Kolkata: Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., a Miniratna I Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, has announced an equity investment of ₹1 crore in NapTapGo, an innovative startup redefining the hospitality landscape with its unique concept of affordable yet luxurious pod hotels.

NapTapGo integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI and IoT into its facilities to enhance hygiene, quality, and customer experience, aiming to provide quick, high-quality short-stay accommodations across India.

The investment, part of Balmer Lawrie's annual Startup Fund program under the Government of India’s Startup India initiative, demonstrates the company’s commitment to fostering innovation. Through its partnership with IIM Lucknow’s Enterprise Incubation Center (EIC), Balmer Lawrie also offers mentorship, incubation support, and strategic industry connections to emerging startups.

Speaking at the Share Subscription and Shareholder Agreement signing in Kolkata, Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Chairman and Managing Director of Balmer Lawrie, stated, “Our investment in NapTapGo reflects our belief in supporting innovative startups that align with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and have the potential to create value while driving economic growth. We are excited to help them redefine the hospitality industry.”

Nitin Malhotra, Founder of NapTapGo, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership, saying, “Balmer Lawrie's investment in NapTapGo is a testament to the Government’s commitment to fostering innovation in the tourism sector by supporting scalable, global solutions that cater to the needs of the masses and align with the aspirations of New India. This partnership highlights the Government's focus on empowering Indian Startups like NapTapGo to not only originate from India but to also emerge as leading players in the $1,400 billion global hospitality market. We are proud to contribute to this vision and look forward to redefining the short-stay experience for travelers worldwide."

BI Bureau