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Zupee strengthens global footprint with Australian AI firm Nucanon acquisition

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Nilushanan Kulasingham, CEO of Nucanon

Zupee, India’s leading social gaming and entertainment platform, announced on Monday the acquisition of Nucanon, a Sydney-based pioneer in AI-powered interactive storytelling.

This strategic acquisition represents a landmark collaboration between India and Australia in the digital entertainment industry, combining Zupee’s extensive distribution network with Nucanon’s breakthrough narrative AI technology.

According to the company, the move will significantly accelerate Zupee’s mission to build the world’s most advanced platform for interactive story entertainment. Furthermore, the initiative aims to create a vibrant ecosystem where creators can design branching storylines, dynamic characters, and AI-driven worlds that deeply engage audiences. Ultimately, this strategic step positions Zupee at the forefront of the next wave of AI-powered storytelling and immersive digital experiences.

At the heart of Nucanon’s technology lies a proprietary world-building AI engine that is redefining how stories are written and experienced. This system allows stories to evolve organically, adapting to every player’s choice. Dialogues flow naturally, characters recall past interactions, and plotlines shift based on user decisions — creating living, responsive narratives.

The company further noted that the result is an immersive story experience that evolves much like real human relationships. Users can explore freely within these worlds without interrupting their continuity or realism. Each interaction feels personal and authentic — expressed through text, voice, or visuals — making every story unique and alive.

“The holy grail of interactive entertainment is true player agency within a compelling story. This is the challenge that has stumped the industry for decades, and it’s the one we were founded to solve,” said Nilushanan Kulasingham, CEO of Nucanon. “Our goal is to build an AI that doesn’t just generate text; it understands the story. With Zupee’s backing, we now have the resources to take on this challenge at scale,” he added.

Post-acquisition, Nucanon’s founding team will head product innovation from Zupee’s India headquarters. Its proprietary AI technology will serve as the backbone of a new interactive storytelling vertical within Zupee, merging the company’s reach in gaming and entertainment with cutting-edge AI and creative design.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in positioning India as a global hub for gaming and digital entertainment innovation. By integrating top-tier technology with creative talent, Zupee aims to deliver next-generation storytelling experiences from India to audiences worldwide.

As part of its growth strategy, the company is expanding its team across product, technology, and design, inviting creators and innovators to help shape a smarter, more inclusive, and culturally connected era of entertainment.

According to company details, Zupee continues to lead India’s social gaming landscape, leveraging frontier technologies to reimagine culturally inspired games and entertainment for the digital age. Nucanon, on the other hand, is an Australian AI storytelling startup enabling creators to build immersive, narrative-driven experiences for games and virtual worlds.

Tamil Nadu Approves AI-Driven Commerce & Startup Programme for 2,000 Students in Virudhunagar

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AI for School Education

The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has granted official approval to the Environmental Social Governance and Company Secretary (ESG CS) Foundation to conduct its AI-driven commerce and startup programme titled the C.A.S.T. (Commerce Aptitude & Startup Talent) Project across all schools in the Virudhunagar district, covering nearly 2,000 students.

This approval marks a state-level first for the ESG CS Foundation, a registered trust committed to empowering commerce education through artificial intelligence, law, and governance literacy. The Foundation has launched this initiative as part of its broader vision to integrate AI technology into practical, skill-based commerce learning.

The startup programme begins with CAPS 2025 (Commerce Aptitude for Startups) — a district-level event open to students from other districts as well — designed to make commerce education engaging, skill-focused, and AI-driven for Class 11 and 12 students. The project seeks to mentor students for professional fields such as Company Secretary (CS), Law, Banking, and SEBI-related courses, while also nurturing entrepreneurial thinking at the school level.

As part of the Foundation’s long-term roadmap, the career guidance and incubation phase will culminate in the CA.R.E.S 2026 (Commerce Aptitude for Real-Career Empowered Startups) event, scheduled for March 28, 2026. This follow-up initiative will extend continued mentorship, helping students transition from academic learning to real-world startup and professional opportunities.

The CAPS 2025 event is set to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Sri Kaliswari College, Sivakasi, where AI applications will be actively used to teach core commerce subjects, professional skills, and startup thinking.

Mathankumar M.A., M.Ed, the Chief Education Officer of Virudhunagar District, will preside over the event, symbolizing the Tamil Nadu government’s endorsement of the long-term project. The event will also feature eminent Company Secretaries who will provide students with real-world professional insights and guidance.

Top-performing students will receive cash prizes worth ₹20,000, recognizing their excellence and innovative potential. Furthermore, 250 interested students will be selected for specialized, free mentorship for the Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET), thus creating a direct pipeline to professional careers in commerce and corporate governance.

Lemon Tree Hotels strengthens Eastern India portfolio with launch of Motihari Hotel

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Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President, Lemon Tree Hotels

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited unveiled its newest managed property, Lemon Tree Hotel, Motihari, on October 31, 2025. This opening marks a significant step in the brand’s continued expansion across Eastern India and further strengthens its footprint in Bihar, where it already operates one property.

The hotel offers 50 elegantly designed rooms and suites, combining comfort with functionality. In its first phase, 32 rooms will be operational, along with Citrus Café, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and a range of event and wellness facilities — including Tangerine Grand 1, Tangerine Grand 2, a Boardroom, spa, fitness center, and swimming pool.

The second phase will add the remaining 18 rooms, along with Kebab Theater, a contemporary Indian specialty restaurant serving authentic kebabs, tikkas, and regional delicacies, as well as another banquet hall, Tangerine.

Commenting on the launch, Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “Motihari stands as a city of deep historical and cultural relevance, marking an important chapter in India’s independence movement. With the opening of Lemon Tree Hotel, Motihari, we are pleased to extend our signature comfort and warmth to travellers visiting this iconic destination, blending modern hospitality with the city’s timeless charm.”

Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, is set to host the Inaugural Edition of the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025

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Bengaluru, 31 October 2025 – Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), in collaboration with the Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA), Knowledge Partner, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), and Country Partner, Germany, is all set to host the inaugural edition of the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 — positioning Karnataka as a global hub for workforce innovation and skilling excellence, from 4th to 6th November at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.

The event will be inaugurated on 4th November by Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, in the august presence of Shri D. K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Dr. Sharanaprakash R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood and Medical Education, Government of Karnataka. The event will host Special Invitees, including The Hon. Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem, Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, Republic of Mauritius; His Excellency Dr. Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India; and Mr. Ashutosh Gupta, Managing Director – India and Asia Pacific, Coursera, along with other distinguished dignitaries.

The theme of this year is “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy”, which underscores the focus on expanding opportunities at scale, strengthening systems for quality and relevance, and building synergies among various stakeholders. The summit will host 3,000+ attendees, including policymakers, corporate leaders, academic experts, innovators, etc.; 100+ speakers, including ministers, global leaders, academic pioneers, etc., and 50+ exhibitors & partners.

Some of the notable speakers in summit are- Mr. Subroto Bagchi [Co-Founder of Mindtree, Former Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority India], Mr. Ravi Venkatesan [Chairman Global Energy Alliance and Former Chairman Microsoft India & Bank of Baroda, India], Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari [IAS, Former Secretary to Government of India], Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam [Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog], Mr. Naveen Narayanan [Global Head HR, Biocon Biologics], Ms. Saraswathi Ramachandra [Managing Director & Country Head, Lightcast.io], Gi Soon Song [Director (South Asia), Human and Social Development Sector Office, Asian Development Bank], Mish Eastman [Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice President, RMIT University & Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), Australia] among many others.

An exclusive ministerial panel is scheduled on 5 November 2025, at the plenary stage on the topic “Convergence of Education, Skills & Industry for a Trillion USD Economy by 2032.” The session will bring together senior policymakers and industry leaders to discuss how aligning education, skilling, and industrial priorities can accelerate India’s journey toward a trillion-dollar economy. It will emphasize building an integrated ecosystem that fosters innovation, employability, and sustainable economic growth. The panel will feature Dr. Sharanaparakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon. Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood and Medical Education; M. B. Patil, Hon. Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development; Priyank Kharge, Hon. Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, and E, I.T. & Bt.; and Dr. M. C. Sudhakar, Hon. Minister for Higher Education, all from the Government of Karnataka. The session will be moderated by Madan Padaki, Managing Trustee, Head Held High Foundation.

The summit invites participation from across various industries, including Aerospace & Defence, AgriTech, Automotive, Real Estate, Banking & Finance, Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Media, Retail, Software, Telecommunications, Hospitality, and others. It aims to position Karnataka as a global hub for skill innovation, fostering collaboration across sectors to build a future-ready workforce.

Delegates will have the opportunity to explore emerging skilling innovations, network with government and industry leaders, participate in live showcases and policy dialogues, and discover career and partnership opportunities.

Other key highlights from the summit would include Skillathon 2025, a national-level innovation challenge for college students aimed at harnessing young creative minds to reimagine India’s skilling ecosystem and design impactful solutions for the future of work; the Kaushalya Karnataka Awards, recognizing both corporate and institutional excellence by spotlighting progressive practices and collaborative models that drive inclusive growth, innovation, and workforce competitiveness across the state; and the Skill Expo Pavilion, showcasing the latest training technologies and EdTech solutions. The event will also feature a cultural performance, Karnataka Vaibhava, a grand showcase celebrating the rich heritage and vibrant traditions of Karnataka.

In addition, the Summit will host masterclasses, deep-dive sessions, policy roundtables, and a dynamic Youth Zone connecting students and young professionals with career opportunities. It will reflect upon four major areas comprising-

> fresh ideas in skilling,

> skills for everyone, including women, young adults, and gig workers,

> global skills to get Karnataka workers ready for international jobs, and

> getting ready for things like AI, green jobs, and the online world

Commenting on the maiden project/initiative, Dr. Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, and Medical Education, said,

“Bengaluru Skill Summit reflects Karnataka’s determination to lead India into the next era of workforce development. Our priority is to build a skilling framework that is inclusive, industry-aligned, and globally benchmarked — empowering young people to shape the future economy as skilled professionals, innovators, or entrepreneurs.”

Echoing this vision, Dr. Gayathri Vasudevan, Chairperson, LabourNet Services India Pvt. Ltd., and Trustee, Sambhav Foundation, added,

“The intent of the Bengaluru Skill Summit is to bring together innovations in technology and people development to explore how skill-building can truly translate into employability and meaningful employment for young people.”

Participants are invited to join the movement shaping India’s future workforce from 4–6 November 2025 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru. For registration and more details, visit www.bengaluruskillsummit.com.

For any media-related queries, please contact:

Imran Mushtaq | Sr. PR & Media Executive | 7780902815 | imran@tresconglobal.com

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts Q2 FY26 EBITDA rises 17.6% to ₹140.5-Cr

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Manoj Bhat, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd.

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd (MHRIL), one of India’s leading leisure hospitality players, delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of FY26, supported by robust resort operations, healthy membership sales, and continued portfolio expansion.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2025, the company reported a total income of ₹380.7 crore, up 2.6% year-on-year. EBITDA increased 17.6% to ₹140.5 crore, while profit before tax rose 11.5% to ₹71 crore. Net profit grew 9.8% to ₹51.7 crore, with profit excluding forex impact up 18.8% at ₹49.9 crore.

“We have delivered a strong performance despite being affected by unprecedented rain in the Himachal & Uttarakhand clusters. We accelerated inventory expansion to add a new resort & expanded four existing resorts. We also reviewed customer feedback and exited five resorts during the quarter. Growth in resort revenue & membership upgrades continues as we deliver a superlative customer experience across touchpoints. As part of our continued premiumization strategy, we adopted a selective approach to member additions, resulting in a higher average sales value. Our European operation, HCRO, despite being impacted by multiple economic headwinds, has delivered a stable performance. Our overall performance has been robust, and consolidated profits are up by 47 percent YoY,” said Manoj Bhat, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd.

Resort revenue, excluding HCRO, climbed 8% year-on-year to ₹84 crore, driven by stronger occupancies and increased inventory. Occupancy stood at 73.4% across an expanded base of 5,742 keys spread across 118 resorts. During the quarter, MHRIL launched a new resort in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, and expanded four properties in Kandaghat, Dindi, Patkot, and Jaipur. The company also made steady progress on three ongoing greenfield and brownfield projects.

Membership performance remained solid, with 1,432 new members added, bringing the total membership base to 304,000. Membership sales value reached ₹134 crore, while the Average Unit Realisation (AUR) surged 85% year-on-year to ₹9.3 lakh, reflecting strong demand for premium memberships and improved pricing strategy.

As of September 30, 2025, MHRIL’s cash position stood at ₹1,532 crore, up 5% year-on-year, while deferred revenue was at ₹5,747 crore. The company said its healthy liquidity position supports ongoing resort expansion and ensures operational resilience.

MHRIL reaffirmed its focus on enhancing guest experiences, expanding in high-potential leisure destinations, and driving sustainable growth through efficiency improvements and stronger member engagement.

Table Space enters New Delhi’s premium Aerocity, adds 5.4 Lakh sq ft to NCR portfolio

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Table Space, a leading enterprise-managed workspace provider, has marked its entry into New Delhi with a new center at Worldmark 4 in Aerocity, while simultaneously expanding its footprint across Gurugram. Together, these developments add over 540,000 sq. ft. of premium office space in the National Capital Region (NCR) as of October 2025.

This major expansion—covering new centers at Gurugram’s DLF Downtown, Godrej GCR, Atrium Place, and Good Earth Business Bay II—pushes Table Space’s total NCR portfolio beyond 2.2 million sq. ft. With this, the company further strengthens its position as a preferred partner for multinational enterprises and global capability centers seeking flexible, design-driven, and tech-enabled workspaces.

The additions include over 3,000 seats under its ‘Suites’ product, a ready-to-move-in workspace solution tailored for corporates needing fully furnished, private, and scalable offices equipped with robust infrastructure for immediate operations.

The New Delhi centre at Worldmark 4, Aerocity, spans 50,000 sq. ft. on the third floor and features collaborative spaces, enterprise-grade infrastructure, and wellness-focused amenities. The building provides direct metro connectivity and proximity to luxury hotels such as JW Marriott, Andaz, and Novotel, along with premium residential developments—offering a blend of workplace convenience, lifestyle, and hospitality for enterprise clients.

In Gurugram, Table Space has expanded across several key business districts. The DLF Downtown center, located close to DLF Cyberhub in DLF City Phase 3, features 85,000 sq. ft. of workspace over two floors, integrating both custom-built and ‘Suites’ configurations. The Godrej GCR center on Golf Course Road covers nearly 150,000 sq. ft. across three floors, ideal for agile teams seeking high connectivity and access to dining and cultural amenities near Sector 42-43 and the DLF Golf and Country Club.

The Good Earth Business Bay II site in Sector 58 contributes 70,000 sq. ft. of workspace, offering easy access to NH8 and nearby leisure destinations. Meanwhile, Atrium Place, positioned along NH8, adds 190,000 sq. ft. across four floors, targeting growth-oriented enterprises. The development is part of a mixed-use ecosystem featuring hospitality, retail, and entertainment options, supported by robust metro connectivity.

“Along with this, our expansion across Gurugram further deepens our commitment to creating world-class, flexible workspaces across NCR’s most strategic business districts. As one of India’s most dynamic office markets, NCR represents a critical growth corridor where enterprises are seeking swift, agile, tech-enabled, and fully compliant work environments, and Table Space is uniquely positioned to deliver this value through an integrated and experience-led approach,” said Kunal Mehra, President & Co-CEO, Table Space.

Founded in 2017 by commercial real estate professionals, Table Space now manages over 9.9 million sq. ft. across 33 clusters in India, catering to over 315 global corporations. Its offerings include ready-to-move ‘Suites’ and fully customizable workspaces built through its in-house design and ‘Workspace-as-a-Service’ model, empowering modern enterprises in India’s key business hubs.

Pine Labs achieves profitability in Q1 FY26 as revenue rises 18% YoY

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Online payments major Pine Labs has reported its first-ever quarterly net profit in the June quarter of FY26, backed by a steady rise in operating revenue and improved profitability metrics.

As per its red herring prospectus filed on Friday, the company posted a net profit of ₹4.8 crore during the first quarter of FY26. Operating revenue climbed 17.8% year-on-year to ₹615 crore in the same period.

For FY25, Pine Labs recorded an operating revenue of ₹2,274 crore, marking a 28.5% increase from ₹1,769 crore in FY24. The Peak XV Partners-backed fintech had also significantly narrowed its net loss in FY25 to ₹145 crore, a 57.4% improvement from the ₹341 crore loss reported in FY24. Its adjusted EBITDA (excluding ESOP costs) more than doubled to ₹356 crore in FY25, up from ₹158 crore in FY24 and ₹196 crore in FY23.

The company’s final prospectus now includes financial data up to the June 2025 quarter, expanding upon its earlier draft filed in June. Pine Labs is gearing up for its IPO, expected to be launched in the coming weeks, with the price band announcement likely early next week. The firm plans to raise ₹2,600 crore through a fresh issue and conduct an offer for sale (OFS) of 147.8 million shares, targeting a valuation of $4–5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

On the business side, Pine Labs has expanded its partnerships with financial institutions to 198, serving around 690 consumer brands. In FY25, it processed 5.7 billion transactions across 954,000 merchants. For the June quarter, the company reported a gross transaction value (GTV) of $46 billion, bringing its annualized GTV to $185 billion.

Intel in talks to acquire AI chip startup SambaNova

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Intel Corp. is reportedly in preliminary discussions to acquire SambaNova Systems Inc., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip startup, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The talks remain in the early stages, with Intel exploring potential terms while SambaNova, advised by bankers, gauges interest from possible acquirers. Sources indicate that any deal would likely value the company below the $5 billion valuation it achieved during its 2021 funding round.

Although discussions are ongoing, there’s no certainty the two companies will reach an agreement. Other potential buyers may also emerge, the sources added.

A SambaNova spokesperson said the company continues to evaluate strategic opportunities aligned with its mission and stakeholder interests but declined to provide additional details. Intel representatives also declined to comment.

Founded in 2017 by Stanford University professors, including a MacArthur Genius Award recipient, the startup develops custom AI chips designed to compete with those from Nvidia Corp. An acquisition would reunite Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan with a company he knows well—Tan previously served as SambaNova’s executive chairman and led its $56 million Series A through his venture capital firm Walden International.

In 2021, the startup raised $676 million in a round led by SoftBank Group Corp., valuing it at $5 billion. Since then, the AI chip market has accelerated with the rise of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. While Nvidia dominates the training chip segment, SambaNova has shifted focus toward AI inference systems—running pre-trained models—and now offers AI cloud services on its own hardware.

Earlier this year, the company reportedly laid off 15% of its workforce as part of a strategic restructuring effort.

EnduroSat raises $104 Mn to accelerate next-gen space technology development

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EnduroSat announced on Thursday that it has raised $104 million in a fresh funding round from investors including Google Ventures, Lux Capital, and the European Investment Council. The Bulgaria-based satellite manufacturer plans to use the capital to scale up production of its small and midsized satellites.

As global demand for secure communications and Earth observation grows, compact satellite makers like EnduroSat are emerging as cost-effective alternatives to large constellations such as SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper.

EnduroSat’s satellites feature a modular, building-block design, allowing for quick assembly and testing—often within hours rather than months—at a fraction of traditional costs. The latest funding round also saw participation from Shrug Capital and Riot Ventures, though the company did not reveal its valuation.

The investment aligns with the opening of EnduroSat’s new 188,340-square-foot Space Center in Bulgaria, capable of producing up to two satellites per day, each weighing between 200 and 500 kilograms.

This marks the company’s second funding round in 2025. Earlier in May, it raised €43 million ($50.15 million) in a round led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund.

With over 3,000 modules in orbit, a team of 230 employees across six locations, and 350 global customers (including 100 in the U.S.), EnduroSat continues to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving space technology landscape.

Sunday Hotels announces major expansion into wildlife tourism segment

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Sunday Hotels has announced its entry into the wildlife tourism segment with plans to launch 10 properties across India’s leading national parks and reserves over the next six months. The expansion begins with the opening of its first wildlife property—Sunday Hotel & Resort at Kiyari Kham, located near the Jim Corbett National Park.

Nestled amidst lush forests and serene creeks, the resort is situated about 10 km from the Amdanda Gate of Jim Corbett. The property offers a perfect blend of luxury and nature, featuring over 50 rooms across categories such as Premium, Attic, Family Rooms, and Suites, many of which include private balconies with forest views. Each room comes with modern amenities like air-conditioning, LED TVs, Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee stations to ensure a comfortable stay.

Guests can unwind at the outdoor pool, restaurant, and bar, or enjoy evenings around the bonfire zones. The property also provides business halls and lush lawns ideal for leisure getaways, corporate retreats, and destination weddings. To enhance the wildlife experience, the resort offers guided safaris, nature walks, riverside trails, bird-watching tours, yoga sessions, and stargazing nights, all curated and led by trained experts for an immersive and safe adventure.

Speaking about the company’s strategic expansion, Aditya Sharma, Business Head, Sunday Hotels, said, “We are planning to add nine more properties over the next six months with a focus on some of the most popular wildlife destinations such as Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha in the north and central regions, and Periyar, Nagarhole, and Wayanad in the south—creating a truly pan-India footprint. The Sunday Wildlife Collection will celebrate the spirit of the wild while empowering local communities through employment, artisanal partnerships, and sustainable, eco-friendly practices.”

With this new venture, the brand aims to establish a pan-India presence in the fast-growing eco- and wildlife tourism sector, offering travelers an authentic yet luxurious experience deeply rooted in sustainability and community engagement.

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