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

By

-

December 19, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Wipro Limited

* Godrej Properties

* Eaton

* Godrej Capital Limited

* The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group

* LTIMindtree

* Sonepar India Private Limited

* Sutherland

* Luminous Power Technologies Ltd

* SMFG India Credit Co. Ltd.

* Firstsource Solutions

* Sterlite Copper, Vedanta Limited

* Shriram Properties Limited

* Birlasoft Limited

* Infra.Market

* Raymond Realty

* ACG

* NTT Global Data Centers

* India Factoring and Finance Solution Pvt Ltd

* Datamatics Global Services Limited

* Shapoorji Pallonji Energy Private Limited

* JSW Group

* Avanse Financial Services

* BDO RISE Private Limited

* CILICANT

* Zydus Lifesciences Limited

* CERA Sanitaryware Limited

Click here to view the DEI 100 rankings

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

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

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By

BRL Editor

-

December 19, 2025

0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elan Group strengthens Gurugram presence through ₹1,600-Cr luxury housing plan

By

BRL Editor

-

December 18, 2025

0

NCR-based developer Elan Group announced that it will invest ₹1,600 crore to develop an ultra-luxury residential project in Gurugram.

Located in Sector 49, Gurugram, the project will span six acres. In the first phase, the development will feature 230 four-bedroom residences across five towers, with unit sizes ranging between approximately 4,300 and 4,500 square feet.

However, the developer has not yet disclosed the project’s expected sales potential or completion timeline.

“The firm is in the process of finalizing a construction partner for the contract,” they added. Elan confirmed that London-based architectural firm Benoy has designed the project. While the company has not clarified the targeted price points, it stated that the high-value residences will deliver design-led and experience-driven living.

The project sits along Sohna Road and offers connectivity to Golf Course Extension Road and Southern Peripheral Road, both of which rank among Gurugram’s premium real estate micro-markets.

“Over the last three years, property values in the region have risen by nearly 74 percent, while rental values have grown close to 50 percent, highlighting rising demand and strong long-term appreciation potential,” the developer said.

Additionally, Elan stated that upcoming metro expansion and improved road infrastructure will further enhance the area’s appeal for luxury homebuyers. Commenting on the location, Vineet Dawar, President – Sales and Strategy at Elan Group, said Sector 49 is emerging as one of Gurugram’s most promising and well-developed growth corridors, supported by strong infrastructure readiness, thriving commercial hubs, and evolving lifestyle preferences.

“The potential of this location is undeniable, and a development of this stature is precisely what the market here is ready for,” he added.

With this project, Elan Group aims to deepen its presence in the Gurugram real estate market. This announcement follows the company’s earlier plan to invest nearly ₹3,000 crore in another ultra-luxury housing project along the Dwarka Expressway in Gurugram. Currently, Elan Group holds a portfolio of 15 projects across Gurugram and New Delhi, with a cumulative built-up area of around 25 million square feet.

ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts strengthens Gurugram presence with The Hoften Enkay Residency

By

BRL Editor

-

December 18, 2025

0

ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts strengthens Gurugram presence with The Hoften Enkay Residency — Mr. Vikramjit Singh, Founder of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts

ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts has announced the strategic addition of The Hoften–Enkay Residency at DLF Galleria, Gurugram, thereby further strengthening its expanding footprint in one of India’s most prominent corporate and financial hubs. With this development, the company now operates four properties under The Hoften brand in Gurugram, in addition to its flagship ALIVAA hotel in the city.

Gurugram, widely known as the Millennium City, continues to function as the financial and technology engine of the National Capital Region. The city houses the headquarters of multiple Fortune 500 companies, a thriving startup ecosystem, and large convention and exhibition centres, which together drive sustained demand for high-quality business and extended-stay accommodation. Consequently, this strong corporate concentration positions Gurugram as a core market within ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts’ long-term expansion strategy.

The newly inducted property will operate under The Hoften brand, which specifically caters to corporate travellers and extended-stay guests through contemporary design, efficient room layouts, and strategic business-centric locations. Moreover, the brand emphasises essential comforts, smart functionality, and seamless service delivery, ensuring a convenient and stress-free stay for professionals travelling to high-demand urban destinations.

Commenting on the expansion, Akash Bhatia, CEO of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts (Managed & Franchise Business), said, “The Hoften-Enkay Residency is a perfect fit for our expanding mid-market portfolio and our deep commitment to the Gurugram market. With this property, we will now operate four successful The Hoften hotels, along with an ALIVAA flagship, in this critical hub. This growth reflects our ability to meet strong corporate demand through consistent quality and value under The Hoften brand.”

Highlighting the group’s long-term vision, Vikramjit Singh, Founder of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, stated, “Our strategy is to build market leadership in high-demand urban centres, and Gurugram remains central to that plan. This partnership marks the beginning of our relationship with the Enkay Group, and we look forward to developing many more properties together. This expansion further strengthens ALIVAA’s position in the National Capital Region and reinforces our role as a preferred hospitality partner for property owners.”

Expressing confidence in the collaboration, Pavan Kohli, owner of Enkay Residency, said, “We are delighted to partner with ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts for their Hoften brand. We strongly believe that their distribution strength and operational expertise will help unlock the full potential of Enkay Residency and deliver strong returns.”

With this latest addition, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts continues to sharpen its focus on corporate-driven destinations while offering scalable, brand-led hospitality solutions aligned with the evolving needs of India’s business travel market.

Nothing raises over $8 Mn in community investment round

By

BRL Editor

-

December 18, 2025

0

Nothing raises over $8 Mn in community investment round — Carl Pei, CEO, Nothing

Consumer technology company Nothing has concluded its latest community investment round, raising over USD 8 million and adding more than 5,000 new investors from across 80+ countries.

Through this round, the company enabled community members to invest at a valuation of USD 1.3 billion.

According to the company, investor participation surpassed internal expectations, especially after early access opened on December 10. Subsequently, public access began a day later via crowdfunding platforms Crowdcube and Wefunder.

As a result of this raise, Nothing’s global community now comprises nearly 13,000 investors. Collectively, these backers have invested more than USD 16 million in the company since the launch of its community funding initiative.

Moreover, the company stated that it will deploy the fresh capital to accelerate the development of hardware built to support AI-native operating systems and devices, which it plans to launch in 2026.

Carl Pei, CEO and founder of Nothing, said, “From the very beginning, we set out to build a global tech company rooted in openness, creativity, and collaboration. This investment round wasn’t just about raising money; it was driven by our commitment to our community and bringing them on this journey with us.”

Notably, the community-led round follows a significantly larger institutional fundraising effort earlier in the year. In September 2025, Nothing raised USD 200 million in a Series C round backed by investors including Tiger Global, GV, Highland Europe, EQT, and Qualcomm Ventures.

Founded in 2020, Nothing has steadily built a product portfolio spanning smartphones and wireless earbuds. The company entered the smartphone segment in 2022 and is now gearing up to unveil its first AI-native devices next year.

India’s Leading Healthcare, Pharma & Biotech Organisations Recognised as Most Preferred Workplaces 2025–26

By

BRL Editor

-

December 18, 2025

0

Team Marksmen Network successfully hosted the Most Preferred Workplaces 2025–26 – Healthcare, Pharma & Biotech on December 11 at Novotel Mumbai International Airport. Themed “Redefining Workplaces, Reigniting India’s Growth Story,” the day-long conference and awards ceremony brought together over 200+ senior leaders from across the pharmaceutical and healthcare ecosystem to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of workplace culture, talent, and leadership in India.

The summit commenced with a welcome address by Rajesh Khubchandani, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Team Marksmen Network, who emphasized, “As we start this journey, we have seen a lot of narratives and stories being told. The way a select few organisations manage them is truly remarkable. Today, we celebrate the success of every organisation and hope they become harbingers of something even greater.”

The agenda featured a high-impact panel discussion on “Humanizing Healthcare Workplaces: Empathy Meets Innovation,” moderated by Mandar Dani, Director – People & Organization (Health Industries), PwC. The panel brought together eminent HR leaders including Namita Patwari, CHRO, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited; Dr. Jagmohan Singh Rishi, Global Head – Learning & Digital Business Excellence, Wockhardt Ltd; Rajan B. Saawant, VP Corporate HR, Indoco Remedies Ltd; Rashma Nathani, Head – Human Resources, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital; Vishnupriya Manoharan, Vice President – Human Resources, Kauvery Hospital; and Vamsi Garimella, AVP – People & Culture, Matrix PharmaCorp. The discussion explored how healthcare organizations can balance technological advancement with empathy, well-being, and inclusive people practices.

Following the panel, the summit featured an engaging fireside chat titled “From Pressure to Purpose: Crafting Healthcare Workplaces That Thrive.” The conversation brought together Gautam Khanna, CEO, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, and Dr. Sujit Paul, Group CEO, Zota Healthcare Limited, and was chaired by Karan Karayi, Editor-in-Chief, Team Marksmen Network. The session offered candid leadership perspectives on navigating workforce pressures, fostering purpose-driven cultures, and building resilient healthcare organizations that empower talent while enhancing patient outcomes.

The summit also celebrated excellence by recognising a select group of organisations as the Most Preferred Workplaces 2025–26 in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, honouring those driving innovation, inclusive culture, and talent-first practices.

Dr. Anuj Gupte, Vice President – Government Projects, MDIndia Health Insurance TPA Pvt. Ltd., heading the State and Central Health Scheme of Maharashtra, joined the forum as Guest of Honour. In his address, Dr. Gupte emphasized, “As India expands its state and central health schemes, the success of these programmes depends on organisations that combine operational excellence with a people-first mindset. Celebrating such workplaces reinforces the importance of collaboration, accountability, and empathy in healthcare delivery.”

The brands felicitated at the gala ceremony included: Abbott India

• Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

• Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited

• CADILA PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

• Dr. Reddy’s and Nestlé Health Science Limited

• INDOCO REMEDIES LIMITED

• Kauvery Hospital

• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

• Matrix Pharmacorp

• Medtronic

• P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre

• WOCKHARDT LTD

• Zota Healthcare Limited

This one-of-a-kind platform served as a powerful crucible where vision met courage—bringing together leaders committed to shaping purpose-led, people-first workplaces that inspire excellence and resilience across India’s healthcare ecosystem.

For media queries or partnership opportunities, please write to contact@teammarksmen.com.

India’s Manufacturing Talent Leaders Unite at Team Marksmen Network’s Most Preferred Workplace 2025-26

By

BRL Editor

-

December 18, 2025

0

Celebrating transformation in manufacturing sector into future-ready workplaces through trust, talent and technology, Team Marksmen Network’s Most Preferred Workplaces manufacturing organisations driving transformation through trust, talent and tech-enablement.

With the rapid advancement of India’s manufacturing sector towards global competitiveness and the nation’s adoption of Industry 4.0, Team Marksmen Network successfully hosted the Most Preferred Workplaces – Manufacturing 2025–26, bringing together the nation’s foremost manufacturing talent leaders to celebrate organisations that are redefining industrial growth through people-first leadership.

The day-long conference and award program recognised manufacturing organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment towards workforce empowerment, leadership trust, digital readiness and operational excellence, reinforcing the belief that sustainable industrial growth is built on strong workplace cultures.

The summit kicked off with a welcome address by Rajesh Khubchandani, Co-Founder & MD, Team Marksmen Network, emphasizing the need for organizations to balance purpose, technology, and people strategy. “Today, workplaces are not just about processes; they’re about people, purpose, and performance,” he noted.

The agenda featured a high-impact Panel Discussion on Tackling the Toughest Workforce Challenges in Manufacturing, which was moderated by Purushottam Kaushik, Head, Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution, The World Economic Forum India Liaison Office, World Economic Forum. Eminent panellists included Nishad Mehta, General Manager and Head – Corporate Learning and Development, Larsen & Toubro; Sarika Gore, Head HR & GM, Artsons Limited, A Tata Enterprise; Sheetal Arora, Head Human Resources & IR, Mobility Group India, Eaton; Tapan Bagwe, Head HR- India & South Asia, Barry Callebaut Group; and Nidhi Mer, Human Resources Director- APAC, Septodont.

The elite platform of thought-leadership and recognition was graced by Shri Subhash Desai, Former Minister of Industry & Mining, Government of Maharashtra as a Guest of Honour. During his address at the platform, Shri Desai highlighted, “India today has the youngest population in the world, with over 60 per cent of our people below the age of 40. This demographic advantage is our greatest strength, but it also places a significant responsibility on industry and leadership. Manufacturing, in particular. The challenge before us is not just to merely create jobs, but to build future-ready factories and workplaces that can continuously upskill, engage and empower this young workforce.”

The summit also featured insightful keynotes and high-impact panel discussions on critical themes including smart factories, IT-OT convergence, future skills for manufacturing, ESG-led operations and building workforce loyalty on the shopfloor, offering leaders actionable insights to navigate a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

The summit also celebrated excellence with a clutch of select organisations recognised as the Most Preferred Workplace 2025-26 in Manufacturing for driving innovation, inclusive culture, and talent-first practices.

The brands celebrated in a gala ceremony included:

* Artsons Limited, A Tata Enterprise
* Barry Callebaut Group
* CMR Green Technologies Limited
* CROMPTON GREAVES
* Eaton
* Larsen & Toubro
* PI Industries Ltd
* NRB Bearings Limited
* PharmaZell (India) Private Limited, An Axplora Company
* Rotork
* RSWM Limited
* Schindler India Pvt. Ltd.
* Septodont
* TCPL PACKAGING LIMITED

This landmark event marked a defining moment for manufacturing leadership—where intent translated into action. It brought organisations together to strengthen leadership resolve and set new standards of excellence across manufacturing workplaces, reinforcing the need to leverage India’s industrial and technological capabilities for long-term, purpose-led growth. The future of manufacturing calls for decisive, collective action to build workplaces that engage talent, drive performance and are truly preferred.

For media queries or partnership opportunities, please write to contact@teammarksmen.com

Home services startup Pronto targets $25 Mn in funding round

By

BRL Editor

-

December 18, 2025

0

Quick home services startup Pronto raises $25 Mn in funding to scale instant household help across India — Anjali Sardana, Founder & CEO, Pronto

Home services startup Pronto is holding advanced talks to raise $25 million in equity funding from a group of investors, including Epiq Capital, along with existing backers Glade Brook Capital, General Catalyst, and Bain Capital, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The company is negotiating the round at a valuation of nearly $100 million. Meanwhile, the fundraising is unfolding as the 10-minute house-help segment gains momentum, with venture capital firms steadily increasing capital deployment into the category.

Earlier, Pronto raised $11 million in August in a round co-led by General Catalyst and Glade Brook Capital, which valued the startup at approximately $45 million.

Anjali Sardana founded Pronto in April 2025. The company connects households in Gurugram with trained professionals who deliver services such as cleaning, laundry, utensil washing, and basic meal preparation. Although the startup was initially domiciled in Delaware, it has recently shifted its base back to India.

Currently, Pronto operates across New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. In addition, the company has recently launched services in Pune. However, queries sent to Pronto, Epiq Capital, Glade Brook Capital, General Catalyst, and Bain Capital did not receive immediate responses.

Notably, Pronto’s fundraising efforts follow closely after rival Snabbit announced a $30 million funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments. At the same time, both companies are competing with InstaHelp, the on-demand house-help service from Urban Company, which listed in September.

Over the past few months, the 10-minute house-help segment has recorded a sharp surge in order volumes and has emerged as one of the most active consumer internet categories in India. In August, Urban Company fulfilled around 2.09 lakh InstaHelp orders, while Snabbit completed about 1 lakh orders and Pronto delivered between 25,000 and 30,000 orders. By October, these figures increased significantly to 4.68 lakh orders for Urban Company, 3.1 lakh for Snabbit, and 66,000 for Pronto.

By early December, the startup generated nearly 6,000 bookings per day and onboarded about 1,300 professionals onto its platform.

Previously, Sardana shared insights on the company’s unit economics and said, “Pronto’s pre-discount average order value (AOV) stood at around Rs 250 in August,” while noting that discounts typically ranged between 15% and 20%.

CONNECT WITH US