The Aaureum announces the opening of it’s first dining venue – Minorii

January 9, 2026

Bhilwara, Rajasthan | 8th January, 2026- The Aaureum Resort and International Convention Centre, Bhilwara, is set to open Minorii, its first dining venue, on 15th January. A pure vegetarian, all-day diner, Minorii marks the beginning of The Aaureum’s culinary journey. Thoughtfully designed as a welcoming and comfortable dining space, Minorii brings together a wide range of vegetarian flavours from Indian and international cuisines, along with popular global delicacies.

Guests can choose from an à la carte selection and enjoy flavourful dishes that are freshly prepared and served throughout the day. Warm tones, minimalist design, and a spacious layout create an atmosphere at Minorii that sets the stage for everything from relaxed breakfasts to unhurried dinners with loved ones, making it suitable for both hotel guests and visitors from the city.

Speaking about the launch, the owners of The Aaureum shared their thoughts on bringing Minorii to the city of Bhilwara. Mr. Yash Singhvi, Director, Yash Real Mart Pvt. Ltd., shared, “When we started planning Minorii, the idea was simple. We wanted Bhilwara to have a vegetarian diner that offers a wide variety while still feeling familiar. From Indian favourites to global flavours, Minorii is meant to be a place people enjoy coming back to.”

Mr. Rahul Choudhary, Director, Navkar Group, Bhilwara added – “Minorii is an important step for The Aaureum. As our first dining venue it sets the tone for the experiences we want to offer here. We wanted a space that feels calm, welcoming, and easy to enjoy whether guests are staying with us or visiting from the city.”

At Minorii the focus is on ease and rhythm. The all-day diner is designed to blend into a guest’s day, allowing them to dine at their own pace and choose from a chef-selected vegetarian menu without any sense of rush. Sharing the culinary direction for the property, Mr. Sandeep Maitraya, Founder and Director, Crimson Hotels, said, “With Minorii, we have created a space that feels approachable and familiar. It is the first step in shaping the culinary identity of The Aaureum, and we look forward to welcoming guests to experience it.”

Minorii opens a new chapter in The Aaureum’s F&B journey, offering guests a relaxed space to savour delicious vegetarian dishes. The diner welcomes visitors from 15th January at The Aaureum Resort and International Convention Centre, Bhilwara.

About The Aaureum Resort & International Convention Centre

Spread across 7.5 acres of landscaped gardens and tranquil water features, The Aaureum offers over 145 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, including the exclusive Garden Villa with a private plunge pool. It is Bhilwara’s first 5-star Resort and one of the largest international convention centres in the country. Built for destination weddings, corporate events, and milestone celebrations, it combines scale, elegance, and modern infrastructure to redefine hospitality in India.

Tamil Nadu launches deeptech startup policy with ₹100-Cr boost

BRL Editor

January 9, 2026

With the rollout of a dedicated DeepTech Startup Policy 2025–26, Tamil Nadu has taken a decisive step toward strengthening science-led, IP-intensive entrepreneurship. Billed as the country’s first comprehensive framework of its kind, the policy aims to close the persistent “lab-to-market” gap that often slows the progress of high-risk, research-driven deeptech startups.

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, formally launched the policy at the Umagine TN technology summit. Through this initiative, the state plans to support 100 deeptech startups while mobilising Rs 100 crore in public and private investments over the next five years. Consequently, the government expects the policy to accelerate innovation and improve commercial outcomes for advanced technologies.

According to the policy, Tamil Nadu will bridge the “lab-to-market” gap by offering structured, lifecycle-based support that spans early-stage research and development through scale-up and market adoption. In parallel, the Information Technology and Digital Services Department will anchor the policy, while the Tamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub will oversee implementation. Importantly, this framework complements the broader Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy, under which iTNT already supports deeptech incubation, technology commercialisation, and sector-specific programmes in partnership with StartupTN and other incubators.

The policy sets ambitious targets. These include a 25% increase in annual patent filings by deep tech startups, at least 10 technology transfer or licensing deals from academic and R&D institutions, training over 10,000 students and professionals in deeptech skills, and facilitating global market access for 50 startups. Together, these goals aim to create a robust pipeline from research to revenue.

Deeptech startups, as defined in the policy document, are ventures built on advanced scientific or engineering breakthroughs, typically operating at early Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). They are characterised by strong proprietary intellectual property, long development cycles, and the ability to create entirely new markets or significantly disrupt existing ones across sectors such as healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.

However, the policy also acknowledges the structural challenges these startups face, including high R&D uncertainty, capital intensity, and difficulty in securing early customers—issues that conventional startup schemes are often ill-equipped to address. To counter this, the government has introduced a multi-pronged framework organised around five pillars: research and development support, funding and investment acceleration, infrastructure and ecosystem development, innovation workforce and knowledge alliances, and deep tech adoption and market expansion.

On the funding front, the policy offers TRL-linked R&D grants for early-stage research up to TRL 4, followed by commercialisation and scale-up support at higher readiness levels. Additionally, it includes assistance for IP creation and monetisation, along with performance-linked micro-fund support for incubators. Furthermore, a proposed DeepTech Fund of Funds and capital subsidies for corporates that engage with accredited deeptech startups aim to catalyse private investment and industry participation.

In terms of infrastructure, the policy promises deeptech research facilities and cluster-specific parks, voucher-based access to shared infrastructure, rental subsidies within government-supported parks, and sector-focused test beds. These measures will allow startups to validate products in real-world environments. Notably, a “Government as Early Adopter Programme” with an annual budget of Rs 25 crore will enable pilot deployments and proof-of-concept projects that can later scale across public and private sectors.

Talent development and knowledge exchange also feature prominently. The policy proposes grants for deep tech skilling programmes, doctoral fellowships for researchers transitioning into entrepreneurship, and mentorship and international exchange initiatives. These efforts will connect Tamil Nadu’s startups with global accelerators, twin-city partners, and overseas experts.

At the same time, the policy places strong emphasis on applying deep tech to social priorities, including public health, clean energy, mobility, disaster resilience, and social protection. Through this focus, Tamil Nadu aims to balance industrial competitiveness with inclusive and sustainable growth.

Finally, the iTNT Hub will function as the nodal agency, managing funds, operating a unified digital platform for infrastructure and resource sharing, and coordinating with other government departments, the policy stated.

Data security startup Cyera hits $9B valuation in rapid scale-up

BRL Editor

January 9, 2026

Data security startup Cyera continues to accelerate its rapid growth trajectory. The company announced a $400 million Series F funding round, valuing the business at $9 billion. Headquartered in New York, Cyera has now raised more than $1.7 billion in total funding.

Notably, this round arrives just six months after its previous $540 million raise at a $6 billion valuation, underscoring strong investor confidence. The latest funding was led by funds managed by Blackstone, with continued backing from existing investors including Accel, Coatue, Lightspeed, Redpoint, Sapphire, Sequoia, and others.

At the core of Cyera’s momentum is its data security posture management offering. The platform helps enterprises clearly map where sensitive data resides across cloud environments and databases, monitor how employees and applications access that data, and proactively identify potential security gaps. As a result, organisations gain greater visibility and control over increasingly complex data ecosystems.

Meanwhile, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence has amplified both the volume of enterprise data and concerns around data exposure. This shift has played directly into Cyera’s strengths.

According to the company, it now serves one-fifth of the Fortune 500, while also more than tripling its revenue over the past year. Consequently, as enterprises race to secure critical data in an AI-driven world, investors have moved quickly to back Cyera’s expanding vision and market leadership.

StayVista expands luxury portfolio with new property launch in Kasauli

BRL Editor

January 9, 2026

StayVista expands luxury portfolio with new property launch in Kasauli — Pranav Maheshwari, Ankita Sheth & Amit Damani, founders, StayVista

StayVista continued to strengthen its resort portfolio with the launch of Sirmour Baag, the latest addition to Vaana by StayVista, its thoughtfully curated resort category centred on slow living and immersive escapes.

Nestled amid the pine-covered hills of Kasauli, Sirmour Baag marks another milestone in StayVista’s vision of creating destinations that encourage guests to pause, unwind, and reconnect with nature at a relaxed, unhurried pace.

Moreover, envisioned as a tranquil mountain retreat, Sirmour Baag features 16 serene cottages designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Natural textures, warm interiors, and understated design elements allow the outdoors to take centre stage, thereby creating an atmosphere that feels refined yet deeply rooted in its natural setting. Every part of the property invites guests to slow down—whether through quiet morning walks across dew-kissed lawns, leisurely afternoons in garden sit-outs, or moments of stillness beneath towering pine trees, said the release.

Sharing insights on the launch, Amit Damani, Co-founder, StayVista, said, “With the launch of Sirmour Baag in Kasauli, we’re excited to introduce our second Vaana home and mark the brand’s first step into the hills. Vaana is our nature-led resort category, built around slow, immersive experiences, and expanding into the mountains was a natural progression for the brand. Sirmour Baag reflects our vision of offering thoughtfully designed spaces that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect, and experience destinations at an unhurried pace.”

In addition, the in-house restaurant elevates the overall stay by offering comforting, thoughtfully prepared meals that align seamlessly with the resort’s slow-living philosophy. Guests can enjoy relaxed dining experiences that complement days spent exploring the outdoors and evenings reserved for lingering conversations and quiet indulgence, the release added.

HUB Interior deepens South Bengaluru presence with lifestyle-led experience centre

BRL Editor

January 9, 2026

HUB Interior deepens South Bengaluru presence with lifestyle-led experience centre — Susmita Mondal, Co-Founder & CDO at HUB Interior

Hub Interior, a lifestyle-led interior design brand that focuses on crafting deeply personal, one-of-a-kind homes that mirror the people who live in them has now launched its third Experience Centre in Bengaluru at JP Nagar, further strengthening its commitment to personalised, lifestyle-driven interiors.

Moreover, conceived as a premium and immersive destination, the JP Nagar Experience Centre brings the brand’s philosophy to life through curated environments and real-world design experiences. Unlike conventional showrooms that prioritise products or catalogues, this centre allows homeowners to experience design as a lived reality. Through personalised walkthroughs and thoughtfully crafted spaces, visitors can clearly see how routines, habits, creativity, and individuality are translated into functional yet beautiful homes.

Commenting on the launch, Susmita Mondal, Co-Founder & CDO at HUB Interior, HUB Interior, said, “For us, a home is never about repeating a design or fitting someone into a template. Every family lives differently, and their home should reflect that. This Experience Centre shows how a person’s lifestyle, habits, and personality can be thoughtfully designed into space. That is what Homes Uniquely Built truly stands for.”

In addition, the JP Nagar Experience Centre highlights Hub Interior’s end-to-end design process, starting from understanding the homeowner’s life and moving seamlessly towards crafting interiors that are entirely bespoke. Each space within the centre actively reinforces the brand’s belief that a home is not a product for sale, but a personal expression shaped by everyday living.

Echoing this sentiment, Kanishk Jain, Partner, HUB Interior, added, “What sets HUB Interior apart is the clarity in how we think, design, and execute. Every home we create is intentional, deeply personal, and never repeated. The Experience Centre brings that difference to life.”

With over 5,000 completed residential projects, Hub Interior continues to expand its presence across Bengaluru. At the same time, it is strengthening its footprint in South Bengaluru while deepening its connection with homeowners who seek meaningful, highly personalised interior design solutions.

SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting seals landmark Golden Tulip signing in Virat Nagar, Jaipur

BRL Editor

January 8, 2026

SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting has successfully structured a major hotel brand partnership between Green Oasis Hospitality Pvt Ltd and Sarovar Hotels to launch Golden Tulip, Virat Nagar, Jaipur. Positioned as a premium four-star property, the hotel will open its doors in 2028 and add a refined 110-room inventory to Rajasthan’s growing hospitality ecosystem.

At the same time, the upcoming hotel has been thoughtfully designed to serve a balanced mix of business and leisure travelers, while also functioning as a key venue for social events. Through its hotel consulting and advisory expertise, SeaHorse identified Virat Nagar as a high-potential emerging destination for destination weddings and corporate retreats located on the outskirts of Jaipur.

The partners formalized the collaboration during an official signing ceremony held on December 20, 2025, which brought together senior leadership from all participating organizations.

Through this partnership, SeaHorse has leveraged its specialized capabilities in asset repositioning and brand alignment. By onboarding the Golden Tulip brand, which operates under the Sarovar Hotels portfolio, Green Oasis Hospitality gains access to a strong global distribution network and professional hotel management systems. As a result, the project positions itself to achieve effective revenue optimization from the very start of operations.

The 110-room luxury hotel will feature a comprehensive set of facilities designed to support large-scale events and premium guest experiences:

110 contemporary luxury rooms with a minimum size of 400 sq ft, including select plunge pool rooms
Culinary offerings including a signature all-day dining restaurant and a modern lounge bar
A 6,500 sq ft grand banquet hall supported by multiple conference halls for MICE and social functions
Several landscaped lawns, with the largest spanning 13,000 sq ft and purpose-built for large destination weddings
Wellness and recreational amenities, including a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, a spa, and a dedicated kids’ play area

Overall, the signing of Golden Tulip, Virat Nagar, Jaipur, marks a strategic expansion for Sarovar Hotels and a milestone project for Green Oasis Hospitality. Simultaneously, SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting reinforces its position as a leading advisor in hotel brand partnerships and asset optimization while contributing to Jaipur’s evolution as a premier destination for upscale hospitality, events, and experiential travel.

Sumadhura Group bets big on luxury housing to achieve ₹10,000-Cr sales

BRL Editor

January 8, 2026

Sumadhura Group bets big on luxury housing to achieve ₹10,000-Cr sales — Madhusudhan G, Chairman & Managing Director of Sumadhura Group

Sumadhura Group has outlined a revenue target of Rs 10,000 crore from six upcoming luxury residential projects planned across East and North Bengaluru in FY26. Collectively, the developments span more than 8 million sq ft of saleable area and mark a major push to strengthen the group’s presence in Bengaluru’s premium housing market.

Moreover, the portfolio includes a mix of residential apartment projects and plotted developments spread across nearly 90 acres, which will together deliver more than 4,000 homes, including over 400 plots. The projects are strategically located in high-demand micro-markets such as Whitefield, Panathur, Marathahalli–Thubarahalli, Rachenahalli, and the Devanahalli belt, all of which benefit from infrastructure upgrades and proximity to key employment hubs.

Through this portfolio, Sumadhura Group is sharpening its focus on Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding luxury residential corridors, as buyer preferences increasingly shift toward larger homes, lifestyle-centric communities, and branded amenities. In particular, East Bengaluru continues to act as a major demand driver, accounting for a significant share of recent residential launches, especially within the premium segment.

Madhusudhan G, Chairman and Managing Director of the Sumadhura Group, said the company is entering 2026 with a robust pipeline aligned with prevailing market demand. “The projects are designed to cater to discerning homebuyers seeking spacious layouts, extensive green spaces, and integrated lifestyle infrastructure, while also strengthening the group’s long-term growth trajectory in Bengaluru.”

The company will launch three RERA-approved residential developments—Folium by Sumadhura Phase 4, Sumadhura Edition, and Sumadhura Solace. Folium Phase 4, located in Whitefield, positions itself as a resort-inspired development anchored by a large branded clubhouse featuring sports, wellness, and recreational amenities. Meanwhile, Sumadhura Edition, situated in Whitefield’s Siddapura locality, draws inspiration from classic British architecture and blends heritage-style design with contemporary living. In addition, Sumadhura Solace, located on Marathahalli Main Road at Thubarahalli, offers lake-facing residences designed to emphasise openness, natural light, and modern aesthetics.

Beyond these projects, the company plans additional developments within FY26, including Sumadhura Elysium at Panathur in East Bengaluru, Solea by Sumadhura at Rachenahalli, and Sumadhura Panorama Phase 2 at Devanahalli in North Bengaluru. Together, these launches will further expand the group’s footprint across Bengaluru’s key growth corridors.

With nearly three decades of operations in South India, Sumadhura Group has delivered more than 56 projects spanning approximately 17 million sq ft and currently has over 40 million sq ft under development. While residential real estate remains its primary focus, the group has also diversified into commercial, warehousing, and co-living segments, thereby positioning itself to capitalise on multiple real estate opportunities as Bengaluru’s urban expansion accelerates.

D2C haircare startup &Done secures $3 Mn to expand its product portfolio

BRL Editor

January 8, 2026

D2C haircare startup &Done secures $3 Mn to expand its product portfolio — Atit Jain & Saumya Yadav, founders, &Done

Premium haircare brand &Done has raised $3 million in a Series A funding round at a post-money valuation of Rs 125 crore, with RTP Global leading the investment. Additionally, the round attracted participation from All In Capital, Suashish, and angel investor Kitty Agarwal, along with Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, co-founders of Titan Capital.

Earlier, the Gurugram-based company had raised Rs 6 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by All In Capital in December last year.

According to the company, it will deploy the fresh capital to scale research and product development, expand its team, grow its salon network, and strengthen brand-building efforts.

Founded in 2023 by Saumya Yadav and Atit Jain, &Done operates as a premium professional haircare brand with a focus on science-backed products tailored specifically for Indian hair types and climatic conditions. Moreover, the brand collaborates with global formulation partners and professional salons to develop products that undergo testing in real Indian environments while following a salon-first business model.

Importantly, &Done seeks to solve persistent challenges faced by Indian salons, as many imported haircare products cater to temperate climates and Caucasian hair, while domestic alternatives often lack high-performance formulations. Therefore, the company uses globally sourced active ingredients and validates its products through testing with Indian consumers and professional stylists.

Currently, the brand’s professional product range is available across more than 500 premium salons in Delhi NCR, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Hyderabad. At present, &Done offers four professional SKUs and two retail products, which it sells through both online and offline channels, while planning multiple new product launches in 2026.

Meanwhile, a market report projects that the Indian haircare market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.02% between 2025 and 2033.

“Salons are central to our journey. The country’s top stylists were the first to test our formulations, and their feedback has shaped every iteration of our products. We want to redefine what ‘Made in India’ stands for in haircare because Indian hair deserves a lab of its own,” added Saumya Yadav, co-founder of &Done.

Finally, &Done stated that it has served 15,000 customers through its website and 35,000 customers via online marketplaces, while also establishing a presence in more than 500 salons nationwide. The brand competes with international and domestic players such as Olaplex, Nexxus, Redken, and Moxie.

AI services startup Aivar raises $4.6 Mn to build AI accelerators and global delivery capabilities

BRL Editor

January 8, 2026

AI services startup Aivar raises $4.6 Mn to build AI accelerators and global delivery capabilities — L-R: Ashwin Ram, Praveen Jayakumar, Kousik Rajendran & Aadarsh Ayyappan, founders, Aivar

AI services startup Aivar has secured $4.6 million (approximately Rs 41 crore) in a seed funding round led by Sorin Investments, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners. The company will use the capital to scale its footprint across India, the United States, and the Middle East, while also investing in AI accelerators, senior leadership hires, and global delivery capabilities.

Founded in 2024 by former AWS executives Kousik Rajendran, Praveen Jayakumar, Ashwin Ram, and Aadarsh Ayyappan, Aivar operates as a technology services partner for enterprises. Specifically, the company enables startups and large organisations to transition AI use cases from experimentation to production by offering custom AI engineering services and proprietary accelerators spanning voice, data, and AI/ML workloads.

“When the generative AI wave hit a couple of years ago, we were at the forefront of what was happening across startups and enterprises. But we couldn’t find partners that could accelerate innovation, deliver return on investment, and solve problems end-to-end,” Rajendran, cofounder and CEO of Aivar, said.

According to Rajendran, enterprises today increasingly prefer AI studios that collaborate closely with founders, CTOs, and product leaders, rather than relying on traditional engineering-only engagements typical of large IT services firms. “We don’t replace teams; we augment them and work closely with the leadership to ship production-grade AI quickly.”

Meanwhile, Mandar Dandekar, partner at Sorin Investments, said Aivar operates with a differentiated execution model. “They are productising services such as voice AI, agentic workflow automation, and Kubernetes infrastructure, creating repeatable IP and product-like margins over time. That clarity made this one of the fastest investments we’ve done.” Dandekar also noted that while enterprises face growing pressure to adopt AI, many continue to struggle with effective execution.

Similarly, Nithin Kaimal, partner and chief operating officer at Bessemer Venture Partners in India, said enterprise AI adoption remains limited beyond core technology companies. “Most large organisations are still running pilots. The challenge starts when AI touches core workflows involving multiple departments and external partners,” he said. “Traditional systems integrators often pitch 12-month transformation projects, which no longer work. Firms like Aivar stand out because they focus on delivering impact in weeks. When customers see results, they come back with more use cases,” Kaimal added.

Looking ahead, Kaimal said that by 2030, AI will be embedded across all software development, creating a generational opportunity for AI-native services firms to challenge established incumbents.

Anthropic is in talks to raise funding at a $350 Bn valuation

BRL Editor

January 8, 2026

Anthropic is in talks to raise funding at a $350 Bn valuation — Daniela Amodei & Dario Amodei, co-founders, Anthropic

Anthropic, the fast-growing artificial intelligence startup behind the Claude chatbot, is planning to raise $10 billion in new funding, which would value the company at approximately $350 billion—nearly double its valuation from just four months ago—according to three people familiar with the matter.

At the same time, Coatue Management and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC, are expected to lead the funding round alongside existing shareholders. Meanwhile, the talks are taking place as speculation grows that Anthropic is preparing for an initial public offering within the next 12 to 18 months, especially as competitors such as OpenAI continue to secure massive capital infusions. However, the financing discussions remain ongoing, and the company could still revise its plans.

More broadly, these talks underscore the intense investment surge sweeping through the AI sector, even as concerns mount about a potential bubble and the long-term sustainability of AI business models. In particular, companies developing AI products such as chatbots face extraordinarily high costs, as they must invest heavily in computing infrastructure, energy, and data to train their systems.

In comparison, OpenAI finalized a funding deal in October that valued the company at $500 billion. Similarly, on Tuesday, Elon Musk’s xAI announced it had raised $20 billion in a funding round that likely pushed its valuation beyond $230 billion.

Anthropic, founded in 2021 by siblings Dario Amodei and Daniela Amodei, emerged after the pair departed OpenAI following disagreements over how the organization funded and distributed its technology through Microsoft. Subsequently, they launched Anthropic with a focus on developing AI systems built with strong safety guardrails. In addition, they structured the company as a public benefit corporation, emphasizing public and social responsibility alongside commercial goals.

In 2024, Anthropic secured $8 billion from Amazon, which remains its largest investor. Furthermore, Google has invested approximately $3 billion and holds about a 14% stake in the company, according to court documents reviewed by the Times. Altogether, PitchBook data indicates that Anthropic has raised at least $40 billion in total funding to date.

Most recently, Anthropic closed its previous funding round in September at a valuation of $183 billion. Shortly thereafter, Microsoft and Nvidia announced plans to collectively invest roughly $15 billion in the company by the end of the year.

As Anthropic continues to advance its AI capabilities and expand deployment for enterprises and consumers, the company is committing tens of billions of dollars to data center infrastructure. Late last year, Anthropic revealed plans to invest $50 billion in data centers located in Texas and New York in partnership with cloud provider Fluidstack. However, the company has not yet disclosed how it intends to finance the project.

At the same time, Anthropic is spending billions to secure computing capacity from both Google and Amazon. Notably, the company will become the primary tenant of an exceptionally large Amazon data center in New Carlisle, Indiana, which will eventually draw 2.2 gigawatts of electricity—enough power to supply approximately one million homes.

1...484950...498 Page 49 of 498

CONNECT WITH US