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Here Are 5 Most Valued Start-Ups In India

India is only behind the US, China, and the UK in terms of operational unicorns.
India is only behind the US, China, and the UK in terms of operational unicorns.

From Paytm to Byju's, Ola Cabs to Nykaa, India is fast becoming the preferred ranch for unicorns with one of the largest start-up ecosystems in the world. The number of unicorns – companies valued over $1 billion – based in India is now estimated to be more than 100. The country is now only behind the US (ranked top), China, and the UK in terms of the number of operational unicorns. Despite the global economic slowdown over the past two years because of the coronavirus pandemic, several Indian start-ups managed to beat the sentiment and launched initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2021. Most of them have been successful.

As we enter 2022, let's take a look at the five most valuable start-ups in the country.

1) Byju's

Valuation: $21 billion

Industry: Edtech

With a valuation of $21 billion, the education technology company has taken the top spot in the list of start-ups in India. The Bangalore-headquartered company was founded in 2008 by former teacher Byju Raveendran. It launched the Byju's learning app in 2015 and offers personalised learning programmes for classes 1-12. Besides, it also helps aspirants of competitive exams like JEE, IAS etc prepare for the tests. The company says it has 50 million registered students and 3.5 million paid subscriptions.

2) Paytm

Valuation: $16 billion

Industry: Fintech

Paytm, the leader in digital payments, was founded by DTU graduate Vijay Shekhar Sharma in 2021 with an investment of $2 million. Its parent company is called One97 Communications Ltd. Paytm has grown in popularity in the country, with more than 300 million Indians utilising it to pay for various goods and services. The company has expanded into investment and online shopping through Paytm Money and Paytm Mall, respectively.

3) Nykaa

Valuation: $14 billion

Industry: Cosmetics-to-fashion

The retailer plans to more than triple its brick-and-mortar stores to 300, founder and Chief Executive Falguni Nayar said, significantly building its offline presence in the country. Though Nykaa largely operates as an e-commerce platform selling everything from global cosmetic brands to jewellery, Ms Nayar said the physical stores, targeting Indian consumers wanting to buy touch-and-feel products, were a critical part of the business.

4) OYO Rooms

Valuation: $9.6 billion

Industry: Travel

Founded in 2013, OYO Rooms is now valued at $9.6 billion. The Gurugram-headquartered company runs a virtual hospitality brand in India by aggregating budget hotels and guesthouses and making the inventory available for booking online to travellers. A preferred way of booking hotels among the millennial population, the company matches the supply of economy rooms in India with online demand.

5) Dream11

Valuation: $8 billion

Industry: Internet software and services

CB Insights placed Dream 11 at the third position with a valuation of $8 Billion. The Mumbai-headquartered company was founded in 2007. It allows users to play fantasy sports like cricket, hockey, football, kabaddi, and basketball.