India Venture Partnership (IVP), a leading early stage venture capital firm, today announced an investment of INR 100 million in Your Kids ‘R’ Our Kids® (YKROK) Education Private Limited. YKROK is a day care and education centre that offers a truly premium experience in early learning and care. With a capacity of serving more than 2,000 children in India across 12 centres today, and a growth strategy to create a network of 65 centres in the next three years serving more than 10,000 children in 10 cities across India. The new infusion of funds will fuel YKROK’s pan- India expansion plans. With a strong vision to deliver quality services and education, YKROK curriculum is on par with international standards as that of enhancing the child’s English language development, cognitive development in math and science and socio-emotional development. Focussing on delivering quality child care services and education, all the YKROK centres follow stringent Standard Operating procedures with world class methods & techniques of educational childcare. YKROK centres are in the process of getting certified and awarded with a gold seal by leading American Training Institute Teaching Strategies. […]

Japan's Hitachi and PE firms including Apax Partners [APAX.UL] have shown interest in buying more than 60 percent of Indian software firm Patni Computer , the Economic Times reported on Friday. The stake is likely to be sold at about 500 rupees a share, the newspaper said, citing people with knowledge of the deal, valuing the transaction at 39.32 billion rupees ($870 million). The founding Patni brothers – Narendra, Gajendra and Ashok – are looking to exit their entire 45.8 percent stake, while private equity firm General Atlantic also plans to sell its 17.7 percent holding in the Indian company, the paper said. Officials at Patni Computer, Hitachi and private equity firms could not immediately be reached by Reuters for a comment. […]

QInvest, a leading investment bank in Qatar, said it has acquired a 28 per cent stake in Asian Business Exhibition & Conferences (ABEC), a leading exhibitions and conferences organiser in India. A major player in the fast growing trade expo sector in India, ABEC's portfolio comprises 15 exhibitions consisting of 65 events spread across nine industry verticals, including world-class events such as ACETech. ABEC is also a leader in segments such as Education, Realty and Lifestyle. Shahzad Shahbaz, chief executive officer of QInvest, said: “We are impressed by ABEC’s achievements in the past few years and see tremendous potential for the company in the growing Indian trade exhibition market. We are pleased to partner with the Gandhi family and to support ABEC’s effort on its remarkable growth path.” […]

Parsvnath Developers Limited (PDL), India’s leading integrated infrastructure developer with a pan-India presence and a diversified portfolio, has partnered with Red Fort Capital to develop “Red Fort Parsvnath Towers”, a modern, state-of-the-art commercial office complex located in the heart of New Delhi’s Connaught Place on Bhai Veer Singh Marg. PDL has executed a concession agreement with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to deliver the project on a BOT basis for a consideration of Rs. 995mn. PDL has partnered with Red Ford Capital, a leading international private equity real estate firm, to jointly develop the landmark Grade A commercial office complex according to international standards. The entities controlled by Red Fort Capital have acquired 24.50% equity stake in FDPL by inducting Rs1200mn as foreign direct investment. “Red Fort Parsvnath Towers” shall offer end-users world class design, modern floor plates and compelling value. Located on a 5-acre parcel adjacent to the five-star Metropolitan Hotel, the project has a leasable area of approximately 300,000 sq. ft., approx. 800 basement parking spaces and a wide array of mixed-use facilities and amenities. […]

US private equity firms Carlyle, KKR and Warburg Pincus could buy a stake of between 15% and 18% in India's motorcycle maker Hero Honda Motors (BOM:500182), the Economic Times said Monday citing unnamed sources. According to the paper, the transaction would be part of a two-stage deal, which could end up with Japanese Honda Motor (TYO:7267), which owns 26% of Hero Honda, exiting the Indian company. As part of the plan, Hero is currently in advanced talks with the investments firms to sell them 60% to 70% in a special purpose vehicle (SPV), which will acquire Honda's entire stake in Hero Honda with bridge loans. If the deal is successful, the Hero group will control up to 36% of Hero Honda, while the buyout funds will control up to 18% indirectly. Honda, Hero and KKR were unavailable for comment, while Warburg Pincus and Carlyle declined to comment. […]