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Named Secura, the first private VCF of the state was jointly started by Hi-lite group, a major real estate player, and a group of professionals. The company was launched by Principal Secretary to Industries T. Balakrishnan at Hotel Hyson Heritage here. Secura Managing Director M. A. Mehaboob said the fund would be operated in accordance with the ‘Shariah’ laws and regulations. […] The downturn is prompting Private Equity and Venture Capital funds to look at offbeat sectors, as evident in the spurt in investment interest in education, health and microfinance areas in the past ten months or so. With traditional favourites such as real-estate, infrastructure and IT drying up, funds are focusing on sectors where the outlook is still upbeat to insulate themselves from segments directly exposed to the global financial market turmoil. Education, for instance, has caught the fancy of PE fund managers, with high returns, scalability and huge mismatch in supply and demand being the key drivers. PE and VC funds have already made over 30 investments worth $300 million in education-related companies in the past 24-months, with much of the activity coming in the recent months. […] Helion Venture Partners, a $350 million India-focussed venture capital fund, has invested Rs 16 crore in Brand Calculus, a start-up venture aiming to bring international chains of quick service restaurant brands in India. Brand Calculus has already introduced Canadian juice and smoothie chain, Jus Booster Juice, in India. Brand Calculus aims to set up 20 Jus Booster Juice outlets across eight cities in India this year. At present, Brand Calculus operates three outlets across Delhi and Bangalore. Globally, Booster Juices operates over 200 outlets in North America, West Asia, the Netherlands and India. […] THE Future Group, which owns India’s largest chain of retail stores, has started formal discussions with private equity (PE) funds to sell equity stakes in new companies that are formed by splitting the operations of its flagship Pantaloon Retail (India). The group plans to raise Rs 1,100-1,200 crore through this divestment exercise, helping it to expand retail footprint from 12 million to 30 million sq ft by 2013. Over a dozen PE funds are participating in a road show organised by Future Group’s adviser Enam Financial Consultants. The road show started two days ago. Apax Partners, TPG Capital (formerly Texas Pacific Group), Temasek, Bain Capital and Eton Park are among the PE players that are discussing the prospects of an equity investment. […] |