CarDekho

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CarDekho
Company typePrivate
IndustryAutomotive, E-commerce
FoundedMarch 12, 2008; 17 years ago (2008-03-12)
FounderAmit Jain, Anurag Jain, Umang Kumar, Ankit Agrawal
HeadquartersJaipur, Rajasthan, India
Area served
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
Key people
Amit Jain (CEO), Anurag Jain (COO), Umang Kumar (President)
ProductsOnline car marketplace, automotive content, financial services, insurance
Revenue₹ 2,332 crore (FY23)
Number of employees
2,387 (February 2025)
ParentGirnarSoft
Websitewww.cardekho.com

CarDekho is an Indian automotive technology company headquartered in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Founded in 2008, it operates as an online platform for buying and selling new and used cars, providing comprehensive automotive content, including expert reviews, specifications, prices, and comparisons. The company also offers financial services, insurance, and used car certification through its TrustMark program. CarDekho operates multiple portals, including CarDekho.com, ZigWheels.com, BikeDekho.com, and Gaadi.com, and has expanded to Southeast Asia. With over 50 million monthly unique visitors and a valuation of $1.2 billion as of 2021, CarDekho is a leading player in India's auto-tech sector, competing with CARS24, Spinny, and Droom. The company is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) to further its growth. [1][2]

Founders & Leadership

CarDekho was founded by brothers Amit Jain and Anurag Jain, along with Umang Kumar and Ankit Agrawal, all alumni of IIT Delhi.

  • Amit Jain (CEO): A computer science graduate from IIT Delhi, Amit Jain is the co-founder and CEO of CarDekho. He has led the company to unicorn status and is a notable investor on Shark Tank India. Prior to CarDekho, he co-founded GirnarSoft, a software development firm. [3]
  • Anurag Jain (COO): Also an IIT Delhi alumnus, Anurag Jain serves as the COO, overseeing operations and strategic expansion. He co-founded GirnarSoft in 2007 and has been instrumental in CarDekho’s international growth. [4]
  • Umang Kumar (President): A graduate of Visvesvaraya Technological University, Kumar holds a Post Graduate Diploma from the Indian School of Business. Previously the co-founder of Gaadi.com, he joined CarDekho after its acquisition and leads its Southeast Asia operations. [5]
  • Ankit Agrawal: An IIT Delhi graduate, Agrawal is a co-founder focusing on technology and product development. He has also co-founded other GirnarSoft ventures. [6]

Origin & Founding Story

Amit Jain and Anurag Jain, the founders of CarDekho

CarDekho was founded in 2008 by Amit Jain, Anurag Jain, Umang Kumar, and Ankit Agrawal under their parent company, GirnarSoft, established in 2007. The idea emerged during a visit to the Delhi Auto Expo, where the founders recognized the need for a centralized platform to simplify car buying by providing comprehensive vehicle information. Initially a car research portal, CarDekho evolved into a full-fledged e-commerce platform for new and used cars, financing, and insurance. Headquartered in Jaipur, the company bootstrapped for six years before raising external funding, reflecting a capital-efficient approach. Its focus on user-centric innovation and technology has made it a leader in India’s auto-tech ecosystem. [7][8]

Timeline

Year Milestone
2007 GirnarSoft, the parent company of CarDekho, founded by Amit and Anurag Jain.
2008 CarDekho launched as an online car research portal in Jaipur. [9]
2010 Secured $1 million in angel funding. [10]
2011 Raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Sequoia Capital India. [11]
2013 Launched Gaadi.com for used car sales. [12]
2014 Acquired Gaadi Web for $11 million. [13]
2015 Acquired ZigWheels.com and raised $50 million in Series B funding. [14]
2018 Raised $110 million in Series C funding. [15]
2019 Raised $70 million in Series D funding. [16]
2021 Achieved unicorn status with $250 million Series E funding, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. [17]
2023 Shut down used car retail business due to high operational costs. [18]
2024 Reported profit of ₹ 37 crore in FY24 and announced IPO plans. [19]
2025 CarDekho SEA raised $60 million for Southeast Asia expansion. [20]

Funding

Date Round Amount Investors
2010 Angel $1 million Angel investors [21]
November 2011 Series A $15 million Sequoia Capital India, Omidyar Network, Lightspeed Venture Partners [22]
January 2015 Series B $50 million Hillhouse Capital, Sequoia Capital India, Norwest Venture Partners [23]
February 2016 Equity $15 million Undisclosed [24]
March 2018 Series B $2.5 million Undisclosed [25]
January 2019 Series C $110 million Sequoia Capital India, Hillhouse Capital, CapitalG, Axis Bank [26]
December 2019 Series D $70 million Ping An Global Voyager Fund [27]
October 2021 Series E $250 million ($200M equity, $50M debt) LeapFrog Investments, Canyon Partners, Mirae Asset, Franklin Templeton, Sequoia Capital India, Sunley House Capital [28]
December 2024 Venture (CarDekho SEA) $60 million Navis Capital Partners, Dragon Fund [29]

Business Model

CarDekho operates as an online marketplace connecting car buyers and sellers, serving both B2C and B2B segments. Its revenue streams include:

  • Advertising: Collaborates with car manufacturers and dealerships for display ads, sponsored content, and listings. [30]
  • Lead Generation: Provides leads to dealerships and manufacturers based on user inquiries, earning commissions per lead. [31]
  • Car Sales: Facilitates new and used car sales through partnerships with over 4,000 dealerships. [32]
  • Financial Services: Offers car loans and insurance through tie-ups with financial institutions, earning commissions. [33]
  • TrustMark Certification: Charges fees for certifying used cars, enhancing their marketability. [34]

The company targets car buyers, sellers, manufacturers, dealerships, and financial institutions, leveraging its extensive network and technology-driven platform. [35]

Products / Services

  • CarDekho.com: A platform for researching, comparing, and buying new and used cars, offering expert reviews, specifications, and 360-degree vehicle views. [36]
  • Gaadi.com: Focuses on used car sales with TrustMark certification. [37]
  • ZigWheels.com: Provides automotive news, reviews, and comparisons. [38]
  • BikeDekho.com: A portal for motorcycle and scooter research and sales. [39]
  • PowerDrift.com: Offers automotive video content with over 3 million YouTube subscribers. [40]
  • Financial Services: Includes car loans and insurance through partnerships with over 50 financial institutions. [41]
  • TrustMark Stores: Retail outlets for certified used car sales. [42]

Growth & Metrics

As of FY23, CarDekho reported operating revenue of ₹ 2,332 crore, a 46% increase from ₹ 1,597 crore in FY22. [43] The company achieved a profit of ₹ 37 crore in FY24. [44] It serves over 50 million monthly unique visitors and has a presence in over 1,300 cities in India. The used car business grew at 150% annually, while the financing arm disbursed over ₹ 1,000 crore in loans by 2019. [45] CarDekho SEA, its Southeast Asia arm, reported $50 million in annual revenue and over $1 billion in loan disbursements. [46] The company employs 2,387 people as of February 2025. [47]

Legal Entity Information

Field Details
Legal Name Girnar Software Pvt. Ltd.
Foundation Date 12 March 2008
Registrar of Companies (ROC) ROC Jaipur
Corporate Identification Number (CIN) U72200RJ2008PTC026127
Registered Address 1st Floor, Plot No. 206-207, Okay Plus Spaces, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017, India
Email ID info@cardekho.com
Company Status Active
Directors Amit Jain, Anurag Jain, Umang Kumar, Shailesh Lakhani, Ishaan Mittal, Parthasarathy S, David Sungjin Rhee
Authorized Share Capital ₹ 10 crore
Paid-up Capital ₹ 1.5 crore

[48]

Acquisitions and Investments

CarDekho, through its parent company GirnarSoft, has acquired several bootstrapped startups to expand its ecosystem:

  • Gaadi Web (2014): Acquired for $11 million, a portal for new and used car sales. [49]
  • ZigWheels.com (2015): An automotive news portal with $1 million annual revenue. [50]
  • Valueserve Management Consultants (2013): A software consulting firm. [51]
  • Drishya360s (2015): A video production and VR/AR startup. [52]
  • Help On Wheels (2016): An emergency roadside assistance startup with $4 million in revenue. [53]
  • Connecto (2016): A SaaS startup for user experience enhancement. [54]
  • Volob (2016): A 3D visualization platform. [55]
  • PowerDrift (2018): An automotive video content platform. [56]

Media & Public Recognition

CarDekho has received several accolades and media coverage:

  • Awards: Recognized for innovative features like the "Feel The Car" tool and TrustMark certification. [57]
  • Media Coverage: Featured in TechCrunch, Forbes India, and StartupTalky for its unicorn status, IPO plans, and growth. [58][59]
  • Shark Tank India: Amit Jain’s role as a shark increased CarDekho’s visibility. [60]
  • ESOP Buyback: Conducted three ESOP buybacks totaling $10 million, announced in 2019, 2020, and 2023. [61]

FAQs

What is CarDekho’s primary business?
CarDekho operates an online platform for buying and selling new and used cars, offering automotive content, financial services, and insurance. [62]
Who founded CarDekho?
CarDekho was founded by Amit Jain, Anurag Jain, Umang Kumar, and Ankit Agrawal in 2008. [63]
What is CarDekho’s valuation?
CarDekho was valued at $1.2 billion after its Series E funding round in 2021. [64]
What are CarDekho’s revenue streams?
CarDekho earns revenue through advertising, lead generation, car sales, financial services, and used car certification. [65]

External Links

Related Startups

References

  1. ↑ "CarDekho Success Story - How It Finds the Right Cars for the Users?". StartupTalky. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "CarDekho - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors". Tracxn. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  3. ↑ "Amit Jain: The Visionary Behind CarDekho's Success". StartupTalky. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  4. ↑ "From A Small IT Venture in Jaipur To A Multi-Billion Dollar Company By 2021". Inc42. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  5. ↑ "CarDekho Success Story - How It Finds the Right Cars for the Users?". StartupTalky. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "CarDekho - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors". Tracxn. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "From A Small IT Venture in Jaipur To A Multi-Billion Dollar Company By 2021". Inc42. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  9. ↑ "CarDekho Success Story - How It Finds the Right Cars for the Users?". StartupTalky. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "CarDekho Success Story- From Start-up to 1600 Cr Turnover". Get in Startup. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  11. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  12. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  13. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  14. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  15. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  16. ↑ "CARDEKHO CASE STUDY, FUNDING, BUSINESS MODEL, REVENUE MODEL, INVESTORS, COMPETITOR". Berojgar Engineers. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  17. ↑ "India's CarDekho becomes unicorn with $250 million fundraise". TechCrunch. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  18. ↑ "CarDekho: Amit Jain And Anurag Jain's Journey From Tiny Startup In Jaipur To IPO". Forbes India. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  19. ↑ "CarDekho Business Model". StartupTalky. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  20. ↑ "CarDekho SEA raises first-ever outside funding". TechCrunch. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  21. ↑ "CarDekho Success Story- From Start-up to 1600 Cr Turnover". Get in Startup. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  22. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  23. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  24. ↑ "CARDEKHO CASE STUDY, FUNDING, BUSINESS MODEL, REVENUE MODEL, INVESTORS, COMPETITOR". Berojgar Engineers. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  25. ↑ "CARDEKHO CASE STUDY, FUNDING, BUSINESS MODEL, REVENUE MODEL, INVESTORS, COMPETITOR". Berojgar Engineers. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  26. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  27. ↑ "CarDekho - Founders, Business Model, Revenue, Growth & Future". The Brand Hopper. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  28. ↑ "India's CarDekho becomes unicorn with $250 million fundraise". TechCrunch. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  29. ↑ "CarDekho SEA raises first-ever outside funding". TechCrunch. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  30. ↑ "CarDekho Business Model". StartupTalky. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  31. ↑ "Business model of Cardekho". Investor Guruji. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  32. ↑ "About Us". CarDekho.com. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  33. ↑ "India's CarDekho becomes unicorn with $250 million fundraise". TechCrunch. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  34. ↑ "Business model of Cardekho". Investor Guruji. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  35. ↑ "CarDekho Business Model". StartupTalky. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  36. ↑ "About Us". CarDekho.com. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  37. ↑ "CarDekho Company Profile Funding & Investors". YourStory. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  38. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  39. ↑ "CarDekho Company Profile Funding & Investors". YourStory. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  40. ↑ "CarDekho Business Model". StartupTalky. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  41. ↑ "India's CarDekho becomes unicorn with $250 million fundraise". TechCrunch. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  42. ↑ "CarDekho Company Profile Funding & Investors". YourStory. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  43. ↑ "CarDekho: Amit Jain And Anurag Jain's Journey From Tiny Startup In Jaipur To IPO". Forbes India. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  44. ↑ "CarDekho Business Model". StartupTalky. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  45. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  46. ↑ "CarDekho SEA raises first-ever outside funding". TechCrunch. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  47. ↑ "CarDekho - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors". Tracxn. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  48. ↑ "CarDekho - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors". Tracxn. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  49. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  50. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  51. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  52. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  53. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  54. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  55. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  56. ↑ "CarDekho Bootstrapped First, Raised Money Later". Sramana Mitra. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  57. ↑ "About Us". CarDekho.com. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  58. ↑ "India's CarDekho becomes unicorn with $250 million fundraise". TechCrunch. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  59. ↑ "CarDekho: Amit Jain And Anurag Jain's Journey From Tiny Startup In Jaipur To IPO". Forbes India. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  60. ↑ "Amit Jain: The Visionary Behind CarDekho's Success". StartupTalky. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  61. ↑ "CarDekho Group's FY22 consolidated operating revenue grows by 81 per cent to Rs 1,600 crores". CarDekho.com. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  62. ↑ "CarDekho Business Model". StartupTalky. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  63. ↑ "CarDekho - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors". Tracxn. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  64. ↑ "India's CarDekho becomes unicorn with $250 million fundraise". TechCrunch. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  65. ↑ "Business model of Cardekho". Investor Guruji. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
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