Info Edge (India) Limited's board of directors has approved a significant investment commitment of up to Rs 250 crore in B8 Fund I, a Category II Alternative Investment Fund scheme. The decision was taken during a board meeting held on February 26, 2026, marking a strategic move to support India's entrepreneurial ecosystem while creating long-term value for the company.
Investment Structure and Partnership
The contribution agreement involves B8 Fund I, a scheme launched by B8 Trust, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. Info Edge will make the investment directly and through its wholly owned subsidiaries, with Smartweb Internet Services Limited serving as both sponsor and investment manager of the fund.
| Parameter: |
Details |
| Investment Amount: |
Up to Rs 250 crore |
| Investment Mode: |
Cash consideration |
| Fund Structure: |
Category II Alternative Investment Fund |
| Sponsor & Manager: |
Smartweb Internet Services Limited |
| Fund Address: |
Ground Floor, 12 A, 94, Meghdoot Building, Nehru Place, New Delhi – 110019 |
Fund Details and Investment Focus
B8 Trust was incorporated and its scheme was launched in FY26, with the specific scheme launch date being February 12, 2026. The fund's primary objective is to generate long-term growth for contributors while supporting the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem by investing in growth-stage tech-enabled companies in India or those primarily focused on the Indian market.
| Financial Metrics: |
2024-25 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
| Turnover: |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| PAT: |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Networth: |
NA |
NA |
NA |
*Financial data not available as B8 Trust was incorporated and its scheme launched in FY26.
Investment Timeline and Structure
The fund has a structured timeline designed to maximize investment opportunities over an extended period. The scheme will have a lifespan of 8 years from the first closing, which occurs upon execution of the contribution agreement. This period can be extended by up to 2 additional years with the consent of two-thirds majority of the contributors.
The actual drawdown by the scheme will be made over time during its lifetime on a need basis, depending on several factors:
- Available investment opportunities
- Prevailing market conditions
- Fund's operational expenses
- Strategic investment timing
Regulatory Compliance and Related Party Considerations
Once the investment management agreement is executed between the trustee of the fund and Smartweb Internet Services Limited, the fund and its schemes will be regarded as a related party of Info Edge in accordance with Regulation 2(1)(zb) of the Listing Regulations. Consequently, this investment will fall under related party transactions, though it is being conducted on an arm's length basis.
The company has confirmed that promoters, promoter groups, or group companies have no interest in this investment. No governmental or regulatory approvals are required for this acquisition, streamlining the implementation process.
Strategic Rationale
This investment aligns with Info Edge's strategy on external financial investments that focus on value creation in medium to long-term prospects. The company will acquire units of B8 Fund I at face value, subject to the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement, which may be executed in one or more tranches based on market conditions and investment opportunities.
The board meeting, which commenced at 11:06 am and concluded at 11:21 am on February 26, 2026, demonstrates the company's commitment to swift decision-making in strategic investment opportunities that support India's growing technology sector.
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