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Solar energy startup Glow secures $30 million in funding 

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David Vorick, cofounder and chief executive officer, Glow

Glow, a solar energy startup, secured $30 million in funding from Framework and Union Square Ventures. The startup plans to use this investment to grow its operations in new markets and advance blockchain-based solutions.

Launched in 2023, Glow leverages blockchain technology to build a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). This network connects solar farms to create an efficient and sustainable energy system. Additionally, Glow incentivizes energy generation, cuts carbon emissions, and offers financial support to solar farms in need.

The company operates globally with teams in San Francisco, Mexico City, and Lisbon. It focuses on regions with abundant sunlight and low electricity costs. This strategy helps Glow produce premium carbon credits, which it sells to fund growth and sustain its subsidy program.

“India’s ambitious solar targets and the supportive policy environment make it an exciting time to be a part of this market. “We see great potential to integrate our solutions into the region’s ecosystem and contribute to its renewable energy growth,” said cofounder and chief executive David Vorick.  

“This investment will enable us to scale our operations, expand our network of solar farms, and empower communities around the world with clean, affordable energy, starting with India,” he added. 

So far, Glow has launched three solar farms in Rajasthan, generating 21.3 MW of solar power. These farms are set to cut 300,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over their lifetime and power 34,000 Indian homes annually.

Recently, more climate-conscious investors and venture capital firms have been pouring funds into this growing sector, reflecting its rising importance.

Oyo’s premium hotel brand ‘SUNDAY’ unveils its first international hotel

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SUNDAY, a luxury hotel brand owned by OYO’s parent company and SoftBank Group, has significantly increased its premium property portfolio internationally. OYO announced on Wednesday that the brand has launched its first properties abroad in the UK and UAE. This move aligns with OYO’s broader mission to expand its global premium property offerings.

In London, SUNDAY Lansbury Heritage, located near the bustling business hub of Canary Wharf, is now managed by Oravel. This 35-room hotel is a Grade II listed building with a rich history dating back to 1628 when the East India Company established a chapel and almshouses at the site. 

Similarly, the SUNDAY Holiday International Hotel has opened in Dubai, marking another milestone for the brand.

Initially launched in India in May 2023 through a partnership between SoftBank and Oravel Stays, SUNDAY already operates three properties within the country. 

The brand plans to scale up to 25 properties in India by March 2025, showing its commitment to growth and innovation.

“Our data indicates a growing demand for premium, experience-driven accommodations. This strategic move allows us to tap into the luxury segment while maintaining our commitment to delivering value across all price points,” Puneet Yadav, Head of Oravel’s UK business, said.

Sere Resort Goa introduces customized villa getaways

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Sere Resort Goa sets a new standard for customized hospitality when it presented its fully-serviced luxury villa resort. Located in the center of Vagator, the resort provides the discerning traveler with unparalleled luxury, comfort, and flawless service.

According to a press release from the company, each of the eight private pool villas has a personal butler and a host of high-end facilities, making them a haven for anyone looking for a classy getaway. 

Convenience and tranquility are combined at Seré Resort. Six large three-bedroom villas and two four-bedroom villas are available for guests; each has a large sitting area, a private pool, and contemporary amenities. The intimate surroundings offer a genuinely customized experience designed to enhance every moment of the visit, whether for families, couples, or small groups. 

Seré, the only resort with private pool villas in Vagator, redefines luxury living. A lavish floating breakfast, round-the-clock in-villa dining, and late-night F&B services are all available to guests. According to the announcement, the resort’s hallmark restaurant, Elements, offers world-class food for those seeking to indulge in it, and the poolside bar, Elixir, gives the ideal atmosphere for relaxing with well-mixed drinks. Using eco-friendly products like glass bottles and bamboo toothbrushes, Seré Resort emphasizes sustainability without sacrificing luxury, guaranteeing a luxurious and responsible vacation. 

With 52 guest rooms across an acre of exquisitely landscaped grounds, the resort is perfect for small weddings, private parties, and business gatherings. 

Every party hosted at Seré is sure to become a treasured memory thanks to its customizable packages and charming poolside location, it added.

Antler India plans to invest Rs 211-Cr in 50 startups in 2025

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Rajiv Srivatsa, partner, Antler India

Antel India, a venture capital firm, plans to invest $25 million (approximately ₹211 crore) in 50 startups in 2025. The firm shared this update on Wednesday. In 2024, Antel India supported 30 startups through its first $75 million fund.

“Antler plans to ramp up investments further in the next year and make 50 investments in 2025. We plan to invest $25 million in the 50 companies,” Antler India Partner Rajiv Srivatsa told PTI.

Among its recent investments are Bizup, a wholesale marketplace for fashion retail, and Meine Electric, which focuses on aluminum-air fuel cell technology. Other notable investments include Namma Yatri, an open mobility platform, Keeper, a personal loan facilitator that turns paid leaves into digital assets, and Cautio, an AI-powered dashcam provider.

“Our investment pace reflects both the quality of the founders we’re meeting and our conviction that the next wave of global technology companies will emerge from India. We have invested in 30 companies this year, many of which were born in our Residency program, where founders had the opportunity to validate their ideas, build strong teams, and get early customer traction before raising their first check,” Srivatsa said.

Antel India’s next Residency program in India will begin in February 2025.

Salesforce’s third-quarter revenue beats on strong cloud demand

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Salesforce reported strong third-quarter revenue on Tuesday, surpassing Wall Street expectations. The company also raised the lower end of its annual revenue forecast thanks to growing demand for its enterprise cloud solutions. This news boosted its shares by 8% in after-hours trading.

Businesses continue to invest heavily in Salesforce’s software tools and data cloud. These tools help organizations simplify workflows, manage large data volumes, and incorporate artificial intelligence.

Salesforce’s revenue climbed by 8% in the third quarter, reaching $9.44 billion. This figure surpassed the average analyst projection of $9.35 billion, as per LSEG data.

Salesforce is focusing on its new Agentforce platform to accelerate growth. Similar to Microsoft’s efforts, Agentforce leverages AI to automate tasks. 

“The true turning point hinges on Agentforce execution and adoption,” Third Bridge analyst Charlie Miner said.

According to the company, Agentforce relies on its high-performing data cloud, the fastest-growing organic product in Salesforce’s history.

During a post-earnings call, executives revealed plans to hire 1,400 employees in the fourth quarter to support rising demand for Agentforce. However, analysts believe Salesforce needs more substantial enterprise adoption to move beyond single-digit growth and achieve mid-teens growth rates.

“Salesforce’s 8% year-over-year growth is steady but falls short of the breakneck pace investors love in the tech world … the most realistic timeline for mid-teens percentage growth could be the fiscal year 2027 or later,” Jeremy Goldman, senior director of briefings at Emarketer, said. 

For fiscal year 2025, Salesforce now forecasts revenue between $37.8 billion and $38 billion, a slight increase from its earlier range of $37.7 billion to $38 billion. Despite the positive momentum, Salesforce earned $2.41 per share on an adjusted basis in Q3, slightly below the expected $2.44.

Ventive Hospitality Limited receives SEBI approval for IPO

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Ventive Hospitality Limited, formerly ICC Realty (India) Private Limited, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its initial public offering (IPO). The company focuses on luxury hospitality assets across business and leisure segments.

The IPO includes a fresh issue of equity shares with a face value of INR 1 each, totaling up to INR 2000 crores. This offering aims to support the company’s growth and expansion plans.

Initially founded as the hospitality arm of Panchshil Realty, a Pune-based real estate conglomerate, Ventive transitioned into a 50% joint venture with BRE Asia in 2017. BRE Asia, formerly Xander Investment Holding XVI Limited, is an affiliate of Blackstone.

The company’s hospitality portfolio includes prestigious global brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Minor, and Atmosphere. Some flagship properties include JW Marriott Pune, The Ritz-Carlton Pune, Conrad Maldives, and Anantara Maldives. As of March 31, 2024, their portfolio features 11 operational assets in India and the Maldives, with 2,036 keys across luxury, upper-upscale, and upscale segments.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 83 keys, Ventive has expanded significantly through acquisitions and developments. Recent additions include properties in Bengaluru, Varanasi, and the Maldives, focusing on luxury and upscale segments to cater to diverse business and leisure needs. Between 2019 and 2024, they added 1,070 keys, representing more than 50% of their current portfolio.

Luxury properties dominate Ventive’s revenue, contributing over 80% of their pro forma revenue from hotel operations during FY22, FY23, and FY24. Notably, the company’s pro forma revenue and EBITDA consistently ranked among the highest for hospitality asset owners in India during the same period.

Ventive aims to capitalize on increasing hospitality demand and the relatively low supply in key markets like India and the Maldives. India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, while the Maldives continues to rank among the world’s top tourist destinations.

The company plans to expand its portfolio by adding 367 keys by FY2028. Planned developments include new assets near popular tourist attractions in Varanasi, Bengaluru, and Pottuvil, Sri Lanka.

JM Financial, Axis Capital, HSBC Securities, ICICI Securities, IIFL Securities, Kotak Mahindra Capital, and SBI Capital Markets will manage the IPO.

SpeakX Bags the Best Use of AI for Education & Livelihoods at Mint’s All About AI | Tech4Good Awards Sponsored by Salesforce

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New Delhi, 3rd December 2024 – SpeakX, a pioneering platform revolutionizing English learning through Generative AI technology, has been recognized at the Mint All About AI | Tech4Good Awards, sponsored by Salesforce. The award, in the Best Use of AI for Education & Livelihoods category, highlights SpeakX’s innovative efforts to bridge the language divide and empower individuals across India.

Arpit Mittal, Founder of SpeakX, shared his thoughts on the recognition, saying, “This award affirms the potential of technology to transform education, particularly for communities that have been left behind. With only 8% of Indians speaking English fluently, many are unable to access opportunities in education, employment, and personal growth. SpeakX is committed to addressing this challenge by offering a solution that is both affordable and effective.”

Notably, the platform has gained significant traction in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where half of its users are based. SpeakX leverages AI-powered tools to provide personalized English lessons, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds, including middle-income households, to enhance their prospects.

SpeakX has also been in the news for its collaborations and milestones. Its recent partnership with Cloud9 Hospital is helping nurses improve their English communication skills, which is essential for better patient care. Additionally, SpeakX was selected for the prestigious Google for Startups Accelerator program, gaining access to advanced AI technologies and resources to enhance its learning platform further.

The platform’s growth has been remarkable, with over 10,000 users subscribing monthly at an affordable rate of ₹299. This has helped SpeakX achieve an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of $500,000. With $10 million in funding from Elevation and IndiaQuotient, SpeakX strengthens its position in the global language learning market.

The Mint All About AI | Tech4Good Awards, sponsored by Salesforce, honor organizations using AI to create meaningful social impact. The event brought together industry leaders, technologists, and AI experts to explore how AI can address some of society’s biggest challenges. Innovations recognized at the awards showcased how AI creates real-world solutions in education, healthcare, and more.

About SpeakX

SpeakX is a cutting-edge platform revolutionizing how non-native speakers learn English through advanced Generative AI and Speech Technology. By tailoring lessons to each user’s specific learning needs, SpeakX provides personalized instruction and real-time feedback through AI companions who are available 24/7. Catering to every Indian, SpeakX helps users enhance their English skills and opens doors to new opportunities.

CloudThat wins consecutive AWS awards, making Indian History

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Bhavesh Goswami, Founder and CEO of CloudThat

CloudThat proudly announces its recognition as the 2024 AWS Training Partner of the Year (APJ). This prestigious award highlights CloudThat’s remarkable efforts in training a large number of students, delivering numerous classes, and achieving impressive year-over-year growth.

Presented at the AWS re:Invent 2024 Partner Awards Gala, these honors celebrate AWS partners who excel in specialization, innovation, and collaboration. These awards recognize businesses that continuously evolve to offer exceptional customer support and success.

CloudThat’s unwavering commitment to bridging skill gaps in the cloud era earned this award. By delivering advanced certifications in AI/ML, cloud security, and DevOps, the company addresses the growing needs of cloud technology. Additionally, CloudThat expands AWS Skill Builder to untapped markets, ensuring a broader reach. Through tailored training programs, it empowers professionals and organizations to succeed, setting new standards in technology education.

“It is an extraordinary honour for CloudThat to become the first Indian company to win the AWS Training Partner of the Year Award (APJ) twice in a row,” expressed Bhavesh Goswami, Founder and CEO of CloudThat.

He further added, “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with the practical, dynamic, and industry-aligned skills needed to thrive in a digital-first world. Winning this award consecutively is a testament to the impact of our training programs and our team’s unwavering commitment to empowering learners with world-class cloud expertise. This milestone inspires us to aim higher, innovate further, and build a future-ready cloud workforce. I am deeply grateful to AWS for this acknowledgment and to our clients, learners, and partners who trust us as their upskilling partner.”

Rujika Sajeev, Group HR Specialist, L&D at i engineering group, congratulated CloudThat, saying, “Congratulations on being named the AWS Training Partner of the Year 2024. We’ve had the privilege of working with you, and your consistent efforts to raise the bar in training excellence make this award well-deserved.” 

Swaroop Nakka, Service Delivery Manager at Cloud4C, also expressed his congratulations, adding, “Winning this award two years in a row is truly a proud moment and a testament to the expertise of the entire CloudThat team. We look forward to continuing to work together and being part of CloudThat’s journey as you scale new heights in cloud training.”

The Geography and Global AWS Partner Awards used a self-nomination process open to all AWS Partners across various categories. Submissions, reviewed by the independent firm Canalys, focused heavily on customer success stories. Data-driven categories were evaluated using metrics that measured partner performance, with Canalys auditing these datasets for accuracy. Finalists represented the top three AWS Partners in each category.

The AWS Partner Network (APN) supports partners in driving innovation and harnessing the power of AWS. CloudThat is thrilled to receive this honor, reinforcing its role in tackling skill gaps and preparing individuals and businesses for success in the AWS ecosystem.

Smartworks receives SEBI approval for IPO

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Smartworks, a leading flexible workspace provider, has gained approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO).

By March 31, 2024, the company had expanded to 13 cities with 41 centers covering 8 million square feet.

It recently ventured into the international market by leasing a 35,000-square-foot space in Singapore.

Since 2019, Keppel Ltd., a Singapore-based firm, has supported Smartworks with investments totaling $29 million.

Smartworks recently raised Rs 168 crore (about $20.24 million) from investors such as Keppel Ltd, Ananta Capital Ventures Fund I, Plutus Capital, and several family trusts. The company plans to spend Rs 238 crore over the next three years on fitting out new centers.

The IPO will include a fresh equity issue worth Rs 550 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 67.59 lakh shares, as mentioned in the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP).

Additionally, Smartworks may raise Rs 110 crore through a pre-IPO placement. It will allocate Rs 140 crore to repay loans, while the rest will go toward general corporate expenses.

The company, with 8 million sq ft and 180,000 seats, recorded Rs 1,039 crore in revenue for FY24, reflecting a 46% growth compared to the previous year.

Prosus invests $100M in Vastu Housing Finance, acquires minority stake

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Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited (Vastu), supported by Multiples PE, secured $100 million from Dutch tech investor Prosus. This update appeared in Prosus’ half-yearly disclosure on December 2. Earlier in September, Naspers Ventures B.V., a subsidiary of Prosus, gained approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for the acquisition.

“In October 2024, the group acquired an 8.4 percent effective (7.8 percent fully diluted) interest for approximately $100 million in Vastu Housing Financing Corporate Limited. Vastu is a housing finance company in India. The group will account for this investment as an equity-accounted associate on account of its significant influence on the board of directors,” the company said in a statement.

Vastu closed a growth investment deal with TA Associates Management LP, a private equity firm, a few months ago. Reports suggest the deal was worth around $400 million, valuing Vastu over $1.4 billion. Additionally, in September, Vastu received a $50 million loan from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (USDFC) through external commercial borrowings.

Market research firm Tracxn estimated Vastu’s valuation at $1.2 billion in February 2024. On December 2, Prosus announced another investment of $80 million (about ₹680 crore) in Mintifi, a supply-chain financing startup in India, acquiring more than a 10% stake.

Founded in 2015 by Sandeep Menon and Sujay Patil, Vastu is a diversified nationwide lending institution. Multiples Alternate Asset Management and other prominent investors, including Norwest Venture Partners, back it, 

Creation Investments, 360 ONE Asset Management, and Faering Capital. Vastu Group includes Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited (VHFCL) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Vastu Finserve India Private Limited (VFIPL).

As of March 31, 2024, VHFCL managed an AUM of ₹7,420 crore, up from ₹5,293 crore the previous year. It focuses on affordable housing loans, with average ticket sizes between ₹12–15 lakh. 

VFIPL, on the other hand, specializes in vehicle loans and loans against property, with ticket sizes averaging ₹4–8 lakh. Most of its vehicle loans cater to used commercial and personal vehicles and a small share of three-wheelers. VFIPL’s standalone AUM grew to ₹1,717 crore, doubling from ₹803 crore in the prior year.

Together, the group’s total AUM reached ₹9,137 crore in March 2024, a significant jump from ₹6,097 crore a year earlier. With 206 branches across 14 states, Vastu reported a 26.6% rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) at ₹361 crore. Meanwhile, its revenue surged by 63%, reaching ₹1,255 crore in FY24.