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Cinnamon Hotel & Resorts unveils its latest gem in Sri Lanka

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Indra Traders, is poised to extend its presence in Sri Lanka’s hill capital with the launch of Kandy Myst by Cinnamon at the beginning of 2025. This exciting new addition to the brand’s collection underscores its dedication to enhancing tourism scene in Sri Lanka, offering a contemporary and vibrant experience in one of the nation’s top cultural destinations.

Kandy Myst by Cinnamon is ideally situated on Kandy Katugastota Road, ensuring easy access to the city’s major attractions and transport connections. This new hotel aims to revolutionise the local hospitality scene by featuring 215 modern rooms—the largest room inventory in Kandy. It promises a dynamic and vibrant stay, blending contemporary comfort with the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the upcoming opening, Johan Aschan, Area Vice President of Cinnamon Sri Lanka Resorts, said, “Kandy remains a top destination for visitors to Sri Lanka, and our vision for Kandy Myst by Cinnamon was driven by the growing demand for a fresh, contemporary experience in the city. We are creating a space where locals and international travellers can enjoy a vibrant, dynamic experience that elevates Kandy’s hospitality offering.”

Along with its 215 modern rooms, the hotel will offer 18 interconnecting rooms tailored for groups and business travellers. Guests can enjoy a range of dining options, such as Grains Dining, an all-day buffet restaurant; Kosmos Skybar, a stylish rooftop bar next to the infinity pool; and Terra Lounge, a cosy lounge and coffee shop perfect for casual gatherings or relaxing with speciality drinks. Other amenities include a heated infinity pool, a fully equipped gym, and a large parking area.

Commenting on expanding its footprint in Kandy, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ chief executive officer, Mikael Svensson, said, “With the opening of Kandy Myst by Cinnamon, we are not only expanding our footprint but also reaffirming our commitment to driving tourism growth that benefits local communities.

We believe in creating opportunities for local talent, supporting sustainable development, and bringing meaningful experiences to the destinations we call home. This expansion reflects our strategy to contribute positively to the areas we operate in, delivering value that uplifts our guests and the local economy.”

Kandy Myst by Cinnamon will be a lively, contemporary haven forged through a long-term management partnership between Indra Traders and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. This new hotel will seamlessly blend the essence of Kandy with the luxury and comforts that today’s travellers desire, offering a truly memorable retreat.

The chairman of Indra Group of Companies, Indra Silva, also shared his thoughts on the partnership: “We are proud to partner with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts on this milestone project, which marks our strategic entry into the leisure and tourism sector. Kandy Myst by Cinnamon reflects our commitment to enhancing Kandy’s appeal as a top destination in Sri Lanka and creating economic value for the region. Together, we aim to deliver a world-class hospitality experience that blends modernity with the essence of Kandy.”

Kandy Myst by Cinnamon, in collaboration with Cinnamon Nature Trails (the nature and wildlife tourism division of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts), will enhance the city’s offerings and help increase Kandy’s attraction for both international and local visitors. Together, they aim to create comprehensive travel experiences that provide rich, authentic local insights.

Kandy Myst by Cinnamon now accepts pre-bookings, allowing guests to reserve their stays before the official opening. With its distinctive combination of contemporary design, vibrant city atmosphere, and outstanding amenities, Kandy Myst by Cinnamon aims to transform the hospitality experience in the heart of Kandy.

ixigo allots 10.58 lakh shares under ESOP schemes

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Online travel aggregator (OTA) ixigo has allocated 10.58 lakh equity shares to eligible employees under its various employee stock option (ESOP) schemes.

In a regulatory filing, the travel tech startup stated that it issued the shares at an exercise price of INR 1.25 per share, with an additional premium of INR 0.25 per share.

“… We hereby inform you that the board of directors of the Company…has approved the allotment of 10,58,143 fully paid up equity shares having a face value of INR 1/- each under the exercise of stock options under Le Travenues Technology – Employee Stock Option Scheme 2013,… ESOS 2016,…ESOS 2020,…ESOS 2021…, by the option holders,” said the Company. 

After the allotment, the total paid-up share capital of the travel tech platform now stands at INR 38.97 Cr compared to INR 38.87 Cr. 

ixigo also said that it allowed the ESOPs to “motivate and retain” talented employees and provide “additional deferred rewards to employees.” This move follows the Company allotting more than 4.6 Lakh equity shares under various ESOP schemes in December 2024. 

In November, the online travel aggregator (OTA) expanded its ESOP pool by granting an additional 17.57 lakh stock options under the ESOP 2024 scheme.

This development coincided with ixigo’s financial results for the third quarter (Q3) of the financial year 2024-25 (FY25). Due to rising tax expenses, the Company’s consolidated net profit dropped by 50% to INR 15.54 Cr in Q3 FY25 from INR 30.65 Cr in the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, revenue from operations saw a 42% increase, reaching INR 241.76 Cr in Q3 FY25 compared to INR 170.55 Cr in Q3 FY24.

On the operational front, ixigo’s gross transaction volume (GTV) surged 48%, rising to INR 4,036.3 Cr in the quarter from INR 2,718.3 Cr in Q3 FY24.

Mindspace REIT acquires 18.2 lakh sq ft Hyderabad Commercial Complex for ₹613-Cr

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Mindspace Business Parks REIT acquired an 18.2 lakh sq ft commercial space in Hyderabad for ₹613 crore to strengthen its rent-generating portfolio. As part of the deal, the listed REIT will fully own Sustain Properties Pvt Ltd, which holds the commercial space. In exchange, Sustain Properties’ shareholders will receive units in Mindspace REIT as compensation.

In a regulatory filing, Mindspace REIT announced that its board has approved the acquisition of 100% equity shareholding in Sustain Properties, which owns approximately 1.82 million (18.2 lakh) square feet of leasable space at Commerzone Raidurg in Raidurg, Hyderabad.

The value of the transaction is ₹612.9 crore.

As part of the deal, the board has approved issuing up to 16,168,090 units of Mindspace REIT on a preferential basis at ₹379.08 per unit. These units will allow the shareholders of Sustain Properties as compensation for transferring their full equity stake.

Recently, Mindspace REIT reported an 8% rise in its Net Operating Income (NOI), reaching ₹521.8 crore for the quarter ended December 2024, compared to ₹473.1 crore in the same period last year.

The company also announced a distribution of ₹5.32 per unit, totalling ₹315.48 crores for its unitholders.

The distribution includes a dividend of ₹3.20 per unit, totalling ₹189.76 crores, the interest of ₹0.22 per unit amounting to ₹13.04 crore, repayment of SPV debt of ₹1.88 per unit aggregating ₹111.48 crores, and other income of ₹0.02 per unit, totalling ₹1.18 crore.

For the December quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal, the company announced an 11% higher distribution than last year.

Mindspace Business Parks REIT, backed by the K Raheja Corp group, was listed on Indian stock exchanges in August 2020. The company owns office assets across the Mumbai Region, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

By the end of the third quarter, Mindspace REIT’s portfolio spanned 34.8 million (348 lakh) square feet, including 26.8 million square feet of completed space, 4.6 million square feet under construction, and 3.4 million square feet earmarked for future development.

Bizloan secures INR 35-Cr in Series A funding, aims to expand credit solutions for small businesses

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Gurugram, 28th January 2025 – Bizloan, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) dedicated to providing credit solutions for small businesses, has successfully raised INR 35 Crores in Series A funding. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and BLinC Invest led the investment round. Resurgent India acted as an advisor to Bizloan for this round. 

This funding will enable Bizloan to expand its reach in underserved markets, enhance its suite of loan products, and invest in cutting-edge technology to streamline its lending operations. The company’s goal is to empower 2,500+ micro and nano enterprises in the next 12 months, particularly in regions with limited access to traditional financing options. Bizloan has already made a notable impact in the MSME sector, disbursing approximately INR 774 crore in loans across 26 branches. To date, Bizloan has provided financial support to more than 3,000 entrepreneurs in key regions, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, NCR, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. 

Rahul Jain, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of Bizloan Private Limited, stated, “The current round of investment shall help the Company enter the next phase of fast-paced growth by expanding its footprint in BharatThis funding round will also enable us to fulfill our objective of simplifying credit for small businesses, which remain underserved, particularly in smaller towns and cities. We are actively investing in technology as a driver for better operational efficiency. The pedigree of investors on board shall also help us to develop and nurture sustainable talent which will further help us achieve the vision of our company.”

Amit Ratanpal, Founder and Managing Director, BLinC Invest commented on this partnership, “Indian Tier II and Tier III cities are witnessing a high growth rate and increasing urbanization, creating a high need for micro-entrepreneurs to expand their business- resulting in a monumental credit gap. Our partnership with the Bizloan Team aims to support these entrepreneurs in powering the Bharat growth engine with their technology-focused and innovative underwriting approach.”

Rakesh Goyal, Director of Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, said, “Supporting small businesses is crucial for economic growth, but their access to formal credit remains limited. This funding marks a crucial step forward in our mission to empower micro and nano enterprises, providing them with the capital and financial tools they need to fuel business growth, increase household incomes, and create employment opportunities.”

Leveraging robust cashflow underwriting capabilities and innovative credit assessment models, Bizloan is unlocking new avenues for sustainable growth in India’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Known for its innovative approach to credit assessment, Bizloan employs the ABC (Asset, Behaviour, Cashflow) methodology to evaluate borrowers, most of whom come from informal income backgrounds or are new to credit. With this funding boost, Bizloan is poised to scale its operations, introduce new financial products, and empower even more small businesses across India, driving growth in the nation’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Woman-Led trackNOW raises seed funding from Poonawalla Group

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Delhi NCR, 28/01/2025: trackNOW, a leading Gujarat-based women-led award-winning fleet management, and advanced telematic tracking solution company has recently raised an extended seed fund of an undisclosed amount. The funding round was led by Yohan Poonawalla, Chairman of the Poonawalla Engineering Group, and Michelle Poonawalla, Managing Director of the Poonawalla Engineering Companies. The company had previously secured seed funding in FY24, led by GI Ventures and BluSmart co-founder Anmol Jaggi, which successfully led the company to accelerate its business growth plans. 

The latest investment from the Poonawalla Group will enable trackNOW to expand its R&D and boost operational efficiency, further solidifying its position in the Indian logistics market. 

Founded in 2016 by Pooja Khemka and Suyash Khemka, trackNOW has emerged as a leader in delivering cutting-edge solutions to streamline fleet management and tracking processes. Known for its focus on minimizing turnaround times and reducing operational costs across various industries, trackNOW has garnered immense recognition for its intelligent, technology-driven innovations. 

“Investing in promising startups like trackNOW is not just about financial returns,” said Yohan Poonawalla, Chairman of Poonawalla Engineering Group. “It’s about mentoring and empowering young, visionary entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and support needed to succeed. We believe in the transformative power of innovation and are committed to fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas can flourish.”

Michelle Poonawalla, Managing Director of the Poonawalla Engineering Companies, added, “We are thrilled to partner with trackNOW and support their growth journey. This investment reflects our commitment to empowering Indian entrepreneurs. The partnership has the potential to unlock significant value for both trackNOW and the broader Indian economy by driving job creation, enhancing operational efficiencies across sectors, and strengthening India’s position in the global logistics market.”

Commenting on the investment, Pooja S. Khemka, Co-founder of trackNOW, said, “The investment from the Poonawalla Group is a significant endorsement of our vision and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We are honored to receive the support of such a respected group. This partnership will not only provide us with the capital required to scale operations but also invaluable mentorship and industry expertise.”

The Poonawalla Group, known for its pioneering ventures in engineering, pharmaceuticals, real estate, socio-economic initiatives, and green technology, brings strategic mentorship and investment expertise to trackNOW. This strategic investment by Poonawalla Group highlights their vision to empower next-generation entrepreneurs and fuel innovation across key sectors of the Indian economy. 

trackNOW leverages innovation and technology to deliver real-time tracking solutions for fleet management, mobility, and IoT. Its user-friendly app, available on Android and iOS platforms, offers graphical reports, AI-based driver behavior scoring, and advanced analytics to optimize turnaround times. The platform serves diverse industries, including Coal, Oil & Gas, FMCG, Cold Chain, Education, Agriculture, Construction, and Healthcare. Additionally, trackNOW provides Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for seamless ERP integration and highly customizable solutions. Recently, the company was honored with the ‘Excellence in Innovation’ award at the Logistics & Supply Chain Conclave for its transformative impact on logistics and fleet management.

TravelPerk secures $200M in funding and acquires Yokoy to establish leading integrated platform for travel and expense management

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Travelperk co-founders Javier Suarez and chief executive Avi Meir

Barcelona-based business travel management platform TravelPerk has raised $200 million at a valuation of $2.7 billion, nearly doubling its previous valuation of $1.4 billion from last year’s funding round.

As part of this announcement, TravelPerk has also acquired Swiss startup Yokoy to integrate native expense management into its platform.

With the travel and tourism sector returning to near pre-pandemic levels, startups offering innovative travel solutions—such as trip-planning tools, vacation rental platforms, and corporate travel management—are experiencing significant growth. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) projects that business travel will reach a record $1.5 trillion in 2024, a 6.2% increase compared to the 2019 pre-pandemic peak. This surge in demand has also spurred investor interest in corporate travel startups, as seen in September when Denver-based Engine raised $140 million at a $2.1 billion valuation to focus on hotel bookings, flights, car rentals, and meeting spaces.

TravelPerk offers businesses an all-in-one solution for booking, managing, and reporting domestic and international travel. Integrations support HR and expense management functions. 

Corporate travel remains essential for attending conferences and securing new business opportunities despite shifts toward remote and hybrid work. TravelPerk’s president and COO, Jean-Christophe Taunay-Bucalo, highlighted their recent Value of Business Travel report, which confirms that companies are continuing to prioritize travel to drive sales and foster growth.

“Hybrid and remote working models have had a minimal impact on demand for business travel — those travelling for work will continue to do so because it’s part of their job,” Taunay-Bucalo said. “Whether it’s for a sales meeting or to install a wind turbine, there are many situations where workers need to be on the ground and in person.”

A more distributed workforce has led companies to invest more in offsite events, driving an increased need for travel. TravelPerk views this decentralization as an ideal opportunity to expand the reach of its technology to a broader audience.

“Decentralized travel systems empower employees to manage their bookings, and while in the past that meant a lack of control over expenses and compliance, tools built into our platform give control and visibility back to the business by providing oversight without burdening travel managers with logistical complexities,” Taunay-Bucalo said.

Founded in 2015, TravelPerk has secured approximately $660 million in equity and debt financing. With an additional $200 million now raised, the company is intensifying its global expansion efforts, particularly in the U.S. market. Last year, it acquired Chicago-based competitor Amtrav, supported by $135 million in debt financing.

TravelPerk is also venturing into adjacent verticals as part of its growth strategy. Among its existing integrations is Yokoy, an AI-powered spend management platform backed by Sequoia Capital. As part of its Series E funding announcement on Monday, TravelPerkrevealed it is acquiring Yokoy outright in a “nine-figure” deal. Although the exact amount remains undisclosed, this aligns with Yokoy’s fundraising history of around $107 million since its launch in 2019.

This acquisition will enable TravelPerk to deliver a “deeper and more unified travel and expense offering,”. By incorporating expense management directly into its platform, TravelPerk aims to reduce reliance on third-party integrations and provide users with a seamless experience.

“Our focus has never been stronger as we expand across core markets, accelerate growth in the U.S., and now work to become the number one travel and expense management platform,” TravelPerk co-founder and CEO Avi Meir said in a statement.

This trend echoes across the tech space. For instance, TripActions added expense management in 2020 during the pandemic, while Ramp introduced travel management to its expense platform in 2022.

Expanding into expense management is a strategic move for TravelPerk, as it provides resilience against challenges in the travel sector. Unlike corporate travel, expense management is a universal need for businesses.

Following the acquisition, Yokoy’s CEO Philippe Sahli and CTO Devis Lussi will join TravelPerk to integrate their platforms.

“Our partnership with Yokoy has already been a great success, and we are excited to take it to the next level by welcoming Phil, Devis, and the rest of the team to TravelPerk,” Meir said. “We share a common vision for the role of AI reshaping the future of travel and expense management, and the innovation coming out of Yokoy’s AI labs in Zurich is seriously impressive.”

TravelPerk’s Series E round was led by European venture capital firm Atomico. EQT Growth, Noteus Partners, Kinnevik, and General Catalyst, among other existing investors, participated.

#BusinessTravel #StartupFunding #TravelTech #CorporateTravel #TravelPerkExpansion

OYO’s Innov8 secures ₹110-cr funding to expand coworking business

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OYO-owned Innov8, which offers flexible office spaces, has secured ₹110 crore in funding from investors, including Gauri Khan’s family office, to support its coworking business expansion and future growth.

Innov8 completed a ₹110 crore primary funding round, diluting 10% of its equity to raise the amount. Investors oversubscribed the round by 2.7 times, raising the funds at a valuation of ₹1,000 crore.

Prominent family offices, including those of Mankind Pharma, Gauri Khan, Rupa Group, and Jagruti Dalmia, led the round. These investors contributed 55% of the total funds raised.

Innov8 has revealed its plan to double the number of its coworking centres in India to 100 by 2025.

The company will use the raised funds to support strategic growth opportunities, including acquisitions, technology enhancements, partnerships, and expansion into specialized market segments.

“The funds raised will empower Innov8 to accelerate our expansion plans, building on the strong growth and operating leverage we are already achieving. It also underscores the trust and confidence our investors have in our vision, business model, and growth trajectory,” Rakesh Kumar, Group Chief Financial Officer of OYO, said.

Innov8 recently opened two new centres in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Andheri. Each centre covers over 1 lakh square feet and offers a total seating capacity of 3,000, making them Innov8’s largest facilities.

This expansion is part of Innov8’s ongoing effort to grow its presence in key Tier 1 cities, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad.

Furthermore, Innov8 plans to add 4 million square feet of managed office space across India over the next three years.

“Over the past few years, we have prioritized long-term, sustainable growth. This capital infusion will not only strengthen our financial stability but also lay a robust foundation for future expansion,” Pankhuri Sakhuja, Business Head of Innov8, said.

Founded in 2015, Innov8 has experienced over 90% occupancy in its centres, fueled by the growing demand for flexible office spaces.

The company reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₹62 crore for 2023-24, including one-time exceptional items, a significant increase from ₹2.5 crore in the previous year.

Innov8, founded by Ritesh Malik, now operates in ten cities with over 30 centres.

Rural fintechs urge government support for last-mile tech upgrades

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Fintechs and business correspondents focused on financial inclusion have requested equity funding support from the Union government. Industry experts have indicated that an allocation of approximately ₹500 crore in the upcoming budget would significantly benefit the sector.

The proposed fund could enhance technology at these firms, which provide services such as processing domestic remittances, opening Jan Dhan accounts, and offering government-backed insurance policies for rural populations.

“Similar to the IMEF (India Microfinance Equity Fund), an IBCEF (India Business Correspondent Equity Fund) may be created as a consortium between the Indian government and banks and FIs (financial institutions),” Dharanidhar Tripathy, chief executive of the Business Correspondents Resource Council, wrote in a letter addressed to the secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Tripathy said that a retail outlet offering these services in rural India would need an estimated ₹10,000 for basic technology upgrades.“At around four to five lakh such agents, an outlay of around Rs 500 crore would be required,” he said. “Currently, agents are buying printers, mobile ATMs and such devices with their funds,” he added.

The appeal for government equity support comes amid a challenging funding environment for fintechs and growing pressure on business margins for last-mile service providers.

In a meeting with the DFS secretary on January 17, the broader fintech industry requested a ₹1,000 crore fund from the government to improve capital availability for sectors such as digital lending.

Industry insiders familiar with the discussions revealed that a similar request for a dedicated fund was presented to the finance ministry during last year’s Union Budget. However, they pointed out that the issue did not advance beyond preliminary discussions.

In this year’s budget wish list, rural fintechs have requested tax reductions and an expansion of the Kisan Credit Card limit, citing rising agricultural product prices. The industry also urges the government to encourage banks to raise commissions for bank mitras—physical agents who offer last-mile banking services.

The industry also wants the government to push banks to increase commissions for physical agents who provide last-mile banking services, popularly referred to as bank mitras.

“The DFS had a meeting on financial inclusion with banks and BCs on January 17. They raised the demand for higher commission payouts from banks, which had not been revised for years. The secretary asked banks to look into the demand,” said another industry executive who was present at the meeting.

Whizzo raises $4.2M in seed funding led by Lightspeed

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Shrestha Kukreja, Founder of Whizzo

Whizzo, a material science manufacturing company specializing in technical textiles and engineered fashion, has secured $4.2 million in seed funding led by Lightspeed, with additional participation from BEENEXT. The funds will be utilized to advance R&D in material science, set up a design lab focused on fashion-engineered textiles, and enhance supply chain operations in India, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

“Our vision is to establish Whizzo as an IP-driven leader in fashion-engineered and technical textiles. By creating proprietary blends and leveraging a cross-border Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) model, we aim to address critical gaps and transform the textile industry through innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity,” noted Shrestha Kukreja, Founder of Whizzo.

Founded in 2024, Whizzo creates proprietary textile blends, including cellulosic and polymer-based fibres, that offer solutions across industries like medtech, pack tech, Edutech, and clothes.

“Technical textiles and man-made fibres represent the future of the textile market. India is poised to become a global epicentre of innovation in this sector, driven by strong government support and visionary entrepreneurs. Shrestha is a standout leader, demonstrating the ambition and expertise needed to build an ‘India to the world’ story in this space,” noted Romit Mehta, VP-Investments, Lightspeed.

Just a month ago, Mumbai-based solar solutions startup SolarSquare, backed by Lightspeed, raised $40 million in a Series B funding round led by the VC firm, with additional support from Lightrock.

This investment demonstrates Lightspeed’s consistent focus on backing innovative startups across emerging sectors, reinforcing its role as a key player in driving entrepreneurial growth and technological advancements.

EaseMyTrip launches ‘EasyVijay’ to promote battlefield tourism in India

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Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip

EaseMyTrip has launched EasyVijay, a new initiative to offer immersive battlefield tourism experiences, allowing travellers to explore historic battle sites in person and virtually.

Introduced on January 26, 2025, to mark Republic Day, EasyVijay gives travellers a unique opportunity to delve into history by visiting iconic battlefields across India and internationally.

The program goes beyond traditional site visits, blending history and travel to provide immersive experiences. It includes curated tours with guided storytelling, exclusive interactions with war veterans and defence experts, and deep insights into key military events. EasyVijay is best for history lovers, military strategy enthusiasts, and those interested in learning about India’s legacy of bravery and sacrifice.

The initiative offers a dual experience, combining physical travel packages to historic battlefields with virtual tours powered by VR and AR technology. Travellers can visit these legendary sites in person or enjoy realistic digital recreations of historical battles from anywhere in the world. AI-driven personalization tailors each itinerary to individual preferences, enhancing engagement with interactive storytelling and in-depth accounts of the battles that shaped history.

In addition, EasyVijay organizes exclusive dining events where travellers can interact with war veterans, military strategists, and historians, offering direct insights into the battles that have shaped nations. These engagements provide participants with a deeper connection to history, making their experiences both informative and emotionally impactful.

Commenting on the new initiative, Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, mentioned, “EasyVijay reflects our mission to create transformative travel experiences. Through this initiative, we aim to make history come alive, enabling our customers to emotionally and intellectually connect with the courage and strategy behind these significant events.”