Rediff, Once an Internet Pioneer in India, Sells Majority Stake for $3M

Summary:

  1. Acquisition Details: Infibeam Avenues, a payments infrastructure firm, has acquired a 54% majority stake in Rediff.com for up to $3 million. This acquisition marks a significant shift for Rediff, which was once a pioneering force in India’s internet landscape.

  2. Historical Context: Founded in 1996, Rediff.com was one of India’s leading web portals, offering services like email, news, and e-commerce. The company made history in 2000 by becoming the first Indian internet firm to list on Nasdaq, achieving a peak valuation of over $600 million.

  3. Decline and Acquisition: Despite its early success and significant traffic, with rankings as high as 12th in India, Rediff’s influence waned over the years. The acquisition by Infibeam Avenues signifies the end of an era for the once-dominant internet pioneer.

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