If you think that the e-commerce and online business space is facing the heat because of high burn rates, low margins & disappearing investments, have a re-look.
There are some stronger players still attracting investments, and at hiringsquare.com, when we see investments in any business or a sector, we clearly assume that a decent chunk of it is also going to be directed on expansions and therefore people.
So , by this logic hopefully good news for those presently in the online business space or e-commerce space. You may have opportunities to jump to after this appraisal season, and for those who have just lost their job because of some e-commerce set up winding up , you may still have some new lifelines.
Lets have a look at some businesses who received their next round of funding, and by funding we are talking about serious money:
Pepperfry.com, the online market for home furnishings, furniture etc., set up by ex e-bay executives has received another round of funding to the tune of $ 8 million by Norwest Venture Partners. Earlier the company had received a $ 5 million funding from the same investor. (March 2013)
Snapdeal.com, raises another $ 50 million investment from eBay (March 2013). Earlier in 2012 the company had raised $ 40 million from Bessemer Venture Partners, Nexus Venture and IndoUS Venture Partners. Snapdeal.com, started as a deals & coupons site based on the Groupon model. Subsequently, it pivoted to an e-commerce model. Snapdeal.com, has raised over $ 100 million in funding till date.
Shopclues.com, has recently raised $ 10 million, from Helion Venture Partners, and Nexus Venture Partners. (March 2013). Shopclues.com, is a managed market place that allows sellers to sell their products online. The company has earlier received investments to the tune of $ 4 million in series A funding in 2012, and $ 2 million in angel funding in 2011.
Healthkart.com, has recently raised $ 14 million, from Intel Capital & Sequoia Capital. (March 2013). Earlier in 2012, they had raised $ 5 million from Sequoia Capital and Omidyar Networks. They had started with a seed funding of $1 million. Healthkart.com sells health & nutrition products, medial devices, personal care products online.
Zomato.com, raised $ 10 million (55 crores) in its 4th round of funding from Info Edge Limited. (Feb 2013) . Earlier also Info Edge, has invested to the tune of about $ 7 million in the company.
Meritnation.com, has recently raised $ 6 million (31 Crores) from Info Edge Limited. (Feb 2013). Earlier Info Edge has invested about 30 Crores in the company across multiple rounds of funding. Meritnation.com, an online education portal caters to students for up to high school level.