Wiom, a Delhi-based internet company working to make broadband more affordable, announced on Thursday that it has raised $40 million in new funding. Bertelsmann India Investments and Accel led the growth round.
The round also saw participation from Prosus, Promaft Partners, and existing backer RTP Global.
The funding round is primarily a primary investment, with a small secondary component, according to founder Satyam Darmora.
The startup plans to use the money to develop new products, grow its tech and operations teams, and bring its services to more small towns and districts across India that don’t have enough internet access.
“Wiom is addressing one of the most fundamental yet underserved challenges in India—affordable and unlimited internet for the masses. Using its unique asset-light, scalable approach, Wiom is laying the foundation for digital infrastructure that can serve the next 500 million Indians,” said Rohit Sood, Partner, Bertelsmann India Investments.
“We’re inspired by founders who don’t just make things better—they rethink entire industries. Satyam, Nishit, Ashutosh and Maanas are doing exactly that. Only 10% of India’s 200 million households have access to affordable unlimited internet, and they’ve made it their mission to change that. We’re proud to back this team as they work to close India’s digital divide,” said Pratik Agarwal, Partner at Accel.
Wiom was started in 2015 as i2e1 and changed its name to Wiom in 2021. The company runs a smart, low-cost platform that lets people and small internet providers share their home broadband by offering small, affordable internet packs — starting at just ₹5.
Wiom is India’s largest licensed Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) under the PM-WANI scheme. It is working to bring low-cost public Wi-Fi to more people, especially in villages and areas that don’t have good internet access.
Wiom uses its special software on home Wi-Fi routers to let nearby people connect easily through a simple login page, like in hotels—no need to download an app.
Part of the money earned from these connections goes to the original Wi-Fi owner, helping them reduce their internet bills.
Wiom works with around 100 small internet providers, mostly in smaller towns (Tier II and III) in Uttar Pradesh and Eastern India. Right now, it serves about 1 million active users every month.
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