NASDAQ-listed Indian OTA MakeMyTrip is exploring three broad verticals for inorganic expansion to grow its business and is looking to use much of the funds raised in the recent past to bankroll the acquisitions, its founder & CEO Deep Kalra told VCCircle.com in an exclusive interaction (watch video here).
“There are broadly three buckets that we are looking at for M&A. Firstly, we would like to explore opportunities in the supply disintermediation area which means we want to look at how we can cut out from the supply chain and extract value,†he said.
He cited MakeMyTrip’s bet on Singapore-based Luxury Tours and Travels as one such investment. Kalra said Luxury Tours and Travels was an on ground hotel aggregator and tour supplier and it helped the company add value to the system.
“Second area where we are looking at is new customer segments. Segments which we are not really focussed but want to get into,†Kalra said about the second category for acquisitions. “MyGuestHouse deals is one such segment which we are not really focussed but wanted to be in. We would like to look at more such companies,†he added.
Third which would be of interest is niche travel technology players. “Ixigo is one good example of niche players that we have invested in. We are keen to associate with more such companies,†he said.
Kalra said the PE-backed firm has not allocated any amount for acquisitions, but most of the money raised in the recent past are for inorganic expansion needs as the firm has been cash flow positive for last two years and it does not require funds for running operations.
Watch this space for full conversation with Deep Kalra founder and CEO, MakeMyTrip.com.
(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)