Info Edge, the parent company of Naukri.com, reported a gross internal rate of return (IRR) of 36% on its startup investments since 2007.

The company has invested 3,959.16 crore rupee (US$463.49 million) over 18 years, with its portfolio currently valued at 36,855 crore rupee (US$4.31 billion).

Notable investments include Zomato and Policybazaar, which together account for over 31,500 crore rupee (US$3.69 billion) of this portfolio.

Info Edge has backed 111 startups, including Ustra, Shopkirana, Adda247, and ixigo.

Founded in 1995, Info Edge operates in sectors like recruitment, real estate, and education. Its investment activities are estimated to contribute 30-40% of the company’s overall value.

🔗 Source: PTI

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ India’s venture ecosystem shows resilience with 40% YoY growth in 2024-25

India’s venture capital landscape has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite global slowdowns, recording $13.7 billion in funding in 2024, a 1.4x increase from 20231.

This growth significantly outpaced global trends, with India seeing a 40% year-on-year increase in funding value during early 2025 while global markets experienced declines2.

The deal volume surged dramatically with 1,270 deals in 2024 (up 45% from 2023), with 95% being small and medium-ticket deals under $50 million, indicating strong early-stage investment activity1.

Consumer tech emerged as the dominant sector, attracting $5.4 billion, driven primarily by quick commerce and B2C business models that resonated with India’s growing digital consumer base1.

The ecosystem’s maturity is further reflected in the exit landscape, with public market exits gaining significant prominence. These exits provided crucial liquidity for early investors and reinforced the sustainability of the investment cycle3.

2️⃣ Early-stage investors reap outsized rewards from patient capital approach

Info Edge’s 36% gross IRR across all investments since 2007 demonstrates the exceptional returns possible from early-stage tech investing in the Indian ecosystem when paired with patient capital strategies[original].

Their first investment phase (2007-2012) yielded their biggest successes, with just Rs 483.78 crore in Zomato and Rs 591.40 crore in Policybazaar now collectively worth over Rs 31,500 crore, showcasing the potential for 10x returns from early bets[original].