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Lords Hotels & Resorts Expands Footprint in Nepal with the Launch of Lords Plaza Chitwan

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Pushpendra Bansal, COO, Lords Hotels & Resorts

Lords Hotels & Resorts, one of India’s leading mid-market hospitality chains, proudly announces the grand opening of its newest property in Chitwan, marking another milestone in its growing international presence. With existing properties in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, the brand continues to bring its signature blend of modern comfort, warm hospitality, and local charm to travelers across Nepal. Nestled in the heart of the Chitwan district, the hotel promises guests an unforgettable stay, combining contemporary amenities with the region’s scenic beauty.

Strategically located near the iconic Chitwan National Park, the hotel serves as a gateway to unforgettable wildlife experiences, from thrilling jungle safaris to serene nature walks. Guests can also enjoy riverside strolls and boating along the Narayani River, discover the vibrant traditions of the Tharu Cultural Village, or explore Bisha Zari Tal, a paradise for birdwatchers. Its proximity to key business hubs makes it an ideal choice for corporate travelers seeking a balance of work and leisure also.

Speaking on the occasion, Pushpendra Bansal, COO, Lords Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are delighted to expand our footprint in Nepal with Lords Plaza Chitwan. This destination beautifully represents the harmony between nature and culture, and our hotel is designed to offer guests a truly enriching experience, one that blends contemporary luxury with the genuine warmth of Nepalese hospitality.”

Shailej N Teri, AVP Nepal, further added, “Lords Plaza Chitwan features elegant rooms and suites, multi-cuisine dining options, banquet and conference facilities, and a host of modern amenities for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel promises to deliver the brand’s signature True Value Hospitality through impeccable service and personalized attention.”

About Lords Hotels & Resorts

Lords Hotels & Resorts: Elevating hospitality across 70 hotels in 57 destinations across 3 nations.

DayOne plans to raise over $1 Billion to fuel global expansion

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DayOne, a global data centre operator affiliated with GDS Holdings, one of China’s largest data centre firms, is seeking to raise more than $1 billion in a new funding round, according to four people familiar with the matter.

Previously known as GDS International, DayOne has approached both new and existing shareholders for its Series C fundraising. The fresh capital will accelerate its expansion plans across Southeast Asia and Europe, the sources said, requesting anonymity due to the confidential nature of the information.

According to two of the sources, the company could be valued between $4 billion and $5 billion before the new funds are injected. The company has reportedly reached out to global infrastructure funds and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds to participate in the round.

In an email statement on Thursday, it confirmed the equity fundraising, emphasizing that the initiative is independent of GDS. Although sources earlier reported that GDS was raising funds for its international arm, DayOne declined to comment on specific fundraising details, while GDS did not respond to requests for comment.

Shanghai-based GDS established GDS International in Singapore in 2022, later rebranding it as DayOne in January 2025 following its separation from the parent company. The business has already raised about $1.8 billion across two funding rounds in 2024, GDS said earlier.

Currently, DayOne’s investors include Hillhouse Investment, Boyu Capital, Coatue Management, and the SoftBank Vision Fund. GDS aims to develop DayOne further and eventually list it as an independent company, according to people familiar with the plan.

In its latest statement, it clarified that while GDS remains one of its founding investors, it operates under a distinct ownership and governance structure, with an independent management team, board, and investor base. Notably, GDS founder and CEO William Huang also serves as chairman of DayOne, according to the company’s website.

Following the $1.2 billion Series B round in December 2024, GDS’s stake in the company dropped to 35.6% from 52.7%, valuing its holding at around $1.3 billion, equivalent to roughly $6.75 per American Depositary Share of GDS. Consequently, GDS deconsolidated DayOne for accounting purposes, recognizing it as an equity investee since it no longer controls the board majority.

DayOne currently manages about 480 megawatts (MW) of operational or under-construction data centre capacity, with an additional 590 MW reserved for future projects in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan.

Furthermore, in August 2025, DayOne announced a €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) investment to build a hyperscale data centre campus in Lahti, Finland, marking its first foray into Europe and reinforcing its position as a rapidly expanding global player.

M3M India to invest ₹2,100-Cr in ultra-luxury Jacob & Co branded residences in Noida

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Jacob Arabo, Founder & Chairman, Jacob & Co.

Real estate developer M3M India announced on Thursday that it will invest ₹2,100 crore to develop Jacob & Co.-branded ultra-luxury residences in Noida as part of its expansion strategy.

In a statement, the company unveiled the launch of ‘Jacob & Co. Residences, Noida.’

Jacob & Co., a globally renowned luxury brand known for its high-jewelry timepieces and exceptional craftsmanship, will debut its first-ever housing project in India through this collaboration.

Jacob Arabo, founder and chairman of Jacob & Co., attended the launch event. The Gurugram-based M3M Group, which is already developing two Trump-branded ultra-luxury housing projects, will invest ₹2,100 crore in this 6-acre development.

The company expects to generate around ₹3,500 crore in total revenue from this upcoming project, which is scheduled for completion within the next three years.

The residences will be priced between ₹14 crore and ₹25 crore, targeting India’s high-end luxury market. In the first phase, M3M will build 150 premium residences, followed by around 100 ultra-luxury serviced apartments in Phase II.

M3M India Promoter Pankaj Bansal said, “This collaboration with Jacob & Co. reflects our strategic focus on elevating the standard of luxury living in India.”

Jacob Arabo, Founder and Chairman of Jacob & Co., added, “At Jacob & Co., we have always believed in pushing boundaries of design, innovation, and experience. India represents an exciting frontier for luxury, and we see tremendous potential in this collaboration.”

He further noted that the partnership goes beyond real estate, stating that it is about “establishing a new benchmark for ultra-luxury living in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.”

The M3M Group has already completed 40 projects spanning 20 million square feet, while 17 additional projects covering 40 million square feet are currently under construction.

EBG Group and Tarzan unveil Tarzan Resorts to redefine luxury stays

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In a bold step to transform India’s experiential travel and eco-luxury hospitality sector, EBG Group has formed a strategic partnership with Tarzan, a pioneer in adventure-driven sustainable tourism. As a result, they will launch Tarzan Resorts—an innovative eco-adventure hospitality brand that not only combines nature, sustainability, and design innovation but also aims to set a new standard in luxury travel.

Tarzan Resorts introduces an eco-luxury resort model featuring theme-based pods designed to immerse guests in nature while providing exceptional comfort and visual appeal. The concept merges adventure, serenity, and sustainability, targeting travelers who seek premium and mindful experiences across India’s most scenic locations—from mountain retreats to forest escapes and coastal havens.

The resorts will offer three distinct formats to meet diverse traveler preferences and investment goals. Signature Pods provide destination-driven experiences tailored for premium travelers, merging luxury with curated adventures. Flagship Resorts function as large-scale nature retreats, integrating adventure, wellness, and leisure. Meanwhile, FOCO (Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated) Pods present compact, scalable models for investors and partners interested in sustainable, high-potential hospitality ventures.

As part of this nationwide rollout, EBG Group and Tarzan plan to establish 100 themed pods across 20 prime Indian destinations by March 2026, with each pod requiring a minimum investment of ₹30 lakh. This expansion will drive revenue growth in EBG Group’s eco-luxury vertical by FY2026, while offering anticipated ROI for strategic and franchise investors. The company aims to position Tarzan Resorts as one of India’s most scalable eco-luxury hospitality ventures, leveraging direct bookings, franchise partnerships, and experiential tourism packages to achieve positive growth by the end of FY2026.

The chosen destinations span India’s most picturesque and culturally rich regions. In Kerala, the focus will include Munnar, Wayanad, and Varkala, while Karnataka will feature Coorg and Chikmagalur. In Tamil Nadu, retreats will include Kodaikanal and Ooty, and Rajasthan will spotlight Kelwara–Kumbhalgarh and Mount Abu. Maharashtra will host pods in Lonavala, Pawna, and Alibaug, and Uttarakhand will include Rishikesh and Mukteshwar. Himachal Pradesh will showcase Manali and Dharamshala, while Goa will highlight Ashwem and Agonda. Expanding to the Northeast, the plan includes Shillong, Tawang, and Gangtok, along with Madhya Pradesh destinations like Pachmarhi and Bandhavgarh.

“With Tarzan Resorts, we’re creating India’s most exclusive eco-luxury getaways where nature meets modern comfort. Each destination is carefully chosen for its natural beauty, and every pod reflects our passion for sustainability and adventure. Together with EBG Group, our goal is to redefine how India experiences nature and deliver growth by FY2026,” said Satya V. Dantuluri, co-founder of Tarzan.

“At EBG Group, we believe in building businesses that align innovation with sustainability. Tarzan Resorts embodies this perfectly—combining eco-friendly design, local partnerships, and scalable investment models. With Signature, Flagship, and FOCO formats, we’re not only expanding India’s hospitality footprint but also creating new opportunities for investors and communities alike,” said Hari Kiran, co-founder & COO at EBG Group.

Kuku FM raises $85 Mn in funding to accelerate growth and content expansion

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L-R: Vikas Goyal, Vinod Kumar Meena, and Lal Chand Bisu, co-founders, Kuku FM

Kuku FM, an audio and video content platform, has raised $85 million in its Series D funding round, led by Granite Asia (formerly GGV Capital). The round includes both primary funding and secondary share sales.

Existing investors such as Vertex Growth Fund, Krafton, IFC, Paramark, Tribe Capital India, and Bitkraft also participated in this financing round.

The company plans to use the new capital to scale content creation, expand its creator base, enhance platform technology, and reach more listeners across Bharat.

To date, Kuku FM has raised $156 million, including a $25 million Series C round led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Nandan Nilekani’s Fundamentum Partnership in October 2023. The platform’s last valuation was approximately $185 million.

Founded in 2018 by Lal Chand Bisu, Vikas Goyal, and Vinod Kumar Meena, Kuku FM monetizes through paywalled subscriptions for audiobooks, targeting both individuals and businesses. It offers diverse audio content spanning genres such as business, self-help, personal finance, history, religion, entertainment, and fitness, delivered in multiple Indian languages. The platform includes audiobooks, stories, courses, and podcasts for audiences in India and other markets.

According to TheKredible, Kuku FM’s revenue from operations surged 2.1x year-on-year, reaching Rs 88 crore in FY24 compared to Rs 41 crore in FY23, while its losses decreased by 18% to Rs 96 crore in FY24. The company has not yet filed its FY25 financial statements.

Kuku FM faces competition from platforms like Pocket FM, Awaz, Headfone, and to some extent Pratilipi. The micro-drama segment is expected to become increasingly competitive as new entrants join the market. Notably, real-money gaming platforms such as WinZO and Zupee have announced plans to pivot toward micro-drama content.

Koo co-founder Mayank Bidawatka unveils PicSee, an AI-powered photo sharing app

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Billion Hearts Software Technologies, founded by serial entrepreneur Mayank Bidawatka—best known as the co-founder of social platform Koo launched PicSee, which it describes as the world’s first AI-powered mutual photo-sharing app, the company announced on October 16.

The app introduces a unique “give to get” mechanism that enables users to automatically receive photos of themselves captured by friends—but only when they share their own in return. Once both users approve each other, the process becomes continuous and effortless, removing the need for manual uploads or photo requests.

“There are over 15 trillion photos in the world, with 2 trillion more clicked every year—yet most never get shared,” Bidawatka said. “PicSee fixes this with a patent-pending mutual sharing flow—you get your unseen pics from friends, and for them to get theirs, they share yours. PicSee uses AI-driven facial recognition to scan a user’s photo gallery, identify their friends, and generate personalized invites. Once both friends approve the connection, the app automatically shares the photos they’ve taken of each other.”

The app gives users a 24-hour review window to approve or withdraw any image before exchange, ensuring they retain full control over what gets shared. The app continues running in the background, identifying new photos and suggesting connections with friends recently photographed.

Unlike traditional platforms such as WhatsApp or Google Photos, PicSee eliminates manual uploads and album creation. The company calls it a “no-effort photo exchange”—powered by privacy-safe AI that removes the usual friction keeping personal photos locked in phone galleries.

PicSee designs its architecture with privacy as a core principle, which Bidawatka calls “non-negotiable” for any modern AI product. The app keeps all photos on users’ devices and encrypts them during transfer, preventing even PicSee employees from accessing or storing them. It also blocks screenshots, lets users recall shared images at any time, and enforces a 24-hour review window before sharing any photo.

“Everything stays encrypted and on-device, so even PicSee can’t see your photos,” Bidawatka said. “It’s simple, private, and built for global scale.”

According to the company, this model addresses the growing disconnect between the massive surge in smartphone photography and the hesitation to share personal photos. The company soft-launched PicSee in July 2025 and has since driven rapid growth through organic user referrals instead of paid marketing. Users now span 27 countries and over 160 cities, with adoption rising 75 times in just two months. Users have exchanged over 150,000 photos through the app so far.

The company further claims that 30% of users now have more photos of themselves on PicSee than in their own galleries, indicating that the mutual sharing mechanism is effectively recovering unseen photos stored on friends’ devices.

Bidawatka founded Billion Hearts Software Technologies in late 2024, shortly after Koo shut down when acquisition talks with several investors failed. Once viewed as India’s answer to X (formerly Twitter), Koo ceased operations after exhausting its funds and being unable to secure a strategic buyer.

Billion Hearts raised $4 million in seed funding from Blume Ventures, General Catalyst, Athera Venture Partners, and several angel investors behind major startups like Flipkart, Myntra, Ola, InMobi, and redBus. The startup operates with a compact 11-member team dedicated to building “privacy-safe, globally scalable consumer AI products.”

Graph AI raises $3M in funding to automate drug safety monitoring

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Graph AI, a California-based artificial intelligence startup specializing in drug safety and pharmacovigilance, has secured $3 million in seed funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to advance product development, grow its engineering team, and drive global adoption of its automation platform among pharmaceutical firms.

Established in 2024 by Raghav Parvataraju, Vijay Ponukumati, Mohan Konyala, and Ashutosh Bordekar, Graph AI seeks to modernize the detection and reporting of adverse drug events — a domain long dominated by manual, labor-intensive work. The founders bring prior experience from LTI Mindtree, Infosys, ServiceNow, Google, and Cisco.

Graph AI’s core product, Graph Safety, employs context-aware AI to automate functions such as case processing, signal detection, and regulatory reporting, while maintaining human oversight for key decision points.

Pharmacovigilance — a regulatory requirement worldwide — obliges drug safety manufacturers to continuously track and report possible side effects from clinical trials to post-market stages.

Traditionally, pharmaceutical companies outsource this work to large service providers that rely on teams of pharmacology graduates to analyze unstructured information such as medical records, call logs, and legal documents. However, Graph AI claims its technology can make this process up to 90% faster and 70% more efficient, thereby reducing compliance delays and operational costs.

“Life sciences companies still struggle with outdated, fragmented systems that slow decision-making,” the founders said in a joint statement. “We’re building an AI-native safety platform that integrates context, compliance, and intelligence to help organizations achieve safer outcomes and stronger regulatory confidence.”

According to Nithin Kaimal, Bessemer’s India partner and COO, the investment reflects the firm’s belief in AI’s ability to “shift delivery from labor arbitrage to intelligence arbitrage,” turning traditional service-driven models into scalable, technology-led ones.

Graph AI has already rolled out its platform for enterprise clients and is developing a pipeline covering more than 7,000 marketed drugs.

OYO Assets to acquire 12 Hotels in the next six months

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OYO Assets, backed by OYO’s parent company PRISM, announced on Wednesday its plan to acquire 12 hotels in the second half of the current financial year as part of its strategy to expand its premium and mid-premium hospitality portfolio.

Also known as Sunday PropTech, the company revealed that it has already advanced seven of the 12 planned acquisitions to the final stages of completion.

“The portfolio of acquisition will be funded through a mix of debt and equity, leveraging the company’s strong balance sheet and investor support from an InCred and Analah-led consortium, along with PRISM Life and its shareholders such as SoftBank,” OYO said.

Saurav Agarwal, Board Member of Sunday PropTech, stated that the company is actively targeting properties in prime locations that promise strong return potential.

“The need for high-quality premium and mid-premium hotels, coupled with a growing interest in travel, has been increasing significantly, and we see compelling opportunities to deploy capital in this space,” Agarwal added.

Looking beyond its near-term expansion, OYO Assets plans to explore acquisitions in the mid-scale and premium hotel segments where PRISM already has a strong operational presence, according to OYO.

The newly acquired hotels will operate under PRISM’s existing brands, including Sunday Hotels, Palette Hotels, Townhouse, and others.

PRISM’s company-serviced hotel portfolio in India spans over 1,300 hotels.

The First Group partners with Inntelo AI to elevate guest experience

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Tom Stevens, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, The First Group Hospitality

The First Group Hospitality has announced a strategic partnership with Inntelo AI, a leading guest experience and operations platform, to enhance personalization and service quality across its growing hotel portfolio. Following its successful implementation at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, The First Group will now extend the collaboration to all its properties, including the upcoming Ciel Dubai Marina–Vignette Collection by IHG, which is set to become the world’s tallest hotel.

The partnership will introduce an AI-powered concierge system designed to simplify communication between guests and service teams. Through the Inntelo platform, guests can conveniently request amenities, order room service, reserve dining spots, or book local experiences directly from their smartphones. The platform supports over 40 languages and allows guests to access it through calls, voice commands, or WhatsApp, ensuring a seamless and highly personalized guest journey.

“The First Group has always been at the forefront of innovation, carefully evaluating and implementing the latest solutions; having worked with Inntelo AI over recent months, we are incredibly excited and ambitious about how this cutting-edge AI technology sets us apart in the hotel management field,” said Tom Stevens, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations at The First Group Hospitality. “This partnership with Inntelo AI will ensure every guest interaction, from arrival to departure, is powered by intelligence, efficiency, and personalization.”

Moreover, this collaboration aligns seamlessly with The First Group Hospitality’s broader AI integration strategy, which already leverages artificial intelligence for revenue forecasting, rate optimization, restaurant management, customer feedback analysis, and workforce scheduling. Furthermore, with Inntelo AI, the company aims to combine guest-facing innovation with data-driven operational excellence, thereby enhancing both efficiency and personalization across its portfolio.

Commenting on the partnership, Asif Alidina, co-founder and CEO of Inntelo AI, stated:

“We are delighted to partner with the team at The First Group Hospitality, who truly understand the value of being a first mover in this space using an AI-native platform. This project future-proofs their operations and positions them to rapidly leverage the power of agentic and conversational AI across their portfolio long before many of their competitors. Our platform doesn’t just enhance service; it transforms how hotels operate, think, and scale. We’re showcasing what happens when innovation meets intent, transforming service delivery, empowering teams, and creating a new benchmark for intelligent hospitality.”

Chalet Hotels introduces premium lifestyle brand ATHIVA

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Chalet Hotels Limited (CHL) has officially launched Athiva Hotels & Resorts, a premium lifestyle hospitality brand that starts with over 900 keys across six properties. The name Athiva, derived from Sanskrit meaning “abundance” and “to a great extent,” reflects the brand’s philosophy of joy, wellness, and sustainability, offering guests both the comfort of the familiar and the delight of the unexpected.

The brand’s debut property is the transformed The Dukes Retreat in Khandala, now Athiva Resort & Spa, Khandala, featuring 147 rooms, including 11 suites. Moreover, the resort emphasizes refined luxury, authentic local experiences, and responsible practices, thereby establishing itself as a premium lifestyle sanctuary.

In addition to this launch, Chalet Hotels plans to transition five more properties to the Athiva brand. This includes a renovated business hotel in Navi Mumbai, The Resort at Aksa Beach (a K Raheja Corp Group Hotel), and three greenfield developments—two in Goa and one in Thiruvananthapuram.

With over 900 keys at launch and plans to double capacity within three years, Athiva represents a strategic expansion in lifestyle hospitality in India, leveraging Chalet Hotels’ brand strength while offering an experience-first vision for modern travel.

“With Athiva, we bring the trust, credibility, and operational excellence of Chalet Hotels to a brand built for today’s India—welcoming business, leisure, bleisure, and MICE guests with one consistent promise: abundant joy, wellness and care,” said Dr Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO of Chalet Hotels Ltd. “Starting with our first Athiva Resort & Spa, Khandala, we will scale with discipline and heart – delivering experiences that are joyful, wellness-first and sustainably curated,” he added.

Athiva Hotels & Resorts, crafted for the millennial and Gen Z traveler, introduces distinctive features that significantly elevate the guest experience. For instance, Breakfast@Anytime offers flexibility beyond fixed dining hours; additionally, Binge Box provides a wholesome complimentary snack alternative to calorie-heavy minibars; furthermore, Dollops of Joy delivers surprise treats thoughtfully integrated throughout the stay; and finally, Local Immersions enables guests to experience authentic cultural connections.

Sustainability and wellness are at the heart of the Athiva philosophy. In addition, each property incorporates energy-efficient designs, waste-conscious operations, local sourcing, and meaningful community partnerships. Furthermore, built on Chalet Hotels’ Parivartan initiative, Athiva actively promotes a circular, inclusive, and regenerative hospitality model, thereby harmonizing environmental stewardship with social equity and economic growth.

The launch signals a new era in Indian hospitality, catering to young travelers driven by rising incomes and a desire for authentic, shareable experiences. Athiva is designed to meet this demand by emphasizing connection, creativity, and care over traditional service models. More than a hotel brand, Athiva represents a movement towards abundant, joyful, and sustainable hospitality for both India and the global traveler.