Fuel Cycle Launches Global Capability Center in Mumbai to Advance AI-Powered Consumer Insights

September 24, 2026

National, India, 24th September, 2026: Fuel Cycle, a US-based AI-powered consumer insights and market research platform, today announced the opening of its Global Capability Center (GCC) in Navi Mumbai, marking an expansion of the company’s global technology and product operations. Located in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, the center will serve as a strategic hub for Engineering, AI and Product Development. The GCC is being set up with an initial planned capacity of 50, with room to scale further over the coming quarters. The company aims to invest in scaling the centre, which is expected to become a key part of FuelCycle’s global product and technology organization.

The Navi Mumbai GCC is part of Fuel Cycle’s broader vision to build the technology infrastructure for the next generation of market research. As organizations look to understand customers faster and make decisions using a wider set of consumer signals, Fuel Cycle is bringing AI, research methodologies, owned customer communities and behavioral data into a connected platform. The India centre will contribute to this vision by building core product capabilities and strengthening engineering and data infrastructure and working closely with teams across the US and other global markets. The expansion also reflects the company’s long-term focus on tapping India’s technology and AI talent to build products for a global customer base.

Commenting on the announcement, Daryush Laqab, Chief Product and AI Officer, Fuel Cycle, said, “The way enterprises understand consumers is entering a fundamental transition. AI is creating an opportunity to move from fragmented research and point-in-time insights towards systems that learn continuously and help teams make decisions much faster. Our Navi Mumbai centre will be an important part of building that future. We see India not simply as a delivery location, but as a strategic product and AI hub where teams can help shape the technologies that will define the next generation of market research. Over the coming years, we intend to build deep capabilities here across AI, engineering and product development while creating opportunities for teams in India to work on technology with global impact.”

Going forward, Fuel Cycle plans to focus on hiring talent across AI/ML, data engineering, product engineering, UX, research technology, cloud infrastructure, etc. Over the next 3-4 years, the GCC is expected to take on greater ownership of global product development, supporting Fuel Cycle’s broader roadmap to build a more AI-native and continuously learning consumer insights platform.

About Fuel Cycle

Fuel Cycle helps leading brands build deeper, more continuous understanding of their customers. Our AI-powered platform brings together owned customer communities, behavioral and insights data, and every research method, including quantitative, qualitative and UX research, helping teams get to better answers faster. With every study building on what came before, Fuel Cycle helps organizations learn continuously, move faster and make more informed business decisions.

Rahul Mehta Architects Joins Hands with Agami Realty to Design Agami Legends in Bandra

BRL Editor

September 23, 2026

Mumbai, 23rd, September 2026: RM Architects has collaborated with Agami Realty to shape the architectural vision for Agami Legends, a low-density luxury residential development at Kala Nagar in Bandra. Located near the Bandra-Kurla Complex and overlooking the MIG Cricket Club grounds, the project connects RM Architects’ human-centric approach to architecture, spatial planning and residential experience with Agami Realty’s development vision.

RM Architects envisioned Agami Legends as a contemporary urban pavilion overlooking the cricket grounds, and its architectural response is thus shaped closely by the project’s location. Since MIG Cricket Club is directly opposite the site, it provides a particularly strong context, influencing the building’s orientation, façade, balconies, amenities and overall architectural identity. The arches hope to introduce a subtle classical character to the contemporary composition while establishing a visual connection with the traditional idea of a sporting pavilion.

Agami Legends will include large decks, tall windows and carefully positioned openings strengthening the relationship between the building and its surroundings. The four-bedroom residences are oriented towards the MIG Cricket Club grounds and feature generous private decks, while the three-bedroom homes will look towards the adjoining roads, the prominent junction and the wider cityscape. Select residences will have six-foot-wide decks offering views of the cricket grounds and extending towards Mahim Bay.

For RM Architects, designing Agami Legends began with the belief that luxury cannot be defined solely by apartment size, materials used or amenities offered. It has to be experienced in how residents arrive at the building, move through its common areas, enter their homes and use its private and shared spaces. This principle informed the planning of the project from the inside out, integrating architecture, structure, services and interior flexibility within a cohesive framework.

Commenting on the collaboration, Rahul Mehta, Founder, RM Architects said, “Agami Legends fits in perfectly with our belief that luxury is not merely about the space being offered. Luxury in design is about the quality of the complete experience. The sequence of the project has been detailed to establish a sense of calm and exclusivity before residents enter the private areas of the development. Throughout, our main objective was to create a building design that feels generous and intuitive at every stage while remaining deeply responsive to its location.”

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Mr. Prashant Khandelwal, Director & CEO of Agami Realty and Joint Secretary of CREDAI MCHI, said, “Agami Legends is a distinctive luxury development that responds to the aspirations of homebuyers seeking larger, contemporary residences within the established micro-market. RM Architects understood our vision and translated it into an elegant design that brings together architectural identity, functionality, privacy and long-term livability. The building’s relationship with the MIG Cricket Club grounds gives it a unique character that is inseparable from its location.”

Agami Legends has been designed to deliver the refined arrival experience of a boutique hotel, with a landscaped entrance porch, water feature and exclusive lobby offering reception, concierge and deli services. Privacy is reinforced through low-density floor planning, with four residences served by four lifts across two lobbies, as well as separate circulation for residents, service personnel and deliveries. The project incorporates a layered approach to experience and movement, with segregated circulation planned for different user typologies to enhance usability, efficiency, security and privacy across the development. Within the homes, clearly defined social, guest, family and service zones ensure privacy, while flexible layouts, minimal internal columns and beams, tall windows, eight-foot doors and a floor-to-floor height of approximately 11 feet create adaptable, naturally lit and spacious interiors.

The project brings together a redevelopment component for existing members and a separate sale wing on a plot measuring a little over half an acre. RM Architects addressed the site’s footprint, height, parking and circulation constraints through independent cores for both wings, comprising separate lifts, staircases and fire-access systems. Naturally lit lobbies, efficient corridors and a carefully integrated vehicular ramp maximise the available space while supporting convenient access, smooth daily operations and long-term maintenance.

The collaboration between RM Architects and Agami Realty reflects their shared commitment to creating projects led by architectural expression and everyday functionality. In reinforcing one another, Agami Realty brought the ambition to establish a benchmark for luxury living in the micro-market, which RM Architects translated into a design centred on human experience, privacy, flexibility and a meaningful connection with the surroundings. Drawing on the sporting character of the neighbourhood without interpreting it literally, Agami Legends is set to establish a contemporary identity rooted in its location, demonstrating how pavilion-inspired architecture, carefully layered circulation, adaptable residences and a developing relationship with the outdoors can move beyond visual impact to shape how a building is experienced day after day.

Atlantis Dubai Announces Major Investment in Enhancements Across the Destination

BRL Editor

September 23, 2026

2026 marks a significant year of reinvestment across Atlantis Dubai, reflecting continued confidence in Dubai and the long-term strength of the destination.
Atlantis Dubai continues to enhance its food and beverage offering across both resorts, including the expansion of Plato’s Lounge and refurbishment of Ossiano at Atlantis, The Palm, and the introduction of The Garden Bar at Atlantis The Royal.
Aquaventure World has undergone extensive refurbishment across the waterpark, with Poseidon’s Village set to open as its largest indoor dining venue.
Atlantis Dubai continues to expand its fashion and lifestyle retail offering, with Chloé and Brunello Cucinelli now open at Atlantis The Royal, Zimmermann set to follow, and LEGO now open at Atlantis, The Palm.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Atlantis Dubai has announced a series of major enhancements across Atlantis, The Palm, Aquaventure World and Atlantis The Royal, as part of its continued investment in the evolution of the destination and the guest experience.

Atlantis, The Palm is introducing a series of enhancements across its dining, leisure, retail and guest spaces, including the expansion of Plato’s Lounge into the main lobby, a comprehensive refurbishment of its one-MICHELIN-starred restaurant, Ossiano, and upgrades to the Palm Pool. Aquaventure World has also undergone a series of improvements, including the refurbishment of River Rapids and park-wide restoration, with Poseidon’s Village set to open as its largest indoor dining destination.

Atlantis The Royal is enhancing its leisure, food and beverage and retail offering with the introduction of The Garden Bar, a new outdoor lounge, alongside enhancements to the Royal Pool, including new family facilities and additional sunbeds. Cloud 22 will also benefit from an updated pool deck and expanded sunbed area, further enhancing views across Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf.

Kym Barter, Managing Director of Atlantis Dubai, comments, “Atlantis Dubai prides itself on its continuous evolution, and these enhancements reflect our commitment to investing in the future of the destination and the experiences we create for our guests. From reimagining our dining and leisure spaces to enhancing our facilities and environments, every element has been considered with our guests at the heart of our decision-making. We continue to challenge ourselves to innovate and evolve, ensuring Atlantis Dubai remains at the forefront of hospitality.”

ATLANTIS, THE PALM

Plato’s Lounge expansion into the heart of the lobby Plato’s Lounge will be transformed with a new terrace balcony boasting views of the Dubai skyline, as well as a larger seating area in the main lobby of Atlantis, The Palm, introducing more than double the original seating. The new Plato’s Lounge will invite guests to relax, dine, and enjoy coffee or afternoon tea overlooking the resort’s iconic water features. A new accessible ramped pathway will replace the existing stairs, while guest circulation will be reconfigured to improve the overall flow through the space. A new cascading water feature will further enhance the resort’s aquatic surroundings, creating a peaceful ambiance. The new Plato’s Lounge is set to open in October 2026.

MICHELIN-starred Ossiano is set to elevate its underwater dining experience

Dubai’s leading one-MICHELIN-starred underwater fine dining venue, Ossiano will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment designed to elevate the overall dining environment while preserving its distinctive experience. Together, these enhancements will create a more immersive setting for guests while complementing Ossiano’s world-famous signature culinary experience.

ATLANTIS THE ROYAL

Introducing The Garden Bar, a new outdoor lounge Atlantis The Royal will welcome The Garden Bar, a new open-air lounge designed to expand the resort’s food and beverage offering while providing guests with a relaxed setting surrounded by landscaped gardens. The new venue will increase outdoor seating capacity and provide panoramic views across the resort, creating a dedicated social space for both daytime and evening use.

Cloud 22 to take its offering to new heights At Cloud 22, the existing pool area will be reconfigured to maximise space and enhance the guest experience. The Lotus Bar will relocate to the opposite side of the venue, with its previous space transformed into an expanded sunbed deck, adding approximately 40 sunbeds and increasing poolside lounging capacity. The reconfigured pool deck will also create additional vantage points across Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf, further showcasing the panoramic setting that has become synonymous with Cloud 22.

Royal Pool set to expand its family offering The Royal Pool will be enhanced with a new family pool, adding approximately 60 sunbeds, three in-pool loungers and three air-conditioned cabanas. The expansion will provide additional space and facilities for families, further strengthening the resort’s leisure offering.

Poseidon’s Village set to become Aquaventure World’s largest indoor dining destination Aquaventure World is set to welcome Poseidon’s Village, a reimagining of the space previously known as Barracudas, which will become the park’s largest indoor dining destination. Designed as a fully themed dining experience, the venue will accommodate almost 400 guests indoors and almost 300 outdoors, significantly expanding the park’s dining capacity while creating a dedicated space for guests to refuel and relax.

The new menu will feature a wide range of options, including vegan dishes, healthy salad bowls and wraps, a loaded hot dog bar, burgers, oven-baked pizza, pies and Asian specials, alongside a revamped children’s menu. The experience will extend beyond the food, with four self-service ordering kiosks and sunbed ordering, allowing guests to have food delivered directly to their sunbeds. An exclusive merchandise outlet will also form part of the new offering.

Further enhancements across Aquaventure World include the full refurbishment and resurfacing of River Rapids, alongside restoration, painting and landscaping works carried out throughout the park. These updates form part of the wider investment in the guest experience, ensuring the park continues to offer an exceptional environment for guests to explore and enjoy.

Atlantis Dubai welcomes new retail partners As part of the enhancements, Atlantis Dubai continues to expand its portfolio of fashion and lifestyle retail partners. Atlantis The Royal has welcomed Chloé and Brunello Cucinelli, with Zimmermann set to follow, while LEGO has joined the retail offering at Atlantis, The Palm. Together, these additions will further strengthen Atlantis Dubai’s retail offering and its position as a destination for fashion, design and lifestyle beyond hospitality.

Aquaventure World is a fully-fledged aquatic theme park that offers guests a chance to dive into an array of legendary adventures. Following an expansion in March 2021, the Middle East’s number one waterpark is now even bigger, a third bigger making Atlantis Dubai’s waterpark one of the largest in the world. With the addition of the brand-new Trident Tower, Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove, Aquaventure is now home to over 28 additional rides and attractions, bringing the total number to over 105 slides, rides and attractions across the 22.5-hectare park. With several record-breaking slides and firsts in the region, thrill-seekers can enjoy Odyssey of Terror; the world’s tallest waterslide with a Double TornadoWAVE®, Shockwave; the longest family rafting water coaster in the world, Medusa’s Lair; the first duelling PIPElineBLAST® Water Coaster slide in the region and Immortal Falls; the first Cliff jumping in the region.

Guests can also enjoy 1km of private beach, motorised and non-motorised watersports and 26 marine experiences including Dolphin Bay, Sea Lion Point and the Shark Lagoon. Aquaventure World also comprises one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world, with more than 65,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays including the Lost World Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. Voted the number one waterpark in Dubai and the Middle East and the second best in the world by TripAdvisor, it is a leader in aquatic theme parks.

The new iconic landmark of Dubai, Atlantis The Royal welcomes guests to an experience that will completely redefine their perspective of luxury. Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, this is a destination where everything has been designed to challenge the boundaries of imagination. Atlantis The Royal ignites the horizon with a collection of 760 elegant Rooms, Suites and Signature Penthouses. Featuring stunning views of the Dubai skyline and Arabian Sea, 44 of them have private infinity pools. The resort delivers a curated array of awe-inspiring experiences, inviting guests to swim amongst the clouds in sky pools, be dazzled by fountains that breathe fire or dine at more celebrity chef restaurants than anywhere else in the world. Guests are taken on a journey of the impossible, with artful masterpieces, iconic entertainment and beautiful craftsmanship at every turn, where the highest level of service will set a new standard in excellence.

Atlantis The Royal is the place where something incredible happens at every moment. This is Atlantis The Royal.

Fairmont Mumbai Awarded the Prestigious Michelin Key 2026

BRL Editor

September 23, 2026

Mumbai, September 2026: Fairmont Mumbai has been awarded the prestigious Michelin Key 2026, one of the world’s highest honours in luxury hospitality. Announced as part of the Michelin Guide’s global 2026 hotel selection, the recognition celebrates hotels that offer exceptional stays through outstanding design, service and a strong sense of place.

A defining addition to Mumbai’s luxury hospitality landscape since February 2025, Fairmont Mumbai brings together the brand’s signature codes of timeless elegance, grand design, thoughtful service and immersive cultural experiences. Inspired by the city’s rich Art Deco heritage while reflecting Fairmont’s global legacy of iconic hotels, the property has established itself as one of Mumbai’s most distinctive luxury destinations in a short span.

“Receiving the Michelin Key is a very proud moment for all of us at Fairmont Mumbai. We have put a lot of thought into creating a hotel that has its own character from the design and the spaces to the food, experiences and, most importantly, the way we look after our guests. But none of this comes to life without the people behind it. It is their passion, attention to detail and genuine care that bring the entire experience together. To have that recognized by the MICHELIN Guide is incredibly meaningful to our team and a wonderful milestone for the hotel.”

— Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Mumbai & Roswyn, A Morgans Originals Hotel

The Michelin Key places Fairmont Mumbai among a select collection of hotels recognised globally for delivering exceptional and memorable guest experiences.

About Fairmont Mumbai

Fairmont Mumbai opened its doors in April 2025 as Mumbai’s Grand Entrance — a dazzling destination where grandeur and extraordinary theatre meet the timeless elegance of the 1920s. Located near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the hotel offers 446 luxurious rooms and suites, one of the city’s largest event spaces, and seamless connectivity for global travellers, corporate guests, and leisure seekers alike.

Designed to make special happen, the hotel blends legacy and innovation through exceptional dining, pioneering wellness, and thoughtful hospitality. At its heart is Blu Xone at Fairmont Spa and Longevity, India’s first longevity-focused wellness space in a luxury hotel — redefining modern self-care through personalised healing, rejuvenation, and purposeful living.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is renowned for its international luxury hospitality brand’s unrivalled portfolio of more than 94 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. From grand hotels to urban retreats, since 1907 Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – renowned addresses such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Fairmont Doha and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Fairmont hotels are the social epicenters of their cities—iconic gathering places where people, culture, and ideas converge. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,600 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL, a booking platform and loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. fairmont.com | all.com | group.accor.com

Exito Media Concepts Announces the 48th Edition of the Digital Transformation Summit Qatar

BRL Editor

September 23, 2026

29th September 2026 | Holiday Inn Doha – The Business Park

Doha, September 2026: Exito Media Concepts, a global leader in B2B technology events and innovation-driven business platforms, proudly announces the 48th Edition of the Digital Transformation Summit Qatar 2026. Set in the Holiday Inn Doha – The Business Park on 29th September 2026, the summit will bring together over 200+ CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, CISOs, and senior technology leaders to drive the next wave of enterprise transformation in Qatar.

Held under the theme “Powering Qatar’s AI-Driven Digital Future,” the summit will explore the technologies, strategies, and partnerships shaping Qatar’s next phase of digital growth. The event will focus on how organizations can leverage artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data, and automation to build resilient, secure, and future-ready enterprises in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Digital Transformation Summit Qatar is designed as a high-impact platform for technology leaders to exchange practical insights, examine real-world use cases, and develop strategies for responsible and scalable digital transformation.

Qatar is entering a defining phase of digital transformation, where AI, secure infrastructure, and data-led innovation will play a central role in shaping the future of business and public services. The Digital Transformation Summit Qatar will bring together the leaders and innovators driving this progress, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue, strategic collaboration, and measurable impact.

Qatar’s Digital Future: Advancing AI-Led Growth

Qatar is emerging as a significant hub for innovation, digital infrastructure, and technology-led growth, with organizations increasingly adopting AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, smart-city solutions, and advanced analytics. As enterprises move toward more intelligent and autonomous operations, priorities such as digital governance and security, regulatory compliance, workforce readiness, and responsible technology adoption are becoming essential. The summit will bring senior leaders together to explore these opportunities and navigate the evolving digital landscape.

A Platform Built for Real Impact

The Digital Transformation Summit Qatar 2026 is part of a globally recognized series spanning multiple countries, bringing together enterprise technology leaders, government stakeholders, innovators, and solution providers in one strategic forum.

The summit agenda is thoughtfully designed to address the evolving priorities of modern enterprises, helping leaders make informed decisions, improve operational efficiency, and foster a strong digital-first culture.

In addition to high-level discussions, the summit will place strong emphasis on meaningful networking and strategic collaboration. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in curated one-on-one meetings, interactive round-tables, and peer-to-peer exchanges designed to foster partnerships and unlock new business opportunities.

Event Overview:

As part of Exito’s flagship global series, the summit will convene senior decision-makers including CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, CISOs, and senior technology leaders from various industries.

Through Expert led keynotes, executive panels, and real world case studies, the event will deliver practical strategies and insights to help organizations navigate complex digital ecosystems and accelerate transformation at scale.

Date: 29th September 2026

Time: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Venue: Holiday Inn Doha – The Business Park

Website: https://digitransformationsummit.com/qatar/

Key Focus Areas at the Summit:

The summit will spotlight the most critical technology priorities shaping the future of enterprise transformation, offering deep insights into innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.

1. Qatar’s Digital Government: Building an Excellence-Driven, People-First Digital State

2. The AI Divide: Why Some Enterprises Win with AI — and Why Most Don’t

3. Advancing Smart Cities: Addressing Integration, Sustainability, and Urban Adoption Challenges.

4. Responsible AI or Reactive AI: Is Governance Learning Fast Enough?

5. From Quick Fixes to Platform Resilience: Strengthening Cyber Security in a Connected World

CPD Certification

Digital Transformation Summit – Qatar is certified by the CPD Certification service. Attendees will receive a CPD certificate after attending the event and are eligible to earn up to 8 hours of CPD points.

About Exito Media Concepts:

Exito – meaning “success” – is a globally recognised B2B events and media organisation with

over 16 years of expertise. Delivering more than 240 conferences annually across technology,

digital transformation, cybersecurity, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and emerging

enterprise sectors, Exito creates platforms that foster strategic collaboration, accelerate

innovation adoption, and drive measurable business outcomes. Digital Transformation Summit Qatar is part of Exito’s flagship global event series hosted across multiple international markets.

For media enquiries, please reach out to:

Ankita Ghosh, Media & PR at Exito Media Concepts.

Phone: +91 9910943411

Email: ankita.g@exito-e.com

Website: https://www.exito-e.com/

Plastics recycling startup MacroCycle signs deal with Meta to accelerate plastic recycling plant

BRL Editor

September 22, 2026

Plastics recycling startup MacroCycle has signed a new agreement with Meta to accelerate the development of its first commercial recycling plant in the United States.

The three-year-old startup, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has developed a technology that processes plastic waste while removing contaminants from the material. As a result, MacroCycle says its recycled output can offer customers a quality comparable to new plastic. The company also claims that its technology produces 80% fewer carbon emissions than new, non-recycled virgin PET plastic, which is widely used in bottles, containers, and textiles.

Under the agreement, Meta will pay MacroCycle for the rights to the emissions reductions generated by its recycling process. This arrangement will allow Meta to count those reductions towards its own carbon footprint. The deal comes as Meta’s emissions continue to rise amid the company’s growing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the agreement represents the company’s first deal of this kind.

Meanwhile, payments linked to environmental attribute credits (EACs) will create an additional revenue stream for MacroCycle. The startup plans to use the proceeds to support the construction of its first commercial plant in the U.S.

However, Meta’s interest extends beyond acquiring environmental attribute credits. The technology company also wants to help develop a market for low-carbon materials such as recycled plastics, which companies across its supply chain use for applications including packaging and hardware. As demand for these materials increases, greater availability could help Meta reduce its broader carbon footprint.

MacroCycle expects its demonstration plant to produce 5,000 metric tons of recycled plastic annually. The company’s process dissolves and purifies PET from multiple waste streams, including textiles. Textile waste remains particularly difficult to recycle, with only 0.5% currently undergoing recycling, according to research cited by the company.

The company’s technology takes its name from the way it processes plastic polymers. MacroCycle converts the polymers into rings known as macrocycles. Solvents then remove contaminants and leave the macrocycles behind. Afterward, the company opens the loop and reconnects the polymers to create higher-quality plastic.

As a result, MacroCycle says its recycled material can become indistinguishable from new plastic. Furthermore, the company uses solvents rather than heat during the recycling process, which significantly reduces energy consumption and could also lower production costs.

MacroCycle ultimately aims to manufacture recycled textiles domestically at prices that can compete with overseas suppliers. The company is targeting the U.S. textile market, which has experienced a substantial decline over the past 25 years. Employment in the apparel manufacturing sector has fallen by 85% during that period.

At present, MacroCycle is working to secure buyers for the recycled material that its first plant will manufacture. According to MacroCycle co-founder and CEO Stewart Peña Feliz, the agreement with Meta could make it easier for the startup to secure similar partnerships with other companies.

Going forward, the company plans to scale its manufacturing network significantly. Peña Feliz said future MacroCycle plants could produce up to 50,000 metric tons of recycled material annually, potentially expanding access to lower-carbon recycled plastics across industries.

UrbanWrk launches 85,000 Sq. Ft. workspace at HITEC City

BRL Editor

September 22, 2026

UrbanWrk, the premium managed workspace company, has opened its second centre in Hyderabad at Meenakshi Tech Park, HITEC City. The new facility adds approximately 85,000 sq. ft. to the company’s Hyderabad portfolio, taking its overall footprint in the city to approximately 1.35 lakh sq. ft.

The launch marks the next stage of UrbanWrk’s expansion in Hyderabad. Since both centres operate within HITEC City, the company has strengthened its presence in one of the city’s major commercial districts while addressing sustained enterprise demand for premium and flexible workplaces.

Qentelli, a Dallas-headquartered digital and cloud technology company, ranks among the first enterprises to occupy the new facility. The company has taken more than 700 seats for its Hyderabad operations.

UrbanWrk entered Hyderabad in 2024 with a 50,000 sq. ft. centre at Raheja Mindspace. With that facility now fully occupied, the Meenakshi Tech Park centre provides the company with an opportunity to expand its presence within HITEC City and serve growing enterprise requirements.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad’s flexible workspace market continues to record significant growth. Cushman & Wakefield recorded 40,451 flex seats leased in Hyderabad during H1 2026, marking a 170.8% year-on-year increase. Technology companies and global capability centres (GCCs) remained among the key demand drivers.

Beyond expanding its capacity, UrbanWrk has designed the new centre around its managed workspace model, which combines premium design with flexibility, technology, and enterprise-focused services. The company has planned the spaces around evolving organisational needs, allowing businesses to customise layouts, scale operations, and integrate workplace requirements while maintaining the employee experience.

Anuj Munot, CEO & Founder, UrbanWrk, said, “Our decision to expand in Hyderabad came from what we were already seeing on the ground. Enterprise demand in HITEC City has continued to grow, and Meenakshi Tech Park allows us to build on that momentum in a market we understand well. What is changing is what companies expect from a managed workspace. Flexibility is now a given. Enterprises are looking for a premium workplace experience, and that goes well beyond finishes. It is about the address, thoughtful design, seamless technology, and a hospitality and service layer that delivers consistently every day. At the same time, the workplace needs to reflect the organisation and adapt as the business evolves. That is the standard we continue to build across UrbanWrk.”

Located around 800 metres from Raidurg Metro, the Meenakshi Tech Park centre sits within the Madhapur-HITEC City technology corridor. The facility provides ready-to-move-in offices through UrbanWrk Studios as well as customised managed offices designed for larger enterprise requirements.

Furthermore, the centre features private offices, technology-enabled meeting rooms, focus and phone booths, member lounges, the Wrk Café, breakout and gaming areas, and 24/7 access. It also provides enterprise-grade technology and facility management infrastructure to support business operations.

The facility additionally incorporates occupancy sensors, digital access control, visitor management, and integrated workplace technology. These features allow UrbanWrk to combine operational efficiency with a technology-enabled workplace experience.

With two centres now operational in HITEC City, UrbanWrk plans to further expand its enterprise presence in Hyderabad and build on the growing demand for managed workspaces in the city’s technology corridor.

ELE|NA expands India footprint with new Ajabgarh Wellness Retreat

BRL Editor

September 22, 2026

ELE|NA (Elements of Nature), the luxury wellness and spa brand of Atmosphere Wellness Pvt. Ltd., has partnered with Ananta Spa & Resort, Ajabgarh, to manage the resort’s wellness sanctuary under the ELE|NA Ayur identity. The Ajabgarh property represents ELE|NA’s first project under its partnership with Ananta Hotels & Resorts and strengthens the brand’s presence in India’s growing wellness hospitality sector.

Located as a drive-to-wellness destination between Delhi and Jaipur, ELE|NA Ayur at Ajabgarh will bring together ELE|NA’s spa management expertise and wellness programmes with the resort’s natural setting in the Aravalli foothills. Under the partnership, ELE|NA will oversee concept development, programming, operations, team training, and the overall guest experience.

The two-storey wellness facility will feature nine treatment rooms, a hydrothermal circuit, Meditation Hall, a movement pavilion, and a salon. Furthermore, its wellness programme will cover massage and bodywork, skin health, movement and breathwork, sound and water therapies, sleep experiences, and conscious nutrition.

In addition, ELE|NA Ayur will introduce experiences that draw from Ajabgarh’s natural surroundings. Guests will be able to participate in forest bathing, guided nature walks, stargazing, moon meditation, floating meditation, and sound healing. The treatment menu will also feature Jaipur-inspired experiences, including a Heart & Grounding Ritual, Desert Glow ubtan body polish, and Camel Milk nourishing wrap.

The wellness programme will follow a four-week Elemental Vitality calendar centred on Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Across the programme, activities will address physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, and creative wellbeing. Guests can also participate in nature walks across the Aravallis, pottery, kintsugi, sound healing, stargazing, and tree planting.

Moreover, the sanctuary will feature dedicated spaces designed for specialised wellness experiences. These will include a SleepSync Room offering hammock sound baths, yoga nidra, and guided rest; a Contrast Therapy Suite equipped with ice baths and warm jacuzzis; a sound-healing hall; and a HydroTherm dry-flotation massage facility.

ELE|NA’s product brands, ELE|NA Essentia and Philosophia Botanica, will also form part of the treatment and retail offerings at the sanctuary. Through these offerings, the brand will integrate its wellness products into the broader guest experience.

Heidi Grimwood, Senior Vice President, ELE|NA, said, “Ananta and ELE|NA share an ambition to make wellness a defining part of the guest experience. Few settings give you as much to work with as Ajabgarh: the forest, the hills, and the dark skies. Our task is simply to open the door to all of it and to hold the sanctuary to a standard guests will travel for. We look forward to opening it and to the properties that follow.”

Mukund Goyal, Chairman, Ananta Hotels & Resorts, said, “Ajabgarh was built around the land it stands on. The villas are grouped by element; most of the thirty acres is left as landscape, and the fort on the ridge has been there far longer than we have. A wellness sanctuary belongs in a setting like this. ELE|NA works to a standard we recognise and Ajabgarh is the first of several properties we expect to develop together.”

The Ajabgarh project marks the first property under the broader ELE|NA-Ananta partnership. Going forward, the two companies plan to develop additional properties under the collaboration. The partnership will also position ELE|NA as a wellness management partner for hotels and resorts that want to integrate wellness into their wider guest experience and revenue strategy.

Snapdeal parent AceVector to raise ₹287-Cr in IPO

BRL Editor

September 22, 2026

Snapdeal parent AceVector to raise ₹287-Cr in IPO — L-R: Kunal Bahl & Rohit Bansal, co-founders, AceVector

Ecommerce marketplace Snapdeal’s parent company AceVector has set the price band for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) at Rs 30-32 per share. At the upper end of the price range, the IPO will value the company at Rs 1,741 crore, or around $182 million.

Meanwhile, AceVector plans to raise Rs 287 crore through the fresh issue of shares. In addition, existing investors, including SoftBank, Nexus Venture Partners, and Foxconn, will sell shares worth Rs 133 crore through the offer-for-sale (OFS) component.

However, the $182 million valuation represents a sharp decline from Snapdeal’s peak valuation. The e-commerce company once ranked among India’s largest online marketplaces and reached a valuation of $6.5 billion in 2016.

Japanese investor SoftBank remains AceVector’s largest shareholder, holding a 30.1% stake. The investor put around $1 billion into Snapdeal between 2014 and 2015. However, SoftBank wrote off the investment in 2017 after merger discussions between Snapdeal and rival Flipkart collapsed.

As part of the IPO, SoftBank will sell shares worth Rs 88 crore. Nevertheless, the investor will retain shares worth Rs 362 crore at the upper end of the IPO price band. Meanwhile, founders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, who collectively hold around 34% of AceVector directly and through related entities, will not sell any shares in the IPO.

Furthermore, AceVector reported stronger financial performance in FY26. The company increased its operating revenue by 30% to Rs 510 crore, while it reduced its net loss to Rs 45 crore from Rs 126 crore in FY25.

At the same time, AceVector plans to allocate almost half of the IPO proceeds towards marketing and promotion for Snapdeal. Through this investment, the company aims to revive growth at its e-commerce marketplace and strengthen its position in India’s competitive online retail market.

Snapdeal previously competed closely with Flipkart as a major e-commerce player in India. However, the company has since lost significant market share as larger e-commerce platforms expanded their presence across the country.

Earlier, AceVector confidentially filed for its IPO in July 2025. Subsequently, market regulator Sebi approved the company’s IPO in November. AceVector then filed an updated draft prospectus in December as it moved closer to the public listing.

Protein Pantry raises ₹9 Cr led by Sharrp Ventures to scale India’s first high-protein frozen food brand

BRL Editor

September 22, 2026

Protein Pantry raises ₹9 Cr led by Sharrp Ventures to scale India's first high-protein frozen food brand — Disha Bhattacharya and Prashanth Bhushan, co-founders, Protein Pantry

National, 22nd September 2026: Protein Pantry, India’s first high-protein frozen food brand, today announced the closing of a ₹9 crore seed round. The round was led by Sharrp Ventures, with participation from Peercheque, Consumer Collective by Atrium and Indian Silicon Valley Capital, alongside angels including Varun Alagh (Honasa), Rishubh Satiya (Plix), Avnish Anand (CaratLane), Arush Chopra (Just Herbs), Saurabh Munjal (Lahori Zeera), Signal Ventures and others.

Protein Pantry is building a high-protein, vegetarian frozen food brand rooted in Indian ingredients. The capital will primarily be deployed into setting up and scaling the brand’s manufacturing unit, alongside continued investment in R&D and supply chain. The balance goes into marketing and working capital. Protein Pantry is also extending its ranges with new formats. Over the next 12 to 24 months, the company is targeting availability across all major Indian cities via D2C and quick commerce and continued expansion of its protein range across categories.

Since launching in November 2025, Protein Pantry has gone live direct-to-consumer across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Jaipur, and on quick commerce via Blinkit, FirstClub, and Flipkart Minutes across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The brand has served over 30,000 households with a strong repeat rate and will enter Pune, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Chennai on quick commerce by the end of the year.

Commenting on the development, Disha Bhattacharya, Co-founder at Protein Pantry said, “We started Protein Pantry to move protein beyond the supplements aisle and into everyday Indian meals, with options that are vegetarian and have fewer calories. That rests on owning our manufacturing end-to-end. It gives us full control over our recipes and macros and lets us hold our pricing as commodity costs climb across the protein market. This round lets us scale that capacity and our supply chain so we can build more ready-to-cook options and take the range into far more cities.”

Divya Gupta, Principal, Sharrp Ventures, said, “Over the next decade, we believe some of India’s most valuable food brands will be built at the intersection of nutrition, convenience, and taste. Rising protein awareness is reshaping consumer preferences, while quick commerce and improving cold-chain infrastructure are making frozen food more accessible than ever before. Consumers want more protein in their diets, but adoption is easiest when it comes through foods they already know and enjoy. Protein Pantry is doing exactly that by reimagining familiar foods in a high-protein format. What stood out to us equally was the founding team: Disha’s culinary expertise and deep understanding of consumer tastes, combined with Prashanth’s operational and product mindset, gives the company a strong foundation to build an enduring Indian food brand.”

The brand thus addresses a key gap in the protein market, which is built around supplements and snacks rather than everyday food, particularly for vegetarian consumers. Their range of soya chaap, kebabs, cutlets, and falafels is baked rather than fried and made without refined flour, preservatives, or palm oil, with marinades, sauces, and the chaap base produced in-house at the company’s own facility.

About Protein Pantry

Protein Pantry is a Delhi-based clean-label frozen food brand building high-protein, ready-to-cook products for the Indian kitchen. Founded by Disha Bhattacharya and Prashanth Bhushan, its range is made exclusively from kitchen-shelf ingredients, with no refined flour, no preservatives, and no palm oil, formulated to a 1:10 protein-to-calorie ratio and manufactured entirely in-house. Protein Pantry is available direct-to-consumer across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Jaipur, and on quick commerce across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

https://proteinpantry.in/

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