Info Edge has launched a new growth-stage investment vehicle, B8 Fund-I, with an initial capital commitment of up to Rs 250 crore (approximately $27.4 million). The fund marks the company’s first dedicated initiative focused on investing in later-stage, technology-enabled startups.
The board has approved entering into a contribution agreement with B8 Fund-I, a scheme launched under B8 Trust. The trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. B8 Trust is also registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.
The commitment of up to Rs 250 crore will be made directly and/or through wholly owned subsidiaries, including Smartweb Internet Services Limited. Smartweb will act as the sponsor and investment manager of the fund and its schemes.
B8 Fund-I was launched on February 12, 2026. As it was incorporated and launched in FY26, financial metrics such as turnover, profit after tax, and net worth are not applicable for the previous three financial years.
The objective of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation for contributors while supporting India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The fund will invest in growth-stage, tech-enabled companies based in India or primarily focused on the Indian market, in line with SEBI AIF regulations and other applicable laws.
The tenure of the scheme is eight years from its first close, defined as the execution of the contribution agreement. It may be extended by up to two years with the consent of two-thirds of the contributors. Capital drawdowns will occur over the life of the fund depending on investment opportunities, market conditions, and fund-related expenses.
The consideration for the investment will be in cash, and Info Edge will acquire units of B8 Fund-I at face value in one or more tranches as per the agreement. Once an investment management agreement is executed between the trustee of the fund and Smartweb, the transaction will be classified as a related party transaction under Regulation 2(1)(zb) of the Listing Regulations. The company clarified in its filing that the promoter, promoter group, and group companies have no interest in the investment and that it is being undertaken on an arm’s length basis.
B8 Fund-I may also raise capital from external investors, potentially increasing its corpus beyond the initial Rs 250 crore commitment.
Info Edge currently operates multiple early-stage investment platforms, including Info Edge Ventures with a total corpus of Rs 2,300 crore across three funds, Capital 2B with Rs 280 crore, and Redstart Labs, which focuses on AI-led startups. In addition, the company continues to invest directly from its balance sheet.
Late last year, Info Edge approved a Rs 100 crore equity investment in its wholly owned subsidiary Redstart Labs, revising an earlier Rs 30 crore plan through compulsorily convertible debentures. Redstart backs deeptech and SaaS startups such as Unbox Robotics, BrainSight AI, Skylark Drones, The ePlane Company, and CynLr.
In recent years, the company has also invested in AI-focused startups including Pascal AI Labs, Zwayam Digital, and Attentive.ai. Separately, Info Edge had announced plans for a Rs 1,000 crore venture fund targeting AI, SaaS, and deeptech startups, reinforcing its strategy to institutionalise and scale its investment platform alongside its core operating businesses.
With B8 Fund-I, Info Edge expands its presence into growth-stage investing, complementing its early-stage focus and strengthening its broader alternative investment strategy.
