Cornerstone Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in SaaS startups, has achieved a significant milestone by exiting Intelligence Node, a retail analytics and AI-driven platform.
This exit was facilitated by the acquisition of Intelligence Node by Interpublic Group (IPG), a global leader in advertising, for a deal valued at $100 million (approximately ₹849.5 crore).
This marks the second major exit for Cornerstone Ventures Fund I. The fund previously exited Wigzo Technologies in 2021 when it was acquired by logistics unicorn Shiprocket. Together, these two exits have already returned around 20% of the corpus raised by the fund. With 19 portfolio companies still active, several are anticipated to reach liquidity events in the near term, indicating a promising outlook for Cornerstone Ventures.
Abhishek Prasad, Managing Partner at Cornerstone Ventures, stated, “We foresee returning the full corpus of the fund within the next 18 to 24 months, with an overall goal of delivering a 3.5 to 4X multiple over the fund’s lifetime, which spans another five years.”
Founded in 2012, Intelligence Node has established itself as a leader in retail analytics and AI solutions. The platform empowers businesses to enhance their digital shelf presence and refine pricing strategies through cutting-edge AI-driven tools. This acquisition not only highlights the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in retail but also underscores Intelligence Node’s global appeal.
Cornerstone Ventures has built a robust portfolio of Service SaaS companies, including:
- ManageArtWorks
- THB
- EnParadigm
- WatchYourHealth
- Credit Nirvana
Additionally, the firm has made strategic investments in SaaS-plus-marketplace models like:
- Blubirch
- Credilio
- Mystifly
The fund’s diverse approach ensures exposure to high-growth segments and strengthens its position as a leading player in the SaaS investment landscape.
The successful exit from Intelligence Node reaffirms Cornerstone Ventures’ ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups. With an eye on returning 100% of the fund corpus in the near future and achieving impressive lifetime returns, the firm is well-positioned to continue delivering value to its investors and supporting innovative SaaS solutions.
This landmark deal also underscores the increasing integration of advanced analytics into the advertising sector, highlighting the transformative potential of AI-driven technologies in shaping the future of global industries
