ZoloStays achieves strong revenue growth and reduces losses in FY25 amid expansion push

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April 17, 2026

ZoloStays achieves strong revenue growth and reduces losses in FY25 amid expansion push — Dr. Nikhil Sikri, co-founder, ZoloStays

ZoloStays has continued its strong growth momentum following a fivefold expansion in FY24, as the company recorded a 67% year-on-year increase in its operating scale in FY25. At the same time, the firm reduced its losses by 38% to ₹35 crore, indicating improved operational efficiency.

The Bengaluru-based company reported a significant rise in revenue from operations, which increased to ₹342.3 crore in FY25 from ₹204.4 crore in FY24, according to financial statements sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC). ZoloStays primarily generated its revenue from accommodation and allied services offered to students, working professionals, and corporate clients.

This core segment contributed nearly 80% of the company’s total operating revenue and grew by 73.6% to ₹273 crore in FY25, compared to ₹99.8 crore in the previous fiscal year. Consequently, this growth underscores the rising demand for co-living and managed accommodation solutions in urban India.

In addition, ZoloStays offers property management services to colleges and universities, along with food subscriptions and other related amenities. However, revenue from this segment declined by 30.7% to ₹62.9 crore, reflecting a shift in business dynamics.

Moreover, the company earned ₹3.6 crore as interest income, which brought its total income to ₹346 crore for the financial year ending March 2025.

On the cost front, property management emerged as the largest expense category, accounting for 67% of the overall costs. This expense increased by 83.6% to ₹254.9 crore, driven by expansion and operational scaling. Meanwhile, employee benefit expenses remained stable at ₹82.4 crore, and depreciation costs declined by 28.2% to ₹12.5 crore.

Furthermore, the company incurred higher advertising, promotional, commission, donation subscriptions, and other overhead expenses. As a result, total expenses rose by 43.3% to ₹381.1 crore in FY25 from ₹266 crore in FY24.

Despite robust revenue growth, ZoloStays continued to report operating losses. However, the company improved its core performance as its loss before exceptional items narrowed to ₹35.2 crore in FY25 from ₹56.8 crore in FY24.

Importantly, after accounting for an exceptional gain of ₹100.47 crore from the sale of its student housing business to Good Host Spaces, the company reported a net profit of ₹59.53 crore in the previous fiscal year. This transaction significantly boosted its bottom line.

At the same time, ZoloStays reported an EBITDA loss of ₹14 crore, while its Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and EBITDA margin improved to -23.23% and -4.12%, respectively, in FY25. On a unit economics basis, the company spent ₹1.11 to generate every rupee of revenue, indicating ongoing efficiency improvements.

As of the end of FY25, the company reported total current assets of ₹137 crore, including cash and bank balances of ₹10.19 crore, thereby maintaining a stable liquidity position.

ZoloStays has raised a total of $118 million in funding to date. According to media reports, Nexus Venture Partners remains the largest external stakeholder with a 34% stake, followed by Investcorp and Mirae Asset.

With steady revenue expansion, reduced losses, and strategic restructuring, ZoloStays is positioning itself for sustainable growth in India’s evolving managed accommodation and rental housing market.

BlueStone grants ₹11-Cr ESOPs ahead of growth push, strengthens employee incentive strategy

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April 17, 2026

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BlueStone grants ₹11-Cr ESOPs ahead of growth push, strengthens employee incentive strategy — Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, co-founder, BlueStone

BlueStone has rolled out fresh employee stock options (ESOPs) worth nearly ₹11 crore, covering 2.09 lakh equity shares under its ESOP 2014 scheme on April 16, according to regulatory filings with stock exchanges. Through this move, the company continues to strengthen its employee incentive framework while aligning workforce interests with long-term growth.

The company’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee has approved the grant of 2,09,319 stock options under the ESOP 2014 scheme. Each option allows conversion into one equity share with a face value of ₹1, thereby offering employees an opportunity to participate in the company’s equity upside.

Based on the previous day’s closing share price of ₹522 per share, the total valuation of the newly granted ESOPs stands at approximately ₹11 crore. This valuation reflects the company’s current market positioning and investor confidence.

Furthermore, the company has structured the vesting schedule over a four-year period. It will vest 25% of the options after the completion of the first year, while it will vest the remaining options on a monthly basis over the subsequent three years. Once vested, employees can exercise these options within a long window of up to 10 years, thereby providing flexibility and long-term value realization.

Earlier, in June last year, ahead of its public listing, BlueStone expanded its ESOP pool by ₹245 crore (approximately $29 million). Notably, the company granted ESOPs worth around $11 million to COO Sudeep Nagar, as reported. This earlier expansion underlined the company’s focus on attracting and retaining senior leadership talent.

Meanwhile, the company has demonstrated strong financial performance. In Q3 FY26, BlueStone achieved profitability with a reported profit of ₹69 crore. At the same time, the company recorded a 28% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching ₹749 crore during the quarter. However, the company is yet to release its Q4 FY26 financial results.

BlueStone’s stock is trading at ₹520.45 on the NSE, giving the company a total market capitalization of ₹7,953 crore (approximately $857 million). This market performance further reinforces investor confidence in the company’s growth trajectory.

BlueStone’s latest ESOP grant highlights its continued focus on employee wealth creation, retention, and performance alignment. Coupled with strong revenue growth and profitability, the company remains well-positioned to strengthen its market presence and drive long-term value in India’s competitive jewellery and retail sector.

Lords Hotels & Resorts Announces new sign up in Lucknow

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April 17, 2026

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Lords Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the signing of its new boutique hotel in Lucknow, scheduled to open by the end of 2026. This development marks a significant addition to the Group’s growing hospitality portfolio across key destinations in India.

Strategically located in Gomti Nagar near Shaheed Path, the property offers excellent connectivity and is just minutes away from Ekana Stadium, one of the city’s key sporting and entertainment landmarks, as well as major shopping and commercial hubs. The location places the hotel in one of Lucknow’s most vibrant and rapidly developing corridors.

The upcoming property will feature luxuriously designed rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and a spacious banquet hall along with an exclusive rooftop restaurant designed to offer a distinctive dining experience.

Speaking on the new agreement, Pushpendra Bansal, COO of Lords Hotels and Resorts, said, “With unprecedented growth and high-velocity expansion plans, we are well positioned to further expand our existing portfolio in the coming months in this region. We thank our partners for their trust and look forward to collaborating with more like-minded owners as we continue to deliver Lords’ signature hospitality experiences.”

Vikas Suri, Vice President, said, “With this signing, we are excited to enter Lucknow and strengthen our presence in Uttar Pradesh. This boutique hotel reflects our commitment to quality, thoughtful design, and guest-centric experiences. Positioned in a prime location, it will cater seamlessly to both business and leisure travellers, offering comfortable stays and exceptional value.”

About Lords Hotels & Resorts

Lords Hotels & Resort is one of India’s mid-market hospitality chains, known for delivering exceptional guest experiences across business, leisure, and pilgrimage destinations in India & Nepal. With a growing portfolio of hotels, the brand continues to expand with a commitment to quality, affordability, and warm hospitality.

alt.f coworking expands in Hyderabad with new 800-seat workspace at Meenakshi Tech Park, Gachibowli

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April 17, 2026

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alt.f coworking has launched its latest workspace at Meenakshi Tech Park, marking a key milestone in its Hyderabad expansion strategy. The newly operational centre offers a seating capacity of nearly 800 and is already witnessing strong demand from growing businesses across the city.

This launch reflects the increasing demand in Hyderabad for ready-to-move-in office spaces that enable faster setup, operational efficiency, and seamless team scalability. As businesses accelerate their growth, they continue to seek flexible workspace solutions that align with evolving operational needs.

Notably, in the lead-up to the launch, companies have demonstrated highly targeted demand rather than exploratory interest. Most enquiries have come from organizations with team sizes between 15 and 50 employees, and these businesses have shown a strong preference for private cabins instead of traditional open coworking layouts. This trend clearly highlights the growing need for structured, focused, and productivity-driven work environments.

“Teams today are making faster decisions when it comes to office spaces,” said Yogesh Arora, Co-founder at alt.f coworking. “The expectation is clear—move in quickly, begin operations immediately, and scale without disruption.”

To address this demand, the Gachibowli centre provides a substantial inventory of private cabins ranging from 15 to 50 seats. These spaces are specifically designed to enhance team productivity while ensuring operational efficiency for scaling businesses.

Furthermore, businesses have significantly accelerated their decision-making processes during the pre-launch phase. Companies now shortlist fewer workspace options and close deals faster, largely due to tight hiring timelines and ongoing project commitments. Instead of focusing on aesthetics, organizations increasingly prioritise practical considerations such as immediate readiness, transparent pricing, scalability, and reliable infrastructure.

Consequently, this shift has become more evident across Hyderabad’s coworking ecosystem, particularly in high-demand micro-markets such as Gachibowli and the Financial District. Companies now approach workspace selection with greater clarity and purpose.

In addition, alt.f coworking has designed the new centre with a strong emphasis on functionality and usability. The facility includes lounge areas, café spaces, high-speed WiFi, and dedicated hospitality services, all aimed at ensuring smooth day-to-day business operations. The company has adopted a European-inspired design approach, which delivers a clean, professional, and efficient workspace environment without unnecessary complexity.

With this launch, alt.f coworking continues to strengthen its footprint in Hyderabad. The company already operates centres in key locations such as the Financial District and Begumpet, and it continues to expand aggressively in response to sustained demand.

Looking ahead, alt.f coworking plans to launch two additional centres in Hitech City by the end of 2026. The company is driving this expansion through consistent demand from startups, SMEs, and growing teams seeking flexible office solutions.

The strong response to the Gachibowli centre underscores a broader shift in how businesses perceive office spaces. Companies no longer treat offices as symbolic assets; instead, they view them as critical infrastructure that directly supports operational efficiency and business growth.

alt.f coworking’s latest launch in Gachibowli highlights the rapid evolution of Hyderabad’s coworking landscape. As businesses prioritise speed, efficiency, and scalability, demand for flexible, ready-to-move-in office spaces will continue to rise. By aligning its offerings with these market trends, alt.f coworking is well-positioned to capitalise on the city’s growing startup ecosystem and expanding corporate demand.

Sweden’s AlixLabs secures €15 Mn Series A to accelerate next-gen semiconductor manufacturing

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April 17, 2026

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AlixLabs, a Lund-based semiconductor startup specializing in Atomic Layer Etching (ALE) technology, has successfully closed its €15 million Series A funding round in the first quarter of 2026. The milestone follows a strategic investment from Stephen Industries, strengthening the company’s position in next-generation semiconductor manufacturing.

Earlier, in November 2025, AlixLabs had announced that Global Brain, along with other key institutional investors, had committed €14.1 million to its Series A round. Subsequently, the company kept the remaining portion open and completed the full €15 million raise in early 2026.

“Stephen Industries brings deep industrial expertise and a proven ability to scale companies in adjacent technology domains. Kustaa’s experience with Picosun is especially valuable as we move from development toward broader commercialisation of our APS™ platform,” said Jonas Sundqvist, CEO of AlixLabs.

Founded in 2019, AlixLabs has positioned itself as the world’s only pure-play ALE company. The company originated as a spin-off from Lund University and continues to focus on making semiconductor production in the ångström (Å) era more accessible, sustainable, and cost-efficient.

Moreover, AlixLabs operates as a key supplier in the Swedish semiconductor ecosystem by offering advanced equipment and processes capable of producing nanostructures smaller than 20 nanometers. Through its proprietary APS™ (Atomic Pitch Splitting) technology, the company enables energy-efficient fabrication beyond the resolution limits of traditional optical and electron beam lithography.

As semiconductor complexity continues to rise, manufacturing and design costs have also increased significantly. However, AlixLabs addresses this challenge by offering ALE-based solutions that reduce the number of process steps while simultaneously improving throughput. Consequently, these innovations enhance efficiency across semiconductor fabrication workflows.

In addition, the company ensures that its solutions integrate seamlessly into existing production environments. This compatibility allows semiconductor manufacturers to transition toward the ångström era more affordably. Furthermore, by leveraging ALE technology, manufacturers can reduce power consumption, water usage, and overall emissions, thereby supporting sustainability goals within the semiconductor industry.

“AlixLabs’ processes are designed for use on 300 millimetre (12-inch) logic and DRAM silicon wafers, including FinFET and GAAFET (nanowire). They are equally at home in 150 and 200-millimetre wafers for power electronics on gallium nitride (GaN),” explained the company.

Notably, this investment represents a significant strategic milestone as AlixLabs continues to scale its proprietary ALE solutions, particularly its flagship APS™ technology. The company aims to deliver higher precision, improved efficiency, and cost-effective semiconductor fabrication solutions.

A critical component of this partnership involves Kustaa Poutiainen from Stephen Industries. His extensive experience in scaling deep-tech companies provides a strong strategic advantage. Previously, he played a pivotal role in the growth of Picosun, which emerged as a globally recognized Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) company. Since ALD and ALE technologies share strong technical parallels, his expertise aligns closely with AlixLabs’ long-term objectives.

“AlixLabs operates in a highly promising space within semiconductor process technology. Having seen firsthand how ALD evolved from a niche innovation to a critical industry standard, I see strong parallels with ALE. AlixLabs has the potential to follow a similar trajectory,” said Kustaa Poutiainen, Chairperson and President of Stephen Industries.

AlixLabs plans to deploy the newly raised capital to accelerate product development, expand its technical capabilities, and strengthen collaborations with semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. As a result, the company aims to solidify its role in shaping the future of semiconductor fabrication.

Sequoia Capital raises $7 Bn expansion fund to double down on AI investments and late-stage startups

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April 17, 2026

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Sequoia Capital has raised approximately $7 billion for a new expansion fund, according to people familiar with the discussions, marking the firm’s first major fundraising under its new leadership. This latest move signals a strategic push to strengthen its position in late-stage investing while capitalizing on the rapid growth of artificial intelligence startups.

The firm plans to use the new fund to expand its investments in large, high-growth companies, particularly in the artificial intelligence space. Notably, Sequoia has already backed major AI players such as OpenAI and Anthropic, whose demand for high-performance computing infrastructure has fueled unprecedented capital requirements. As a result, this expansion fund positions Sequoia to deepen its exposure to the AI boom.

Importantly, the $7 billion vehicle will support Sequoia’s expansion strategy, which focuses on late-stage investments across the US and Europe. This fund significantly surpasses the firm’s previous $3.4 billion expansion fund raised in 2022, highlighting increased investor confidence and a more aggressive capital deployment approach. The fundraising took place earlier this year, according to sources who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions.

Sequoia declined to comment on the development.

Meanwhile, this fundraising marks a leadership transition phase for the firm. Last year, Roelof Botha handed over leadership responsibilities to Alfred Lin and Pat Grady, who now serve as co-stewards. Under their direction, Sequoia has actively restructured its investment strategy and leadership roles to align with evolving market dynamics.

In addition, the firm has made several key organizational changes. In March, Sequoia appointed former senior steward Doug Leone as chairman, thereby bringing him back into a more active investing role. Furthermore, the firm strengthened its investment team by adding Liam Corrigan and Sonali Singh. It also rehired Carl Eschenbach, who previously left in 2022 to serve as co-CEO of Workday Inc.

At the same time, some investors have stepped back from their roles. Josephine Chen, Charlie Curnin, and Cornelius Menke have exited their positions, while Ravi Gupta has scaled back his involvement to launch a new startup, though he continues to remain a partner.

Crucially, Sequoia continues to place significant bets on leading AI companies, even as competition intensifies within the sector. Its portfolio includes Anthropic, OpenAI, and Elon Musk’s xAI, now part of SpaceX. These companies are actively preparing for potential public listings in 2026, which could generate substantial returns for the firm if market conditions remain favorable.

However, Sequoia has not limited its focus solely to AI-native businesses. The firm also continues to invest in mature companies across sectors. For instance, one of its most notable recent exits involved Wiz, a cybersecurity company that Alphabet acquired for $32 billion in a deal that closed last month. This demonstrates Sequoia’s diversified investment approach beyond AI.

Moreover, this $7 billion fund builds on the firm’s previous $2.5 billion fundraising announced last year, which targeted seed, venture, and growth-stage investments. As of the end of last year, Sequoia Capital managed over $80 billion in assets, according to regulatory filings, reinforcing its status as one of the largest venture capital firms globally.

Sequoia Capital’s $7 billion expansion fund underscores its aggressive growth strategy and long-term conviction in artificial intelligence, late-stage startups, and global innovation ecosystems. By doubling down on high-potential companies and strengthening its leadership structure, the firm aims to maintain its dominance in venture capital while capturing the next wave of technological transformation.

Prateek Singh to Lead Pocketful as Chief Executive Officer

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April 16, 2026

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Pocketful, the fast-growing discount brokerage backed by the 30-year legacy of the Pace Group, has appointed Prateek Singh as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step in the company’s growth journey. The brand introduced this strategic leadership change to achieve its growth objectives while establishing itself as a major player in the changing investment market of India.

Prateek Singh possesses 13 years of experience, which he has used to develop digital financial platforms through his work on customer acquisition, product development, and business growth initiatives. Before starting his work at Pocketful, he spent time at Bajaj Broking as Chief Growth Officer, where he helped the company develop its digital presence and improve its platform functionalities.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Sarvam Goel, Co-Founder of Pocketful, said, “Prateek’s appointment represents an essential milestone for Pocketful, which will help the company expand its operations and strengthen its position in the Indian investment market. His successful history of developing digital financial platforms, together with his focus on user experience, perfectly matches our organization’s future objectives. Pocketful will achieve its next phase of growth through his guidance, which will create new technical innovations and improve our market value.”

At Pocketful, Prateek will lead the company’s mission to create an accessible investment platform that enables all investors to use its services. The company delivers an investment process that customers can use without any kind of difficulty.

Commenting on his appointment, Prateek Singh, CEO, Pocketful, said, “I am truly excited to join Pocketful at such a pivotal stage of its growth journey. India’s capital markets are witnessing remarkable momentum, with increasing retail participation and a growing shift towards digital investing. At Pocketful, we have a unique opportunity to simplify and reimagine the investing experience for a wider audience. I look forward to working closely with the team to drive innovation and enable more confident, informed participation in the markets.”

Pocketful offers zero brokerage on equity delivery trades, along with zero account opening charges and lifetime zero AMC fees, making it an attractive choice for retail investors. At the same time, the platform caters to active traders through advanced, institutional-grade tools built for speed, precision, and reliability.

The company also provides a Margin Trading Facility (MTF) starting at 5.99%* per annum, enabling greater flexibility for active participants. A key innovation is Pocketful GPT, a custom-trained intelligence layer that allows users to generate trade ideas, analyze portfolios, and execute trades within a unified interface.

With its recent expansion into mutual funds, Pocketful is evolving into a comprehensive investment platform. Under Prateek Singh’s leadership, the company is well-positioned to accelerate growth and capture a larger share of India’s rapidly expanding investor base.

Wyndham expands India presence with new upscale hotel project in Guwahati

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April 16, 2026

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Om Arham Ventures has announced the signing of an upscale 190-room Wyndham hotel in Guwahati, Assam, in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. The company will develop the brownfield project and plans to open it in the second half of 2028, thereby strengthening the region’s hospitality infrastructure.

Notably, this agreement marks Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ official entry into the Guwahati market, which continues to emerge as a key commercial and tourism gateway to Northeast India. The upcoming hotel will feature 190 contemporary guest rooms and suites designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers. Additionally, the property will operate as a pure-vegetarian hotel, reflecting evolving guest preferences and regional demand trends.

Furthermore, the company will position the hotel as a full-service upscale offering with a comprehensive range of amenities. The property will include multiple dining venues, large banquet and conferencing facilities, and wellness amenities such as a fitness centre, spa, and swimming pool. As a result, the hotel will cater to diverse customer segments, including corporate travellers and event organisers. Moreover, the expansive banquet spaces will complement the room inventory and establish the property as a preferred destination for weddings, social events, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activities in Guwahati.

Representing the ownership, Vijay Singh Daga and Pankaj Kumar Jain of Om Arham Ventures commented, “We are proud to partner with Wyndham to introduce an internationally recognized upscale brand to Guwahati. With a pure-vegetarian positioning and significant banquet capacity, we are confident the hotel will set new benchmarks for upscale hospitality and events in the region.”

From the brand perspective, Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, added, “Guwahati is rapidly emerging as a key commercial and tourism gateway for Northeast India, and we are excited to introduce our flagship Wyndham brand to the city. As connectivity and economic activity continue to grow across the region, we see strong demand for upscale hospitality experiences. This signing reinforces our strategy of expanding in high-growth gateway markets while delivering globally recognised brands supported by Wyndham’s powerful distribution network.”

As infrastructure and connectivity improve across Northeast India, this upscale hotel project aims to elevate the region’s hospitality standards while catering to rising demand for premium travel and event experiences.

Holy Hotels launches resort and villa bookings amid rising demand for private stays

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April 16, 2026

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Holy Hotels launches resort and villa bookings amid rising demand for private stays — Mr. Deepak Chhabra, Director of Holy Hotels

Holy Hotels has introduced resort and villa bookings on its platform, thereby expanding its accommodation portfolio and aligning with evolving travel preferences across India. With this strategic move, the company aims to cater to the rising demand for premium, private, and experience-driven stays.

Moreover, the newly added categories provide users access to a curated selection of resorts and private villas, specifically designed for leisure travellers, families, and groups seeking enhanced space, privacy, and flexibility. At the same time, this expansion builds on the platform’s existing offerings, including shared apartments and homestays. Additionally, it complements Holy Hotels’ offline booking support, which continues to differentiate the platform in an otherwise highly digital travel booking ecosystem.

As travel behaviour continues to shift, demand for accommodations offering privacy, comfort, and a personalised experience has steadily increased. According to data from the Press Information Bureau, India recorded over 303 crore domestic tourist visits in 2025, highlighting the scale of domestic tourism and the growing preference for intentional travel. Consequently, travellers now increasingly choose flexible stays such as resorts and private villas across multiple segments.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Deepak Chhabra, Director of Holy Hotels said, “The way people travel is changing. Travellers today are looking for experiences that align with their purpose of travel. With the addition of resorts and villas, we are expanding choice on the platform while continuing to keep booking simple and accessible.”

Furthermore, the company continues to prioritise its hybrid booking model, which combines online discovery with offline assistance. This approach allows travellers to receive personalised guidance whenever required, whether they are planning villa stays, coordinating group travel, or managing complex itineraries. As a result, Holy Hotels strengthens its position in the competitive travel and hospitality technology space.

Looking ahead, Holy Hotels plans to introduce additional accommodation categories, including guesthouse bookings, an expanded range of apartments, and upgraded homestay options with improved discovery and booking features. These enhancements will not only broaden the platform’s inventory but also significantly improve the overall user experience.

As domestic travel continues to grow rapidly, Holy Hotels remains focused on building a comprehensive travel platform that caters to diverse budgets, travel styles, and preferences. Ultimately, the company aims to simplify the process of discovering and booking suitable accommodations across India while meeting the evolving expectations of modern travellers.

Holy Hotels’ expansion into resort and villa bookings reflects the broader shift in India’s travel landscape towards personalised and experience-led stays. By enhancing its offerings and leveraging a hybrid booking model, the platform is well-positioned to capitalise on the surge in domestic tourism and redefine convenience in travel booking.

The Hosteller raises ₹150-Cr in Series B to expand backpacker hostel network and launch travel super app

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April 16, 2026

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The Hosteller raises ₹150-Cr in Series B to expand backpacker hostel network and launch travel super app — Pranav Dangi, founder and CEO of The Hosteller

Branded hostel chain The Hosteller has secured ₹150 crore in a Series B funding round led by PROMAFT Partners and V3 Ventures, while ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, Merisis Wealth Trust, and several prominent family offices also participated. Notably, the company stated that this marks the largest institutional funding round ever raised by a backpacker hostel company in India. Furthermore, The Hosteller plans to utilize the fresh capital to accelerate its expansion across key travel destinations in the country.

Founded in 2014, The Hosteller currently operates more than 75 properties across 13 states and has hosted over 20 lakh unique travellers. Moreover, over the past 12 months, the company has added more than 30 new properties and increased its traveller capacity by nearly 70%, reflecting strong growth momentum. Consequently, the company now aims to scale its network to 25,000 beds nationwide within the next 36 months. In addition, it is preparing to launch a ‘travel super app’ that will integrate accommodation, food and beverage (F&B), mobility, and curated travel experiences into a single digital platform.

Pranav Dangi, founder and CEO of The Hosteller, said he started The Hosteller because Indian travellers deserved better than a choice between overpriced hotels and unreliable budget stays. “Eleven years and 20 lakh travellers later, the model has proven itself. This round is about sustained acceleration to 25,000 beds, a full-stack travel platform, and building the kind of company that can define this category for decades. We are on a path to building a truly public, enduring hospitality brand out of India,” he added.

Meanwhile, investors expressed strong confidence in the company’s growth trajectory and business fundamentals. Soham Avlani, founding general partner, PROMAFT Partners, said that a generation valuing experience over star ratings is reshaping India’s travel market, and he believes The Hosteller is best positioned to lead this shift. “The unit economics of this business are exceptional. The occupancy, the repeat rates, and the revenue per bed all outperform what we see in budget hotel chains at comparable price points,” he added.

Importantly, this investment marks PROMAFT Partners’ second deployment from its debut $100 million Series A/B fund, following its earlier investment in Wiom. Additionally, Arjun Vaidya, co-founder, V3 Ventures, said the growth and performance metrics have been ‘exceptional.’ ” Continuing to back the company in this round was one of the easiest decisions we have made as a fund,” he added.

Further reinforcing investor confidence, Mohit Gulati, CIO, ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, said that India’s experiential travel segment remains in its early stages, and he added that Pranav has built the only brand in this space that travellers actively plan around. “The Hosteller is one of those rare businesses where the unit economics tell the story better than any pitch deck. Occupancy, repeat rates, revenue per bed—the numbers hold up property by property, across geographies and seasons,” he added.

As demand for affordable, experience-driven stays continues to rise, the company looks forward to scale its footprint, enhance digital capabilities, and redefine budget hospitality through innovation and strong unit economics.

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