CDC Group, the UK government-backed private equity emerging markets fund of funds investor, has announced that it has made new commitments totaling $185m to six private equity funds focused on investment in India taking its total commitment to over $1 billion. It is expected that these funds will raise a total of over $2.47bn for investment in the region. CDC's latest commitments include $50m to Baring India Private Equity Fund III, $50m to New Silk Route Private Equity Asia Fund, $25m to India Value Fund III, $20m to BTS India Private Equity Fund, $20m to Avigo SME Fund II and another $20m to VentureEast Proactive Fund. A statement from CDC said private equity firms invested $17bn in India in 2007, more than double the amount invested in 2006 of $7.4bn. However, the majority of these deals remain later stage where more mature companies are attracting expansion or pre- IPO financing with a relatively small amount being invested in early stage deals.   more »