In spite of writing off investments in two startups, the founder of Info Edge reckons that the present micro and macro environment makes for a perfect climate for more investments in startups
Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder and executive vice chairman of Info Edge
Image: Madhu Kapparath
“If I look back, our best investments—PolicyBazaar and Zomato—were made just around the global financial crisis or just after it, or maybe just before it,” Sanjeev Bhikchandani, founder and vice-chairman of Info Edge said in the Q4 earnings call of Info Edge in May this year. “These are actually good times to invest if you have a 7, 8, 10-year perspective, which is what we do have. So, for us, actually, it's quite good,” the seasoned entrepreneur and investor underlined.
On being asked about the slow speed of investment in startups, Bikhchandani preferred to take a cautious approach. “We want to take our time and be very selective given the state of the market,” he said, adding that he would be careful about valuations and enterprise. Here’s his take on a bunch of issues around the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurs, which he outlined over the last four earnings calls in FY23. Edited excerpts: