Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 27: Naukri.com-parent Info Edge has been recognised as India’s most successful venture investor, consolidating its position as a key player in the country’s booming startup ecosystem. The firm, led by Sanjeev Bikhchandani, widely regarded as India’s Warren Buffett, invested a total capital of Rs 3,959.16 crore across multiple startups over the past 15 years, with the current fair market value of these investments soaring several times higher.
Info Edge’s early bets in Zomato and Policybazaar between 2011 and 2015 have turned out to be monumental, with the holdings now worth approximately Rs 53,000 crore combined. Bikhchandani’s encounter with the internet at a Delhi trade fair nearly three decades ago not only led to the creation of Naukri.com but also laid the foundation for his journey as a serial investor.
The firm holds 12.40% in Zomato (Eternal) and 19.63% in Policybazaar. These stakes have made Info Edge a major beneficiary of the listing successes of both companies. According to Bikhchandani’s annual letter to shareholders for FY25, the firm has achieved an estimated 36% gross IRR across all investment vintages.
Over the years, Info Edge has backed numerous homegrown startups including Ustra, Shopkirana, Adda247, Zingbus, and ixigo, among others, with a total of 111 companies in its portfolio. Its investments span recruitment, real estate, matrimony, and education through platforms like Naukri, 99acres, Jeevansathi, and Shiksha.
Bikhchandani outlined four distinct phases in Info Edge’s financial investing journey. The first phase (2007-2012) laid the groundwork with Zomato and Policybazaar emerging as breakout successes. The second phase (2012-2015) was marked by cautious investing as the early winners had yet to fully emerge. The third phase (2016-2019) focused on companies like Adda247 and Shipsy, which later attracted major investors and high valuations. The fourth phase, beginning in 2019, saw the establishment of the SEBI-registered Info Edge Venture Fund (IEVF), enabling structured venture capital investments through multiple funds and schemes.
Info Edge’s journey reflects a visionary approach, combining long-term investments, strategic foresight, and robust support for India’s startup ecosystem, firmly establishing it as the country’s most successful venture investor.