Bengaluru: One of Infosys’ earliest startup bets, Whoop, is now estimated to be worth nearly $100 million, underscoring a standout investment from its $500 million innovation fund. Infosys is learnt to hold about a 1% stake in the wearables firm.Whoop was valued at $10.1 billion in April following a $575 million funding round and is targeting an IPO within the next 18–24 months. The company has over 2.5 million members globally. In 2025, bookings more than doubled (up 103% year-on-year) to a $1.1 billion run rate, while turning cash flow positive. It is also hiring over 600 employees worldwide to support R&D and international expansion.Infosys first invested $3 million in Whoop in 2015 under former CEO Vishal Sikka. Since then, its exposure has increased, with the investment valued at nearly Rs 130 crore as of FY25. Emails sent to Infosys and Whoop did not elicit a response till press time.HfS Research CEO Phil Fersht said the investment reflects a broader push during the Sikka era to make strategic bets on digital platforms and emerging ecosystems, moving beyond traditional services.“What’s notable is not just the financial upside, but the strategic intent. A $3 million investment translating into exposure to a multibillion-dollar company shows services firms can create real enterprise value by embedding themselves in platform growth stories,” he said.However, he added that the key challenge is scaling such bets. “One success does not make a venture strategy. The opportunity lies in turning these into a repeatable growth engine aligned with AI-led services transformation.”Peter Bendor-Samuel, founder and executive chairman of Everest Group, said such windfalls are unlikely to materially move Infosys’ stock. “Strategically, it makes more sense to invest in startups that could disrupt tech services. The real test is whether these bets shape Infosys’ long-term growth trajectory,” he said.
