KKR’s India Highways InvIT Gets $797 Mn Contract

An infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) established by private equity firm KKR & Co. has secured a government contract for a 252 km segment of highways, emerging as the highest bidder with a bid of $797 million (around INR 6,661 crores). This contract pertains to a section of the Hyderabad-Nagpur corridor in the southern state of Telangana. The concession period for the toll-operate-transfer project is 20 years. The contract was awarded through the toll-operate-transfer(TOT) mode as part of the Indian government’s efforts to encourage private participation in the highway sector. The InvIT successfully outbid several prominent competitors in the Indian highway sector, including Adani Road Transport, IRB Infrastructure, and Cube Highways, which is backed by I Squared Capital.

 (Source: VC Circle, 23rd September 2024)

Private Equity

Drip Capital Raises $113 Mn In A Mix of Equity And Debt

Drip Capital provides collateral-free working capital to small and medium-sized businesses engaged in cross-border trade. It works with over 9,000 sellers and buyers across over 100 countries. The company has raised $23 million (around INR 190 crores) in a recent equity funding round, along with $90 million (around INR 747 crores) in debt financing. This capital infusion will enable Drip Capital to expand its services and develop new products tailored to meet customer needs.

(Source: VC Circle, 05th September 2024)

Insurtech Startup Onsurity Raises $45 Mn In Series-B Round

Founded in 2020, Onsurity Technologies offers employee healthcare benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, and larger corporations through its insurtech platform. The company has successfully completed its Series B funding round and raised $45 million (around INR 373 crores), led by private equity firm Creaegis. The funds will be used to launch new digital offerings and product lines, with the goal of enhancing the ecosystem of financial solutions available to small and medium-sized enterprises.

(Source: VC Circle, 16th September 2024)

Financial Services Startup Kaleidofin Bags $14 Mn In Fresh Round

Founded in 2017, Kaleidofin is a Chennai-based financial services company that empowers lenders to provide financing to low-income customers in the informal economy by leveraging credit health assessments, middleware rails, and risk management dashboards. The company offers a range of financial solutions, including lending as a service, credit assessments, and customer engagement. Recently, Kaleidofin secured $13.8 million (around INR 114 crores) in an equity funding round from various investors and anticipates an additional $10 million (around INR 83 crores) later this financial year. This investment will enable Kaleidofin to scale its lending portfolio and enhance its credit scoring, middleware, and risk services through strategic partnerships. 

(Source: VC Circle, 18th September 2024)

EQT To Acquire Brookfield-Controlled IndoStar’s Housing Finance Unit

Private equity firm EQT has entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% stake in IndoStar Home Finance, an affordable housing finance company, for $209 million (approximately INR 1,750 crores) from its parent company, IndoStar Capital Finance. IndoStar Capital anticipates that this divestment will facilitate accelerated growth and enhance value within its core business areas of vehicle finance and small business loans.

(Source: VC Circle, 20th September 2024)

Edtech Unicorn Physics Wallah raises $210 Mn

Edtech unicorn Physics Wallah Pvt Ltd has raised $210 million (around INR 1,754 crores) in its Series B funding round, led by Hornbill Capital with significant participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and existing investors GSV and WestBridge. This funding boosts the company’s post-money valuation to an impressive $2.8 billion, marking a more than 2.5x increase from its previous valuation of $1.1 billion achieved in June 2022 during its Series A round. The investment will be used to expand the company’s reach, enhance its technological capabilities, and strengthen cash reserves to support future growth initiatives.

 (Source: VC Circle, 20th September 2024)

Venture Capital

Belgium’s Verlinvest Invests $35 Mn In Coffee Retailer Blue Tokai

Verlinvest, the Belgian investment firm focused on consumer themes, has invested $35 million (around INR 293 crores) in Indian specialty coffee retailer Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters. This funding round values Blue Tokai at around $180 million (around INR 1,500 crores). Blue Tokai offers specialty artisanal coffees through its standalone cafes, in addition to providing cold brew cans, easy-pour sachets, and biodegradable coffee capsules. The company plans to utilize the new capital to expand its presence in metropolitan areas as well as Tier I and Tier II cities across India, with a goal of increasing its store count to 350 over the next three years. 

(Source: VC Circle, 02nd September 2024)

Nutrabay Retail raises $5 Mn in Series-A Funding Round

Founded in 2017, Nutrabay operates as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) multi-brand retail store, featuring over 100 brands alongside its own private label products under the Nutrabay name. Nutrabay Retail has secured $5 million (around INR 41 crores) in its maiden funding round, led by RPSG Capital Ventures, with participation from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited. The investment will be utilized for omni-channel expansion and to enhance product innovation.

(Source: VC Circle, 02nd September 2024)

Theater secures $1.5 Mn in Pre-Series A Round

Theater, a Western fashion brand, has successfully raised $1.5 million (around INR 12 crores) in a pre-series A funding round. This round was led by Prath Ventures, with participation from existing angel investors. The new capital will enable Theater to establish a strong presence in the design-driven, mass-premium fashion segment, focusing on women’s footwear, stockings, perfumes, and bags.

(Source: VC Circle, 03rd September 2024)

Invest4Edu raises $3 Mn in Seed Funding Round

Invest4Edu, a platform that provides education planning, savings, and investment services to school and college students, has raised $3 million (around INR 24 crores) in seed funding from various family offices. The company stated that these funds will be utilized to accelerate growth and expand its impact in the areas of early education planning and financial support. Its goal is to broaden its reach and enhance its services.

(Source: VC Circle, 04th September 2024)

BASIC Home Loan Snags $10.6 Mn In Series B Round

Fintech platform BASIC Home Loan has secured $10.6 million (around INR 87 crores) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments. The round also included participation from other investors such as Gruhas, Let’s Venture, 9 Unicorns, Venture Catalysts, and CE-Ventures. The home loan company plans to utilize the newly acquired funds to expand its market presence, develop its own lending portfolio, and enhance its technological capabilities. Founded in 2020, this tech-driven mortgage marketplace aims to simplify the home loan process for borrowers in tier-II and III cities and has developed a proprietary technology stack for effectively matching lenders with borrowers.

(Source: VC Circle, 30th September 2024)

Mergers & Acquisitions

Yatra Acquires Corporate Travel Player Globe Travels For $15 Mn

Yatra Online, a NASDAQ-listed travel agency, has reached an agreement to acquire corporate travel services provider Globe Travels for a cash consideration of $15 million (around INR 128 crores). The payment will be made through its subsidiary, Yatra Online Limited, which is listed on Indian exchanges. Yatra offers information, pricing, availability, and booking services for air travel, hotel accommodations, and holiday packages, among other offerings. This acquisition will enable Yatra to access Globe Travels’ nearly 360 corporate clients and an annual gross booking volume of approximately $90 million (around INR 768 crores), complementing Yatra’s existing base of around 850 corporate customers in India.

(Source: VC Circle, 3rd September 2024)

ChrysCap-Backed Centre For Sight Strikes Another Acquisition In Bid To Expand

Centre For Sight, an ophthalmology chain supported by domestic private equity firm Chrys Capital, has acquired a majority stake in a Mumbai-based hospital chain with over four decades of history as part of its expansion strategy. The company has purchased a 51% stake in Laxmi Eye Hospital, an eye care provider operating in Maharashtra. Centre For Sight plans to invest an additional $37.5 million to $62.5 million (around INR 300-500 crores) over the next two to three years to further its expansion across India. This acquisition will enable Centre For Sight to broaden its operations to nine centers in Maharashtra, including four located in Navi Mumbai. Laxmi Eye Hospital, founded in 1981 by Suhas Haldipurkar, offers super specialty and comprehensive eye care services.

(Source: VC Circle, 4th September 2024)

Caspian Debt To Merge With BlackSoil Capital Via Share Swap

Alternative credit providers BlackSoil Capital and Caspian Impact Investments (Debt) have received approval from their boards of directors to merge through a share swap agreement. With a combined asset base exceeding $240 million (around INR 2000 crores), this strategic merger will establish BlackSoil as a leading player in the alternative credit sector. The merger is expected to expand the company’s client base, enhance its market presence, and strengthen its competitive advantage. Additionally, the newly formed entity will have a geographical reach across major metropolitan areas, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

(Source: VC Circle, 4th September 2024)

GMR Airports Raises Stake In Delhi Airport To 74% As Germany’s Fraport Exits

GMR Airports Infrastructure has increased its stake in New Delhi’s primary airport to 74% by acquiring a 10% interest from Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport for $126 million (around INR 1,045 crores). The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will retain its 26% stake in Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), one of India’s largest and busiest airports. GMR, which also holds stakes in Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Goa’s Manohar International Airport, stated that this acquisition is part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in key assets.

(Source: VC Circle, 09th September 2024)

SoftBank-Backed Oyo To Buy US Motel Chain From Blackstone For $525 Mn

Oravel Stays Ltd, the parent company of Indian travel-tech startup Oyo, has reached an agreement to acquire G6 Hospitality, which operates the well-known Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the U. S., from Blackstone Real Estate for $525 million (around INR 4,357 crores) in an all-cash deal. Oyo plans to utilize its technology suite, global distribution network, and marketing expertise to enhance the two brands and drive financial growth, as stated in a press release. This acquisition is expected to bolster Oyo’s international presence.

 (Source: VC Circle, 21st September 2024)

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