Info Edge's portfolio of 28 AI startups, where it invested Rs 614 crore, is now valued at Rs 1268 crore as of March 2026. This 2.1x return multiple and 31% IRR on its AI bets significantly outperforms its deeptech investments. For other corporate VCs and deep-pocketed angel investors, these numbers offer a rare look into early-stage AI returns.
How We Got Here
Info Edge committed Rs 1,003 crore across 54 AI and deeptech startups starting in 2020. As of March 2025, its shareholding in Zomato and Policybazaar alone stood at Rs 31,500 crore, setting a high bar for new investments.
The Numbers
- The AI portfolio (28 companies) yielded a 31% gross IRR on Rs 614 crore invested.
- The deeptech portfolio (30 companies) returned 1.2x MOIC and 15% gross IRR from its Rs 445 crore investment.
- Noteworthy AI startups include Gnani.ai, which recently launched its Prisma v2.5 speech-to-text model, alongside Attentive AI and Aftershoot.
- Deeptech bets cover robotics, spacetech, and semiconductors, featuring ePlane, Manastu Space, Unbox Robotics, and Bharat Semi.
- Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal is linked to two deeptech portfolio firms: Temple and LAT Aerospace.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For Bangalore and Delhi founders building in AI, Info Edge's 31% IRR demonstrates that institutional capital is finding strong returns, even in early-stage bets.
The Take
The 2.1x MOIC in AI is impressive, but the real story is Info Edge’s conviction that outlier returns like Zomato are still possible in new tech categories. They’re effectively applying their 2008-era investment playbook to 2026’s frontier tech.
Source:
MediaNama ↗