Info Edge (India) Ltd has exited its investment in Shopkirana through a share-swap arrangement with Trustroot Internet Pvt Ltd, while simultaneously committing up to ₹250 crore to A88 Fund I, a deeptech-focused vehicle managed by its subsidiary. The moves underscore the company’s strategic pivot toward advanced technology investments and sustained exposure to B2B commerce through Udaan’s parent.
Share-swap boosts indirect holding in Udaan’s parent
Under the transaction, Info Edge transferred its entire 26.14% stake in Shopkirana to Trustroot, the holding company of B2B commerce platform Udaan. Rather than a cash exit, the consideration was structured as preference shares in Trustroot, resulting in Info Edge acquiring a little over 2% equity in Udaan’s parent entity.
The swap preserves Info Edge’s indirect participation in the B2B wholesale and kirana supply chain segment and was accompanied by a fresh capital infusion into Trustroot, signalling continued confidence in Udaan’s long-term prospects. Following the deal, Shopkirana will cease to be an associate of Info Edge as its operations and network are consolidated into Trustroot’s ecosystem.
₹250 crore allocation to deeptech fund
Concurrently, Info Edge’s board approved an investment of up to ₹250 crore into A88 Fund I, a Category II Alternative Investment Fund managed by Smartweb Internet Services, a subsidiary of Info Edge. The fund will target early-stage startups in deeptech domains, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, aiming to back scalable innovation-driven ventures.
The allocation reflects Info Edge’s strategic intent to deploy capital into technology-driven plays that could generate long-term value and complement its existing portfolio of digital-investment assets.
Strategic reorientation toward technology-driven growth
The twin decisions mark a deliberate shift in Info Edge’s investment posture — moving away from capital-intensive B2B retail holdings toward higher-impact technology bets. The company, which has historically backed prominent consumer-tech firms such as Zomato and Policybazaar, is now prioritising future-ready areas like deeptech and AI.
The restructuring mirrors a wider pattern in India’s startup and investment landscape, where limited partners and strategic investors increasingly favour deeptech and AI-led innovation. For Info Edge, the reallocation seeks to balance continued exposure to the B2B commerce ecosystem with targeted investments that position the firm for growth in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
