Internet seems to have emerged stronger from the dot-com bust of 2000 and is now creating substantial value for various stakeholders. Over the last 10 years we have seen emergence of robust, sustainable business models and global brands such as Google, Yahoo, eBay and Amazon.Undoubtedly the biggest success story is search engine giant Google. For a company that has been in existence for only 7 years it’s current valuation of close to $120 billion takes it way ahead of media giant Time Warner and makes it most valuable media company in the world!India has been a slow starter but has its share of successes in the Internet space in Indiatimes, Naukri, Shaadi, Bharat matrimony, Rediff and Yahoo India among others.
As the market has picked up, India has seen some major acquisitions in the last couple of years:·
Monster’s acquisition of Jobsahead in mid 2004 for 40 crores http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20040614/indianews02.shtml , http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2004/06/14/stories/2004061400080100.htm·
eBays’ acquisition of Baazee for around 225 crores in June 2004
http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20040712/newsanalysis01.shtml
http://www.businessworldindia.com/july0504/news04.asp
In the recent months, India has emerged as “the” hot destination and more investment is likely. Participation in the India story is on the agenda of Financial Institutions / Investors / Companies. However, I have not come across a comprehensive business view of the Indian Internet Industry and through this blog, I am aiming at aggregating my Business perspective, thoughts and understanding of the “space”. I encourage my readers to contribute and take this dialogue forward. Together we can create a powerful resource on Internet in India.I estimate the current annual B2C Internet industry size to be around Rs. 3,000 crores. The B2B market size would be easily be 8-10 times this number.
Over the next few posts I will like to focus on various Internet businesses / revenue models and would like to talk about trends / success stories in India. I hope you will be part of the journey.
