Ventive Hospitality partners Roarsome for family experiences in Maldives

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March 20, 2026

Ventive Hospitality partners Roarsome for family experiences in Maldives — Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer, Ventive Hospitality Ltd.

Ventive Hospitality has partnered with Roarsome to introduce a new family-focused experience at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Through this collaboration, the companies aim to enhance outdoor and nature-based activities for children, thereby enriching the overall guest experience.

As part of this initiative, the resort will roll out Roarsome-themed adventure programmes designed specifically for young guests. These will include engaging activities such as treasure hunts, exploration trails, and interactive outdoor sessions that encourage children to connect with the natural environment. Moreover, the programme will feature structured “Adventure Quests,” where kids will navigate the island using illustrated maps while simultaneously learning about marine ecosystems and sustainability practices.

In addition, the collaboration will extend beyond activities by offering Roarsome merchandise at the resort. This move ensures that families can continue engaging with the brand even after their stay, thereby strengthening the overall experience.

Commenting on the partnership, Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer, Ventive Hospitality Ltd., said, “Hospitality has the power to shape experiences that stay with people for life, especially young minds. Roarsome’s mission to get kids off screens and back into the outdoors is both timely and important. Through Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, we are bringing that mission to life in one of the most extraordinary natural environments in the world. This first-of-its-kind collaboration shows how hospitality and purpose-driven brands can come together to shape a future rooted in purpose and sustainability, where we constantly strive to create a better world for the next generation.”

Furthermore, Roarsome—widely recognised for its children’s outdoor apparel made from recycled materials—is leveraging this partnership to expand its international footprint. At the same time, the collaboration reflects a growing trend in the hospitality sector toward experiential, purpose-driven travel offerings.

The initiative will officially launch on April 2, 2026. Additionally, the resort plans to introduce seasonal activities around Easter, thereby providing guests with fresh and engaging experiences throughout the year.

This collaboration between Ventive Hospitality and Roarsome underscores the evolving landscape of family travel, where immersive, educational, and sustainability-focused experiences are becoming increasingly important. By combining luxury hospitality with purposeful outdoor engagement, the partnership sets a new benchmark for child-centric experiences in global resort destinations.

Amazon acquires robotics startup Rivr to boost doorstep delivery

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March 20, 2026

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Amazon acquires robotics startup Rivr to boost doorstep delivery — Marko Bjelonic, Co-founder and CEO, Rivr

Amazon has acquired Rivr, a Zurich-based autonomous robotics startup known for its stair-climbing delivery robot. Although the companies have not disclosed the financial terms, the deal clearly highlights Amazon’s growing focus on enhancing doorstep delivery through advanced robotics.

Co-founder and CEO Marko Bjelonic announced the acquisition on LinkedIn. Notably, he had earlier described the company’s four-legged wheeled robot as a “dog on roller skates,” emphasizing its unique mobility design. Furthermore, Bjelonic stated that the acquisition will “accelerate our vision of building General Physical AI through doorstep delivery, bringing robotics and AI closer to real-world deployment at scale,” indicating that Amazon’s backing will help Rivr deploy its robots more rapidly and efficiently.

Previously, Rivr had initiated a pilot program in Austin in collaboration with Veho, a package delivery firm. At that time, Bjelonic expressed his intention to leverage the partnership to scale operations and eventually deploy up to 100 robots by 2026. However, it remains unclear whether the company achieved that target.

Importantly, the robotics startup had already attracted Amazon’s attention well before the acquisition. The Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund and Bezos Expeditions had participated in Rivr’s $22.2 million seed funding round, which closed in 2024. Overall, the startup raised a total of $25 million and was last valued at approximately $100 million, according to available data.

The acquisition of Rivr underscores a significant step toward integrating autonomous robots into real-world delivery ecosystems. By leveraging Amazon’s scale and resources, Rivr is now better positioned to accelerate innovation and bring next-generation doorstep delivery solutions to market faster.

Summit Hotels & Resorts expands in North Bengal with two boutique projects

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March 20, 2026

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Summit Hotels & Resorts expands in North Bengal with two boutique projects — Sumit Mitruka, Founder of Summit Hotels & Resorts

Summit Hotels & Resorts has expanded its footprint in North Bengal by signing two boutique properties in Siliguri and the Darjeeling Hills. Through this move, the company is further strengthening its focus on experiential hospitality across one of Eastern India’s fastest-growing tourism corridors.

The two developments—Summit Gulma River Resort and Summit Falling Water—will feature 30 rooms each and will emphasize nature-led experiences alongside intimate hospitality formats. Summit Hotels & Resorts will open the Siliguri-based Summit Gulma River Resort on 15 August, while it will welcome guests to the Darjeeling Hills property in early January 2027.

Located in the Gulma area of Siliguri, Summit Gulma River Resort overlooks the scenic Gulma Tea Estate and a flowing river. As a result, it positions itself as a leisure-focused boutique destination with strong event-hosting potential. Moreover, the property will include a mix of standard and studio-style rooms equipped with kitchenettes, thereby catering to extended stays. In addition, guests will have access to an in-house restaurant, bar, spa, gym, and a banquet hall capable of hosting around 150 guests, making it suitable for boutique weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events within the tea garden belt.

Meanwhile, Summit Falling Water will come up in Rangbull, just a few kilometres before Darjeeling, along the main highway leading to the hill station. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Fallingwater residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the property integrates architecture seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Notably, developers will construct the hotel over a natural water stream, and it will feature 30 rooms with private balconies offering views of the stream and surrounding hills.

A key highlight of this property is its proximity to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Toy Train, which runs directly in front of the hotel. Consequently, guests will be able to enjoy a unique heritage rail experience right from the property itself.

Both projects, therefore, place strong emphasis on immersive and destination-driven experiences. Summit Falling Water will also include a restaurant, coffee shop, spa overlooking the stream, gym, and ample parking facilities. Additionally, seasonal snowfall in the region expects to further enhance the destination’s appeal and attract travellers seeking offbeat, experience-centric hill stays.

Commenting on the expansion, Sumit Mitruka, Founder of Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “North Bengal continues to be one of the most compelling tourism regions in Eastern India, with demand driven by leisure travellers, weddings, and the growing popularity of experiential hill destinations. With Summit Gulma River Resort in Siliguri and Summit Falling Water near Darjeeling, we are focusing on boutique properties that are deeply connected to their surroundings. Whether it is tea garden landscapes in the plains or a stream flowing through a hill property with views of the toy train, our aim is to create stays where the destination itself becomes the central experience for travelers.”

This expansion highlights a broader transformation in India’s hospitality sector, where travellers increasingly prefer intimate, nature-connected stays over large-scale resort developments.

AI infrastructure startup Yotta eyes $4 Bn valuation ahead of IPO

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March 20, 2026

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AI infrastructure startup Yotta Data Services is reportedly targeting a valuation of around USD 4 billion as it gears up for its planned initial public offering (IPO), according to media reports.

As part of its pre-IPO strategy, the Mumbai-based company is aiming to raise approximately USD 500 million to USD 600 million. Furthermore, sources indicate that Yotta may file its draft prospectus within the next few weeks, signaling a significant step toward its public market debut.

At the same time, Yotta continues to strengthen its position in the AI infrastructure space. The company operates large-scale data centre facilities and manages one of India’s biggest clusters of Nvidia AI processors, thereby reinforcing its technological capabilities and market relevance.

In preparation for the IPO, Yotta is also engaging with several leading investment banks. These reportedly include the Indian arms of Nomura, Goldman Sachs, ICICI Securities, and Kotak Securities, which may help manage the public offering.

Meanwhile, investor interest in the company appears strong. Yotta has attracted attention from global institutional players, including sovereign wealth funds such as Mubadala Investment Company, along with participation from Indian family offices. This growing interest underscores confidence in India’s rapidly expanding AI and data infrastructure ecosystem.

Additionally, Yotta is positioning itself as a strong domestic alternative in the AI infrastructure landscape. This move aligns with India’s broader push to build sovereign capabilities in artificial intelligence and reduce reliance on global technology giants. Consequently, the company is accelerating its investments in AI compute infrastructure to capitalize on this momentum.

As India continues to emerge as a key hub for data centres and AI-driven investments, Yotta’s expansion strategy and upcoming IPO reflect the sector’s increasing importance.

Yotta Data Services is strategically leveraging market demand, investor interest, and national AI ambitions to strengthen its foothold. If executed effectively, its IPO could mark a significant milestone not only for the company but also for India’s evolving AI infrastructure ecosystem.

Radisson and Sarovar partner with PBP EcoAqua for sustainable bottling solutions

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March 19, 2026

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PBP EcoAqua (Progressive Business Partnership) has announced that it has secured the RFQ to serve as the supplier for in-house water bottling plant solutions across the Radisson Hotels and Louvre Hotels (Sarovar) portfolios in India. Notably, this mandate represents one of the most significant bottling initiatives in the Indian hospitality sector, covering a rapidly expanding hotel network.

Currently, Radisson operates over 200 hotels across the country and is on track to reach 500 properties by 2030. Meanwhile, Louvre Hotels continues to strengthen its footprint through the Sarovar brand portfolio.

Over the years, PBP EcoAqua has built a strong reputation for delivering turnkey in-house bottling solutions specifically designed for hospitality operations. With more than 100 clients, 27 brands served, a presence across 40 cities, and over 55 million bottles delivered, the company combines engineering expertise with operational discipline. As a result, it consistently provides scalable, sustainable, and quality-driven systems. Additionally, its CE-certified infrastructure and ISO-aligned processes further reinforce its commitment to maintaining global standards.

Commenting on the development, P. B. Prasad, Founder, PBP EcoAqua, said, “This mandate reflects the confidence leading global hospitality brands place in our execution capabilities and service standards. We see this as both a privilege and a responsibility. Our focus will remain on delivering consistent quality, operational efficiency, and sustainable solutions across every location.”

Adding further insight, Shefali Prasad, Business Development Director, PBP EcoAqua, said, “This has been among the most rigorous, detailed, and professionally demanding evaluation processes we have engaged in—spanning over eight months. The depth of diligence and engagement reflects the seriousness of the mandate and reinforces our confidence in delivering long-term value across the portfolio.”

Moreover, Director of Projects, Prateek Prasad, PBP EcoAqua, added, “Our teams, systems, and execution frameworks are fully aligned and prepared to scale responsibly to meet this mandate. We are confident in our ability to deliver with consistency, speed, and precision across locations.”

This partnership underscores the growing emphasis on sustainable and in-house solutions within the hospitality industry. As leading hotel chains continue to expand, collaborations like this are likely to play a critical role in driving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and elevating guest experience across India.

Brickhill Group expands land portfolio, seeks strategic partners for growth

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March 19, 2026

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The Brickhill Group, a prominent land-driven real estate development firm, has established a strong and strategic presence across high-growth Indian markets such as Mohali, Gurugram, and Goa. Building on this momentum, the company is now planning significant expansion of its land portfolio. At the same time, it is actively seeking institutional partners, investors, and developers to collaborate on its vision of creating future-ready real estate projects across India.

Moreover, the company delivers end-to-end real estate development and land advisory services, with a sharp focus on research-driven insights and feasibility studies. These efforts help identify high-potential land parcels in emerging markets. Through rigorous due diligence and consistent execution by its founders and team, Brickhill has successfully acquired substantial land holdings across key growth regions in the country.

In addition, Brickhill goes beyond conventional land acquisition. It offers customised services such as development feasibility assessments, innovative project concepts, and joint venture structuring solutions tailored for diverse real estate developments. Consequently, this integrated approach enables stakeholders to unlock maximum value from their investments while ensuring long-term scalability.

The founder of the Brickhill Group, Mr. Abhishek Chauhan, and Mr. Sumit Bhriya have built a strong reputation for strategic execution and transparent operational practices. As a result, the company has positioned itself as a trusted player in the real estate ecosystem. Furthermore, its emphasis on data-backed decision-making and structured planning allows it to transform raw land into well-planned, future-ready developments that align with India’s evolving infrastructure needs.

Strategically, Brickhill focuses on emerging growth corridors across the country, identifying land assets with high appreciation potential. Additionally, the company has partnered with reputed industry stakeholders, including channel partners, planners, consultants, and infrastructure experts. These collaborations not only strengthen its development ecosystem but also accelerate project execution and market readiness.

The Brickhill Group continues to reinforce its position as a forward-thinking real estate developer by combining strategic land acquisition with innovative development planning. As India’s real estate sector evolves, the company’s focus on partnerships, research, and scalable execution is expected to play a crucial role in shaping next-generation infrastructure and urban growth.

Burger Singh raises INR 82-Cr to power franchise-led growth

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March 19, 2026

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Burger Singh raises INR 82-Cr to power franchise-led growth — Kabir Singh, CEO and co-founder of Burger Singh

Burger Singh has successfully closed its Series B funding round, raising INR 82 crore at a valuation of INR 520 crore. Artal Asia Pte Ltd led the round, while both new and existing investors, including Negen Undiscovered Value Fund and Aurum Rising India Fund, also participated, thereby reinforcing investor confidence in the brand’s growth trajectory.

With this fresh capital, Burger Singh now plans to strengthen its systems and infrastructure to accelerate a franchise-led growth strategy. While India’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry has expanded significantly over the years, it continues to rely heavily on company-owned outlets or master franchise formats. However, structured support for independent franchise operators remains limited. Consequently, Burger Singh aims to bridge this gap by building a more robust and scalable franchise ecosystem.

Currently, with over 200 stores in operation, Burger Singh has already established one of the strongest franchise backbones among homegrown QSR brands in India. Moving forward, the company will deploy the new funding to enhance its franchise engine across multiple areas, including store design, training systems, standardised operating manuals, supply chain integration, and technology. Additionally, it will focus on strengthening on-ground market support, with the broader goal of making restaurant entrepreneurship in India more structured, scalable, and repeatable.

From a performance standpoint, Burger Singh reported revenue of INR 117 crore for FY 2024–25, reflecting steady growth across both metro cities and emerging markets. Moreover, the brand has built strong consumer connections through its Indianised menu, competitive pricing, and a distinctive brand voice. Popular offerings such as Nikku Singh, Udta Punjab 2.0, Churmur Pandey, and Bunty Pappeh Da Aloo have further enhanced recall value in an increasingly competitive QSR segment.

Kabir Jeet Singh, Founder and CEO of Burger Singh, said, “India has no shortage of entrepreneurs. What it lacks is enough high-quality operating platforms that allow those entrepreneurs to succeed in the restaurant business at scale. That is the gap we are solving. Burger Singh is building a franchise-first machine with the systems, supply chain, design standards, training, and operating discipline required to make store ownership more structured and more repeatable. We are not just opening outlets; we are building the platform Indian entrepreneurs can plug into to create successful restaurant businesses.”

This funding marks a pivotal step in Burger Singh’s expansion journey as it sharpens its focus on franchise-driven scalability. As the QSR market continues to evolve, the company’s emphasis on enabling entrepreneurs through structured systems and support could position it as a leading player in India’s rapidly growing food service industry.

Wyndham expands in South Asia with Ramada by Wyndham Itahari, Nepal

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March 19, 2026

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Grand Central Hotel Private Limited has officially launched Ramada by Wyndham Itahari Pashupati Marg, thereby introducing an internationally branded hotel to Itahari, one of eastern Nepal’s rapidly developing commercial hubs. This development marks a significant step in elevating the region’s hospitality landscape.

Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director – Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Grand Central Hotel Private Limited to introduce the Ramada brand to Itahari. The city’s growing importance as a commercial gateway makes it a strong fit for internationally recognised hospitality, and this opening reflects our continued focus on expanding in high-growth secondary cities across South Asia.”

Strategically, the property features 81 well-appointed guest rooms designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers. In addition, the hotel offers a range of modern amenities, including an all-day dining restaurant, a bar and lounge, a health club, a spa, and an outdoor swimming pool. Furthermore, it provides banquet halls and a dedicated meeting room, making it suitable for corporate gatherings as well as social events.

The hotel, owned by Desh Bandhu Basnet, has been developed in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Notably, this collaboration underscores the brand’s commitment to expanding its footprint in emerging markets. At the same time, it highlights the increasing demand for quality hospitality infrastructure in Itahari.

Moreover, Itahari is steadily emerging as a key transit and business hub in eastern Nepal. As a result, the launch of an internationally recognised hotel brand aligns with the city’s growing economic relevance and rising influx of travellers. Consequently, this development will further strengthen the region’s appeal for both domestic and international visitors.

The opening of Ramada by Wyndham Itahari Pashupati Marg reflects a broader trend of global hospitality brands targeting high-growth secondary cities. Going forward, such expansions are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism and business travel in emerging markets like Nepal.

AI e-commerce platform Assiduus raises $25 Mn, targets global market expansion

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March 19, 2026

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AI e-commerce platform Assiduus raises $25 Mn, targets global market expansion — Somdutta Singh, founder, Assiduus

Assiduus Global, an AI-powered cross-border and multi-platform e-commerce accelerator, has secured $25 million in a pre-Series B funding round led by Bajaj Finserv. In addition, the round saw participation from Uncorrelated Ventures, Aaruha Technology Fund, and Vikash Agarwal (Rupa Family Office), along with other investors.

Earlier, in October 2022, the Bengaluru-based company had raised $15 million in its Series A round led by Pulsar Capital. Building on that momentum, the company now plans to deploy the fresh capital strategically to enhance its AI and data capabilities. Furthermore, it aims to expand its footprint across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions, while also strengthening partnerships with enterprises and government bodies.

Founded by Somdutta Singh, Assiduus operates an AI-powered middleware platform that enables seamless global e-commerce distribution and supply chain management. Currently, the platform supports over 150 enterprise brands across 20 countries. Moreover, it integrates with more than 18 global marketplaces as well as quick commerce platforms, thereby ensuring a comprehensive ecosystem for businesses.

Notably, Assiduus has reported a 4X growth in revenue since its last funding round. At the same time, it has achieved a threefold increase in valuation, reflecting strong business performance and investor confidence. Impressively, the company has also maintained profitability at the PAT level for the past seven years, which underscores its sustainable growth model.

In terms of offerings, the platform delivers end-to-end solutions, including cross-border distribution, fulfillment, compliance, and performance tracking. Additionally, it follows an asset-light model that combines advanced software, robust data systems, and execution infrastructure to drive efficiency and scalability.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Assiduus operates across multiple global markets, including India, the UAE, the UK, Denmark, and other regions. As a result, the company continues to position itself as a key enabler for brands looking to scale internationally through data-driven and AI-powered solutions.

Overall, this funding marks a significant milestone for Assiduus as it accelerates its global expansion and deepens its technological capabilities. Consequently, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for cross-border e-commerce solutions and further strengthen its leadership in the AI-driven commerce ecosystem.

TableSprint launches Fernor, a ready-to-use AI GTM Agent for founders and sales teams

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March 19, 2026

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TableSprint launches Fernor, a ready-to-use AI GTM Agent for founders and sales teams — Abhijeet Kumar, Founder and CEO of TableSprint

● Fernor brings together chat, conversational voice, and outbound calling into a single AI platform designed to help founders and sales teams manage inbound conversations, follow up with leads, and run outbound sales more efficiently.

● The platform is designed for SaaS startups, e-commerce companies, and service businesses looking to automate sales engagement without building complex AI infrastructure.

● Fernor is first of its kind self service agent builder for non-developers

Bengaluru, India | 19th March 2026: TableSprint today announced the launch of Fernor, a ready-to-use AI go-to-market (GTM) agent built to help founders and sales teams handle customer conversations, qualify leads, and scale outbound outreach without needing engineering support.

Built on TableSprint’s AI agent infrastructure, Fernor brings together inbound chat, conversational voice AI, and outbound calling within a single platform. The system can engage prospects, answer product questions, follow up with leads, and automatically schedule demos.

Fernor supports multi-turn conversations that retain context, allowing for more natural interactions with prospects. With reduced end-to-end latency and real-time speech recognition, the platform can also manage multilingual conversations smoothly, enabling businesses to respond to customers in a more responsive and human-like manner.

Despite the rapid growth of AI tools, deployment complexity remains a major barrier for many startups and small businesses. Many solutions require technical teams to configure and maintain AI systems, limiting adoption among non-technical founders and lean sales teams.

Fernor is designed to simplify that process by offering a ready-to-deploy AI agent that teams can start using almost immediately.

“Founders and sales teams shouldn’t need to build AI agents from scratch just to engage their customers,” said Abhijeet Kumar, Founder and CEO of TableSprint. “With Fernor, we’re giving them an AI agent that’s ready to deploy, so they can focus on closing deals, not managing technology. It’s like having a 24/7 sales rep that never misses a lead.”

The launch comes as companies increasingly explore Voice AI agents to improve sales productivity and customer engagement. What began as simple voice assistants is now evolving into more advanced systems capable of managing full customer conversations, answering questions, qualifying leads, and completing tasks with minimal human intervention.

According to Market.us the global voice AI agents market, valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 47.5 billion by 2034, surging at a 34.8% CAGR as businesses deploy conversational systems for sales, customer support, and automation. In India, the voice recognition market is set to expand from USD 462.8 million in 2024 to USD 2.98 billion by 2033.

Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are among the fastest adopters of these tools. Many are experimenting with voice AI to manage inbound customer queries, qualify leads, and run outbound sales outreach without significantly expanding their support or sales teams. As these systems become easier to deploy and require less engineering effort, adoption is expanding beyond large enterprises to startups and growing businesses.

Fernor focuses on automating three key moments in the go-to-market journey:

Inbound Conversations:

AI chat and voice agents engage website visitors in real time, answer product questions, qualify leads, and book demos.

Lead Follow-Ups:

The system automatically calls inbound leads to ensure prospects receive quick responses.

Outbound Sales Outreach:

Teams can upload prospect lists and allow Fernor to run outbound calls, qualify prospects, and schedule meetings.

Founded in 2024, TableSprint initially started as a vibe-coding platform that helped teams build internal tools quickly using AI-assisted development workflows. As more organisations began exploring AI-driven automation, the company expanded into a broader AI agent infrastructure platform aimed at helping businesses deploy intelligent agents across different functions.

TableSprint was founded by Abhijeet Kumar, Chirag Jadhav, and Naga Santosh Joysula. Before launching TableSprint, Abhijeet Kumar co-founded RainCan, a B2C subscription delivery startup that was later acquired by BigBasket and rebranded as BBdaily, eventually scaling to over $100 million in annual revenue. Earlier in his career, he worked at Oracle, where he gained experience in enterprise application development and supply chain systems. TableSprint has previously raised $1 million in seed funding from a group of angel investors and venture firms, including Ankit Bhati (co-founder of Ola), Ajeet Khurana, Sunil Sharma, BlueLotus Ventures, TDV Partners, DGC Ventures, and Abhijeet Bhandari.

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