Nikhil Kamath Backs Collective Artists Network; InMobi’s Glance Exits With 5X Returns

Zerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamath has made a secondary investment in Mumbai-based talent management and influencer marketing firm Collective Artists Network.

However, the company did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

The deal facilitates an exit to InMobi’s Glance, an early backer in Collective Artists Network that has made a 5X return on its bet. 

InMobi’s Glance invested in the company in 2021.

Founded in 2019 by Vijay Subramaniam, Collective Artists Network is a talent management company with cross category clients, including creative artists, brands, and the investment community. 

Its wide range of integrated solutions ranges from talent management to creator tech to sports sponsorship and consultancy, alongside production, influencer marketing, creative strategy, and media distribution. It has individuals and companies like Ranveer Singh and Global Esports among its clients. 

It offers programmes like Collective that offers brands actionable insights into popular culture, and BigBang.Social for influencer marketing, M19, and strategic acquisitions like Under 25 Universe.

Kamath said, “Investing in Collective’s vision feels like a natural progression. I’ve witnessed the company’s evolution over the last couple of years and I’ve known Vijay now closely and believe in his vision of the transformation of this space. We share a similar outlook towards the India story.”

This follows another collaboration between Collective Artists Network and Gruhas, an India-focused Venture Capital fund, backed by Kamath.

As a part of this partnership, they introduced the Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF), a 150 Cr fund, in July 2023 to invest in consumer-facing brands and products. The fund’s investment amount will be up to a million dollars and will have around 10+ startups in its portfolio. 

Among its portfolio companies, Gruhas has innerwear brand Bummer, co living startup Serrl, hospitality company Quorum Club, Driven Platform Done Deal, and Eldercare startup Age Care Labs. 

It is pertinent to mention that Kamath has been diversifying his investment in companies a lot in recent years. So far in 2024, he has invested in men’s apparel and fashion brand Rare Rabbit, and Subko Coffee Roasters, among others. 

In April it was also reported that Flipkart’s cofounder Sachin Bansal divested a significant portion of his shares to Kamath.

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