11 March 2024 – Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the visionary behind Info Edge, known for successful bets on Zomato and Policybazaar, reveals his ‘anti-portfolio’ regrets. While turning Info Edge’s early investments into gold, Bikhchandani acknowledges passing on opportunities with giants like Flipkart, Ola, BigBasket, and Snapdeal. His candid reflections on missed chances shed light on the unpredictable nature of startup investments.
The Info Edge founder shares insights into his anti-portfolio, expressing remorse for declining to invest in Flipkart’s pre-Series A stage without meeting the founders, rejecting Snapdeal twice, and passing on Ola and BigBasket. Despite these misses, Info Edge’s success with Zomato (124X gain) and Policybazaar (Rs 576 crore investment now worth over Rs 6,500 crore) demonstrates the company’s prowess in identifying winners.
Impact and Conclusion:
Bikhchandani’s anti-portfolio highlights the unpredictable nature of startup investments, where even seasoned investors make choices that lead to significant misses. The success stories of Zomato and Policybazaar showcase Info Edge’s ability to identify promising opportunities. In the dynamic world of startups, Bikhchandani’s journey reflects the importance of choosing founders and companies wisely, even as he candidly shares the ones that got away. As Info Edge continues to navigate the startup landscape, the revelations provide valuable insights for both investors and entrepreneurs.
