Ramee Hotels signs 100-key resort in Karjat

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November 19, 2025

Ramee Hotels has signed a new 100-key resort in Karjat as part of its focused expansion throughout Maharashtra. Blue Neck Group and Ramee Hotels are developing the project in its greenfield phase.

Sharing his views on the announcement, Raj Shetty, Founder, Chairman & Managing Worker, Ramee Group, said, “Ramee Hotels has always focused on building destinations that resonate with today’s travellers. Karjat offers tremendous potential, and this new resort will be developed with the same passion and commitment that define our brand. We look forward to creating a landmark destination that welcomes families, corporates, and holidaymakers alike.”

The resort’s design blends leisure, celebration, and lifestyle elements while it sits amid Karjat’s lush mountain scenery and overlooks cascading waterfalls. Moreover, the plan features expansive open lawns, landscaped activity zones, exclusive event and party areas, an elevated terrace, and a swimming pool crafted to elevate guest experiences.

The project will further include contemporary dining venues along with well-planned recreational amenities that cater to a diverse group of travellers. Its design and offerings position it as a strong choice for vacations, celebrations, corporate offsites, and weekend escapes for visitors from nearby metropolitan areas.

Commenting on the development, Saurabh Gahoi, Senior Vice President, Ramee Group of Hotels, said, “Karjat is becoming one of Maharashtra’s most sought-after leisure and celebration destinations. This signing is an important step in our growth strategy as we continue expanding into high-potential markets. Our collaboration with Blue Neck Group reflects our commitment to creating properties that bring together exceptional hospitality, thoughtful design, and meaningful guest experiences.”

With this agreement, the group continues strengthening its presence in high-demand destinations, driven by increasing interest in leisure and MICE travel. Additionally, Karjat’s rising reputation as a preferred short-break getaway aligns strongly with Ramee Hotels’ broader expansion strategy in Maharashtra.

Kraken valued at $20 Billion after new fundraise

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November 19, 2025

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Crypto exchange Kraken announced on Tuesday that its latest fundraise values the company at $20 billion, marking a 33% jump in less than two months, as investor appetite for digital asset companies continues to grow.

The company closed an $800 million dual-tranche round, boosted by a crypto-friendly regulatory stance under U.S. President Trump, which has motivated digital asset platforms to expand in the U.S. with expectations of clearer rules. Kraken’s primary tranche was backed by major institutional players including Jane Street, HSG, Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management, and Tribe Capital — the latter co-founded by Kraken’s co-CEO Arjun Sethi.

In the second tranche, Citadel Securities injected $200 million as a strategic investment.

This round pushes Kraken’s valuation far above its newly listed public peers Bullish and Gemini, both of which have struggled after strong debut sessions on U.S. exchanges, highlighting ongoing hurdles for crypto companies navigating public markets as the sector aims for mainstream traction.

The update also arrives at a moment when crypto prices are dipping after an extended rally led by bitcoin, influenced by uncertainty over future U.S. rate cuts and a more risk-averse sentiment among investors.

Kraken has been directing capital toward expansion across multiple asset classes and increasing its user base. Just last month, it revealed the acquisition of futures exchange Small Exchange from IG Group for $100 million, setting the stage for a fully U.S.-based derivatives offering.

Industry peers like Gemini, Coinbase, and Ripple have likewise gained from reduced regulatory pressure under President Trump, who, along with his family, has been an active participant in this emerging financial sector.

ANSR and ServiceNow launch AI-enabled GCC platform 1Hub

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November 18, 2025

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ANSR and ServiceNow launch AI-enabled GCC platform 1Hub — Vikram Ahuja, Co-founder and Managing Director, ANSR

ANSR, a global capability centre (GCC) solutions firm, has partnered with ServiceNow to launch 1Hub, an AI-driven command-and-control platform designed specifically for GCCs.

According to the company, 1Hub will function as a unified control centre for GCC operations, enabling enterprises to manage workflows across HR, finance, and operations from a single dashboard. The platform will support companies as they set up, run, and scale their global operations.

As organisations expand internationally, they often struggle to maintain consistent operations and unified data across locations while adapting systems for local processes, workflows, and compliance needs.

“AI is redefining how enterprises operate their GCCs. With 1Hub, we are delivering a single AI-powered command and control centre that enables companies to be up and running in under 45 days, with complete global systems integration and local compliance readiness,” said Vikram Ahuja, co-founder and managing director of ANSR.

The company noted that 1Hub has already onboarded more than 10,000 users and claimed that enterprises can establish fully integrated GCCs in under 45 days, complete with global connectivity and local compliance alignment.

Powered by ServiceNow AI Agents, the platform enhances efficiency across multiple functions, including employee onboarding, personalised learning and development, automated expense handling, procurement workflows, and HR and IT support.

1Hub also includes a centralised monitoring hub that manages and tracks all GCC operations and key metrics in real time. Its control tower provides end-to-end visibility across GCC functions and benchmarks performance against industry standards to ensure efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, Managing Director and GVP, ServiceNow India, said, “ANSR’s new app, built on the ServiceNow AI Platform, works with customers to seamlessly integrate customizable agentic AI capabilities that bring data and workflows together to accelerate enterprise transformation.”

NBCC sells 432 homes to AU Real Estate for Rs 1,069-Cr

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November 18, 2025

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NBCC sells 432 homes to AU Real Estate for Rs 1,069-Cr — Ashish Agarwal, Director, AU Real Estate

State-run NBCC Ltd. has completed the sale of 432 residential units in Aspire Leisure Valley and Aspire Centurion Park for Rs 1,069 crore to AU Real Estate, a developer based in the NCR region. NBCC will use the proceeds from this bulk sale to repay bank loans and reduce funding requirements for its ongoing projects.

With this transaction, NBCC’s cumulative collections from the bulk sale of residential units across various Amrapali project auctions have crossed Rs 10,000 crore.

In May 2025, AU Real Estate also acquired the selling rights for Aspire Silicon City for Rs 1,467.93 crore.

Following the latest acquisition, AU Real Estate has launched Aspire Leisure Valley in Greater Noida West, offering the project at an introductory price of Rs 7,979 per sq. ft.

“At Leisure Valley, focus is on elevating everyday living,” said Ashish Agarwal, Director, AU Real Estate.

Aspire Leisure Valley is part of NBCC Leisure Valley, located in Techzone IV, Greater Noida West, just a minute from D-Mart and around ten minutes from Central Noida. The project includes residential towers featuring 3BHK homes measuring 2,176 sq. ft. and 2,188 sq. ft.

The development benefits from strong connectivity through the Noida–Greater Noida Link Road and NH-24, while offering easy access to Sector 51 Metro Station (Aqua Line), the upcoming Gaur Chowk metro station, Ghaziabad Railway Station, IGI Airport, and the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar. The area’s retail, healthcare, and educational infrastructure further enhances its appeal.

NBCC is responsible for delivering more than 41,000 sold and 5,000 unsold units across over 20 stalled Amrapali projects, totaling around 46,000 homes.

NBCC has appointed construction partners for all impacted sites, and work is underway across every project.

The latest bulk sale further strengthens NBCC’s progress in reviving stalled Amrapali projects and underscores the growing confidence of developers like AU Real Estate in the region’s potential. As connectivity, infrastructure, and demand continue to improve, Greater Noida’s real estate market is poised for sustained growth, making these developments increasingly attractive to homebuyers and investors alike.

BigHaat set to raise INR 37-Cr in extended Series C funding round

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November 18, 2025

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BigHaat set to raise INR 37-Cr in extended Series C funding round — L-R: Sachin Nandwana, Sateesh Nukala, and Kiran Vunnam, co-founders, BigHaat

Bengaluru-based full-stack agritech platform BigHaat is preparing to raise approximately INR 37 crore (USD 4.1 million) from its existing investors through an extension of its Series C round.

Recent filings with the Registrar of Companies indicate that the startup has approved a special resolution to issue 3,39,450 Series C2 preference shares at INR 1,090 per share.

The extended round is being led by JM Financial India, which will contribute INR 15 crore. Existing investors Ashish Ramesh Kacholia and Suresh Kumar Agarwal are each set to invest INR 10 crore. Additionally, several individual investors—including Neeraj Chaudhary, Kapil Dave, Usha Sharma, and Pramod Kumar Lahoty—along with other angel backers, will join the round.

According to the filings, the company will use the fresh capital to meet working capital requirements, fund ongoing capital expenditure, and support general corporate purposes to maintain its current growth trajectory.

Founded in January 2015 by Sateesh Nukala, Sachin Nandwana, and Kiran Vunnam, BigHaat runs a digital agriculture platform that provides farmers with a wide selection of inputs, including seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, nutrients, and farm equipment. The platform also delivers advisory services on crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns, accessible through its mobile app, website, and phone support in multiple regional languages.

Beyond advisory, BigHaat oversees distribution, marketing, and operational support across various agricultural segments.

To date, the company has raised around USD 26 million, which includes an INR 100 crore round led by JM Financial in January 2022.

Agentic AI startup Pype AI raises $1.2 Mn in funding

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November 18, 2025

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Agentic AI startup Pype AI raises $1.2 Mn in funding — [L-R] Ashish Tripathy & Dhruv Mehra, Co-founders of Pype AI

Pype AI, an AI-powered front desk platform for hospitals and clinics, has raised $1.2 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Kalaari Capital, with additional participation from Wyser Capital and Tenity.

The newly secured capital will help the company strengthen its healthcare communication system and drive its expansion into the US market.

Founded in 2024 by Dhruv Mehra and Ashish Tripathy, Pype AI develops voice-based AI agents that automate key administrative functions, including appointment scheduling, follow-ups, treatment preparation, and 24/7 patient support. The team trains these agents on medical conversational datasets to ensure accurate, empathetic interactions.

The startup has also introduced Whispey, an open-source observability platform featuring more than 40 evaluations to ensure compliance and performance. By integrating with hospital electronic medical record systems, Pype AI helps reduce missed appointments, lower operational costs, and enhance patient retention.

Currently deployed across multiple Indian healthcare institutions, Pype AI says it now automates over 85% of patient queries. The company is integrating with major systems such as Zocdoc, Epic, and Cerner, and onboarding clinic networks in the United States.

Looking ahead, the startup aims to partner with over 50 hospitals and clinic chains by mid-2026, and furthermore, it is collaborating with medical professionals to publish research on AI-driven improvements in patient adherence.

Blackstone eyes major stake in JPIS Operator, plans $600–700 Mn education platform

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November 18, 2025

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Blackstone eyes major stake in JPIS Operator, plans $600–700 Mn education platform — Jayshree Periwal, Founder and Chairperson-Jayshree Periwal Group Of Schools

US private equity giant Blackstone is reportedly in discussions to acquire a majority stake in Jaipur-based Globetrotters Educational Innoventions, the operator of Jayshree Periwal International School (JPIS), according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

As part of this deal and other planned acquisitions, Blackstone aims to build a large-scale education platform with a total investment of $600–700 million (Rs 5,317–6,203 crore), one person said.

“The talks with Globetrotters are at an early stage, but the initial conversations are centered around the fund investing $150-200 million,” a second person noted. “The final deal contours could change as the negotiations proceed.”

Post-acquisition, Blackstone will work on expanding JPIS beyond Rajasthan while keeping the schools under the existing leadership of founder and chairperson Jayshree Periwal and CEO Ayush Periwal, the person added.

Blackstone, which manages $50 billion in Indian assets, has prior exposure to the education sector. In 2021, it acquired a controlling stake in edtech firm Simplilearn for $250 million and also invested in Aakash Educational Services, later selling the stake to Byju’s in a cash-and-stock deal estimated at $950 million.

The proposed JPIS acquisition mirrors Blackstone’s strategy in the healthcare sector, where it acquired CARE Hospitals and KIMS Health for a combined $1 billion. The firm also created an EV-focused automotive tech platform with Sona BLW Precision Forging and Comstar Automotive Technologies.

Globetrotters currently operates the flagship JPIS in Jaipur and six preschools. The institution, founded in 2011, previously operated as Step by Step International School and now follows the IB curriculum.

Step by Step Shiksha Samiti, run by the Periwal family, manages two additional schools in Jaipur, but the deal will likely exclude them since private equity firms cannot directly invest in schools or educational societies in India.

Globetrotters recorded operating revenue of Rs 135.2 crore in FY25, up 16%, as per the latest RoC filings. Net profit jumped to Rs 22.5 crore from Rs 10.7 crore in FY24.

India’s education space has seen significant private equity interest earlier as well. In 2019, KKR acquired Eurokids for about $200 million from Gaja Capital. Although KKR explored selling Eurokids last year, it stepped back, seeing strong growth potential in the sector. Meanwhile, homegrown investors Kedaara Capital and Peak XV Partners hold stakes in K12 Techno Services, the operator of Orchids International School.

Hoopr raises Rs 4-Cr fresh capital in extended pre-Series A round

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November 17, 2025

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Hoopr raises Rs 4-Cr fresh capital in extended pre-Series A round — Gaurav Dagaonkar and Meghna Mittal, co-founders, Hoopr

Music licensing platform Hoopr has secured Rs 4 crore in the first tranche of its extended pre-Series A round, led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) with participation from several family offices and existing investors.

The startup is also in advanced discussions with additional investors to expand the round further. This funding values Hoopr at Rs 160 crore post-money and increases its total capital raised to Rs 18 crore.

According to the company’s press release, the new capital will support the continued growth of Hoopr Smash, enhance product innovation, expand its team, and accelerate its global footprint.

Founded in 2021 by Gaurav Dagaonkar and Meghna Mittal, Hoopr operates a music licensing marketplace featuring over 12,000 copyright-free music tracks and sound effects for creators and brands. The platform also provides income opportunities for musicians by sharing half of the licensing fees after covering initial costs.

Hoopr Smash includes advanced discovery features, curated playlists, and fast licensing tools that help users find the right track effortlessly. By offering legally safe music in just a few clicks, the platform enables creators and brands to lift the quality of their content while ensuring transparent artist compensation.

Hoopr has onboarded more than 30,000 creators—such as Chef Ranveer Brar, Ashish Vidyarthi, Tanya Khanijow, Mr. Indian Hacker, Flying Beast, and Rajesh Rawani—along with over 180 B2B clients, including Myntra, Marico, Sony LIV, Mumbai Indians, Meesho, Himalaya, and Cadbury.

The Mumbai-based company has forged key partnerships with Yash Raj Films Music, Universal Music, Saga Music, Merchant Records, and Adobe, while collaborating closely with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS). Over the past three years, Hoopr has worked with more than 300 independent artists across 21 regional labels and distributed over Rs 4.5 crore in royalties.

Suba Hotels Limited posts strong H1 FY26 performance

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November 17, 2025

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Suba Hotels Limited posts strong H1 FY26 performance — Mansur Mehta, founder and Managing Director of Suba Hotels

Suba Hotels Limited announced its financial results for the half year ending 30 September 2025.

The company recorded a 52 percent YoY increase in revenue from operations, reaching Rs 43.79 crore. This growth was supported by strong demand recovery, higher occupancy, and improved property performance in major markets, according to the company’s release.

EBITDA rose 45 percent YoY to Rs 8.65 crore, driven by effective cost management and sustained operational momentum.

Net profit climbed to Rs 5.24 crore, reflecting a 58 percent YoY increase.

The net profit margin widened to 11.97 percent, showcasing stronger operational leverage.

Diluted EPS surged to Rs 3.00, marking 249 percent YoY growth, boosted by both operational gains and portfolio expansion.

During H1 FY26, Suba Hotels expanded its footprint in Northern and Southern India. The company signed a Term Sheet to lease and operate a 132-room property in Madhapur, Hyderabad, under the “Click Hotels by Suba” brand—its fourth property in the city. Located near HITEC City–Mindspace, the hotel primarily serves corporate travellers, ensuring steady demand.

Additionally, Suba Hotels announced the opening of Quality Inn Rama, a 44-room midscale hotel in Ayodhya, strengthening its presence in one of India’s fastest-growing pilgrimage destinations. The hotel features SATVIK Jain cuisine, an in-house temple, banquet facilities, and accessibility support for differently-abled guests.

Commenting on the performance, Mansur Mehta, managing director, said, “H1 FY26 marks one of our strongest half-yearly performances, with significant growth across revenue, EBITDA, and profitability. Our asset-light, capital-efficient expansion continues to drive margins and scalability. With new signings across Hyderabad and Ayodhya, we are growing sustainably across both corporate and religious tourism hubs.”

Suba Hotels Limited now manages over 125 properties—operational and upcoming—and has established a presence across more than 72 destinations, offering over 5,800 keys in India and the Middle East, the release noted.

WelcomHeritage strengthens portfolio with new Arka Resort & Spa in Rishikesh

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November 17, 2025

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WelcomHeritage strengthens portfolio with new Arka Resort & Spa in Rishikesh — Ashutosh Chhibba, CEO, WelcomHeritage Hotels

WelcomHeritage has introduced the WelcomHeritage Arka Resort and Spa in Rishikesh, a hillside retreat set against the Shivalik range. Spanning 3.5 acres at an altitude of 4,300 feet, the property sits at Patti Talla in Village Kund Silogi on Lansdowne Road in Yamkeshwar.

The location offers views of natural ponds, mountain landscapes, and the point where the Ganges flows into the plains. Moreover, travelers approaching from Tapovan pass through Rajaji National Park, an area known for birdlife, deer, and the occasional leopard sighting.

Speaking about the launch, Ashutosh Chhibba, CEO, WelcomHeritage Hotels, said, “WelcomHeritage Arka Resort & Spa represents our continued commitment to curating meaningful stays in India’s most inspiring landscapes. Rishikesh has long been a destination for wellness, spirituality, and adventure, and Arka is designed to complement this setting with thoughtful hospitality, contemporary comforts, and a deep connection to nature. We believe the resort will resonate with travelers seeking tranquillity as well as those looking to explore the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.”

Arka’s design takes inspiration from the five elements of nature. The resort includes twenty-five chalets across four categories, with one luxury unit offering a private pool. Tudor-style structures, pine-log ceilings, and minimalist interiors create a modern mountain feel, paired with amenities such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, heating, and essential in-room comforts.

Dining options feature a multi-cuisine restaurant serving regional, international, Sattvik, vegan, and Pahari dishes, along with a bar offering cocktails, spirits, and wines. Furthermore, a spa based on Vedic and Ayurvedic treatments will open soon. In addition, the resort offers facilities such as a swimming pool, yoga room, nature trails, and birdwatching areas.

Event spaces at the resort can accommodate gatherings ranging from fifty to four hundred guests. With easy access to Patna Waterfalls, Laxman Jhula, and popular rafting points, the resort introduces a new stay option for leisure travellers as well as spiritual and adventure enthusiasts.

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