Airtel ups its investment in SD-WAN startup Lavelle Networks to 45.6%

With this deal, Airtel now owns a total of 45.6 percent of the Bengaluru-based startup. In January 2022, the telecom provider had initially acquired a 25% equity position in Lavelle Networks.

In a regulatory filing, Bharti Airtel disclosed that it has acquired an additional 20.6 percent of the software-defined networking startup Lavelle Networks. With this deal, Airtel now owns a total of 45.6 percent of the Bengaluru-based startup. In January 2022, the telecom provider had initially acquired a 25% equity position in Lavelle Networks.

Incorporating Lavelle Networks' software-defined connectivity solution will help Airtel's Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) portfolio. Airtel stated that it wants to partner with early-stage Indian tech start-ups through its Start-up Accelerator Programme to help them expand and attain significant size in accordance with its objectives.

Lavelle Networks reported a turnover of Rs 14.08 crore in FY2021-22, up from Rs 10.64 crore in the prior fiscal year, according to Airtel's regulatory filing.

The regulatory filing omitted disclosing the financial information on the stake acquisition. However, Airtel noted that the transaction would take place in a number of tranches, pending the satisfaction of prerequisite requirements.

Bharti Airtel wants to improve its position and expand its NaaS capabilities by raising its shareholding in Lavelle Networks. The telecom provider will be able to offer cutting-edge networking capabilities to its corporate customers thanks to the integration of Lavelle Networks' software-defined connectivity solution into Airtel's portfolio.

The 2015-founded Lavelle Networks company offers cutting-edge networking software that manages, optimises, and secures business branch networks. The company's flagship scaleAon SD-WAN technology has connected a huge number of Indian businesses, from e-commerce networks to major financial institutions.

Bharti Airtel said in June that it would purchase a 12.07 percent share in captive power plant operator Egan Solar Power Private Limited. The transaction was made with the intention of adhering to electrical code requirements and enhancing Bharti Airtel's capacity for renewable energy.