5 Times Indian Start-Ups Expanded Overseas Through AcquisitionsThe last few years have seen several start-ups in the Indian ecosystem grow at breakneck pace, scaling operations both in domestic as well as international markets. To scale quickly, some of these start-ups have taken the acquisition route

ByDebroop Roy

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Entrepreneur India

The last few years have seen several start-ups in the Indian ecosystem grow at breakneck pace, scaling operations both in domestic as well as international markets. To scale quickly, some of these start-ups have taken the acquisition route.

On Thursday, Jaipur-based autotech firm CarDekho announced that it had bought Philippines-based Carmudi, an online classifieds platform for buying and selling new and used vehicles.

Here's a look at some Indian start-ups which expanded abroad through acquisitions.

Wikipedia

欧买休闲集团

Indian hospitality Unicorn OYO has seen a fair share of controversies around its operations in the recent past, but the company continues to rapidly scale up its operations in India and abroad. In May this year, OYO announced that it would buy Amsterdam-based Leisure Group. Media reports suggested that the deal was worth €369.5 million.

Leisure Group—a vacation rental company that manages homes, holiday parks and apartments in Europe—was said to have over 300,000 rooms in its inventory when the acquisition was announced.

展示网站

InMobi Buys PinSight Media

InMobi, the mobile adtech platform, was India's first Unicorn. The company, late last year, announced the acquisition of US-based mobile data and advertising firm PinSight Media. PinSight was previously wholly-owned by the US telecom giant Sprint.

Bengaluru-based InMobi said the deal was part of a broader strategic pact with Sprint across devices, data, media and marketing.

"As a result of this acquisition, InMobi will expand its operations in North America to Kansas City, alongside San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago," the company said in its statement.

Byju's Facebook

Byju’s Buys Osmo

Byju's, the world's most valued edtech company, acquired US-based Osmo for $120 million earlier this year.

One of the earliest edtech platforms in India, Bengaluru-based Byju's has shown staggering growth in the last few years and has pumped up its operations even as competitors have cropped up on the scene.

"Our partnership with Osmo will help kids acquire love for learning at an early age by introducing "play-based learning'," Byju's founder Raveendran had said in a statement.

Wikipedia

Hike Buys Zip Phone

Messaging platform Hike has introduced several features over the years, as it has tried to differentiate its offering and gain more users, in a market heavily dominated by US rival WhatsApp.

In 2015, Hike bought US-based Zip Phone in order to offer free voice-calling services.

Zomato Wikipedia

Zomato Buys Urbanspoon

Foodtech company Zomato has made giant strides since launching as a restaurant discovery service in 2008. The company has become one of the biggest players in the online food ordering space, giving stiff competition to the likes of Swiggy and Uber Eats.

In what marked its entry into the US in 2015, Zomato bought restaurant information provider Urbanspoon. Although the deal amount was not disclosed, reports put it at over $50 million.

Wavy Line
Debroop Roy

Former Correspondent

Covering the start-up ecosystem in and around Bangalore. Formerly an energy reporter at Reuters. A film, cricket buff who also writes fiction on weekends.

Related Topics

Business Ideas

The Top 10 Home Business Ideas for 2023

Can't figure out which enterprise you should launch in 2023? Check out 10 stellar home business ideas to get inspiration.

Thought Leaders

I Pitched 300 People a Day For 1 Year — and Learned This Impactful Entrepreneurial Lesson

After working myself to the bone pitching 300 people each day for one year, I came out of that experience as a new man — but surprisingly, an unhappier one. Here's what I learned.

Starting a Business

10 Common Obstacles to Avoid When Starting a Business

Starting a new business can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Here are some common obstacles to avoid when starting a new business.

Money & Finance

How to Make Money Online: 10 Proven Ways to Make Money Online

Need to know how to make money online as a side gig or new career? Check out this breakdown of the 10 top online money-making methods.

Marketing

The Role of PR in Successful Product Launches — Strategies and Best Practices

By executing a comprehensive PR campaign, brands can generate buzz, build credibility, and create a strong foundation for their product's success in a competitive market.