The Fern Hotels & Resorts expands Rajasthan presence with new Jaipur resort launch

By

-

February 28, 2026

The Fern Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of its latest property in Rajasthan, The Fern Nest Resort Jaipur, Series by Marriott, further strengthening its presence in one of India’s most culturally rich and high-demand travel destinations. Strategically positioned with easy access to major transport hubs, the new hotel caters to business travellers, leisure guests, wedding groups, and convention visitors seeking comfort, efficiency, and seamless service in Jaipur.

With this launch, the group has expanded its Jaipur portfolio to five properties while growing its overall Rajasthan presence to 17 hotels that are either operational or set to open shortly. Consequently, the addition underscores the brand’s continued focus on scaling thoughtfully across high-potential markets in the state.

Commenting on the expansion, Suhail Kannampilly, managing director of The Fern Hotels & Resorts, said, “As India’s hospitality landscape continues to evolve, destinations such as Jaipur remain central to both domestic and international travel demand. Our focus is on creating hospitality experiences that combine efficient service, thoughtful amenities, and strong location advantages to meet the expectations of modern travellers. This new property reflects our commitment to expanding in culturally significant markets while maintaining consistent quality and guest satisfaction across our portfolio.”

The Fern Nest Resort Jaipur features 107 well-appointed rooms and suites across multiple categories. Each accommodation blends comfort, functionality, and contemporary design, ensuring a relaxed and practical stay for guests across travel segments.

In addition, the property offers a diverse dining experience. Darpan, the hotel’s multi-cuisine restaurant, draws inspiration from the architectural grandeur of Chand Baori and serves a curated selection of Indian, Asian, and international dishes in an elegant setting. Guests can also visit Zaza, a modern café and lounge that offers gourmet teas, coffees, and beverages, complemented by live kitchen experiences. Moreover, the hotel provides 24/7 in-room dining with a carefully curated menu of meals, snacks, and beverages.

Furthermore, the hotel’s location ensures strong connectivity, as it sits approximately 30 km from Jaipur International Airport, 25 km from Jaipur railway station, and 29 km from Jaipur ISBT. As a result, the property remains well-suited for travellers seeking convenience alongside a comfortable stay in the city.

The launch of The Fern Nest Resort Jaipur marks another significant step in The Fern Hotels & Resorts’ expansion strategy across Rajasthan. With a growing portfolio in Jaipur, thoughtfully designed accommodations, and strong transport connectivity, the new property reinforces the group’s commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality hospitality experiences in one of India’s most sought-after travel markets.

Electric motorcycle startup Raptee.HV plans rapid South India and Western expansion after T30 launch

By

BRL Editor

-

February 28, 2026

0

Electric motorcycle startup Raptee.HV has outlined plans to expand its presence across all southern state capitals and enter western India by the end of the year, according to a senior company official. As part of this strategy, the Chennai-based company has already begun customer deliveries of its electric motorcycle, the T30, marking a key step in its commercial rollout.

Currently, Chennai serves as Raptee.HV’s first operational market, with deliveries and customer support infrastructure now fully active. At the same time, the company has confirmed plans to launch operations in Bengaluru by April, making it the second city after Chennai to receive the T30. The Bengaluru entry will include a dedicated showroom and an authorised service centre, supporting Raptee.HV’s phased market expansion approach.

Priced at Rs 2.39 lakh (ex-showroom), the T30 comes with an eight-year battery warranty and a three-year vehicle warranty. In addition, the company has bundled roadside assistance services to strengthen customer confidence, according to an official statement issued on Saturday.

Looking ahead, Raptee.HV plans to build a footprint across all major South Indian state capitals while simultaneously initiating its entry into Western India by the end of the year. This expansion roadmap reflects the company’s ambition to scale its operations steadily while maintaining service readiness alongside sales growth.

Meanwhile, Guidance Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu government-backed investment promotion agency, described the start of large-scale T30 deliveries as a significant milestone. The agency noted that the achievement follows seven years of deep-tech research and development and positions the company as a key player in India’s evolving electric mobility landscape.

“With Chennai as its first operational market and expansion planned across South India, Raptee.HV is redefining India’s performance electric motorcycle segment,” Guidance said in its statement.

Commenting on the milestone, Raptee.HV’s CEO and co-founder Dinesh Arjun said, “With the commencement of large-scale customer deliveries, we are excited to bring our product—seven years in the making—to a wider audience. This milestone is built on the trust of our earliest customers, who believed in our vision, technology, and team before anyone else.”

He further added, “We are not only delivery-ready but also service-ready. Every T30 customer is supported by a structured service ecosystem, a trusted roadside assistance partner, and a dedicated single point of contact, ensuring confidence and convenience at every step.”

Raptee.HV’s launch of large-scale T30 deliveries marks a pivotal moment in its growth journey. With Chennai already operational and Bengaluru next in line, the company is therefore positioning itself for rapid expansion across South India and, subsequently, into western markets. Moreover, backed by years of deep-tech development and a robust service framework, Raptee.HV appears well placed to further strengthen its role in India’s performance electric motorcycle segment.

Wearable startup Temple raises $54 Mn to build breakthrough brain monitoring wearable

By

BRL Editor

-

February 28, 2026

0

Wearable startup Temple raises $54 Mn to build breakthrough brain monitoring wearable — Deepinder Goyal, Founder, Temple

Deepinder Goyal’s startup Temple, which is developing a wearable device designed to measure cerebral blood flow, has raised $54 million (Rs 493 crore) in a seed funding round. As a result of the investment, the company now carries a post-money valuation of $190 million, or approximately Rs 1,700 crore.

According to regulatory filings sourced from the Registrar of Companies, Temple attracted capital from leading investment firms such as Peak XV Partners, Steadview Capital, Dharana Capital, and Info Edge Ventures. In addition, more than 80 individual investors participated in the round, reflecting broad-based confidence in the company’s long-term vision.

Sharing details on social media, Goyal said that founder friends and early-stage Zomato investors made up the entire investor group and backed the project irrespective of its commercial outcome. More importantly, he highlighted that over 30 Temple employees invested their own money at the same valuation as external investors, signalling deep internal belief in the product and mission.

The list of individual backers includes several prominent startup founders such as Kunal Shah of Cred, Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm, Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath of Zerodha, Varun Alagh, Cars24 founders including CEO Vikram Chopra, podcaster Raj Shamani, and Urban Company cofounder Abhiraj Singh Bhal. Several current and former Eternal executives also joined the round, including CFO Akshant Goyal, district head Rahul Ganjoo, food delivery CEO Aditya Mangla, and the family office of former chief people officer Akriti Chopra.

Meanwhile, Goyal personally invested Rs 104 crore, accounting for 21% of the total funding. Following the transaction, he now holds a 28.5% stake in Temple, underlining his long-term commitment to the venture.

Earlier this month, Goyal stepped down as CEO of Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, with Albinder Dhindsa taking over the role. Subsequently, Goyal transitioned to vice chairman and announced plans to focus on higher-risk ventures across longevity and aerospace.

Besides Temple, he is backing the longevity research firm Continue with $25 million of his own capital. Notably, Temple emerged from the research work conducted at Continue. Goyal has also cofounded aerospace startup LAT Aerospace alongside former Zomato COO Surobhi Das.

Temple’s core product is a non-invasive wearable device worn on the temples that tracks blood flow in the brain. The technology builds on research exploring how gravity may influence human ageing. According to the underlying hypothesis, cerebral blood flow declines by up to 0.7% annually, leading to a cumulative drop of 20% to 40% between the ages of 20 and 80. Reduced blood flow to the brain, the research claims, correlates with nearly double the risk of mortality from all causes.

At the same time, Goyal announced an aggressive hiring drive, stating that Temple is building a high-precision performance-tracking wearable for elite athletes. The company claims the device will capture metrics that existing wearables cannot measure with comparable accuracy. Open roles span analog and electronics engineering, embedded systems, sensor algorithms, deep learning, computational neuroscience, computer vision, neuroimaging, machine learning, and product management, with an emphasis on hands-on design ownership using tools such as Figma.

With strong backing from founders, employees, and leading investors, Temple now moves into its next phase with both capital and conviction firmly in place.

Lemon Tree Hotels expands Maharashtra footprint with new Keys Prima signing in Akola

By

BRL Editor

-

February 28, 2026

0

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of a licence agreement for a new Keys Prima hotel in Akola, further strengthening its expansion strategy across Maharashtra. With this addition, the company continues to deepen its presence in one of India’s most economically dynamic states while steadily expanding into high-potential regional markets.

The upcoming property will operate under the Keys Prima by Lemon Tree Hotels brand and will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. As a result of this signing, the group’s Maharashtra portfolio will grow to fifteen operational hotels and thirteen upcoming properties, reflecting a strong pipeline in the state.

Moreover, the hotel’s location in Akola places it at the centre of the Vidarbha region’s evolving commercial and agricultural ecosystem. The city plays a vital role in cotton trading and agribusiness while continuing to benefit from infrastructure development and rising regional commerce. Consequently, the new property aims to cater to increasing demand from business travellers and regional visitors seeking quality branded accommodation.

Commenting on the development, Vilas Pawar, CEO – Managed & Franchise Business at Lemon Tree Hotels, emphasised the strategic value of Akola within the company’s growth roadmap. He noted that as economic activity expands beyond Maharashtra’s major metros, emerging cities such as Akola present strong opportunities for organised hospitality brands to support growing business travel needs.

Lemon Tree Hotels’ latest signing in Akola highlights its continued confidence in Maharashtra’s regional growth story. By adding another Keys Prima property in a commercially significant Vidarbha city, the company reinforces its long-term strategy of expanding beyond metros while meeting rising demand for trusted, branded hospitality across India’s emerging business centres.

SpaceX plans confidential IPO filing as valuation targets $1.75 Trillion

By

BRL Editor

-

February 28, 2026

0

SpaceX plans confidential IPO filing as valuation targets $1.75 Trillion — Elon Musk, Founder & CEO, SpaceX

Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX is reportedly preparing to file confidentially for an initial public offering that could value the business at more than $1.75 trillion, according to sources familiar with the matter. If completed, this move would place SpaceX among the most valuable companies ever to approach public markets.

The company could submit the confidential filing as early as March, and if the process continues as expected, the listing may follow by June. However, plans remain flexible, and SpaceX could still adjust its timeline depending on market conditions and internal priorities. Nevertheless, a March filing would align closely with expectations previously shared by people familiar with the company’s strategy.

At the same time, SpaceX is preparing for another major milestone in its launch program. Musk expects the company to conduct a test flight of an upgraded version of its next-generation Starship rocket in March. Notably, this version incorporates hundreds of design and engineering improvements developed during a months-long pause in launches, as engineers worked to address technical challenges.

Since 2023, SpaceX has conducted 11 Starship test launches, and these events have consistently drawn global attention. In several cases, high-profile figures attended the launches, while some tests resulted in partial or complete failures. Even so, the company has continued to treat each launch as a critical learning opportunity, using real-world data to refine its systems.

Meanwhile, SpaceX has not issued an official response to inquiries regarding its IPO plans. However, people familiar with the matter have indicated to Reuters that the company has been steadily preparing for a public-market debut, with a mid-year listing increasingly viewed as realistic.

SpaceX appears to be advancing on two major fronts simultaneously. On one hand, the company is laying the groundwork for a potentially historic IPO that could reshape global capital markets. On the other hand, it is accelerating the development of Starship, a vehicle central to its long-term vision for space exploration. Together, these moves signal SpaceX’s intent to scale both its technological ambitions and its financial footprint in the months ahead.

NILE Hospitality to open first Accor-branded hotel in Nagpur

By

BRL Editor

-

February 27, 2026

0

NILE Hospitality to open first Accor-branded hotel in Nagpur — Vikram Singh Chauhan, Founder & CEO, NILE Hospitality

NILE Hospitality has announced plans to launch its first Accor-branded hotel in Nagpur, marking an important step in strengthening its footprint across Central India. Through this development, the company continues to expand its presence in high-growth urban markets.

The upcoming hotel will feature 120 well-designed rooms and suites, creating a comfortable and contemporary retreat for both business and leisure travellers. Moreover, guests will have access to a multi-cuisine restaurant with a live open kitchen, a bar designed for relaxed socialising, and a deli offering quick and casual dining options.

At the same time, the property places a strong emphasis on meetings and social gatherings. It will offer nearly 20,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces, including a banquet hall, terrace lawn, alfresco lounge, and multiple meeting rooms. Additionally, leisure amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, spa, and gym will further enhance the guest experience. As a result, the hotel positions itself as a preferred venue for conferences, weddings, and large-scale celebrations in the city.

Importantly, this project marks NILE Hospitality’s first collaboration with Accor, reinforcing its strategy of partnering with leading international hotel brands. Therefore, the company continues to focus on delivering professionally managed, high-performance hospitality assets across fast-growing Indian destinations.

Speaking on the development, Vikram Singh Chauhan, Founder & CEO, NILE Hospitality, said, “Novotel Nagpur represents a defining milestone in our growth journey, and we are immensely proud to bring this brand to the city. Nagpur is a long-admired destination for us, and this opening reaffirms NILE Hospitality’s position at the vanguard of third-party hotel management in India. Combining a coveted location, world-class design, and personalized service, we are delighted to bring this future landmark to Nagpur—a strategic commercial, logistic, and cultural hub.”

The launch of Novotel Nagpur underscores NILE Hospitality’s strategic focus on high-potential Indian cities and global brand partnerships. By combining international standards with strong local market insight, the company continues to play a key role in shaping India’s evolving hospitality landscape.

Info Edge plans Rs 250-Cr allocation for B8 Fund I to focus on growth-stage technology startups

By

BRL Editor

-

February 27, 2026

0

Info Edge plans Rs 250-Cr allocation for B8 Fund I to focus on growth-stage technology startups — Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder and executive vice-chairman, Info Edge

Info Edge (India) has approved a commitment of up to Rs 250 crore to B8 Fund I, a newly launched investment vehicle targeting growth-stage technology startups in India, according to media reports. Through this move, the company continues to deepen its presence in India’s evolving startup investment landscape.

The fund will receive the investment either directly from Info Edge or through its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Smartweb Internet Services Ltd., which will act as the sponsor and investment manager. The company disclosed this development in a stock exchange filing dated February 26.

B8 Fund I has been established by B8 Trust and has received registration from the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund. Launched on February 12, 2026, the fund will primarily back growth-stage, tech-enabled companies that operate in or focus on the Indian market. As a result, the fund aims to create long-term value for investors while strengthening the domestic startup ecosystem.

Info Edge’s Rs 250 crore commitment represents the total value agreed under the contribution arrangement. Meanwhile, the company will deploy capital in phased tranches over the fund’s lifecycle, depending on market conditions and the availability of suitable investment opportunities.

The fund will carry a base tenure of eight years from the date of its first closing, with an option to extend the term by up to two additional years, subject to investor approval. Once the investment management agreement comes into effect, B8 Fund I and its associated schemes will fall under the related-party classification as per SEBI listing norms. However, Info Edge clarified that its promoter group holds no interest in the transaction and that the investment will proceed strictly on an arm’s-length basis.

This commitment further strengthens Info Edge’s diversified investment framework. Currently, the company manages multiple capital pools, including Info Edge Ventures, which oversees commitments of nearly Rs 2,300 crore across three funds. In addition, Capital2B manages around Rs 280 crore through one fund, while the early-stage Redstart programme has deployed close to Rs 110 crore. Separately, Info Edge also maintains balance-sheet financial investments worth approximately Rs 2,000 crore.

Earlier, in May 2025, shareholders approved an allocation of up to Rs 1,000 crore to Info Edge Venture Investment Fund III, another Category II AIF managed by Smartweb. Therefore, the launch of B8 Fund I further expands Info Edge’s structured exposure to expansion-stage startups, effectively complementing its existing early- and mid-stage investment platforms.

Simpler Today AI secures Rs 20 Lakh in funding to expand indigenous legal AI for India

By

BRL Editor

-

February 27, 2026

0

Simpler Today AI secures Rs 20 Lakh in funding to expand indigenous legal AI for India — Amit Shukla, Co-Founder of Simpler Today AI

Simpler Today AI, an AI-first consumer law firm focused on accelerating and simplifying access to justice, has raised Rs 20 lakh in funding from IIT Mandi iHub and the HCI Foundation under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme. With this support, the startup will enhance its product capabilities, deepen legal research, and expand its indigenous legal intelligence systems tailored to India’s justice ecosystem.

Through AI-driven efficiency and affordability, Simpler Today AI enables citizens to access high-quality legal support without navigating complex legal processes alone. From the initial filing stage to resolution, the platform manages the complete legal journey. As a result, users can understand their legal rights, evaluate the seriousness of incidents, draft structured and action-ready complaints, and receive clear guidance on procedural next steps through a conversational, multilingual AI interface.

Currently, the platform supports more than 30 laws and acts, covers over 100 legal use cases, and offers state-specific formats. Meanwhile, Simpler Today AI has demonstrated early real-world traction through on-ground deployments. Its technology now operates across 29 police stations in Raigad, Maharashtra, directly serving over 35 lakh citizens. Furthermore, the platform has enabled thousands of legal interactions and helped generate hundreds of structured complaints with significantly higher actionability.

Built as a fully indigenous AI system, Simpler Today AI actively integrates with law enforcement agencies and legal institutions. Consequently, the platform improves information quality, reduces procedural ambiguity, and optimizes resource utilization across the justice delivery system.

Commenting on the funding, Amit Shukla, co-founder of Simpler Today AI, said the backing from IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation validates the belief that access to justice forms a cornerstone of national security and inclusive growth. He added that India requires indigenous AI systems that deeply understand its laws, languages, and institutions. Therefore, the funding will help strengthen the company’s legal intelligence stack and accelerate its mission to make justice accessible, affordable, and actionable for every citizen.

Previously, Shukla founded EasyGov, an AI-powered governance platform that Reliance Jio acquired and later deployed at a national scale for social protection delivery. This experience now informs Simpler Today AI’s approach to building scalable public-impact technology.

At the same time, India’s legal system continues to face a severe structural challenge. More than 50 million cases remain pending across courts nationwide, and experts estimate that the current pace of disposal could take centuries to clear the backlog. Delays in legal awareness, complaint filing, and procedural clarity often prevent early intervention, which in turn increases pressure on courts and law enforcement agencies.

A spokesperson from IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation said Simpler Today AI exemplifies the type of deep tech innovation India needs for public impact. The spokesperson added that the company’s focus on indigenous AI, legal access, and institutional adoption strongly aligns with the objectives of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme and carries strong potential for scalable national impact.

As India rapidly expands its Digital Public Infrastructure, AI-driven platforms like Simpler Today AI can significantly reduce friction at the justice system’s entry points. Ultimately, such indigenous legal AI solutions are poised to play a transformative role in improving citizen outcomes while easing the systemic burden on India’s justice and governance ecosystem.

Hyatt Hotels plans hospitality expansion in India over the next five years

By

BRL Editor

-

February 27, 2026

0

Hyatt Hotels plans hospitality expansion in India over the next five years — Mark S. Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt Hotels

Hyatt Hotels plans to expand its presence in India nearly fivefold over the next five years, as the US-based hospitality group positions itself to benefit from rising domestic travel and increasing consumer spending in the country. Meanwhile, global hotel operators are accelerating their India expansion strategies as leisure travel continues to rebound strongly among affluent consumers after the pandemic.

Speaking at the HOPE conference in Goa, Hyatt President and CEO Mark S. Hoplamazian said the scale of India’s hospitality growth justifies a dramatic increase in hotel count. He explained that the market’s momentum supports a scenario in which Hyatt operates five times as many properties in India within the next five years.

Currently, Hyatt runs 55 hotels across major Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Earlier, the company had outlined a plan to grow its India portfolio to 100 hotels by 2030, while globally Hyatt already manages more than 1,400 properties. However, the latest comments signal an even more aggressive push in the Indian market.

At the same time, structural factors continue to strengthen India’s travel economy. Population growth, rapid urbanisation, and rising aspirations among Indian travellers now fuel long-term demand across leisure and business segments. According to Mordor Intelligence, India’s hospitality industry is likely to nearly double in value, reaching $55.7 billion by 2031, compared to $23.5 billion in 2025.

Competitors are also moving quickly to capture this opportunity. For instance, Hilton Worldwide announced last year that it plans to quadruple its India room pipeline over the next five years. Similarly, Leela Hotels said its outlook for fiscal 2027 depends heavily on strong demand from affluent travellers and a continued shortage of luxury hotel inventory in the country.

Ultimately, Hoplamazian reinforced Hyatt’s confidence in the market by stating that India represents a long-term investment destination rather than a short-term growth play.

As India’s hospitality sector enters a sustained expansion phase, Hyatt’s ambitious growth plans underline how global hotel chains increasingly view the country as one of their most critical markets for future scale and returns.

Lords Hotels and Resorts Launches New Destination Property in Salangpur, Gujarat

By

BRL Editor

-

February 27, 2026

0

Salangpur, Gujarat – Lords Hotels and Resorts has announced the grand opening of its newest destination property in Salangpur, further strengthening its presence in India’s expanding religious and cultural tourism market.

Strategically located with convenient access from Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Vadodara, the resort offers seamless connectivity for spiritual travelers, families, and wedding guests. Situated close to revered landmarks such as the Shri Kashtabhanjan Hanumanji Temple and the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, the property provides a comfortable and serene stay for devotees visiting the region.

The resort features 24 cottages and 23 rooms, along with a banquet hall and landscaped party lawn for weddings and social events; a multi-cuisine restaurant; a spa; a swimming pool; and open spaces ideal for family picnics and children-friendly stays. Designed to cater to both spiritual visitors and celebratory gatherings, the property positions Salangpur as an emerging destination for weddings and leisure travel.

Commenting on the launch, Pushpendra Bansal, COO, Lords Hotels and Resorts, said the property reflects the brand’s vision of blending spirituality, comfort, and destination celebrations in high-potential pilgrimage markets.

Adding to this, Sudhir Jena, VP – Corporate, Lords Hotels and Resorts, stated that the company’s expansion strategy focuses on destinations with strong year-round demand, and Salangpur presents growing opportunities across spiritual tourism, weddings, and social events.

With 70 hotels across 57 destinations in India, Nepal, and the USA, Lords Hotels and Resorts continues its strategic growth across emerging travel markets, delivering its signature True Value Hospitality.

About Lords Hotels and Resorts

Lords Hotels and Resorts is a leading mid-market hospitality brand known for delivering world-class service, thoughtfully designed properties, and memorable guest experiences. With a growing footprint across India and neighboring countries, the brand blends cultural richness, spiritual significance, and modern comfort to create meaningful travel experiences for discerning guests.

CONNECT WITH US