Why Is Indifi-Backer Omidyar Network Leaving India?

Omidyar Network (ONI) will leave and exit all Indian investments by 2024. This comes after multiple rounds of controversies surrounding ONI. 

Omidyar Network India investment includes the likes of Vedantu, Indifi, DealShare, Tata1mg, etc.  

ONI came under fire in 2021 when it was put under watchlist by Home Ministry, which came with restrictions on the foreign donations it could accept.

CBI also accused ONI of allegedly illegally renewing FCRA licences, needed for recieving funds from foreign sources for charitable purposes.

The ruling party accused ONI of involvement in iPhone hacking warnings and allegedly paying money to entities working against India.

In June 2021, SEBI accused Vivek Kudva, and ex-ONI Managing Partner Roopa of insider trading violations, barring them from markets for a year, risking ONI’s reputation.

The FCRA violations by the Indian government & challenges with law enforcement put pressure on ONI’s startup portfolio in 2022-23.

Many of its portfolio companies have, in recent times, come under stress due to the tough market conditions as well as a paucity of funds.

The leadership situation at the firm is less than clear after Kudva’s exit. This leadership structure is also split between private investments as well as funding and grants to nonprofits. 

Read Our Full Analysis Of ONI’s Exit From India Here: