Info Edge’s AI And Deeptech Portfolio Crosses ₹1,800 Crore Value

How Has Info Edge Emerged As An Early AI And Deeptech Investor?

Info Edge, the parent company of Naukri.com, has strengthened its position as one of India’s earliest institutional investors in artificial intelligence (AI) and deeptech startups. According to a letter sent to shareholders, the company has invested more than ₹1,000 crore across 54 AI and deeptech startups since 2020, building a portfolio that is now valued at over ₹1,800 crore.

The investments have been made through various investment arms, including Redstart Labs, Capital 2B, and Info Edge Ventures. The company said its strategy has focused on identifying promising startups at an early stage, particularly before the recent global surge in AI investments.

Info Edge has deployed ₹614 crore across 28 AI startups and another ₹455 crore across 30 deeptech companies, creating one of the largest early-stage technology portfolios among Indian listed companies.

What Is The Current Value Of Info Edge’s AI Portfolio?

The company’s AI-focused investments have delivered strong returns so far. According to the shareholder update, Info Edge’s AI portfolio is currently valued at ₹1,268 crore.

This translates into a 2.1X multiple on invested capital and an estimated gross internal rate of return (IRR) of around 31%. The company noted that many of these investments were made well before artificial intelligence became a mainstream investment theme globally.

By backing startups during their product development and intellectual property creation stages, Info Edge was able to participate in their growth at relatively early valuations.

Several portfolio companies have subsequently raised capital from prominent global investors, validating the firm’s early investment strategy.

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Which AI Startups Are Part Of The Portfolio?

Info Edge’s AI portfolio spans enterprise software, consumer applications, AI infrastructure, and vertical SaaS platforms.

Notable investments include Aftershoot, Attentive AI, Gnani.ai, Lumiq, Phot.ai, Pascal AI, and Kris@Work. These startups operate across sectors such as computer vision, voice AI, enterprise automation, education technology, and productivity solutions.

According to the company, 15 out of its 28 AI portfolio companies have gone on to raise follow-on funding from leading investors including Insight Partners, Peak XV Partners, SIG, and Vertex Ventures.

This continued investor interest reflects the growing maturity of India’s AI startup ecosystem and the increasing demand for AI-powered solutions across industries.

How Is The Deeptech Portfolio Performing?

Alongside AI, Info Edge has built a significant presence in India’s deeptech ecosystem.

Its deeptech portfolio is currently valued at ₹559 crore, delivering a 1.2X multiple on invested capital and an estimated gross IRR of approximately 15%.

The investments span sectors such as robotics, semiconductors, spacetech, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and electric mobility.

Key portfolio companies include Unbox Robotics, ePlane, Manastu Space, Bharat Semi, Botsync, Matter Motors, and Avammune.

The company said 13 of its 30 deeptech startups have successfully attracted external funding from institutional investors and government-backed innovation programs.

Government Support Boosts Portfolio Companies

Several startups backed by Info Edge have also benefited from India’s growing support for emerging technologies.

Voice AI startup Gnani.ai secured GPU compute credits worth ₹177 crore under the IndiaAI Mission. Meanwhile, spacetech startup Manastu Space and electric aviation company ePlane received allocations worth ₹115 crore and ₹285 crore, respectively, under the government’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme.

These initiatives are expected to accelerate product development and commercialization for India’s next generation of technology startups.

A Larger Startup Investment Engine

Beyond AI and deeptech, Info Edge and its managed investment funds have collectively invested nearly ₹4,900 crore across 135 startups.

The overall portfolio is now valued at approximately ₹41,300 crore, making it one of the most valuable startup investment portfolios held by an Indian listed company.

The company reiterated that it prefers IPOs as its primary exit route and pointed to successful outcomes such as Eternal and PB Fintech as examples of long-term value creation.

As artificial intelligence and deeptech continue to attract global capital, Info Edge’s early bets appear increasingly positioned to generate significant returns while supporting the growth of India’s innovation ecosystem.