Info Edge AI bets since 2020: ₹1,003 cr in 54

Why Info Edge’s latest startup data matters

Info Edge (India) Ltd, the parent of Naukri.com, has disclosed fresh details on its startup investing activity, with a sharp focus on artificial intelligence and deep technology. In its latest shareholder communication, the company said it invested ₹1,003 crore across 54 AI and deeptech startups since 2020. The portfolio now carries a fair value of ₹1,827 crore.

The disclosure is notable because it quantifies returns and valuation changes in segments that have drawn significant attention globally. Info Edge also positioned itself as an early institutional backer, stating that several investments were made before interest in AI surged worldwide. Alongside AI and deeptech, the company reiterated that consumer technology remains the biggest contributor to value in its broader startup portfolio.

The headline numbers: ₹1,003 crore into AI and deeptech

Info Edge said it allocated over ₹1,000 crore into AI and deeptech startups since 2020, spread across 54 companies. The fair value of these AI and deeptech investments is estimated at ₹1,827 crore, as per the shareholder letter.

Within that combined figure, the company broke out AI-focused and deeptech-focused buckets separately. It also provided metrics such as multiple on invested capital (MOIC) and estimated gross internal rate of return (IRR), offering investors a clearer view of performance.

AI portfolio: ₹614 crore invested, valued at ₹1,268 crore

For AI-focused startups, Info Edge reported investments of ₹614 crore across 28 companies. This AI portfolio is currently valued at ₹1,268 crore. The company said this translates into a 2.1x MOIC and an estimated gross IRR of about 31%.

Info Edge also indicated that many portfolio companies are attracting further external funding and government support, although it did not list specific names in the AI bucket. The company’s commentary suggests the portfolio has benefited from stronger investor appetite for AI in recent periods.

Deeptech portfolio: semiconductors to spacetech

Info Edge’s deeptech investments include 30 firms operating in semiconductors, biotechnology, space technology, defence technology, and electric mobility. The company said it has invested ₹455 crore in this deeptech portfolio, which is currently valued at ₹559 crore.

On performance metrics, Info Edge reported a 1.2x return on capital for deeptech and an estimated gross IRR of around 15%. Compared with the AI bucket, the deeptech portfolio shows a lower multiple and IRR in the disclosed period, based on the company’s own estimates.

Consumer technology still dominates portfolio value

While AI and deeptech were the focus of the update, Info Edge said consumer technology remains the most significant contributor to value in its startup portfolio. The company reported it invested ₹2,755 crore across 45 consumer technology and consumer AI startups.

This consumer portfolio is currently valued at ₹37,214 crore. Info Edge described this as a 13.5x multiple on invested capital and an estimated gross IRR of approximately 34%.

Total startup portfolio: nearly ₹4,900 crore invested across 135 startups

Across all sectors, Info Edge said it has invested nearly ₹4,900 crore across 135 startups through its balance sheet and fund management platforms. The overall portfolio value is estimated at around ₹41,300 crore.

On aggregate portfolio performance, the company reported an 8.4x multiple on invested capital and an estimated gross IRR of about 33%. These figures combine direct balance sheet investments and venture funds under its management.

Key disclosed metrics at a glance

Longer history: returns since 2007 and top holdings

Separately, Info Edge has also shared longer-period performance figures for its startup investments. The company reported that since 2007 it has turned a total investment of ₹3,959.16 crore across 111 startups into a portfolio valued at ₹36,855.40 crore, delivering an estimated gross IRR of 36%.

It also disclosed that its combined holdings in Zomato (referred to as Eternal Limited in the text) and PB Fintech are valued at ₹31,500 crore as of March 31, 2025. Another disclosure stated that as of March 31 the two companies had a combined market capitalisation of over ₹2.5 lakh crore, while Info Edge’s shareholding value in them was over ₹31,500 crore.

Market impact: what investors will track from here

For listed-market investors, the immediate takeaway is that Info Edge is quantifying performance in AI and deeptech as distinct categories, rather than bundling all unlisted investments together. The AI portfolio’s disclosed 2.1x MOIC and ~31% IRR provides a reference point for how the company’s capital has performed since 2020.

The deeptech portfolio’s 1.2x MOIC and ~15% IRR shows a different return profile, even as it covers strategic areas such as semiconductors and defence technology. And the much larger consumer technology portfolio value underscores how earlier consumer internet investments still dominate the overall fair value.

Info Edge’s market capitalisation was cited at ₹63,798 crore in the provided data, placing its unlisted portfolio disclosures in context for public market participants.

Company context: the operating engine and investment arm

Info Edge was founded in 1995 and is listed with the NSE symbol NAUKRI. It operates across recruitment, real estate, matchmaking, and education classifieds and related services in India. The company also highlighted that Naukri has built a database of over 100 million registered resumes.

Alongside its operating businesses, Info Edge runs a sizeable investment operation through its balance sheet and venture capital arm, Info Edge Ventures. In the shareholder communication, Sanjeev Bikhchandani was referenced in connection with the investing track record. Hitesh Oberoi was also named in the provided company details.

What the company has said about recent bets

Info Edge’s investor letter commentary also referenced more recent startup bets, including TrueMeds, Geniemode, and InPrime, stating the company expects several of these to start taking off. It also listed other startup investments such as Ustra, Shopkirana, Adda247, Zingbus, and ixigo as part of its broader track record.

Conclusion

Info Edge’s latest disclosures put hard numbers on its AI and deeptech strategy since 2020: ₹1,003 crore invested across 54 companies and a current fair value of ₹1,827 crore. With the company also reporting a total startup portfolio value of about ₹41,300 crore across 135 startups, investors will watch for future updates in subsequent shareholder letters on valuations, exits, and follow-on funding activity.