Apus, the China-based developer of a launcher app for the Android operating system, plans to invest a total of Rs 1bn ($15.4m) in India-based startups, the Economic Times reported on Tuesday.
Apus is committing the funding to help foster an efficient startup ecosystem in India. In addition to funding, it will offer guidance and access to experts, and will also promote funded startups to its own users free of charge.
Founded in 2014, Apus is one of the most popular developers listed on Google Play, the online store for Android apps, counting more than 200 million downloads for its flagship product Apus Launcher, a launcher which converts Android to a more iOS-like interface.
Apus currently has 25 million users in India and hopes to reach 80 million by 2016. The company will set up an office in the country and create more localised content in a bid to achieve that goal.
Li Tao, founder and chief executive of Apus, said: “We are looking to further strengthen our presence as we evaluate more partnership opportunities with more firms as we look to strengthen our relationship with India.”
Apus closed a $100m series B round in January 2015 co-led by SIG Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of technology and trading firm Susquehanna International Group, Chengwei Ventures and Qiming Venture Partners. Northern Light Venture Capital and Redpoint Ventures also took part in the round.