Recur Club Announces ₹500 Crore Fund for D2C Brands Ahead of Festive Season

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October 10, 2026

Recur Club Announces ₹500 Crore Fund for D2C Brands Ahead of Festive Season — Eklavya Gupta and Abhinav Sherwal, co-founders, Recur Club

The fund focuses on inventory financing and capacity expansion, two key capital needs of D2C brands, and follows ₹275 crore facilitated for over 100 D2C brands in the current financial year.

New Delhi, 7 October 2026: Recur Club, India’s largest AI-native debt platform for startups and SMEs, today announced a ₹500 crore fund to facilitate growth capital for D2C brands in the current financial year. Based on the current average ticket size of approximately ₹3 crore, the fund is expected to support around 150-170 D2C brands, depending on their individual financing requirements. The announcement comes ahead of the festive season, when D2C brands typically require additional capital to build inventory and expand their presence to capture peak consumer demand.

The fund has been designed around two of the biggest capital challenges Recur Club has identified after working with over 500 D2C brands over the years: financing inventory and funding store or capacity expansion. Through inventory financing, Recur Club enables brands to have inventory procured on their behalf, sell it through their existing channels, and repay the financing in installments without adding debt to their balance sheets. For store and capacity expansion, Recur Club will help acquire equipment and fit-outs for new stores, with brands paying a monthly rental until the financing is repaid, turning capex into opex.

In the current financial year, Recur Club has facilitated approximately ₹275 crore for over 100 D2C brands, taking its cumulative capital facilitated for the D2C sector to ₹1,200 crore. Based on Recur Club’s data from more than 5,000 D2C companies on its platform, demand for growth capital among D2C businesses typically rises by around 35% during the festive quarter.

Eklavya Gupta, Co-founder, Recur Club, said, “The festive season can make or break a D2C brand’s year, and this year the pressure is higher. Packaging costs have risen by around 21% amid geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region. At the same time, quick commerce is taking a larger share of D2C sales, so brands need to stock more inventory, across more channels, earlier than ever. Our D2C fund is designed to address this timing gap and structure the repayments around your business.”

Within this demand, quick-commerce businesses recorded the highest requirement for growth capital during July-September 2026, followed by retail and consumer goods, FMCG, and consumer durables. The trend reflects the growing financing requirements of brands scaling across faster and more inventory-intensive commerce channels.

India’s Pharma Technology Leaders to Convene at the 15th Edition Pharma IT Summit Mumbai 2026

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October 10, 2026

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This summit brings together CIOs, CDOs, CISOs, CTOs, Heads of IT, and digital transformation leaders from India’s leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences organisations to shape the future of Pharmaceutical Technology.

Mumbai, India- Exito Media Concepts is set to host the 15th Edition Pharma IT Summit on 28 October 2026 at JW Marriott Juhu, Mumbai. The summit will bring together over 120 senior technology and business leaders from India’s leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences organisations under the theme “Technology Decisions that Define Indian Pharma’s Next Phase,” creating a strategic platform for industry leaders to explore the technologies redefining the future of the Pharmaceutical Industry.

India is widely recognised as the “Pharmacy of the World,” supplying nearly 20% of the world’s generic medicines and approximately 60% of global vaccine demand. India’s pharmaceutical industry is valued at USD 60.3 billion in FY 2025-26 and is projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030, driven by digital transformation, biotechnology, innovation, and smart manufacturing.

As pharmaceutical organisations adopt AI, cloud, ERP modernisation, automation, analytics, and smart manufacturing, technology is becoming essential to resilience, compliance, quality, and growth.

At the same time, organisations must address cybersecurity risks across manufacturing environments, data privacy obligations, GxP requirements, and the growing complexity of global pharmaceutical operations.

India’s Pharma Industry is entering a defining era where technology must go hand in hand with resilience, trust, and regulatory excellence. The Pharma IT Summit 2026 will address these priorities through expert-led discussions, practical use cases, peer-to-peer conversations, and strategic networking. The summit will explore how pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations can adopt emerging technologies while maintaining data integrity, product quality, regulatory readiness, and business continuity.

Event Overview

The 15th Edition Pharma IT Summit is an event designed exclusively to connect India’s pharmaceutical technology leaders and accelerate digital transformation across the life sciences ecosystem. The summit will bring together senior decision-makers from pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology organisations, manufacturing organisations, digital health companies, technology providers, and related life sciences institutions.

The programme will focus on practical innovation and real-world transformation journeys across AI, ERP Modernisation, cloud, cybersecurity, digital manufacturing, regulatory technology, data governance, and automation. It will also provide opportunities for attendees to exchange experiences, evaluate emerging solutions, and build strategic partnerships.

Date: 28 October 2026

Time: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM IST

Venue: JW Marriott Juhu

Format: By-invitation-only, in-person

Attendance: 120+ CIOs, CDOs, CISOs, CTOs, Heads of IT, and digital transformation leaders

Website: https://pharmaitsummit.com/

Confirmed Speakers

The summit will feature an exceptional lineup of industry leaders driving digital transformation across India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem, including:

1. Mandar Ghatnekar, Chief Technology Officer, Biocon

2. Raj Kumar Patra, Vice President, Head of IT – Research and Discovery, Syngene International

3. Pranav Gadre, Vice President – Head Information Technology, Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.

4. Mohit Agarwal, Commercial Excellence and IT Procurement / Digital Transformation, Wockhardt Ltd.

5. Bijender Mishra, Global CISO & Senior GM, IT, Alkem Laboratories Ltd.

6.Arif Poonawala, Founder & Managing Director – Unique Solutions

7. Sairam Tanniru, Founder and CEO – Lowcode Labs

Strategic Agenda: Key Discussion Themes

The summit agenda addresses the most pressing technology priorities shaping India’s Pharma landscape:

1.The Indian Pharma Technology Agenda for 2027-Five Decisions That Every CIO, CTO, and IT Leader Must Get Right

2.Deploying GenAI in a GxP-Regulated IT Environment- Platform Architecture, Governance, and the Shadow AI Problem

3.ERP Modernization in Indian Pharma – The GxP Compliance Questions That Shape the Migration Strategy

4.India’s DPDP Act Phase II Goes Live in November 2026

5.Securing India’s Pharma Manufacturing Plants-OT/IT Convergence, Nation-State Threats, and the Reality of Plant Floor Cyber Risk

6.From CSV to CSA- How Indian Pharma IT Teams Must Rethink Computer System Validation

7.Cloud Architecture for Indian Pharma IT- Making the Hybrid Cloud, GxP Validation, and DPDP Compliance Decisions That Define Your Infrastructure for the Next Decade

About Exito Media Concepts

Exito – meaning “success”- is a globally recognised B2B events and media organisation with over 16 years of expertise. Delivering more than 240 conferences annually across technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and emerging enterprise sectors, Exito creates platforms that foster strategic collaboration, accelerate innovation adoption, and drive measurable business outcomes. The Pharma IT Summit is part of Exito’s flagship global event series hosted across multiple international markets.

For more details, visit: https://pharmaitsummit.com/

Media Contact

Ankita Ghosh

Media & PR Executive, Exito Media Concepts Pvt. Ltd.

Email: ankita.g@exito-e.com

Phone: +91 9910943411

Website: https://www.exito-e.com/

Government of Karnataka Announces Second Edition of Bengaluru Skill Summit

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October 9, 2026

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Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026 to be held from 3 to 5 November 2026 at The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru under the theme “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy.”

Bengaluru, 07 October 2026: The Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood (SDEL), Government of Karnataka, today announced the second edition of the Bengaluru Skill Summit at a curtain raiser held at Vikasa Soudha, Bengaluru. The summit will be held from 3 to 5 November 2026 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, India.

The curtain raiser was attended by Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka; Sri Subodh Yadav, I.A.S., Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Livelihood; Smt. Shivakantamma (Kanta) Naik, Chairperson, Karnataka Skill Development Corporation and Karnataka Vocational Training & Skill Development Corporation; Dr. E.V. Ramana Reddy, IAS (R), Chairman, Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA); Mr. Hiroshi Nawata, Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Bengaluru; Dr. Ravi M. Tirlapur, K.A.S., Managing Director, Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC); and Rev. Fr. Dr. Victor Lobo SJ, Vice-Chancellor, St. Joseph’s University.

Under the patronage of Hon’ble Minister Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil, Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026 is organised by the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood (SDEL), Government of Karnataka, hosted by the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), in collaboration with the Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA), with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) as Knowledge Partner. The Summit is managed by Trescon.

Following a successful inaugural edition in November 2025 that drew over 6,500 footfall over three days, the 2026 summit returns as a strengthened, expanded, and execution-focused platform. It is designed to move beyond dialogue into system-level workforce transformation, bringing together government, industry, academia, and global partners to co-develop scalable skilling models.

About the Theme

The summit is anchored under the theme “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy,” reflecting Karnataka’s intent to build a workforce ecosystem that is scalable across sectors and geographies, structured through strong institutional systems, and driven by collaboration across stakeholders.

Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026 is expected to welcome:

• 6,500+ Footfall

• 150+ Speakers

• 50+ Exhibitors

• 100+ Partners

• National and international delegations

Four Thematic Tracks

The summit builds on the inaugural edition with an execution lens focused on how scale is operationalised, systems are institutionalised, and synergy is translated into measurable outcomes. The programme is structured around four thematic tracks: Emerging Skills, Skills for All, Innovation, and Global Skills.

Emerging Skills: Preparing for green jobs, AI, Industry 4.0, the digital economy, and other growth sectors.

Skills for All: Advancing inclusion across women, youth, informal workers, and the gig economy.

Innovation: Showcasing global and local best practices and ecosystem innovations in skilling.

Global Skills: Positioning Karnataka’s workforce for global employability and mobility.

Inauguration Day

Inauguration of the 2nd edition of Bengaluru Skill Summit is scheduled for 3rd November at 5:00 PM by honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri D. K. Shivakumar, in the presence of Dr. G. Parameshwara, honorable Deputy Chief Minister, and honorable Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, and Medical Education Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil and other dignitaries

Plenary Stage

The Plenary Stage will anchor the summit’s leadership conversations, bringing together senior government leaders, industry experts, academia, and workforce practitioners to examine the priorities shaping Workforce 2030. Discussions will explore future-ready skills, lifelong learning, inclusive workforce participation, global skills, AI-enabled transformation, employability, and the role of policy and industry collaboration in building a future-ready workforce.

Marquee Sessions

The Plenary Stage will also feature a set of marquee sessions bringing high-level government leadership, state-level-skilling perspectives, and young skills champions into the centre of the Summit programme.

Panel Discussion by Senior Ministers of the Government of Karnataka

A high-level discussion on the topic “Workforce 2030: Karnataka’s Roadmap from Policy to Execution” bringing together the following key portfolios to examine Karnataka’s priorities for building a future-ready workforce and translating policy into measurable outcomes.

· Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development

· Information Technology, Biotechnology (IT/BT)

· Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, and Livelihood

· Higher Education

Panel Discussion by State Skill Development Secretaries

A cross-state discussion on “Learning from India’s Leading Skills Ecosystems,” bringing together Skill Development Secretaries to share practical approaches to strengthening skills systems, improving implementation, and responding to evolving workforce needs.

WorldSkills Champions Session

A session featuring young winners from Karnataka who participated in WorldSkills 2026, Shanghai, sharing their experiences and journeys at the global skills competition. The session will spotlight how skills excellence can build confidence, open career pathways, and create opportunities on the global stage.

Leadership and Industry Participation

The summit will feature 150+ speakers, bringing together senior government leaders, industry experts, academia, entrepreneurs and workforce practitioners from across India and international markets.

Keynote Speakers will include Mr. Subroto Bagchi, Founder, Mindtree and Chairman, Vision Group for Skill Development, Government of Karnataka; Dr. Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Ecosystem Builder and Founder, Cascade Communications, Sycamore Networks, and Tejas Networks; and Dr. R. Balasubramaniayam, Member, NITI Aayog.

Special Address Speakers will include Ms. Alina Alam, Founder and CEO, MITTI Café, and Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Kirti Chakra), Astronaut, Indian Space Research Organisation.

Other key speakers on the Plenary Stage will include Mr. N.S. Parthasarathy, Managing Partner, Mela Ventures; Ms. Meena Ganesh, Co-founder & Chairperson, Portea Medical; Mrs. Uma Mahadevan, Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka; Mr. Kaushik Mudda, Co-founder & CEO, Ethereal Machines; Mr. Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, CEO, World Skill Center and Odisha Skill Development Project II; Mekin Maheshwari, Founder & CEO, Udhyam Learning Foundation; Mr.Mohan Lakhamraju, Founder & CEO, Great Learning; Mr.Rajiv Kumar Sharma, Founder & Managing Director, Empower Pragati and Empower Foundation; Mr. Gopal Devanahalli, President, Skills Development Network; Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, SVP, Global CSR, HCL Tech & Director, HCL Foundation; and Mr. Vinay Kumar Swamy, Country Head, Pearson India.

What’s New in the 2026 Edition

Precursor Events

The 2026 edition introduced Precursor Events to build statewide momentum ahead of the Summit through thought leadership sessions hosted at Karnataka Digital Economy Mission’s cluster events. Sessions were organised at the Mysuru Big Tech Show 2026 and HDB Techceleration 2026 in Hubballi, bringing the Workforce 2030 conversation to key technology and innovation ecosystems across Karnataka.

Innovation Stage

The summit architecture also expands with the Innovation Stage featuring applied skilling solutions, emerging models, and pilots that address real workforce challenges. It will provide a platform for innovators, institutions, and industry to showcase approaches that can be tested, adopted, and scaled.

Development Dialogue by Deshpande Skilling

Hosted with the topic “From Skilling to Employment: Getting Rural Youth into the Workforce,” a closed-door Development Dialogue hosted by the Deshpande Foundation, focused on the transition from training to employment for rural youth. The dialogue will bring together government, skilling organisations, employers, and development partners to examine how proven approaches can be strengthened, scaled and translated into sustainable employment pathways.

Expo Arena

The Expo Arena will provide a platform for organisations, institutions, and innovators to showcase practical solutions, programmes, and technologies shaping the future of skills and work. It will enable participants to discover proven models, emerging solutions, and opportunities for collaboration.

Kaushalya Karnataka Awards 2026

Following its introduction at the inaugural Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025, the Kaushalya Karnataka Awards returns for its second edition in 2026, continuing as an annual recognition of excellence in Karnataka’s skilling and workforce development ecosystem. The awards will recognise organisations and institutions contributing to industry-led skilling, workforce transformation, industry-academia collaboration, inclusivity, innovation, and measurable employment outcomes, alongside institutions and individuals driving excellence in skill development and training. The awards will be presented across Corporate Excellence and Institutional Excellence (Best Trainer, Best Trainee, Best Institution, Best Self-Help Group, and Best District) categories at the grand awards ceremony on 5 November 2026 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.

Skillathon 2026

As part of Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026, Skillathon invites individuals, teams, startups, and organisations from across India to design how Karnataka can read its labour market and plan skilling around real demand.

Participants will use publicly available government data to show what insights on jobs, skills, and sectors can be drawn, how these can guide state policy, and how data from many sources can be brought together securely on a digital platform.

The Value

· Decode Demand: Map jobs, sectors, and skill trends.

· Validate Insights: Test assumptions and identify data gaps.

· Guide Action: Inform skilling priorities and investments.

· Shape Future Systems: Generate inputs for KSISU design.

Parallel Roundtables

Alongside the main summit programme, Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026 will feature focused roundtables bringing together organisations and stakeholders across the skilling and workforce ecosystem.

· Green Skills — organised by Recommerce and GIZ

· Blue Collar Economy — organised by Seventh Sense

· Smart Factories — organised by Automotive Skill Development Council

· Academia 2030 — organised by Ripples Learning

CG + Trade Mission Roundtable — organised by Karnataka Skill Development Authority and Karnataka Digital

· Economy Mission

· Vertical Transportation — organised by Bharath School of Vertical Transportation Training Pvt. Ltd. (BSVT)

· Inclusive Skilling — organised by AssisTech Foundation (ATF)

· Skills Development and International Mobility — organised by Indo-German Chamber of Commerce

· From Knowledge to Capability: Integrating Employability into Education for Workforce 2030 — organised by National Skills Network

· Healthcare & Life Sciences — organised by NextGen Health

Minister’s Quote

Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, said, “The inaugural edition in 2025 laid a strong foundation for collaboration and action. We now look forward to the second edition in November 2026, where stakeholders from across government, industry, academia, and the global community will come together to further strengthen partnerships and build a future-ready workforce.”

A Platform for Workforce Transformation

Bengaluru Skill Summit is positioned as Karnataka’s workforce systems platform, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, employers, academia, training institutions, global partners and youth to strengthen the connection between education, skilling and employment. The summit provides a platform for policy dialogue, industry engagement, innovation, skills showcases and collaboration around scalable workforce solutions.

The Summit’s plenary and executive sessions are invitation-only and closed-door, while designated areas of the Expo, Innovation Stage and other public-facing activations are accessible to visitors.

Event Details

Event name: Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026

Theme: Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy

Dates: 3 to 5 November 2026

Venue: The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru, India

Organised by: Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood (SDEL), Government of Karnataka

Hosted by: Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC)

In collaboration with: Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA)

Knowledge Partner: Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)

Managed by: Trescon

About Bengaluru Skill Summit

Bengaluru Skill Summit is Karnataka’s workforce systems platform, positioned to strengthen the state’s leadership in workforce development, bridge gaps between education, skilling and employment, and build scalable skilling systems aligned with emerging sectors. The Summit is positioned as a long-term annual platform contributing to Karnataka’s broader workforce transformation agenda.

Media Contact: Imran Mushtaq | imran@tresconglobal.com | +91 7780902815
General Enquiries: marketing@bengaluruskillsummit.com
Website: www.bengaluruskillsummit.com

IHCL signs 232-key Gateway Hotel in Agra, expands Uttar Pradesh portfolio

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October 9, 2026

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Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed an agreement to develop a Gateway hotel in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. IHCL will develop the 232-key property as a greenfield project in partnership with Raj Kailash Hospitality LLP.

Situated along the Yamuna Expressway, Gateway Agra will cater to visitors travelling to the historic city, a major stop on India’s Golden Triangle tourism circuit connecting Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

The property will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, and a bar. Guests will also have access to wellness amenities, including a gym and swimming pool. In addition, the hotel will offer banquet halls, a conference room, and meeting rooms for corporate gatherings, weddings, and social events.

Commenting on the signing, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Development, IHCL, said, “Agra is an integral part of India’s tourism landscape and one of the country’s most iconic destinations. As a key stop on the Golden Triangle circuit alongside Delhi and Jaipur, the city continues to attract domestic and international travellers alike. Beyond tourism, Agra is evolving into a significant urban centre in Uttar Pradesh, supported by infrastructure development, new townships, and upcoming IT parks. We are delighted to partner with Raj Kailash Hospitality LLP for this project.”

Kishore Kumar Gupta and Mani Gupta, Promoters, Raj Kailash Hospitality LLP, said, “Agra is a destination with strong tourism demand and growing infrastructure. We are pleased to partner with IHCL to bring Gateway to the city.”

Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, remains a prominent destination on the Golden Triangle circuit, attracting both domestic and international tourists. Moreover, the city’s ongoing infrastructure development and urban expansion are creating new opportunities for hospitality investments.

With the addition of Gateway Agra, IHCL’s portfolio in Uttar Pradesh will comprise 64 hotels, including 27 properties under development. The signing further expands the company’s presence in the state and strengthens its footprint in one of India’s major tourism markets.

Tathastu Pench expands to 84 Rooms, strengthens corporate and leisure appeal

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October 9, 2026

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Tathastu Resorts has expanded Tathastu Pench to 84 rooms by adding 23 keys and increasing its dining capacity. The expansion aims to strengthen the property’s appeal for corporate offsites, social gatherings, family holidays, and experiential leisure travel, alongside its established wildlife tourism business.

The additional rooms offer guests a wider choice of accommodation, enabling the resort to cater to individual leisure travellers as well as larger groups. Tathastu has also expanded its Fauna restaurant, introduced Flora as an exclusive dining space, and added Jungle Bar, which serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The culinary offering includes Indian, Continental, Chinese, and other international dishes, alongside menus inspired by Madhya Pradesh and Central Indian flavours. For corporate programmes and social occasions, the resort can customise menus to accommodate dietary requirements and cuisine preferences. Larger events can also feature live counters, themed dinners, private dining, and outdoor culinary experiences.

The expansion builds on Tathastu Pench’s established corporate and group business. The resort has hosted hundreds of corporate events for organisations across banking and financial services, manufacturing, IT, pharmaceuticals, and paints, as well as government bodies, professional groups, and associations. Corporate groups typically range from 100 to 250 guests, while the property also accommodates complete resort buyouts.

Past programmes have included annual meets, leadership events, offsites, rewards and recognition programmes, and corporate-family gatherings.

To support these events, the resort offers a 2,500 sq ft banquet hall, an approximately 500 sq ft pre-function area, and an adjoining 2,760 sq ft open terrace. The banquet hall can accommodate up to 180 guests. Outdoor event venues include the 25,000 sq ft Multi-Purpose Lawn, 10,500 sq ft Main Lawn, and 6,600 sq ft Monarch Lawn.

Beyond corporate travel, Tathastu Pench also hosts milestone birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, farewells, and other private gatherings. In 2024, the resort hosted a three-night, four-day spiritual gathering attended by approximately 450 people.

“Tathastu Pench is already much more than a wildlife stay. Over the years, we have seen families come here for holidays and celebrations, companies bring their teams for offsites, and groups choose Pench simply to spend time together. Safari remains an important part of the experience, but it does not have to be the only reason to visit. With the additions we have made, our focus is to take this proposition to a much wider audience and establish Tathastu Pench as a destination in itself.”

Anil Agarwala, Founder and Managing Director, Tathastu Resorts, said, “Groups can plan two-to-three-day programmes that combine meetings or celebrations with safaris, nature walks, birdwatching, team-building activities, outdoor recreation, wellness sessions, regional culinary experiences, naturalist sessions, cultural performances, live music, private dinners, and stargazing.”

Corporate itineraries can also be tailored to leadership programmes, team-building exercises, incentive travel, or leisure experiences.

With its expanded accommodation and dining capacity, event infrastructure and recreational offerings, Tathastu Resorts aims to position Pench beyond safari-led tourism. The resort plans to attract a broader domestic and international audience across leisure, corporate, and social travel.

Automation Anywhere to acquire Boost.ai, expanding enterprise AI capabilities

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October 9, 2026

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Automation Anywhere to acquire Boost.ai, expanding enterprise AI capabilities — Mihir Shukla, CEO and Chairman of Automation Anywhere.

Agentic automation company Automation Anywhere has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Norway-based enterprise conversational AI company Boost.ai for an undisclosed amount. The deal is expected to strengthen its capabilities in autonomous customer service, employee support, and business operations.

The proposed acquisition, alongside Automation Anywhere’s early buyout of Aisera, is expected to broaden its portfolio of autonomous enterprise solutions, the company said in a statement.

“As we help our customers increase autonomy and maximize return on their AI investments, this acquisition will take our market-leading offering to the next level,” said Mihir Shukla, CEO and Chairman of Automation Anywhere.

“Every enterprise runs on three kinds of work: serving customers, supporting employees, and running the business. Most run in isolation. With Automation Anywhere and Boost.ai, we intend to be the leading offering to give every enterprise an autonomous operation that listens, decides, and acts across all three. This is the Autonomous Enterprise in action,” he added.

Headquartered in San Jose, Automation Anywhere also operates in India. Its autonomous enterprise strategy aims to enable 80 percent of business functions to run autonomously or with AI assistance.

Meanwhile, Boost.ai serves hundreds of customer organisations across industries, including financial services, telecommunications, and insurance. Its platform supports more than 36 languages and follows security and privacy measures aligned with GDPR and HIPAA.

The platform combines natural language understanding with generative and agentic AI capabilities. According to the company’s statement, it achieves a resolution rate of more than 90 percent in production deployments.

Intimate wellness brand Plush targets ₹180-Cr revenue this year

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October 9, 2026

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Intimate wellness brand Plush targets ₹180-Cr revenue this year — Ketan Munoth and Prince Kapoor, co-founders, Plush

Intimate wellness brand Plush is targeting revenue of ₹170–180 crore in the current fiscal year, nearly doubling its approximately ₹98 crore revenue last year. To achieve this goal, the company is stepping up customer acquisition, increasing its quick commerce market share and expanding its product portfolio while moving towards a more balanced distribution model.

Plush, which began as a digital-first brand, currently operates across approximately 3,000 touchpoints in six to seven cities. By the end of the current fiscal year, it aims to expand into 8–12 cities, with a particular focus on major metropolitan markets.

“The three growth levers for achieving the target are acquiring new customers, increasing market share on quick commerce and widening the product portfolio through three major launches planned for the next quarter,” said Ketan Munoth, co-founder, Plush.

The brand operates across period care, hair removal and sexual wellness. Period care accounts for around 60–70 per cent of revenue, while hair removal contributes 10–15 per cent and sexual wellness generates approximately 20 per cent. Plush currently offers about 40 stock-keeping units (SKUs) and has recently added deodorants to its intimate health and wellness portfolio.

Meanwhile, Plush is working to expand its distribution network. The company currently partners with around 14–15 distributors and sells through general trade and modern trade channels, including DMart.

“We are trying to scale our distribution,” Munoth said.

Quick commerce contributes around 60 per cent of Plush’s sales, followed by e-commerce at 20 per cent, offline retail at 10 per cent and direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales at 10 per cent. However, the company aims to increase D2C’s contribution to 15–17 per cent by investing more in customer acquisition and brand awareness.

“Now D2C as a channel will sort of increase and hit up to 15–17 percent,” he said.

Plush is also transitioning from importing products to localising manufacturing in India through third-party manufacturers. The company is supporting this shift with exclusive raw materials to gain greater flexibility in scaling its product portfolio and distribution network.

According to Munoth, the brand’s current product range limits its ability to expand more deeply into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Therefore, broadening the portfolio remains a priority before Plush accelerates its entry into these markets.

On profitability, Plush is prioritising growth over achieving immediate breakeven. Although its e-commerce and quick commerce operations are profitable, customer acquisition and brand-building investments account for most of its current cash burn.

Plush has raised around ₹65 crore across four funding rounds, including its angel round, and is evaluating another fundraise. However, the company has not formally structured its next round and is also considering a smaller internal round before pursuing a larger capital raise.

AI evaluation startup Arena raises $200 Mn to strengthen AI safety and alignment testing

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October 9, 2026

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Arena, which began in 2023 as a research project at UC Berkeley to crowdsource AI model rankings, has raised $200 million in a Series B funding round at a $3.1 billion valuation.

The latest funding follows the company’s announcement in June that it had reached $100 million in annualized run-rate revenue. Lightspeed Venture Partners and Khosla Ventures led the round, with participation from Salesforce Ventures, 01 Advisors, Dell Technologies Capital, Endeavor Catalyst, a16z, Felicis, and other investors.

Previously, Arena announced a $150 million Series A round in January at a $1.7 billion post-money valuation. At the time, the company reported annualized revenue of $30 million. Consequently, its valuation has nearly doubled in approximately 10 months.

Arena operates a free, crowdsourced platform that allows consumers to compare AI models. Users submit prompts or request vibe-coded projects and then evaluate which model delivers better results. According to the company, the platform attracts tens of millions of monthly visitors.

In September last year, Arena introduced its commercial offering, AI Evaluations, which provides AI model developers and enterprises with detailed performance analytics based on community feedback.

The launch came at a pivotal time. This year, AI labs discovered that their models were gaming benchmark tests by finding ways to achieve high scores without genuinely demonstrating the capabilities those tests were intended to measure. Meanwhile, enterprises increasingly sought help identifying models that best fit their internal requirements rather than relying exclusively on standardized benchmarks.

“AI is advancing faster than our ability to evaluate it, and static benchmarks break down once models recognize they’re being tested,” the company said in its funding announcement. “The world needs a neutral third party to measure how safe and aligned AI actually is once it’s in the hands of real people. Arena is stepping into that role today,” it added.

To strengthen its evaluation capabilities, Arena has also introduced an alignment category to its leaderboard. The category ranks AI models on issues such as unauthorized action, where a model takes steps it was not asked to perform; false attribution, where it incorrectly credits statements or facts to the wrong source; and “deceptive completion,” which refers to falsely claiming to have completed tasks that remain unfinished.

Currently, several OpenAI models occupy the top positions on Arena’s preliminary alignment leaderboard. Meanwhile, Claude Opus 5.5 and Claude Fable rank sixth and ninth, respectively.

Treebo Hospitality opens 37-key Medalio Boutique Nagpur Hotel

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October 8, 2026

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Treebo Hospitality Ventures (THV) has opened Medalio Boutique Nagpur, a 37-key hotel, as the group expands Medalio, its boutique lifestyle hotel brand, across key Indian cities.

Nagpur, home to India’s historic Zero Mile Marker, serves as a major commercial and regional travel hub in central India. Moreover, its strong connectivity across Maharashtra and neighbouring states, combined with demand from business travel, weddings, and other events, creates a diverse hospitality market that extends beyond traditional accommodation.

Medalio Boutique Nagpur brings accommodation, dining, and event facilities together under one roof. The property combines contemporary guest amenities with neo-classical design influences across its façade, lobby, restaurant, and banquet spaces. This approach supports Medalio’s focus on thoughtful design and intuitive hospitality while creating a distinctive lifestyle experience.

The hotel houses The Rising Forks, a restaurant offering Indian, regional, and global cuisine. The dining venue caters to both hotel guests and local diners and forms a key part of the property’s social and culinary experience.

The property also features Toastroom, a dedicated banquet and events venue for weddings, celebrations, social gatherings, and corporate events. With a capacity of 350, the venue allows the hotel to serve Nagpur’s sizeable social and events market alongside its accommodation and dining facilities.

Commenting on the opening, Sidharth Gupta, Co-founder and CEO, Treebo Hospitality Ventures, said, “Medalio is built for the modern traveller who increasingly moves between work, leisure, and everything in between and expects more from a hotel than a functional stay. Our philosophy of Rest, Flow, and Spark is about creating stays that help guests recharge, move through their experience intuitively, and encounter moments that feel memorable. At Medalio Boutique Nagpur, that philosophy comes alive through a blend of contemporary and neo-classical design, alongside dining and social experiences that make the stay more layered and multi-sensorial. As we expand Medalio, our focus is on creating experiences that feel relevant to the way people travel today and, ultimately, make guests want to come back.”

Rana Khurana & Tushar Khurana (Khurana Builders), owners of Medalio Boutique Nagpur, said, “Having been part of a family that has built multiple businesses over the past few decades, we know how important the right partner is for long-term growth. THV brings strong operating capabilities, brand expertise, and a disciplined approach to hospitality. The early response to Medalio Boutique Nagpur has been encouraging and gives us confidence in the partnership.”

TransIndia Enters Chennai with TransIndia Grandeur, Sets Sights on South India Expansion

By

BRL Editor

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October 8, 2026

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• Mumbai-based real estate company begins its South India expansion with TransIndia Grandeur in Anna Nagar

• Signs an approximately 11-acre redevelopment project and set to evaluate two more opportunities in Chennai

Mumbai/Chennai, October 08, 2026: TransIndia, a well-established Mumbai-based real estate developer, has announced its foray into Chennai with TransIndia Grandeur, an ultra-luxury residential development in Anna Nagar. The move marks an important step in the company’s expansion beyond Maharashtra and the beginning of its long-term growth journey in South India. TransIndia’s Chennai strategy will focus on redevelopment opportunities in established neighborhoods, where limited availability of large land parcels is creating demand for new premium residential developments.

TransIndia Grandeur comprises spacious three-and four-bedroom residences designed for established families and homebuyers seeking an upgraded living experience. Located in a well-connected, mature residential neighbourhood, the project offers luxury residences designed for discerning homebuyers, with spacious deck residences and panoramic river and city views.

Situated along the Anna Nagar, Poonamallee High Road corridor, TransIndia Grandeur benefits from being in a prominent main-road location with access to an established residential and social ecosystem. The development is being planned as an elevated lifestyle offering, packed with features including a grand double-height lobby and driveway, concierge services, and a rooftop swimming pool being planned.

The project features 15+ curated amenities designed to complement the residential experience, including an infinity pool, golf simulator, gaming arena, indoor games room, sports court, walking track and yoga deck/meditation area. The development also comprises Wings A and B with a G+11 structure, with four residences and four high-speed elevators per floor.

Commenting on the Chennai project launch, Mr. Rajendra M. Rajan, Founder, TransIndia Group said, “Chennai was a natural next step in TransIndia’s growth journey after Mumbai. The city has strong economic fundamentals, an established base of homebuyers, and considerable redevelopment potential coming up in its mature residential neighbourhoods. As large land parcels become increasingly scarce in prime locations, redevelopment can help create high-quality housing while preserving the advantages of established communities. TransIndia Grandeur is a reflection of our commitment to bringing thoughtfully planned, premium residences to the city, while our wider project pipeline demonstrates that this is a long-term market for us.”

Construction activity began ahead of its formal launch, with piling work already completed and excavation at the rear of the project site currently under way. The development is expected to be through in approximately two-and-a-half years from launch.

The Chennai launch for TransIndia comes as the city’s residential market reports increasing activity in the premium and luxury categories. According to Anarock’s Chennai Q2 2026 Residential Market Viewpoints, Chennai recorded approximately 5,300 residential unit launches during the quarter. Luxury housing accounted for 18 per cent of new residential supply, compared with 3 per cent in the preceding quarter. Infrastructure development, growth in the IT-ITeS sector, the expanding presence of global capability centres and improvements in metro and suburban rail connectivity have continued to back the city’s housing market.

TransIndia sees redevelopment as a key driver of Chennai’s next phase of residential growth, particularly in mature neighbourhoods. These locations offer strong connectivity, established infrastructure, and sustained housing demand but limited scope for greenfield development. Beyond TransIndia Grandeur project, the company has signed an approximately 11-acre redevelopment project and has two more developments in the pipeline. This growing portfolio will anchor TransIndia’s long-term presence in Chennai and advance its expansion across South India.

Website – https://transindiagroup.com/

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