The post-pandemic world has been a boon for the startup ecosystem in India in many ways. The post-pandemic world saw a sudden rise of ed-tech companies, a record amount of fund inflow, the creation of new unicorns, companies going public, and a new benchmark in terms of mergers & acquisitions (M&A).

2021 saw a substantial increase in M&A (Merger and Acquisitions) from 86 such deals in 2020, we already stand at 119 this year. 

The year 2021 has been a defining one for the Indian startup ecosystem in more ways than one — a record amount of fund inflow, creation of new unicorns, companies going public, and a new benchmark in terms of mergers & acquisitions (M&A).

This amounted to an M&A value of $1.3 billion in 2020; in 2021, the figure hit $3.8 billion. These are only the disclosed deals; the majority of them are undisclosed and the value may actually be higher. According to Yourstory. 

The M&A segment has gained momentum primarily due to the Ed-Tech Giant Byjus acquisition of 7 companies at more than  $2 billion. 

The big highlight of the M&A activity this year has been the growing ambition of Indian startups who are taking bold bets - acquiring established businesses that could be arguably described as the old economy.

And then there’s the acquisition of listed diagnostic chain Thyrocare by online pharmacy startup PharmEasy in a deal valued at Rs 6,334 crore.