Press Release | Gütersloh/Bengalaru, 10/30/2014

Bertelsmann invests in India’s iNurture Education Solutions

Bertelsmann is expanding its portfolio of direct investments in India. The international media and services company is investing in iNurture Education Solutions, a leading provider of higher education services in India. The company partners with more than 20 universities and colleges in India, providing services ranging from marketing to industry interface, student placement, and curriculum support. The investment further expands Bertelsmann’s activities in the strategic growth business of education, where in recent weeks the group has also acquired the e-learning company Relias Learning and invested in the online education provider Udacity.

Shobhna Mohn, Executive Vice President Emerging Markets at Bertelsmann, says: “Bertelsmann is making good progress in India. The investment in iNurture addresses two of our strategic objectives: expansion in India and in Education.”

Pankaj Makkar, Managing Director of Bertelsmann India Investments, adds: “We are excited to partner with iNurture as we aim to increase our presence in the large and vibrant education sector in India. In cooperation with Bertelsmann’s global network, we are excited to further develop the company.”

Ashwin Ajila, founder and CEO of iNurture, says: "While Indian higher education enrolment has grown at a rapid pace, the current system is facing the problem of quality and employability. After the top 25-30 universities, the quality drops dramatically and the percentage of ready-to-employ graduates is dismally low. iNurture is focused on bridging this gap by enabling students gain access to industry relevant courses at universities. We are excited to partner with Bertelsmann which shares our vision of bringing high quality education to the Indian higher education system.”

Some of Bertelsmann ‘s other direct investments include Pepperfry.com, one of the country’s leading online furniture marketplaces, Indiaproperty.com, a leading real-estate marketplace, as well as Authorgen Technologies and its online education platform, Wiziq.com. Beyond this, Bertelsmann has operated successfully in India for years through its divisions: RTL Group’s production arm Fremantle Media has a footprint in India with shows like “Indian Idol,” “The X Factor” and “Got Talent”; Penguin Random House is the country’s largest English-language trade book publisher; Gruner + Jahr is a leader in corporate publishing; and Arvato provides customer and marketing services to leading international customers

About Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann is an international media company whose core divisions encompass television (RTL Group), book publishing (Penguin Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), services (Arvato), and printing (Be Printers) in some 50 countries. In 2013, the company’s businesses, with their more than 111,000 employees, generated revenues of €16.4 billion. Bertelsmann stands for a combination of creativity and entrepreneurship that empowers the creation of first-rate media, communications, and service offerings to inspire people around the world and to provide innovative solutions for customers.