The deal will mean Ipsos can digitise a large part of its offline research and increase its socioeconomic reach through mobile research.

The acquisition of Crownit will also complement the existing Ipsos online panel, iSay, increasing online reach and representation in India.

Ben Page, chief executive, Ipsos, said: “This acquisition marks a significant step in expanding Ipsos India’s data collection capabilities, by shifting from traditional offline methods to a more agile and efficient online approach, and by improving data quality and security. It supports our growth in India, enabling us to reach a wider audience and to gather more robust insights for our clients.”

Founded in 2014, Crownit is headquartered in Gurgaon. Its panel includes participants in 40 cities.

Sameer Grover, chief executive, Crownit, said: "We are excited to leverage our mobile-first platform and expertise to enhance Ipsos’ data collection capabilities and support their vision of the future of market research in India.”

Amit Adarkar, chief executive, Ipsos India said: “Despite its size and maturity, Indian market research industry has not been able to drive online / mobile data collection so far.” He added that the deal would mean ‘increased agility’ for clients.

The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Pictured: Amit Adarkar (left) and Sameer Grover (right)