Friday, June 19, 2026
Home Blog Page 175

Ascott Limited plans to double India portfolio to 12,000 units by 2028

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging arm fully owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), has unveiled plans to double its footprint in India. It targets 12,000 units by 2028, up from approximately 5,500 units at the close of 2024. Ascott Limited’s CEO Kevin Goh announced the news during the HICSA conference in Mumbai. Addressing the audience on the theme ‘Redefining Global Living,’ he highlighted how modern global living increasingly reflects the seamless integration of how people live, work, and travel across borders.

Buoyed by strong growth potential in India’s hospitality sector, Ascott has started 2025 on a high note, signing three new properties in Goa, Lucknow, and Thanjavur during the first quarter. According to a company release, these recent additions have brought in 600 more units, boosting Ascott’s total presence in India to around 6,100 units across 22 properties, including operational properties and those in the development pipeline.

“India is an important inbound and outbound market for Ascott, with strong growth potential as it continues to evolve into one of the world’s largest economies. With a rapidly growing middle class, increasing disposable incomes, and improving infrastructure, India’s dynamic economic landscape unlocks immense opportunities for its travel and hospitality sectors. Despite promising prospects, the supply of branded hotel rooms in India remains limited, creating a significant demand-supply gap that opens up tremendous potential for Ascott to contribute to the country’s hospitality growth,” said Goh.

“As diverse demand drivers fuel India’s hospitality sector, Ascott is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth with our flex-hybrid model that seamlessly adapts to shifting demand across transient and extended stays. This competitive edge is reinforced by Ascott’s multi-typology brand strategy, enabling us to serve every type of guest with a diverse portfolio ranging from select- to full-service operations. Backed by the in-market expertise of our local team in India, we are confident in delivering exceptional value to our owners while enhancing the guest experience. As we strengthen our brand presence in India, we believe the country will become a key source market for Ascott’s properties worldwide,” he added.

Lee Ngor Houai, chief operating officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), south Asia, and China, Ascott, said: “Moving forward, our growth strategy in India will be driven by a dual focus on geographic and brand expansion. Currently, 85% of Ascott’s operating portfolio in India is concentrated in Tier-1 cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. We will continue strengthening our presence in these high-performing Tier-1 cities while expanding our focus on the fast-growing Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This strategy is driven by growing interest in India’s lesser-traveled destinations and the significant under-penetration of branded hotels in these cities.”

“In addition to growing our Ascott, Citadines, Oakwood, and Somerset brands already in India, we look forward to launching more of our multi-typology brands here. We see strong potential in introducing lyf, our experience-led social living brand, to tap into the rise of India’s urban millennial and Gen Z workforce, along with the growing digital nomad trend. As demand for flexible, community-focused stays grows, lyf aligns perfectly with India’s next-gen travellers. Furthermore, our collection brands, The Unlimited Collection and The Crest Collection, are poised to meet the rising demand for immersive cultural and heritage experiences in India, turning stays into unforgettable journeys,” he added.

Ascott Limited’s ambitious growth strategy highlights its strong commitment to India’s dynamic hospitality sector. By aiming to double its portfolio to 12,000 units by 2028, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of global living.

With a focus on flexible, cross-border lifestyles and expanding its footprint in high-potential cities, Ascott Limited is set to redefine modern hospitality in India—offering diverse lodging solutions for today’s globally connected travelers.

How Kashika Malhotra is Driving Brandman Retail’s Bold Vision in India’s Dynamic Market?

By
Amala Sree Murali
-
0

In a rapidly evolving retail landscape where consumer expectations shift overnight, few leaders stand out for their clarity of vision and ability to adapt with purpose. Kashika Malhotra, Director and Head of Business Development at Brandman Retail, is one such trailblazer. Armed with deep market insight and an unwavering passion for building meaningful brand experiences, she’s on a mission to reshape how global brands connect with Indian consumers.

Under her leadership, Brandman Retail has emerged as a powerhouse in premium brand licensing, offering a seamless bridge between international labels and India’s richly diverse, value-conscious market. From launching legacy global brands like Rockport with digital-first strategies to pioneering local manufacturing, data-driven marketing, and region-specific storytelling, Kashika is championing a smarter, more sustainable model of retail growth.

In this exclusive interview, she shares her journey, the company’s localization-first philosophy, and how Brandman Retail is leading innovation, enhancing customer experience, and setting new benchmarks in omnichannel retail. Whether you’re a retail enthusiast, a brand strategist, or a business leader eyeing India’s potential—this conversation is packed with insights that matter.


1. Global brands entering India often face challenges in adapting to the local market. What key factors determine the success of an international brand in India, and how does Brandman Retail ensure a smooth market entry?

India’s diverse culture, price sensitivity, and regional preferences make it a dynamic yet challenging market. For global brands to thrive here, striking the right balance between localization and brand integrity is key.

At Brandman Retail, we start by understanding the brand’s core identity and aligning it with Indian consumer behavior. Our approach is backed by data-driven insights, a strong retail network, and a reliable distribution system, ensuring a seamless market entry.

From tailoring product assortments to launching region-specific marketing campaigns, our localization strategy is designed to meet local tastes while maintaining global standards. We also adapt retail formats to suit consumer expectations across various regions, delivering a personalized and impactful brand experience.

2. With the rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, how do you see the role of traditional retail evolving in India? What strategies is Brandman Retail implementing to stay ahead of these industry shifts?

Traditional retail has evolved beyond mere transactions—it’s now a powerful platform for brand storytelling, engagement, and immersive experiences.

At Brandman Retail, we’re reimagining physical stores as interactive brand hubs, seamlessly connected with our digital channels. By harnessing insights from our DTC and e-commerce platforms, we optimize in-store inventory, deliver personalized shopping experiences, and foster customer loyalty.

Our goal is simple: to make every retail touchpoint—whether online or offline—a meaningful part of the consumer journey.

3. Indian consumers are becoming more brand-conscious yet demand value-driven purchases. How does Brandman Retail balance premium brand positioning with the price sensitivity of the Indian market? 

At Brandman Retail, we believe aspiration shouldn’t come at the cost of affordability. We strike this balance by curating accessible product lines within premium brands and offering flexible pricing across categories. Our focus on quality, durability, and customer experience ensures that value remains at the forefront.

Through deep market segmentation, we introduce tiered pricing, smart bundles, and targeted promotions—all while preserving brand equity and delivering on consumer expectations.

4. Consumer behavior is rapidly changing, especially with Gen Z and millennial shoppers. How do you leverage data and insights to tailor marketing and retail strategies that resonate with these demographics?

Gen Z and millennials are digital-first, experience-driven, and socially aware—and we’re meeting them where they are. At Brandman Retail, we leverage AI-powered analytics, social listening, and real-time customer feedback to understand their preferences, behaviors, and engagement trends. These insights help us craft targeted marketing campaigns, influencer partnerships, exclusive product drops, and store layouts that align with their lifestyle.

Beyond the store, we foster brand loyalty through community-led experiences—like fitness runs, art collaborations, and sustainability workshops—that speak directly to their values and passions.

5. Sustainability is becoming a critical factor in retail. How does Brandman Retail work with international brands to align their sustainability goals with the expectations of the Indian market?  

Sustainability is a shared journey—and at Brandman Retail, we co-create impactful strategies with our partner brands that align with global goals while staying relevant to local needs.

We integrate sustainable practices across the value chain—from eco-friendly packaging and recycling programs to local sourcing and green retail formats. Our digital campaigns spotlight brands leading the way in sustainability and innovation, encouraging conscious consumption and raising awareness across India’s evolving retail landscape. 

6. Fast fashion and excessive consumerism often conflict with sustainability efforts. What are some innovative ways the retail industry can encourage responsible consumption while maintaining profitability?

At Brandman Retail, we believe education and engagement are powerful tools for driving conscious consumption.

By sharing the story behind each product—its craftsmanship, sustainability credentials, and lasting value—we encourage customers to choose quality over quantity. We’re also exploring innovative strategies like subscription models, take-back programs, and limited-edition drops that highlight exclusivity, sustainability, and long-term value. 

7. How is technology transforming retail expansion and business development? Are there any specific digital tools or AI-driven solutions that Brandman Retail is leveraging for brand strategy and consumer engagement?

Technology is transforming retail—driving hyper-personalization, operational efficiency, and smarter decisions.

At Brandman Retail, we harness AI and predictive analytics for demand forecasting, location planning, and customer journey mapping. Tools like CRM automation and digital store design simulations help us enhance engagement and boost conversions. We’re also investing in advanced omnichannel dashboards that unify customer data across platforms, enabling faster, more agile responses to shifting consumer needs.

8. Omnichannel retailing is becoming a necessity rather than an option. What challenges do international brands face in integrating offline and online experiences in India, and how does Brandman Retail address these? 

Maintaining consistency across channels—in pricing, branding, and service quality—is one of retail’s biggest challenges. At Brandman Retail, we tackle this by investing in a robust tech stack and collaborating with leading logistics partners to streamline order fulfillment and inventory management. To ensure a seamless brand experience, we deliver unified customer service training across all touchpoints, aligning every interaction with our brand promise.

9. Brand licensing, distribution, and retail management come with unique challenges. What are some common pitfalls brands encounter when entering the Indian market, and how does your team help them navigate these complexities?

A common mistake brands make is underestimating India’s regional diversity and logistical complexity. Other pitfalls include overinvesting in CAPEX without market validation or applying global strategies without adapting them to local consumer behavior. At Brandman Retail, we take a phased and data-driven approach. We start with test markets, launch pilot stores, and use real-time insights to guide expansion.

To reduce market entry risks, we also support regulatory compliance, brand protection, and supply chain localization—ensuring every step is both strategic and sustainable.

10. Brand partnerships are at the core of your role. Could you share an example of a successful market entry strategy that Brandman Retail executed, and what key lessons other global brands can learn from it?

A standout example is our successful launch of Rockport, the iconic American footwear brand, in India. We adopted a digital-first strategy—driven by targeted media campaigns, influencer content, and e-commerce activations that highlighted the brand’s core values of comfort and everyday versatility. As Rockport’s exclusive licensee in India, we manufacture locally, allowing us to customize styles and pricing to suit Indian consumers while staying true to the global brand identity.

The response was immediate—Rockport gained strong online traction within weeks. We’re now planning selective retail rollouts across key cities.

The takeaway? Local manufacturing, digital-first visibility, and market-relevant storytelling are key drivers of successful brand entry and long-term growth in India.

magicpin fashion verticals reach ₹1,000-Cr turnover in FY25, up 20%

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Naman Mawandia, magicpin CXO, Enterprise Brands

Hyperlocal e-commerce platform magicpin has achieved a major milestone in its fashion verticals, reporting a 20% growth in gross merchandise value (GMV), which has reached an impressive ₹1,000 crore in the fiscal year 2024–2025. This remarkable growth in magicpin fashion verticals has been primarily driven by the addition of over 100 new fashion brands during the year, significantly enhancing the platform’s footprint in India’s fast-growing and highly competitive online retail space.

The strategic expansion has allowed magicpin to deepen its presence in the fashion segment, growing its offline footprint to encompass approximately 16,000 physical retail stores nationwide. The platform now represents more than 250 fashion brands, spanning a wide range of styles, categories, and price points.

“magicpin has generated a Rs 1,000 crore revenue for over 250 fashion brands on its platform in the fiscal year 2025. It is about 20 percent YoY GMV growth for our fashion segment,” magicpin CXO, Enterprise Brands, Naman Mawandia, said in a statement.

In the past 12 months, magicpin has significantly expanded its presence, adding 6,000 new fashion stores across 100 brands. This expansion brings the total number of live fashion stores on its platform to 16,000, representing over 250 fashion brands across 20 major cities in India.

The platform’s growing brand portfolio now includes some of the industry’s most recognized names. Over the last two years, leading fashion and lifestyle brands such as Puma, US Polo, Van Heusen, Pepe Jeans, Wrogn, Titan World, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Pantaloons, Being Human, Jack & Jones, ONLY, Max Fashion, Bata, Levi’s, and Blackberrys have joined magicpin. Their addition reflects the platform’s increasing relevance and effectiveness in driving footfall and sales for national and international retail players.

By seamlessly integrating online discovery with offline retail experiences, magicpin continues to leverage its hyperlocal model to drive footfall and conversions for partner stores. The company’s approach supports local retailers and enhances consumer convenience by bridging the gap between digital engagement and in-store purchases.

As the Indian fashion e-commerce market grows rapidly, magicpin’s latest performance highlights its strong momentum and commitment to building a robust omnichannel ecosystem for brands and consumers.

Kaia launches first eco-friendly resort on Koh Phangan, Thailand

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Kamonwan Wipulakorn, Managing Director of Bound and Beyond, Co-founder of Kaia

Bound and Beyond has partnered with Cloud Collective to introduce Kaia, a new hospitality brand set to launch in Koh Phangan, Thailand. The brand will focus on eco-conscious luxury, offering outdoor resorts with tented suites that harmonize with the natural surroundings and local communities.

Kaia’s first property will open in late 2025 on Thailand’s Koh Phangan. Developed by Thailand-based hospitality company Bound and Beyond in collaboration with sustainable design experts Cloud Collective, the location resort will be near a national park and accessible via a 30-minute speedboat ride from Koh Samui.

Kaia’s debut resort on Koh Phangan will embrace sustainable design and materials, including upcycled teak and recycled plastic rugs. The property will offer 31 private tented suites, each 77m² in size, featuring ocean views, outdoor decks, bathtubs, and pantries stocked with locally sourced and resort-made products. Additionally, guests can opt for one of four expansive two-bedroom villas, each 248m² and equipped with a private pool.

At the heart of the resort, the clubhouse will house multiple dining spaces, an infinity pool, and a vibrant beach club. Guests will enjoy immersive experiences such as open-fire cooking, forest foraging, ceramic workshops, and squid safaris. Wellness offerings include yoga, ice baths, and guided nature walks.

Kaia is built around authentic cultural immersion and social impact. The brand is committed to employing local staff, sourcing regional produce, and nurturing community talent. Inspired by the Thai Jao Baan philosophy, Kaia’s hospitality centers on warm, familial connections, where team members treat guests like part of the community.

Every resort under the Kaia brand will reflect local culture through rotating culinary, cultural, and wellness experiences. Sustainability is a core value, with natural materials, passive cooling techniques, and eco-friendly practices embedded in every aspect. All Kaia resorts are plastic-free and use biodegradable packaging.

Culinary programs evolve with the seasons, highlighting ethically sourced, local ingredients and a closed-loop food system. The Koh Phangan resort will include its organic farm and collaborate with ethical producers in the region.

Following the Koh Phangan opening in late 2025, Kaia plans to expand internationally, with new resort locations expected to be announced later this year.

Beverly Chen, co-founder and COO of Cloud Collective and co-founder of Kaia, commented: “With Kaia, we are redefining luxury by seamlessly blending immersive outdoor hospitality with a deep reverence for nature and local culture. Kaia (offers) a sanctuary where luxury, sustainability, and cultural authenticity converge.”

“As travelers seek more meaningful experiences, we create a hospitality model deeply rooted in local traditions, craftsmanship, and community. At Bound and Beyond, we believe that true luxury is not just about indulgence – it’s about honoring the spirit of a place and the people who shape it. Through Kaia, we are crafting resorts where guests can immerse themselves in the richness of local heritage while embracing a lighter, more conscious way of traveling,” added Kamonwan Wipulakorn, managing director of Bound and Beyond, co-founder of Kaia.

Job&Talent raises $103M at $1.5B valuation in down round, bets on AI for temp staffing

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Juan Urdiales, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Job&Talent

Job&Talent, an AI-driven “workforce as a service” platform that matches hourly workers with businesses, has announced a €92 million ($103 million) Series F funding round. The investment — backed by Atomico, BlackRock, DN Capital, Hercules, Infravia, Kibo, and Kinnevik — brings the Madrid-based company’s post-money valuation to €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion).

While raising over $100 million from high-profile investors may appear to be a strong signal of growth, the round actually marks a down round for the company. Job&Talent, which operates across 10 countries in Europe, the U.S., and Latin America, was last valued at $2.35 billion during its $500 million Series E in December 2021.

The company has been asked to comment on the reasons behind the nearly $1 billion drop in valuation.

“This round reflects a valuation adjustment in line with broader market dynamics, particularly within the tech and growth-stage sectors,” a spokesperson said. “The funding ensures that Job&Talent remains well-capitalized to execute the next phase of our growth journey. Despite challenging market conditions, we have consistently outperformed industry trends over the past year, driven by the strength of our platform and our ability to integrate AI across our entire suite of products.”

The company reports that it has placed over 300,000 workers in jobs across more than 3,250 businesses over the years, with a strong focus on industries such as logistics and retail. The company says the fresh equity funding will be used to expand its operations globally and to develop a range of AI-powered agents to support that growth.

The first of these agents, named Clara, is focused on recruitment. In a trial involving a limited number of clients, Clara has carried out no less than 180,000 interviews, according to the company, leading to around 7,000 hires and “helping deliver industry-leading fill rates, even during peak periods of demand.” Job&Talent claims these fill rates are “equivalent to the output of thousands of recruiters.”

“This capital injection reaffirms our shared vision for the future of Job&Talent,” Juan Urdiales, the startup’s co-founder and co-CEO, said in a statement. “Thanks to the platform we have built over the past years, we are now well-positioned to evolve into a fully integrated employment platform that helps companies manage their temporary and internal workforces more efficiently. Our next-generation AI agents will bring major improvements in productivity, provide better opportunities for workers, and unlock crucial cost savings for companies.”

PioneerUrban Land & Infra launches ₹300-Cr senior citizens’ housing initiative

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Manish Periwal, Chairman and Managing Director, PioneerUrban

PioneerUrban Land and Infrastructure Ltd will invest ₹300 crore in developing a luxury senior living project in Gurugram. Project Advait is a joint venture with JK Organisation’s real estate arm, JK Urbanscapes Developers Ltd.

The project has secured approval under the Haryana State Retirement Policy and will be built on a 2.6-acre site featuring 164 residential units. Each apartment will have a centralized air filtration system (TFA unit) to ensure clean indoor air quality. Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, will also provide on-site medical services for residents within the project premises. Here’s a polished paraphrased version of that sentence:

Manish Periwal, Chairman and Managing Director of PioneerUrban, stated that with the launch of Project Advait, the company is further strengthening its footprint in the senior living segment.

“Our investment reaffirms our commitment towards creating exceptional luxurious living spaces. With a strong focus on sustainability, cutting-edge architecture, and resident-centric designs, we will continue to set new benchmarks in the uber-luxury real estate sector,” Periwal added.

Rakesh Bohra, Chief Operating Officer of PioneerUrban, said, “India has shown remarkable enthusiasm for the senior living concept. While the industry has traditionally been concentrated in Southern India (accounting for 40 per cent of current inventory), we are now witnessing significant growth in other emerging regions, particularly in the north”.

PioneerUrban Land and Infrastructure Ltd has developed many projects in Gurugram.

With Project Advait, PioneerUrban is not only expanding its presence in the senior living sector but also catering to the growing demand for luxury, care-oriented housing solutions for senior citizens. This investment aligns with the company’s vision to enhance quality living and provide comprehensive services for an aging population, while contributing to the development of specialized real estate projects in Gurugram and beyond.

Fintech firm Wise expands India operations, plans to hire hundreds

By
BRL Editor
-
0
SK Saraogi, APAC head of expansion at Wise

UK-listed fintech firm Wise is strengthening its footprint in India, with plans to hire hundreds of employees over the coming years to meet the rising demand for cross-border payment solutions. As part of this expansion, the company is establishing a technology and operations hub in Hyderabad. It will be a full-stack centre for its product, engineering, and service teams.

Additionally, Wise is rolling out a new feature designed to help small and medium businesses (SMBs) and freelancers easily receive international payments in foreign currencies.

The Hyderabad hub will be led by Smrithi Ravi, Wise’s APAC Head of Engineering, who will relocate from Singapore to take on the role.

“We’ve spent a fair bit of time with a variety of customers in India, especially smaller businesses, and the need we’re talking about is how efficiently they can receive funds, how they can bill, how quickly they receive money and the cost involved. We still feel this is a pain point,” SK Saraogi, APAC head of expansion at Wise, said.

The newly introduced international account details feature enables Indian freelancers and businesses to receive payments in eight major currencies, including the US dollar, British pound, euro, and Australian dollar. This allows clients abroad to pay more conveniently, with transfers processed at the mid-market exchange rate.

According to Saraogi, 10% of the funds sent overseas to India flow through Wise’s platform. The company began offering outbound remittance services in 2021 under its own AD-II licence, allowing users to send up to $250,000 annually under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).

This expansion comes as competition intensifies in India’s cross-border payments sector, with global and domestic players aiming to capture growing demand from freelancers, exporters, and remote workers. India’s increasing integration with the global digital economy—fueled by IT exports, e-commerce, and freelance services—has led to a notable rise in small-value inward remittances.

Wise, previously known as TransferWise, was founded in 2011 by Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus to make international money transfers more affordable and transparent. The company achieves this by offering low upfront fees and using the mid-market exchange rate, eliminating hidden user costs.

Over the years, the fintech firm Wise has expanded into three core business segments. The Wise Account provides individuals with multi-currency accounts for seamless global transactions. Wise Business serves small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering enhanced tools like expense management and accounting platform integrations. Meanwhile, Wise Platform enables banks and fintech companies to directly embed Wise’s cross-border payment infrastructure into their own services.

The company’s ongoing expansion in India is part of a larger strategic focus on the Asia-Pacific region, where it aims to navigate complex regulatory requirements and diverse currency systems. As part of this push, Wise is establishing a technology and operations hub in Hyderabad while introducing new features that allow Indian freelancers and SMEs to receive payments in foreign currencies.

In the financial year 2023–24, Wise processed £118.5 billion in cross-border transactions and served 12.8 million customers globally. The company reported £1,052 million in revenue, a significant increase from £846.1 million the previous year, and posted a net profit of £354.6 million, up from £114 million. Wise is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The cross-border payments space in India is witnessing increasing competition, with several global fintech firms entering the market. Notably, Revolut, a UK-based fintech company, recently received final approval from the Reserve Bank of India to offer prepaid payment instruments, including prepaid cards and digital wallets integrated with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

Suba Group unveils its third hotel in Hyderabad

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Suba Group of Hotels has officially opened Click Hotel Hyderabad, marking its third property in the city and further expanding its footprint in South India. Located just 10 minutes from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, the hotel will serve business and leisure travellers. This launch also marks the group’s fourth major opening in the last two months.

“We are delighted to launch our third hotel in Hyderabad,” said Mansur Mehta, Managing Director, and Mubeen Mehta, CEO, in a joint statement. “This reflects our vision of being the hospitality group of choice across South and the rest of India. Sustainability is central to our operations—we promote linen reuse and actively reduce plastic consumption.”

The full-service business hotel features 62 modern rooms and suites and a range of amenities, including a multi-cuisine restaurant (Cinnamon), Café Click, a boardroom, two banquet halls, a gym, a spa, a business centre, and guest parking. The hotel aims to provide affordable luxury in a smart and sustainable format.

Mahaboob Vali, Managing Partner, Masafaya Hospitality LLP, highlighted the property’s location advantage. “Its proximity to the airport and the upcoming Pharma SEZ makes it ideal for business and airline travellers. Tourist attractions are also easily accessible.”

Abinash, Vice President – Operations and Development, Suba Hotels, added, “Our dynamic brand standards—Bed, Breakfast, and Broadband—define Click Hotel Hyderabad. We’ve received great feedback and have more announcements on the horizon.”

Suba Group, recognized for offering premium amenities at competitive prices, rapidly expands its presence in metros and tier 1 and 2 cities. The brand continues to provide clean, modern rooms and high-quality experiences across India.

Cross-border logistics startup Xindus secures $10 Mn in pre-Series A funding

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Saurabh Goyal, Founder and CEO, Xindus

Xindus, a full-stack cross-border logistics startup enabling Indian SMEs to expand globally, has raised $10 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by 3one4 Capital, with Orios Venture Partners co-leading. The round also saw continued support from existing investors Shastra VC and Caret Capital.

With this fresh capital, Xindus plans to scale its operations to grow its customer base from 1,000 to 10,000 within the next 12 to 18 months and boost its gross merchandise value (GMV) to $200 million.

The company aims to strengthen its presence in India and the US while expanding into key international markets such as the UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The cross-border logistics startup Xindus will continue investing in its flagship solution, XindusOne, which empowers Indian SMEs to seamlessly access global markets, manage order fulfillment and international shipping, and ensure compliance with trade and financial regulations.

Founded in 2022 by Saurabh Goyal (CEO), Madan Mohan (CTO), Jaikaar Singh (EVP), and Saptarshi Datta (EVP), Xindus simplifies international trade with an integrated platform that enables businesses to sell, store, ship, return, and get paid across global markets.

“This funding is a key step in building the infrastructure Indian SMEs need to scale globally. Trade regulations are complex and constantly changing—most businesses lose momentum trying to keep up. Xindus is solving that. We’re focused on delivering fast, compliant growth at scale, so businesses can focus on what matters: selling and expanding across borders,” said Saurabh Goyal, Founder and CEO of Xindus.

With over 200 marketplace integrations, Xindus reports a 20% reduction in trade complexity and costs while maintaining a 98.4% on-time delivery rate, underscoring its operational efficiency and reliability.

“Given the recent trends in global markets, India stands in a unique position to scale up its exports. We believe platforms like Xindus can fast-track India’s export growth, enabling manufacturers with the tools to streamline exports. We are very excited to support Saurabh as he builds India’s largest trade enablement platform,” said Anurag Ramdasan, Partner, 3one4 Capital.

“As India transitions into a trillion-dollar export economy, Xindus is poised to play a transformative role in enabling SMEs to compete on the global stage efficiently by providing a holistic, world-class yet cost-effective experience,” added Madhav Tandan, Senior Partner, Orios Ventures.

Smartworks and Table Space to lease 2 Mn sq ft Office space in Delhi & Mumbai

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Flexible workspace providers Table Space and Smartworks, both preparing for public market listings, are in advanced discussions to lease over 2 million square feet across multiple locations in Delhi and Mumbai.

Despite ongoing global uncertainty, this move signals strong confidence in India’s office space sector. Table Space is close to finalizing a deal for around 500,000 sq ft in Mumbai and plans to add another 1.5 million sq ft through two upcoming agreements.

“Despite global uncertainties warranting attention, the fundamental drivers of India’s office market remain robust, suggesting a positive outlook for 2025. The evolution of workplace strategies continues to influence market dynamics, and flexible workspace providers are tapping the market to expand their portfolio with a sustained push to work from the office,” said Peush Jain, managing director-commercial leasing and advisory, Anarock Group.

The demand for flexible workspaces is gaining momentum in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, fueled by workforce decentralization and a growing focus on work-life balance. These flexible office solutions now represent 11–13% of India’s overall office space demand.

“The NCR (National Capital Region) continues to be a key strategic growth hub for Table Space. We are in advanced discussions to take up nearly 5 lakh sq. ft. across Gurgaon and Noida, further reinforcing our commitment to delivering premium, fully managed office solutions in India’s most dynamic business corridor,” said a spokesperson for Table Space.

The growing footprint of flexible workspace providers like Table Space and Smartworks in major metros such as Delhi and Mumbai and the rising demand in tier-2 and tier-3 cities highlights a significant shift in India’s commercial real estate landscape.

As businesses continue to embrace hybrid work models and prioritize agility, the flexible office space segment is poised for sustained growth, solidifying its role as a key driver of the future workplace ecosystem.

1...174175176...516Page 175 of 516

CONNECT WITH US

About Us Career Contact Us Advertise With Us

© Business Review Live | Marcom Media Services International.