Della Resorts redefines experiential luxury hospitality in India

By

-

December 20, 2025

Della Resorts, the pioneer of India’s first experiential hospitality resort, has redefined leisure, celebration, wellness, and adventure in the country.

Conceived by design futurist Jimmy Mistry, founder and chairman of the Della Group, the resort’s experiential philosophy seamlessly blends luxurious design, personalized service, meaningful storytelling, advanced amenities, and thoughtfully curated experiences across its expansive 50-acre property in Lonavala, strategically located between Mumbai and Pune.

Guests engage in rejuvenating wellness retreats, celebratory getaways, high-adrenaline adventure experiences, and enriching family vacations that reflect the brand’s vision of immersive luxury. This approach has shaped Della Resorts into a fully integrated destination where luxury is deeply experienced rather than merely observed, positioning it at the forefront of modern hospitality in India.

The resort offers an array of upscale accommodations, including designer villas, exclusive suites, and contemporary rooms across six distinct categories, each crafted with exceptional attention to detail and inspired by global design sensibilities and world-class architecture. Rich textures, handcrafted décor, warm lighting, and sweeping views of the Western Ghats enhance a sense of privacy and calm. Whether families are searching for a premier resort in Lonavala or couples are seeking a secluded romantic retreat, every stay combines comfort with refined elegance. The design ethos thoughtfully balances nature, modernity, and emotional resonance, creating spaces that feel indulgent yet personal.

Della Resorts has also established itself as a preferred destination for luxury weddings in India, recognized for its elegance, adaptability, and spectacular celebration settings. Panoramic hill views, dramatic architectural elements, and expansive indoor and outdoor venues come together to create a “European-themed destination wedding experience” that transforms each celebration into a memorable milestone. Couples host intimate ceremonies, elaborate multi-day weddings, and bespoke celebrations, supported by the resort’s convenient location between Mumbai and Pune. Comprehensive planning support, thematic décor expertise, and attentive hospitality ensure every wedding reflects the couple’s individuality, reinforcing Della’s standing among India’s leading luxury wedding venues.

Culinary experiences at Della Resorts unfold as an immersive journey driven by creativity, craftsmanship, and passion. The property houses eight award-winning themed restaurants that present refined global cuisines within distinctive and engaging settings.

Café 24, India’s first 24-hour fine-dining restaurant, continues to set benchmarks by offering gourmet dining at any hour. Guests can also savor premium Italian fare at Villa Bistro, celebrated for its signature dishes infused with Della’s unique flair. From chef-curated tasting menus to theatrical themed dining concepts, each venue strengthens the resort’s reputation as a destination for innovative and memorable gastronomy.

Adventure and entertainment reach extraordinary heights at Della Resorts through Della Adventure, India’s largest extreme adventure park. Featuring more than seventy activities—including dirt biking, sky cycling, rappelling, flying fox, ATV trails, and obstacle courses—the destination appeals to thrill seekers, families, and corporate groups alike. Those seeking relaxation can unwind with rejuvenating spa experiences, while guests looking for distinctive stays can explore India’s first military-themed glamping resort or relax within the country’s first Sky Garden concept. As a dynamic live entertainment destination, the resort also presents curated performances, live music, and themed shows that infuse energy into the overall experience, seamlessly merging luxury with adventure and nightlife.

Central to Della Resorts’ identity is the visionary leadership of its founder, Jimmy Mistry, whose innovative mindset reshaped India’s understanding of experiential hospitality. His emphasis on design, storytelling, and excellence permeates every aspect of the resort, from architecture and landscaping to culinary offerings and adventure concepts. This leadership has enabled Della to grow into a purpose-driven luxury brand that consistently sets new standards within the hospitality sector.

Today, Della Resorts stands as a comprehensive luxury destination where adventure, entertainment, gastronomy, and relaxation exist in perfect harmony. Whether guests arrive for family holidays, luxury weddings, immersive dining experiences, or adrenaline-filled escapes, Della Resorts continues to redefine luxury hospitality for the modern traveller, ensuring that every visit leaves a lasting impression.

Leela Palaces expands portfolio with launch of Leela Luxe and Leela Nirvana

By

BRL Editor

-

December 20, 2025

0

Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts is expanding its luxury hospitality portfolio by adding two new verticals under “The Leela” brand, as it accelerates its brand-led growth strategy.

In separate stock exchange filings, the company announced the incorporation of two wholly owned subsidiaries—Leela Luxe Hotels & Resorts Private Limited and Leela Nirvana Resorts Private Limited—both designed to own, operate, manage, and develop premium hotels and resorts across India.

Leela Luxe Hotels & Resorts Private Limited was incorporated on November 28, 2025. The subsidiary has an authorised share capital of Rs 5 lakh and a paid-up capital of Rs 1,000, which Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts fully subscribed in cash along with nominee shareholders. Subsequently, on December 19, 2025, the company incorporated Leela Nirvana Resorts Private Limited with an identical capital structure, including authorised capital of Rs 5 lakh and paid-up capital of Rs 1,000, entirely held by the listed parent. At present, neither entity has commenced commercial operations.

According to regulatory disclosures, both Leela Luxe and Leela Nirvana operate within the “Hotels and Resorts” industry. The stated primary objective for each subsidiary is to “own, operate, manage, and develop luxury hotels and resorts under ‘The Leela’ brand.”

As a result, the two entities appear positioned as focused vehicles for future luxury developments rather than a move into unrelated business segments.

Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts, which manages some of India’s most recognisable luxury hotel assets, has increasingly prioritised brand-centric expansion following its ownership restructuring and stock market listing. Therefore, the creation of these subsidiaries aligns closely with the company’s broader ambition to strengthen “The Leela” as a premium hospitality platform. Earlier, in October, the company rebranded itself from Schloss Bangalore Limited to Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts Limited, further underscoring this strategic shift.

Monday Hotels Launches Monday Premium, Madhapur; Marks Fourth Property in Hyderabad

By

BRL Editor

-

December 20, 2025

0

Monday Hotels, a new-age hospitality brand catering to modern business and leisure travelers, today announced the launch of Monday Premium, Madhapur, marking its fourth hotel in Hyderabad and strengthening its footprint in one of India’s fastest-growing urban markets.

Located in Madhapur, at the heart of Hyderabad’s HITECH City, the new property benefits from proximity to major IT hubs such as Deloitte, Accenture, Knowledge City, and Mindspace, as well as prominent corporate and social event venues including HICC, T-Hub, and Meydan Expo Centre. The hotel is also surrounded by upscale residential neighborhoods and a vibrant social and lifestyle ecosystem, making it well-suited for corporate and contemporary travelers.

Monday Premium, Madhapur, features thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, modern business facilities aligned with the needs of today’s professionals, bespoke dining experiences, and personalized service that reflects the brand’s customer-first philosophy.

Commenting on the launch, Mitesh Kadam, Co-Founder, Monday Hotels, said, “The launch of Monday Premium in Madhapur represents an important milestone for us in Hyderabad. As our fourth property in the city, it underscores our commitment to offering consistently high-quality hospitality experiences tailored to the modern business traveler.”

About Monday Hotels

Monday Hotels is a chain of business hotels in India with a strong presence across Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The brand is known for its contemporary design, consistent service standards, and seamless experiences for business and leisure travelers.

For more information, visit www.mondayhotels.com

Resolve AI secures $1 Bn valuation in Series A funding to automate site reliability engineering

By

BRL Editor

-

December 20, 2025

0

Resolve AI secures $1 Bn valuation in Series A funding to automate site reliability engineering — Mayank Agarwal & Spiros Xanthos, co-founders, Resolve AI

Resolve AI, a startup building an autonomous site reliability engineer (SRE) that automatically manages and maintains software systems, has raised a Series A funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, according to three people familiar with the transaction.

The fresh round carries a headline valuation of $1 billion, sources said. However, the company’s blended valuation is lower due to a multi-tranched deal structure. Under this arrangement, investors bought part of the equity at a $1 billion valuation while acquiring the remaining portion—likely the larger share of the round—at a lower price. Notably, investors say this structure has recently gained traction among highly sought-after AI startups.

Meanwhile, two sources said Resolve AI’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) stands at roughly $4 million. However, the exact size of the funding round could not be determined. Resolve AI and Lightspeed Venture Partners did not respond to requests for comment.

Founded less than two years ago, Resolve AI is led by former Splunk executive Spiros Xanthos and Mayank Agarwal, who previously served as Splunk’s chief architect for observability. Importantly, the founders’ partnership spans more than two decades, dating back to their graduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This is not their first venture together; earlier, they co-founded Omnition, which Splunk acquired in 2019.

Traditionally, human SREs manually troubleshoot and resolve system failures. In contrast, Resolve AI automates this workflow by autonomously detecting, diagnosing, and fixing production issues in real time.

As software systems grow increasingly complex and distributed across cloud environments, companies continue to struggle with hiring and retaining skilled SRE talent. Consequently, automating reliability engineering tasks helps reduce downtime, cut operational costs, and allow engineering teams to focus on building new features instead of constantly responding to production incidents.

Previously, in October, Resolve AI raised a $35 million seed round led by Greylock, with participation from World Labs founder Fei-Fei Li and Google DeepMind scientist Jeff Dean.

Flipkart acquires majority stake in Minivet AI to boost generative AI–led e-commerce

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

Flipkart has acquired a majority stake in Minivet AI, an artificial intelligence startup specialising in e-commerce video generation, as India’s largest homegrown online marketplace accelerates its push toward generative AI–led shopping experiences.

At the same time, e-commerce platforms across the industry are rapidly adapting to changing consumer behaviour that increasingly favours visual, conversational, and AI-assisted product discovery. Although the companies did not disclose the financial details, the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.

Founded in 2024, Minivet AI develops technology that transforms static product catalogues into short-form videos, a capability that has become increasingly vital as online retail draws inspiration from social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. According to the company, its platform uses advanced model orchestration and performance optimisation to deliver video content at significantly lower costs than traditional production processes.

In parallel, Minivet continues to build AI-driven features such as semantic search and conversational interfaces to enhance how shoppers discover, explore, and engage with products. Ultimately, the company aims to support the transition toward visual-first and AI-powered commerce, where browsing mirrors social media-style feeds rather than text-heavy listings.

Meanwhile, Flipkart stated that the acquisition will allow it to embed core generative AI capabilities directly into its platform, including catalogue videofication, semantic search, and conversational shopping tools. Consequently, these enhancements will drive stronger customer engagement and higher conversion rates as e-commerce becomes more immersive and interactive.

Commenting on the deal, Ravi Iyer, Senior Vice President for Corporate Development at Flipkart, said, “Acquiring Minivet AI is a strategic investment that strengthens Flipkart’s core GenAI capabilities,” while adding that visual-first commerce is emerging as a defining trend for the industry.

For Minivet AI, the transaction opens the door to deploying its technology at scale across one of India’s largest digital commerce ecosystems. Founder Aditya Rachakonda noted that the partnership will accelerate the rollout of generative video and conversational search capabilities to millions of users.

Notably, in September, Flipkart acquired a majority stake in Pinkvilla India, a Mumbai-based digital content platform, as part of a broader strategy to expand its content ecosystem and deepen engagement with younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and millennials. As with the Minivet transaction, the companies did not disclose financial terms, and the deal remains subject to customary closing conditions.

Krafton, Naver and Mirae Asset bet big on India with ₹6,000-Cr investment fund

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

South Korean gaming major Krafton, best known for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has unveiled a new India-focused technology investment fund in collaboration with Naver and Mirae Asset, targeting a corpus of up to Rs 6,000 crore.

Named the Unicorn Growth Fund, the investment vehicle places India at the centre of its Asia strategy and, consequently, signals Krafton’s intent to deepen its presence beyond gaming into broader technology and innovation sectors.

According to the company, the fund is scheduled to commence operations in January 2026.

Moreover, the announcement builds on Krafton’s strong and growing footprint in India, where the company has invested more than $200 million across gaming and digital startups since 2021. Its Indian portfolio includes hyperlocal community platform Shuru, fintech player Cashfree Payments, and game studio Nautilus Mobile, in which Krafton acquired a controlling stake. In parallel, Battlegrounds Mobile India has further consolidated the company’s market position, registering hundreds of millions of downloads and playing a pivotal role in the expansion of India’s mobile gaming ecosystem.

In addition, Krafton’s broader investment journey in India dates back to August 2023, when the company committed to deploying $150 million into Indian gaming and entertainment startups over a two- to three-year period. At that time, the company prioritised early-stage studios, esports platforms, multimedia content ventures, and allied segments.

Before that, between March 2021 and mid-2023, the company invested approximately $140 million across 11 Indian startups, including Nodwin Gaming, Loco, Kuku FM, and Pratilipi.

With the launch of the new fund, Krafton is now expanding its investment focus to technology companies with scalable innovation potential. Furthermore, the partnership combines NAVER’s platform and content expertise with Mirae Asset’s capital management strengths to create a structured investment vehicle aimed at supporting India’s technology ecosystem and advancing Krafton’s long-term strategic objectives in the country.

AM Hotel Kollection expands Gurugram presence with launch of second Foxtrail property

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

AM Hotel Kollection has announced the opening of its second Foxtrail hotel in Gurugram, thereby reinforcing the brand’s focus on delivering thoughtfully curated hospitality experiences in some of India’s most vibrant urban destinations.

The new property is strategically located on Golf Course Extension Road and will operate under a long-term hotel management agreement with AM Hotel Kollection, which is widely recognized for its portfolio of distinctive, independent boutique hotels and resorts.

Furthermore, the addition of this hotel strengthens the brand’s footprint across Delhi-NCR. It complements the existing Foxtrail–AM Hotel Kollection in Sector 42, Gurugram, reflects the asset owner’s growing presence in the hospitality sector, and reaffirms LaRiSa’s commitment to expanding in the upscale business-hotel segment across the region.

Commenting on the expansion, Vijay Kalra, a spokesperson from the asset owner’s family, said, “We are delighted to expand our presence in Gurugram with this second property. Our journey in hospitality has always been driven by a desire to create memorable guest experiences. Partnering again with AM Hotel Kollection ensures our vision is executed with excellence and consistency.”

Meanwhile, Priya Thakur, Director at LaRiSa Hotels and Resorts, highlighted the continued collaboration, saying, “We are excited to continue our partnership with the Kalra family and bring another Foxtrail-AM Hotel Kollection experience to Gurugram. Gurugram is a vibrant location, and this hotel will reflect our brand’s philosophy of thoughtful and warm hospitality.”

In addition, the new Foxtrail–AM Hotel Kollection hotel will offer 42 premium rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, a rooftop bar, and versatile event spaces. Consequently, the property aims to cater effectively to both business and leisure travelers in Gurugram’s rapidly evolving hospitality landscape.

Team Marksmen Network’s DEI Symposium 2025 redefines inclusion, powers progress

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

The DEI Symposium 2025, organised by Team Marksmen Network, successfully concluded on December 10, 2025, in Mumbai, marking a decisive shift in India’s corporate diversity narrative, from compliance-driven conversations to DEI as a strategic business imperative. Against the backdrop of India’s evolving growth story, the forum underscored how inclusivity is increasingly shaping innovation, leadership agendas, and long-term organisational performance.

Anchored in the theme “Redefining Inclusion, Powering Progress,” the inaugural symposium emerged as a critical platform for translating intent into impact. Moving beyond symbolic gestures, the discussions focused on data-backed frameworks, accountability, and measurable outcomes. A defining highlight of the event was the unveiling of the DEI 100, India’s first structured ranking of organisations leading in diversity, equity, and inclusion, developed in partnership with EY.

The day featured profound insights from a distinguished lineup of speakers who navigated complex themes ranging from ESG integration to regional diversity. The CEO Panel, titled “From Inclusion to Influence,” set a strategic tone by exploring how India’s leading companies are embedding DEI into their brand and growth strategies. Leaders like Vishal Sharma of Godrej Industries, Manish Jain of Cilicant, Sachin Seth of CRIF, Kartik Nagarajan of Datamatics Business Solutions, and Feroze Azeez of Anand Rathi Wealth, all of whom shared how inclusive practices are becoming central to investor confidence and customer loyalty. The discussion was steered by Dr. Ritu Anand, Former Chief Leadership & Diversity Officer, TCS.

Further discussions examined the geopolitical and workforce shifts reshaping corporate DEI priorities, featuring perspectives from Kinjal Choudhary of Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Shivani Negi of Tata Realty, Chetana Patnaik of LTIMindtree, Umar Ali Shaikh, CEO of Atos Solutions and Systems, Rupali Veerkar of NTT Global Data Centers, Renu Jethani of Sutherland, Maira Q of Godrej Capital, Prachi Katiyar of Datamatics, Nishtha Nishant of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, and Alpana Dutta from EY.

A defining moment of the evening, attended by over 150 senior leaders and featuring 35+ distinguished speakers, was the unveiling of the DEI 100, a groundbreaking initiative developed in collaboration with EY. This first-of-its-kind structured ranking recognized organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering diverse and equitable environments.

Rishi Kapoor, CEO, Team Marksmen Network, encapsulated the significance of this launch, stating, “DEI is no longer peripheral to organisational strategy. It is integral to organisational growth and success. We are gathered for a pivotal moment; the unveiling of the DEI 100, India’s first-ever structured ranking of top Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) leading organizations. We believe this will be a gamechanger.”

The ceremony celebrated a vanguard of organizations that have set new benchmarks for the industry. The inaugural class of the DEI 100 included industry heavyweights and innovators such as

* Wipro Limited

* Godrej Properties

* Eaton

* Godrej Capital Limited

* The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group

* LTIMindtree

* Sonepar India Private Limited

* Sutherland

* Luminous Power Technologies Ltd

* SMFG India Credit Co. Ltd.

* Firstsource Solutions

* Sterlite Copper, Vedanta Limited

* Shriram Properties Limited

* Birlasoft Limited

* Infra.Market

* Raymond Realty

* ACG

* NTT Global Data Centers

* India Factoring and Finance Solution Pvt Ltd

* Datamatics Global Services Limited

* Shapoorji Pallonji Energy Private Limited

* JSW Group

* Avanse Financial Services

* BDO RISE Private Limited

* CILICANT

* Zydus Lifesciences Limited

* CERA Sanitaryware Limited

Click here to view the DEI 100 rankings

The event concluded by celebrating the collective impact of these organizations. It successfully showcased that true leadership in the modern era is defined by the ability to build resilient, “rainforest” cultures where every individual is empowered to contribute. As these leaders return to their organizations, they carry with them not just a recognition but a mandate to continue championing the transformative power of human diversity.

Alimento Agro Foods raises Rs 52-Cr in Series A funding

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

Alimento Agro Foods raises Rs 52-Cr in Series A funding — Mugdha & Prateek Bhagchandka, co-founders, Alimento Agro Foods

Alimento Agro Foods Pvt Ltd has secured Rs 52 crore in a Series A funding round led by IvyCap Ventures, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey.

With this fresh capital, the company intends to expand its manufacturing capacity, strengthen its distribution network across India, and accelerate product development for its brands, MOM Meal of the Moment and Gimi Gimi.

Founded by Prateek Bhagchandka and Mugdha Bhagchandka, Alimento operates in the packaged and convenience food space. While MOM Meal of the Moment targets the instant meals and snacks category, Gimi Gimi positions itself as a Korean-style noodle brand that caters to rising demand for global flavours among Indian consumers.

According to the company, the funding will enable it to scale operations and broaden market reach for both brands as they compete in increasingly crowded food segments.

Prateek Bhagchandka, Founder and CEO and Mugdha Bhagchandka, Co-founder and COO of Alimento Agro Foods, said, “We are excited to welcome IvyCap Ventures as partners in our journey. This Series A investment comes at a pivotal time as MOM and Gimi Gimi are gaining strong traction. The capital will enable us to scale manufacturing, enhance distribution, and accelerate innovation across both brands. Our long-term vision is to build Alimento into a house of culturally relevant, consumer-loved food brands that deliver delight with every experience. IvyCap’s trust in our mission further strengthens our resolve to shape the future of flavour-forward Indian food brands.”

Explaining the rationale behind the investment, Vikram Gupta, Founder and Managing Partner at IvyCap Ventures, said that Alimento’s strong product positioning and early market traction drove the firm’s decision. IvyCap has previously invested in a range of consumer and technology-led businesses across sectors.

Currently, Alimento Agro Foods operates as an FMCG company with a focus on ready-to-eat and convenience food products. With this Series A round, the company joins a growing cohort of Indian food startups aiming to scale branded offerings amid increasing demand for packaged foods and shifting consumer preferences.

Swedish AI startup Lovable raises $330 Mn Series B at $6.6 Bn valuation

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

Swedish AI startup Lovable raises $330 Mn Series B at $6.6 Bn valuation — Anton Osika, CEO, Lovable

Swedish vibe-coding startup Lovable has more than tripled its valuation within just five months, underscoring investor confidence in its rapid growth.

Stockholm-based Lovable announced on Thursday that it raised $330 million in a Series B funding round led by CapitalG and Menlo Ventures, achieving a valuation of $6.6 billion. Additionally, Khosla Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, and Databricks Ventures participated alongside other investors.

Notably, the latest round followed closely on the heels of a $200 million Series A raise in July, which valued the company at $1.8 billion, highlighting the speed at which its valuation has expanded.

Among the earliest startups to capitalize on the AI boom, Lovable developed a “vibe-coding” platform that enables users to generate code and build complete applications using text prompts. Since launching in 2024, the company has scaled at exceptional speed: it crossed $100 million in ARR within eight months and, just four months later, doubled that figure to exceed $200 million in annual recurring revenue.

Meanwhile, Lovable counts major software companies such as Klarna, Uber, and Zendesk among its customers. The company also reports that users create more than 100,000 new projects on its platform every day and built over 25 million projects during its first year of operations.

Looking ahead, Lovable plans to deploy the new capital to deepen integrations with third-party applications, expand enterprise-focused capabilities, and strengthen its core infrastructure. Specifically, the company aims to enhance offerings such as databases, payments, and hosting to support the development of full-scale applications and services.

Speaking onstage at this year’s Slush conference in Helsinki, Finland, Lovable co-founder and CEO Anton Osika attributed the company’s ability to scale to his decision to reject investor pressure to relocate to Silicon Valley. “It was tempting, but I really resisted that,” Osika said at the November conference. “I [can] sit here now and say, ‘Look, guys, you can build a global AI company from this country.’ There is more available talent if you have a strong mission, and you have a lot of urgency coming together as a group and working.”

However, in November, the company faced scrutiny over not paying VAT, a tax applicable to most goods and services across the European Union. Osika confirmed the lapse in a LinkedIn post, stating that Lovable would resolve the issue, while also disabling comments that argued such taxes discourage high-growth startups from operating in the EU.

At the same time, vibe coding remains a major focus area for venture capital investors. For instance, Cursor, another prominent player in the space, raised $2.3 billion in November at a $29.3 billion valuation. Similarly to Lovable, Cursor completed its second funding round of the year, with its valuation doubling between June and November.

CONNECT WITH US