Course5 Raises $53M, Targets Two Acquisitions

Course5 Intelligence, a data analytics startup, announced the successful closure of its inaugural external funding round, securing $53 million (approximately Rs 437 crore). The funding was divided into two tranches, with an initial investment of $28 million from 360 One Asset Management Ltd (formerly IIFL Asset Management Limited) Tech Fund, followed by an additional $25 million led by Nuvama Crossover Series of funds, in collaboration with Carnelian Asset Advisors Pvt Ltd.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Course5 Intelligence achieved a valuation of $250 million through this funding round. The company intends to utilise the newly acquired funds to drive its growth through mergers and acquisitions, while also allocating resources to its artificial intelligence labs for the development of AI-driven intellectual property. 

Ashwin Mittal, Course5's Chairman and CEO, said, “We are seeking for two-three types of acquisitions. First, we are looking at companies that bring us either access to IP, access to capabilities or access to customers, or some combination of these three. In terms of size, we're looking mostly at companies that are in the $10 to 20 million revenue size that have established a good solid business or growing. We are also going to look for some deep tech AI startups”

Course5 Intelligence has allocated approximately $80 million from its own cash reserves and cash accruals for future M&A activities. The company is currently in discussions with five potential prospects and plans to complete two acquisitions within the next year. With a focus on leveraging AI to address market and supply chain challenges, Course5 serves an extensive client portfolio including Fortune 500 companies in sectors such as retail, technology, media, and entertainment.

Last year they partnered with BITS Pilani and Woxsen University for AI-based research in Multimodal Deep Learning and Sentiment Analysis respectively.