Centre Court Capital raises ₹410-Cr for first fund focused on sports and gaming

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December 9, 2025

Centre Court Capital raises ₹410-Cr for first fund focused on sports and gaming — Mustafa Ghouse, General Partner, Centre Court Capital

Centre Court Capital on Tuesday raised Rs 410 crore for its maiden fund, surpassing its original target and activating a Rs 60 crore greenshoe option, and the firm now plans to back companies operating at the intersection of sports and gaming within the Indian ecosystem.

JSW Cement’s Managing Director, Parth Jindal, anchors the fund, while domestic institutional investors such as SIDBI and SRI, along with family offices including Premji Invest, SanRaj Group, and GMR Sports, have extended their support. It also attracted participation from sports and media personalities like Neeraj Chopra, Rishabh Pant, PV Sindhu, and Jemimah Rodrigues, as well as entrepreneurs including Binny Bansal, Mithun Sacheti, and Ankit Nagori.

The fund plans to write cheques ranging from Rs 8 crore to Rs 24 crore and aims to invest in 15 to 18 companies; moreover, it has already invested in six companies, including cricket fan engagement platform Fancraze Technologies, sports infrastructure firm Michezo Sports, aerial and broadcast tech startup Quidich Innovation Labs, and gaming studio Airoclip, among others.

Centre Court Capital intends to allocate around 30% to 40% of the fund for follow-on investments in its portfolio companies, and it expects to finish deploying capital in the next 12 to 18 months, Mustafa Ghouse, general partner at Centre Court Capital, said.

The firm is examining sub-sectors within the fitness ecosystem—such as nutrition and recovery—although its broader focus stays on tech-driven businesses that can scale within sports and gaming. Ghouse also clarified that despite the firm’s sector focus, it does not plan to invest in sports teams, leagues, or coaching academies because these businesses fall under the service sector.

“It is not a venture-type investment in our perspective where you can deliver within a six- to seven-year horizon. With teams and leagues, we don’t look at it because those are sectors that are looked at by private equity firms and need larger check sizes. You also need to stay invested in it for a much longer period of time,” said Ghouse.

The fund’s exit horizon remains a typical six- to seven-year window, and Ghouse added that although exit strategies vary by business, the firm is now seeing larger international funds becoming more active in India, which in turn provides stronger exit opportunities for VCs in this sector. Additionally, mergers and acquisitions continue to play a major role in shaping exits.

“For us, the type of exits one has already seen from Indian studios has been with acquisitions. That will continue to be the first kind of pathway for us, from an exit perspective. It’s either M&As or larger international funds looking to enter India or our segment.”

Nimbus Realty invests ₹10-Cr to elevate air quality at The Arista Luxe

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December 9, 2025

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Nimbus Realty invests ₹10-Cr to elevate air quality at The Arista Luxe — Sahil Agarwal, CEO, Nimbus Realty

Nimbus Realty has taken a significant step by introducing the feel of mountain-fresh air inside its homes at the ultra-luxury residential complex, Nimbus The Arista Luxe.

This in-residence air system, developed by MeVaChi, uses hospital-grade filtration, and the company has invested nearly Rs 10 crore in the setup, which now stands at the core of how the project defines comfort and well-being.

“The idea is simple: the air inside a home should not merely circulate. It should be renewed, refreshed, and made as clean as the surroundings people often travel far to enjoy. At the moment, this technology is being offered only at Nimbus The Arista Luxe. Other projects are being studied for possible inclusion. The setup is more sustainable over time, both in terms of maintenance and energy use,” says Sahil Agarwal, CEO, Nimbus Realty.

The technology behind this system relies on multiple stages of filtration, and additionally, it incorporates a HEPA layer similar to those used in medical environments. This system also absorbs gases and odors, producing air that feels lighter, cleaner, and significantly less polluted. Moreover, it helps reduce gaseous impurities that typically originate from traffic corridors, drains, or even distant landfills, and removing them plays a major role in how fresh a home ultimately smells or feels.

Ultimately, Nimbus Realty’s investment in advanced clean-air technology at The Arista Luxe reflects a forward-looking commitment to healthier, more sustainable living. By integrating hospital-grade filtration directly into every residence, the company not only elevates everyday comfort but also redefines what luxury housing should offer in an urban environment. This initiative demonstrates how innovation, wellness, and premium real estate can come together to create homes that genuinely enhance the quality of life for modern residents.

United Hospitality Management strengthens leisure portfolio through Rosastays aquisition

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December 9, 2025

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United Hospitality Management (UHM) has officially made its entry into the Indian hospitality market by acquiring Rosastays, and this strategic step marks a significant milestone in UHM’s global expansion. The company now establishes a strong operational presence with 17 boutique properties across destinations such as Goa, Kasauli, Nainital, Pushkar, and Shimla, among others.

Additionally, select Rosastays assets will transition into the UHM brand between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. Moreover, UHM continues to strengthen its development pipeline, which now includes over 700 keys and upcoming projects with IHG Hotels & Resorts under the Garner brand, reinforcing its long-term commitment to South Asia’s rapidly growing hospitality landscape.

Klaus Assmann, COO, United Hospitality Management – Middle East, India & Southeast Asia, said, “India is among the world’s most dynamic hospitality markets. Our expansion here is a long-term investment in a region of immense potential. With Deepika’s leadership and our proven global framework, we’re set to create hospitality experiences that combine operational excellence with cultural authenticity, delivering true value for owners and investors.”

Deepika Arora, a visionary entrepreneur with over two decades of global hospitality experience, assumes leadership as Managing Director for United Hospitality Management—India and will drive the company’s mission to build a differentiated, owner-focused platform.

Deepika added, “India is entering a transformative phase in travel and hospitality—one that values authenticity, design, and differentiated guest experiences. UHM’s entry will bring global systems, a strong owner-centric philosophy, and operational expertise that will accelerate growth for our partners.”

Rosastays also continues to support Dusit Hotels & Resorts in the Indian Subcontinent under Deepika’s leadership, which further enhances strategic synergies across the region. UHM, leveraging more than 30 years of luxury hospitality experience, manages a diverse international portfolio that spans Europe and the Middle East, including Hyatt Regency Lisbon, Sheraton Cascais Resort, Pine Cliffs Resort Algarve—a Luxury Collection Resort, Yotel Porto, Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort—a Vignette Collection by IHG, Wyndham Residences The Palm, Movenpick JLT, VOCO Bonnington JLT, The Creekside Hotel Dubai, Arabella Beach Hotel Kuwait—a Vignette Collection by IHG, Riva Beach Club Palm Jumeirah Dubai, and an extensive collection of bespoke holiday homes and residences in the UAE.

In addition, UHM operates more than 60 dining venues and offers signature wellness platforms such as Serenity—The Art of Wellbeing, Pure by Serenity, and the Active by Serenity gym brand. Furthermore, UHM’s “glocal” philosophy—blending global expertise with locally informed strategies—continues to establish the company as a trusted partner for major hospitality brands, including Marriott, Accor, Wyndham, Hyatt, Yotel, and IHG, while its India entry underscores its long-term strategic vision, owner-first systems, and strong leadership focus.

Google invests in vibe coding startup Emergent to accelerate AI adoption

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December 9, 2025

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Google invests in vibe coding startup Emergent to accelerate AI adoption — Mukund Jha and Madhav Jha, co-founders, Emergent

Vibe coding startup Emergent, which scaled to 2.5 million users and surpassed a $25 million ARR run rate within just five months of launch, announced on Tuesday that it has secured a strategic investment from Google’s AI Futures Fund. The investment also provides access to Google’s latest AI models and technical expertise.

The startup did not disclose the investment amount.

Founded in 2025 by Mukund and Madhav Jha, Emergent positions itself as an agentic vibe-coding platform that enables non-technical users to build full-stack, production-ready applications through autonomous AI agents. The platform eliminates the need for expensive engineering teams or technical cofounders, thus allowing small business owners, creators, and entrepreneurs to build software without writing code.

“We are partnering deeply across three to four areas [with Google]: Gemini models for our backend heavy workloads (we were a Gemini 3 launch partner), DeepMind research on app design, accuracy, and reinforcement learning; GCP for hosting small-footprint production apps; and distribution via Android, Search, and other properties,” said Mukund.

“Emergent’s work is helping people make their ideas a reality,” Jonathan Silber, cofounder and director of the AI Futures Fund at Google, said in a statement.

Emergent has attracted support from a range of investors, including Lightspeed, Prosus, Y Combinator, Together, and several angel backers.

In September, the company raised $23 million in a round led by Lightspeed, with participation from Together Fund, Y Combinator, Prosus Ventures, and angel investors such as Google veteran Jeff Dean, Devendra Chaplot, and Balaji Srinivasan.

Mukund said the company continues to seek additional capital to expand its user base. “Our capital strategy is simple. All the capital will go towards team building, research, improving the technology, and acquiring a lot of users.”

Security and safety remain key hurdles for Emergent, as much of the code gets generated by AI and serves users who lack the technical ability to audit it.

When apps are ready for deployment, Emergent runs them through its internal security scanners to detect common vulnerabilities such as exposed keys or unauthenticated APIs, Mukund explained. The apps deploy into cloud environments managed by Emergent, equipped with strict rate limits, firewalls, and several protective layers against attacks.

Tiger Global revives early strategy with new $2.2 Bn venture fund

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December 9, 2025

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Tiger Global Management’s venture capital arm is returning to an earlier playbook, rolling out smaller and more deliberate funds that it says deliver its strongest performance.

Chase Coleman’s firm plans to raise about $2.2 billion for its upcoming venture vehicle, keeping the new fund roughly in line with the previous one, according to a Monday letter sent to investors. This shift moves away from its two prior mega-funds, which collected $6.7 billion and $12.7 billion, the largest illiquid pools in its history.

Tiger achieved a 23% internal rate of return with its first 10 Private Investment Partners (PIP) funds—each managing under $3 billion and executing fewer than 50 deals—according to the firm.

The new PIP 17 fund will mirror those earlier funds and its immediate predecessor in terms of strategy, size, and structure, the firm said. Tiger insiders, including Coleman, will serve as the largest contributors to the vehicle, which plans to reach its first close on March 18.

The firm did not provide any comment.

Tiger aims to stage a comeback, especially after aggressively deploying venture capital in 2021 and 2022, right before the broader market slowdown. It initially targeted a larger raise for PIP 16 but ultimately closed at $2.2 billion.

Tiger exited more than 85 companies from the larger PIP 15 fund, generating over $1 billion, which it reinvested into winners such as ByteDance and fintech Revolut.

Over the past three years, Tiger Global allocated about two-thirds of PIP 16’s capital to artificial intelligence ventures, including autonomous driving leader Waymo, OpenAI, software platform Temporal, and AI infrastructure firm Cerebras.

That fund appears to show a “high hit rate” with “no known impairments today,” according to the letter.

“This is a unique moment in history,” Tiger wrote, referencing AI’s promise. “We also recognize the importance of approaching a technological shift of this magnitude with some humility, as there are many unknowns today and the rate of change is unprecedented.”

Chiratae Ventures launches Sonic Deeptech programme with funding up to $2 Mn

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December 8, 2025

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Chiratae Ventures launches Sonic Deeptech programme with funding up to $2 Mn — Sudhir Sethi, Founder & Chairman, Chiratae Ventures

Chiratae Ventures has launched Sonic DeepTech, a fast-track funding programme aimed at helping early-stage founders working in frontier technologies. The initiative will invest from seed to Series A and will offer up to $2 million to each startup.

Additionally, the firm said the programme is designed to reduce the gap between evaluation and capital deployment. Chiratae plans to take an investment decision within 48 hours. Moreover, along with funding, founders will receive access to domain experts and industry partners to help them take products from the lab stage to commercial rollout.

Sonic DeepTech will focus on sectors where India is pushing for global leadership. These sectors include energy and climate, quantum technologies, robotics and advanced manufacturing, space technologies, applied AI and ML, defence, bio and medtech, and the digital economy.

Furthermore, Chiratae said it has already deployed more than $200 million across over 50 deeptech startups. Its portfolio includes companies such as Pixis, Miko, Agnikul, Aether Biomedical, Pando.ai, Cavli Wireless, Sigtuple, HealthifyMe, and Metadome.ai. These startups work across AI, robotics, spacetech, medical devices, and supply chain systems. The portfolio has crossed 180 patent filings, with more than 130 patents granted.

In addition, the venture capital firm manages over $1.3 billion across funds and has backed more than 130 startups since inception. Its broader portfolio features companies such as Flipkart, Lenskart, Myntra, FirstCry, PolicyBazaar, Cult.fit, and AgroStar.

Saharsh Sharma, Vice President of Investments at Chiratae Ventures, said, “India’s next wave of category-defining companies will come from deeptech founders who pair research with strong product thinking.” He added that founders need capital that understands long timelines and partners who can open doors.

Finally, applications for the programme are now open for founders building in frontier technology areas.

Suba Hotels strengthens Uttar Pradesh portfolio with Comfort Inn Vindhyan

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December 8, 2025

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Suba Hotels strengthens Uttar Pradesh portfolio with Comfort Inn Vindhyan — Mansur Mehta, founder and Managing Director of Suba Hotels

Suba Hotels Limited has strengthened its footprint in Uttar Pradesh by opening Comfort Inn Vindhyan in Vindhyachal, Mirzapur. This launch marks the company’s second property in the city and its 17th operational property in the state. Moreover, the hotel offers premium service, top-tier amenities, and timeless hospitality while being conveniently located in the heart of this historic pilgrimage destination.

Commenting on the launch, Mansur Mehta, Managing Director of Suba Hotels Limited, said, “The launch of Comfort Inn Vindhyan consolidates our position as one of the leading hospitality brands in the country. We have been making swift progress after our very successful IPO last month.” He added that the opening reaffirms Suba Hotels’ commitment to expanding quality hospitality across key religious and cultural destinations in India.

Additionally, the CEO of the company, Mubeen Mehta, added, “Comfort is a very popular brand within the Choice portfolio. Patrons have embraced this brand very positively, and this is the 30th property we have opened under the Comfort brand.”

Furthermore, Comfort Inn Vindhyan features 42 well-appointed rooms that are modern, sleek, and equipped with all essential facilities. The hotel serves as an ideal destination for spiritual seekers, corporate travelers, and families seeking a comfortable and premium stay in the sacred city of Vindhyachal. It sits just a minute away from the Vindhyavasini Temple and other major temples and also provides easy access to the Ganga ghat.

Additionally, the hotel’s multi-cuisine restaurant, Vindhyan Chahel Pahel, offers delectable dishes from various Indian states. The property also boasts a rooftop banqueting facility with panoramic views of the temple town.

In addition, travellers recognize Vindhyachal not only as a spiritual destination but also for its scenic waterfalls, including Tanda, Khursiya, and Kharania, among others.

Bengaluru-based Lumov raises Rs 10-Cr in funding

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December 8, 2025

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Bengaluru-based Lumov raises Rs 10-Cr in funding — Saumaric Dangwal and Ankit Gupta, co-founders, Lumov

Bengaluru-based Lumov has raised Rs 10 crore ($1.2 million) in a seed funding round led by Incubate Fund Asia.

Additionally, QRG Investments and Holdings (Havells Family Office), IIMA Ventures, SIDBI, and several angel investors—including Ashish Gupta of Helion Advisors, Saket Narang of Steinberg India, Abhishek Goyal of Tracxn, Arjun Vaidya of Indian Silicon Valley, and Mapaex Family Office—participated in the round.

Moreover, the funding will support Lumov’s expansion, strengthen its product development pipeline, and deepen its collaboration with orthopedic surgeons across India. The startup plans to scale operations in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, and Mumbai while enhancing its manufacturing and sales capabilities. It currently employs a core team of 15 members and expects significant hiring across product development, sales, and operations.

Founded by IIT Kharagpur and Harvard Business School alumni Saumaric Dangwal and Ankit Gupta, Lumov designs and manufactures orthopedic recovery and rehabilitation products for post-surgical care, long-term mobility support, and lifestyle-driven pain management. Furthermore, specialists from hospital chains such as Manipal, Apollo, Sakra, and AIG collaborate with Lumov to develop its orthoses and recovery aids.

The products focus on clinical effectiveness, patient comfort, and India-specific anatomy and climate requirements, thereby aiming to improve compliance and recovery outcomes.

Saumaric Dangwal and Ankit Gupta said, “India is in the midst of an orthopaedic health crisis. While advances in diagnostics and care delivery are improving outcomes, we are building the physical product layer: premium, high-quality orthotics, rehabilitation aids, and pain-management solutions designed to accelerate recovery and help people live pain-free, active lives.”

Furthermore, Rajeev Ranka, Partner at Incubate Fund Asia, said, “The musculoskeletal (MSK) care category, particularly in post-surgical recovery, rehabilitation, and lifestyle-driven pain relief, is poised for significant innovation. Lumov’s surgeon-led approach, Saumaric and Ankit’s profound market understanding, and integration of modern design principles instill high confidence that they can emerge as a category-defining company in MSK care.”

Lords Hotels & Resorts Announces New Hotel Signing in Joshimath, Expanding Its Footprint in Uttarakhand

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December 8, 2025

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Lords Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the signing of its newest property in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, further strengthening the brand’s presence in one of India’s most significant spiritual and adventure destinations. This strategic addition reflects the group’s commitment to expanding across key leisure and pilgrimage markets while offering guests comfortable, reliable, and value-driven hospitality.

Located at the gateway to Auli, Badrinath, and the Valley of Flowers, the newly signed hotel will cater to pilgrims, trekkers, adventure enthusiasts, and leisure travellers seeking quality accommodation in the region. The property will feature well-appointed rooms, all-day dining facilities, and signature Lords hospitality, ensuring a warm and memorable stay for every guest.

Commenting on the new venture, Mr. Pushpendra Bansal, COO of Lords Hotels & Resorts, expressed strong enthusiasm: “We thank our new partners for their trust in us, as we continue to collaborate with like-minded owners who believe in our vision. This signing reinforces our commitment to offering Lords’ Exhilarating hospitality to travellers across emerging destinations.”

Speaking about the new signing, Vikas Suri, VP – Lords Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to bring the Lords experience to Joshimath, a destination of deep cultural, spiritual, and natural significance. This signing aligns perfectly with our growth strategy in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan circuit. We look forward to offering travellers a trusted and comfortable stay while contributing to local tourism development.”

Further highlighting the brand’s development outlook, Roushan Kumar, General Manager – Development, stated: “Our commitment is to deliver warm, reliable hospitality to travellers exploring Joshimath, as we continue strengthening our presence in this important circuit. This new signing reflects our focus on expanding thoughtfully across high-demand destinations.”

About Lords Hotels & Resorts

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

IBM nears $11 Billion acquisition deal for Confluent: Report

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December 8, 2025

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IBM nears $11 Billion acquisition deal for Confluent: Report — Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM

The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that IBM is entering advanced discussions to acquire data-infrastructure company Confluent for about $11 billion, aiming to boost Big Blue’s ability to capture the growing demand for cloud services.

Moreover, the newspaper reported that unnamed sources said IBM could announce the deal for Confluent—an open-source platform that processes massive streams of real-time data, from bank transactions to website clicks—as early as Monday. Both companies did not issue any immediate response to requests for comment outside normal business hours.

Previously, in October, Confluent began weighing a potential sale and appointed an investment bank to manage the process after drawing interest from prospective buyers.

As per LSEG-compiled data, Confluent holds a market capitalization of about $8.09 billion, while New York-based IBM carries a valuation of roughly $287.84 billion.

However, investors grew cautious after IBM reported slower growth in its core cloud software business in October, raising concerns about the company’s ability to maintain momentum. Analysts said IBM will need stronger software performance to keep overall growth on track. Furthermore, IBM’s acquisition strategy remains a key focus for meeting investors’ expectations. Last year, the company bought HashiCorp in a $6.4 billion deal, expanding its cloud-based offerings to capture rising demand fueled by artificial intelligence.

Under Chief Executive Arvind Krishna, IBM continues sharpening its focus on software, aiming to capitalize on increased spending on cloud services.

Additionally, the interest in Confluent highlights a surge in demand for data-infrastructure companies, fueled by the corporate race to develop generative artificial intelligence. In May, Salesforce agreed to acquire software maker Informatica for about $8 billion to bolster its AI capabilities.

Shares of Mountain View, California-based Confluent closed lower at $23.14 on Friday.

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