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Digital lending startup Finnable raises ₹250-Cr in fresh funding

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L-R: Amit Arora, Nitin Gupta and Viraj Tyagi, co-founders, Finnable

Digital lending startup Finnable secured Rs 250 crore in funding this August in a round led by Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners) and TVS Capital. This marks the company’s second tranche, following a similar Rs 250 crore infusion by the same investors in November 2024.

Consequently, the Bengaluru-based lending startup’s total capital raised now stands at Rs 540 crore. The MEMG family office, led by Ranjan Pai, also participated in this round.

With the fresh funds, the firm aims to strengthen its technology capabilities, expand its branch network, and develop new product lines. It introduced loans against property (LAP) in April this year and is currently offering the product through 15 branches.

“The equity we have raised is primarily for lending,” said cofounder Nitin Gupta. “We will also invest some of it in AI and technology and expansion into more geographies.”

Founded in 2015 by ex-bankers Nitin Gupta, Amit Kumar, and Viraj Tyagi, Finnable provides personal loans to salaried professionals, with an average tenure of 42 months. The company operates an RBI-registered NBFC arm, Finnable Credit, whose assets under management (AUM) reached Rs 2,924 crore as of June 30, 2025—up significantly from Rs 370 crore in March 2022, according to a CareEdge rating released in September.

Expressing confidence in Finnable’s growth, Z47 managing director Vikram Vaidyanathan said, “We are proud to double down on our partnership with them as they continue scaling their business and introducing new loan products designed around customer life goals.”

Finnable actively engages in co-lending partnerships with Axis Bank, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Vivriti Capital, TVS Credit, and others alongside its core lending operations. Part of this co-lending business functions under a first loss default guarantee (FLDG) model, where Finnable covers a portion of loan defaults for its partner banks.

Currently, the company derives about 95% of its business from personal loans, while loans against property targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises contribute the remaining share. For FY25, Finnable reported a consolidated revenue of Rs 278.49 crore and a profit of Rs 6.74 crore.

Alivaa Hotels strengthens Rajasthan portfolio with The Hoften DiVi Hotel in Udaipur

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Alivaa Hotels has announced the addition of The Hoften DiVi Hotel, Udaipur, to its rapidly growing portfolio, further solidifying its expansion in one of India’s most prominent leisure and cultural destinations. This partnership strengthens the company’s presence in a key market and reflects its continued commitment to strategic growth across India.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome The Hoften DiVi Hotel, Udaipur, into The Hoften family and the wider Alivaa Hotels & Resorts collection,” said Akash Bhatia, CEO of Alivaa Hotels & Resorts (Managed & Franchise Business). “This hotel perfectly embodies our brand ethos of delivering quality, efficient hospitality in premier locations. Its modern design, coupled with our signature smart service model, is designed to significantly enhance the experience of the contemporary traveller visiting the beautiful City of Lakes. Furthermore, this milestone addition is a strong testament to the trust our partners have in our operational capabilities, robust management platform, and our ambitious growth vision across high-potential markets in India.”

Inder Pal Batra, co-founder of Alivaa Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the strategic importance of the new property. “Udaipur is a vital cultural and leisure hub, and the addition of The Hoften is a strategic milestone in our expansion journey. This acquisition underscores Alivaa’s commitment to thoughtful growth in high-potential markets and sets a high benchmark for our brand standard across India.”

Sanjeev Tyagi, owner of DiVi Hotels, Udaipur, expressed confidence in the new collaboration. “Partnering with Alivaa Hotels & Resorts to operate The Hoften DiVi Hotel, Udaipur, was a clear choice. Their expertise in management and focus on efficiency perfectly align with our vision for this exceptional property, ensuring it delivers unparalleled value and a memorable stay for every guest.”

With this addition, Alivaa Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its presence in key destinations across India, combining strategic partnerships, operational excellence, and a commitment to providing high-quality, efficient hospitality experiences.

Kerala unveils AgriNext to bridge agriculture and startup ecosystem

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The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has announced the launch of AgriNext, a new initiative designed to integrate the state’s farming community into the startup ecosystem.

According to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Office, the project will benefit farmers, startups, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) alike. AgriNext is a part of the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri Value Chain Modernisation Project (KERA)—a flagship program led by the Department of Agriculture, supported by the World Bank.

Officials stated that the objective of the initiative is to stimulate growth in Kerala’s agricultural sector while promoting climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices.

“Farmers, FPOs, agricultural experts, and entrepreneurs can identify key problems in the agriculture sector and share them with startups,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Moreover, the AgriNext platform will actively encourage startups to develop innovative solutions, while also enabling them to collaborate with research institutions, agricultural universities, and other organizations.

The government noted that only startups with unique ideas or technologies targeting farming-related problems can apply. These technologies should deliver value not only to farmers but also to entrepreneurs engaged in value-added agricultural products.

Startups can submit their applications through the KSUM online portal, and the KSUM Project Implementation Unit will incubate the selected ones, providing each with a grant of ₹25 lakh.

The startup component of KERA, which includes the creation of an Agri-Tech Incubation Facility in collaboration with KSUM, forms a crucial part of the project. Over the next five years, the program aims to identify 150 major agricultural challenges and enable startups to design innovative technologies, products, and solutions to address them.

“This initiative is expected to directly benefit around 40,000 farmers in Kerala,” the CMO added.

UrbanVault Strengthens its Footprint in Pune with Addition of 2,500 seats (~1 lakh sq. ft.) at Baner Central and Viman Nagar

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Bengaluru, November 10, 2025: UrbanVault (UV), India’s fastest-growing managed workspace provider, has announced a major expansion in Pune with the addition of two new premium centers—Baner Central and Phoenix Fountainhead, Viman Nagar—adding 2,500 seats and close to 1 lakh sq. ft. of office space.

With this expansion, UrbanVault’s total footprint in Pune now stands at 3,500 seats across 1.40 lakh sq. ft., covering three high-demand locations—two in Baner and one in Viman Nagar. The move reinforces UrbanVault’s leadership in the city’s managed office segment, driven by surging demand from enterprises and mid-sized corporates seeking agile, fully serviced work environments.

UrbanVault has taken up 42,000 sq. ft. of Grade-A workspace at Phoenix Fountainhead, Viman Nagar, a premium location, adding 1,200 seats. The center has already secured marquee enterprise clients such as Flexisales and Premier Energies, reflecting strong traction among large occupiers for flexible, high-quality managed spaces.

The company has also expanded in the thriving Baner micro-market at VJ Indiworks, Baner Central, with a 50,000 sq. ft. center offering 1,300 seats. Designed for both startups and enterprises, the workspace features collaborative zones, premium meeting rooms, and customizable private suites.

With these strategic additions, UrbanVault’s Pune portfolio now includes three operational centers—two in Baner and one in Viman Nagar—serving a diverse clientele across sectors. The company’s average cost per seat ranges from ₹9,000 to ₹10,000, reflecting its commitment to delivering premium yet cost-efficient workspace solutions.

Speaking on the expansion, Mr. Amal Mishra, CEO of UrbanVault, said: “Pune continues to be one of India’s most dynamic and resilient office markets, driven by a strong base of IT, manufacturing, and startup ecosystems. Our expansion at Baner Central and Phoenix Fountainhead reinforces our commitment to providing flexible, high-quality workspaces that cater to the evolving needs of modern enterprises.”

He added, “With over 3,500 seats now operational across Pune, we are focused on deepening our presence in key business hubs and building long-term partnerships with enterprise clients looking for scalability, efficiency, and flexibility.”

With this launch, UrbanVault expands its national portfolio to over 2.60 million sq. ft., managing 45,000+ seats across Bengaluru, Pune, Gurgaon, and other major cities. The company continues to chart robust growth, backed by strong financials—including a turnover of ₹120 crore in FY25 with 70%+ YoY growth and 18% PAT.

UrbanVault’s expansion in Pune underscores its ambition to become the go-to managed office provider for enterprises seeking flexibility, scalability, and premium work environments across India.

ABOUT URBAN VAULT

Founded in 2018, UrbanVault is a bootstrapped managed office space provider based in Bangalore, achieving impressive growth and profitability without relying on external funding. The company has achieved Rs 120 crore turnover in FY 2024-25, with an 18% profit after tax (PAT) and consistent year-over-year growth, showcasing its strong financial discipline and commitment to sustainable business practices.

UrbanVault’s decision to self-fund its expansion has allowed it to maintain full control over its operations, ensuring that every step aligns with its vision for long-term success. Over the past five years, the company has expanded significantly, growing from a modest 40 seats to over 45,000 seats across its network of office spaces. Spanning over 2.60 million square feet and multiple cities, UrbanVault’s portfolio demonstrates its commitment to delivering value to a diverse range of clients.

Sayaji Hotels strengthens footprint with six new properties across India

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Ms. Sumera Dhanani, Corporate Head Business Development, Sayaji Hotels

Sayaji Hotels, a renowned name in Indian hospitality known for its signature “Yours Truly” service, has embarked on an ambitious expansion journey to strengthen its presence and reshape the nation’s hospitality landscape.

Earlier this year, the group unveiled a comprehensive plan focused on enhancing guest experiences across the country. As part of this strategic initiative, Sayaji Hotels has signed six new properties in key destinations—Mandav and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Baramati (Maharashtra), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), and Bhavnagar and Junagadh (Gujarat).

This expansion underscores the brand’s commitment to broadening its footprint across India’s fast-evolving hospitality sector, especially in destinations experiencing a rise in domestic travel driven by leisure, business, and cultural tourism. Sayaji Hotels has carefully chosen each new property to serve as a gateway for travellers seeking authentic regional experiences, modern comfort, and the personalized service that defines the brand.

“For a long time, hospitality in India was centred around metro cities and established tourist destinations, while Tier 2 and 3 markets were often seen as secondary,” said Ms. Sumera Dhanani, Corporate Head Business Development, Sayaji Hotels. “That perception is changing rapidly. With better connectivity, growing local economies, and evolving traveller expectations, these cities are now becoming vibrant hospitality hubs. They offer guests culturally rich, authentic experiences that go beyond the conventional metropolitan stay — and that’s exactly where Sayaji sees tremendous potential, and we are expected to add another 2000 plus keys in the next six months.”

With a forward-looking vision, Sayaji Hotels plans to significantly grow its portfolio in the coming years. By blending local culture with contemporary elegance, the brand aims to redefine hospitality for the modern traveller, where warmth, authenticity, and meticulous attention to detail remain at the heart of every guest experience.

 

Aily Labs raises $80 Million Series B to redefine enterprise decision intelligence

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Bianca Anghelina, Founder, Aily Labs

Aily Labs is tackling one of the biggest challenges faced by global enterprises today—data fragmentation across departments, which slows decision-making and limits agility. In key functions such as finance, supply chain, R&D, and commercial operations, heavy dependence on manual processes often leads to missed opportunities and delayed responses to risk.

With its AI-native Decision Intelligence platform, Aily Labs transforms scattered enterprise data into real-time, actionable insights. The company recently raised $80 million in a Series B funding round led by FPV Ventures, with participation from Insight Partners and J.P. Morgan—one of the largest Series B rounds ever for a female-founded AI startup. This funding will accelerate Aily Labs’ global expansion and help more Fortune 500 companies achieve measurable ROI from day one.

Founded in 2020 by Bianca Anghelina, a digital finance and AI transformation expert formerly with Novartis, Aily Labs is on a mission to empower enterprises to act faster, smarter, and more confidently. Bianca’s vision is to democratize access to AI-powered decision-making, removing barriers that prevent organizations from acting effectively on their data. Her belief is simple yet powerful: every business, regardless of size or industry, should be able to harness the power of AI to make smarter decisions.

What sets Aily Labs apart is its unique combination of enterprise-grade expertise and cutting-edge AI capabilities. Its mobile-first platform integrates a proprietary large language model with autonomous AI agents, collectively known as the company’s “Super Agent” system. Unlike competitors such as Paretos, Datategy, and Aera—which provide insights but rely on human execution—Aily Labs goes a step further by automating the full decision-making cycle.

Major enterprises are already experiencing the benefits. For example, Sanofi has leveraged Aily Labs to generate all 2025 forecasts and 2026 budgets in a fraction of the time previously required, showcasing the platform’s transformative potential.

Looking ahead, Aily Labs plans to enhance its AI autonomy, enter new industries, and further refine its decision-making platform. The company is at the forefront of shaping a future where AI-driven autonomy powers enterprise operations, enabling businesses worldwide to operate faster, smarter, and with greater confidence.

Creddinv crosses 7,000 investors, redefining startup funding in India

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Anil Kumar Kar & Nandakishor L., co-founders, Creddinv

Creddinv Technologies Pvt Ltd has completed its first year of operations, marking a major milestone as India’s only platform dedicated to enabling direct cap table investments in startups.

Within just one year, Creddinv has built a thriving community of over 7,000 registered investors and 12 portfolio startups, signaling a significant leap in India’s early-stage investment landscape. This achievement reflects the growing maturity of private market investments, empowering investors with genuine startup ownership and giving founders access to committed, transparent capital.

“In one year, Creddinv grew to ₹79.78 crore in valuation and 7000+ investors—proving that startup investing in India is entering a new, more meaningful era,” the company stated.

According to Anil Kumar Kar, Co-Founder & Director, “We’re just getting started, and our mission is to make every startup investment in India transparent, intelligent, and truly rewarding for both founders and investors.”

Creddinv’s innovative approach is built on four core pillars. Its exclusive direct cap table model makes it the only platform in India offering investors a chance to participate directly in startup equity ownership. The innovative subscription model eliminates platform fees, ensuring that only serious and value-driven investors connect with founders.

Through Creddinv ONE, the platform diversifies investment options—spanning mutual funds, bonds, insurance, PMS, and AIFs—helping investors maintain balanced portfolios within a unified ecosystem. Moreover, the LaunchPad incubation program supports founders beyond fundraising, helping them refine business models, enhance investor readiness, and become more fundable.

Founded with the goal of bridging the gap between innovation and capital, Creddinv focuses on making startup investments accessible, transparent, and meaningful. By addressing the challenges faced by both investors and founders, it has created a model that prioritizes curation, direct engagement, and authentic equity participation.

Additionally, the platform guides investors beyond the point of investment—helping them track startup progress, understand growth cycles, and make informed follow-on investment decisions. Rooted in its philosophy that respect for founders and responsibility from investors drive long-term value, Creddinv has evolved from a discovery platform into a comprehensive investment ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Creddinv plans to expand investor engagement programs, build focused startup cohorts across sectors, and enhance its data-driven investment discovery framework. The company remains committed to strengthening trust, transparency, and portfolio intelligence throughout the investment lifecycle.

With its dual focus—empowering investors to make smarter choices and enabling founders to build scalable, fundable businesses—Creddinv continues to shape the next-generation private investment ecosystem in India. Its vision remains steadfast: to be the precision platform where serious investors and ambitious founders grow together.

Ghazal Alagh unveils her latest startup ‘Luminéve’, a night-time skincare brand in collaboration with Nykaa

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Ghazal Alagh, the visionary co-founder of Mamaearth, has unveiled her latest startup, Luminéve—a premium skincare brand rooted in the science of “skin sleep” and the understanding that the skin’s natural renewal process peaks at night. Unlike conventional beauty routines that emphasize daytime care, Luminéve positions itself as a mood-driven, night-first skincare regime designed to help users unwind, restore, and rejuvenate.

Embodying calm and sophistication, Luminéve’s aesthetic features midnight blue tones, moonlit-inspired packaging, and a focus on relaxation, rest, and mindful self-care after a long day. The brand’s debut, launched in collaboration with NykaaLand, the experiential beauty platform from Nykaa, marks a luxe yet accessible entry into India’s premium skincare market.

Built on dermatological insights, Luminéve draws from the principle that the skin’s repair and cell renewal functions are most active at night. By crafting formulations tailored for overnight recovery, the brand aims to enhance skin rejuvenation while users sleep. Its sensory-driven philosophy—soothing visuals, delicate fragrances, and comforting textures—reinforces beauty as an act of self-love and rest, rather than just appearance.

In Luminéve, consumers will recognize the same authentic, science-backed storytelling that made Mamaearth a trusted household name, now elevated with an emphasis on emotional wellness and restorative beauty.

The launch underscores Ghazal Alagh’s instinct for identifying market gaps and setting new benchmarks in India’s beauty landscape. While Mamaearth built its foundation on clean ingredients and transparency, Luminéve pioneers a new niche that merges self-care with nighttime skin science. Both brands share a unified vision: to make beauty and wellness accessible, meaningful, and grounded in real-life needs.

Looking ahead, Mamaearth and Luminéve plan to deepen their D2C presence, expand global reach, and redefine what Indian beauty brands can achieve through innovation, authenticity, and consumer empowerment.

StayVista strengthens urban residences portfolio with new property launch in Pune’s Baner

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StayVista has announced the launch of its newest Residences at Baner–Balewadi, marking the brand’s entry into one of Pune’s most dynamic and rapidly developing neighborhoods.

Blending city comfort with modern convenience, the five-story property is strategically located near Pune’s bustling business district. It offers a mix of serviced-stay amenities and homelike comfort, catering to business travelers, long-stay guests, and short-term visitors alike.

Each floor houses two thoughtfully designed apartments, totalling 20 rooms that can accommodate up to 60 guests. The property includes spacious bedrooms, inviting living areas, private balconies, and an all-day café and dining space to enhance guest comfort.

“Our expansion into Pune is another step towards offering seamless urban stays across India. Vista Residences at Baner–Balewadi captures what modern travellers want—comfort, convenience, and a genuine sense of home,” said Amit Damani, co-founder of StayVista.

According to a company release, the property blends functionality with understated elegance, designing every space to help guests live—not just stay. Whether guests are starting the day at the café, relaxing on the balcony, or working from a bright, contemporary apartment, every detail reflects StayVista’s signature of thoughtful hospitality.

Singapore, Canada-based startups Look to tap India’s growing market potential

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Several international startups from Singapore and Canada are showing strong interest in expanding into India, attracted by its vast market size, fast-growing economy, and supportive startup ecosystem.

These companies shared their expansion plans during EPIC 2025, a global pitch competition organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), which concluded on Friday evening.

From over 1,200 applications across 70+ economies, 100 startups—including two from India—were shortlisted in three categories: Digital Health Tech, FinTech, and GreenTech. Moreover, the annual event serves as a vital platform for entrepreneurs to connect with investors, corporate partners, and emerging markets worldwide, thereby fostering global collaboration and innovation.

In a media statement, Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, said, “We are turning Hong Kong’s connectivity into momentum, helping ideas move and scale across borders. EPIC 2025 is a testament to this, where entrepreneurs connect with emerging markets, enthusiastic investors, and world-class innovation ecosystems.”

Bryan Oh, founder & CEO of Singapore-based NEU Battery Materials, highlighted global opportunities in sustainability. “Our priority is to grow our business beyond Singapore, because battery recycling is not just a problem for Singapore or Hong Kong; it is a global problem. We want to solve it using our process and technology,” he said.

Discussing India’s potential, he added, “It has a huge amount of two-wheelers and three-wheelers… It’s definitely a market we are looking at (to recycle batteries). I would love to know more about government initiatives and policies in India.”

Oh, the winner in the GreenTech category at EPIC 2025 noted that India’s startup ecosystem is developing rapidly and presents a compelling opportunity.

Jayden Lu, product engineer at Singapore-based Belli, which builds air cargo software for airlines, expressed optimism about India’s market. “India is a fast-growing economy, and it will be great to be a part of this journey,” he said.

Lu added, “I see a great future for startups in India.” He believes India’s vast population and strong startup foundation make it fertile ground for investors and innovators alike.

Meanwhile, Amol S. Karnick, president and CEO of Canada-based KA Imaging, said, “We are exploring the possibilities of entering India; we need to find the right partners and investors to allow us to accelerate work there.”

He appreciated India’s increasing government support for innovation. “Recently, we have seen the Indian government putting funding into science and medical technology. That’s an interesting opportunity for us. The fund is the most important. I need to explore more how policies can support us,” he said.

KA Imaging, which has developed color X-ray technology enabling real-time imaging of organs for the early detection of cardiac and lung diseases, also participated in the HealthTech category of EPIC 2025, further showcasing its commitment to advancing medical innovation on a global stage.

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