Funding Galore: From LEAD To Upgrad — $637 Mn Raised By Indian Startups [April 26-May 1]

We bring to you the latest edition of Funding Galore: Indian Startup Funding Of The Week

Food aggregator business Zomato finally filed its much-awaited draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the market regulator securities and exchange board of India (SEBI) this week, to raise $1.1 Bn (INR 8,250 Cr) through its initial public offering (IPO) process. About  $1 Mn (INR 7,500 Cr) will be a fresh issue, while $100 Mn (INR 750 Cr) will be an offer for sale for its existing investor Info Edge.

The company will be raising $200 Mn (INR 1,500 Cr) as a pre-IPO exercise. However, the company has already raised $250 Mn (INR 1,800 Cr) in funding from Tiger Global, Kora and others in the fourth quarter of FY21.The company was veiled at $5.4 Bn for this round.

Upgrad Values At 850 Mn In Latest Round

Online higher education company upGrad has raised $160 Mn of funding this week in two tranches. It secured $120 Mn in funding from Temasek in the company’s first external funding round, at a valuation of $850 Mn. International Finance Corporation (IFC), a sister organisation of the World Bank, also infused $40 Mn, bringing down the promoters holding in the firm to 75%.

The company will use the funds to scale its operations in international markets, pursue mergers and acquisitions in the edtech space and expand its graduate and postgraduate degree portfolio. The company aims to achieve revenue worth $2 Bn by 2026.

Urban Company Is India’s Latest Unicorn

Gurugram-based hyperlocal service provider Urban Company is the latest startup to join the unicorn club, as the company is said to be valued at $2 Bn in its latest $188 Mn Series F funding round led by Prosus. DF International and Wellington Management also participated in the round.

While it has not confirmed the $1 Bn+ valuation after the Series F, Urban Company had raised its $75 Mn in Series E funding round at a valuation of $933 Mn.

Top Indian Startup Funding Deals This Week

Overall, $637 Mn was invested in Indian startups across 11 deals this week.

Note: This funding report is based on startups that disclosed funding amounts

Acquisitions This Week

Lenskart Aquihires DailyJoy

Delhi-based eyewear startup Lenskart has acquihired Hyderabad-based delivery startup DailyJoy to boost its technology stack and its engineering capability. DailyJoy is a grocery and essentials delivery startup that has operations in Tier 1/2 cities including Lucknow and Hyderabad. However, the acquisition by Lenskart is only centred around augmenting the company’s team strength and leveraging the tech expertise.

eYantra Acquires Digital Marketing Agency

Brand merchandising and marketing firm eYantra has acquired Hyderabad-based digital marketing agency, Digital Ozone, to further expand its digital marketing capabilities. eYantra aims to solidify its brand marketing capabilities and offer end-to-end digital marketing service offerings to its 1000+ large corporate customers.

Fund Announcement

• International Finance Corporation (IFC) has committed to invest $25 Mn in Singapore-headquartered venture fund Jungle Ventures, which plans to raise $300 Mn as part of its Fund IV. Additionally, IFC is considering a delegated authority co-investment envelope for an additional amount of up to $25 Mn for potential co-investments with the fund in its portfolio companies.
• Early-stage venture capital firm pi Ventures is looking to raise $75.7 Mn (INR 565 Cr) with a greenshoe option of $24.8 Mn (INR 185 Cr) for its second fund to invest in 25 deeptech and AI startups.

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