Fashion and accessories brand Salty raises Rs 30-Cr to expand into new product categories

January 19, 2026

Direct-to-consumer fashion and accessories brand Salty has raised Rs 30 crore in a funding round led by MG Investment, thereby strengthening its growth capital base. In addition, all existing investors, including Anicut Capital, All In Capital, and JK Group, participated in the round.

The brand plans to utilise the fresh capital to expand into new product categories such as watches, sunglasses, scarves, belts, and bag charms; consequently, the funding will also support broader category diversification and brand-led growth initiatives.

Founded in 2022 by Sonaal Goel, Twishaa Gupta, and Kanishka Garg, Salty focuses on serving younger consumers by offering a curated range of jewellery, accessories, and lifestyle products tailored to evolving fashion preferences.

“With this capital, we now have the fuel to deepen these categories, strengthen our team, expand across channels, and build … our flagship store,” said Garg.

Over the past year, Salty has delivered products to more than 18,000 pincodes across India, thereby demonstrating strong nationwide reach and logistics capability. Previously, the startup raised Rs 5 crore in 2024 in a funding round led by All In Capital and Anicut Capital, which supported its early-stage scale-up.

Soult Launches from TiECon Mangaluru; World’s First Digital Life Vault for Legacy Management

BRL Editor

January 19, 2026

Mangaluru, India, 19 January 2026— Soult, a Mangaluru-based startup, today announced its official global launch at TiECon Mangaluru 2026, unveiling the world’s first Digital Life Vault designed for comprehensive legacy management.

Soult enables individuals and families across the world to securely organize financial assets, critical documents, personal memories, wishes, and life instructions within one private and structured platform. It addresses a universal challenge of the digital age—lives are increasingly digital, but legacies remain fragmented.

Unlike conventional cloud storage or document repositories, Soult is purpose-built for legacy continuity. The platform brings together financial preparedness and the preservation of personal values, stories, and guidance intended for future generations, creating a new global category in digital life infrastructure.

Soult chose the recently concluded TiECon Mangaluru 2026 as its global launchpad. The inaugural flagship conference of TiE Mangaluru brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders to spotlight Coastal Karnataka—India’s emerging “Silicon Beach”—as a hub for innovation and investment. Launching Soult at TiECon Mangaluru underlines the belief that globally relevant products can be built from focused regional ecosystems like Mangaluru.

Soult is founded by Sanketh Kandlikar, an enterprise SaaS product and technology leader with over two decades of experience building and scaling B2B platforms, leading complex digital transformation programs, and managing global product lifecycles across industries and geographies. As founder, he brings deep expertise in architecting secure, scalable cloud platforms and translating real-world human problems into thoughtful, productized solutions.

Co-founder Saleem, a Dubai-based Mangaluru-born serial entrepreneur, complements this with years of experience building and backing ventures across the Gulf and India. As an active ecosystem enabler for Mangaluru-origin founders, he anchors Soult’s ambition to emerge from the coastal region and serve a truly global user base, while staying rooted in Mangaluru’s values of trust, community, and long-term relationships.

“Soult was born from a very personal realization that while we carefully build our lives, we rarely organize what we leave behind in a way that is clear, complete, and compassionate for our loved ones,” said Founder Sanketh Kandlikar. “Launching from TiECon Mangaluru is symbolic—it signals that products solving global problems can emerge from new innovation corridors like Coastal Karnataka, not just the usual metros.”

Privacy and security are fundamental to Soult’s design. Built on zero-knowledge architecture with strong encryption and user-controlled access, the platform ensures that personal data remains private and inaccessible to Soult itself. The company follows a strict no-advertising and no-data-monetization approach.

As digital lives continue to expand worldwide, Soult positions itself as quiet but essential infrastructure for individuals seeking certainty, dignity, and continuity for what they leave behind.

Find out more about Soult at www.soult.life

Trident Realty enters Panipat with flagship integrated township Trident Parktown

BRL Editor

January 19, 2026

Trident Realty enters Panipat with flagship integrated township Trident Parktown — Mr. S.K. Narvar, Group Chairman, Trident Realty

Trident Realty, a leading Indian real estate developer, has announced the launch of Trident Parktown, a premium integrated township spanning nearly 125 acres across Sectors 19A and 40 in Panipat. With a total investment of ₹1,200 crore, the development represents Trident Realty’s strategic entry into one of North India’s fastest-growing and historically significant urban markets.

In its first phase, Trident Parktown will introduce over 400 residential plots starting at 200 sq. yds., while also offering a well-balanced mix of independent floors, group housing, and retail and commercial spaces. Moreover, the developer has envisioned the township as a wellness-focused community that seamlessly blends luxury, leisure, and modern living within a nature-led environment.

Drawing inspiration from the seven chakras of human life, the township features thoughtfully themed neighbourhoods articulated through landscaped vistas and curated green spaces. Consequently, residents will benefit from 10 theme-based parks, tree-lined promenades, children’s play areas, shaded sit-outs, and pedestrian-friendly walkways that actively promote outdoor engagement and mindful living.

Furthermore, the project integrates dedicated active zones with sports courts, a 2.25 km cycling track, and open-air fitness areas, while social zones include community lawns, amphitheatres, and interactive plazas. In addition, wellness retreats offer meditation pods, reflexology pathways, yoga lawns, sensory gardens, and forest trails, thereby delivering a holistic lifestyle ecosystem.

Mr. S.K. Narvar, Group Chairman, Trident Realty, said, “Trident Parktown reflects our vision of building communities shaped by thought, balance, and purpose. Panipat’s evolving urban landscape offered the ideal canvas for a township that nurtures not just homes, but a way of life rooted in harmony and long-term value.”

Adding to this, Mr. Parvinder Singh, CEO, Trident Realty, said, “Every detail of Trident Parktown has been meticulously planned—from road widths and layouts to landscape design and amenity integration. Positioned strategically on NH-44, the township offers connectivity, open spaces, and premium infrastructure, making it a truly future-ready address for modern homebuyers.”

Additionally, the township plans to feature an ultra-modern clubhouse that will serve as a dynamic social nucleus by combining leisure, wellness, dining, and hospitality experiences under one roof.

Situated strategically between Delhi and Chandigarh, Panipat continues to emerge as a well-connected residential destination, supported by accelerating infrastructure development and seamless connectivity via NH-44. Accordingly, with its large-scale vision, integrated master planning, and wellness-driven design philosophy, Trident Parktown aims to redefine premium urban living in Panipat.

AssetPlus raises ₹175-Cr in funding round to deepen its technology stack

BRL Editor

January 19, 2026

AssetPlus raises ₹175-Cr in funding round to deepen its technology stack — L-R: Vishranth Suresh & Awanish Raj, co-founders, AssetPlus

Wealthtech platform AssetPlus has raised Rs 175 crore (approximately USD 19.5 million) in a growth-stage funding round led by Nexus Venture Partners, while existing investors Eight Roads Ventures and Rainmatter Fund also participated alongside InCred Group founder Bhupinder Singh, according to media reports citing the company.

The Chennai-based startup will use the newly raised capital to strengthen its technology platform, expand its product suite, and accelerate the scale-up of its distributor-led assisted wealth management model. Additionally, over the next six months, AssetPlus plans to introduce Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and enable global investment offerings through Gift City.

Founded in 2016, AssetPlus operates a B2B2C platform that empowers mutual fund distributors to handle onboarding, transactions, compliance, and portfolio servicing for end customers. At present, the company supports more than 18,000 mutual fund distributors, manages assets exceeding Rs 7,250 crore, administers an SIP book of over Rs 100 crore per month, and serves upwards of 150,000 retail investors across India.

CEO Vishranth Suresh stated that the fundraise comes at a time of growing demand for advice-led investing, as retail investors increasingly seek guidance beyond DIY platforms, particularly amid market volatility and the rising complexity of financial products. Typically, AssetPlus’ retail clients maintain portfolios ranging between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 crore, while contributing average monthly SIPs of Rs 10,000–Rs 12,000.

“We are building wealth management infrastructure that combines human advice with technology-led scale. This capital allows us to accelerate that vision alongside investors who believe in strengthening India’s wealth ecosystem for the long term,” said Vishranth Suresh, co-founder and CEO of AssetPlus.

“AssetPlus is building long-term infrastructure for assisted wealth management, which is critical to India’s financial future. Their integrated approach across technology, products, and capability building positions them to create lasting impact,” said Anand Datta, Partner, Nexus Venture Partners.

“As India adds more new investors, we also need to find ways to help them do better with decisions when it comes to investing. The AssetPlus team has always focused on enabling MFDs the right way. They think for the long term, and that is what our ecosystem also needs,” said Nithin Kamath, Co-founder, Rainmatter by Zerodha.

Beyond mutual funds, the company has steadily diversified into insurance, fixed deposits, and retirement-oriented solutions. Meanwhile, CTO Awanish Raj emphasised plans to embed AI-driven capabilities to enhance workflows, risk evaluation, and client engagement, positioning the platform as a “copilot” for advisors rather than a replacement.

According to data from Tracxn, AssetPlus reported revenue of Rs 33.9 crore and a net loss of Rs 21 crore for the financial year ended March 2025. Nevertheless, the startup aims to turn profitable within the next two years and ultimately reach 100 million Indian households by 2047.

Nexus Venture Partners’ Anand Datta said AssetPlus is creating “long-term infrastructure for assisted wealth management” that could generate sustained impact across India’s broader financial ecosystem.

Blackstone makes $50–75 Mn structured investment in AI cloud startup Neysa

BRL Editor

January 19, 2026

Blackstone makes $50–75 Mn structured investment in AI cloud startup Neysa — L-R: Sharad Sanghi and Anindya Das, co-founders, Neysa

US alternative asset manager Blackstone has finalised a structured investment with Mumbai-based AI cloud infrastructure startup Neysa and has committed USD 50–75 million in the initial tranche while structuring the deal to potentially acquire a controlling stake once the company meets predefined business milestones, according to media reports.

The transaction values Neysa at approximately USD 300 million and, importantly, highlights Blackstone’s strategic expansion into AI-centric cloud and data centre technologies, as demand for compute-intensive infrastructure continues to surge across India.

Unlike a traditional venture capital round, the parties have designed the deal as a milestone-linked and structured investment; consequently, the framework aligns Blackstone’s capital deployment with Neysa’s growth roadmap and the inherently capital-intensive requirements of GPU-driven cloud services.

Founded in 2023, Sharad Sanghi, along with co-founder Anindya Das, launched Neysa to deliver GPU-accelerated cloud computing and AI infrastructure solutions to enterprises, startups, and government clients. Before this transaction, the company raised close to USD 50 million across two funding rounds, with backing from investors including Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners India), Nexus Venture Partners, Blume Ventures, and NTT.

Moreover, the structured investment stands out as one of the largest funding commitments to an Indian AI cloud company to date and clearly signals rising interest from global private equity firms in India’s technology infrastructure layer. In parallel, Blackstone already holds investments in Indian data centre platforms and manages nearly USD 50 billion in assets in the country while actively planning to deepen its exposure to technology and real estate assets.

At the same time, recent months have seen other global investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners and SoftBank, linked to potential funding discussions with Neysa, thereby underscoring intensifying competition for ownership in AI infrastructure businesses.

Meanwhile, Neysa’s leadership notes that enterprises are rapidly moving from AI experimentation toward full-scale deployment; as a result, demand for dependable and scalable compute capacity continues to rise and is expected to accelerate further through 2026.

Brick & Bolt redefines education infrastructure construction with AI-led predictability

BRL Editor

January 17, 2026

Brick & Bolt redefines education infrastructure construction with AI-led predictability — Mr. Jayesh Rajpurohit, co-founder & CEO, Brick & Bolt

Brick & Bolt, India’s leading tech-enabled construction company, has announced a focused initiative to transform how schools and educational institutions are planned, constructed, and delivered across the country.

Through this renewed emphasis, Brick & Bolt seeks to apply its technology-led, governance-first construction model to introduce predictability, accountability, and execution certainty in education infrastructure development, thereby enabling institutions to concentrate on learning outcomes instead of construction-related challenges.

Traditionally, school and educational institution construction in India has faced multiple challenges, including fragmented responsibility structures, limited transparency, and weak accountability. Consequently, these issues have often led to project delays and inconsistent quality standards. For educational institutions, such setbacks directly disrupt academic calendars, admissions cycles, brand credibility, and trust among parents as well as regulators.

To address these systemic challenges, Brick & Bolt is implementing an end-to-end execution framework that delivers single-point accountability from design through handover. This model integrates AI-led planning, strong financial discipline, and structured quality governance. As a result, the company aims to replace uncertainty with system-driven execution, ensuring projects reach completion on schedule, within approved budgets, and with long-term durability.

Speaking about Brick & Bolt’s focus on education infrastructure, Mr. Jayesh Rajpurohit, co-founder & CEO, Brick & Bolt, said, “Educational infrastructure plays a foundational role in learning outcomes, which is why execution certainty and quality of construction are critical in building academic infrastructure. At Brick & Bolt, we deeply understand the sector’s need for certainty, quality, and governance-led delivery. Our system-driven, AI-led construction platform brings clarity and control across design, compliance, quality, and timelines, enabling education leaders to build future-ready campuses with confidence and long-term value.”

In line with this strategy, Brick & Bolt has onboarded a diverse portfolio of educational projects, ranging from facilities as small as 5,000 sq. ft. to expansive campuses exceeding two lakh sq. ft. These include institutions such as Ryan International Academy across multiple locations, KPIAS Academy, Gowtham Model School, T. John Institute, and MelFell Preschool and Daycare, among others. Collectively, these projects demonstrate the company’s capability to manage complex designs, maintain consistent quality across campuses, and align project handovers with strict academic timelines.

At the core of Brick & Bolt’s institutional construction offering lies an AI-led digital ecosystem powered by more than 16 integrated applications. Every school project operates with Digital Twin (BIM) models, real-time progress dashboards, and stage-wise quality and financial monitoring. Consequently, institutional owners gain complete visibility and control over the construction process without requiring frequent site visits. Each Digital Twin functions as a virtual, data-backed replica of the campus, encompassing classrooms, laboratories, corridors, services, and common areas, thereby enabling early design validation, clash detection, and long-term lifecycle predictability.

Furthermore, Brick & Bolt has institutionalised quality assurance through its proprietary and registered Quality Assessment System for Construction, QASCON®, which incorporates over 1,153 structured quality checkpoints along with multi-level audits conducted at both site and central levels. As a result, the company digitises quality processes, makes them fully auditable, and enforces them as non-negotiable standards to ensure consistency across geographies. In addition, Brick & Bolt remains fully compliant with the National Building Code (NBC) of India, aligning with structural safety, fire and life safety norms, occupancy-specific planning, universal accessibility standards, MEP systems, and statutory approval requirements. This compliance significantly reduces rework, accelerates approval timelines, and facilitates regulatory clearances for educational institutions.

Equally important, Brick & Bolt defines project timelines contractually and tracks them digitally, while providing live progress updates through the company’s customer application and embedding delay accountability into the system. Consequently, the company has achieved an exceptionally low delay rate across its expanding institutional project portfolio. With more than 10,142 projects delivered pan-India, Brick & Bolt has demonstrated execution maturity at scale, supported by dedicated institutional project management teams that consistently deliver outcomes without compromising on quality.

Overall, Brick & Bolt collaborates closely with school promoters, education trusts, large K-12 education groups, higher education institutions, preschool chains, and organisations pursuing national expansion. Through its technology-first and governance-led approach, the company aims to continue shaping future-ready education infrastructure across India.

Goa emerges as top performer for startup ecosystem development in national rankings

BRL Editor

January 17, 2026

Goa has earned recognition as a Best Performer for building a robust startup ecosystem under the States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking Category B, an initiative that evaluates and promotes innovation-led entrepreneurship across India. As a result, the ranking places the state among the top performers for its sustained focus on nurturing startups through supportive policies, strong institutions, and measurable outcomes.

Moreover, the national ranking framework assesses all states and Union Territories across categories defined by population and performance benchmarks. It actively measures progress across key parameters such as startup-friendly policies, institutional frameworks, infrastructure readiness, access to funding, market linkages, capacity-building programmes, and the promotion of innovation-driven growth. Consequently, stakeholders widely regard this framework as one of the most comprehensive evaluations of startup ecosystems in the country.

The authorities announced the recognition during the National Startup Day celebrations held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. During the event, senior officials from the DPIIT Promotion Cell received the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Government of Goa, thereby marking a significant milestone for the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Importantly, this achievement reflects the state’s consistent and strategic efforts to create an enabling environment for startups at every stage of their journey. Through progressive policies, structured institutional support, and active collaboration with industry, academia, and ecosystem partners, Goa has steadily developed a framework that supports entrepreneurs from ideation and incubation to scaling and market expansion.

Subsequently, the Goa Legislative Assembly also acknowledged the national recognition. During the proceedings, the state’s leadership highlighted the collective contribution of government departments, institutions, and the startup community in achieving this milestone. This acknowledgement further reinforced the value of coordinated and collaborative efforts in driving long-term ecosystem development.

Overall, the award underscores Goa’s rising profile as a dynamic and innovation-led startup destination. At the same time, it reaffirms the state’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship that delivers economic impact, creates new opportunities, and promotes inclusive growth. With a sustained focus on innovation and collaboration, Goa continues to strengthen its position as a preferred hub for emerging enterprises and future-ready businesses.

The Sarvato returns to City Palace Jaipur, blending heritage and fine dining

BRL Editor

January 17, 2026

The Sarvato and Gallery Café has reopened for the season at Jaipur’s City Palace, while continuing its strong emphasis on Rajasthani cuisine and cultural expression. The restaurant operates as a collaboration between His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur and restaurateur Abhishek Honawar.

Notably, the reopening follows The Sarvato’s induction into the Relais & Châteaux network earlier this year. According to the management, this recognition elevates the restaurant’s regional culinary philosophy and hospitality approach onto an international stage.

Meanwhile, during the summer break, the culinary team actively conducted an in-depth research programme focused on traditional Rajasthani cooking tools and vessels. The study examined everyday implements such as urns, brass thalis, stone grinders, and wooden ladles to gain deeper insight into historical cooking methods and food culture. Consequently, these findings have directly shaped the menu for the current season.

At present, the menu draws extensively from regional produce, local techniques, and traditional home-style cooking practices. Signature dishes include Laal Tamatar ka Arq, Deg ka Laal Maas, Bejad ki Bread, and Motichoor Ghewar, among others. Importantly, the restaurant clarified that the dishes stem from on-the-ground research rather than modern reinterpretation.

In addition, The Sarvato has expanded its beverage programme by introducing a structured caviar and champagne service. The restaurant will remain operational for the season until April 2026.

“The Sarvato was born out of a desire to present Rajasthani cuisine not just as food, but as cultural memory. Each plate speaks of legacy, of our land, history, and people, legacies we wanted to present to the world,” shares His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur. “Being recognised by Relais & Châteaux is a meaningful affirmation of this journey and an honour we carry with great pride for Jaipur and for Rajasthan.”

Reflecting on the new season, Abhishek Honawar said, “As we reopen for a new season, The Sarvato begins a new dialogue with Rajasthan’s culinary heritage.” He further added, “This menu reflects what we’ve learned from the land: simple, honest flavours expressed with care and precision. I look forward to guests experiencing and discovering these new expressions and finding something that resonates with them.”

Overall, Honawar emphasised that the new season encapsulates insights drawn directly from the land and its long-standing culinary traditions, reinforcing The Sarvato’s commitment to authenticity and cultural continuity.

Runwal Developers secures SEBI approval to launch IPO

BRL Editor

January 17, 2026

Real estate firm Runwal Developers has received regulatory approval from Sebi to raise capital through an initial public offering, according to an update released by the market regulator on Friday.

As part of this development, Runwal Developers plans to raise ₹2,000 crore through its maiden public issue. Specifically, the offering will comprise a fresh issue of equity shares worth ₹1,700 crore, along with an offer for sale (OFS) of ₹300 crore by promoter Sandeep Subhash Runwal, as detailed in the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).

Furthermore, the company intends to utilise the proceeds from the fresh issue primarily to repay outstanding debt availed by Runwal Developers and its subsidiaries. In addition, the remaining funds will support general corporate purposes, thereby strengthening the real estate company’s financial flexibility and balance sheet.

Notably, the Sebi approval marks a critical milestone in Runwal Developers’ capital market journey and reflects the company’s readiness to access public funding. The proposed IPO plans to enhance the developer’s ability to pursue future growth opportunities while reducing leverage.

Overall, the regulatory clearance positions Runwal Developers to advance toward a successful public listing. By combining debt reduction with long-term capital strengthening, the planned IPO is likely to support sustainable growth, improve financial stability, and reinforce investor confidence as the company enters the public markets.

Machan Resorts Accelerates Value Hospitality with ‘Moments by The Machan’

BRL Editor

January 17, 2026

Machan Resorts Accelerates Value Hospitality with ‘Moments by The Machan’ — Rakshit Sharma, COO, Machan Resorts

Mumbai, India | January 2026: Machan Resorts, a pioneer in India’s eco-luxury hospitality space, continues to strengthen its commitment to value-driven, experience-led stays with Moments by The Machan, a brand thoughtfully designed to balance responsibility, comfort, and value for modern business and leisure travellers.

As part of its planned growth, Machan Resorts is expanding Moments by The Machan through a flexible development approach. The brand looks forward to collaborating with property owners who share its vision for modern hospitality. Built on a technology-led model, Moments by The Machan features digital check-ins, smart systems, and intuitive service touchpoints that appeal to Gen Z and millennial travellers, while ensuring a consistent, value-driven guest experience.

Rooted in the group’s philosophy of sustainability, authenticity, and mindful design, Moments by The Machan will offer modern comfort with eco-conscious hospitality. Strategically planned across business-led urban centres and high-growth leisure corridors, these hotels will provide convenient access to corporate parks, shopping hubs, and major attractions, making them ideal for both business and leisure travellers.

The hotels will feature smartly designed rooms focused on comfort, efficiency, and ease of stay, complemented by streamlined dining options and business-ready services tailored for short and extended stays. Versatile banquet and meeting spaces will further make the hotels a preferred choice for conferences, corporate events, and social gatherings.

Rakshit Sharma, COO, Machan Resorts, commented, “Our vision is to focus on comfort, sustainability, and thoughtfully designed experiences. Moments by The Machan reflects our ongoing effort to create hospitality offerings that resonate with today’s conscious traveller, without compromising on purpose or design integrity.”

About Machan Resorts

Machan Resorts, India’s leading name in eco-luxury hospitality, is all set to expand its presence across the country. After establishing itself through distinctive treehouse experiences in Lonavala and heritage hospitality in Mandawa, the brand is now preparing to launch new properties in Mulshi, Pawana, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Karjat, Aurangabad and Bhiwandi.

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