In a significant move to bolster its portfolio, Info Edge, a leading online classified company in India, has received the green light from its committee of executive directors to invest INR 30 Crore (approximately $3.5 million) in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Redstart Labs. This investment, approved during a meeting on October 22, 2024, reflects Info Edge’s commitment to expanding its tech-driven initiatives.
According to an exchange filing by Info Edge, the company will acquire 30 lakh compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs), each with a face value of INR 100. The completion of this investment is expected within 30 days of approval, further strengthening Redstart Labs’ financial base.
The fresh capital injection will be utilized to meet Redstart Labs’ capital requirements, explore new opportunities, and finance general purposes, as stated in the filing. Redstart Labs, established in 2020, specializes in direct and indirect investments in technology companies and offers a range of internet services, software development, consultancy, and technical support for consumer companies, SaaS providers, and IT product development.
In the financial year ending March 2024, Redstart Labs reported a net profit of INR 33.18 Crore and a net worth of INR 14.81 Crore, highlighting its profitability and financial health.
Info Edge is renowned for its diverse portfolio that includes prominent platforms such as Naukri.com, 99acres.com, Jeevansathi.com, and Shiksha.com. The company has made notable investments in leading tech firms, including foodtech giant Zomato, insurtech startup PB Fintech, and unlisted edtech company Adda247.
This investment news follows Info Edge’s recent announcement regarding the successful completion of its 34.93% stake sale in Wishbook Infoservices Private Limited. On the financial front, Info Edge has reported robust growth in its consolidated profits for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25. The company’s profits soared to INR 258.85 Crore, marking a remarkable 75% year-on-year increase from INR 147.4 Crore in Q1 FY24, and a 195% increase sequentially from INR 87.96 Crore in the previous quarter.
Alongside profit growth, Info Edge’s revenue from operations also grew by 20% year-on-year and 2% quarter-on-quarter, reaching INR 827.92 Crore. Despite this strong performance, Info Edge shares closed Tuesday’s session down 3.6% at INR 7654.75 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
