IHCL acquires controlling stake in Brij Hotels, strengthens leisure portfolio

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January 16, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 51 percent stake in Brij Hospitality, the owning company of the boutique experiential leisure brand ‘Brij.’ Through this acquisition, IHCL will secure ownership of the Brij brand and, in collaboration with the founding promoters, aims to scale and strengthen the boutique leisure segment across India.

Speaking on the occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “India’s hospitality sector is witnessing sustained demand growth led by rising disposable income and discretionary spending with a growing preference for experiential leisure. We are delighted to extend our partnership with the Clarks Group by furthering the marketing and distribution alliance to a majority shareholding in Brij Hotels, one of the country’s early entrants in the boutique leisure segment.” He added, “With this acquisition, IHCL, through its diverse brandscape, consolidates its position as a frontrunner in India’s leisure tourism with market leadership in key cultural, spiritual, and wildlife destinations.”

Furthermore, Brij’s presence in offbeat destinations adds meaningful diversity to IHCL’s portfolio, with properties across Jaipur, Varanasi, Ranthambore, the northern hills, the Northeast region, and Goa, among others. Consequently, this transaction expands IHCL’s overall portfolio to 610 hotels, with 253 properties in the pipeline, keeping the company firmly on track to achieve its stated guidance of 700 hotels under the Accelerate 2030 strategy.

Meanwhile, Brij Hotels operates a curated collection of boutique luxury hotels and resorts across India, distinguished by immersive and locally inspired experiences. Currently, the brand has a presence in destinations such as Varanasi, Jawai, Dalhousie, and Jaipur, among others. Notably, the heritage BrijRama Palace, the group’s first hotel, stands as an architectural landmark in Varanasi and reflects the city’s rich cultural tapestry.

Commenting on the partnership, Udit Kumar and Anant Apurv Kumar, Co-founders of Brij Hospitality, said in a joint statement, “We are excited to partner with IHCL to shape the future of boutique hospitality. Brij Hotels, one of India’s leading boutique hotel chain, is recognised for creating immersive, locally rooted experiences that celebrate the country’s cultural diversity. IHCL’s enduring legacy of presenting Indian hospitality to the world aligns deeply with our purpose at Brij. Together, we will bring IHCL’s tradition of excellence with Brij’s experiential, design-led approach to craft meaningful journeys and build the first truly global Indian boutique hospitality brand.”

At present, Brij Hotels operates a portfolio of 22 hotels and has 11 additional properties in the pipeline, while continuing to offer luxury stays defined by personalised service and distinctive settings.

iThink Logistics bets on AI to redefine scalable e-commerce fulfilment in India

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January 16, 2026

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iThink Logistics is emerging as a leading force in the next phase of intelligent fulfilment, driven by AI-led innovation, sustained profitability, and long-term growth. In contrast to a market long characterised by well-funded platforms prioritising rapid volume expansion, iThink Logistics has charted a differentiated path as a bootstrapped, profitable, and homegrown logistics technology company that has scaled steadily without external capital.

Today, the company processes millions of shipments annually for D2C brands, MSMEs, and enterprise sellers, while reporting strong double-digit growth over the past year, fuelled by repeat usage and high merchant retention.

From the outset, iThink Logistics set out to address structural inefficiencies in last-mile delivery and fulfilment. Accordingly, the company prioritised sustainable unit economics over discount-led expansion. As a result, it has consistently reinvested profits into in-house technology, automation, and product innovation, enabling it to scale efficiently while preserving service quality and operational control.

More recently, the company strengthened its technology stack by launching a proprietary AI-powered logistics intelligence platform that enables merchants to make real-time, data-backed decisions across shipping, returns, and customer experience. By analysing courier performance, optimising routing, and reducing return-to-origin rates, the platform actively helps sellers improve margins while maintaining delivery reliability.

Commenting on the company’s long-term approach, Zaiba Sarang, Co-founder, iThink Logistics, said, “We believe the future of e-commerce fulfilment lies in intelligence, not just infrastructure. Our focus has been on building AI-led capabilities that help merchants take better decisions, improve efficiency, and create long-term value, while remaining profitable and disciplined in how we scale.”

Moreover, this emphasis on applied AI mirrors a broader shift across the logistics sector, where data-driven decision-making is increasingly central to profitability and predictability. By embedding intelligence directly into fulfilment workflows, iThink Logistics positions itself as a strategic technology partner rather than a purely transactional service provider.

At the same time, as a homegrown platform built for India’s diverse logistics landscape, iThink Logistics has expanded its footprint across Tier II and Tier III markets, where delivery predictability continues to pose significant challenges. Looking ahead, the company plans to deepen investments in AI-led capabilities, expand carrier partnerships, and enhance its analytics offerings, while remaining firmly committed to its bootstrapped and profitable growth model.

Ultimately, as India’s e-commerce market matures, iThink Logistics’ trajectory signals a clear transition in the sector—from capital-fuelled scale to intelligence-led, sustainable fulfilment—positioning the company at the forefront of the next phase of logistics innovation.

GrowthPal raises $2.6M in funding led by Ideaspring Capital to accelerate its AI-powered M&A copilot for deal sourcing and execution

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January 16, 2026

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GrowthPal raises $2.6M in funding led by Ideaspring Capital to accelerate its AI-powered M&A copilot for deal sourcing and execution — Maneesh Bhandari, Shalu Mitruka, and Amaresh Shirsat, co-founders, GrowthPal

National, January 15, 2026: GrowthPal, co-founded by Maneesh Bhandari, Shalu Mitruka, and Amaresh Shirsat, today announced a $2.6 million funding round to accelerate its AI-powered M&A copilot for deal sourcing and execution. The round was led by Ideaspring Capital with participation from prominent angel investors globally. The new capital will support product development and expand GrowthPal’s presence across international markets as demand grows for faster, more programmatic approaches to inorganic growth.

The announcement comes as M&A teams face increasing pressure to do more with less. For most companies, inorganic growth depends on timing, context, and access. Yet M&A deal origination from mid-market and early-stage companies has changed little in decades, still driven by banker networks, static databases, and fragmented research workflows. Buyers often see only what is already on the market, while high-quality, off-market opportunities remain hidden.

Corporate development teams are leaner, timelines are compressed, and competition for quality assets is intensifying. While platforms like PitchBook, D&B, Datasite, and Tracxn have made company data more accessible, they largely stop at aggregation. GrowthPal addresses a different need by applying AI-driven reasoning to help teams identify which companies actually matter, based on strategic intent, sector context, and readiness to transact.

“M&A sourcing is where most time and effort is wasted, especially for smaller and mid-market deals,” said Maneesh Bhandari, co-founder and CEO of GrowthPal. “Teams spend weeks researching, filtering, and chasing opportunities that never go anywhere. We built GrowthPal to help buyers focus only on high-intent, high-fit targets and move from mandate to meaningful conversations far faster.”

GrowthPal’s platform acts as an intelligent M&A copilot. When a buyer defines a growth objective—like acquiring a specific capability or entering a new geography—the system translates that goal into a structured acquisition thesis. Its AI agents then scan an enriched database of more than four million technology companies using signals from public filings, web activity, hiring trends, funding history, and other indicators. The result is a short list of precision-fit, often off-market targets that align closely with the buyer’s mandate, rather than broad lists of loosely relevant companies.

The company was founded to address a structural gap in the market. While more than a million meaningful startups exist globally, fewer than one percent scale successfully, often due to lack of timely exits or strategic partnerships. At the same time, many acquirers struggle to find the right targets efficiently, particularly for transactions under $70 million that fall below the focus of traditional investment banks. GrowthPal was created to connect these two sides by making deal sourcing proactive, discreet, and data-driven.

GrowthPal has already supported more than 42 completed M&A transactions and facilitated over 210 LOI-stage conversations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Clients include large and mid-market enterprises, fast-growing startups, private equity-backed firms, and corporate development teams across sectors such as IT services, SaaS, fintech, and vertical software. In one case, a single client closed seven acquisitions within 18 months using the platform.

The broader M&A landscape is increasingly shaped by data abundance and decision scarcity. Teams have more information than ever, yet struggle to turn it into conviction. As acquisitions become a core growth lever for companies of all sizes, the ability to reason across signals, context, and intent is becoming a competitive advantage.

“GrowthPal is solving one of the most under-optimised parts of the M&A lifecycle,” said Naganand Doraswamy, Managing Partner at Ideaspring Capital. “By focusing on qualified deal discovery and using AI to compress timelines, the team is enabling a more systematic approach to inorganic growth that traditional tools cannot offer.”

Looking ahead, GrowthPal plans to extend its intelligence deeper into the transaction lifecycle, supporting valuation reasoning, deal structuring, and preparation for negotiations. The company’s long-term vision is to become the system of intelligence that helps teams make better M&A decisions earlier, with greater confidence and clarity, starting from discovery and extending through execution.

About GrowthPal

GrowthPal’s AI-powered M&A copilot helps users identify off-market targets, validate fit, and accelerate deal execution, turning strategy into action within days, not weeks.

Its data- and intelligence-driven digital investment banking platform helps corporates acquire small- to mid-sized targets globally to add to their revenues, markets, geographies, customers, products, and teams. We specialize in add-ons, tuck-ins, and bolt-ons and cover global markets, including the US, LATAM, the UK, Europe, and Asia, and specialize in business services and software. The experienced team has helped 100+ clients and closed 40+ deals.

The platform combines data, machine learning algorithms, and human expertise to deliver the most relevant opportunities for any given mandate. The team uses sophisticated matching and scoring algorithms, then our in-house banking team reaches out, gauges interest, and facilitates introductions. For more information, please visit https://www.growthpal.com/

Google launches market access program to help Indian AI startups expand globally

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January 15, 2026

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Google on Thursday introduced its Market Access Program, a new initiative aimed at helping Indian startups overcome entry barriers to global markets, while simultaneously announcing new additions to its Gemma open model family.

Notably, the announcement follows Google’s record USD 15 billion investment unveiled last year to develop a large-scale AI infrastructure hub in Andhra Pradesh. According to the company, these latest initiatives reinforce its sustained commitment to strengthening India’s physical AI infrastructure, including the Global AI Hub in Visakhapatnam. The facility delivers a 1-gigawatt foundational capacity powered by green energy and Google’s advanced AI chips, and it ensures that Indian startups gain access to high-performance computing resources at scale.

Through the Market Access Program, Google aims to help Indian startups refine their go-to-market strategies and significantly shorten the path from local pilots to global deployment. Highlighting one such addition, the company said, “MedGemma 1.5 addresses the growing demand for advanced healthcare AI, enabling startups to work with high-dimensional medical imaging at scale.”

In parallel, Google introduced FunctionGemma, a lightweight model optimised for function calling that supports the next generation of on-device, agent-based systems, thereby enabling AI applications to take secure and reliable action locally. Google stated that together these models expand the core building blocks available to developers who are creating real-world, deployable AI solutions. At the same time, the company unveiled new members of its Gemma open model family and specifically tuned them to help startups build population-scale, production-ready AI applications.

With regard to the Market Access Program, Google clarified that the initiative specifically targets AI-first startups that have progressed beyond the prototype stage and are ready to scale responsibly. Moreover, the program delivers transformative outcomes for founders by enabling enterprise readiness through a specialised curriculum that covers global enterprise selling, complex pricing models, and international buyer psychology.

In addition, the initiative offers access to Google’s global network through direct and facilitated introductions to CIOs and CXOs worldwide. Furthermore, the program includes global immersion experiences in collaboration with ecosystem partners such as TiE Silicon Valley and Alteus, which are designed to help founders build in-person relationships across key buyer markets and international technology hubs. Google also confirmed that “Applications for the Google Market Access Program are now open for eligible startups.”

At the launch event, Preeti Lobana, Country Manager for India at Google, said that AI is rapidly moving beyond research laboratories into classrooms, healthcare settings, agriculture, factories, and enterprises of every scale.“AI startups are no longer experimenting at the edges; they are turning their capability into products that people use, trust, and pay for. This is the point at which models turn into businesses,” she said.

Through the launch of the Market Access Program and the expansion of its Gemma open model family, Google is positioning India as a critical hub for globally scalable AI innovation. By combining infrastructure investment, advanced models, and structured market access support, the company aims to help Indian AI startups transition from local success stories into globally competitive enterprises.

Radisson Hotel Group expands India presence with Radisson RED Indore opening

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January 15, 2026

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Radisson Hotel Group has strengthened its footprint in India by opening Radisson RED Indore, thereby continuing its expansion across high-growth Tier-II cities. The hotel targets both business and leisure travellers and delivers facilities aligned with modern hospitality expectations.

Strategically, the property sits on MR-10 Road and offers seamless access to Indore’s key business districts, retail hubs, and prominent landmarks such as Rajwada Palace and Khajrana Temple. The hotel features 115 rooms and suites, all equipped with contemporary amenities and advanced in-room technology to enhance guest comfort.

In terms of dining, the property houses The Red Table, an all-day restaurant that serves a curated mix of global favourites and local specialties with a creative twist, while Off The Clock functions as a vibrant bar and social hub for guests. In addition, the hotel offers RED Fit, a fully equipped fitness centre; RED Splash, a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city skyline; and RED Conclave, a dedicated boardroom designed for corporate meetings. Furthermore, the hotel provides a combination of indoor and outdoor event venues, making it suitable for weddings, celebrations, parties, and a wide range of social gatherings.

Commenting on the launch, Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “We are delighted to introduce Radisson RED to Indore, furthering our vision of building a strong presence in India’s high-potential Tier II and III markets. Indore represents the new face of urban India, which is energetic, aspirational, and deeply connected, and Radisson RED’s bold, lifestyle-driven personality fits seamlessly into this environment. Our strategy continues to focus on creating differentiated experiences that resonate with modern travellers who seek more than just accommodation; they seek spaces that inspire interaction, creativity, and community. With this launch, we are reinforcing Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to offering dynamic, design-led hospitality across India’s evolving cityscapes.”

Highlighting the partnership, Sunil Satija, Managing Director, Bestech India Pvt Ltd, added, “Partnering with Radisson Hotel Group is a significant milestone for us. Our association spans over 20 years, and we are proud to strengthen this relationship with our second hotel in partnership with RHG. We are confident that Radisson RED Indore will become a destination for the city’s new-age travellers and social connectors.”

Meanwhile, Indore continues to record strong economic momentum, which is driving demand for hospitality offerings. Against this backdrop, Radisson Hotel Group currently operates more than 200 hotels across India, with over half of its portfolio located in Tier-II and Tier-III markets, further underlining its long-term commitment to emerging urban centres.

Proptech startup Truva raises $9 Mn to strengthen its real estate valuation

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January 15, 2026

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Proptech startup Truva raises $9 Mn to strengthen its real estate valuation — L-R: Ankit Gupta, Monil Singhal & Puneet Arora, co-founders, Truva

Proptech startup Truva on Thursday secured $9 million in fresh funding in a round led by existing investors Stellaris Venture Partners and Orios Venture Partners. In terms of structure, the company raised $7.3 million (approximately ₹61 crore) as equity, while Stride Ventures provided an additional $1.7 million in venture debt.

Moreover, the round attracted participation from prominent angel investors, including Myntra and CureFit co-founder Mukesh Bansal, PayCheque co-founders Aakrit Vaish and Miten Sampat, LivSpace co-founder Ramakant Sharma, Boundless Ventures founder Natasha Malpani Oswal, and S Raheja Realty Managing Director Ram Raheja.

Commenting on the investment, Ritesh Banglani, Partner at Stellaris Venture Partners, said, “We’re excited to deepen our partnership with the Truva team. Since backing them at the seed stage, they’ve demonstrated exceptional execution and built strong customer love in a complex and fragmented category. Their full-stack, brand-led approach, combined with strong micro-market execution and technology leverage, sets them apart. Resale is a massive opportunity in India, and we believe Truva can build the country’s most trusted resale homes brand as they scale across cities.”

Going forward, Truva will deploy the newly raised capital to expand its presence across Mumbai and enter new metropolitan markets such as Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. Additionally, the company will allocate part of the funding to strengthen its real estate valuation and liquidity intelligence engine, TruIQ, while also supporting inventory-linked working capital requirements.

Founded in 2023 by Puneet Arora, Monil Singhal, and Ankit Gupta, Truva focuses on delivering a seamless home buying and selling experience within India’s highly fragmented resale housing market. To achieve this, the platform takes exclusive mandates from sellers, invests in legal and physical due diligence, oversees staging and renovation, applies data-backed valuation, and manages the entire transaction lifecycle from property discovery through registration.

Meanwhile, the company stated that it has achieved sixfold year-on-year growth and now plans to cross ₹1,500 crore in gross merchandise value over the next 12 months by expanding into more than 20 micro-markets.

Reflecting on consumer behaviour, Singhal said, “Consumers today use quick commerce for everything. They are willing to pay for services, but when it comes to buying houses, which would be one of the most expensive transactions of their life, they are expected to transact as they did 30 years ago.”

She further noted that while proptech remains an emerging sector, it has recently witnessed increased investor interest driven primarily by market expansion, accelerating digitisation, and growing premiumisation trends. Previously, Truva raised $3 million in a seed funding round led by Stellaris Venture Partners in August 2024.

IHG Hotels & Resorts targets rapid expansion to 400+ hotels across India over the next five years

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January 15, 2026

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IHG Hotels & Resorts targets rapid expansion to 400+ hotels across India over the next five years — Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts, the global hospitality major, has outlined an ambitious expansion roadmap for India and plans to exceed 400 open and under-development hotels within the next five years. In this context, the company identified India as a “key growth engine” and confirmed a third straight year of record hotel signings in 2025, thereby reinforcing its long-term growth commitment to the market.

Currently, IHG has hotels either operational or signed across eight brands in India—including Six Senses, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Garner, and Staybridge Suites—spanning the luxury, premium, and midscale segments, which together create a strong base for the company’s next growth phase. Furthermore, as part of its ongoing portfolio expansion, IHG will introduce its Vignette Collection brand in early 2026, which will further accelerate its footprint in India’s Luxury & Lifestyle category.

Commenting on the strategy, Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said India is one of IHG’s strategic markets globally and a key contributor to its long-term growth ambitions. “Strong domestic demand, favorable demographics, and the depth of confidence owners express in our brands continue to support our expansion here,” he said. He further added, “With a global portfolio of 20 distinct brands, IHG is strategically expanding its presence in India by introducing more choices to the market. The upcoming debut of the Vignette Collection and a strong response to newer brands such as Garner highlight the relevance and flexibility of our portfolio in meeting evolving owner and guest needs.”

Meanwhile, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, stated that India remains one of the company’s most active markets, supported by an underpenetrated branded hotel landscape and sustained demand across both business and leisure travel segments.

“The introduction of the Vignette Collection and rapid growth of the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza brands strengthens our offering across luxury and premium segments, complementing the strong performance of our mainstream brands such as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express that anchor our scale in India,” he added. In addition, the company noted that Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express together account for more than 70 percent of IHG’s operating hotels in India, as well as the majority of properties currently under development.

At the same time, IHG highlighted that the launch of Garner in India in 2025 marked the entry of its newest midscale conversion brand into the country. During the year, the company signed Garner Etawah in Uttar Pradesh and Garner Kathua in Jammu & Kashmir, while it has also added additional properties in Garner Kutch and Garner Bhiwadi to its development pipeline.

Moreover, the opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow in May 2025 represented a key milestone, as it became IHG’s 50th operational hotel in India. The company has also recently introduced the voco brand to the Indian market, with signings across cities and leisure destinations such as Srinagar, Goa, Gurugram, Mumbai, Amritsar, and the first voco property at Jim Corbett National Park. Additionally, the InterContinental brand continues to expand across major metropolitan markets, including Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while also strengthening its presence in resort destinations such as Mahabalipuram, Kasauli, and Kodaikanal.

RenewCred secures INR 4.15-Cr seed round to launch technology-driven carbon credit standard

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January 15, 2026

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RenewCred secures INR 4.15-Cr seed round to launch technology-driven carbon credit standard — Shilpi Saboo VP Operations & Partnerships, Abhimanyu Rathi Founder & CEO, Kaushik Gupta Principal Engineer, Yogendra Panchal Cofounder & VP of Engineering, RenewCred

RenewCred (Net Zero Initiative Private Limited), a climate-technology company developing India’s first fully digital and science-led carbon credit standard and registry for the voluntary carbon market, has successfully closed a ₹4.15 crore seed funding round comprising both equity and grant capital.

The round was led by Campus Angels Network and also saw participation from Kairos Early Opportunity Fund, build3 Startup Studio, VentureStudio Ahmedabad University, Ideashacks Investor Network, ACT Capital Foundation, and Social Innovation Lab by CITI Bank–IIT Kanpur, along with several angel investors.

Abhimanyu Rathi founded RenewCred with support from a leadership team comprising Yogendra Panchal, Shilpi Saboo, and Kaushik Gupta, and together they are building core market infrastructure for high-integrity carbon credits with a strong focus on non-nature-based methodologies such as biochar, EV fleets, renewable energy, methane reduction, clean fuels, and industrial decarbonisation.

Notably, the company ranks among the earliest in India to operate as a purpose-built carbon credit standard and registry designed specifically for emerging market conditions, and through its platform, RenewCred aims to remove 2.0 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere over the next 14 years. At the center of its strategy lies its proprietary digital platform, Net Zero, which enables continuous monitoring, reporting, and verification through digital MRV at the level of each individual credit issued. Unlike legacy, document-heavy carbon systems, RenewCred integrates live data streams, scientific models, and automated checks, thereby reducing verification timelines by 75 percent, lowering transaction costs by over 50 percent, and significantly enhancing trust and auditability.

In parallel, the company works closely with a growing science network of domain experts who co-develop sector-specific methodologies, validate assumptions, and ensure that issued credits remain conservative, measurable, and defensible under global buyer scrutiny. Furthermore, RenewCred plans to issue its first set of carbon credits this quarter, marking a major milestone in operationalising a fully Indian, technology-native carbon market infrastructure.

Commenting on the vision, Abhimanyu Rathi, Founder & CEO, RenewCred, said, “Carbon markets today suffer from five structural problems: lack of trust, opaque data, slow verification cycles, high costs, and fragmented accountability. RenewCred is being built to solve exactly these failures. By combining rigorous science, a transparent standard, a live registry, and a technology platform that monitors every credit end-to-end, we are creating market infrastructure that is faster, more affordable, and fundamentally more credible. This round allows us to deepen our methodologies, scale Net Zero, and deliver carbon credits that buyers and regulators can genuinely trust.”

Echoing this confidence, Chandran Krishnan, Managing Director, Campus Angels Network, said, “What stands out for us is RenewCred’s clear understanding of the structural gaps in carbon markets and their focus on building credible, technology-led infrastructure. They are addressing a real problem with relevance for India’s evolving climate and compliance landscape. Through this investment, we are backing a team with strong scientific depth and execution capability.”

Similarly, Ashok Subramanian, Managing Partner, Kairos Early Opportunity Fund, added, “High-quality carbon markets will be built on technology, not paperwork. RenewCred’s decision to focus on non-nature-based credits, continuous data, and in-house standards and registry infrastructure positions them well for where global markets are headed. We see strong potential for RenewCred to emerge as a reference platform for credible carbon credits from India.”

Looking ahead over the next 9–12 months, RenewCred will focus on expanding its library of non-nature-based carbon credit methodologies, scaling the Net Zero digital MRV and registry platform, growing its science network and sector-specific expertise, onboarding project developers and buyers seeking transparent and continuously verified credits, and positioning India as a credible source of high-integrity, technology-verified carbon credits for global markets.

Groww AMC to receive $65 Million investment from State Street

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January 14, 2026

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Global asset manager State Street Investment Management is preparing to invest $65 million (approximately Rs 580 crore) in Groww Asset Management Company (AMC). Consequently, the investment represents a significant strategic move in India’s rapidly expanding wealth management landscape.

Of the total proposed investment, investors will allocate around Rs 381 crore toward secondary share purchases, while they will infuse approximately Rs 199 crore as fresh capital, thereby diluting Groww AMC’s share capital by up to 23%.

Through this investment, State Street aims to build global investment capabilities and develop new products tailored for Indian investors, while simultaneously enabling Groww to explore expansion opportunities beyond India.

Meanwhile, the strategic investment arrives at a time when Indian retail participation across asset classes continues to broaden, and global fund managers increasingly seek local partners with large-scale digital distribution platforms. As a result, the deal highlights a growing convergence between global asset managers and Indian wealthtech ecosystems.

Notably, the transaction also marks a rare instance of a major global fund manager making a direct investment in the AMC business of an Indian wealthtech platform.

From a financial performance perspective, Groww reported revenue of Rs 1,261 crore in the December quarter (Q3 FY26), reflecting a 26% year-on-year increase. However, during the same period, the company recorded a 28% year-on-year decline in net profit to Rs 547 crore.

Investment platform Wint Wealth secures Rs 250-Cr in Series B funding to support its expansion plans

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January 14, 2026

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Bengaluru-based online bond investment platform Wint Wealth has raised Rs. 250 crore (US$27.7 million) in a Series B funding round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, thereby marking a major milestone in the expansion of India’s digital fixed-income investing ecosystem.

In addition, the round attracted participation from existing investors 3one4 Capital, 8 Roads Ventures, Arkham Ventures, and Zerodha-backed Rainmatter, further reinforcing strong institutional confidence in the platform’s long-term strategy.

Established with the objective of simplifying corporate bond investments for retail investors, Wint Wealth now plans to deploy the newly raised capital across several strategic initiatives. Specifically, the company intends to broaden its portfolio of corporate bond offerings, strengthen its NBFC operations, and increase investments in technology infrastructure and investor education. Through these efforts, Wint Wealth aims to create a more inclusive and transparent fixed-income marketplace by effectively bridging the gap between high-quality issuers and individual investors.

Meanwhile, the funding arrives at a time when retail participation in India’s corporate bond market is accelerating, supported by SEBI-led regulatory reforms that have improved transparency, lowered ticket sizes, and enhanced access to debt instruments.

Consequently, these regulatory developments have driven heightened investor interest in fixed-income products, particularly among individuals seeking stable returns during periods of market volatility.

By integrating regulated bond products, digital-first execution, and investor education initiatives, Wint Wealth continues to position itself as a key enabler of India’s evolving online bond investment platform landscape. As fixed income increasingly becomes a core portfolio allocation for Indian investors, the company’s expansion strategy aligns closely with broader structural shifts in retail participation across the debt markets.

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