Under the three-year engagement, Mayfair Housing will deploy Autodesk Forma, an AI-enabled, cloud-based platform that supports architects, planners and developers during the earliest stages of project planning and design. By combining real-world data, environmental simulations and collaborative workflows, Autodesk Forma ensures faster, more informed and more sustainable decision-making before projects move into detailed design and construction.

The deployment of Autodesk Forma will strengthen Mayfair Housing’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) workflow by enabling better planning, collaboration and data-driven decision-making from the earliest stages of project development. As an AI-powered, cloud-based platform, Autodesk Forma will support the creation and management of project information throughout the design and development lifecycle while integrating seamlessly with downstream BIM processes. MicroGenesis will serve as the implementation and technology partner, supporting platform deployment, process mapping, training and change management to ensure seamless adoption across the organisation.

Autodesk Forma will enable project teams to evaluate multiple development scenarios, generate site planning and massing concepts, and assess critical environmental parameters such as sunlight, daylight, wind, noise and embodied carbon during the earliest phases of development. The use of simulations will allow the company to make better-informed design decisions while improving efficiency and reducing downstream design changes.

The cloud-based platform also allows multiple stakeholders to collaborate within a common digital environment, providing access to shared project information, design concepts, and planning data in real time. By creating a single digital workspace, Autodesk Forma will improve coordination between architects, consultants, engineering teams and project leadership, leading to faster reviews, improved transparency, and more efficient decision-making. Autodesk Forma also integrates seamlessly with Autodesk’s wider ecosystem, including Revit and Autodesk Construction Cloud, enabling a connected workflow from concept planning through design and execution.

Speaking about the partnership, Anay Nayan Shah, Joint Managing Director, Mayfair Housing, said, “The scale and complexity of today’s real estate developments require a far more integrated and collaborative approach to project execution. Digital transformation has become a strategic priority for the industry, and our partnership with Autodesk marks an important milestone in our journey towards building a connected and technology-driven project ecosystem. Through Autodesk Forma, we look to create greater transparency, improve collaboration across stakeholders and strengthen execution standards throughout the project lifecycle.”

As artificial intelligence, cloud collaboration and digital design technologies continue to reshape the built environment, platforms such as Autodesk Forma are expected to play an increasingly important role in enabling smarter, more sustainable and resilient urban development. Through this investment, Mayfair Housing is laying the digital foundation for future innovation, creating an integrated project ecosystem that enhances planning, improves execution, and supports long-term business growth.

Gurugram, July 1, 2026 — Crib App (“Crib”), the AI-powered property management platform for co-living spaces, hostels, and PGs, today announced it has acquired CirclePe, a rent financing company that lets tenants rent without a security deposit and pays operators their rent in advance. The combination brings embedded finance directly into the rental lifecycle: tenants pay no upfront deposit, and operators receive their rent and deposit gap financed upfront, freeing working capital to grow.

CirclePe was founded by Navan Jaiswal and Ankur Yadav. In May 2024, the company raised close to ₹7.5 crore in its pre-seed funding round at a valuation of around ₹35 crore. The round was led by OTP Ventures, with participation from 1947 Rise, iSeed, IIT Delhi, Venture Catalysts, and founders and CXOs from OfBusiness, BharatPe, Uni Cards, OYO, and other leading companies.

The acquisition of CirclePe by Crib brings both products together under one roof.

Rental housing is one of the largest untapped opportunities for embedded finance in India. Tenants routinely lock up months of savings in security deposits, while operators wait on month-by-month collections to fund expansion. CirclePe closes that gap by partnering with NBFCs to finance the deposit or rent commitment, disbursing upfront to the operator while the tenant repays in smaller monthly amounts.

What makes this more than a feature is where it sits. Crib already powers the complete rental journey for more than 2,500 operators managing over a billion dollars in rent—inventory, agreements, onboarding, invoicing, collections, renewals, and move-outs. That gives Crib three layers most fintech products never get to own: the distribution layer, the operational data layer, and the technical infrastructure. Rather than building a disconnected external journey, Crib can embed financing natively into the platform operators already run their business on.

It also creates a data advantage that compounds over time. Crib sees real payment behavior, move-out history, occupancy trends, and property performance—the kind of signals that build a proprietary underwriting and trust layer traditional lenders and standalone fintechs simply don’t have access to.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Sunny Garg, Co-Founder and CEO of Crib, said, “Deposits are the most broken part of renting in India. Tenants lock up cash they can’t use, and operators wait on money that’s already theirs. We built Crib to run the rails for co-living, and CirclePe fixes how money moves on top of them. Bringing them together means a tenant can move in with zero deposit and an operator can get paid upfront on the same platform. That’s the future of renting we want to build.”

Mr. Ankur Yadav, Co-Founder of CirclePe, said, “We started CirclePe because the deposit is a tax on moving. Tenants lose access to their own money. Joining Crib gives us the one thing a financing product needs most: scale and trust with operators who are already running their rent on the platform. Now a tenant can skip the deposit entirely, and an operator gets paid upfront, on day one, on a platform they already use.”

What changes for tenants?

A security deposit is usually the biggest cheque a tenant writes when moving in, and it sits idle for the length of the stay. With CirclePe, tenants on participating properties can move in with zero deposit and instead pay a small monthly amount on top of their rent. No large upfront cheque, no waiting at move-out to get the deposit back.

What changes for operators?

For co-living and PG operators, acquiring and furnishing buildings, plus slow rent cycles, tie up working capital that could be funding new beds and new properties. CirclePe pays operators their rent upfront and finances the deposit gap, so operators get predictable cash in hand instead of money stuck across hundreds of tenant accounts. That is capital they can put back into growth. The combined entity has already rolled out this product across multiple operators, including Housr, Blossom Stayz, Kots World, and Livstations.

About Crib

Crib is an AI-powered property management platform for co-living spaces, hostels, and PGs across India. Crib gives operators a single system to manage occupancy, payments, residents, and operations and works with more than 2,500 operators who together manage over a billion dollars in rent. Crib was founded by Sunny Garg, Shaifali Jain, and Archit Chauhan. Crib has so far raised a total of approximately $3.64 million across 7 funding rounds. Backed by a strong network of over 33 institutional and 35 angel investors.

About CirclePe

CirclePe is a rent financing product that removes the security deposit for tenants and pays operators their rent upfront. Founded by Navan Jaiswal and Ankur Yadav, CirclePe had raised about USD 1 million in a pre-seed round led by OTP Ventures, with participation from 1947 Rise, Venture Catalysts, and founders of BharatPe, OfBusiness, and Uni Cards.

For more information and media queries, contact:

Slough PR

Afrin Shaikh | Associate Director | Slough PR

afrin@sloughpr.com | sloughpr.comm@gmail.com

9930257896

The latest funding comes after the company secured $35 million (approximately Rs 313 crore) in November 2025. As a result, SquareYards has officially entered the unicorn club by achieving a valuation exceeding $1 billion, marking a significant milestone ahead of its planned Rs 2,000 crore Initial Public Offering (IPO).

According to industry sources, SquareYards is currently discussing an additional fundraising round and aims to secure another $50 million to $60 million during the next quarter at a valuation of approximately $1.6 billion.

“We have spent the last few years building a highly profitable, scalable, and fully integrated platform. As we gear up for our upcoming IPO, this capital raise will provide us with the strategic firepower to accelerate our market expansion, deepen our technological moats, and continue delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders,” said Tanuj Shori, Founder & CEO of Square Yards.

The company delivered strong financial performance during FY26. SquareYards reported revenue of Rs 2,086 crore (approximately $223 million), representing a robust 48% year-on-year growth. Simultaneously, the company significantly improved profitability, with EBITDA increasing 3.7 times to Rs 176 crore (approximately $19 million).

“Our investment thesis was anchored in backing a profitable market leader operating with significant operating leverage in a highly fragmented market, providing a long runway for future growth. This transaction reflects our continued focus on supporting high-quality businesses with tailored capital solutions while maintaining a strong emphasis on downside protection and risk-adjusted returns,” said Amit Agarwal, CEO, EAAA Alternatives.

Previously, South Korean venture capital firm Smilegate Investment led SquareYards’ funding round, alongside participation from existing investors, at a valuation of approximately $900 million.

“Square Yards has demonstrated a unique ability to scale their business rapidly while still maintaining capital efficiency,” said Andrew Tan, CEO Asia Pacific, Muzinich & Co.

Beyond its core real estate brokerage and property transaction business, SquareYards has developed a diversified portfolio of consumer-focused brands that serve multiple segments across the real estate ecosystem.

Its subsidiary Urban Money has emerged as one of India’s largest secured mortgage and lending marketplaces. During FY26, Urban Money facilitated loan disbursals worth Rs 87,831 crore through an extensive network of agents and strategic partnerships with more than 150 banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

Additionally, SquareYards operates Azuro, one of India’s largest rental and property management platforms, and Interior Company, its wholly owned home interiors and modular furnishing business.

Furthermore, the company has strengthened its technology-driven offerings through innovative B2B solutions. These include a data intelligence platform that supports property valuation and title searches, as well as PropVR, an AI-powered platform that delivers immersive 3D, virtual reality, and augmented reality property experiences for buyers, developers, and real estate professionals.

With robust revenue growth, rising profitability, a diversified business portfolio, and ambitious IPO plans, the company appears well-positioned to capitalize on expanding opportunities across real estate, mortgage lending, property management, and AI-powered property technology. As it prepares for its public market debut, SquareYards continues to strengthen its leadership position in India’s digital real estate ecosystem.

Founded in 2014, HomeLane helps homeowners design and furnish kitchens, bedrooms, and living spaces. The company has attracted investments from Peak XV Partners, Accel, and Pidilite Industries. It competes with established players such as Godrej Interio and Livspace in India’s rapidly growing home interiors market.

The company’s IPO ambitions coincide with strong long-term growth prospects for the Indian interior design industry. According to data from P&S Intelligence, rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanization, and growing inspiration from social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are expected to drive the market from its 2024 levels to approximately $81.2 billion by 2030.

However, HomeLane is pursuing its public market debut at a time when India’s IPO market has slowed following a two-year boom. Market volatility triggered by the Middle East conflict and continued foreign investor outflows have weighed on investor sentiment.

Despite these challenges, Srikanth Iyer emphasized that market conditions alone will not determine the company’s listing plans.

“We can’t be fully dependent ‌on how markets are behaving on our IPO decision,” Iyer said. “We want to focus internally on getting to month-on-month, quarter-on-quarter profitability. If we do that, we believe ⁠we will be able to list in any market.”

HomeLane plans to utilize IPO proceeds to strengthen its presence across India while expanding into adjacent categories. The company intends to enter segments such as kitchen appliances, including chimneys and hobs, as well as soft furnishings. It may achieve this expansion either by developing products internally or through strategic acquisitions.

Additionally, the Bengaluru-based company is increasing its focus on artificial intelligence. After acquiring rival Design Cafe in 2024, HomeLane accelerated its technology investments to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.

The company reported that AI has already transformed its design process by enabling employees to create design options within minutes instead of days. Consequently, HomeLane has reduced design costs by nearly 25% and lowered overall operating costs by approximately 1.5% to 2%.

According to business intelligence platform Tracxn, HomeLane carried a valuation of ₹27.60 billion ($291.79 million) as of September 2025. Looking ahead, the company expects to achieve profitability and generate revenue of ₹10 billion during the current fiscal year before targeting approximately ₹30 billion in revenue by fiscal 2031.

Financial performance has also shown steady improvement. Tracxn data revealed that HomeLane’s revenue increased 22% year-over-year to ₹7.56 billion in fiscal 2025. Meanwhile, the company reduced its net loss to ₹1.11 billion from ₹1.22 billion during the same period.

Although Iyer noted that HomeLane’s fiscal 2026 revenue remained largely flat, the company continues to focus on profitability, expansion, technology adoption, and category diversification as it prepares for its eventual stock market debut.

HomeLane’s planned IPO marks a significant milestone in its growth journey as it seeks to capitalize on India’s booming home interiors market. Through expansion into new cities, entry into complementary product categories, strategic use of AI, and a strong focus on profitability, the company aims to strengthen its market position ahead of its public listing. As consumer demand for personalized home solutions continues to rise, HomeLane appears well-positioned to benefit from the next phase of growth in India’s home improvement and interior design sector.

The funding marks an important milestone for the startup as it seeks to expand beyond its home market and strengthen its position in India’s rapidly growing proptech sector.

“This funding round helps us deepen our roots in our home market while we expand our footprint into Mumbai,” cofounder and CEO Ashish Acharya said.

Founded in 2022 by Ashish Acharya and Ravi Agrawal, Propsoch operates a real estate advisory platform that assists homebuyers throughout their property purchase journey. The startup provides end-to-end support, helping customers identify properties, evaluate options, shortlist suitable projects, and negotiate the best possible deals.

Propsoch differentiates itself through its combination of artificial intelligence-driven research and expert architectural due diligence. The platform evaluates properties using more than 80 critical parameters, including builder credibility, construction quality, project efficiency, legal considerations, and future appreciation potential.

Since its launch, the startup has onboarded more than 500 residential projects across Bengaluru and established partnerships with over 210 builders. The company has also built a strong customer base by helping families make informed property-buying decisions.

“After successfully advising 1,500+ families in Bengaluru, we are now scaling our ability to service 10,000+ homebuyers this year,” Acharya added.

Before the current funding round, Propsoch raised $600,000 in a pre-seed investment round backed by the family offices of the Godrej Group and Vakil Group. The latest investment provides additional resources to accelerate growth and expand operations into new markets.

The development comes as India’s proptech sector continues to gain momentum amid rising consumer interest in property ownership and increasing demand for technology-enabled real estate solutions. Homebuyers are increasingly seeking data-driven insights, transparency, and personalized guidance when making significant investment decisions.

Investor confidence in the segment has also strengthened in recent months. Since the beginning of the year, investors have backed several proptech startups, including PropertyPistol, Truva, and Flent, to support their expansion strategies and capitalize on growing market opportunities.

Industry estimates suggest that India’s proptech ecosystem could evolve into a $3.8 billion market opportunity by 2030. As technology adoption accelerates across the real estate sector, startups that offer research-backed advisory services and digital solutions are expected to play a critical role in transforming the homebuying experience.

With fresh funding, a growing partner network, and plans to enter Mumbai, Propsoch is positioning itself to capture a larger share of India’s expanding proptech market while helping more homebuyers make informed and confident property decisions.

Alongside the funding, Davis has introduced Gaudi-1, its first proprietary model designed to generate architectural designs under real-world constraints. This launch highlights the company’s push into AI-driven architecture, proptech innovation, and generative design technology.

Mehdi Rais, co-founder and CEO of Davis, said, “Real estate is one of the world’s largest asset classes, yet some of its most important workflows still move at a pace that no longer makes sense. We started Davis to set a new time standard for real estate development and ultimately to reshape how cities are designed and built.”

Founded in 2025 by Mehdi Rais and Amine Chraibi, the company combines proprietary AI with human expertise to deliver architect-grade outputs within hours or days instead of weeks or months. Consequently, Davis aims to compress early-stage development timelines significantly while keeping human experts actively involved in the process.

Moreover, the platform transforms regulatory, technical, and market data into structured constraints for feasibility studies. These include site limitations, return on investment (ROI), volumetrics, floor plans, and space planning. Subsequently, human experts review each output before delivery, ensuring accuracy and compliance with real-world requirements.

Currently, the company addresses a fragmented process in which multiple stakeholders manage site analysis and architectural concept development separately. However, Davis integrates these workflows into a unified system, thereby streamlining the entire real estate development lifecycle.

“At the core of Davis’ technology is a new approach to generative modelling for the built environment. Unlike traditional diffusion models that operate in continuous pixel space, Davis’ systems operate in a discrete space, generating buildings as structured compositions of architectural elements such as rooms, walls, and layouts,” the company explained in the press release.

As a result, this approach enables greater control, faster iteration, and outputs that consistently meet regulatory, financial, and design requirements. This advancement positions Davis at the forefront of AI in construction, smart city design, and digital real estate solutions.

Additionally, Davis has introduced Gaudi-1 as its first proprietary model for automated architectural generation under regulatory constraints. The company stated that it has achieved “state-of-the-art” results on established floor-plan generation benchmarks, including RPLAN and MSD, across IoU, FID, and KID metrics.

In terms of its business model, Davis operates through a service-based approach rather than selling standalone software. It uses its technology to deliver completed outputs directly to developers and investors. Furthermore, the platform works across multiple asset classes and geographies, adapting to local regulations through input data, thereby enhancing its scalability in the global proptech market.

Max Niederhofer said, “What’s distinctive about Davis is how three elements reinforce each other: a generative model operating in a discrete architectural space under regulatory constraints, an architect-in-the-loop validation layer, and the resulting compression from months to days in an industry where time drives returns. We’re excited to back Mehdi and Amine as they reshape how the built world is designed and developed.”

Looking ahead, Davis is actively collaborating with developers and expects to support hundreds of projects over the coming year. At the same time, the company plans to expand its research capabilities, accelerate hiring, and further verticalise the real estate development process.

Davis’ latest funding round and the launch of Gaudi-1 underscore the growing role of artificial intelligence in real estate, particularly in improving efficiency, reducing timelines, and enhancing design accuracy.

Earlier, the Bengaluru-based startup had secured $10.3 million in the same funding round from Prime Venture Partners and Magnifiq Capital Trust, thereby strengthening its capital base for expansion.

Moreover, Aurm stated that it will deploy the fresh proceeds to scale its technology-driven vaulting solutions and enhance secure storage infrastructure through automation and improved accessibility.

Founded in 2023 by Vijay Arisetty, Suraj HS, Pratap Chandana, and Ganesh Balakrishnan, Aurm offers fully automated, high-security private safety deposit lockers designed for residential gated communities and corporate clusters. Notably, the platform enables residents and employees to access professional-grade secure storage on demand within their own premises.

In addition, Aurm integrates military-grade, automated safe deposit lockers directly into gated communities, corporate campuses, and bank branches. Consequently, the startup addresses the shortage of traditional bank lockers by introducing a tech-led “vault-at-your-doorstep” model, which enhances convenience and accessibility.

Furthermore, Aurm’s advanced infrastructure includes state-of-the-art strong rooms equipped with 24/7 access, multi-factor authentication, and intrusion-proof surveillance systems. At the same time, the company delivers a premium user experience through thoughtfully designed “dressing room” environments.

Meanwhile, Earth Fund operates as a venture platform focused on PropTech and climate-forward real estate innovation, backed by Brigade Group and Gruhas. Its Capital++ model provides portfolio companies with direct access to developer networks, industry expertise, and real-world deployment opportunities, thereby accelerating growth and scalability.

Aurm’s ₹42 crore Series A funding marks a significant step in modernising India’s secure storage ecosystem. As demand for accessible and technology-driven bank locker alternatives continues to rise, Aurm is well-positioned to scale its innovative vault solutions across residential and corporate spaces. Consequently, the startup stands at the intersection of PropTech, security infrastructure, and digital convenience, shaping the future of secure storage in India.

Traditionally, real estate has remained one of India’s most preferred long-term wealth creation avenues; however, high entry costs, legal complexities, paperwork-heavy transactions, and liquidity constraints have limited access for retail investors. Consequently, direct participation in premium residential real estate has required investments running into several lakhs or more, thereby restricting access primarily to affluent buyers.

To address these challenges, IIT BHU alumni Prabhav Tanay and Tushar Chaudhary founded FraX, enabling users to invest in premium residential real estate with minimum investments starting at ₹10,000. Through this approach, the company lowers entry barriers and democratizes access to high-value assets.

Moreover, the platform provides curated access to residential inventory from leading developers such as DLF and Max Estate, allowing users to invest through fractional ownership instead of purchasing entire properties. As a result, FraX aligns with the evolving preferences of modern investors seeking flexible and digital-first investment solutions.

FraX states that while demand for premium real estate remains consistently strong, the way investors access this asset class is changing rapidly. In particular, younger investors increasingly prefer low-ticket, tech-enabled, and flexible investment options, similar to their experiences with equities, mutual funds, and other financial instruments.

According to the company, investor demand has been strongest for branded and institutional-grade developers, indicating a clear preference for curated exposure to trusted real estate opportunities rather than generic property listings. Developers such as DLF and Max Estate continue to attract strong investor confidence due to their proven track record, brand credibility, and long-term appreciation potential.

FraX has recorded over 10,000 app downloads and maintains an average rating of 4.8 across the App Store and Play Store, reflecting strong early traction. Additionally, 80% of its users are below the age of 35, while 23% have reinvested within the first month, signaling high engagement and repeat investment behavior.

Furthermore, 20% of investors have allocated capital to cities outside their place of residence, suggesting that users increasingly view real estate as a portfolio diversification tool rather than solely a homeownership decision.

The platform enables users to buy and sell holdings digitally, with liquidity supported through buyer-matching mechanisms. As a result, FraX improves flexibility in an asset class traditionally associated with long holding periods and slow exits. The company states that it processes sale requests digitally and completes settlements within two working days after matching buyers.

To enhance user experience, FraX assigns each investor a dedicated investment manager who assists with onboarding and portfolio-related queries. Additionally, the company routes investor funds through escrow structures maintained with ICICI Bank under trustee supervision, thereby ensuring financial security and compliance.

Each property operates under a dedicated special purpose vehicle (SPV), with investor ownership linked to equity in the underlying legal entity. FraX states that investors can independently verify ownership through the government’s MCA portal, thereby reinforcing transparency.

The platform also conducts DigiLocker-based KYC verification for all users while maintaining exclusive verified owner groups for each listed property to improve communication and transparency among co-owners. Furthermore, FraX ensures that all properties undergo rigorous legal, financial, and title due diligence before listing on the platform.

The broader team brings experience from organisations such as PayU, Blinkit, Airtel, CultFit, hBits, and Limeroad, thereby strengthening the company’s operational and technological capabilities.

“Our view is that demand for premium real estate remains very strong, but the format through which investors want to access the asset class is changing rapidly,” said Tushar Chaudhary, co-founder of FraX. “We believe the next phase of investing will involve making historically exclusive asset classes more accessible, flexible, and digital for retail investors.”

Industry estimates indicate that India’s fractional ownership market will grow significantly in the coming years, as investors increasingly seek diversified exposure to alternative and low-ticket investment opportunities.

FraX’s rapid early traction and ambitious GMV target highlight a broader shift in India’s proptech and investment landscape. By combining fractional ownership, digital access, and institutional-grade real estate opportunities, the startup aims to redefine how younger investors participate in premium real estate while driving greater accessibility, liquidity, and transparency in the sector.

The Bengaluru-based company reported a significant rise in revenue from operations, which increased to ₹342.3 crore in FY25 from ₹204.4 crore in FY24, according to financial statements sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC). ZoloStays primarily generated its revenue from accommodation and allied services offered to students, working professionals, and corporate clients.

This core segment contributed nearly 80% of the company’s total operating revenue and grew by 73.6% to ₹273 crore in FY25, compared to ₹99.8 crore in the previous fiscal year. Consequently, this growth underscores the rising demand for co-living and managed accommodation solutions in urban India.

In addition, ZoloStays offers property management services to colleges and universities, along with food subscriptions and other related amenities. However, revenue from this segment declined by 30.7% to ₹62.9 crore, reflecting a shift in business dynamics.

Moreover, the company earned ₹3.6 crore as interest income, which brought its total income to ₹346 crore for the financial year ending March 2025.

On the cost front, property management emerged as the largest expense category, accounting for 67% of the overall costs. This expense increased by 83.6% to ₹254.9 crore, driven by expansion and operational scaling. Meanwhile, employee benefit expenses remained stable at ₹82.4 crore, and depreciation costs declined by 28.2% to ₹12.5 crore.

Furthermore, the company incurred higher advertising, promotional, commission, donation subscriptions, and other overhead expenses. As a result, total expenses rose by 43.3% to ₹381.1 crore in FY25 from ₹266 crore in FY24.

Despite robust revenue growth, ZoloStays continued to report operating losses. However, the company improved its core performance as its loss before exceptional items narrowed to ₹35.2 crore in FY25 from ₹56.8 crore in FY24.

Importantly, after accounting for an exceptional gain of ₹100.47 crore from the sale of its student housing business to Good Host Spaces, the company reported a net profit of ₹59.53 crore in the previous fiscal year. This transaction significantly boosted its bottom line.

At the same time, ZoloStays reported an EBITDA loss of ₹14 crore, while its Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and EBITDA margin improved to -23.23% and -4.12%, respectively, in FY25. On a unit economics basis, the company spent ₹1.11 to generate every rupee of revenue, indicating ongoing efficiency improvements.

As of the end of FY25, the company reported total current assets of ₹137 crore, including cash and bank balances of ₹10.19 crore, thereby maintaining a stable liquidity position.

ZoloStays has raised a total of $118 million in funding to date. According to media reports, Nexus Venture Partners remains the largest external stakeholder with a 34% stake, followed by Investcorp and Mirae Asset.

With steady revenue expansion, reduced losses, and strategic restructuring, ZoloStays is positioning itself for sustainable growth in India’s evolving managed accommodation and rental housing market.

Founded in January 2025 by Sahil Ludhani and Ashutosh Tandon, Helium has quickly emerged as a promising startup in the rental housing segment. Both founders previously collaborated at Zomato, after which Ludhani transitioned to Stanza Living and Tandon moved to CRED. Leveraging their industry experience, they are now building a scalable solution to address inefficiencies in India’s rental market.

“The capital will primarily be deployed towards product and marketing, with a focused strategy of deepening our presence in the Whitefield cluster while beginning expansion into select micro-markets across Bangalore,” said Tandon.

Helium operates on a differentiated business model wherein it leases residential properties directly from homeowners and pays the full security deposit upfront. Consequently, tenants can access premium homes with significantly reduced upfront costs. Importantly, the platform dynamically links the tenant’s deposit to their credit profile, thereby enhancing affordability and accessibility.

Furthermore, Helium collaborates with Fintree, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-registered non-banking financial company (NBFC), to cover the remaining deposit amount. This structure operates at zero cost with no EMIs, while Helium and the NBFC efficiently manage settlements when tenants exit the property.

Currently, the startup focuses on high-quality gated communities developed by leading real estate brands such as Prestige Group, Brigade Group, Sobha Limited, and Godrej Properties. At present, Helium has onboarded over 170 homes and operates exclusively in Whitefield, one of Bengaluru’s major IT corridors.

“What we’ve realised is that the best homes people are looking for often never come online, largely because most owners don’t upload properties themselves. So, we tell owners we will rent out their apartment instantly and take on the vacancy risk,” said Ludhani.

“It’s a win-win — owners get the full deposit they expect, while tenants pay significantly less upfront as the remaining amount is covered through a credit line,” Ludhani added.

Meanwhile, investor interest in India’s proptech and real estate startup ecosystem continues to gain momentum. Although the sector has historically seen limited large-scale players, recent funding activity indicates renewed confidence. For instance, HouseEazy raised $16 million (₹148 crore) in a Series B round led by Accel in October 2025. Similarly, Truva secured $9 million (₹83 crore) from Stellaris Venture Partners and Orios Venture Partners in January 2026.

Helium’s innovative credit-linked deposit model, combined with strong backing from prominent startup founders, positions it to redefine rental housing in Bengaluru and beyond. As demand for flexible, tech-driven rental solutions rises, the startup looks to capitalise on emerging opportunities within India’s proptech landscape, thereby enhancing convenience for tenants and unlocking greater value for homeowners.