Coffee-first beverage brand Drickle raises Rs 6-Cr to expand its outlet network across Bengaluru

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January 14, 2026

Coffee-first beverage brand Drickle raises Rs 6-Cr to expand its outlet network across Bengaluru — Vardhman Jain & Rahul Nijhawan, co-founders, Drickle

Bengaluru-based coffee-first beverage quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand Drickle has raised close to Rs 6 crore in a seed funding round through equity. Notably, the round attracted participation from a group of angel investors and operators, including Param Kandhari, Naresh Krishnaswamy, Abhinav Mathur, Hemanshu Jain, Vinay Bhopatkar, Vaibhav Sisinty, Dalvir Suri, and Rishit Jhunjhunwala, while Shaili Chopra also participated through Ideabaaz.

Previously, in April 2025, the company had raised Rs 5.3 crore and subsequently secured an additional Rs 50 lakh as an extension of the round via Ideabaaz. Now, Drickle plans to deploy the fresh capital to scale its outlet footprint across Bengaluru while simultaneously strengthening backend manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, the company intends to build its leadership and operations teams and increase investments in marketing and brand-building initiatives.

Founded by Rahul Nijhawan and Vardhman Jain, Drickle currently operates seven compact-format outlets in Bengaluru. Importantly, each outlet spans 150–200 square feet and operates within clustered micromarkets, a strategy that helps the brand drive high-frequency customer consumption. Meanwhile, the brand targets affordability by operating in the Rs 100–150 price range.

From a product standpoint, Drickle follows a coffee-first operating model, offering fresh-brewed flavoured coffees as its core proposition. At the same time, the menu also features beverages such as matcha, boba, and Thai tea, allowing the brand to cater to evolving consumer preferences.

Crucially, the company runs an owned backend manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, where it produces coffee brewing solutions and key ingredients in-house. As a result, Drickle operates asset-light outlets without espresso machines while continuing to maintain tight control over margins and supply chain efficiency.

IHCL enters Tuticorin with signing of Ginger-branded Hotel

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January 13, 2026

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IHCL enters Tuticorin with signing of Ginger-branded Hotel — Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced its entry into Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, by signing a Ginger-branded hotel, thereby strengthening its footprint in the state. Notably, the company will develop this property as a greenfield project, which further expands IHCL’s presence in Tamil Nadu.

Commenting on the development, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development at IHCL, said, “Tuticorin is emerging as a key economic hub in South India, driven by its strong industrial base and new investments. The growth of mega projects in the automobile and energy sectors has created significant long-stay demand, making it an ideal market for Ginger’s presence. This signing reinforces IHCL’s commitment to catering to evolving needs in high-potential destinations. We are delighted to partner with R. Gajendran for this project.”

As planned, the proposed Ginger Tuticorin will feature 100 keys and will occupy a strategic location along the Tirunelveli–Tuticorin highway, thereby offering seamless access to the city’s industrial and commercial centres. In addition, the hotel will house Ginger’s Qmin restaurant, a bar, meeting spaces designed for business travellers, and a fully equipped fitness centre.

Sharing his perspective, R. Gajendran, promoter of Thangam Real Estate & Thangam Plots & Farms Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are delighted to partner with IHCL and bring the Ginger brand to Tuticorin, offering contemporary hospitality to the city’s growing business segment.”

Meanwhile, Tuticorin, also known as Thoothukudi, continues to function as a major port city on the Coromandel Coast, supported by a robust maritime and industrial ecosystem. With this signing, IHCL’s portfolio in Tamil Nadu will reach 28 hotels, including 10 properties currently under development.

Omaxe Ltd announces Rs 500-Cr investment in Ludhiana retail-led development

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January 13, 2026

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Omaxe Ltd announces Rs 500-Cr investment in Ludhiana retail-led development — Jatin Goel, Executive Director at Omaxe Ltd

Omaxe Ltd has announced an investment of Rs 500 crore to develop Omaxe Chowk, a mixed-use project that integrates high-street retail with luxury residential units in Ludhiana’s Ghumar Mandi area, thereby introducing organised retail formats into one of the city’s most active commercial districts.

Importantly, the company acquired the land through a competitive bidding process conducted by the Rail Land Development Authority and will develop the site on a leasehold basis. Given its location, Ghumar Mandi stands out as one of Ludhiana’s traditional shopping hubs, particularly for wedding-related and jewellery purchases, and continues to witness steady daily commercial footfall. Accordingly, Omaxe plans to position the project as a modern alternative to long-established market clusters that consistently attract consumers.

As part of the development, the project will feature a curated mix of premium retail outlets, jewellery and wedding-focused stores, fashion brands, destination dining options, and entertainment facilities. Additionally, Omaxe will introduce a dedicated food and experience zone named Dawatpur, and the company expects to announce participating brands ahead of the launch.

Jatin Goel, Executive Director at Omaxe Ltd, said, “Ludhiana has always been an important market for Omaxe, shaped by strong enterprise and everyday commercial activity. With Omaxe Chowk, our objective is to create a destination that feels contemporary yet familiar, one that brings structure, luxury, ease, and comfort to the way people shop, dine, and spend time.”

Further elaborating, Goel highlighted consumer convenience as a central planning priority. “A key focus has been walk-to-shop convenience, where seamless connectivity allows people to move easily from home to office and from home to retail and dining spaces. Consumers today are looking for destinations that offer not just choice, but also convenience, integrated luxury residences, and a welcoming atmosphere, and this project has been thoughtfully planned with those expectations at its core.”

From a design perspective, the layout will provide two-sided frontage with access from both Rani Jhansi Road and College Road, thereby enhancing visibility and ease of entry. Moreover, infrastructure plans include wide approach roads, structured entry and exit points, internal circulation routes, pedestrian walkways, and parking capacity for more than 1,000 cars. At the same time, the architectural design blends heritage-inspired elements with contemporary features to reflect the local character of the area.

In terms of economic impact, Omaxe stated that the project will generate employment during the construction phase and create sustained job opportunities across retail, food and beverage, operations, security, and facility management once operational. Structurally, the development follows a public-private partnership model between the Rail Land Development Authority and Ludhiana Wholesale Market Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Omaxe Ltd. As per RERA timelines, Omaxe has scheduled project delivery for June 2030.

Meanwhile, Omaxe continues to operate across 31 cities in eight states, with a diversified portfolio that spans residential projects, commercial developments, integrated townships, and public-private partnership ventures. For FY 2024–25, the company reported consolidated total income of Rs 1,637 crore.

OpenAI acquires healthcare startup Torch for $100 Mn to strengthen OpenAI’s expanding healthcare initiatives

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January 13, 2026

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OpenAI has acquired Torch, a healthcare technology startup that focuses on unifying and analysing personal medical data, thereby completing a transaction valued at approximately USD 100 million in equity, as the company announced, according to media reports.

Through this acquisition, OpenAI aims to strengthen its expanding healthcare initiatives, particularly its recently launched ChatGPT Health service. As part of the integration, OpenAI will incorporate Torch’s team and technology into the platform, which will enhance AI-driven healthcare capabilities, including the consolidation of lab results, medication records, and visit information into a single contextual engine.

Notably, Torch, which launched about a year ago, has developed technology that aggregates fragmented health records from hospitals, lab tests, wearables, and consumer wellness applications, thereby offering users a comprehensive view of their medical history, according to industry reports.

In addition, the acquisition brings Torch’s engineering team—including its founders and key personnel—into OpenAI, where they will contribute their expertise to accelerate the development of ChatGPT Health and related AI-powered healthcare tools.

Overall, the move highlights OpenAI’s broader strategy to deepen its footprint in the healthcare sector, as it expands the application of generative AI beyond general-purpose use cases into specialised areas such as medical data integration and personalised health support.

OpenAI’s acquisition of Torch marks a strategic step toward building more intelligent, integrated, and personalised healthcare solutions. By combining advanced AI models with unified medical data infrastructure, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT Health as a key platform in the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and digital healthcare.

Beauty and wellness services startup Dazzl raises $3.2 Mn to pilot on-demand beauty services across Bengaluru

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January 13, 2026

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Beauty and wellness services startup Dazzl raises $3.2 Mn to pilot on-demand beauty services across Bengaluru — Komal Solanki and Ashish Bajpai, co-founders, Dazzl

Bengaluru-based beauty services startup Dazzl has raised $3.2 Mn (approximately INR 29 Cr) in a seed funding round, as Stellaris Venture Partners led the investment.

Additionally, the round attracted participation from prominent angel investors, including Ritesh Agarwal, Maninder Gulati, Abhinav Sinha, Sameer Brij Verma, and Abhishek Bansal.

Founded by former Nexus Venture Partners vice president Komal Solanki and ex-OYO executive Ashish Bajpai, Dazzl provides on-demand beauty and wellness services at home. Specifically, the startup concentrates on quick beauty services such as blow-dries, head massages, and pedicures, with trained professionals reaching customers within 10 minutes.

Going forward, Dazzl will deploy the newly raised capital to pilot its services across selected micro-markets in Bengaluru, while simultaneously building scalable local operations and investing in technology and professional training systems.

Notably, Dazzl launched operations just last month and is currently active in a single micro-market in Bengaluru, beginning with Bellandur. Moreover, the startup plans to expand into adjacent micro-markets across the city in the coming months, depending on consumer demand and population density.

“Consumer behaviour has clearly shifted towards immediacy, and we believe this expectation is now extending from products to services. Dazzl is building a fundamentally new operating model for beauty and wellness that is designed for everyday use, speed, and reliability,” said Naman Lahoty, partner at Stellaris Venture Partners.

In contrast to appointment-based beauty platforms, Dazzl targets frequent and last-minute use cases. At the same time, the company operates a supply-led model, through which it controls hiring, training, and daily operations to maintain service consistency.

“What should be about looking and feeling your best has quietly turned into a chore for today’s urban consumer,” said Solanki of Dazzl. “It now demands days of advance planning—aligning calendars, waiting for slots, and reorganising your day around a service. Dazzl removes that friction entirely.”

Meanwhile, the startup reports strong early customer feedback, particularly from users who want to fit short self-care services into unpredictable routines, including working professionals and young parents.

In the competitive landscape, the startup goes head-to-head with players such as recently listed Urban Company and Yes Madam. Importantly, its largest rival, Urban Company, commands a dominant position in the fast-evolving quick house-help segment and has raised more than $550.5 Mn in private funding, in addition to launching an INR 1,900 Cr IPO.

Dazzl’s early funding success highlights growing investor confidence in hyperlocal, on-demand service models. As consumer expectations increasingly shift toward speed and convenience, Dazzl’s supply-led and immediacy-focused approach positions it to carve out a differentiated space in India’s competitive beauty and wellness services market.

Alphabet reaches $4 Trillion market cap on AI-led revival

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January 13, 2026

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Alphabet reached a $4 trillion market valuation on Monday as a result of Google’s sharpened focus on artificial intelligence, which eased investor doubts about its long-term strategy and thereby pushed the company back to the forefront of the high-stakes global AI race.

At the same time, the technology giant surpassed Apple in market capitalization on Wednesday for the first time since 2019, thereby becoming the second most valuable company in the world.

Together, these milestones highlight a dramatic turnaround in investor sentiment toward Alphabet, with the stock rising nearly 65% in 2025, thus outperforming its peers within Wall Street’s elite group of stocks, the so-called Magnificent Seven.

So far this year, the stock has added another 6%, and most recently, shares traded up 1.1%.

Notably, this shift stemmed from Alphabet addressing concerns that it had squandered an early AI advantage, as the company transformed its once-underestimated cloud division into a powerful growth engine and also attracted a rare technology investment from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

In addition, the company’s new Gemini 3 model received strong reviews, which in turn intensified pressure on OpenAI after GPT-5 left some users underwhelmed.

Meanwhile, Google Cloud’s revenue surged 34% in the third quarter, while simultaneously its backlog of non-recognized sales contracts climbed to $155 billion.

Furthermore, Alphabet accelerated this growth by renting its self-developed AI chips—previously reserved for internal use—to external customers.

Reflecting this rising demand, it was reported that Meta Platforms was in discussions to spend billions of dollars on Alphabet’s chips for use in its data centers beginning in 2027.

At the same time, Alphabet’s core advertising business, which remains its dominant revenue driver, has largely maintained stability despite economic uncertainty and intensifying competition.

Ultimately, the company became the fourth company to reach the $4 trillion valuation milestone, following Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple.

Alphabet’s resurgence underscores how a renewed AI strategy, strong cloud performance, and resilient advertising revenues can reshape market perception and restore investor confidence. As a result, the company has reasserted itself as a central force in the global technology landscape, positioning Alphabet to remain a key contender in the rapidly evolving AI-driven economy.

Suba Hotels launches Click Collection Hotel in Gangtok, strengthens North East footprint

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January 12, 2026

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Suba Hotels Limited has strengthened its footprint in the scenic state of Sikkim with the launch of Click Collection Hotel, Gangtok, marking another milestone in its expansion strategy. With this opening, the company has introduced its second property in the Northeast during the current financial year, reinforcing its growing focus on the region.

Earlier this year, Suba Hotels expanded its Gangtok presence by opening Clarion Hotel De Renees, thereby laying the foundation for a stronger hospitality portfolio in the state.

Sharing the company’s strategic direction, Mansur Mehta, Managing Director of Suba Hotels Ltd, said, “We are concentrating on opening a number of hotels in the leisure segment, as this market is growing at a very rapid pace. We have witnessed a nice business growth in our leisure properties, and that is why our focus is there on this segment as well.”

Meanwhile, speaking at the launch event, Mubeen Mehta, CEO of Suba Hotels Limited, highlighted the company’s positive momentum, stating, “The company has been growing steadily, and we are happy that the company has started well in the year 2026. We have many openings lined up in the near future, and we are sure that the company will do well this year as well.”

The newly launched Click Collection Hotel, Gangtok, features 42 smart luxury rooms spread across Standard, Executive, and Premium categories, ensuring comfort and flexibility for diverse guest preferences.

In addition, the property offers a host of modern amenities, including high-speed Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms, in-room dining services, and round-the-clock guest assistance, enhancing the overall guest experience.

For dining, the hotel houses Cinnamon, an all-day coffee shop that serves multi-cuisine specialities while offering panoramic views of the surrounding valley. Furthermore, the Zodiac Banquet can host up to 100 guests, making it ideal for corporate meetings, conferences, and social celebrations.

BrowserStack rolls out $125 Mn ESOP and share buyback initiative for 500+ employees

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January 12, 2026

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BrowserStack rolls out $125 Mn ESOP and share buyback initiative for 500+ employees — Ritesh Arora and Nakul Aggarwal, co-founders, BrowserStack

BrowserStack, the world’s leading software testing platform, has announced a $125 million ESOP and share buyback programme for its employees and early investors, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to wealth creation. Through this initiative, the company will benefit more than 500 current and former employees, along with early backers who played a pivotal role in its journey.

Notably, this transaction marks BrowserStack’s third share buyback and stands among the largest ESOP buyback programmes in the Indian startup ecosystem. With the completion of this round, the company’s cumulative buyback value now exceeds $275 million across three programmes, underlining its consistent focus on employee ownership.

Importantly, BrowserStack has funded the entire buyback through internal accruals, supported by strong and sustained profit generation. As a result, the company continues to create meaningful long-term value for stakeholders who have contributed to its growth and success.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, Ritesh Arora, Co-founder and CEO of BrowserStack, said, “We started in a small coffee shop with a simple idea, and the people who joined us early on are the reason we are here today.” He further added, “Seeing our team members build their lives and futures alongside the company is the most rewarding part of building together. As we scale AI-driven innovation, we want our team to feel the same ownership and pride that Nakul and I do every single day.”

Meanwhile, the buyback announcement coincides with BrowserStack’s transformation from a testing infrastructure provider into a comprehensive End-to-End (E2E) testing platform. Over time, the company has expanded its product portfolio from five offerings to 21 products, creating a unified testing stack that spans the entire testing lifecycle—from functional, accessibility, and visual testing to test management and debugging.

At the same time, BrowserStack is deploying its profits strategically to accelerate growth and market consolidation. The company is actively exploring acquisitions of developer tool startups, leveraging strong cash flows to strengthen its position, following recent acquisitions such as Requestly and Bird Eats Bug.

Looking ahead, BrowserStack plans to roll out the buyback programme over the coming weeks, with eligible participants receiving detailed information directly from the company.

ANAROCK enters project management & engineering services, eyes INR 300-Cr revenue by FY28

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January 12, 2026

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ANAROCK enters project management & engineering services, eyes INR 300-Cr revenue by FY28 — Anuj Puri, Chairman - ANAROCK Group

ANAROCK, India’s leading independent real estate services platform, has announced the strategic launch of its Project Management & Engineering Services (PMES) vertical, marking a major expansion of its service portfolio. Through this move, ANAROCK further reinforces its position as a comprehensive, end-to-end real estate solutions provider, now enabling seamless project execution from conceptualisation to delivery.

Notably, the PMES vertical has commenced operations at scale, onboarding over 500 professionals and securing 42 active client mandates at launch. The new business line will generate more than INR 125 crore in revenue in FY 2026–27, thereby contributing meaningfully to ANAROCK’s group-wide revenue target of INR 1,100 crore. Moreover, with a clearly defined growth roadmap, ANAROCK PMES aims to scale revenues to INR 300 crore by FY28, while actively addressing rising demand for professional, technology-led project execution across India’s rapidly expanding real estate market.

To support this ambitious growth trajectory, ANAROCK has assembled a seasoned leadership team with extensive expertise across residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use developments.

Accordingly, Amit Jaitly leads operations as Managing Director for West and North India, while Tarunankur Nag heads Central and East India as Managing Director. At the same time, Veeresh S Manjunatha oversees Karnataka operations as Managing Director, and Nishanth Kumar drives pan-India expansion as Regional Director – Business Development.

In addition, a strong senior leadership bench supports execution across regions. This team includes Amol Rane (Director – Developments, West India), Vijay Kori (VP – Commercial Developments, Karnataka), Ramana Nagireddy (VP – Residential Developments, Karnataka), Anandkumar Patil (Senior Director – Andhra Pradesh & Telangana), and Mani Ganesh (Senior Director – Tamil Nadu & Odisha), collectively ensuring operational excellence nationwide.

Explaining the rationale behind the launch, Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK, said, “We have launched PMES because our clients want the ANAROCK trademark for accountability and transparency in building their projects, not just selling them.” He further added, “With 500+ experts already on board, we aren’t just entering the market – we hit the ground running and will immediately set a new benchmark. By integrating best-in-class technology, rigorous processes, and senior talent, we are delivering the on-time, on-budget promise that modern real estate demands.”

Meanwhile, industry fundamentals strongly support ANAROCK’s strategic move. India’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) market is estimated at USD 69.28 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand to USD 105.96 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.87%. Importantly, construction management services account for 56.78% of EPCM revenues, underlining growing demand for single-point accountability in complex, multi-package projects.

Furthermore, the residential EPCM segment continues to grow at a CAGR of 11.56%, supported by sustained housing demand and regulatory reforms such as PMAY and RERA. Large-scale initiatives, including India’s USD 1.4 trillion National Infrastructure Pipeline, rising adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), increasing digital twin mandates in public tenders, and broader use of digital and AI-driven tools in construction management, are creating strong long-term tailwinds for the EPCM sector.

Against this backdrop, the ANAROCK PMES vertical delivers a comprehensive service offering that includes Project and Construction Management Services, Turnkey and Design-Build Solutions, and Project Advisory Services for both base-build and fit-out projects, all under a single accountability framework.

Key highlights of the PMES offering include integrated proprietary technology, such as digital dashboards and workflow systems that enable real-time project tracking. Additionally, the vertical already manages over 40 million square feet across more than 42 active engagements, demonstrating immediate scale and execution capability. Looking ahead, ANAROCK PMES looks forward to capitalise on the USD 69 billion-plus EPCM opportunity as urbanisation and infrastructure-led growth continue to accelerate.

Summing up the broader vision, Anuj Puri said, “The launch of ANAROCK PMES takes our dominance on the Indian real estate landscape to the next logical level—that of guiding projects through their entire lifecycle from viability and strategy consulting to raising capital and finally to construction and sales.” He further stated, “We launched in 2017 with the sharp-focused mission of delivering unmatched value to developers and investors with industry-leading service standards and a technology-first approach. In 2026, we close the core services loop with PMES, even as we continue to explore new, innovative diversification avenues to leverage our market leadership—and to deliver on this mission.”

AI finance startup Bluecopa raises $7.5 Mn Series A to scale AI-led finance automation globally

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January 12, 2026

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AI finance startup Bluecopa raises $7.5 Mn Series A to scale AI-led finance automation globally — (L-R) Raghavendra Reddy, Satyaprakash Buddhavarapu and Nilotpal Chanda, co-founders, Bluecopa

Hyderabad-based finance automation startup Bluecopa has raised $7.5 million in a Series A funding round, marking a major milestone in its growth journey. Singapore-based Analog Partners led the round, while existing investors Blume Ventures and Dallas Venture Capital also participated. With this latest infusion, Bluecopa has now raised $11.6 million in total funding.

Going forward, the company plans to deploy the fresh capital to strengthen product development, further enhance its autonomous finance capabilities, and accelerate expansion across APAC, North America, and the Middle East. In addition, Bluecopa intends to develop specialised AI models purpose-built for enterprise finance teams that handle high transaction volumes.

Founded in 2021, Bluecopa delivers an AI-powered finance operations platform that automates business-critical workflows such as reconciliations, receivables, payables, reporting, and financial close processes. By eliminating traditional batch-based and manual finance systems, the platform enables continuous, real-time, and audit-ready financial operations.

Moreover, the company reports strong business momentum, having achieved fivefold revenue growth and a threefold increase in its customer base over the past year. Its enterprise customers include large listed firms and private companies operating across e-commerce, logistics, retail, travel, and financial services sectors.

According to Bluecopa, organisations using its platform experience faster financial close cycles, higher operational efficiency, and substantial reductions in manual errors. Additionally, the platform automates the majority of reconciliation workflows and delivers near real-time financial reporting, enabling CFOs and finance leaders to make faster, data-driven decisions.

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