The Indian proptech sector is witnessing a significant development as Ummeed Housing Finance secures INR 7,630 crore (USD 96 million) in a Series F funding round. This investment bolsters Ummeed Housing's efforts to provide affordable housing loans and small business loans to low and middle-income families. The funding includes fresh capital and an exit for existing investor Lightrock Global Fund, which saw a threefold return on their investment. With this capital, Ummeed Housing aims to expand its services to central and southern India, increasing its asset base from INR 1,800 crore to INR 84,000 crore within 18-24 months.
The Indian proptech (property technology) sector is witnessing a major development, particularly within the affordable housing space. Ummeed Housing Finance, a company focused on providing affordable housing loans and secured small business loans, has secured a significant investment of INR 7,630 crore (USD 96 million) in a Series F funding round. This substantial funding strengthens Ummeed Housing's position as a key player in making homeownership a reality for low and middle-income families in India.
The INR 7,630 crore funding signifies a strong vote of confidence from investors in Ummeed Housing's mission. A significant portion of the funding is fresh capital, allowing the company to expand its reach and services to cater to the growing demand for affordable housing across the country. Additionally, the funding includes an exit for existing investor Lightrock Global Fund. After a successful six-year partnership, Lightrock reportedly received a return of 3 times their original investment, exiting with INR 2,330 crore. This successful exit for Lightrock highlights the growing potential of the Indian proptech sector, attracting investors seeking high returns.
Ummeed Housing's funding round follows a trend of significant investments in the Indian proptech space. Recent Series F funding rounds include Zetwerk, a B2B e-commerce platform for manufacturing, which raised USD 120 million in October 2023, and PhonePe, a leading fintech company, which secured a mammoth USD 850 million in 2023, becoming the highest-funded Indian startup that year. These funding rounds demonstrate the increasing investor confidence in the potential of proptech companies to revolutionize the Indian real estate market.
Ummeed Housing caters specifically to the needs of low and middle-income individuals. Currently, 60% of their INR 1,800 crore loan portfolio consists of affordable housing loans, directly addressing the housing gap in these segments. The remaining 40% goes towards securing small business loans for self-employed individuals, further empowering this critical sector of the economy.
The fresh capital from the Series F funding round will be used to fuel Ummeed Housing's ambitious growth plans. The company aims to expand its services to central and southern India, focusing on states with high demand for affordable housing like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. With this expansion, Ummeed Housing seeks to significantly increase its asset base from INR 1,800 crore to a staggering INR 84,000 crore within the next 18-24 months. This aggressive growth strategy indicates their strong belief in the potential of the affordable housing market in these regions.
The continued commitment of existing investors like Morgan Stanley and Norwest Venture Partners, who hold roughly 20% and 23% stakes respectively, further strengthens Ummeed Housing's position. Their unwavering support signifies their confidence in the company's leadership and its ability to execute its ambitious growth plans.
Government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) play a crucial role in supporting homeownership opportunities for low and middle-income families. These schemes offer subsidies that directly align with Ummeed Housing's core mission of making affordable housing a reality. By leveraging these government initiatives alongside their own expansion plans, Ummeed Housing is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for affordable housing and empower countless families to achieve their dream of homeownership.