Sunday, August 9, 2026
Home Blog Page 176

Pantomath Group launches ₹2,000-Cr Bharat Bhumi Fund to boost asset management

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Madhu Lunawat, Founder and Director of The Wealth Company Asset Management

The Wealth Company Asset Management Pvt Ltd., a subsidiary of the Pantomath Group, has launched the ₹2,000-crore Bharat Bhumi Fund comprising a ₹1,000-crore Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) and an additional ₹1,000-crore greenshoe option. This marks the fifth installment in the Bharat Value Fund Series, with the fund actively focusing on investments in the real estate sector.

Rakesh Kumar spearheads the fund, bringing with him extensive experience from over 50,000 real estate transactions, along with senior leadership roles at Shell, Walmart, and Reliance. Additionally, Bhavya Bagrecha joins him, having executed institutional real estate investments worth over ₹2,500 crore and, notably, pioneered India’s first REIT-style framework under SEBI’s VCF regulations.

Additionally, Peter Sharp—former head of Walmart’s Asia real estate division and a veteran with more than 35 years of global industry experience—has joined the advisory team.

Bharat Bhumi Fund will primarily focus on ready-to-launch projects that can quickly transition from investment to value generation. Moreover, backed by a strong pipeline of approximately 1,200 acres across six projects, the fund aims to deploy capital swiftly, strategically, and with precision. These sectors align with India’s growing focus on infrastructure development, digital transformation, and sustainability, the company said.

The Bharat Bhumi Fund represents a significant extension of The Wealth Company’s investment strategy, offering investors a structured way to increase their exposure to tangible real estate assets.

“As capital becomes more thoughtful, the demand for real assets with real outcomes has never been higher. Bharat Bhoomi Fund allows meeting that demand with discipline, data, and domain expertise. The wealth company’s investment ethos is now extending into India’s real estate space,” Madhu Lunawat, Founder and Director of The Wealth Company Asset Management, said.

The fund will adopt a diversified capital allocation approach, investing across sectors such as data centers, warehousing, hospitality, and renewable energy parks.

The company observed a rise in investor interest in these emerging economic assets, driven by India’s ongoing digital and green energy transitions.

In addition, the fund will invest in mid-to-premium residential projects, retail spaces, plotted villa developments, and mixed-use projects across key high-growth urban centers, including Mumbai (MMR), NCR, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad, it added.

With a seasoned leadership team and a robust project pipeline, the Bharat Bhumi Fund aims to deliver strong value creation while aligning with emerging investor preferences in real assets.

Flick TV raises $2.3 Mn in funding round

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Pratik Anand & Kushal Singhal, Co-founders, Flick TV

Noida-based microdrama OTT platform Flick TV has secured $2.3 million (INR 19.7 crore) in a seed funding round led by Stellaris Venture Partners, with additional backing from Gemba Capital and Titan Capital.

Flick TV’s cofounder and CEO Kushal Singhal said the team will primarily use the fresh capital to ramp up content creation. “We aim to release 100 original shows this year and introduce content in four regional languages,” he said.

The funds will also go toward enhancing the mobile streaming experience, expanding the team, and growing the user base.

Microdramas, by definition, deliver short-form scripted series, with episodes typically running between 30 seconds and 10 minutes. As user preferences shift toward mobile-first content, creators increasingly design these bite-sized stories for on-the-go viewing. Consequently, they actively distribute them through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pocket FM, Kuku FM, and various other OTT apps.

Launched in April this year by former ShareChat executives Kushal Singhal and Sanidhya Mittal, along with ex-Pocket FM senior director Pratik Anand, Flick TV aims to fill a growing demand for bite-sized storytelling among mobile-first audiences.

According to Singhal, the platform currently partners with four in-house production studios to generate content tailored for its viewers.

With over 10,000 downloads on the Google Play Store, Flick TV competes in the short-form video space alongside platforms like Reelies, Kuku, and ReelSaga.

The app primarily caters to housewives and shopkeepers, focusing on relatable and engaging content across genres such as love, heartbreak, drama, crime, fiction, and fantasy.

He further added that the app generates its revenue via a micropayment model, where users pay a small fee based on the number of episodes they want to watch per day. “And as users develop more trust on the platform, we will switch them to monthly and quarterly payment plans,” he added.

Content continues to shape digital consumption patterns, with OTT platforms driving a surge in binge-watching across all age groups. However, as user attention spans shrink, short-form video content has rapidly gained traction. Platforms like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels now attract significant traffic, reflecting this shift in viewer preference.

What began as short videos in categories like beauty, travel, health, fitness, and comedy has evolved into serialized entertainment content—ushering in the rise of microdramas.

This trend has captured investor interest, with entertainment startups in the microdrama space attracting fresh capital to create original content and redefine digital storytelling. For example, ReelSaga recently raised $2.1 million (INR 17.9 Cr) in seed funding to enhance its app and develop localized, high-quality microdramas.

Globally, the microdrama market—centered on ultra-short, mobile-first fiction—was valued at $6.54 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach nearly $12 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.5%.

Insurtech firm Slide targets $340 Mn in upcoming US IPO

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Insurance tech firm Slide is targeting a valuation of up to $2.12 billion through its U.S. initial public offering, joining a wave of insurance companies that have recently seen strong debuts on the stock market.

The company’s IPO roadshow comes on the heels of impressive listings from eToro and Circle, signaling a renewed investor interest in public offerings after months of stagnation due to U.S. policy uncertainty.

According to a filing made on Monday, Slide and certain existing shareholders plan to raise up to $340 million by offering 20 million shares, priced in the range of $15 to $17 each.

Analysts note that insurers tend to be more resilient during market downturns, as increased uncertainty often drives greater demand for risk-mitigation products. Additionally, sectors centered around intellectual property continue to capture investor interest.

Apollo-backed Aspen Insurance and Florida-based American Integrity Insurance recently completed their IPOs, while specialty insurer Ategrity plans to go public later this week.

Founded in 2021, Slide provides insurance products for families and condominiums in Florida and South Carolina. The company is led by Bruce Lucas, the former founder and CEO of Heritage Insurance.

Regulatory filings reveal that 99.5% of Slide’s policies are currently based in Florida, a state where the company plans to expand its presence—despite other insurers retreating from the region due to its vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly hurricanes.

Slide reported a 69.1% surge in profit, reaching $92.5 million for the quarter ended March 31. Its combined ratio improved to 58.9%, down from 66.7% a year earlier—indicating strong underwriting performance, as a ratio below 100% means the insurer collected more in premiums than it paid out in claims.

Barclays and Morgan Stanley are acting as the lead underwriters for the IPO.

Slide’s shares are expected to debut on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “SLDE.”

Vecmocon Technologies raises $18 Mn in Series A funding round

By
BRL Editor
-
0
[L-R] Adarsh kumar Balaraman, Peeyush Asati, & Shivam Wankhede, Founders of Vecmocon

Deep-tech startup Vecmocon Technologies announced on Monday that it has secured over $18 million (approximately ₹153 crore) in a Series A funding round.

The round was led by EIF, a sustainability-focused venture capital fund, with additional participation from Aavishkaar Capital, British International Investment (BII)—the UK’s development finance institution—and existing investor Blume Ventures, the company stated.

Vecmocon Technolgies said the new capital will help broaden its market reach and enhance its technological capabilities in areas such as embedded design, power electronics, IoT, and data science. The funding will also support the company’s mission to power over 1 lakh vehicles on Indian roads with its innovative solutions.

Additionally, a portion of the funding will be allocated toward expanding the team and setting up dedicated R&D infrastructure for the electric automotive sector while also accelerating Vecmocon’s global growth plans.

“This infusion of capital will supercharge our efforts to engineer the next generation of the most robust, high-performance, software-defined, and safety-critical systems uniquely tailored for Indian conditions and global deployment in electric vehicles and clean energy systems. We’re not just building for India—we’re building in India, by Indian engineers, for the world,” Peeyush Asati, CEO of Vecmocon Technologies, said.

Founded in 2016 by IIT and ISB alumni, the New Delhi-based startup is building “most robust systems” for Indian conditions.

The company stated that it aims to embed intelligent systems and data-driven insights into every electric vehicle, enhancing their responsiveness, adaptability, and overall efficiency.

Lemonridge Hotels expands footprint with new launch in Balanagar, Hyderabad

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Lemonridge Hotels Group has officially launched its third property in Hyderabad—Lemonridge Hotels IDPL Balanagar Hyderabad—situated in the lively IDPL Balanagar Chintal area. The hotel offers 30 well-appointed rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and event spaces designed to host gatherings ranging from 30 to 300 guests, all supported by 24/7 personalized service.

Strategically positioned, the hotel is located approximately 36 kilometers from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, 7 kilometers from Secunderabad Junction Railway Station, and just 4 kilometers from Balanagar Metro Station—making it easily accessible for both local and out-of-station guests.

V. V. Narayana Srinivas Reddy Uppathi and Vijay Kumar Garine, co-founders, jointly stated on the occasion, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our third hotel in Hyderabad. IDPL Balanagar (Chintal) is renowned for its robust economy, rapidly expanding pharma & other hardware sector, and significant tourist attractions, making it an ideal destination for both leisure and business travelers.

They further added, “It is also conveniently connected to other major parts of the city through National Highway 65 (NH-65), ensuring easy access to key locations such as Begumpet and Ameerpet.”

Lemonridge Hotels IDPL Balanagar Hyderabad is poised to attract both business and leisure travelers with its strategic location, versatile event spaces, and personalized service. This launch further strengthens Lemonridge Hotels Group’s presence in Hyderabad, reinforcing its vision of delivering exceptional hospitality experiences across key urban centers.

EPIC Brand Institute Launches Globally With Inaugural Training Cohort in New Delhi

By
BRL Editor
-
0


New Delhi, 9th June, 2025 – The EPIC Brand Institute (EBI) is pleased to announce its global launch, along with the public release of its flagship framework, the EPIC Brand Map™ (EBM), an effective system created to deliver clarity, structure, and precision to brand building. The launch coincides with the first in-person training cohort scheduled for 9–11 June 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, followed by a second cohort in Dubai from 19–21 September 2025.

Originally developed in 2020, the EPIC Brand Map has been used by leading Indian business groups, including the Tata Group, Aditya Birla Group, Mahindra Group, Reliance Group, and HCL, as well as global multinationals such as Medtronic, Sun Life Financial, Walmart, Mars, Coca-Cola, and Nokia.

The EBM framework, created by Saurabh Uboweja, global brand strategist and founder of BOD Consulting, is now being made available to founders, marketers, consultants, and creative professionals worldwide through the newly established EPIC Brand Institute. Over a three-day immersive experience, participants will learn to craft their own strategic Brand Maps aligned with the EBM framework that emphasizes Evocativeness, Precision, Insight, and Clarity.

Saurabh Uboweja shared his excitement about the launch, stating, “We’re launching not just a course, but a global movement to empower founders and brand professionals with a practical system that demystifies brand strategy. After years of private application with legacy businesses and high-growth ventures, we’re excited to open up the EPIC Brand Map to a wider community.”

The New Delhi cohort will host 30 carefully selected founders and practitioners, while the Dubai edition will attract brand-led business builders from across the Middle East and South Asia.

About the EPIC Brand Institute (EBI)

The EPIC Brand Institute is a global center for brand clarity, founded to advance the practice of structured brand building through its flagship framework—the EPIC Brand Map™. EBI certifies professionals, trains organizations, and drives thought leadership across industries, helping brands become more Evocative, Precise, Insight-driven, and Clear. With a mission to make brand clarity accessible and actionable worldwide, EBI stands at the forefront of the next wave of global brand transformation.

Tivoli Hospitality expands in Delhi with launch of Omnia by Tivoli in Dwarka

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Akshay Gupta, Director, Tivoli Hospitality Group

Tivoli Hospitality Group has unveiled Omnia by Tivoli in Dwarka, a premium event destination that has rapidly emerged as a top choice for luxury celebrations in Delhi. Ideally situated on Main Bijwasan Road near the Dwarka Expressway, the venue underscores Tivoli’s commitment to delivering design-driven spaces and large-scale event infrastructure tailored to modern preferences.

Since its recent debut, Omnia by Tivoli has quickly gained recognition as one of Delhi’s most in-demand venues for weddings, corporate events, and high-end social gatherings—solidifying Tivoli Hospitality Group’s growing presence in the capital’s premium hospitality market.

Omnia by Tivoli redefines Delhi’s luxury event scene with its striking glasshouse-inspired architecture and state-of-the-art design. The venue features two marquee banquets—360 and Mansion—both fully operational and already hosting a series of high-profile events. Enhancing its appeal, the property also offers opulent guest rooms, enabling a seamless stay-and-celebrate experience.

360, the first venue to open at Omnia, seamlessly blends contemporary interiors with natural light and open-air charm. The venue offers 4,000 sq. ft. of indoor space along with a 15,000 sq. ft. landscaped lawn, making it ideally suited for gatherings of 100 to 350 guests. As a result, its fluid indoor-outdoor layout and refined aesthetic have quickly made it a top choice for curated weddings and upscale soirées.

Soon after, Mansion was introduced—a grand, futuristic banquet featuring 14,000 sq. ft. of indoor space and a massive 40,000 sq. ft. lawn. Designed to accommodate 500 to 1,500 guests, Mansion is already gaining popularity as Delhi’s go-to venue for large-scale luxury celebrations, thanks to its monumental scale and iconic design.

Speaking on the concept, Akshay Gupta, Director, Tivoli Hospitality Group, said, “Omnia by Tivoli is not just a venue — it’s a visual and experiential revolution. From its awe-inspiring design to the scale of its banquets, it’s changing the way celebrations are experienced in Delhi. We’ve created a destination that delivers elegance, functionality, and unforgettable memories.”

With bookings steadily rising and social media buzz continuing to grow, Omnia by Tivoli has firmly established itself at the forefront of Delhi’s luxury event landscape. Moreover, by combining versatility, elegance, and signature Tivoli hospitality, the venue seamlessly delivers an all-in-one experience for high-end celebrations and unforgettable gatherings.

Mizuho to acquire Avendus from KKR in $700 Mn deal

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Masahiro Kihara, CEO, Mizuho Group

Japanese financial powerhouse Mizuho Financial Group is poised to acquire KKR-backed Avendus Capital in a deal that values the Indian investment bank at approximately ₹6,000 crore ($700 million).

According to a report, this move—following prolonged negotiations—will represent Mizuho’s largest-ever investment in India.

Mizuho CEO Masahiro Kihara will visit India this week to make the official announcement.

As part of the transaction, KKR will exit its 60% stake in Avendus, along with other early investors and co-founder Ranu Vohra. However, co-founders Kaushal Aggarwal and Gaurav Deepak will continue to lead the company’s operations. Mizuho, expected to hold up to 70% ownership post-deal, will also receive veto rights.

Established in 1999, Avendus offers services across investment banking, credit solutions, institutional equities, wealth management, and asset management. Its acquisition of Spark Capital in 2022 significantly enhanced its footprint in capital markets. For the nine months ending December 2024, Avendus posted revenues of ₹1,035 crore and a net profit of ₹170 crore.

KKR, which invested between ₹950 crore and ₹1,000 crore in Avendus in 2015, expects to earn a 3.5x return on its investment. While other contenders such as Carlyle and Nomura were in the running, the group ultimately took the lead—driven by strong strategic alignment and opportunities for cross-border collaboration, according to the report.

The acquisition also underscores Japan’s increasing interest in India’s financial services landscape.

Recently, Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) invested in Yes Bank, while Mizuho acquired a 15% stake in Kisetsu Saison Finance. With five branches across India, Mizuho has already committed $500 million to its Indian operations and appointed former KKR India head Sanjay Nayar as an advisor.

Decentro raises ₹30-Cr, plans domicile shift to India

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Rohit Taneja, Founder, Decentro

Fintech startup Decentro has secured ₹30 crore in a Series B funding round led by InfoEdge Ventures, with additional participation from Stargazer Growth and existing backer Uncorrelated Ventures. This fresh capital will support Decentro’s efforts to deepen its presence in India’s financial sector.

Backed by global accelerator Y Combinator, Decentro plans to use the funds to drive enterprise adoption, expand its product suite, and strengthen its engagement with financial institutions. The company simplifies the process for banks, fintechs, and NBFCs to build financial services through its API-first infrastructure.

Founded by Rohit Taneja and Pratik Daudkhane, Decentro offers API-based solutions that automate workflows for customer and business verification, online payments, and AI-driven debt recovery. These tools help businesses eliminate manual processes, enhance compliance, and improve efficiency.

Decentro currently facilitates over ₹50,000 crore in annual payments for more than 1,300 clients—including digital lenders, banks, NBFCs, and financial service firms. It has become a go-to platform for fintechs looking to scale quickly without building financial infrastructure from the ground up.

In a significant strategic shift, Decentro now plans to relocate its parent company’s domicile from Singapore to India within the next 12 to 18 months. This move not only underscores its growing commitment to the Indian market but also aligns with its broader objective of navigating local regulations more effectively and addressing customer needs more closely.

The company has also introduced two key applications for financial institutions:

  • Scanner: A real-time risk assessment engine that enables lenders to evaluate customer risk swiftly.
  • Neobot: An AI-powered voice agent that facilitates debt collection through automated conversations in regional languages.

According to startup data platform TheKredible, Decentro’s revenue jumped 47% in the last fiscal year—from ₹12 crore in FY23 to ₹17.7 crore in FY24. However, it reported a loss of ₹2.46 crore in FY24, likely due to increased spending on product development and market expansion.

Despite the short-term loss, Decentro’s revenue growth, product innovation, and upcoming move to India signal its strengthened role in shaping the country’s digital financial infrastructure. With new capital and strategic realignment, the company is poised for broader impact in the fintech ecosystem.

IPO-bound OYO aims to double revenue share from company-serviced hotels to 44%

By
BRL Editor
-
0

IPO-bound global travel tech company OYO announced on Friday that it aims to increase booking revenue from its company-serviced hotels to 44%—up from the current 22%—by the end of this financial year. This move aligns with its growing emphasis on the Indian market and expanding its portfolio of premium properties.

Currently, the company operates more than 1,300 company-serviced hotels across India, primarily under its mid- to premium-segment brands such as Townhouse, Townhouse Oak, Capital O, Palette, and SUNDAY.

OYO plans to double the number of company-serviced hotels in its portfolio by expanding their presence from 124 cities to over 300 cities across India. Introduced in FY23, these company-serviced hotels initially accounted for less than 2% of OYO’s booking revenue. However, the segment has witnessed rapid growth, making it the company’s fastest-growing business globally.

Currently, the company is concentrating its company-serviced model expansion in high-demand areas such as leisure destinations, pilgrimage spots, and key business corridors. The targeted cities include Mohali, Faridabad, and Jalandhar in the north; Cuttack, Asansol, and Darjeeling in the east; Mangalore, Kollam, Port Blair, and Kasaragod in the south; and Bhilwara, Vapi, Junagarh, and Jalgaon in the west.

Varun Jain, Chief Operating Officer, OYO, said, “The program is in line with OYO’s strategic focus for 2025 for the India market, which aims to drive profitability by enhancing the overall guest experience.

With an aggressive push to scale its company-serviced hotel segment, OYO is strengthening its presence across India’s key travel and business hubs. By doubling both its revenue share and city coverage, the company is positioning itself for sustained growth and deeper market penetration, reinforcing its strategy ahead of a much-anticipated IPO.

1...175176177...542Page 176 of 542

CONNECT WITH US

About Us Career Contact Us Advertise With Us

© Business Review Live | Marcom Media Services International.