includes founders and startups operating across locations ranging from San Francisco to Sydney.

Only five of the 18 startups in the latest cohort primarily target the Indian market. However, more than half of the companies have built their operations in India while targeting customers in international markets. Therefore, the cohort highlights the growing gap between where startups build their businesses and where they seek customers.

Since Peak XV launched Surge in 2019, when the firm operated as Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia, the programme has backed more than 180 startups founded by entrepreneurs from over 18 nationalities. Furthermore, Peak XV said the 10 largest companies to emerge from these cohorts now generate more than $1 billion in combined annual revenue.

Anandan described Surge as Peak XV’s main channel for seed-stage investments. At the same time, the firm continues to support its portfolio companies as they raise subsequent funding rounds. According to Anandan, Surge generally attracts repeat founders, experienced operators, and highly specialised technical entrepreneurs.

Additionally, people who previously worked in established technology companies account for around 50% to 60% of a typical Surge cohort. This founder profile reflects Peak XV’s focus on experienced operators and specialised talent at the earliest stages of company building.

The Surge 12 startups cover a broad range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, space technology, consumer products, healthcare, music, and fintech. The cohort includes companies working on AI safety and personal computing, as well as autonomous robots designed to operate inside underground pipelines and satellites capable of detecting radio-frequency signals from orbit.

Overall, the latest cohort reflects Peak XV’s increased seed-stage investment capacity and Surge’s growing focus on globally oriented startups. With larger cheques and a wider geographic footprint, the programme continues to support early-stage companies across capital-intensive and technology-driven sectors.

Eco Hotels launches 58-Room Eco Satva Shirdi

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September 29, 2026

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Eco Hotels & Resorts Limited has launched Eco Satva Shirdi, a 58-room hotel in Shirdi, Maharashtra, strengthening its presence in the state and expanding its portfolio across pilgrimage, leisure, and business destinations in India.

With the new property, Eco Hotels has surpassed 280 operational rooms. Furthermore, the company plans to add a 52-room property in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in October and a 16-room boutique hotel in Ayodhya within the next 45 days. These additions could take the company’s portfolio to approximately 350 rooms ahead of Diwali.

Located on Nagar Manmad Road in Nimgaon, Korhale, Shirdi, Eco Satva Shirdi caters to travellers visiting the prominent pilgrimage destination. The property combines accommodation with a range of leisure and dining facilities designed to serve both pilgrims and other visitors.

The hotel features a swimming pool and several food and beverage outlets. These include Sahar, the company’s pure vegetarian Satvik restaurant, along with a rooftop restaurant and bar, EcoSip Café, and Pan Asian and Continental dining options.

The launch supports Eco Hotels & Resorts’ broader expansion strategy across pilgrimage, leisure, and business destinations. Moreover, the company is targeting markets with consistent travel demand and plans to develop properties according to the specific needs of each destination.

Shirdi attracts pilgrims throughout the year, and Eco Hotels plans to strengthen its presence in the market through the new property. The company expects the destination’s sustained visitor activity to support its hospitality operations.

Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Executive Chairman, Eco Hotels & Resorts Limited, said, “The launch of Eco Satva Shirdi is an important milestone in our expansion strategy. Shirdi has significant potential as a year-round pilgrimage and tourism destination, and we see an opportunity to build a strong hospitality presence by offering comfortable accommodation and differentiated food and beverage experiences. Our focus is on creating a scalable business platform that can support the company’s next phase of growth.”

Meanwhile, Vikram Doshi, Director Finance and CFO, Eco Hotels Group, said, “Shirdi is not only an important spiritual and pilgrimage destination but is also emerging as a promising business hub, with the Government of Maharashtra focusing on developing the region through the introduction of a new MIDC. With the growing economic and spiritual activity in the region, Eco Hotels is confident of driving stronger occupancy and improving ARR at the property.”

Nudge raises funding to build AI commerce platform

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September 29, 2026

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Nudge raises funding to build AI commerce platform — Meet Shah, co-founder and CEO of Nudge

Nudge, formerly known as BeBetta, has raised fresh funding led by the Adani Family Office as the company transitions from a sports-focused engagement business into an AI-native commerce and consumer intelligence platform.

The Adani Family Office, which serves as Nudge’s first institutional investor, has participated in two consecutive funding rounds. Jhaveri Credits and Capital Limited, along with several family offices and private investors from India and Dubai, also participated in the funding.

However, Bengaluru-based Nudge, operated by iSocial Sports Private Limited, has not disclosed the funding amount or its valuation, citing the investor’s private investment protocol. Meet Shah, co-founder and CEO of Nudge, said the company will use the new capital to strengthen its technology and data science capabilities while expanding its brand and merchant partnerships.

Meanwhile, Nudge is developing a WhatsApp-based ‘Nudge Agent’ that will enable consumers to capture, track, and manage their purchases without downloading an app. The company currently has more than 3.3 million monthly active users, 400,000 daily active users, and over 20 million lifetime installs. Furthermore, Nudge operates across more than 200 Indian cities and works with over 500 brand partners.

The platform allows users to scan purchase receipts from categories such as grocery, retail, dining, pharmacy, and online shopping. In return, users earn rewards that they can redeem through participating brands.

At the same time, Nudge is developing a consumer intelligence layer for brands using verified purchase data. The company converts receipts into structured, item-level insights from online and offline purchases. As a result, brands can gain a clearer understanding of actual consumer buying behaviour instead of relying mainly on impressions, clicks, and other intent-based signals.

“BeBetta gave us the opportunity to understand how to build daily consumer engagement at scale. With Nudge, we are applying that capability to a much larger opportunity, connecting everyday consumer purchases with rewards, commerce, and actionable intelligence for brands,” Shah said.

Shah also said receipts provide ‘a direct and consented view’ of consumer purchases across online and offline channels. Therefore, Nudge is now building the infrastructure required to turn this purchase data into useful products for both consumers and brands.

Going forward, Nudge plans to launch paid brand dashboards, outcome-priced campaign solutions, and intelligence products that use aggregated and de-identified purchase patterns. These offerings will help brands analyse consumer behaviour and make more data-driven decisions.

Over the next 12 to 24 months, the company plans to expand its consumer panel across additional cities and spending categories. In addition, Nudge intends to enter the MENA and Southeast Asian markets as it scales its AI-powered commerce and consumer intelligence platform.

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