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Upgrad Raises $60 Million from Temasek at a $2.25 Billion Valuation!

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Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek has injected an additional $60 million into the edtech startup Upgrad, maintaining its valuation at $2.25 billion, according to sources familiar with the development. This funding comes at a critical time as Upgrad is gearing up for an IPO within the next two years.

Strategic Moves by Upgrad

In a parallel move, Upgrad’s founder and chairman, Ronnie Screwvala, has purchased Bharti Enterprises’ 1% stake in the company for $20 million. This acquisition follows Upgrad’s 2022 stock-swap deal to acquire Centum Learning, a skilling and training solutions company. With this buyout, Screwvala now holds a 45% stake in Upgrad, further solidifying his control over the firm.

Leadership Changes

Screwvala, a veteran entrepreneur known for founding UTV, has taken a more hands-on role at Upgrad following the exit of co-founder Mayank Kumar, as reported by The Economic Times on October 16. His re-engagement aligns with Upgrad’s IPO ambitions and is expected to reassure public market investors about the company’s leadership and direction.

“The funding round has now closed. Ronnie’s increased stake reflects his commitment to the company’s future, especially with recent leadership changes,” said a source close to the developments.

Investment Landscape

Temasek and IFC continue to be significant investors in Upgrad, alongside Screwvala, who now stands among the few entrepreneurs with the largest personal stakes in a venture-backed startup. The total funding round of $80 million, which includes both the primary investment and Screwvala’s secondary share purchase, marks one of the largest recent funding rounds in the edtech sector.

Comparisons with Other Funding Rounds

This funding round is significant in a market that has seen a sharp decline in investment after the pandemic-induced boom. For context:

  • PhysicsWallah recently closed a $210 million funding round.
  • Executive education firm Eruditus raised $150 million at a valuation of $3.2 billion.

Prior to this equity funding, Upgrad also secured $35 million in debt financing from Evolution X, a joint venture between DBS and Temasek.

Market Trends and Challenges

Edtech startups have seen around $650 million in funding so far this year compared to $4.1 billion in 2021—the peak for the sector aided by COVID-19 tailwinds. However, this is still higher than just $315 million for edtech for all of 2023, reflecting an 87% decline from the $2.4 billion raised in 2022.

Focus on Enterprise Growth

“Centum Learning is now part of Upgrad Enterprise and that’s the fastest-growing vertical at Upgrad,” another source noted. A report from investor 360 One highlighted key achievements:

  • “Upgrad achieved profitability in its skilling, reskilling, and placement services in Q4.”
  • The consumer segment’s acquisition cost improved from ~30% in FY23 to ~22% in FY24.
  • Non-university program revenue in Q4 FY24 grew ~22% quarter-over-quarter and ~81% year-over-year.

Educational Offerings

Upgrad has established partnerships with over 20 tier-I and tier-II universities, offering more than 70 programs across various fields including data science, management, technology, law, and digital transformation.

Future Plans

As Upgrad moves closer to its IPO, its focus on sustainable growth and profitability appears well-positioned to attract both investors and public markets. The company’s strategy emphasizes leveraging partnerships and expanding its educational offerings to meet evolving market demands.

Conclusion

With Temasek’s investment and Screwvala’s increased stake, Upgrad is poised for significant growth in the competitive edtech landscape. The combination of strategic partnerships, innovative educational solutions, and strong financial backing will likely play a crucial role in shaping Upgrad’s future trajectory as it seeks to capitalize on emerging opportunities within both domestic and international markets.

As it prepares for an IPO, Upgrad aims to solidify its status as a leader in the education technology sector while addressing challenges posed by market fluctuations and evolving consumer needs.

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Meta’s Upcoming AR Glasses: A Sneak Peek

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Meta’s Upcoming AR Glasses: A Sneak Peek,Startup News,Startup Stories 2025,Startup Stories India,Tech News,Meta,AR Glasses,Ray-Ban Smart Glasses,OLED displays,Qualcomm Snapdragon,AR and AI,Meta unveils new AR glasses with heart rate monitoring,Meta’s Upcoming AR Glasses,Meta News,Meta Latest News,Meta Updates,Meta Latest Updates,Orion AR glasses,Meta AR glasses,Meta's upcoming ar glasses,Meta Upcoming AR Glasses,Meta AR Glasses News,Meta AR Glasses Latest News,Meta AR Glasses Update,Meta AR Glasses Latest Update,Ray-Ban,Marketing,Apple,Google,Meta's AR glasses with Mark Zuckerberg,Mark Zuckerberg,Mark Zuckerberg Latest News,Mark Zuckerberg News,Technoly,Electronics,

Meta is developing its first true AR glasses, set to launch in 2027. Before the public release, employees will test the device starting in 2024. The company is also releasing new generations of Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2023 and 2025 with enhanced features like a “viewfinder” display.

Specifications and Features

The AR glasses are expected to feature OLED displays and Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, offering sophisticated AR and AI capabilities. They will enable users to interact with virtual objects and project high-quality holograms of avatars onto the real world.

Design and Competition

Meta aims for a sleek design, potentially building on its Ray-Ban partnerships. The AR glasses market is competitive, with Apple and Google also investing heavily. Meta seeks to make its AR glasses a game-changer by offering a unique user experience.

Future Plans

In addition to AR glasses, Meta is expanding its VR offerings with new headsets like the Quest 3 and exploring other wearable technologies. The company is focused on reducing costs to make the AR glasses more consumer-friendly by launch.

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From Digital Wallet to Stock Market: MobiKwik Expands Its Horizons with New Brokerage Venture

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From Digital Wallet to Stock Market: MobiKwik Expands Its Horizons with New Brokerage Venture

MobiKwik is venturing into the stock broking sector with the launch of its subsidiary, MobiKwik Securities Broking Private Limited (MSBPL), following approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on March 3, 2025. This move aims to diversify MobiKwik’s offerings beyond its core digital payments services and compete with established players like Zerodha and Groww.

MSBPL will provide a range of brokerage services, including trading in shares, securities, commodities, and derivatives. The subsidiary has an initial capital of Rs 1 lakh, with plans for an additional Rs 2 crore investment to support its operations.

As MobiKwik enters this competitive market, it brings a substantial user base of 172 million and a merchant network of 5 million. Despite recent financial challenges, including a reported loss of Rs 55.2 crore in Q3 FY25, the company aims to leverage its existing infrastructure and user engagement to capture a share of the growing investment technology market, projected to reach $74 billion by 2030.

This strategic expansion aligns with MobiKwik’s broader goals of enhancing its financial service

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Strategic Shift: Nazara Sells Entire Stake in Sports Unity Amid Financial Challenges

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Strategic Shift: Nazara Sells Entire Stake in Sports Unity Amid Financial Challenges

Nazara Technologies has sold its entire 71.54% stake in Sports Unity Private Limited, the company behind the multiplayer quiz game ‘Qunami’, for INR 7.15 lakh. This divestment, effective March 25, 2025, signifies a strategic shift for Nazara, which had previously acquired a controlling interest in Sports Unity in 2019 for INR 7.5 crore.

The decision to offload the stake comes as Sports Unity has faced financial difficulties, reporting no active business operations and a negative net worth of INR 0.45 crore at the end of FY24. This move aligns with Nazara’s broader strategy to streamline its operations and concentrate on more profitable ventures within the gaming sector.

This sale follows Nazara’s recent divestment of a 94.85% stake in another subsidiary, Open Play, to Moonshine Technologies for INR 104.33 crore. Despite reporting record quarterly revenue of INR 544.7 crore in Q3 FY25, Nazara experienced a 53.5% decline in net profit year-over-year.

Nazara continues to focus on enhancing its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and investments in high-potential gaming platforms while navigating the competitive landscape of the gaming industry.

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