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Early cancer detection startup Craif secures $22M in funding round

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Ryuichi Onos, CEO, Craif

Craif, a startup spun out of Nagoya University in Japan in 2018, is developing an AI-driven early cancer detection platform using microRNA (miRNA) technology. The company has raised $22 million in a Series C funding round to fuel its expansion into the U.S. market and enhance its research and development capabilities.

In an interview, Craif co-founder and CEO Ryuichi Onose revealed that the round closed with the company valued at just under $100 million.

Cancer remains one of the top causes of death globally. The National Cancer Institute reported nearly 20 million new cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths in 2022, with projections estimating that figure will rise to 29.9 million new cases by 2040.

X&KSK, an existing investor, led Craif’s latest funding round, which brings the startup’s total capital raised to $57 million. Other participants included U.S.-based Unreasonable Group—making its first investment in a Japanese startup—along with TAUNS Laboratories, Daiwa House Industry, and Aozora Bank Group.

Craif’s mission is deeply personal for co-founder and CEO Ryuichi Onose, whose motivation stems from seeing both his grandparents diagnosed with cancer. These experiences sparked a determination to tackle the disease. Just a month after meeting, Onose and Takao Yasui, an associate professor at Nagoya University, co-founded Craif. Yasui had developed a novel method for early cancer detection using urinary biomarkers, which now underpins the company’s technology.

Early detection of treatable conditions remains a challenge, as traditional diagnostic tools like blood tests can be invasive—discouraging some individuals from undergoing regular screenings, Onose explained. He also noted that in many regions, limited access to healthcare facilities further complicates timely cancer testing.

Craif seeks to close these gaps with its non-invasive, urine-based testing solution, designed to detect cancer at very early stages, including Stage 1.

“The test can be conducted from the comfort of a patient’s home and is powered by advanced microRNA analysis, making early detection more accessible and effective,” Onose said. “Our users are health-conscious individuals who are concerned about cancer but find it challenging to commit to conventional screenings due to time, cost and accessibility constraints.”

Craif sets itself apart by leveraging microRNA as a biomarker, rather than the more commonly used cell-free DNA (cfDNA) adopted by many competitors. Additionally, the company’s approach focuses on urine-based testing, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods.

“miRNA, which gained heightened recognition after being linked to the 2024 Nobel Prize, is known for its deep involvement in cancer biology even at the earliest stages,” Onose explained. “Unlike cfDNA, miRNA is proactively secreted by early cancer cells, making it particularly suitable for early cancer detection.”

Another distinctive feature of Craif’s product is its use of urine as a sample. Onose highlighted that urine is easy to collect and non-invasive, offering significant scientific and practical advantages. It contains fewer impurities compared to other sample types, resulting in clearer biomarker signals, which helps reduce measurement errors, such as those caused by hemolysis in blood samples, while also lowering the cost of testing.

Craif’s first product, miSignal, detects the risk of seven types of cancer (pancreatic, colorectal, lung, stomach, esophageal, breast, and ovarian) by analyzing urinary miRNA. The test is already generating revenue in Japan and is distributed through a variety of channels, including clinics, pharmacies, direct-to-consumer sales, and corporate wellness programs, providing multiple revenue streams with potential for future expansion, as stated by the CEO.

“We are partnered with over 1000 medical institutions and about 600 pharmacies in Japan, serving about 20,000 users. Our team consists of 73 dedicated employees,” Onose said.

Craif plans to expand miSignal to detect ten different types of cancer this year. The startup is also preparing to leverage its technology for the early detection of non-cancerous diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia.

With an R&D lab in Irvine, California, Craif is set to open another office in San Diego to manage its business operations.

The new funding will support Craif’s entry into the U.S. market with its microRNA-based early cancer detection test, with trials scheduled to be completed around 2029 and plans to file for FDA approval.

Craif has already begun collecting pancreatic cancer samples in partnership with 30 medical institutions across 15 U.S. states.

Perfios acquires healthcare information exchange platform IHX

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Sabyasachi Goswami, CEO, Perfios

Perfios, a B2B SaaS fintech firm, has acquired Bengaluru-based healthcare information exchange IHX as part of its strategic move to enter the health insurance claims space and enhance its technology offerings.

This marks the company’s third acquisition in just three months, underscoring its ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence across the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) industry.

Though the financial details of the deal were not revealed, CEO Sabyasachi Goswami referred to the acquisition as a significant milestone in Perfios’ long-term healthcare strategy.

With backing from Warburg Pincus and Kedaara Capital, Perfios aims to combine its data intelligence and analytics strengths with IHX’s platform to accelerate claims processing, boost operational transparency, and enable real-time decision-making for hospitals, insurers, and patients. The company also plans to leverage IHX’s network of 30,000 hospitals and 30 insurers. According to the CEO, internal trials suggest that Perfios’ proprietary AI models have the potential to drastically cut down claim processing time.

“What traditionally took a couple of hours will come down to under ten minutes — and in some cases, even four minutes — once the models are fully deployed,” he said. “The goal is near real-time processing, where hospitals, insurers, and patients can all access updates simultaneously.”

As healthcare demand grows and claim volumes rise, Goswami said faster claim settlement would become critical for the ecosystem. “Ultimately, the objective is to make healthcare access frictionless, even for the last person standing in the most remote parts of India.”

Founded in 2020, IHX offers a comprehensive suite of services, including claims management, in-patient and out-patient handling, marketing and inventory tools, and revenue cycle management for hospitals. The company claims it processes over 40% of India’s cashless health insurance claims—handling more than 10 million transactions annually, with a total claims value of $1 billion.

Its platform connects 30,000 hospitals in over 1,200 locations with more than 30 insurers, including notable names like Reliance Hospital, DY Patil Hospital, MGM Healthcare, and Jaslok Hospital.

According to Tracxn, IHX has raised around $2.58 million from investors such as LogX Venture Partners and Quik Solutions, and was valued at over $45 million in 2023. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, the company reported revenue of ₹14.8 crore. Managing Director Mahesh Nagaraj stated that the partnership with Perfios will help scale IHX’s network and leverage Perfios’ technology and resources for accelerated growth.

Perfios CEO Sabyasachi Goswami confirmed that IHX will continue to operate independently, retaining its brand and leadership—consistent with how previous acquisitions have been managed.

Perfios’ acquisition of IHX comes on the heels of two earlier 2025 deals—Clari5, a banking fraud detection platform, and CreditNirvana, which focuses on AI-powered debt collections and recovery.

Previously, in 2022, Perfios had acquired Karza Technologies, a SaaS-based RegTech company, along with FintechLabs Technologies, a digital lending software provider based in Noida. In 2023, the company acqui-hired Fego.ai, a Chennai-based startup specializing in behavioral financial insights.

With the addition of IHX, Perfios has now completed five strategic acquisitions and one acqui-hire since 2022, as part of its effort to expand its reach across the BFSI and fintech ecosystem.

Goswami emphasized that although BFSI remains the company’s primary focus, Perfios has always identified as a “TechFin” rather than a traditional fintech company.

“Our DNA has always been tech-first. We design solutions to be industry-agnostic and geography-agnostic,” he said. “While BFSI is our focus, our tech stack is flexible enough to support adjacent sectors like healthcare.”

Perfios currently operates in 18 countries and is continuing to grow its international presence. According to Goswami, international revenues are contributing a high double-digit share—potentially approaching 20%—though the company does not have a fixed target for geographic revenue split.

“Our priority is to build strong market presence and dominance wherever we operate,” he said.

The company continues to post strong financial results, with revenue rising 37% year-on-year to ₹558 crore in FY24, up from ₹407 crore in FY23. Net profit jumped significantly to ₹72 crore in FY24, a 9.2x increase.

Founded in 2008, Perfios has seen rapid growth in recent years, reaching a $1 billion valuation in 2024 after an $80 million investment from Teachers’ Venture Growth. This brought its total funding to $435.1 million, including a previous $229 million round led by Kedaara Capital.

Looking ahead, Goswami said the company is focused on launching new product lines and is making major investments in AI-driven solutions, fraud detection systems, and consent management tools to address the rising demand for data privacy and regulatory compliance.

“This is the time to invest in product innovation, just like we did during the pandemic, which positioned us strongly afterward,” he said.

Zepto secures ₹1,500-Cr structured debt from Edelweiss to boost Indian ownership

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(L-R) Founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, Zepto

Zepto founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are reportedly in advanced discussions with Edelweiss Alternative Asset Advisors, several domestic family offices, and smaller credit funds to secure a structured debt deal worth approximately ₹1,500 crore (over $175 million), according to sources familiar with the matter.

The purpose of the funding is to repurchase shares from existing foreign investors, allowing the quick commerce firm to boost Indian ownership ahead of its anticipated IPO.

Sources said Edelweiss has already submitted a binding offer. The loan is expected to carry a minimum interest rate of 16%, with an equity-linked component that could raise total returns to around 18%.

The transaction is said to be taking place at a valuation of nearly $5 billion—the same valuation Zepto received during its last equity funding round.

The transaction, with a tenure of three years, is expected to close by July and will see Edelweiss underwriting the bulk of the loan. “Edelweiss has given a binding term sheet and will anchor the raise by committing half of the amount,” said a person with knowledge of the matter. “The remaining Rs 750 crore is being raised from family offices and smaller credit funds, who are expected to come in on the same terms.”

According to a source, investors could earn up to an 18% return depending on Zepto’s IPO valuation.

An Edelweiss spokesperson declined to comment, while Zepto did not respond to inquiries.

The structured financing at the promoter level is expected to help Zepto’s founders increase their ownership stake from the current 18% to approximately 20%, said another person familiar with the discussions.

Once the deal is completed, Zepto’s overall domestic shareholding could rise to over 30%, according to a source. The startup’s major investors include Nexus Venture Partners, Y Combinator, and General Catalyst.

This move is part of the founders’ strategy to align with India’s foreign direct investment (FDI) rules for ecommerce. These regulations prohibit foreign investment in inventory-led ecommerce models, allowing it only in marketplace formats. To operate legally as an inventory-led business, companies must qualify as Indian Owned and Controlled Companies (IOCCs), meaning they need to have more than 50% Indian ownership and control—something that could also be key for obtaining regulatory approvals and proceeding with an IPO.

On April 19, Eternal—the listed parent company of food and grocery delivery platform Zomato—informed stock exchanges that its board had approved a proposal to limit foreign ownership in the company to 49.5%. The decision is intended to give “greater operational flexibility” to its quick commerce arm Blinkit by enabling it to hold inventory, instead of functioning strictly as a marketplace, in line with India’s foreign investment regulations.

The Zepto deal “is classic promoter financing—a high-yield debt deal with embedded equity upside,” said one of the sources mentioned earlier. However, pledging promoter equity as security is an uncommon practice among Indian new-age tech startups, particularly those with significant cash burn, the people added.

Zepto received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on January 9 to merge its Singapore-based parent, Kiranakart, with its Indian arm, Kiranakart Technologies, simplifying its corporate structure. Regulatory filings show that Kiranakart Technologies has since been renamed Zepto Pvt Ltd to better reflect the company’s consumer-facing brand. This restructuring is part of a broader trend of reverse flips among Indian startups preparing to access domestic capital markets.

In a separate development, Zepto is in the final stages of closing a $250-million secondary transaction involving private equity firms such as Motilal Oswal Financial Services. This secondary sale aims to boost Indian ownership and streamline the company’s cap table ahead of its planned IPO, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Currently, Palicha, Vohra, and the employee stock ownership (Esop) pool collectively hold about 28% of Zepto, according to sources. The company is targeting an additional 8-10% increase in Indian shareholding through these transactions before filing for its IPO.

This effort to boost domestic ownership comes amid growing regulatory and investor scrutiny of quick commerce firms like Zepto, particularly regarding their business models and profitability.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Palicha shared that Zepto is approaching $4 billion in annualised gross order value (GOV), with around 300% year-on-year growth and approximately 30% sequential growth since January. He also highlighted a 50% reduction in EBITDA losses (excluding Esop costs) and operating cash flow burn over the past three months, noting that the company is aiming to reach break-even on both metrics in the near future.

Cars24 Layoffs: 200 jobs cut as company reevaluates growth plans

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Vikram Chopra, Co-founder and CEO, Cars24

Cars24, a top online platform for pre-owned vehicles, has let go of approximately 250 employees from its product and technology teams as part of a larger restructuring effort to enhance operational efficiency.

This move follows rising competitive pressure in the used-car industry, particularly as competitors like Spinny recently secured $131 million in funding from Accel’s Leadership Fund.

Confirming the development, Cars24 co-founder and CEO Vikram Chopra said, “This is a tough decision. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had to part ways with around 200 employees across various functions. We are deeply grateful for their contributions. The layoffs are not about performance, but about structure and the bets we placed.”

Chopra added, “We’ve learned that speed without clarity is expensive, and some projects and roles were added prematurely. Moving forward, we need to be more strategic and deliberate with our investments and team-building.”

According to media reports, the SoftBank-backed company provided standard severance packages to affected employees.

Cars24 continues to provide a comprehensive suite of automotive services, including the buying and selling of used cars, vehicle financing, insurance, driver-on-demand, FASTag services, challan management, and vehicle scrapping. In December 2021, the company raised $450 million from prominent investors like SoftBank, Tencent, DST Global, and Alpha Wave.

While financial results for FY25 are yet to be released, Cars24 recorded a 25% rise in revenue in FY24, reaching ₹6,917 crore compared to ₹5,530 crore in FY23. Despite the revenue growth, the company posted a net loss of ₹498 crore and an adjusted EBITDA loss of ₹318 crore during the same fiscal year.

This update comes shortly after Cars24’s acquisition of the popular automotive forum Team-BHP, which will continue to function as an independent entity. The company also launched Fourdoor, a multi-brand car service platform, and introduced a ‘New Cars’ vertical offering AI-powered tools and home test drive services.

Ather Energy secures ₹1,340-Cr from 36 anchor investors ahead of IPO

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Ather Energy Ltd, a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer, announced on Friday that it has raised ₹1,340 crore from anchor investors just days ahead of its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), which opens for public subscription on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Key institutional investors who participated in the anchor round include Custody Bank of Japan, Franklin Templeton, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Eastspring Investments, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and Societe Generale. Domestic investors such as PSBI Mutual Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life MF, ICICI Prudential MF, Invesco MF, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, ITI MF, and Union MF also took part. According to a circular posted on the BSE website, Ather Energy allocated 4.17 crore shares to 36 institutional investors at ₹321 per share, the top end of the IPO price range, raising a total of ₹1,340 crore.

The total IPO size stands at ₹2,981 crore, with a price band set between ₹304 and ₹321 per share. Public subscription will run from April 28 to April 30, marking the first mainboard IPO of the financial year 2025–26. The offering includes a fresh equity issue worth ₹2,626 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 1.1 crore shares from existing shareholders and promoters. The proceeds will be used to establish a new electric two-wheeler manufacturing facility in Maharashtra and reduce outstanding debt.

At the upper price band, the IPO values Ather Energy at around ₹11,956 crore. The company, which counts Hero MotoCorp and Tiger Global among its major backers, is the second electric two-wheeler firm to go public following Ola Electric Mobility’s ₹6,145 crore IPO in August 2024. Ola’s IPO included a ₹5,500 crore fresh issue and an OFS of 8.5 crore shares.

In addition to its IPO plans, Ather Energy has recently enhanced its research and development capabilities, expanding its product testing and validation infrastructure.

As per regulatory guidelines, 75% of the IPO is reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), 15% for non-institutional investors (NIIs), and 10% for retail investors. Axis Capital, JM Financial, Nomura, and HSBC are the lead managers of the issue. Ather Energy’s shares are expected to be listed on stock exchanges on May 6.

Sri Lanka’s Jetwing Hotels announces major business restructuring

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Hashan Cooray, Director of marketing and development, Jetwing Hotels

Jetwing Hotels has announced a revamped branding strategy as part of its commitment to staying aligned with the evolving preferences of modern travelers. This bold move highlights the company’s continued dedication to meeting diverse guest expectations while strengthening its leadership in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry.

In response to changing travel trends, Jetwing Hotels is shifting away from its former “Hotels” and “Villas” classifications, introducing a newly structured portfolio. The updated framework divides its properties into four clear categories: Jetwing Luxury Reserves, Jetwing Premium Hotels, Select Hotels, and Essentials. According to the company’s release, this realignment is designed to offer guests a more streamlined and easily understood view of the brand’s range—accommodating everyone from cost-conscious travelers to those in search of luxury experiences.

Hashan Cooray, director of marketing and development, Jetwing Hotels stated, “Today,after the turmoil we all faced for over four years, we are more optimistic than ever about the growth potential of our industry and its role in transforming Sri Lanka’s economy. With this in mind, we felt it was time to bring more clarity to our branding as we now operate over 35 properties around our paradise island.”

The newly introduced Jetwing Luxury Reserves category highlights the brand’s flagship properties, each uniquely designed with striking architecture in breathtaking settings. These premium locations are complemented by gourmet cuisine and personalized service that caters to every guest’s need.

The Jetwing Premium Hotels segment brings together a refined collection of 4-star and 5-star properties that merge contemporary comfort with the richness of Sri Lankan culture. These full-service hotels are equipped with modern conveniences to ensure a luxurious stay.

Next is the Select Hotels category, offering the perfect balance between affordability and comfort. Aimed at modern travelers seeking authentic experiences, these 3-star properties, while not carrying the Jetwing name, maintain the brand’s signature warmth and hospitality.

Finally, the Essentials category caters to budget-conscious explorers. This segment focuses on practical, no-frills accommodation that emphasizes comfort and value. It includes the 3-star Hotel J and 2-star City Beds, designed to meet core travel needs without compromising on quality, according to the company’s statement.

Jetwing Hotels restructuring marks a significant step in redefining its brand identity to better align with the evolving expectations of today’s travelers. By introducing a clear and thoughtfully segmented structure—ranging from ultra-luxury to essential stays—the company reinforces its commitment to delivering personalized, high-quality hospitality experiences across all travel styles and budgets. This strategic shift not only strengthens Jetwing’s market positioning but also sets a new benchmark for innovation and guest-centricity in Sri Lanka’s hospitality landscape.

Tencent Music plans $2.4 Bn acquisition of Ximalaya

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Tencent Music Entertainment Group is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Chinese podcasting startup Ximalaya Inc. in a deal valued at approximately $2.4 billion, according to individuals familiar with the matter. The acquisition would significantly bolster Tencent Music’s ambition to become China’s equivalent of Spotify Technology SA.

The transaction is expected to be financed through a mix of cash and stock, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the talks. A formal agreement could be finalized within the coming weeks, though discussions are still ongoing and no definitive decisions have been made, they added.

Representatives for Tencent Music declined to comment, while Ximalaya also opted not to respond to inquiries.

Ximalaya, a privately held firm, is backed by major investors including Tencent, Baidu Inc., and Sony Music Entertainment. The company had previously filed for a Hong Kong IPO in 2021 but chose to delay the listing. According to its latest public filing, Ximalaya’s platform reached 303 million monthly active users in 2023.

Tencent Music, a leading digital music platform in China, operates well-known apps such as QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, and WeSing. It has expanded through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange following a $1.1 billion IPO in 2018, Tencent Music has seen its shares rise about 17% this year, bringing its market valuation to around $20.6 billion.

Elon Musk’s xAI holdings in talks to raise $20 Bn in new funding

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Elon Musk, CEO, xAI

Elon Musk’s xAI Holdings is reportedly engaging with potential investors to secure around $20 billion in funding for his newly unified artificial intelligence and social media enterprise, according to sources familiar with the discussions. If finalized, this fundraising round would rank as the second-largest ever for a startup, following only OpenAI’s $40 billion raise earlier this year, according to PitchBook. The deal would push the valuation of Musk’s new company to over $120 billion, one of the sources indicated, though all requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks.

Established in March, xAI Holdings was formed through the merger of Musk’s AI initiative, xAI, and X—formerly known as Twitter. Some of the funds raised may go toward addressing debt Musk assumed when he took Twitter private and rebranded it as X, one insider revealed.

That financial burden has heavily impacted X, as previously reported. In March alone, the company spent roughly $200 million servicing its acquisition-related debt. By the end of 2024, its yearly interest payments are projected to exceed $1.3 billion.

Since merging the two ventures, Musk and his team have been quietly gauging investor interest in supporting the newly structured firm, said several individuals close to the matter. While the funding discussions are still in early stages, the company intends to secure the capital over the coming months.

One source noted that the funding goal could exceed the initial $20 billion figure, though final terms and the total amount are still being negotiated and may change as talks progress.

The scale of the planned raise reflects both the strong investor demand for AI-focused companies and Musk’s enduring reputation as a powerful figure in both business and politics. Known as a close ally of former President Donald Trump, Musk has exerted notable influence in Washington, placing loyalists in key government roles since Trump’s rise.

Despite recent declines in Tesla Inc.’s stock performance, Musk’s privately held ventures continue to surge in value. For instance, SpaceX became the most valuable startup in history after a private deal last year valued it at $350 billion.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts expands presence with new Le Morne Resort in Mauritius

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St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is preparing to debut The St. Regis Le Morne Resort in Mauritius, nestled at the foot of the iconic Le Morne Brabant Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set along one of the Indian Ocean’s most sought-after beaches, the resort promises to deliver the brand’s hallmark luxury—featuring refined dining experiences, signature family offerings, and timeless St. Regis traditions—all at one of the island’s most exclusive beachfront locations.

“The evolution of The St Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius reflects the brand’s dedication to elevating the world’s most exclusive destinations, and our commitment to the growth of the St Regis resort portfolio,” said Helen Leighton, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Joining St Regis Hotels & Resorts will allow guests to embrace the resort’s timeless glamour through the St. Regis hallmarks of personalised service and signature rituals. We look forward to ushering in this new chapter.”  

The resort, previously known as JW Marriott Mauritius Resort, has been rebranded as The St. Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius. As part of this transformation, the all-suite resort has introduced curated upgrades, most notably at its signature Le Manoir restaurant. Guests can now enjoy elevated Mauritian cuisine, including exquisite curries crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Additionally, the newly refreshed La Patisserie, styled with French inspiration, now serves artisanal pastries such as the Signature Exotic—a tropical indulgence featuring layers of passion fruit, banana, mango, poached pineapple, vanilla, and coconut mousse.

Later in the year, the resort’s beachfront villa will be reimagined as The St. Regis Grand Beachfront Villa. Drawing inspiration from the exclusive retreats once favored by the Astor family, the villa spans an impressive 1,659 square meters. Designed for up to 16 guests, it offers direct beach access, four private suites each with their own deck, expansive indoor and outdoor living areas, three plunge pools, and a breathtaking infinity pool—positioning it among the largest and most luxurious villas in the Indian Ocean.

The resort will celebrate the iconic St. Regis ritual of transitioning from day to evening with a champagne sabering ceremony at 7 PM daily, set to the backdrop of the island’s dramatic sunset. Guests can also indulge in Afternoon Tea by the Sea, choosing from a curated selection of premium teas, served either by the oceanfront or beneath the shaded grandeur of La Patisserie’s colonial-style veranda.

Honoring the brand’s cocktail heritage, The St. Regis Le Morne will offer a local interpretation of the famed Bloody Mary, first created at The St. Regis New York’s King Cole Bar in 1934. Named ‘L’île Mary’, this unique version includes Mauritian Cane Rhum infused with curry leaves, a dash of mango vinegar, fresh lemon juice, black pepper, and cayenne, all blended into a ripe tomato base and topped with flavorful masala foam.

Guests at The St. Regis Le Morne can expect the legendary St. Regis Butler Service, a hallmark of the brand for over 100 years. This personalized service ensures that every guest’s unique preferences are thoughtfully anticipated and fulfilled, offering a seamless and bespoke stay.

The resort offers immersive, curated experiences that reflect the local culture, nature, and cuisine. As part of the Family Traditions program, children can participate in vibrant kite-flying sessions along Le Morne’s breezy beach. Additional family-friendly activities include private kite surfing lessons and horseback riding adventures.

For guests eager to explore, guided hikes up Le Morne Mountain are available, with light refreshments served at a scenic midway point. More daring guests can trek to the mountain’s summit for panoramic views. The resort also hosts culinary workshops, such as the exclusive Chef’s Table experience, where guests enjoy local flavors crafted with herbs and produce grown in Caroline’s Garden, named in honor of Caroline Astor.

Launching later this year, the resort will unveil The St. Regis Le Morne Pirogue, a restored traditional Mauritian fishing boat. This elegant vessel will offer family fishing outings, private lagoon cruises, and romantic sunset sails, all complete with drinks and light refreshments.

Le Morne Peninsula remains a hotspot for water sports lovers, especially among elite kitesurfing enthusiasts drawn to the famed ‘One Eye’ wave and other nearby wave spots. For guests seeking calmer experiences, the resort provides kayaking and snorkeling adventures through the peninsula’s serene turquoise lagoon.

“Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, we are thrilled to be opening The St Regis Le Morne Resort in Mauritius and present a distinct and elevated view of coastal luxury. Situated at the best address on the island, our resort offers an unparalleled location on the breathtaking Le Morne Peninsula, featuring an expansive, pristine stretch of golden sandy beach” said Mathieu de Tonnac, General Manager of The St Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius. “From enhanced dining experiences to curated signature rituals, every detail has been crafted to celebrate the island’s beauty while honouring the traditions of St Regis.The St Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of extraordinary hotel brands.

Nextiva expands global AI and CX presence with major investment in India

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Tomas Gorny, Co-founder and CEO of Nextiva

Nextiva, a leader in Unified Customer Experience Management (Unified-CXM), has unveiled a new 35,000-square-foot innovation hub in Bengaluru, strengthening India’s role in its global product and technology operations. This state-of-the-art facility—Nextiva’s largest outside the U.S.—will act as a center of excellence, driving advancements in product innovation and next-gen platform capabilities.

As part of its accelerated growth strategy, the company plans to onboard over 150 new hires in India, following a year in which it more than doubled its local team to 300 members. The expansion also includes the full integration of the Simplify360 brand, enhancing the company’s capabilities in AI-driven customer experience solutions and reinforcing its global leadership in the CX space.

“The next era of customer experience technology is being built in India,” said Tomas Gorny, Co-founder and CEO of Nextiva. “This isn’t just about expansion, it’s about acceleration. Our teams in India are building foundational AI technologies that will redefine how businesses connect with their customers globally. This is where category-defining innovation is happening.”

India now plays a pivotal role in shaping Nextiva’s product strategy, leading the development of several key innovations. A major AI-driven customer experience solution—slated for global launch later this year—has been primarily built by the India-based team. This group is integral to the evolution of Nextiva’s core platform, which powers over 10 billion customer interactions annually for more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.

The expansion also marks the full integration of Simplify360, the AI-powered, social-first CX platform acquired in 2023. Now operating completely under the Nextiva brand, Simplify360 adds strong expertise in AI, social media, and multichannel customer experience, further enriching Nextiva’s global Unified-CXM capabilities.

“India is not just our fastest-growing region, it’s a strategic center for our AI and product roadmap,” said Senthil Velayutham, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Nextiva. “Our new office in Bengaluru is where we’re building the future of customer experience—intelligent, scalable, and designed to meet the complexity of tomorrow’s business challenges.”

Nextiva is the trusted partner for many of India’s most forward-thinking and influential enterprises, enabling intelligent, multichannel customer engagement across over 35 digital platforms. Industry leaders such as Tata Play, ITC, Xiaomi, Cred, Axis Max Life, ICICI Bank, Oppo, Upgrad, ZEE5, PhonePe, Meesho, and Kotak Securities use Nextiva’s Unified-CXM platform to deliver AI-powered, real-time customer experiences.

One standout example is Tata Play, which achieved a 40% reduction in customer resolution costs by streamlining support workflows and adopting WhatsApp as a key engagement channel through Nextiva’s technology.

Purpose-built for modern enterprises, Nextiva’s Unified-CXM platform integrates voice, messaging, chat, email, and social media into a single, AI-driven system. It eliminates silos, activates actionable intelligence across channels, and enables businesses to deliver personalized, coordinated customer interactions at scale.

Backed by Goldman Sachs and holding over 50 patents in AI, automation, and CX innovation, the company continues to set new benchmarks for the future of customer engagement worldwide.

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