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Indian Startups Buy Big Abroad: M&A Hits Record High
17 Jan
Summary
- Outbound M&A by Indian startups reached $1.1 billion in 2025.
- Domestic acquisitions hit a four-year high of $4.1 billion.
- Inbound deal value significantly declined to $863 million.
In 2025, Indian startups aggressively expanded their global footprint, achieving a record $1.1 billion in outbound merger and acquisition deals. This surge in international acquisitions, covering both value and volume, signifies a maturing startup ecosystem focused on achieving scale and securing overseas revenue streams. Companies are strategically acquiring assets abroad to enhance their global presence and access valuable intellectual property.
Domestically, merger and acquisition activities also saw a significant uptick, reaching a four-year high with $4.1 billion across 137 transactions. This contrasts with a sharp decline in inbound deal value, which fell to $863 million. Experts note that for late-stage startups, inorganic growth has become a crucial lever for increasing topline revenue, especially for those that raised capital at peak valuations.
The trend toward outbound acquisitions is particularly strong in sectors like deeptech, semiconductors, fintech, and gaming, driven by global interest in Indian technology capabilities and the need to diversify revenue. Many listed companies or those preparing for public listings are leveraging their financial strength for these strategic international moves to build scale and diversify their operations.
