Bertelsmann India Investments

Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), established in 2012 and based in Noida, India, serves as the strategic investment arm of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. The firm specializes in venture capital, targeting pioneering companies in the digital, education, media, and services sectors. BII is dedicated to investing in early and growth stage companies that are developing innovative technologies, business models, and visions for the future. Through its investments, BII aims to support the evolution of these sectors in India, fostering the growth of impactful and transformative businesses.

Keshav Bagri

Vice Principal

Carsten Coesfeld

CEO and Investment Committee Member

Stefan Grabmann

Associate

Pankaj Makkar

Managing Director

Swati Murarka

Principal

Rohit Sood

Partner

Raghav Syal

Associate

43 past transactions

Shiprocket

Series E in 2022
Shiprocket is a logistics aggregation platform designed to facilitate global and domestic shipping for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the e-commerce sector. Launched in 2017, the platform serves around 1.5 lakh sellers, enabling shipping to approximately 220 countries and 26,000 PIN codes in India through partnerships with 18 courier services. Shiprocket stands out for its AI-driven recommendation engine, which helps businesses select appropriate courier services, and its cost-effective shipping rates. The platform provides a user-friendly integrated ecosystem, including tools like Shiprocket 360 and Shiprocket Social, enabling sellers to manage their shipping and returns efficiently from a single interface. With a remarkable year-over-year growth rate of 300%, Shiprocket has established itself as a key player in the logistics landscape for e-commerce in India.

Squad

Series B in 2022
Squad is an IT consulting firm established in 2010, with locations in Sophia-Antipolis, Paris, Toulouse, and Aix-en-Provence. The company specializes in delivering efficient applications and secure cross-platform solutions, focusing on cloud computing, user experience, and web services. It offers a range of services, including digital cloud and cybersecurity consulting, outsourcing, and support. Squad aims to protect businesses against complex cyber threats by implementing and managing virtualized platform infrastructures suitable for public or hybrid cloud environments. With a strong emphasis on fostering a collaborative work culture, Squad also prioritizes continuous training and development for its employees.

Orange Health Labs

Series B in 2022
Provider of diagnostic lab services intended to offer affordable home sample collection and test results access. The company's patient-centric approach allows individuals to avoid clinic visits for blood tests, checkups, and pathology services and receive efficient testing, enabling customers to access healthcare services and reducing wait times for test results.

Vymo

Series C in 2022
Vymo Solutions Private Limited develops a software application focused on enhancing sales automation and field force productivity. The company offers various solutions, including lead management, partner management, relationship management, service management, and merchant onboarding. By leveraging contextual signals such as location, phone calls, calendar events, and lead sources, Vymo helps sales representatives prioritize their actions effectively. Its services incorporate artificial intelligence, geo tracking, activity detection, live sales metrics, and analytics reporting. Vymo primarily serves the banking and insurance sectors and was founded in 2013, with its headquarters in Bengaluru, India, and additional offices in locations such as Australia, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Singapore.

Rupeek

Venture Round in 2022
Rupeek Fintech Pvt Ltd. is a Bengaluru-based financial services company that specializes in providing gold loans through its online lending platform. Founded in 2015, Rupeek offers a streamlined process for securing loans against gold, featuring zero processing fees and on-demand pickup and return of collateral. The platform is designed for ease of use, requiring minimal paperwork, and allows consumers to apply for loans by submitting basic identity and address proof, facilitating quick verification. With a loan tenure of one year, Rupeek aims to promote financial inclusion by offering transparent and accessible lending solutions to a wide range of customers.

AgroStar

Series D in 2021
AgroStar is a leading AgTech start-up in India dedicated to supporting farmers by offering a comprehensive range of agricultural solutions. Through its technology platform, AgroStar provides agronomy advice, services, and agricultural input products that aim to enhance farmers' productivity and income. The platform leverages extensive data and agronomy expertise to deliver tailored solutions to Indian farmers. Operating primarily in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, AgroStar serves over 500,000 farmers, who can access solutions for their entire crop life-cycle via a simple missed call or through its highly-rated Android app. The company's offerings include expert advice, personalized content, and agricultural inputs such as seeds and nutrients. Over the next five years, AgroStar plans to expand its services, providing farmers with a wider range of inputs delivered to their doorsteps, superior agronomy guidance, and improved access to market linkages and credit.

Licious

Series F in 2021
Licious is a path breaking concept in the Indian Food industry; aimed at solving the perennially existing problem of finding safe, delectable, trustworthy fresh meat in India. The company builds a world-class enterprise that's bound to upgrade the way the company procures, sells, buys, and consumes meat in India.

Licious

Series G in 2021
Licious is a path breaking concept in the Indian Food industry; aimed at solving the perennially existing problem of finding safe, delectable, trustworthy fresh meat in India. The company builds a world-class enterprise that's bound to upgrade the way the company procures, sells, buys, and consumes meat in India.

Shiprocket

Series D in 2021
Shiprocket is a logistics aggregation platform designed to facilitate global and domestic shipping for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the e-commerce sector. Launched in 2017, the platform serves around 1.5 lakh sellers, enabling shipping to approximately 220 countries and 26,000 PIN codes in India through partnerships with 18 courier services. Shiprocket stands out for its AI-driven recommendation engine, which helps businesses select appropriate courier services, and its cost-effective shipping rates. The platform provides a user-friendly integrated ecosystem, including tools like Shiprocket 360 and Shiprocket Social, enabling sellers to manage their shipping and returns efficiently from a single interface. With a remarkable year-over-year growth rate of 300%, Shiprocket has established itself as a key player in the logistics landscape for e-commerce in India.

Treebo Hotels

Series D in 2021
Treebo Hotels is a hotel booking platform that focuses on providing quality accommodation at affordable prices. Named after the "Bo Tree," under which Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment, Treebo embodies the spirit of offering shelter to all travelers, reminiscent of the early budget hotels represented by fig trees. The company develops comprehensive hotel management software that addresses the technological needs of hotels and operates on a full inventory model. This approach allows it to maintain quality standards and provide training for hotel staff. By ensuring safe, clean, and comfortable accommodations, Treebo aims to create a welcoming environment for guests, encouraging interactions and meaningful conversations among travelers.

Licious

Series F in 2021
Licious is a path breaking concept in the Indian Food industry; aimed at solving the perennially existing problem of finding safe, delectable, trustworthy fresh meat in India. The company builds a world-class enterprise that's bound to upgrade the way the company procures, sells, buys, and consumes meat in India.

Shiprocket

Series C in 2021
Shiprocket is a logistics aggregation platform designed to facilitate global and domestic shipping for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the e-commerce sector. Launched in 2017, the platform serves around 1.5 lakh sellers, enabling shipping to approximately 220 countries and 26,000 PIN codes in India through partnerships with 18 courier services. Shiprocket stands out for its AI-driven recommendation engine, which helps businesses select appropriate courier services, and its cost-effective shipping rates. The platform provides a user-friendly integrated ecosystem, including tools like Shiprocket 360 and Shiprocket Social, enabling sellers to manage their shipping and returns efficiently from a single interface. With a remarkable year-over-year growth rate of 300%, Shiprocket has established itself as a key player in the logistics landscape for e-commerce in India.

Treebo Hotels

Venture Round in 2020
Treebo Hotels is a hotel booking platform that focuses on providing quality accommodation at affordable prices. Named after the "Bo Tree," under which Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment, Treebo embodies the spirit of offering shelter to all travelers, reminiscent of the early budget hotels represented by fig trees. The company develops comprehensive hotel management software that addresses the technological needs of hotels and operates on a full inventory model. This approach allows it to maintain quality standards and provide training for hotel staff. By ensuring safe, clean, and comfortable accommodations, Treebo aims to create a welcoming environment for guests, encouraging interactions and meaningful conversations among travelers.

Treebo Hotels

Series D in 2020
Treebo Hotels is a hotel booking platform that focuses on providing quality accommodation at affordable prices. Named after the "Bo Tree," under which Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment, Treebo embodies the spirit of offering shelter to all travelers, reminiscent of the early budget hotels represented by fig trees. The company develops comprehensive hotel management software that addresses the technological needs of hotels and operates on a full inventory model. This approach allows it to maintain quality standards and provide training for hotel staff. By ensuring safe, clean, and comfortable accommodations, Treebo aims to create a welcoming environment for guests, encouraging interactions and meaningful conversations among travelers.

Lendingkart

Series D in 2020
Lendingkart Technologies Private Limited is a fintech company based in Ahmedabad, India, that specializes in providing working capital loans and other financing solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2014, the company employs advanced technology and big data analytics to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers efficiently. Lendingkart offers a range of financial products, including business loans, MSME loans, and short-term loans, aimed at facilitating access to credit for small businesses in India. Its application, LENDINGKART, streamlines the loan application process, enabling users to receive loan sanctions quickly. With additional offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai, Lendingkart is focused on transforming small business lending by making it more accessible and convenient for entrepreneurs.

Shiprocket

Series C in 2020
Shiprocket is a logistics aggregation platform designed to facilitate global and domestic shipping for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the e-commerce sector. Launched in 2017, the platform serves around 1.5 lakh sellers, enabling shipping to approximately 220 countries and 26,000 PIN codes in India through partnerships with 18 courier services. Shiprocket stands out for its AI-driven recommendation engine, which helps businesses select appropriate courier services, and its cost-effective shipping rates. The platform provides a user-friendly integrated ecosystem, including tools like Shiprocket 360 and Shiprocket Social, enabling sellers to manage their shipping and returns efficiently from a single interface. With a remarkable year-over-year growth rate of 300%, Shiprocket has established itself as a key player in the logistics landscape for e-commerce in India.

Skeps

Funding Round in 2020
We are a blockchain based company in the Fintech domain. Our product enables lenders to collaborate better amongst each other

Rupeek

Series C in 2020
Rupeek Fintech Pvt Ltd. is a Bengaluru-based financial services company that specializes in providing gold loans through its online lending platform. Founded in 2015, Rupeek offers a streamlined process for securing loans against gold, featuring zero processing fees and on-demand pickup and return of collateral. The platform is designed for ease of use, requiring minimal paperwork, and allows consumers to apply for loans by submitting basic identity and address proof, facilitating quick verification. With a loan tenure of one year, Rupeek aims to promote financial inclusion by offering transparent and accessible lending solutions to a wide range of customers.

Pepperfry

Series F in 2020
Pepperfry is an online home and lifestyle shopping store selling products with cash on delivery facilities. The company's aim is to be a one-stop shop for customers seeking to spice up their home. Pepperfry was founded in 2012 by Ambareesh Murty and Ashish Shah and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Licious

Series E in 2019
Licious is a path breaking concept in the Indian Food industry; aimed at solving the perennially existing problem of finding safe, delectable, trustworthy fresh meat in India. The company builds a world-class enterprise that's bound to upgrade the way the company procures, sells, buys, and consumes meat in India.

Rupeek

Series B in 2019
Rupeek Fintech Pvt Ltd. is a Bengaluru-based financial services company that specializes in providing gold loans through its online lending platform. Founded in 2015, Rupeek offers a streamlined process for securing loans against gold, featuring zero processing fees and on-demand pickup and return of collateral. The platform is designed for ease of use, requiring minimal paperwork, and allows consumers to apply for loans by submitting basic identity and address proof, facilitating quick verification. With a loan tenure of one year, Rupeek aims to promote financial inclusion by offering transparent and accessible lending solutions to a wide range of customers.

Lendingkart

Series D in 2019
Lendingkart Technologies Private Limited is a fintech company based in Ahmedabad, India, that specializes in providing working capital loans and other financing solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2014, the company employs advanced technology and big data analytics to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers efficiently. Lendingkart offers a range of financial products, including business loans, MSME loans, and short-term loans, aimed at facilitating access to credit for small businesses in India. Its application, LENDINGKART, streamlines the loan application process, enabling users to receive loan sanctions quickly. With additional offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai, Lendingkart is focused on transforming small business lending by making it more accessible and convenient for entrepreneurs.

AgroStar

Series C in 2019
AgroStar is a leading AgTech start-up in India dedicated to supporting farmers by offering a comprehensive range of agricultural solutions. Through its technology platform, AgroStar provides agronomy advice, services, and agricultural input products that aim to enhance farmers' productivity and income. The platform leverages extensive data and agronomy expertise to deliver tailored solutions to Indian farmers. Operating primarily in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, AgroStar serves over 500,000 farmers, who can access solutions for their entire crop life-cycle via a simple missed call or through its highly-rated Android app. The company's offerings include expert advice, personalized content, and agricultural inputs such as seeds and nutrients. Over the next five years, AgroStar plans to expand its services, providing farmers with a wider range of inputs delivered to their doorsteps, superior agronomy guidance, and improved access to market linkages and credit.

Emeritus

Series C in 2019
Emeritus Institute of Management Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore-based provider of management education services, founded in 2014. It offers a range of courses focused on key areas such as digital innovation, leadership, finance, marketing, and analytics. As a subsidiary of Eruditus Executive Education Pvt. Ltd., Emeritus aims to make high-quality education accessible and affordable, equipping individuals with the skills necessary for future success. The institute emphasizes a commitment to teaching relevant and practical skills to meet the evolving demands of the workforce.

LetsTransport

Series B in 2018
Lets transport is a “Last mile” logistics solution provider. Their solutions are reliable, professional, economical and structured to serve businesses as well as consumers. They currently provide Tata Ace on demand as well as on attachment basis.

Roposo

Series C in 2018
Roposo is a social network and discovery platform based in Gurugram, India, founded in 2013. It allows users, particularly women, to explore and shop for a wide range of fashion products, including apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty items, from various online stores. The platform personalizes recommendations based on individual tastes and features curated trends in real-time from multiple brands and e-commerce sites. Additionally, Roposo enables users to express themselves visually through homemade videos and photos, fostering a community where they can share their talents and opinions. With a user base of over 8.5 million and significant engagement metrics, Roposo has carved a niche in the Indian digital landscape, making it an attractive platform for both content creators and fashion enthusiasts. The company operates as a subsidiary of Glance Digital Experience Private Limited.

Licious

Series D in 2018
Licious is a path breaking concept in the Indian Food industry; aimed at solving the perennially existing problem of finding safe, delectable, trustworthy fresh meat in India. The company builds a world-class enterprise that's bound to upgrade the way the company procures, sells, buys, and consumes meat in India.
Eruditus Education Pvt Ltd specializes in providing executive education programs aimed at mid-career professionals. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Mumbai, India, with additional offices in Gurgaon, Dubai, and Singapore, the company collaborates with over 30 prestigious universities, including MIT, Harvard, and INSEAD. This partnership allows Eruditus to offer a diverse portfolio of more than 100 courses, which are available in various formats such as short workshops, online programs, and customized sessions. The programs are designed to help professionals develop leadership skills and acquire relevant knowledge applicable to various business scenarios. With a global reach, Eruditus serves students from over 80 countries, offering courses in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin, thus making high-quality executive education accessible to a wider audience.

Roposo

Series C in 2018
Roposo is a social network and discovery platform based in Gurugram, India, founded in 2013. It allows users, particularly women, to explore and shop for a wide range of fashion products, including apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty items, from various online stores. The platform personalizes recommendations based on individual tastes and features curated trends in real-time from multiple brands and e-commerce sites. Additionally, Roposo enables users to express themselves visually through homemade videos and photos, fostering a community where they can share their talents and opinions. With a user base of over 8.5 million and significant engagement metrics, Roposo has carved a niche in the Indian digital landscape, making it an attractive platform for both content creators and fashion enthusiasts. The company operates as a subsidiary of Glance Digital Experience Private Limited.

iNurture

Series C in 2018
iNurture Education Solutions Pvt. Ltd., established in the year 2005, is the pioneer in career-ready formal higher education in India. We deliver industry relevant courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the fast growing sectors of the economy, in active association with well-reputed universities and autonomous institutions/ colleges. We operate through a unique collaborative University-Industry Partnership (UIP) model. iNurture currently has partnership with 14 universities, autonomous institutions and colleges across India.

Shiprocket 360

Venture Round in 2018
Skyrocket Your Online Sales. We help SME's, Manufacturers, Creative People and Service Providers setup their brand online and get sales from their own stores and also from other sales channels.

Shiprocket

Series B in 2018
Shiprocket is a logistics aggregation platform designed to facilitate global and domestic shipping for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the e-commerce sector. Launched in 2017, the platform serves around 1.5 lakh sellers, enabling shipping to approximately 220 countries and 26,000 PIN codes in India through partnerships with 18 courier services. Shiprocket stands out for its AI-driven recommendation engine, which helps businesses select appropriate courier services, and its cost-effective shipping rates. The platform provides a user-friendly integrated ecosystem, including tools like Shiprocket 360 and Shiprocket Social, enabling sellers to manage their shipping and returns efficiently from a single interface. With a remarkable year-over-year growth rate of 300%, Shiprocket has established itself as a key player in the logistics landscape for e-commerce in India.

Fatherly

Series A in 2017
Fatherly is a digital media brand focused on providing resources and support for fathers. Headquartered in New York City, it operates as a subsidiary of Some Spider Inc. The platform offers a variety of content, including original video series, podcasts, and in-depth reports, all aimed at empowering men to raise their children effectively and lead fulfilling lives. Fatherly covers topics such as parenting tips related to gear, health, work, and relationships, and also features products ranging from gifts for expecting fathers to toys and fitness equipment for various age groups. Through its expert advice and community-driven insights, Fatherly aims to enhance the parenting experience for men, guiding them through the challenges and rewards of fatherhood.

Lendingkart

Series C in 2017
Lendingkart Technologies Private Limited is a fintech company based in Ahmedabad, India, that specializes in providing working capital loans and other financing solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2014, the company employs advanced technology and big data analytics to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers efficiently. Lendingkart offers a range of financial products, including business loans, MSME loans, and short-term loans, aimed at facilitating access to credit for small businesses in India. Its application, LENDINGKART, streamlines the loan application process, enabling users to receive loan sanctions quickly. With additional offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai, Lendingkart is focused on transforming small business lending by making it more accessible and convenient for entrepreneurs.

Treebo Hotels

Series C in 2017
Treebo Hotels is a hotel booking platform that focuses on providing quality accommodation at affordable prices. Named after the "Bo Tree," under which Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment, Treebo embodies the spirit of offering shelter to all travelers, reminiscent of the early budget hotels represented by fig trees. The company develops comprehensive hotel management software that addresses the technological needs of hotels and operates on a full inventory model. This approach allows it to maintain quality standards and provide training for hotel staff. By ensuring safe, clean, and comfortable accommodations, Treebo aims to create a welcoming environment for guests, encouraging interactions and meaningful conversations among travelers.
Eruditus Education Pvt Ltd specializes in providing executive education programs aimed at mid-career professionals. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Mumbai, India, with additional offices in Gurgaon, Dubai, and Singapore, the company collaborates with over 30 prestigious universities, including MIT, Harvard, and INSEAD. This partnership allows Eruditus to offer a diverse portfolio of more than 100 courses, which are available in various formats such as short workshops, online programs, and customized sessions. The programs are designed to help professionals develop leadership skills and acquire relevant knowledge applicable to various business scenarios. With a global reach, Eruditus serves students from over 80 countries, offering courses in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin, thus making high-quality executive education accessible to a wider audience.

Pepperfry

Series E in 2016
Pepperfry is an online home and lifestyle shopping store selling products with cash on delivery facilities. The company's aim is to be a one-stop shop for customers seeking to spice up their home. Pepperfry was founded in 2012 by Ambareesh Murty and Ashish Shah and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Treebo Hotels

Series B in 2016
Treebo Hotels is a hotel booking platform that focuses on providing quality accommodation at affordable prices. Named after the "Bo Tree," under which Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment, Treebo embodies the spirit of offering shelter to all travelers, reminiscent of the early budget hotels represented by fig trees. The company develops comprehensive hotel management software that addresses the technological needs of hotels and operates on a full inventory model. This approach allows it to maintain quality standards and provide training for hotel staff. By ensuring safe, clean, and comfortable accommodations, Treebo aims to create a welcoming environment for guests, encouraging interactions and meaningful conversations among travelers.

Lendingkart

Series B in 2016
Lendingkart Technologies Private Limited is a fintech company based in Ahmedabad, India, that specializes in providing working capital loans and other financing solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2014, the company employs advanced technology and big data analytics to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers efficiently. Lendingkart offers a range of financial products, including business loans, MSME loans, and short-term loans, aimed at facilitating access to credit for small businesses in India. Its application, LENDINGKART, streamlines the loan application process, enabling users to receive loan sanctions quickly. With additional offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai, Lendingkart is focused on transforming small business lending by making it more accessible and convenient for entrepreneurs.

Pencilnews

Angel Round in 2016
PencilNews is a media organization focused on delivering accurate information about early-stage startups in China, addressing the widespread skepticism surrounding media integrity in the region. Founded by Fang Wang, PencilNews aims to combat unethical practices in journalism by ensuring its content is free from advertisements, paid articles, and speculative reporting. All articles are produced by in-house reporters who conduct direct interviews with startup founders, often using voice recordings to verify authenticity. This commitment to truth has made PencilNews a favored source among venture capitalists seeking insights into emerging companies across diverse sectors, including agriculture, entertainment, education, and technology. Supported by notable investors such as SoftBank and Bertelsmann, PencilNews has successfully established itself as a trusted platform, helping startups gain valuable market exposure and understanding of customer needs.

Shiprocket

Series B in 2016
Shiprocket is a logistics aggregation platform designed to facilitate global and domestic shipping for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the e-commerce sector. Launched in 2017, the platform serves around 1.5 lakh sellers, enabling shipping to approximately 220 countries and 26,000 PIN codes in India through partnerships with 18 courier services. Shiprocket stands out for its AI-driven recommendation engine, which helps businesses select appropriate courier services, and its cost-effective shipping rates. The platform provides a user-friendly integrated ecosystem, including tools like Shiprocket 360 and Shiprocket Social, enabling sellers to manage their shipping and returns efficiently from a single interface. With a remarkable year-over-year growth rate of 300%, Shiprocket has established itself as a key player in the logistics landscape for e-commerce in India.

Roposo

Series B in 2015
Roposo is a social network and discovery platform based in Gurugram, India, founded in 2013. It allows users, particularly women, to explore and shop for a wide range of fashion products, including apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty items, from various online stores. The platform personalizes recommendations based on individual tastes and features curated trends in real-time from multiple brands and e-commerce sites. Additionally, Roposo enables users to express themselves visually through homemade videos and photos, fostering a community where they can share their talents and opinions. With a user base of over 8.5 million and significant engagement metrics, Roposo has carved a niche in the Indian digital landscape, making it an attractive platform for both content creators and fashion enthusiasts. The company operates as a subsidiary of Glance Digital Experience Private Limited.

Pepperfry

Series D in 2015
Pepperfry is an online home and lifestyle shopping store selling products with cash on delivery facilities. The company's aim is to be a one-stop shop for customers seeking to spice up their home. Pepperfry was founded in 2012 by Ambareesh Murty and Ashish Shah and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
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