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India’s largest online travel company,
MakeMyTrip.com, has
raised $13 million in its second round of funding. The
investment comes from three blue-chip venture capital firms -
Helion Ventures, Sierra Ventures and existing investors, SB Asia
Infrastructure Fund (SAIF).
The
company announced the funds will be used to fund technology,
infrastructure and growth. Deep Kalra, Founder & CEO,
MakeMyTrip.com said, “This investment will be used for
enhancement in our infrastructure and technology capabilities as
the business gears up to serve over 2 million customers in
2007.”
“MakeMyTrip.com is the clear leader in the rapidly growing
online travel space in India and Helion is proud to be
associated with it,” said Sanjeev Aggarwal, Managing Director,
Helion Ventures Pvt. Ltd. “We believe that MakeMyTrip.com stands
apart in an increasingly crowded marketplace due to a winning
combination that brings together deep experience in the online
travel business, a world class management team, a strong and
well-established network of fulfillment options and the ability
to continually innovate as the market leader.”
“Online travel addresses a large market in India. Sierra
Ventures has been focused on the industry for some time now and
we have reviewed investment opportunities in several competing
portals,” said Tim Guleri, Managing Director, Sierra Ventures.
“MakeMyTrip.com is the largest and most successful online travel
vendor in India and we believe the management team will continue
to lead the market with distinct product innovations and strong
industry partnerships.”
“SAIF is excited about increasing its investment in MakeMyTrip.
Since our initial investment in the company in 2005, the
management has done a stellar job of building a powerful brand
and differentiating itself in the crowded market. With this
fresh infusion of capital, we believe that MakeMyTrip will not
only maintain its dominant position in the market, but expand on
its significant lead over the competitors.”
“This investment will help us respond more pro-actively to the
phenomenal demand expressed by Indian consumers to buy online
travel services from MakeMyTrip.com.” MakeMyTrip is on track to
record sales of Rs.600 crores (USD 130M) in the current fiscal
year ending March 07, effectively registering a growth of 200%
from the previous year. Since its launch of online travel
services in India, MakeMyTrip has grown rapidly to become the
largest issuer of air- tickets in the country and also the
leading seller of hotel reservations and holidays in India.
The India business of Make My Trip was launched in September
2005. As the first and only comprehensive online travel site
with real time booking for flights, hotels, holidays and cars,
MakeMyTrip.com is heralding a revolution in the way travel will
be bought in India.
For
more information, please visit:
www.india.makemytrip.com |