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JW Marriott Goa Appoints Akshay Shetty as Director of Sales & Marketing

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Goa, May 2026: JW Marriott Goa is pleased to announce the appointment of Akshay Shetty as Director of Sales and Marketing. Akshay brings over 14 years of rich experience in the realm of Business Development and Sales and Marketing within the luxury sector and hospitality industry. He now leads the dynamic sales team of JW Marriott Goa, creating and overseeing revenue plans and achieving targets.

Bringing a strong sales acumen and a result-driven approach to luxury hospitality, Akshay has been associated with leading brands in Indian and International hotel chains, where he has successfully helmed the sales and business development teams and sustained revenue growth and market share leadership within their respective competitive sets. His key focus areas include revenue management, reservation sales, room sales, and expansion of sales reach to key feeder markets in India spanning diverse segments such as corporate, MICE, leisure, weddings, and travel trade. In addition, his past experience also includes roles in the front office department, allowing him a deeper understanding into the operational aspect of the hotel industry.

His most recent appointment was at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, where he spearheaded a high-performing sales team and played a pivotal role in elevating the hotel’s group rooms and catering portfolio. Renowned for his strategic foresight and market-driven approach, he consistently delivered exceptional commercial performance while cultivating enduring relationships within the luxury hospitality landscape.

At JW Marriott Goa, Akshay will oversee the hotel’s Sales & Marketing function, focusing on driving revenue performance, strengthening brand positioning, and unlocking new growth opportunities across key segments. He will also play a pivotal role in enhancing market visibility and aligning sales strategies with the brand’s luxury positioning.

Akshay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from Mangalore University and is the recipient of distinguished industry accolades, including the BW Hotelier Sales Leader of the Year – West Zone in 2024 and Marriott International’s prestigious President’s Circle APEC Top Performer Award in 2024 and 2025, an accolade that sets him apart from the regular.

Known for his dynamic leadership and strategic vision in hospitality, Akshay brings a deep passion for guest experiences and luxury service excellence. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a devoted husband and father who enjoys travelling and immersing himself in diverse cultures around the world.

About JW Marriott

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW Marriott is a tribute to the founder of Marriott International, J. Willard “J.W.” Marriott, who prioritized his own well-being so that he could take better care of others. Inspired by his approach to life and rooted in holistic well-being, JW Marriott properties offer a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole—present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit—through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest.

Today there are 125 JW Marriott hotels in 40 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections, and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits, including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy®

Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences, including future stays and Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®.

Voice AI startup Equal AI raises $30 Mn in Series B to expand consumer voice AI platform

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Keshav Reddy, Founder of Equal AI

Consumer voice artificial intelligence platform Equal AI has raised $30 million in a Series B funding round co-led by Prosus Ventures and Tomales Bay Capital. The round also attracted participation from Think Investments, Valiant Fund, PhonePe founder Sameer Nigam, and Zubin Bharti Mittal of the Airtel family office.

The company did not disclose its post-money valuation following the latest investment.

Equal AI plans to use the fresh capital to expand beyond its core call assistant platform and introduce AI-powered services across communications, financial services, lifestyle management, and concierge offerings. Through this strategy, the company aims to serve India’s nearly one billion smartphone users and strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving consumer AI market.

The funding comes at a pivotal moment for India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. As smartphone adoption continues to rise and voice remains the preferred mode of digital interaction for millions of users, consumer-focused AI platforms are gaining significant momentum. According to Grand View Research, India’s AI market generated $22 billion in revenue in 2025 and could reach $325 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.1%.

While investors have increasingly backed enterprise-focused voice AI startups, entrepreneurs and venture capital firms continue to identify a massive untapped opportunity in developing AI products directly for consumers.

With its planned expansion into concierge-style services, Equal AI will enter a growing segment that includes startups such as Crew by Swiggy, Pokus, Faff, Aviha, Robin Home, and Khwaaish. The company will also compete indirectly with M, the latest venture launched by Dunzo co-founder Kabeer Biswas, which recently secured funding from Peak XV and Blume Ventures.

Commenting on the company’s growth journey, Keshav Reddy, Founder of Equal AI, said, “When we raised our Series A, we were a young company with a simple conviction that secure, consent-driven data sharing can unlock new opportunities for every Indian. Today, that same conviction has produced two engines: Equal AI, which more than a million Indians are already using every month to take back control of their phones, and an enterprise platform that has become infrastructure for India’s largest banks, insurers, fintechs, and digital platforms powering 100 million users to date.”

Equal AI previously raised $10 million in its Series A funding round in 2024 from Prosus Ventures and Tomales Bay Capital. The continued support from existing investors highlights growing confidence in the company’s vision and long-term growth potential.

Highlighting the broader opportunity in consumer AI, Iqbaljit Kahlon, Founder and Managing Partner, Tomales Bay Capital, said, “The most interesting consumer AI products of the next decade are not being built in San Francisco; they are being built for the billion people who carry a smartphone and whose relationship with technology is primarily voice, not text.”

Since launching in October 2025, Equal AI has experienced rapid user growth. The company reported more than one million monthly active users and over 350,000 daily active users within eight months of launch, demonstrating strong consumer adoption of its voice-based AI solutions.

Financially, the company continues to invest aggressively in growth and product development. According to startup intelligence platform Tracxn, Equal AI increased its revenue from ₹2.5 crore in FY24 to ₹4.3 crore in FY25. At the same time, losses rose from ₹12 crore to ₹19 crore as the company expanded operations and invested in technology development.

Equal AI’s flagship product currently helps users manage incoming communications by screening spam calls, understanding caller intent, and performing actions on behalf of users. The company views this functionality as the foundation of a larger behavioral shift in which consumers increasingly rely on AI agents to manage everyday digital interactions.

Moving forward, Equal AI plans to build a broader ecosystem of AI-powered consumer services designed to simplify communication, improve productivity, and deliver personalized digital experiences. By leveraging voice-first technology and artificial intelligence, the company aims to become a key player in India’s next wave of consumer technology innovation.

Equal AI’s $30 million Series B funding round underscores growing investor confidence in India’s consumer AI opportunity. With strong backing from leading investors, rapid user adoption, and ambitious expansion plans, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of the voice-first AI revolution. As AI-powered assistants increasingly become part of everyday life, Equal AI aims to transform how millions of Indians interact with technology, communications, and digital services.

Salad Days expands to Hyderabad with new cloud kitchen launch

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Varun Madan, founder & CEO of Salad Days

Salad Days, one of India’s pioneering healthy food brands, has expanded its footprint into Hyderabad with the launch of a new cloud kitchen in the city. The move marks the company’s latest growth milestone as it continues to strengthen its pan-India presence through a focus on convenience, consistency, and consumer trust.

Founded in 2014, Salad Days has established itself as one of India’s most recognized healthy food brands by offering fresh, nutritious, and macro-balanced meals tailored to modern lifestyles. Over the years, the company has built a strong presence across major metropolitan markets, including Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.

With the addition of Hyderabad, Salad Days now operates a network of 50 cloud kitchens across India. The network includes 26 kitchens in Delhi-NCR, 12 in Bengaluru, 11 in Mumbai, and its first kitchen in Hyderabad.

The expansion comes as consumers increasingly seek healthier food options that combine nutrition, taste, and convenience. The Hyderabad cloud kitchen, located in Serilingampalle, will initially cater to customers in Nallagandla and Lingampally, providing access to the brand’s extensive range of healthy food offerings.

Customers can choose from Salad Days’ signature salads, nourish bowls, pita pockets, smoothies, and build-your-own salad options. In addition, the brand will offer customized meal solutions designed to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers with diverse dietary preferences.

Furthermore, Salad Days will introduce its newly launched healthy snacking range to Hyderabad consumers. The collection includes high-protein and flavor-packed snacks created to support mindful eating habits and everyday nutrition goals. According to the company, the snack range complements its broader mission of making healthy eating more accessible and enjoyable.

Commenting on the expansion, Varun Madan, Founder & CEO, Salad Days, said, “Hyderabad has always had its own quiet wisdom about food. Here, a meal has never been a transaction. It is a way of remembering, of holding the old and the new in the same hand, the familiar and the carried-in on the same plate. The city wears its appetites the way it wears its monuments, with a quiet, lived-in grace. We’re grateful for the chance to be a small, new part of that conversation.”

The company expects Hyderabad to play an important role in its growth trajectory over the next 12 months. As part of its aggressive FY26 expansion strategy, Salad Days plans to enter additional cities while further strengthening its presence in existing markets.

India’s healthy food and wellness segment continues to witness strong growth, driven by increasing consumer awareness of nutrition, fitness, and preventive healthcare. Against this backdrop, Salad Days aims to capitalize on rising demand for convenient, nutritious, and high-quality meal solutions.

The Hyderabad launch reinforces the brand’s long-term vision of building one of India’s most trusted, scalable, and consumer-focused healthy food platforms. By expanding its cloud kitchen network and diversifying its product offerings, Salad Days seeks to deepen customer engagement while making healthy eating a seamless part of everyday life.

As competition intensifies in the healthy food delivery sector, the company remains focused on product innovation, operational efficiency, and customer experience to drive sustainable growth across urban markets.

The launch of Salad Days’ Hyderabad cloud kitchen marks a significant step in the brand’s nationwide expansion journey. By bringing its portfolio of healthy meals, nutritious snacks, and wellness-focused offerings to a new market, the company is well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for healthier lifestyle choices. With ambitious FY26 growth plans and a strong focus on consumer needs, Salad Days continues to strengthen its position as a leading player in India’s rapidly evolving healthy food industry.

Aum Ventures launches $80 Mn India Innovation Fund II to back deeptech startups

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Early-stage venture capital firm Aum Ventures has launched its second investment vehicle, India Innovation Fund II, with a corpus of $80 million (approximately ₹750 crore) to support startups operating in high-growth frontier technology sectors, including space technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), defense technology, and other innovation-driven industries.

The new fund underscores Aum Ventures’ commitment to strengthening India’s DeepTech ecosystem and backing founders building transformative technologies with global potential.

Commenting on the launch, Chetan Mehta, Founding Partner, Aum Ventures, said, “India is at a unique inflection point where policy support, talent, and capital availability are converging to create unprecedented opportunities for DeepTech and innovation.”

India Innovation Fund II will primarily focus on pre-seed and seed-stage startups. The fund plans to deploy initial investments ranging from $750,000 to $2 million while also reserving capital for follow-on investments through Series A and Series B funding rounds. Through this strategy, Aum Ventures aims to support approximately 25 to 30 portfolio companies.

In addition, the firm has appointed Nisha Shah as General Partner for Fund II. Shah brings extensive experience from leadership roles within a large family office and has worked across venture capital, private equity, and consulting firms. Her expertise will strengthen the fund’s investment strategy and portfolio management capabilities.

Founded in 2022, Aum Ventures has quickly established itself as an active investor in India’s emerging technology landscape. To date, the firm has deployed approximately $30 million across 24 early-stage startups spanning sectors such as space technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering.

Its portfolio includes notable companies such as Skyroot Aerospace, Cosmoserve Space and Sanyark Space, all of which are contributing to India’s growing space technology ecosystem. In the semiconductor sector, Aum Ventures became the first investor in Azimuth AI, a company developing a custom system-on-chip (SoC) platform designed to address next-generation computing requirements.

The firm has also recorded a successful exit within its portfolio. Sharang Shakti, a defense robotics startup backed by Aum Ventures, was recently acquired by LAT Aerospace, a company founded by Deepinder Goyal, former Chief Executive Officer of Zomato parent company Eternal.

The launch of India Innovation Fund II comes at a time when India’s technology and innovation ecosystem is benefiting from increased support from both public and private capital. Several government-led initiatives are accelerating research, development, and commercialization across strategic sectors.

These initiatives include the $12 billion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and various spacetech-focused programs designed to strengthen India’s manufacturing, innovation and technology capabilities.

Industry experts believe that the convergence of policy support, entrepreneurial talent, research capabilities, and venture capital is creating a favorable environment for DeepTech startups. As technologies such as AI, semiconductors, aerospace, and defense become increasingly critical to economic growth and national competitiveness, investors are directing more capital toward innovation-driven businesses.

Through India Innovation Fund II, Aum Ventures aims to capitalize on these opportunities while supporting founders who are building globally competitive technology companies from India.

The fund’s launch also reflects growing investor confidence in India’s ability to produce breakthrough innovations across sectors that require long development cycles, deep technical expertise, and significant capital investment.

With an $80 million corpus dedicated to sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space tech, and defense technology, the fund aims to nurture the next generation of innovation-led startups. Supported by favorable government policies, rising capital availability, and a growing pool of technical talent, Aum Ventures is positioning itself to play a key role in shaping India’s future as a global technology and innovation hub.

Hub71 and UAE-India CEPA Council launch start-up series 2.0 to support Indian startups

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Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology ecosystem, has announced its support for the second edition of the UAE-India Start-Up Series, a cross-border innovation programme led by the UAE-India CEPA Council to help high-potential Indian startups expand through the UAE and access global growth opportunities.

The announcement came during the annual Hub71 Impact Event 2026 and marks the next phase of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening startup collaboration between India and Abu Dhabi. The initiative builds on a framework established in November 2025 that enabled Indian startups across emerging technology sectors to access Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem through Hub71’s programmes and resources.

Since the launch of the first edition, the partnership has delivered tangible outcomes through Hub71’s Access and Immersion Programmes, helping Indian startups explore international expansion opportunities and connect with investors, regulators, corporates, and industry leaders.

Through Start-Up Series 2.0, Hub71 and the UAE-India CEPA Council will identify and support Indian startups with strong regional and global growth potential. The programme will focus on sectors aligned with Abu Dhabi’s innovation priorities, including HealthTech, FinTech, ClimateTech, Advanced Manufacturing and other emerging technology domains.

Selected founders will gain direct access to Hub71’s extensive network of investors, corporate partners, regulators, and ecosystem stakeholders while evaluating Abu Dhabi as a strategic base for regional and international expansion.

Under the new programme, participating startups will receive a structured support package designed to accelerate their market entry and business growth.

Three startups will secure spots on Hub71’s Access Programme shortlist, with one startup ultimately joining the programme. The selected company will receive tailored mentorship, investor introductions, regulatory guidance, and access to Hub71’s government and corporate partner network. Additionally, the startup will qualify for up to AED 250,000 (approximately ₹65 lakh) in in-kind incentives and AED 250,000 (approximately ₹65 lakh) in cash support through a SAFE note.

Furthermore, Hub71 will select up to seven startups for its Immersion Programme. The initiative combines one week of virtual preparation focused on the Abu Dhabi and UAE business landscape with one week of in-person sessions at Hub71. Participants will receive market-entry guidance and introductions to key ecosystem partners, helping them navigate expansion opportunities more effectively.

The success of the inaugural edition has already demonstrated the programme’s impact. Endimension, an AI-first radiology platform, joined Hub71’s Access Programme as part of Cohort 18. Backed by investors including Inflection Point Ventures, SucSEED Indovation and SINE IIT Bombay, Endimension accelerates medical imaging analysis across X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. The company currently serves more than 800 hospitals and diagnostic centres and has analysed over 1.5 million scans.

In addition, four startups from the first UAE-India Start-Up Series—BioReform, Docket Run, Data Sutram, and SBNRI—entered Hub71’s Immersion Programme. These startups participated in personalized needs assessments, market-entry workshops, investor and corporate engagement sessions, regulatory briefings, ecosystem introductions, and a startup showcase during the Hub71 Impact Event.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Abdulnasser Alshaali, Ambassador of the UAE to India, said, “The UAE-India relationship is one of the most consequential bilateral partnerships of our time, rooted in deep historical ties and given new momentum by the CEPA. What matters now is translating that framework into tangible opportunity, and the UAE is firmly committed to building a genuine innovation corridor with India. The UAE-India Start-Up Series, delivered with the strong support of Hub71, is how we turn that ambition into reality, connecting Indian founders with Abu Dhabi’s capital, customers, and ecosystem, and giving them a clear route to scale across borders.”

“With more than 10,000 applications to its first edition, it is already one of the largest initiatives of its kind in India, and I am confident it will establish Abu Dhabi as the natural gateway for Indian innovators reaching global markets.”

Commenting on the programme, Ahmad Ali Alwan, Chief Executive Officer of Hub71, said, “Through the UAE-India CEPA Council Startup Series, Hub71 is welcoming a cohort of ambitious founders building innovative companies with strong market validation and global potential. The programme provides entrepreneurs with access to the expertise, networks, and opportunities needed to support their next stage of growth and international expansion. We look forward to working with these founders as they scale their businesses and enter new markets.”

Applications for Start-Up Series 2.0 will open in July. The second edition will feature a more rigorous selection process and deeper engagement with Abu Dhabi’s investment community, corporate sector, and innovation ecosystem.

By strengthening connections between India’s entrepreneurial talent and Abu Dhabi’s capital, infrastructure, and market opportunities, Hub71 and its partners aim to build a sustainable innovation corridor that supports the global ambitions of Indian startups.

The launch of Start-Up Series 2.0 reflects the growing strength of the UAE-India innovation partnership and underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to becoming a global hub for entrepreneurship and technology. Through funding opportunities, mentorship, ecosystem access, and market-entry support, the programme provides Indian startups with a powerful platform to scale internationally. As cross-border innovation continues to accelerate, initiatives like Start-Up Series 2.0 will play a critical role in connecting emerging startups with global growth opportunities.

Wildflower Naturals enters Blinkit, bringing natural skincare to on-demand delivery

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Wildflower Naturals, a beauty and wellness brand specializing in natural ingredient-based skincare products, has announced its launch on quick commerce platform Blinkit, marking a significant step in its expansion into the fast-growing on-demand delivery market.

The move aligns with the company’s broader omnichannel growth strategy and aims to make its skincare and wellness portfolio more accessible to consumers across India. By partnering with Blinkit, Wildflower Naturals seeks to meet the increasing demand for convenience-driven beauty and personal care products while expanding its reach among digitally savvy shoppers.

Backed by Good Karma Wellness for research, development, and manufacturing, the company maintains end-to-end control over product formulation, quality standards, and innovation. Through this integrated approach, Wildflower Naturals combines natural ingredients with advanced skincare science and technology to create efficacy-driven products.

Currently, the brand offers 16 stock keeping units (SKUs) on Blinkit, including products from its popular Kumkumadi & Donkey Milk range alongside a variety of personal care offerings. According to the company, these products have contributed to increasing consumer engagement on the platform amid growing demand for skincare, wellness, and self-care solutions.

Commenting on the launch, Radhika Dang Gambhir, Founder & CEO, Wildflower Naturals, stated, “At Wildflower Naturals, our mission has always been to make conscious, high-performance skincare and wellness solutions more accessible without compromising on quality, efficacy, or experience. Our launch on Blinkit is a natural extension of that vision. Today’s consumers expect both efficacy and convenience, and this partnership allows us to bring trusted Wildflower products closer to them than ever before. As we continue to innovate and expand, our focus remains on delivering meaningful self-care experiences that seamlessly blend nature, science, and accessibility.”

The company follows a product philosophy that integrates botanical ingredients and traditional wellness practices with clinically relevant active ingredients and emerging skincare technologies. This approach has enabled Wildflower Naturals to build a loyal customer base that values performance-driven products within the conscious beauty and clean skincare segment.

Since joining Blinkit, the brand has reported encouraging consumer response, with several products witnessing repeat purchases and expanding availability across multiple cities. The company believes this trend reflects the growing consumer preference for premium skincare products that deliver both convenience and proven results.

As India’s quick commerce sector continues to evolve beyond grocery delivery into categories such as beauty, personal care, and wellness, brands like Wildflower Naturals are leveraging these platforms to meet changing consumer expectations and strengthen customer engagement.

Looking ahead, the company plans to deepen its presence across quick commerce platforms while simultaneously expanding through beauty marketplaces, premium retail partnerships, and experiential consumer channels.

In addition, Wildflower Naturals is actively enhancing its product pipeline with advanced formulations featuring ingredients and technologies such as PDRN, peptides, skin barrier-support systems, and other performance-focused skincare actives. These innovations form a key part of the company’s future growth strategy as it seeks to strengthen its position in the competitive beauty and wellness market.

With consumers increasingly seeking scientifically backed skincare solutions that combine natural ingredients, convenience, and efficacy, Wildflower Naturals aims to capitalize on this growing demand through product innovation and wider market accessibility.

Wildflower Naturals’ launch on Blinkit marks an important milestone in the brand’s omnichannel expansion journey. By combining natural ingredients, skincare science, and quick commerce convenience, the company is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers. As demand for premium beauty, wellness, and self-care products continues to rise, Wildflower Naturals is well-placed to accelerate growth through innovation, accessibility, and strategic distribution partnerships.

Fairmont Mumbai Appoints Chandra Sekhar D as Director of Finance

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Mumbai, June 2026: Fairmont Mumbai is pleased to announce the appointment of Chandra Sekhar D as Director of Finance, further strengthening the hotel’s executive leadership team as it continues to redefine luxury hospitality in India.

A seasoned finance professional with nearly two decades of experience across leading global hospitality brands, Chandra brings extensive expertise in financial management, strategic planning, compliance, business partnering, hotel openings, and operational excellence. In his new role, he will oversee the hotel’s financial strategy and governance, ensuring robust fiscal performance while supporting Fairmont Mumbai’s long-term growth ambitions.

Chandra joins Fairmont Mumbai following his tenure as Cluster Director of Finance at Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, Nepal, where he played a pivotal role in supporting business strategy, driving financial performance, and building high-performing finance teams across multiple properties. Throughout his career, he has held senior finance leadership positions with Marriott Hotels India; JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa; The Ascott Limited; and The Raintree Hotels, among others.

At Fairmont Mumbai, Chandra will be responsible for steering financial planning and analysis, budgeting and forecasting, compliance, risk management, cost optimisation, and strategic decision-making. His extensive experience in hotel pre-openings, finance systems implementation, and process transformation will further support the property’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Speaking on his appointment, Chandra Sekhar D. said, “Fairmont Mumbai represents one of the most exciting luxury hospitality projects in the country today. I am delighted to join a team that is committed to setting new benchmarks in guest experience and service excellence. My focus will be on building a strong financial foundation that supports innovation, operational agility, and long-term value creation while enabling the hotel to achieve its ambitious growth objectives.”

Known for his collaborative leadership style and strong business acumen, Chandra has consistently partnered with operational teams to drive profitability, enhance efficiencies, and strengthen governance frameworks. His expertise spans budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting, audits, compliance, cost controls, and large-scale hotel openings across diverse hospitality markets.

Throughout his career, Chandra has successfully led finance functions during critical growth phases, implemented automation and fintech initiatives, and guided teams through complex operational and commercial challenges. His ability to blend strategic financial oversight with hands-on operational understanding has earned him recognition as a trusted advisor and business partner within the hospitality industry.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chandra is passionate about mentoring young professionals and enjoys teaching and playing chess. He is also an advocate for continuous learning and technology-driven innovation within finance functions.

With this appointment, Fairmont Mumbai reinforces its commitment to attracting industry-leading talent and building a leadership team capable of delivering exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and enduring business success.

“Chandra’s depth of financial expertise and progressive leadership experience make him a valuable addition to Fairmont Mumbai’s executive team. His strategic mindset and strong understanding of hospitality operations will play an important role in driving sustainable growth, operational agility, and long-term success for the hotel.” — Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Mumbai & Roswyn, A Morgans Originals Hotel

About Fairmont Mumbai

Fairmont Mumbai opened its doors in April 2025 as Mumbai’s Grand Entrance—a dazzling destination where grandeur and extraordinary theatre meet the timeless elegance of the 1920s. Located near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the hotel offers 446 luxurious rooms and suites, one of the city’s largest event spaces, and seamless connectivity for global travellers, corporate guests, and leisure seekers alike.

Designed to make special happen, the hotel blends legacy and innovation through exceptional dining, pioneering wellness, and thoughtful hospitality. At its heart is Blu Xone at Fairmont Spa and Longevity, India’s first longevity-focused wellness space in a luxury hotel—redefining modern self-care through personalised healing, rejuvenation, and purposeful living.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is renowned for the international luxury hospitality brand’s unrivalled portfolio of more than 94 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures, and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. From grand hotels to urban retreats, since 1907 Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful, and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture, and community of its destinations—renowned addresses such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Fairmont Doha, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Fairmont hotels are the social epicenters of their cities—iconic gathering places where people, culture, and ideas converge. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group counting over 5,600 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL, a booking platform and loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services, and experiences.

GlobalFoundries to manufacture Fermionic’s RF Chips in major boost for India’s semiconductor sector

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Gautam Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Fermionic

GlobalFoundries Engineering Private Limited (GF India) and Fermionic, an Indian fabless semiconductor startup specializing in advanced radio frequency (RF) technologies, have announced a commercial partnership under which GlobalFoundries will manufacture Fermionic’s RF chips. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for India’s semiconductor industry and strengthens the country’s growing chip design ecosystem.

GlobalFoundries, a leading semiconductor manufacturer that produces chips for technology giants such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Broadcom, will manufacture Fermionic’s RF chips, making them the first Indian-designed semiconductors produced by the company.

The partnership highlights the progress of India’s semiconductor ambitions and showcases the potential of domestic fabless startups to compete in advanced technology segments. The Indian government selected Fermionic as one of the early beneficiaries of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, which supports indigenous semiconductor design and innovation.

Commenting on the collaboration, Gautam Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Fermionic, said, “Our collaboration with GlobalFoundries India enables us to deliver complex, production-grade RF silicon, not just prototypes, and build the confidence required by our customers in strategic applications. At this stage of our journey, we needed more than a manufacturing vendor; we needed a partner who understands RF complexity and can support production-grade execution. GlobalFoundries’ RF expertise and GF India’s hands-on engagement made that possible.”

Through this partnership, Fermionic will gain access to GlobalFoundries’ advanced manufacturing capabilities, enabling the startup to move beyond prototype development and scale the production of high-performance semiconductor solutions for commercial and strategic applications.

Fermionic focuses on developing advanced RF and millimeter-wave (mmWave) semiconductor chips that support critical sectors such as radar systems, satellite communications, telecom infrastructure, and related high-technology industries. These technologies play an increasingly important role in next-generation connectivity, defense systems, intelligent sensing, and wireless communication networks.

The company’s product roadmap includes a broad portfolio of RF and mmWave solutions, including beamformers, phased-array transceivers, RF switches, high-linearity power amplifier chains, and integrated front-end integrated circuits (ICs). These products support intelligent sensing platforms, adaptive communication systems, and AI-enabled RF applications.

As demand for advanced communication technologies continues to grow globally, RF and mmWave chips are becoming essential components in emerging technologies such as 5G and 6G networks, satellite broadband, autonomous systems, aerospace applications, and advanced defense infrastructure.

The collaboration also reflects the growing maturity of India’s semiconductor startup ecosystem. With government support through initiatives such as the Design Linked Incentive scheme, Indian chip design companies are increasingly developing globally competitive products while leveraging partnerships with international manufacturing leaders.

By combining Fermionic’s expertise in RF chip design with GlobalFoundries’ world-class semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, the partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of advanced semiconductor solutions while strengthening India’s position in the global semiconductor value chain.

Industry experts view collaborations of this nature as critical for building a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India, where design innovation, manufacturing partnerships, and policy support work together to reduce import dependency and enhance technological self-reliance.

The partnership between GlobalFoundries and Fermionic represents a major step forward for India’s semiconductor industry. As the first Indian-designed RF chips to be manufactured by GlobalFoundries, Fermionic’s products highlight the growing capabilities of the country’s fabless semiconductor ecosystem. Supported by the Design Linked Incentive scheme and advanced manufacturing expertise, the collaboration is expected to accelerate innovation in RF and mmWave technologies while contributing to India’s long-term vision of becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse.

SaffronStays Launches Consumer App to Deepen Family Travel

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Mumbai, 10th June 2026— SaffronStays, India’s leading managed private villa brand with over 480 homes across 80-plus destinations, today launched its official consumer app on the App Store and Google Play, opening to every guest for the first time. The launch is a deliberate bet on the part of the business growing fastest: the families who come back.

SaffronStays is on track to grow about 35-40% this year. New families account for most of that growth, but returning guests matter more than their size suggests: they make up about a quarter of revenue, yet drive close to a third of the growth.

The more telling signal sits underneath. Repeat revenue is likely to surge around 50% this year, materially outpacing overall company growth. For a hospitality brand with no contractual lock-ins by guests, where every day starts at zero occupancy, a repeat base rising faster than the business points to a company expanding its customer base while steadily deepening loyalty, not simply replacing the guests it loses with the ones it wins.

The app is how SaffronStays intends to compound that loyalty. Around 65% of its bookings already come direct, and the company is positioning the app less as a booking channel than as a retention and lifetime-value platform: a single place that carries a family from discovery and booking through check-in, in-stay care, local recommendations, and loyalty benefits.

Built for the whole journey

Moments. A reel-style feed of real villa highlights and listing footage: a visual-first alternative to scrolling search results.

Self Check-In. Guests upload IDs, pay the security deposit, and pre-book meals before arrival, so they walk straight in.

In-Stay Support. A direct line to the caretaking team, service requests, and property information from a single screen.

Red Alert. An in-stay button that reaches SaffronStays’ senior leadership and founders, with an on-ground response the moment it’s pressed.

Offline Access. Because many homes sit in places like Jim Corbett, Mulshi, Alibaug, or Tirthan Valley, booking and property details stay reachable even when the network isn’t.

Guests are already adopting it. In just 2-3 weeks since a public soft launch, the app has crossed 38.6K unique downloads and ranked among the top 120 travel apps on the App Store and is rapidly rising. In recent weeks it has drawn around 10,500 monthly active users and close to 1,000 daily, and it now contributes roughly 7% of total revenue.

Every channel we use does a different job: online travel agencies help us reach new families, our website helps them book, and the app is where the relationship actually deepens. For a brand built on families coming back for birthdays, reunions, anniversaries, and the small traditions in between, an app can’t just be another booking screen; it has to be the home for that relationship. That is what we have built, from discovery and booking to in-stay support, local recommendations, and loyalty benefits. For us, it is an investment in repeat visits and lifetime value, in serving families better over the years, not only in winning the next booking.

— Deven Parulekar, Co-founder, SaffronStays

What’s Coming Next

SaffronStays has an active roadmap for the months ahead. Collaborative Wishlists will let groups shortlist and plan together. Stay Stamps will reward every booking with a digital stamp and a shareable postcard. A Personalised Home Feed will surface recommendations shaped by a guest’s preferences over time. An AI Itinerary Planner will build full trip plans around a guest’s dates and chosen property, covering dining, experiences, and activities. And a dedicated Travel Guide for each location is in development.

Our ambition goes beyond stays and bookings. We want to own the family and togetherness space, to be part of how people spend time together once they arrive, not just how they get there. Some of what’s coming, including semi-digital game features built for the villa, is designed for exactly that: turning a stay into shared time families remember.

— Sarang Purandare, Chief Product and Technology Officer, SaffronStays

The SaffronStays app is free to download:

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/saffronstays/id6749671788

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saffronstays.app&hl=en

About SaffronStays

Founded in 2015 by Tejas Parulekar and Devendra Parulekar, SaffronStays is India’s leading network of fully staffed, professionally managed private vacation homes. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company curates a portfolio of 450+ handpicked villas, heritage homes, estates, and retreats across 80+ destinations in India, including Maharashtra, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Delhi NCR.

Built on the belief that travel is centered around meaningful time with loved ones, SaffronStays creates stays designed for family holidays, milestone celebrations, reunions, intimate weddings, and corporate offsites. Each home combines the warmth and privacy of a personal residence with the consistency and service standards of professional hospitality.

The company also partners with homeowners to unlock the value of their second homes through end-to-end hospitality management, making it one of India’s earliest and most recognised brands in the managed villa category.

Backed by Sixth Sense Ventures and Infinity Ventures, SaffronStays has emerged as one of India’s most trusted hospitality brands in the private stays space and has been featured in publications including Condé Nast Traveller, Forbes India, Architectural Digest, and The Economic Times, among others.

For more information, visit www.saffronstays.com

Prime Securities enters AIF business with ₹750-Crore real estate fund

By
BRL Editor
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0

Prime Securities has entered the alternative investment fund (AIF) management segment through its group company, Prime Litmus Investment Management Ltd., marking a significant expansion beyond its three decades of experience in investment banking and financial services.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-registered merchant banker announced the launch of the Prime Litmus Real Estate Opportunities Fund, a Category II AIF focused on structured credit investments in under-construction real estate projects, primarily within the residential housing segment.

The newly launched fund is targeting a corpus of ₹750 crore and includes a greenshoe option of ₹250 crore, taking the total potential fund size to ₹1,000 crore.

Prime Securities’ entry into the AIF management business comes at a time when India’s real estate sector is experiencing increased consolidation, formalization, and institutional participation. According to the company, the evolving market dynamics have created attractive opportunities for structured credit investment strategies, particularly in the residential real estate segment.

The launch also represents a strategic diversification for Prime Securities as it expands its portfolio beyond traditional investment banking services and strengthens its presence in asset management and alternative investment products.

The leadership team behind the platform brings extensive experience across real estate investing, investment banking, and asset management. Prime Litmus Investment Management will operate under the leadership of Rahul Rai, Managing Partner at Prime Litmus, alongside Akshay Gupta, Director at Prime Securities, and Apoorv Kumar, Managing Partner at Litmus Global Services.

The company stated that the platform will maintain institutional-grade governance standards and robust risk management frameworks to ensure transparency, compliance, and investor confidence.

To support fund operations, Prime Litmus has partnered with several established institutions. ICICI Bank will serve as the custodian and fund accountant, while Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP will act as the auditor. MITCON Credentia Trusteeship Services Ltd. has been appointed as the trustee for the fund.

Industry experts believe that growing demand for residential housing, improving regulatory transparency, and increased participation from institutional investors continue to create favorable conditions for structured credit funds focused on real estate. As developers seek alternative financing sources and investors look for diversified investment opportunities, Category II AIFs have emerged as an increasingly attractive asset class.

With the launch of the Prime Litmus Real Estate Opportunities Fund, Prime Securities aims to capitalize on these trends while providing investors access to structured real estate credit opportunities backed by disciplined investment practices and institutional oversight.

Prime Securities’ entry into the alternative investment fund management business marks an important milestone in the company’s growth strategy. Through the launch of the Prime Litmus Real Estate Opportunities Fund, the firm is expanding into asset management while tapping into the growing demand for structured credit investments in India’s real estate sector.

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