Here’s How India’s Startup Ecosystem Has Reacted To Flipkart’s Rs. 1,34,000 Crore Walmart Deal

OfficeChai Team

Flipkart has just been acquired by Walmart at a valuation of Rs. 1,34,000 crore, and India’s startup ecosystem is abuzz. And with good reason — it’s not only the biggest acquisition ever for an Indian startup, but it’s also the biggest ever FDI investment into any Indian company. Here’s how India’s startup ecosystem is reacting to Flipkart’s mega deal.

Entrepreneurs in the e-commerce space hailed Flipkart’s acquisition, even though Flipkart would now have even more firepower to compete with their companies. “I call it, perfect answer to those who were dismissive of Indian startups in an open-for-all market. What an incredible outcome for every believer of Flipkart,” said Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma. “Sachin and Binny continue to make India proud with their audacious achievements ! Cheers to everyone at Flipkart. Chapter 2 begins,” he added. 

Snapdeal CEO Kunal Bahl, who’d often sparred with Flipkart on Twitter when the two comapnies were intense rivals, also graciously congratulated Sachin and Binny Bansal, saying that their journey has inspired many entrepreneurs in India.

The All India Online Vendors Association, which represents Indian online sellers, and is often at loggerheads with Indian e-commerce companies, also congratulated Flipkart and its employees.

FreeCharge founder Kunal Shah said that this could be the most important day for the Indian startup ecosystem.

Haptik CEO Aakrit Vaish said that the deal was a sign that Indian tech’s time had come.

Some people were focused on the really important questions. (Walmart, for the record, will continue to run Flipkart under its original brand name)

And eagle-eyed early-stage entrepreneurs were focused on how the deal could help them. Sachin Bansal has left Flipkart after the deal with nearly a billion dollars in his kitty, and India’s startup community will hope that he gives something back and takes up angel investing with renewed vigor. Who knows, he might just end up spawning the next Flipkart in the process.