Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Home Blog Page 237

Proptech startup HouseEazy raises $7M in funding 

By
BRL Editor
-
0
[L-R] Deepak Bhatia and Tarun Sainani, Co-founders of HouseEazy

HouseEazy, a marketplace for resale homes, secured USD 7 million from investors to expand its business. The company announced it raised the funds in a series-A funding round, which combined equity and debt. Chiratae Ventures led the round, with participation from Alteria Capital and existing investor Antler.

Seven months ago, in December 2023, the company completed its seed financing round. HouseEazy plans to use the new funds to expand into new geographies in the NCR region, enhance brand visibility, grow its team, and improve its product offerings.

Tarun Sainani, Co-founder of HouseEazy, said, “In the primary market, the real estate developer typically serves as the anchor, but no single player was addressing all the needs of resale buyers and sellers. These transactions were traditionally conducted with multiple stakeholders, leading to inherent risks and lengthy closure times.” 

“We’ve completely re-engineered the process, enabling customers to buy or sell resale homes in under 15 days on the HouseEazy platform with 100 per cent safety,” he added.  

Sainani mentioned that in a short time, the company has already served over 1,000 customers. HouseEazy uses a proprietary machine-learning algorithm with over 1.5 million data points to provide sellers with real-time price quotes. This allows sellers to finalize their transactions instantly at the best price, avoiding multiple meetings and negotiations.

For buyers, HouseEazy offers access to exclusive, refurbished inventory, which they can explore using advanced AR/VR tools like 3D walkthroughs and virtual staging. 

The platform also provides mortgage, legal, and registry services, making it a one-stop solution for all resale customers.

Deepak Bhatia, Co-founder of HouseEazy, said, “We have already hit a GMV (gross merchandise value) ARR (annual run rate) of Rs 425 crore, and expect to hit Rs 1,800 crore GMV ARR in the next 15-18 months from the NCR market alone.”  

The company operates in Noida and Ghaziabad and has recently expanded into Gurgaon. It also plans to extend its presence to tier 1 cities such as Pune, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Wyndham signs Ramada Resort & Residences by Wyndham in Nainital 

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Naini Habitat Developers Private Limited (NHDPL), a real estate company focused on hotels, housing, and townships, announced its partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to launch Ramada Resort and Residences in Nainital, Uttarakhand. This franchise agreement underscores NHDPL’s commitment to elevating the hospitality experience in the region.

Pankaj Gupta, Director of NHDPL, expressed that this partnership reflects their dedication to bringing the globally recognized hotel brand “Ramada by Wyndham” to Nainital, a popular leisure destination.

Ramada Resort and Residences by Wyndham Nainital will feature approximately 155 units, including villas. The resort will offer amenities such as an All-Day Dining & Bar Lounge, Banquet Halls, Lawns, Meeting Rooms, a Fitness Centre, a Swimming Pool, and Recreational Facilities. Currently in the greenfield stage, the hotel is expected to open in 2027.

Nainital, a well-known hill station located in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas in Uttarakhand, offers various tourist attractions. The hotel will be strategically positioned on 8 acres of land surrounded by hills, near the renowned Kainchi Dham ashram. Guests will enjoy mountain views, lush landscapes, and opportunities for hiking, boating in Nainital’s lakes, and exploring nearby activities.

Expressing his excitement, Pankaj Gupta, stated, “Our partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel franchising company in the world to launch Ramada Resort & Residences in Nainital is a significant milestone in our journey to build an iconic resort in this prominent holiday destination.”   

Dimitris Manikis, president EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts stated that “We are thrilled to announce that we have signed Ramada Resort and Residences in the ‘Queen of Lakes’ destination Nainital. The brand delivers passionate and meaningful hospitality to affluent yet practical leisure and business travelers. The development mix in this venture is aligned to offer memorable experiences to our esteemed guests. Ramada Resort & Residences Nainital would elevate the destination to new heights.”

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company, operates around 9,200 hotels with 876,000 keys across more than 95 countries. The company currently has 63 hotels in operation in Eurasia and over 40 more in the pipeline.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC launch app for seamless post-booking services

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Building on its digital-first strategy, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, a leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, introduced a Customer Self-Service (CSS) holiday app. This app, available for iOS and Android users, provides customers with a smooth and complete post-booking experience.

Previously, the post-booking process was often time-consuming and stressful for customers, requiring coordination of various aspects like visas, flights, hotel vouchers, itineraries, attractions, invoices, and receipts. To address this, Thomas Cook and SOTC developed the CSS app, which offers customers a convenient and easy-to-use interface, simplifying the post-booking process.

After piloting the CSS app in April 2024, it has undergone significant enhancements and now boasts a strong customer adoption rate of 50%.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “We are consistently exploring ways to deliver a truly seamless experience for our customers. I am hence delighted with the launch of our CSS app – that empowers our customers with simplified post-booking services at their fingertips. With the festive season approaching, this launch is perfectly timed to elevate our customers experience for their upcoming holidays.”

Mr. Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel, said, “With a legacy of 75 years of being an Indian-entrepreneurial brand, SOTC believes that ‘no one understands the Indian traveller better than SOTC’. Whether customers book their trips online or through our stores, we understand that the post-booking phase can be a stressful period. Through the launch of our innovative CSS app, we look forward to providing our customers with the comfort and convenience of a smooth post-booking experience.”

Fabrication Bazar raises $3M in pre-Series A round

By
BRL Editor
-
0
From Left Dwaipayan Dutta (Co-Founder & CEO) and Ankur Gupta (Co-Founder & CTO)

Ben & Gaws Private Limited, the company behind the manufacturing tech startup Fabrication Bazar, has raised $3 million in Pre-Seed funding.

Physis Capital led the funding round, with participation from Japan-based Venture Capital ICMG and existing investor Inflection Point Ventures.

The company plans to use the funds to expand its geographic presence beyond India, focusing on GCC and Southeast Asia markets, and to hire leadership team members.

Founded by Dwaipayan Dutta (CEO) and Ankur Gupta (CTO), Fabrication Bazar provides an asset-light, tech-enabled manufacturing platform for industrial steel products. 

The platform serves over 400 clients across various sectors. It aims to digitize its supply chain, offering a centralized platform for managing procurement, quality control, and logistics. This approach optimizes the largely unused capacity of over 1.5 million MSME fabrication vendors in India. Using its proprietary manufacturing technology, Fabrication Bazar collaborates with more than 330 fabrication vendors across India to boost production efficiency and reduce delivery times by splitting products into multiple parts and processing them simultaneously.

“Our tech-enabled, asset-light manufacturing platform empowers thousands of MSME steel fabricators across India by enhancing their capacity utilization, delivering quality products to blue-chip MNC clients, and providing them access to capital. This round helps us to further enhance our tech offerings and build the team to take us to the next level. Given the size and potential of the steel fabrication industry in India and globally, we see significant growth opportunities ahead,” said Dwaipayan Dutta, Co-founder and CEO of Fabrication Bazar. 

Fabrication Bazar’s client base includes over 400 large MNCs from diverse sectors such as EPC, Manufacturing, FMCG, Pharmaceutical, Energy, Petrochemicals, Oil & Gas, Ethanol, Food & Beverage, Packaging, Metals, and more.

Kisanserv to open 250 stores, create 6,000 jobs in four years

By
BRL Editor
-
0

Kisanserv, a retail company specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables, has set a revenue target of ₹500 crore within the next four years.

Founded in 2019, Kisanserv initially catered to quick-commerce companies and opened its first retail store in January 2023. Over 16 months, the company expanded to 22 stores across Pune and Mumbai. It aims to reach 250 stores and achieve ₹500 crore in revenue within the next four years after reporting ₹35 crore in the recent fiscal year.

This expansion is expected to create 2,000 direct and 4,000-5,000 indirect jobs, focusing on hiring from local communities and prioritizing female staff. After this initial growth, the company plans to scale up to 1,000 stores, entering new markets such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

Niranjan Sharma, CEO of Kisanserv, said, “We’ve nearly perfected our business model, and now we’re ready to scale rapidly. Our focus on operational efficiency, combined with our commitment to quality and customer service, positions us to capture a significant share of the ₹160 billion fruits and vegetables market in India, where 90% is still dominated by local Kirana stores.”

Currently, the company generates ₹41,000 per square foot per year and plans to increase this figure to ₹65,000 per square foot with the planned expansion.

Kisanserv operates neighborhood convenience stores around 300 square feet while offering online shopping through the Kisanserv Express app. This model allows customers to shop in-store or order online, with home delivery within 20-30 minutes at no extra cost. Currently, 70% of Kisanserv’s revenue comes from in-store sales, while online transactions contribute 30%.

The company has developed a custom ERP system that provides real-time visibility into demand, procurement, supply chain logistics, and product availability across all its stores. This technology has helped Kisanserv achieve an inventory turnover of 1-2 days, ensuring product freshness and minimizing wastage to 4-5% in stores and just 4% in the supply chain.

Looking ahead, Kisanserv plans to introduce self-checkout systems in its stores to enhance the shopping experience by making it quicker and more convenient. Additionally, the company intends to launch fresh, cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, aligning with current consumer trends toward health and wellness.

Eco Hotels expands with new hotels in Sindhudurg

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Vinod K Tripathi, executive chairman of Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited

Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited announced its latest venture under Regulation 30 of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015. After receiving Board approval on July 31, 2024, the company signed an agreement to acquire three brand-new hotels with a total of 94 rooms in Maharashtra’s beautiful Sindhudurg district.

Sindhudurg, known for its stunning coastal scenery and rich history along the Konkan coast, offers an ideal location for Eco Hotels’ expansion. This lush district, covering about 5,207 sq. km and bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, is easily accessible via the scenic Bombay-Goa route and Konkan Railway. The newly built properties, strategically situated near picturesque beaches, will reinforce the hotel’s commitment to reducing net carbon emissions and support their goal of reaching 500 rooms by the end of December 2024.

Vinod K Tripathi, executive chairman of Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited, said, ” We know that India’s tourism industry is rapidly expanding, with new destinations being added. Eco Hotels is eager to occupy a suitable space quickly. Despite the fact that this is our first year in operation, we already have over 200 rooms for operation. While adding a hotel to our operations, we are extremely conscious that any proposal we sign must be viable and win-win for all parties involved. We do not want to join the mad rush to take up hotels on unreasonable financial terms, causing the company to bleed tomorrow. We understand what profitability means to our investors, and we are focused on creating value for them. We are committed to being a long-term player in the field, with plans to have about 5000 rooms operational within the next five years. We have also commenced working on our EBOT model, which is based on 3D volumetric construction technology, and are on the verge of creating the first special purpose vehicle for the same.”

Akash Bhatia, CEO of Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited, said, “The addition of these three hotels in Sindhudurg marks a significant advance in our mission to provide eco-friendly accommodations with net carbon zero emissions. We are actively working on operational and marketing strategies to ensure these properties are up and running as soon as possible. These new hotels will embody our objective of leveraging eco-friendly practices while providing a unique and luxurious experience for our guests.”

InvestorAi raises Rs 80-Cr in equity funding from Ashish Kacholia 

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Akshaya Bhargava, Chairman and cofounder, InvestorAi

InvestorAi, an AI-powered equity investment platform, has raised Rs 80 crore from stock market investor Ashish Kacholia, founder of Lucky Investment Manager, and his associates, according to a statement on Thursday.

The company plans to use the new funds to scale up business operations and introduce new products.

Founded in 2018 by Akshaya Bhargava, Bridgeweave operates the InvestorAi platform and is a Sebi-registered research analyst. The platform uses artificial intelligence and advanced technology to deliver successful investment outcomes for young, tech-savvy millennials.

InvestorAi offers over 15 equity baskets with different strategies, some of which are now in their third year. The company noted that all these baskets have outperformed the index in the last 12 months and since their inception.

“Sophisticated AI has long been the exclusive preserve of big hedge funds like Renaissance and Citadel. We set up InvestorAi with the vision of bringing this advanced AI technology to retail investors, and we pride ourselves in our three-year track record of delivering strong investment returns that have consistently beaten the index by a big margin,” said Akshaya Bhargava, Chairman and cofounder, InvestorAi. 

Bhargava also highlighted the significant growth opportunity in India, given the country’s sizeable digital infrastructure, tech-friendly investor base, and rapid growth in retail investor accounts.

India is an exceptional market with its unique digital infrastructure, leading exchange capabilities, and rapidly growing retail investor base. The retail investor base in India is currently around 150 million, increasing by three million each month, and the Indian stock market is projected to reach $10 trillion by 2030 from its current $4.8 trillion market cap.

With only 7% of household income currently invested in direct equities, InvestorAi sees a huge opportunity in AI-led equity investment guidance.

Adding to this, Bruce Keith, Co-founder and CEO, InvestorAi, said, “India’s retail investor base is currently around 150 million and growing at 3 million a month. The Indian stock market is expected to reach $10 trillion by 2030 from the current $4.8 trillion market cap. However, only 7% of households’ income is invested in direct equities. This presents a large untapped market opportunity which can be leveraged by use of AI-led equity financing guidance. Our platform, InvestorAi, is the only platform in the Indian market that is multi-product, multi-broker and multi-manager and which also generates its own market-beating content.”

“The AI models that power our platform have been trained using 14 years of stock market data and have delivered market beating returns consistently since 2022. Moreover, our AI models are integrated with a next generation delivery engine called InvestorAi YouTrade, which provides a one-click experience integrated within the broker’s own mobile or on-line platform.”

Ashish Kacholia, Founder, Lucky Investment Managers, says, “We have been long term investors in the Indian capital markets and have seen the wealth creation opportunities that it has to offer. InvestorAi’s platforms and the InvestorAi suite of products leverage technology in an innovative way and are directly aimed at helping the new generation of investors in starting their wealth creation journey in one of the fastest and best performing markets in the world. We believe that InvestorAi’s domain expertise in investments, products, innovative technology and a very experienced team really makes InvestorAi one of the true outliers in the wealthtech segment.”

Positron, a Mumbai-based Consulting and Capital Advisory firm, acted as the exclusive advisor for the transaction.

Hangyo Ice Creams raises Rs 211-Cr from Faering Capital 

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Pradeep Pai, MD, Hangyo

Mangaluru-based Hangyo Ice Creams has secured Rs 211 crore from private equity firm Faering Capital.

The company plans to use this new capital to boost its production capabilities, speed up new product development, and expand its presence in key markets, mainly in southern India.

This fundraising comes when new-age ice cream brands increasingly attract venture capital investments.

“We are incredibly pleased to partner with Faering Capital for our next phase of growth,” said Pradeep Pai, managing director, Hangyo Ice Creams. “Their investment brings not only financial support but also a wealth of experience and strategic value to our company. This partnership will greatly enhance our expansion plans, driving growth and reinforcing our market leadership.”

Founded in 2003, Hangyo Ice Creams has established a presence in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra, with about 350 distributors and 30,000 retailers.

It offers various products in various flavors and formats, including cups, cones, sorbets, sticks, and tubs, distributed through general trade, modern trade, and online channels.

Hangyo Ice Creams operates two manufacturing facilities in Karnataka, producing 120,000 liters of ice cream daily.

India’s ice cream industry, estimated to be worth about $5 billion this year, has seen a rise in new-age brands. Emerging players like Noto, Get-A-Way, Go Zero, Frubon, and Minus 30 are competing for market share in a sector traditionally led by legacy brands like Amul, Mother Dairy, Hindustan Unilever’s Kwality Walls, and Jaipuria group’s Cream Bell.

“Hangyo Ice Creams is a fast growing and profitable consumer company that has consistently delivered high quality products driven by state-of-the-art manufacturing, wide distribution and strong customer love. Faering Capital is delighted to partner with Hangyo in their next stage of growth,” said Sameer Shroff, managing director, Faering Capital. 

Unlocking the Power of AI-Driven Sales: Vodex AI

By
Kanika Mahtoliya
-
0
CTO, Co-founder, Kumar Saurav, and CEO Anshul Shrivastava

In a world where artificial intelligence is revolutionizing every aspect of business, one company is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sales automation. Vodex AI, a cutting-edge startup, is redefining the landscape of customer engagement with its innovative AI-driven solution. At the helm of this technological marvel is CTO, co-founder Kumar Saurav, and CEO Anshul Shrivastava, who is on a mission to empower businesses of all sizes to achieve astronomical sales growth without expanding their teams.

Imagine a future where AI seamlessly handles thousands of personalized customer interactions in mere minutes, lead nurturing becomes an art form executed with machine-like precision, and sales teams can focus on what truly matters – closing deals and building relationships. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the reality Vodex AI is creating today.

From bootstrapped beginnings to securing millions in funding, Vodex AI’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. But what sets this company apart in the crowded AI marketplace? How are they achieving an astounding 98% accuracy rate in speech recognition? And what does the future hold for this game-changing technology?

Business Review Live interviewed Kumar Saurav and Anshul Shrivastava, the visionaries behind Vodex AI, to explore these questions and more. Join us as we delve into the innovative realm of AI-driven sales automation and uncover how Vodex AI is transforming the future of business communication.

BRL: Can you provide an overview of Vodex.ai and highlight the key factors that differentiate you from other AI-driven communication market competitors?

Vodex.ai delivers a cutting-edge, AI-powered solution that seamlessly integrates into existing CRMs. Our platform revolutionizes sales operations through advanced automation, offering unparalleled lead nurturing, personalized outreach, and intelligent sales conversations. What sets us apart is our unwavering focus on maximizing efficiency and scalability for our clients. Unlike other AI tools, we provide an all-encompassing solution that dominates every aspect of the sales process, from the first contact to sealing the deal.

BRL: What challenges did you face during bootstrapping, and how did funding from 100X VC and Unicorn India Ventures impact your growth?

In the early days, one of our biggest challenges was integrating our AI into various CRM systems, each demanding tailored solutions. Educating the market about the transformative power of AI in sales was another major hurdle, as many potential clients were initially hesitant. Securing funding from 100X VC in June 2022 was a pivotal moment for us. It gave us the resources to scale operations while ensuring top-notch service quality and customer satisfaction. The recent $2 million seed round, led by Unicorn India Ventures, has supercharged our growth, enabling us to enhance our product, break into new markets, and amplify our marketing and sales strategies.

BRL: What sparked the idea of generative AI for outbound calls, and how did potential clients initially react?

The inspiration for Vodex.ai came from our deep engagement with clients in our previous venture. We uncovered a compelling need for an AI-driven sales solution that could revolutionize efficiency through automation. While initial reactions from potential clients were marked by skepticism, our proven AI expertise and strong personal brand were pivotal in establishing trust and credibility. By passionately educating the market on the transformative power of AI in sales, we gradually turned doubt into enthusiasm and sparked significant interest in our solution.

BRL: How does Vodex.ai achieve a 98% accuracy rate in speech recognition, and how do you ensure consistent performance?

Vodex.ai’s impressive 98% speech recognition accuracy stems from our advanced AI-driven conversational analytics. This technology automates tasks and personalizes sales conversations with precise insights. We prioritize an intuitive user experience, continually refining our product based on customer feedback. Additionally, our system supports up to 10,000 calls in under 60 minutes, integrates seamlessly with CRM systems, and handles communication through WhatsApp and SMS, making Vodex.ai an exceptionally versatile and effective tool for businesses.

BRL: How does Vodex.ai integrate with existing CRM systems, and what benefits does this integration provide?

Vodex.ai integrates seamlessly with existing CRM systems, enhancing their capabilities without disrupting established workflows. This integration automates tasks such as lead nurturing, personalized outreach, and sales conversations. The key benefits include heightened efficiency, scalable operations, and comprehensive management of the sales process without the need to expand the sales team. By leveraging CRM data more effectively, our platform transforms insights into actionable, automated strategies that drive business success.

BRL: What are your long-term goals for Vodex.ai, and how do you plan to scale and adapt to future market trends?

Our long-term goal for Vodex.ai is to establish ourselves as the leading force in sales automation. We aim to help businesses of all sizes achieve significant revenue growth without needing large sales teams. Over the next five years, we plan to diversify into healthcare, education, and government sectors while expanding our reach into new regions, especially Asia and Latin America. To stay ahead of market trends, we are dedicated to ongoing innovation, incorporating features such as predictive analytics for sales forecasting and advanced customer sentiment analysis. We aim to achieve $5 million in sales by March 2025, laying the groundwork for further growth and industry leadership.

Flipkart-backed SuperMoney launches UPI app 

By
BRL Editor
-
0
Prakash Sikaria, founder and CEO, Supermoney

Super.Money, Flipkart’s fintech venture, has officially launched its credit-first Unified Payments Interface (UPI) application to the public after a successful beta phase with over 10 million transactions. The Bengaluru-based startup has completed testing its credit on the UPI solution and has introduced a wait-list program. Super. Money’s first credit solution is a Rupay credit card that works as an interest-bearing wallet on UPI rails.

Prakash Sikaria, founder and CEO of Super.Money, stated that the company aims to be among the top five players in India’s competitive UPI market. Walmart-owned PhonePe and Google Pay dominate the market, handling over 85% of the 14.4 billion UPI transactions recorded in July.

Last year, Flipkart committed around $20 million to this venture.

The government’s proposed 30% market share cap for Unified Payments Interface players, suggested by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), seems unlikely to be met before the deadline, just over four months away.

To address the high concentration of UPI transactions among a few apps, NPCI has been encouraging new third-party payment apps to invest and offer incentives to consumers in recent months.

The Super.Money app provides users up to 5% cashback on every transaction and special offers from partner merchants, including Flipkart and Myntra.

Super.Money is also introducing new rewards programs like Super Name Drop, Raffle, and Meme Money, offering instant cashback and prizes to make transactions more engaging and rewarding for users.

“Our beta phase was instrumental in shaping the Super.Money experience, particularly in how we innovate at the forefront of credit on UPI. The digital payments landscape in India is brimming with opportunities, but the real potential lies in integrating financial services on UPI rails in a simplified way,” Sikaria said. 

“We have started with innovating on credit products as it does an important job of introducing millions of Indians to formal credit infrastructure.” 

In the coming months, Super.Money plans to launch various financial products, including a co-branded credit card, fixed deposits (FDs), and instant pre-approved personal loans, catering to the diverse financial needs of Indian users.

Currently, UPI transaction values have exceeded Rs 20 lakh crore for the third month in a row, with Rs 20.64 lakh crore in July, Rs 20.07 lakh crore in June, and Rs 20.44 lakh crore in May.

1...236237238...522Page 237 of 522

CONNECT WITH US

About Us Career Contact Us Advertise With Us

© Business Review Live | Marcom Media Services International.