On the 13th of June, social media giant Facebook announced, it invested an undisclosed amount in Indian startup Meesho.
A Bengaluru based startup, Meesho works with resellers and emerging brands using social media. This is the first time Facebook invested in a startup based in India. Through this investment, Facebook aims to increase its commitment to the Country’s vibrant internet ecosystem.
“Facebook is an ally for India’s economic growth and social development. We are excited about India and its rapidly rising Internet ecosystem. With this investment in Meesho, we want to fuel a business model that can result in rapid job creation and the rise of a female entrepreneurial class in India,” Ajit Mohan, the Managing Director of Facebook India, said in a statement.
It was two primary factors which made Facebook invest in Meesho. The first reason was how the startup is growing outside the Tier II and III cities, where new users are present. The second reason is, Meesho has a larger user base, 80 % of which are women.
So far, Meesho has raised $ 50 million from a Series C funding round in November last year. According to industry reports, the startup helps people using its service earn close to Rs. 25,000 every month! With WhatsApp playing a crucial role in the app’s growth, it comes as an added blessing that Facebook invested in this particular startup.
Through investments like these, Facebook is capitalizing on the social media boom happening in India.
Stay tuned for more updates.