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Ahuja Residency strengthens Gurugram portfolio with three new hotels

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Jaideep Ahuja, managing director & CEO, Ahuja Residency

Ahuja Residency has announced the launch of three new hotels in Gurugram, thereby further strengthening and expanding its well-established portfolio across the city. With the addition of HAYs AIR at Mayfield Garden, AR Suites at JMD Sohna Road, and Ahuja Residency GCR near Golf Course Road, the brand continues to deepen its presence across boutique luxury, premium serviced suites, and classic business hotel segments.

In Gurugram, HAYs AIR at Mayfield Garden introduces a boutique luxury experience inspired by wellness, sustainability, and simplicity. The hotel showcases elegant interiors, open-terrace dining, thoughtfully crafted rooms, and two intimate plunge pools—one on the terrace and another on the fitness floor. Moreover, with a strong focus on calm and contemporary living, HAYs AIR also features Café Breeze, which offers guests a refined dining experience.

Additionally, the AR Suites property at JMD, Sohna Road, offers 33 modern suites with a minimalist design, making it ideal for business travellers and long-stay guests. The property includes Café Breeze and provides excellent connectivity to Gurugram’s commercial and retail hubs. With functional living spaces, dependable service, and a strategic location, it delivers practical comfort suited to today’s corporate visitor.

Located near Golf Course Road, Ahuja Residency GCR serves as a 21-room premium business hotel surrounded by landscaped gardens and bamboo groves. Furthermore, the hotel provides a peaceful yet well-connected environment, featuring meeting facilities, a patio garden, and its own Café Breeze to support the needs of corporate guests seeking both convenience and tranquility.

“At Ahuja Residency, our mission has always been to create spaces that people feel genuinely connected to. These three new properties significantly expand and strengthen our portfolio in Gurugram. Each hotel reflects our commitment to comfort, authenticity, and consistent service—while enriching the diverse categories we already operate in, from boutique luxury to premium suites to business hospitality,” said Jaideep Ahuja, managing director & CEO, Ahuja Residency.

The launch of these three properties reinforces Ahuja Residency’s strategic expansion in Gurugram while enhancing its offerings across luxury, premium, and business hospitality, ultimately strengthening its position in one of India’s most dynamic hotel markets.

Wakefit raises Rs 580-Cr from anchor investors ahead of IPO

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L-R: Chaitanya Ramalingegowda & Ankit Garg, Co-founders, Wakefit.co

Bengaluru-based Wakefit Innovations has secured Rs 580 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial public offering (IPO), which will open for subscription on December 8.

The company allotted 29,743,590 shares at Rs 195 each, according to a circular posted on the BSE website.

The anchor book attracted participation from HDFC Life Insurance, Bajaj Life Insurance, Prudential Hong Kong, 360 One, Steadview Capital, and Amundi Funds New Silk Road. Additionally, domestic mutual funds such as HDFC MF, Axis MF, Mirae Asset MF, Nippon India MF, Tata MF, HSBC MF, Bandhan MF, Edelweiss MF, and Mahindra Manulife MF subscribed through multiple schemes.

Wakefit’s Rs 1,289 crore IPO will close on December 10. The company has set the price band at Rs 185 to Rs 195 per share, valuing the business at nearly Rs 6,400 crore. The issue includes a fresh share sale of up to Rs 377.18 crore and an offer for sale of 4,67,54,405 shares valued at about Rs 912 crore.

Founders Ankit Garg and Chaitanya Ramalingegowda, along with shareholders Nitika Goel, Peak XV Partners Investments VI, Redwood Trust, Verlinvest SA, SAI Global India Fund I LLP, and Paramark KB Fund I, will divest part of their holdings. Consequently, after the sale, promoter ownership will decline to around 37% from 43.70%.

Wakefit aims to allocate Rs 31 crore from the fresh issue to establish 117 new company-owned stores and Rs 15.4 crore to purchase new equipment and machinery. It will further use Rs 161.4 crore for lease and licence payments for existing outlets, while Rs 108.4 crore will support marketing and brand initiatives. The remaining funds will go toward general corporate requirements.

Moreover, the company recently raised Rs 56 crore from DSP India Fund and 360 ONE Equity Opportunities Fund in a pre-IPO transaction.

Founded in 2016, Wakefit has grown into one of India’s fastest-expanding home and furnishings brands, and it has already surpassed Rs 1,000 crore in total income by FY24. Furthermore, the company sells mattresses, furniture, and home accessories through its website, COCO stores, and major online marketplaces.

Wakefit operates five manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru, Hosur, and Sonipat, where it uses automation technologies such as robotic arms and roller belts to minimize waste and accelerate production. The company reported Rs 724 crore in operating revenue and Rs 35.5 crore in profit for the six months ending September 30, 2025.

The company expects its shares to be listed on December 15, 2025.

Clarks Collection strengthens footprint with new property in Jaipur

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Clarks Hotels & Resorts has announced that it has signed its latest property, Clarks Collection Jagatpura, through a partnership with Virat Group. Located inside the upcoming Virat NRI Avenue, a Grade A commercial complex, the 100-key hotel aims to serve upper-segment travellers seeking comfort, convenience, and strong value.

Furthermore, the larger development will include offices, kiosks, anchor showrooms, studio apartments, a shopping complex, and several additional facilities. The hotel will also offer a multi-cuisine restaurant, well-designed banquet spaces, and services tailored to business travellers as well as the expanding MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment. This expansion demonstrates the brand’s strategy to address the growing demand for affordable yet premium accommodations across emerging urban destinations.

Speaking about the collaboration, Vivek Chaturvedi, director of the Virat Group, said, “Jaipur is not only a historic destination but also a rapidly evolving capital city, with new industries and startups driving growth. With this property, we aim to offer moderately priced stays at a strategic location, ensuring strong value for our guests.”

Additionally, the launch of Clarks Collection Jagatpura represents a key milestone in the group’s broader mission to expand its presence across India’s leisure, heritage, and business-focused markets.

The new Clarks Collection Jagatpura strengthens the group’s market presence and reinforces its commitment to offering value-driven, upscale hospitality in India’s fast-growing urban hubs.

Meta acquires AI-wearables startup Limitless to boost next-gen device strategy

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Dan Siroker, co-founder & CEO, Limitless

Meta (META) has acquired AI-wearables startup Limitless, which creates a pendant-style device that records and transcribes real-world conversations, as the social media company intensifies its push to build AI-enabled consumer hardware.

“Meta recently announced a new vision to bring personal ‌superintelligence to everyone, and a key part of that vision is building incredible AI-enabled wearables. We share this vision, and we’ll be joining Meta to help bring our shared vision to life,” Limitless co-founder and CEO Dan Siroker said in a blog post on Friday. Limitless did not reveal the financial terms of the acquisition.

Earlier this week, Meta hired longtime Apple design executive Alan Dye, and this move further sharpened its focus on next-generation devices. Meta intends to integrate Limitless’ technical capabilities into the development of its next wave of AI-enabled wearables.

Meta already partners with EssilorLuxottica brands Ray-Ban and Oakley to produce AI-powered smart glasses.

“We’re excited that Limitless will be joining Meta to help accelerate our work to build AI-enabled wearables,” a Meta spokesperson said.

Limitless, previously known as Rewind, manufactures a wearable “pendant” that attaches to clothing or a lanyard. The device records conversations and generates transcripts, while also producing searchable summaries through its companion app. It belongs to a rapidly expanding category of AI assistants aimed at enhancing memory and daily productivity.

Meta and Limitless will continue supporting existing users; however, the company will stop selling devices to new customers, the startup said. Existing users will need to accept updated privacy terms to keep using the service.

The startup has raised more than $33 million from investors, including Sam Altman and A16z.

Meta’s acquisition of AI-wearables startup reinforces its long-term ambition to dominate AI-powered wearable technology, while Limitless gains a broader platform to scale its innovations in personal AI assistance.

Zepto converts to public company ahead of IPO

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(L-R) Founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, Zepto

Quick-commerce (qcom) unicorn Zepto has shifted from a private entity to a public limited company as it prepares for its initial public offering (IPO). The company has also updated its name from Zepto Private Limited to Zepto Limited, as reflected in documents it filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

The Bengaluru-based QCOM player, which plans to go public next year, is also expected to submit its draft red herring prospectus soon.

Furthermore, the company approved three resolutions on November 21 during an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). Along with converting into a public company, it also amended its memorandum of association (MoA) and articles of association (AoA). It has continued to raise capital aggressively in recent months. It secured $665 million in June last year, followed by $340 million in August and $350 million in November. Additionally, earlier this year in October, it closed an approximately $450 million round at a valuation of $7 billion.

In a statement, a Zepto spokesperson said, “We are growing 20-25 percent every quarter on order volume, and burn is going down. That’s why we’re able to reduce capital because we’re able to show investors that in relative terms we’re able to deliver reasonable capital efficiency for 100 percent-plus year-on-year growth.”

Overall, Zepto’s transition to a public limited company, coupled with its sustained funding momentum and strong business metrics, underscores its readiness for a high-profile IPO in the coming year.

Redapto raises $500K seed funding led by Y Combinator

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Anirudh Pupneja, Founder, Redapto

Redapto, an autonomous AI platform for customer interaction, raised $500K in a pre-seed funding round led by Y Combinator.

Additionally, the company said in a press release that it will use the funds to strengthen its work in activation, expansion, and full lifecycle personalization, while also continuing to enhance data pipelines and AI accuracy.

Founded earlier this year by Anirudh Pupneja, Redapto builds autonomous AI systems that detect churn risks, identify expansion opportunities, and flag high-value customer moments. Moreover, the startup enables businesses to scale personalized engagement across the entire customer lifecycle. It also focuses on ingesting more granular signals across systems so the AI can collaborate more effectively with account teams.

According to Redapto, it develops full-lifecycle AI systems that support businesses in delivering personalized engagement across onboarding, activation, retention, expansion, and renewal. Furthermore, by integrating AI into every customer interaction, the company positions itself across customer engagement platforms, lifecycle marketing systems, CRM-based workflows, and support-driven retention solutions.

As per market research, the account management software category represents a $14–$16 billion market in the United States and a $3–$4 billion market in India.

Redapto also aims for early adoption among marketplaces and product-led SaaS companies, where customer volumes remain high and manual engagement does not scale. Additionally, YC has served as an early supporter of several major Indian technology companies, including Groww, Meesho, Zepto, Razorpay, Khatabook, and others.

Smartworld Developers strengthens footprint in Noida with ₹3,000-Cr mixed-use project

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Gurugram-based Smartworld Developers announced its entry into Noida by acquiring a nearly 6-acre land parcel in Sector 98, where it plans to launch a mixed-use development that includes branded residences, high-street retail, and serviced homes.

Moreover, the company secured the land along the Noida Expressway through an auction for ₹414 crore, and it expects the project’s estimated sale value to exceed ₹3,000 crore. Ashish Jerath, president of sales and marketing at Smartworld Developers, said, “Entry into Noida is a significant milestone for Smartworld Developers as we further strengthen our presence in the NCR region. Noida’s rapidly evolving infrastructure and its growing importance as a key real estate hub offer immense potential.”

He added, “Approvals are under process, and we are hopeful of launching the project within a month.”

Additionally, the company stated that the project’s total development cost, including land and construction, stands at about ₹2,000 crore, while its estimated topline is expected to reach around ₹3,000 crore.

Smartworld is also in advanced discussions with a leading global hospitality and lifestyle brand to collaborate on the project, aiming to bring a world-class branded residence experience to Noida. A formal announcement will follow soon. Jerath pointed out that Noida has transformed from being seen as Gurugram’s “poor cousin” to becoming an emerging luxury hub, driven by strong infrastructure, the upcoming Noida International Airport, and growing demand from Southeast and East Delhi. While Gurugram attracts inward migration from West, North, and South Delhi because of its job market and high-rise culture, Noida continues to draw organic demand from affluent business families and professionals in its feeder markets.

Furthermore, Smartworld recognizes deep, unmet demand for premium housing in Noida in the ₹8–10 crore category, where prices range between ₹25,000 and ₹35,000 per sq ft. The Sector 98 project launch soon and reach completion in about four years.

The company also observes a wider shift among younger homebuyers, who increasingly choose fully managed luxury apartments over standalone floors in Delhi—a trend Smartworld believes will further support demand for its Noida development. Smartworld’s entry into Noida comes through a strategic land acquisition via auction, securing a prime 24,000 sq. m. (≈6-acre) corner parcel in Sector 98 along the Noida Expressway for ₹414 crore. The mixed-use zoning, which permits both independent retail and residential, along with the corner-plot positioning, significantly enhances the site’s appeal. The project is currently in the final stages of approval.

Additionally, Smartworld has already established a strong presence in Gurugram, especially along the high-growth Golf Course Road Extension, with projects such as Smartworld Orchard, Smartworld Gems, Smartworld The Edition, Smartworld Sky Arc, and the recently launched Trump Residences Gurgaon. Its first international branded collaboration, Trump Residences Gurgaon, sold out completely within hours of launch. The company has also expanded along the Dwarka Expressway with Smartworld One DXP, an ultra-luxury residential project.

Bastian Hospitality strengthens footprint with new Bastian Riviera in Goa

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Bastian Hospitality Group announced the launch of Bastian Riviera, a 1.5-acre waterfront destination in Morjim, Goa, signaling the brand’s evolution from a restaurant-focused identity to a full-fledged lifestyle and hospitality ecosystem. Additionally, the debut includes a new brand film, “À Beira da Riviera” (Portuguese for by the river), which introduces the design and creative language of the property.

Positioned along the Morjim backwaters, Bastian Riviera reimagines Goa for modern travellers through an international design lens. The property showcases a striking pyramid-inspired centerpiece, cabanas built on private decks, water-led courtyards, circular sunbeds, and an outdoor bar that opens directly to the river. Moreover, global influences from Egypt, Mykonos, Dubai, and other destinations blend together to shape an immersive environment that unfolds throughout the evening.

The culinary programme enhances Bastian’s signature strengths by elevating seafood and Goa-forward flavours. Furthermore, the destination plans to expand its cultural and nightlife presence, with performances through December by international artists such as Jimmy Jules and Bedouin.

Founder & CEO Ranjit Brinda said the project reflects both his personal connection to Goa and the brand’s long-term ambitions: “Riviera marks our first hotel and a major step in shaping leisure-led destinations under Bastian Hospitality Group. With Phase Two set to introduce a dedicated wellness and spa offering, this is just the beginning of a larger journey.”

Lastly, the brand film provides an initial visual immersion into the Bastian Riviera universe, establishing the tone for its design philosophy and experiential positioning.

Cohesity prepares for a $1 Bn data security push in India

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Sanjay Poonen, CEO & President of Cohesity

SoftBank-backed data security firm Cohesity plans to invest $1 billion in India over the next five years, chief executive and president Sanjay Poonen said as he inaugurated the company’s new Bengaluru office on Thursday.

Furthermore, Poonen said the new Bengaluru campus will focus on engineering capabilities and support functions, even though capacity expansion and investment are happening across all locations. He said, “There are multiple reasons for investing here. Talent is a huge draw, but the Indian economy is another.”

Although he didn’t reveal the exact share of India’s contribution to Cohesity’s total annual recurring revenue of $1.6 billion, he confirmed that India ranks among the top ten markets. He added, “Also, the country gives access to neighboring destinations, particularly the Middle East and Singapore, with customers who can fly in for the meetings.”

Additionally, the campus inauguration aligns with the one-year milestone of Cohesity’s integration with Veritas’ data protection business, which it acquired last year in a $3 billion deal. Out of its 13,000 global customers, India hosts around 600 clients, while Cohesity employs nearly 2,200 people across various functions in the country.

Moreover, Cohesity counts companies such as Infosys, BMW, and Salesforce among its clients. However, Poonen sees the strongest growth potential across BFSI, the public sector, service integrators (tech), healthcare, and telecom due to increasing tech adoption in these industries. Poonen said, “Revenue growth is very much a function of how much the country is willing to spend on security. That way, the US market is the biggest by far, contributing 50% of revenue, since they are mature. But other markets, including India, are growing faster now.”

Emphasizing the importance of the India team, Poonen said software engineers and support roles represent the largest share of the company’s talent base. He explained, “Typically, there are three areas within engineering we focus on: multi-cloud data protection, advanced security, and AI. Engineering teams in India often take the lead in multi-cloud, which has a lot of workload connectors between Bengaluru and Pune. The bulk of that effort is primarily led from India.”

Finally, he said that Cohesity divides its security and AI-focused work between the US and India, creating a collaborative model across both regions.

Legal AI startup Harvey secures $8 Bn valuation

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Winston Weinberg, CEO & Co-Founder, Harvey

Harvey on Thursday confirmed it closed a funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz that values the legal AI startup at $8 billion, after reports of the funding leaked in October. The startup raised $160 million in this round.

Moreover, this latest capital infusion came just months after it raised $300 million in a Series E round at a $5 billion valuation in June. And earlier this year, it raised a Sequoia-led $300 million Series D at a $3 billion valuation in February. Harvey’s investors include EQT, WndrCo, Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, Sarah Guo’s Conviction, and Elad Gil.

In September, just before raising this latest mega round, Harvey released some details about its business. Although it declined to share absolute numbers and instead offered percentages of growth and retention, it later stated that it surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue back in August. It also said it counts 50 of the top AmLaw 100 firms as customers, and it serves corporate legal teams as well.

Since the legal industry revolves entirely around words, legal functions naturally emerge as a strong use case for LLMs: searching, summarizing, and drafting, all based on domain-specific training. However, Harvey also exemplifies how VCs are “kingmaking” these days. They pour vast sums of money into a startup to signal its strength, which in turn encourages large enterprise customers, like law firms, to sign significant contracts in a self-fulfilling cycle.

Because Harvey was founded in 2022, it may be far enough ahead of competitors—both in customer acquisition and reinforced training from working with numerous law firms—to stand as the leader in this market. At least, one of its long-time VCs, Elad Gil, holds that view.

Gil said that Harvey is one of the AI market leaders experiencing genuine growth because its technology and market position are “just working.”

Furthermore, Harvey’s co-founder and CEO Winston Weinberg recently shared an incredible story of how it first gained the attention of Silicon Valley’s powerhouse VCs. It began with a proof of concept about landlord-tenant law and a cold email to Sam Altman. Harvey later became one of OpenAI Startup Fund’s first investments, and it has remained a VC favorite ever since.

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