BlackSoil deploys Rs 220 Cr, sees 40% AUM growth in first quarter

Alternative lending platform BlackSoil has disbursed over Rs 220 crore ($28 million) in Q1FY25, said a statement from the company.

The platform has invested in seven new businesses, exited from 5, totaling 10 transactions, with a 40% year-on-year growth in Assets Under Management (AUM). Approximately 36% of investments in Q1FY25 were allocated to the consumer sector, 34% to Financial Institutions (FI), and 29% to SaaS/DeepTech/IoT.

Some of the notable new investments include Celebal Technologies, an IT services provider; Leverage Edu, an AI-enabled student counseling platform; and JCB Salons, a premium beauty and wellness brand. BlackSoil also exited from five investments, including Cashe, PlayShifu, WEGoT Utility Solutions, and Mahaveer Finance.  

“Our Q1 FY25 results underscore BlackSoil’s strategic vision and adaptability, as we continue to identify and capitalise on emerging market opportunities. The 40% year-on-year growth in our AUM is a testament to the strength of our investment strategy and the quality of our portfolio companies,” stated Ankur Bansal, Co-founder and Director of BlackSoil.

“We are dedicated to fuelling innovation and growth across diverse sectors, while maintaining a balanced approach to risk and return. Our success in executing strategic exits alongside new investments demonstrates our agility in navigating market dynamics,” he added.

In Q1 FY25, BlackSoil’s new investments included Celebal Technologies, an IT services provider; Leverage Edu, an AI-enabled student counseling platform; and JCB Salons, a premium beauty and wellness brand.

In addition, it exited five investments, including Cashe, PlayShifu, WEGoT and Mahaveer Finance.

Headquartered in Mumbai, BlackSoil, founded in 2016, is an alternative credit platform comprising an RBI-registered systemically important NBFC and a SEBI-registered AIF. It offers credit to growth companies, financial institutions, and NBFCs.

The company has built a loan portfolio, deploying approximately $415 million across more than 180 deals.

Its investments include enterprises such as ideaForge, Upstox, Bluestone, OYO, Udaan, Zetwerk, Spinny, Yatra, Purplle, Curefoods, and HomeLane.

In Q1FY25, BlackSoil’s portfolio companies collectively raised INR 541 Crores ($67 million), with 70% of them reporting positive EBITDA.