Atelier Expressions deepens hospitality and lifestyle presence with Khoya

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July 10, 2026

Atelier Expressions deepens hospitality and lifestyle presence with Khoya — Tara Venu, executive director of Atelier Expressions

Atelier Expressions, the premium lifestyle investment platform of TVS VENU, has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Lonestar Hospitality Private Limited, the company behind New Delhi-based luxury handcrafted mithai brand Khoya. The acquisition represents another milestone in Atelier Expressions’ strategy to build a curated portfolio of artisanal businesses with strong cultural heritage and long-term growth potential.

The company will acquire a majority stake in Khoya, subject to customary closing conditions. Moreover, the transaction is expected to conclude by the end of August 2026.

Through its strategic investments, Atelier Expressions supports exceptional businesses in unlocking their growth potential while preserving the authenticity, identity and distinctive character that define their success. The company believes Khoya has successfully reimagined one of India’s oldest culinary traditions for the modern consumer by combining cultural authenticity, premium quality and strong commercial fundamentals, making it a natural addition to its expanding portfolio of premium brands.

Sid Mathur, Founder of Khoya, will continue to oversee the company’s operations and execution with support from the existing leadership team, according to the company’s release.

Furthermore, the partnership strengthens Atelier Expressions’ growing portfolio of luxury lifestyle brands and experiences. The platform already includes J.L. Coquet, the historic Limoges porcelain maison with more than 200 years of French craftsmanship; Khadak, the acclaimed Dubai restaurant founded by chef Naved Nasir; and Hedon, the London-based luxury motorcycle helmet manufacturer known for combining engineering precision with artisanal craftsmanship.

Founded in 2016 by Sid Mathur, Khoya has established itself as a premium confectionery brand by presenting traditional Indian mithai for contemporary consumers. The brand combines high-quality ingredients, refined craftsmanship and thoughtful design to redefine a category traditionally associated with heritage while delivering a luxury offering rooted in India’s rich culinary legacy.

“Sid has reimagined one of India’s oldest culinary traditions for a new generation of consumers while staying true to what makes it special. That ability to respect tradition while building a contemporary brand is exactly what attracts us to businesses like Khoya. Khoya reflects the qualities we look for at Atelier Expressions, and we look forward to working together to build on its success while preserving the authenticity and character that define the brand,” said Tara Venu, executive director of Atelier Expressions.

Sid Mathur, founder of Khoya, said, “This partnership with Atelier Expressions offers a tremendous opportunity to scale our presence across India, explore new collaborations and elevate Khoya to greater success. Khoya was created from a belief that Indian mithai deserves the same care, creativity and attention to detail as the world’s finest luxury food brands. Every product we create is rooted in heritage while thoughtfully designed for the way people enjoy and share food today. As we considered the next chapter for Khoya, we wanted a partner who shares our belief in quality and long-term brand building. Atelier Expressions is a natural fit, and together we look forward to introducing more people to Indian confectionery at its very best.”

Mathur developed Khoya in collaboration with food historians and academicians to offer a more refined interpretation of traditional Indian mithai for today’s consumers. Before founding Khoya, he gained extensive experience with the Impresario Group, where he helped build brands such as Smoke House Deli and Social. He also worked with Secret Ingredient, one of India’s leading food consultancy firms that advises several prestigious clients.

Today, Khoya offers a portfolio that includes premium traditional mithai, chikki, mukhwas and savoury snacks. Additionally, the brand serves customers through its own digital channels and selected retail outlets across Delhi.

Meanwhile, Atelier Expressions continues to strengthen its portfolio with brands that celebrate craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Alongside J.L. Coquet, Khadak and Hedon, the platform reflects TVS VENU’s long-term vision of connecting timeless traditions with future-focused creativity through carefully curated lifestyle investments.

Tencent plans buyback bid for AI startup Manus following Meta setback

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July 10, 2026

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Chinese technology giant Tencent is in discussions to become the largest shareholder of AI startup Manus, as investors explore alternative ownership options after Beijing reportedly directed Meta to unwind its proposed $2 billion acquisition of the company, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Tencent, along with Manus’ existing investors—including ZhenFund and HSG—is considering a buyback of the startup from Meta at a valuation of no less than $2 billion, one of the sources and another person briefed on the discussions said.

The reported move comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny over foreign acquisitions of Chinese AI companies, prompting investors to reassess the startup’s ownership structure.

Tencent, Manus, Meta, ZhenFund, and HSG did not immediately respond.

If the discussions culminate in a deal, Tencent would significantly strengthen its position in China’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence ecosystem while ensuring Manus remains under domestic ownership. The potential transaction also highlights the growing influence of regulatory oversight in shaping cross-border AI investments, as geopolitical and national security considerations increasingly determine the future of high-value technology deals.

Mayfair Housing to build unified digital project ecosystem through Autodesk Forma

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July 10, 2026

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Mumbai, 09 July 2026: Mayfair Housing has announced a three-year strategic partnership with Autodesk, the global design & make platform company, to deploy Autodesk Forma, marking a significant step in its long-term digital transformation journey. The digital initiative will help the company build a more connected, intelligent, and technology-enabled project planning and execution ecosystem across its development and redevelopment portfolio.

Under the three-year engagement, Mayfair Housing will deploy Autodesk Forma, an AI-enabled, cloud-based platform that supports architects, planners and developers during the earliest stages of project planning and design. By combining real-world data, environmental simulations and collaborative workflows, Autodesk Forma ensures faster, more informed and more sustainable decision-making before projects move into detailed design and construction.

The deployment of Autodesk Forma will strengthen Mayfair Housing’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) workflow by enabling better planning, collaboration and data-driven decision-making from the earliest stages of project development. As an AI-powered, cloud-based platform, Autodesk Forma will support the creation and management of project information throughout the design and development lifecycle while integrating seamlessly with downstream BIM processes. MicroGenesis will serve as the implementation and technology partner, supporting platform deployment, process mapping, training and change management to ensure seamless adoption across the organisation.

Autodesk Forma will enable project teams to evaluate multiple development scenarios, generate site planning and massing concepts, and assess critical environmental parameters such as sunlight, daylight, wind, noise and embodied carbon during the earliest phases of development. The use of simulations will allow the company to make better-informed design decisions while improving efficiency and reducing downstream design changes.

The cloud-based platform also allows multiple stakeholders to collaborate within a common digital environment, providing access to shared project information, design concepts, and planning data in real time. By creating a single digital workspace, Autodesk Forma will improve coordination between architects, consultants, engineering teams and project leadership, leading to faster reviews, improved transparency, and more efficient decision-making. Autodesk Forma also integrates seamlessly with Autodesk’s wider ecosystem, including Revit and Autodesk Construction Cloud, enabling a connected workflow from concept planning through design and execution.

Speaking about the partnership, Anay Nayan Shah, Joint Managing Director, Mayfair Housing, said, “The scale and complexity of today’s real estate developments require a far more integrated and collaborative approach to project execution. Digital transformation has become a strategic priority for the industry, and our partnership with Autodesk marks an important milestone in our journey towards building a connected and technology-driven project ecosystem. Through Autodesk Forma, we look to create greater transparency, improve collaboration across stakeholders and strengthen execution standards throughout the project lifecycle.”

As artificial intelligence, cloud collaboration and digital design technologies continue to reshape the built environment, platforms such as Autodesk Forma are expected to play an increasingly important role in enabling smarter, more sustainable and resilient urban development. Through this investment, Mayfair Housing is laying the digital foundation for future innovation, creating an integrated project ecosystem that enhances planning, improves execution, and supports long-term business growth.

Lab-Grown diamond startup Aukera raises ₹90-Crore to scale across India

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July 10, 2026

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Lab-Grown diamond startup Aukera raises ₹90-Crore to scale across India — Kumar Saurabh & Lisa Mukhedkar, co-founders, Aukera

Bengaluru-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) lab-grown diamond jewellery startup Aukera has raised ₹90 crore (approximately $10 million) in a debt funding round led by Alteria Capital. In addition, InnoVen Capital, Lighthouse Canton and an undisclosed bank participated in the financing to support the company’s next phase of expansion.

The startup plans to utilise the fresh capital to open new stores across existing and emerging markets. Furthermore, it will invest in design and product innovation, strengthen talent acquisition efforts and enhance its omnichannel infrastructure.

Following its Series B funding round led by Peak XV Partners, Aukera significantly expanded its retail presence from 13 company-owned stores to 35 outlets. As part of this expansion, the startup entered new markets, including Pune, Lucknow, Dehradun and Visakhapatnam, while building on its existing footprint in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi NCR.

Lisa Mukhedkar and Kumar Saurabh founded Aukera in 2023 as an omnichannel jewellery brand specialising in lab-grown diamond products. The company currently serves customers through its e-commerce platform as well as its network of physical retail stores.

With the latest debt funding, Aukera has now secured total funding of approximately $28.2 million. Its investor base includes Fireside Ventures, Sparrow Capital, Prath Ventures and several other institutional investors.

The startup has also set an ambitious goal of building a ₹1,000 crore brand, although it has not disclosed a timeline for achieving the milestone.

Meanwhile, the fundraising reflects the growing momentum in India’s lab-grown diamond industry, which continues to attract increasing interest from both consumers and investors.

The sector has witnessed notable investment activity over the past year. For instance, lab-grown diamond jewellery startup Lucira raised $5.5 million in a seed funding round led by Blume Ventures last year.

In addition to established brands such as Titan’s BEYON, Trent’s Pome and PNG Jewellers, the Indian lab-grown diamond market also features emerging startups, including True Diamond and Cosmos Diamonds. Industry estimates project that India’s lab-grown diamond market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8% and reach a value of nearly $2 billion by 2036.

RARE India adds 800-year-old Fort Rampura to its heritage hospitality portfolio

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July 10, 2026

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RARE India has expanded its portfolio of experiential and owner-led hospitality properties by welcoming Fort Rampura, an 800-year-old mud fort located in the Chambal ravines of Bundelkhand. Situated in Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun district, the heritage property has served as the ancestral home of the Kachawaha Rajput family for 15 generations.

Raja Ram Shah built Fort Rampura in the late 13th century as a defensive stronghold featuring crenellated walls and a protective moat. Over the centuries, successive generations expanded the fort by adding residential quarters, temples, granaries and stables, thereby transforming the structure into a living family residence that has preserved its legacy across eight centuries.

Today, Padmini and Keshavendra Singh manage a 12-room homestay within the historic fort complex, continuing a hospitality tradition that has flourished for more than two decades. The accommodation includes two guest rooms inside the family’s private residence and ten additional rooms spread across the larger fort complex, with six designed as twin-sharing units.

“We have never thought of this as running a hotel. Guests come here and they live with us, eat what we eat, walk where we walk. The fort has been in our family for fifteen generations and every person who stays here becomes, in some small way, part of that story,” said Keshavendra Singh, Host, Fort Rampura.

Rather than offering a conventional hotel experience, Fort Rampura focuses on immersive cultural hospitality. Guests enjoy home-cooked Indian meals in a communal dining setting while participating in experiences that showcase the region’s heritage and local lifestyle. They can explore the fort’s rich history, visit nearby bazaars, interact with artisans and farmers, take boat rides on the Yamuna River, cycle through the countryside and experience the folk traditions of Bundelkhand.

Moreover, visitors can extend their journey by exploring nearby attractions, including Jagamanpur Fort, the Chambal Sanctuary and Kannauj, a city renowned for its centuries-old perfumery heritage.

Fort Rampura welcomes guests from October 1 to April 15 every year, positioning itself as an offbeat heritage destination for travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences. The continuously inhabited family home offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience everyday life within an 800-year-old fort. Travellers can conveniently access the property through Orai, Etawah, Gwalior and Kanpur, while Delhi lies approximately a five-and-a-half-hour drive away.

India’s first AI-powered ticketing startup thumpN raises €3.3 Mn to expand AI-powered event discovery platform

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July 9, 2026

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India’s first AI-powered ticketing startup thumpN raises €3.3 Mn to expand AI-powered event discovery platform — Varun Khare, Chief Executive Officer, thumpN

India’s first AI-native discovery and ticketing platform, thumpN, has raised more than €3.3 million (approximately ₹35.7 crore) in funding as it seeks to transform how users discover and book live entertainment experiences across the country. The investment will enable the startup to strengthen its AI-powered platform and expand its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing live entertainment markets.

The company officially launched its platform on July 6 and plans to use the fresh capital to enhance its AI-driven discovery engine while scaling operations across India. Through its technology, thumpN aims to offer highly personalized recommendations for concerts, comedy shows, festivals, sports events, and other live entertainment experiences.

A team of former Paytm Insider executives has built thumpN after helping establish one of India’s leading ticketing businesses. In September 2024, Zomato acquired Paytm Insider in a deal valued at approximately €220 million, leading to the creation of District by Zomato, which now competes with platforms such as BookMyShow and Skillbox.

Varun Khare, former Chief Operating Officer of Paytm Insider, leads thumpN as Chief Executive Officer. Meanwhile, Shreyas Srinivasan, former Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Paytm Insider, serves as a Director and Strategic Advisor to the startup. Additionally, Meghana Bhogle, formerly the Head of IPs and Touring at Paytm Insider, now heads Brands and Marketing at thumpN.

The startup has also attracted backing from prominent investors. Its investor base includes executives associated with Paytm, including Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s family office, VSS Investco, and Paytm Chief Financial Officer Madhur Deora. Furthermore, celebrated Indian singers Arijit Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Badshah have invested in the company, according to sources.

At the core of the platform is Shadow, an AI-powered conversational agent that allows users to discover live events through natural language interactions. Rather than relying solely on traditional search methods, Shadow continuously learns individual preferences and combines insights from artists, event promoters, venue operators, and tastemakers to deliver increasingly personalized event recommendations.

Varun Khare, Chief Executive Officer, thumpN, said, “Discovery today is fragmented across social feeds, algorithms, WhatsApp groups, and word of mouth. The explosion of India’s live entertainment market, combined with the shift toward conversational and AI-native consumer behaviour, has created an opportunity to rethink discovery from the ground up.”

Unlike several established ticketing platforms that also promote their own events, including BookMyShow, District by Zomato, and Skillbox, thumpN plans to prioritize unbiased event discovery. The platform intends to recommend events regardless of where they are listed, focusing on building long-term user trust instead of limiting recommendations to a single ticketing ecosystem.

Beyond event discovery, thumpN is also developing software solutions for event organizers. These tools will provide actionable insights into audience preferences, event demand, genre trends, and consumer behavior, helping organizers make more informed business decisions and improve event planning.

The platform is currently in beta testing and already features events across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, and Pune.

With more than ₹35.7 crore in fresh funding and an experienced leadership team from Paytm Insider, thumpN is positioning itself to reshape India’s live entertainment ecosystem through artificial intelligence. By combining personalized event discovery, conversational AI, and advanced analytics for organizers, the startup aims to create a more connected and data-driven entertainment marketplace while capitalizing on India’s rapidly expanding live events industry.

Google unveils 2026 accelerator cohort featuring 20 promising Indian AI startups

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July 9, 2026

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Google unveils 2026 accelerator cohort featuring 20 promising Indian AI startups — Preeti Lobana, Vice President and Country Manager, Google India

Alphabet-owned Google has selected 20 homegrown AI startups for the Google for Startups Accelerator: India 2026 programme, reinforcing its commitment to accelerating India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem and supporting the country’s growing startup landscape.

The technology giant shortlisted the startups from more than 2,500 applications, highlighting the increasing innovation emerging from India’s AI sector. Following their selection, the startups completed an intensive in-person bootcamp at Google’s Bengaluru campus. Going forward, Google will work closely with the founders to refine their products, optimize their technology architecture, and prepare their solutions for large-scale deployment.

The accelerator programme provides participating startups with access to Google’s AI technology stack, technical mentorship, cloud infrastructure, product guidance, and business support to help them scale globally while addressing real-world challenges through artificial intelligence.

Preeti Lobana, Vice President and Country Manager, Google India, said, “By equipping these pioneering founders with Google’s full AI stack and deep technical mentorship, we are not only accelerating their path to global enterprise scale but also cementing the sovereign capabilities required to advance the India AI Mission and build a resilient, inclusive digital economy.”

Google launched the Google for Startups Accelerator: India programme in April 2024 to nurture AI-first startups across multiple industries. The 2025 cohort included startups such as Apptile, Knit, MyWonder, Phot.AI, and SparkyAI, among others. The latest cohort reflects Google’s continued focus on supporting startups developing innovative AI solutions across sectors including legal technology, healthcare, climate technology, financial intelligence, enterprise software, and global payments.

Among the selected startups, Utkarsh Saxena and Arghya Bhattacharya founded Adalat AI, a Delhi NCR-based legal technology company, in 2023. Incubated at MIT, the startup develops AI-powered legal solutions designed to reduce case backlogs through speech transcription, courtroom dictation, and workflow automation, helping legal professionals improve operational efficiency.

Amarapuram Chandramouly Ashwin and Venkatesh Kempapura Sharma founded Aikenist in Bengaluru in 2019, and Google selected the company for the accelerator programme. The healthtech startup builds AI-powered radiology solutions for hospitals and diagnostic centres, offering products such as QuickScan, QuickDiag, and AI-accelerated MRI technologies to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed.

Google also selected Aurassure, a Bhubaneswar-based climate technology startup founded in 2022 by Akanksha Priyadarshini, Vamsi Krishna, Raviteja Cherukuri, and Omprakash Patra. Backed by Rainmatter and Unicorn India Ventures, Aurassure combines IoT sensors with AI-powered analytics to deliver hyperlocal monitoring of air quality, water levels, and other environmental parameters.

Bengaluru-based Ayna, founded in 2023 by Aastha Rajpal and Yash Bansal, has also joined the accelerator. The AI-powered SaaS startup enables fashion and e-commerce brands to create studio-quality product images, virtual models, and AI-generated photoshoots without relying on traditional photography. The company previously raised $1.5 million from Inflexor Ventures and FAAD Network.

Another participant, Binocs, was founded in 2022 by Tonmoy Shingal and Pankaj Garg. The Bengaluru-based startup provides enterprises with AI-driven financial intelligence and due diligence solutions that automate commercial due diligence, financial analysis, investment research, deal sourcing, and portfolio monitoring. Its investor base includes BEENEXT, Arkam Ventures, Accel, Blume Ventures, and Better Capital.

Google also selected CraftifAI, an AI infrastructure startup established in 2024 by Pratik Sharda and Yashwant Dagar. Based in Bengaluru, the company develops an agentic AI platform that automates embedded software development, firmware generation, and AI deployment for edge computing, IoT, robotics, automotive, and industrial devices. CraftifAI has secured $3 million in funding from Ankur Capital, IvyCap Ventures, Capital A, and Antler.

Completing the first set of announced startups is Dodo Payments, founded in 2024 by Rishabh Goel and Ayush Agarwal. The Bengaluru-based fintech startup has developed a Merchant of Record (MoR) platform that enables SaaS, AI, and digital businesses to accept international payments while automating billing, subscriptions, tax compliance, fraud management, and cross-border transactions across more than 150 countries. The company counts Antler, 100Unicorns, and Venture Catalysts among its investors.

The Google for Startups Accelerator: India 2026 programme reflects Google’s continued investment in India’s rapidly expanding AI startup ecosystem. By providing mentorship, advanced AI tools, and technical expertise, Google aims to help the selected startups accelerate innovation, expand globally, and build scalable solutions across industries ranging from legal technology and healthcare to fintech, climate technology, and enterprise software. The initiative also supports India’s broader ambition of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.

Spacetech startup BAAS Technologies secures ₹5-Cr to build reusable launch vehicles

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July 9, 2026

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Spacetech startup BAAS Technologies secures ₹5-Cr to build reusable launch vehicles — Tanmay Kanmahale, Prashant Patil, Atharva Pingale, Swayam Sonar and Shriniwas Hase, co-founders, BAAS Technologies

BAAS Technologies, a Pune-based spacetech startup, has raised ₹5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from SINE IIT Bombay and a group of angel investors. The investment marks a significant milestone for the young aerospace company as it accelerates the development of reusable launch vehicles and advanced rocket propulsion systems for India’s growing private space industry.

The startup will deploy the fresh capital to strengthen research and development in both liquid and solid propulsion systems, establish a dedicated rocket propulsion testing facility, expand its manufacturing infrastructure, procure advanced equipment, grow its engineering team, and achieve key engine development and flight-testing milestones.

Founded in 2024 by Tanmay Kanmahale, Prashant Patil, Atharva Pingale, Swayam Sonar, and Shriniwas Hase, BAAS Technologies develops reusable sub-orbital and orbital launch vehicles for research institutions, commercial enterprises, and government agencies. Moreover, the company designs and manufactures its propulsion systems and flight hardware entirely in-house, allowing greater control over product development and innovation.

The spacetech startup is currently developing four launch vehicle series designed for different mission profiles, ranging from research payload missions to satellite deployment. In addition, BAAS Technologies is establishing a 100 kN rocket propulsion testing facility spread across 20,000 square feet, which will support engine validation, qualification, and commercialization activities.

Tanmay Kanmahale, Co-founder, BAAS Technologies, said, “As a founder building in the space sector, where many ideas are dismissed at a very early stage due to the complexity and risk involved, finding the right investment partner matters as much as raising the capital itself. This round puts us in a stronger position to build our launch vehicles, grow our engineering team and contribute to India’s private space sector.”

Furthermore, BAAS Technologies revealed that it has already completed paid pilot programmes in India and is expanding its commercial footprint into Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The company also benefits from incubation support provided by SINE IIT Bombay, ARAI-AMTIF, and AIC-JKLU, strengthening its research and innovation ecosystem.

Commenting on the investment, Ankur Mittal, Co-founder, Inflection Point Ventures, said, “BAAS is building an end-to-end launch vehicle platform that reflects the company’s strong engineering capabilities and its clear understanding of the growing demands of the global space economy. By developing cost-effective and reliable launch solutions, the company is addressing a crucial market gap in small satellite access to space.”

The funding comes at a time when India’s commercial space industry continues to witness rapid expansion. According to industry estimates, India’s satellite launch services market is projected to grow from $399 million in 2025 to approximately $1.58 billion by 2033. Meanwhile, the country’s overall space economy is expected to expand from around $8 billion to $40–45 billion over the next decade, creating significant opportunities for private spacetech companies.

With fresh funding, expanding global ambitions, and growing technological capabilities, BAAS Technologies aims to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s position in the global space launch ecosystem while delivering cost-effective launch solutions for the rapidly growing small satellite market.

Polo Hotels & Resorts signs first property in Mizoram, expands Northeast hospitality footprint

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July 9, 2026

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Polo Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of Polo Hotel Aizawl, marking the hospitality group’s first property in Mizoram and strengthening its presence across Northeast India. Through this strategic expansion, the company continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering premium hospitality experiences while supporting the region’s rapidly growing tourism sector.

The signing follows the execution of a Concession Agreement with the Government of Mizoram to redevelop the Chaltlang Tourist Lodge into a premium hotel under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The project represents a significant milestone for both the state and Polo Hotels Group as it aims to introduce world-class hospitality infrastructure to one of India’s emerging tourism destinations.

Once completed, Polo Hotel Aizawl will become Mizoram’s first five-star hotel, setting a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in the state. The property will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a lounge, and an upscale pool area designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers.

Additionally, the hotel will house the city’s largest and most versatile event spaces, including expansive banquet halls and multiple meeting rooms, making it an attractive destination for corporate events, conferences, weddings, and social gatherings. The property will also include a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a swimming pool to provide guests with a comprehensive luxury hospitality experience.

Deval Tibrewalla, CEO and Director, Polo Hotels Group, said, “The signing of Polo Hotel Aizawl marks another important milestone in our journey of building world-class hospitality experiences across Northeast India. We are honoured to partner with the Government of Mizoram on this landmark project and sincerely thank them for their trust and support. Aizawl is a destination with immense potential, and we look forward to creating a hotel that not only sets new benchmarks in hospitality but also contributes meaningfully to tourism, employment generation and the state’s economic growth.”

Furthermore, the latest signing strengthens Polo Hotels Group’s leadership position in the Northeast hospitality market. With the addition of Polo Hotel Aizawl, the company’s portfolio has expanded to 16 hotels, including seven properties currently under development. The group continues to strengthen its presence across Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, reflecting its long-term strategy to expand its premium hospitality network across India.

The project also aligns with the Government of Mizoram’s vision to enhance tourism infrastructure, attract domestic and international visitors, and generate new employment opportunities. As tourism demand continues to rise in Northeast India, the new luxury hotel is expected to play a key role in positioning Aizawl as a leading leisure and business travel destination.

The signing of Polo Hotel Aizawl marks a significant step in Polo Hotels & Resorts’ expansion strategy and highlights its confidence in Northeast India’s tourism potential. By developing Mizoram’s first five-star hotel through a public-private partnership, the group aims to elevate the state’s hospitality landscape while contributing to tourism growth, employment generation, and regional economic development. The project further reinforces Polo Hotels’ position as one of the leading hospitality brands driving premium hotel development across Northeast India.

Zari debuts luxury hospitality brand with launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai

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July 9, 2026

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Zari has officially entered India’s luxury hospitality sector with the launch of Bijapur Lodge, Jawai, the first property under its newly introduced boutique hospitality brand. Furthermore, the company plans to expand its portfolio with additional experience-led luxury properties across India in the coming months.

Located in Rajasthan’s renowned Leopard Country, Bijapur Lodge is a six-suite luxury retreat spread across five acres. Moreover, the property offers an intimate stay experience by seamlessly blending the region’s natural landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage with personalised hospitality and sustainable tourism.

Designed around space, privacy, and authentic experiences, the retreat reflects Zari’s philosophy of creating destination-led luxury stays. Additionally, its architecture and interiors draw inspiration from Jawai’s rugged landscape while emphasising sustainability and local craftsmanship.

One of the property’s signature attractions is its private leopard safari, where experienced naturalists guide guests through Jawai’s unique ecosystem, highlighting the long-standing coexistence between leopards and the indigenous Rabari community.

Moreover, guests can enjoy several curated experiences, including:

Sunset sundowners overlooking Jawai’s granite hills
Guided Rabari village walks
Birdwatching excursions
Boat rides
Sunrise yoga amidst nature

These experiences aim to foster deeper connections with the destination, its wildlife, and its local communities.

In addition, Zari introduces its Curated Heritage Table, featuring consultant-designed menus prepared using hyper-local ingredients, seasonal produce, and traditional recipes.

Guests can savour authentic regional dishes such as Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Ker Sangri, and wood-fired specialities, celebrating Rajasthan’s rich culinary traditions.

Commenting on the launch, the management of Zari said the company built the brand on the belief that true luxury comes from meaningful experiences, personalised hospitality, and a strong sense of place.

The company added that Bijapur Lodge embodies this philosophy by connecting guests with Jawai’s wildlife, culture, and traditions. Furthermore, Zari plans to introduce several boutique luxury properties across India, with each destination designed to reflect its unique local identity while delivering premium hospitality experiences.

With the launch of Bijapur Lodge, Jawai, Zari has entered India’s growing luxury hospitality market through an experience-driven approach. Furthermore, as the company expands its portfolio across the country, it aims to offer travellers immersive stays that seamlessly combine local culture, sustainable tourism, personalised service, and authentic destination experiences.

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