Speakers
Mohit Batra
Executive Director – Infrastructure
ICICI Venture Funds Management
ICICI Venture Funds Management
Mohit Batra is the Executive Director on the Board of ICICI Venture, which is ICICI group’s alternative assets company, where he leads the Infrastructure practice. He joined ICICI Bank in 1992 and worked in the areas of corporate and project finance across a range of manufacturing sectors. He then moved to Mumbai as a part of ICICI Bank’s newly set up Infrastructure SBU and in 20004 was given the responsibility to Head the Project Finance Group which worked across the entire spectrum of Telecom, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, and Oil & Gas industries. In addition to project finance, Mohit was also involved in the strategic finance and advisory services offered by ICICI Bank including M&A, transaction structuring, acquisition financing etc. for the period 2006-07. Mohit has experience of around 150 deals including Public Private Partnerships aggregating to a project cost of over USD 77 billion. He has worked across the entire Capital structure including equity, subordinated /mezzanine debt and senior debt with total financing committed of around USD 36 billion.
Mohit has operated at the board level of companies and has had hands on experience in project finance, corporate banking, equity investing, strategic finance and resolution of stressed assets. He has in the past worked on several infrastructure policy initiatives undertaken by the Government in the areas of power, airports, telecom and roads.
At ICICI Venture, Mohit set up Resurgent Power, a USD 850 million Power Platform for buy-out of Indian power assets. Resurgent Power is co-sponsored by Tata Power and has Capital from a small group of large sophisticated global investors.
He has an MS in Management from Purdue University, USA.
Mohit has operated at the board level of companies and has had hands on experience in project finance, corporate banking, equity investing, strategic finance and resolution of stressed assets. He has in the past worked on several infrastructure policy initiatives undertaken by the Government in the areas of power, airports, telecom and roads.
At ICICI Venture, Mohit set up Resurgent Power, a USD 850 million Power Platform for buy-out of Indian power assets. Resurgent Power is co-sponsored by Tata Power and has Capital from a small group of large sophisticated global investors.
He has an MS in Management from Purdue University, USA.
Prashant Purker
Managing Director & CEO and Co-head Private Equity
ICICI Venture Funds Management Co. Ltd.
ICICI Venture Funds Management Co. Ltd.
Purker is the Managing Director & CEO of ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited (ICICI Venture) which is one of India’s oldest, largest and most diversified alternative asset managers with a historical AUM since 2002 of over USD 4.25 billion across four verticals: Private Equity, Real Estate, Special Situations (in a strategic alliance with Apollo Global Management, US) and Infrastructure. ICICI Venture is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICICI Bank Limited which is the largest non-government bank in India with total assets of USD 157 billion as at March 31, 2017 on a standalone basis and which is also the parent company of the largest financial conglomerate in the Indian private sector with a market leading presence in life insurance, general insurance, mutual fund asset management, capital markets, investment banking, etc. ICICI Bank is listed on the NYSE and major Indian stock exchanges.
Purker has over 29 years of experience in financial markets. He has a deep and varied experience in Indian capital markets, across both equity (including listed as well as unlisted equities) and debt capital products. Purker chairs the Investment Committees of the funds managed/advised by the Company. He also co-heads the Private Equity vertical of ICICI Venture and has played a key role in the creation of ICICI Venture’s high quality portfolio of PE investments over the past 9 years and the strong exits performance of ICICI Venture’s PE funds during this period.
Prior to joining ICICI Venture in 2009, he worked at Nomura India and Lehman Brothers India as the Managing Director & Head – Global Finance for India in the Investment Banking Division. Prior to that he spent over 5 years with ICICI Bank, where his last role was Senior General Manager and Head – Global Principal Investment & Trading Group. He has previously also worked with institutions such as Citibank, Peregrine and BNP. Purker has a Bachelors degree in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad where he was also a rank holder.
Purker has over 29 years of experience in financial markets. He has a deep and varied experience in Indian capital markets, across both equity (including listed as well as unlisted equities) and debt capital products. Purker chairs the Investment Committees of the funds managed/advised by the Company. He also co-heads the Private Equity vertical of ICICI Venture and has played a key role in the creation of ICICI Venture’s high quality portfolio of PE investments over the past 9 years and the strong exits performance of ICICI Venture’s PE funds during this period.
Prior to joining ICICI Venture in 2009, he worked at Nomura India and Lehman Brothers India as the Managing Director & Head – Global Finance for India in the Investment Banking Division. Prior to that he spent over 5 years with ICICI Bank, where his last role was Senior General Manager and Head – Global Principal Investment & Trading Group. He has previously also worked with institutions such as Citibank, Peregrine and BNP. Purker has a Bachelors degree in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad where he was also a rank holder.
Gaurav Kapoor
Head Inclusive Growth and Investments Team
UK Department for International Development (DFID)
UK Department for International Development (DFID)
A seasoned adviser, Gaurav has about 20 years of experience across investment funds, responsible PE/VC investments, corporate development and policy reform having worked in India and international markets. Gaurav brings substantial policy advocacy experience on economic development interventions such as business climate reform, making markets work in the low income states and ensuring value for money, in partnership with the Indian Government and apex institutions on India’s progressive reform agenda. Gaurav represents DFID on several Investment Committees, Investment Advisory Committees. Gaurav holds an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD, France and Wharton, USA and a B.Eng (Hons) from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Raghubir Menon
Regional Practice Head – Mumbai, M&A and Private Equity, General Corporate
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Raghubir Menon is a Corporate, M&A and PE Partner at the Firm. He is an expert on matters pertaining to Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity.
Raghubir advises numerous corporates, sovereign wealth funds and private equity finds across the full range of their operations and activities. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions,restructurings, onshore & offshore structuring and has represented MNCs, corporates, investment and commercial banks, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral agencies and strategic corporate clients on a variety of domestic and cross-border transactions.. He has also represented clients in a large number of complex public M&A acquisitions in listed Indian companies.
Raghubir actively represents large corporate clients such as the National Stock Exchange, One97 Communications Limited, Vodafone, Urbaser, Sembcorp and blue chip PE and SWF clients such as Blackstone (for whom he has undertaken every transaction that they have undertaken in South Asia in the past four years), KKR, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, General Atlantic, GIC and Temasek (for whom he has closed five transactions in the last 24 month period). For a client such as One97, he has undertaken all of their work for the past 5 years, including their joint venture with Alibaba and Ali Pay for an approximate investment of US$680 million, as well as the creation of their Payment Bank and the hive off of the payments business into One97 Payment Bank. He also advised them on creation of their new marketplace e-commerce vehicle, a multi staged and structured transaction including the hive-off of their e-commerce business, the investments into the new vehicle by Alibaba and the business cooperation and transitional services arrangements entered into with One97. Some of his notable transactions include advising Blackstone in relation to the 100% buy-out of the two sea-plane operating companies in the Republic of Maldives, which was nominated as “Private Equity Deal of the Year” by IFLR Asia Awards 2014. He has also advised Blackstone in relation to the acquisition of a controlling stake in Mphasis Limited, a listed Indian company from Hewlett Packard Enterprises under a controlled auction scenario and the subsequent open offer under the Indian takeover regulations. This year he acted for Blackstone on the acquisition of 100% of the Comstar Automotive Limited as well as on the acquisition of the Thompson Reuters business (a US$ 18 billion acquisition). Other significant representations include advising Temasek in relation to its investments in Devyani International Limited, a company engaged in the QSR business; MXC Solutions, an e- commerce platform trading in the style of CarTrade; Zomato, the food app provider and the urban integration platform set up between Temasek and Ascendas, UST Holdings, an IT and ITES company and Ola, a cab aggregator. In another major deal, he represented Walmart in relation to its acquisition of Flipkart, which transaction closed in August 2018 (a US$ 17 billion multi staged acquisition).
Raghubir was awarded ‘Partner of the Year’ by IDEX Legal Awards 2017. He won the M&A Lawyer of the Year: Private Equity for Asia Pacific at the Asian Lawyer Emerging Markets Awards 2015 for the work undertaken over 2015. As “one of the few lawyers that has the combination of both commercial and legal skills,“ Raghubir Menon enjoys a formidable reputation in the private equity market. “He would always be available and meet the deadlines without compromising on quality. We were morem than impressed,“ explains one client, as quoted by Chambers and Partners. He was also ranked as Asia’s busiest lawyer by MergerMarket for the calendar year 2017, in terms of closed transactions.
Prior to joining Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Raghubir has worked with White & Case LLP, in London and Singapore for five years. Raghubir is an LLB from the prestigious National Law School of mIndia University, Bangalore. He enrolled at the Bar Council of Delhi in 2004 and is a qualified Solicitor (England & Wales).
Raghubir advises numerous corporates, sovereign wealth funds and private equity finds across the full range of their operations and activities. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions,restructurings, onshore & offshore structuring and has represented MNCs, corporates, investment and commercial banks, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral agencies and strategic corporate clients on a variety of domestic and cross-border transactions.. He has also represented clients in a large number of complex public M&A acquisitions in listed Indian companies.
Raghubir actively represents large corporate clients such as the National Stock Exchange, One97 Communications Limited, Vodafone, Urbaser, Sembcorp and blue chip PE and SWF clients such as Blackstone (for whom he has undertaken every transaction that they have undertaken in South Asia in the past four years), KKR, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, General Atlantic, GIC and Temasek (for whom he has closed five transactions in the last 24 month period). For a client such as One97, he has undertaken all of their work for the past 5 years, including their joint venture with Alibaba and Ali Pay for an approximate investment of US$680 million, as well as the creation of their Payment Bank and the hive off of the payments business into One97 Payment Bank. He also advised them on creation of their new marketplace e-commerce vehicle, a multi staged and structured transaction including the hive-off of their e-commerce business, the investments into the new vehicle by Alibaba and the business cooperation and transitional services arrangements entered into with One97. Some of his notable transactions include advising Blackstone in relation to the 100% buy-out of the two sea-plane operating companies in the Republic of Maldives, which was nominated as “Private Equity Deal of the Year” by IFLR Asia Awards 2014. He has also advised Blackstone in relation to the acquisition of a controlling stake in Mphasis Limited, a listed Indian company from Hewlett Packard Enterprises under a controlled auction scenario and the subsequent open offer under the Indian takeover regulations. This year he acted for Blackstone on the acquisition of 100% of the Comstar Automotive Limited as well as on the acquisition of the Thompson Reuters business (a US$ 18 billion acquisition). Other significant representations include advising Temasek in relation to its investments in Devyani International Limited, a company engaged in the QSR business; MXC Solutions, an e- commerce platform trading in the style of CarTrade; Zomato, the food app provider and the urban integration platform set up between Temasek and Ascendas, UST Holdings, an IT and ITES company and Ola, a cab aggregator. In another major deal, he represented Walmart in relation to its acquisition of Flipkart, which transaction closed in August 2018 (a US$ 17 billion multi staged acquisition).
Raghubir was awarded ‘Partner of the Year’ by IDEX Legal Awards 2017. He won the M&A Lawyer of the Year: Private Equity for Asia Pacific at the Asian Lawyer Emerging Markets Awards 2015 for the work undertaken over 2015. As “one of the few lawyers that has the combination of both commercial and legal skills,“ Raghubir Menon enjoys a formidable reputation in the private equity market. “He would always be available and meet the deadlines without compromising on quality. We were morem than impressed,“ explains one client, as quoted by Chambers and Partners. He was also ranked as Asia’s busiest lawyer by MergerMarket for the calendar year 2017, in terms of closed transactions.
Prior to joining Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Raghubir has worked with White & Case LLP, in London and Singapore for five years. Raghubir is an LLB from the prestigious National Law School of mIndia University, Bangalore. He enrolled at the Bar Council of Delhi in 2004 and is a qualified Solicitor (England & Wales).
Jay Gandhi
Partner – Investment Funds, M&A & PE
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Jay Gandhi is a Partner with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co and is based in the Mumbai office. Jay’s practice encompasses Mergers & Acquisition, Private Equity, Joint Ventures and Investment Funds and he has extensive experience across these areas both on cross-border and domestic deals.
For over a decade, Jay has been advising several large international and domestic private equity funds, international and domestic banks and financial institutions, multi-national corporations, Indian business houses and family run businesses, on various types of complex M&A deals, private equity and venture capital investments and leveraged buy-outs. He also represents international and domestic fund managers in relation to structuring, formation and regulation of all kinds of alternative investment funds and mutual funds, domestic funds and India focused international funds. He has been involved in strategic joint ventures for setting up several funds and regularly negotiates fund documents on behalf of the GP as well as the LPs. Jay frequently advises on the nuances of a dynamic regulatory regime and evolving trends around inbound and outbound investments, funds, pooling vehicles and financial intermediaries in India.
Jay is a qualified lawyer and chartered accountant and the dual qualification gives him an edge as a corporate lawyer who needs to understand and advise on transactions that are primarily driven by business related factors. He holds a bachelors in commerce and a bachelors in law degree from the Mumbai University, a Solicitor’s degree from the Bombay Incorporated Law Society and is a member of Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa. He qualified as a chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and was a practising chartered accountant before pursuing a career in law. Prior to joining the Firm, Jay was a partner at the Mumbai office of another large tier 1 law firm.
He has recently been involved in some of the largest foreign direct investment transactions that India has witnessed, in the real estate, media and infrastructure sectors. Jay has recently been recommended in the RSG Consulting Report for 2017-18 for corporate law. Clients commented that Jay is able to use his legal knowledge “to quickly understand all the commercial aspects of a deal” and offer “expert advice” with “efficient situation based solutions”, and that he has a “knack for anticipating issues and this helps him prepare us for the various situations that may arise”.
For over a decade, Jay has been advising several large international and domestic private equity funds, international and domestic banks and financial institutions, multi-national corporations, Indian business houses and family run businesses, on various types of complex M&A deals, private equity and venture capital investments and leveraged buy-outs. He also represents international and domestic fund managers in relation to structuring, formation and regulation of all kinds of alternative investment funds and mutual funds, domestic funds and India focused international funds. He has been involved in strategic joint ventures for setting up several funds and regularly negotiates fund documents on behalf of the GP as well as the LPs. Jay frequently advises on the nuances of a dynamic regulatory regime and evolving trends around inbound and outbound investments, funds, pooling vehicles and financial intermediaries in India.
Jay is a qualified lawyer and chartered accountant and the dual qualification gives him an edge as a corporate lawyer who needs to understand and advise on transactions that are primarily driven by business related factors. He holds a bachelors in commerce and a bachelors in law degree from the Mumbai University, a Solicitor’s degree from the Bombay Incorporated Law Society and is a member of Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa. He qualified as a chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and was a practising chartered accountant before pursuing a career in law. Prior to joining the Firm, Jay was a partner at the Mumbai office of another large tier 1 law firm.
He has recently been involved in some of the largest foreign direct investment transactions that India has witnessed, in the real estate, media and infrastructure sectors. Jay has recently been recommended in the RSG Consulting Report for 2017-18 for corporate law. Clients commented that Jay is able to use his legal knowledge “to quickly understand all the commercial aspects of a deal” and offer “expert advice” with “efficient situation based solutions”, and that he has a “knack for anticipating issues and this helps him prepare us for the various situations that may arise”.
Krishnava Dutt
Managing Partner
Argus Partners
Argus Partners
Krishnava Dutt’s experience encompasses the entire repertoire of corporate commercial practice including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, banking and finance and commercial disputes.
Krishnava has closely worked with several large corporate groups, investors, private equity funds and renowned banks and financial institutions. He has also worked closely with both the government at the centre and state governments in India while advising on several transactions including disinvestments of public sector undertakings and framing of policies. Clients have deeply appreciated his strong financial, accounting and business acumen, which helps in providing a well-rounded commercially prudent legal advice to clients.
Krishnava has been identified by India Business Law Journal as one of India’s top 100 lawyers and is mentioned amongst the India A-List lawyers of 2017. Describing him as “a sharp, distinctive individual who has made the most of the booming Indian infrastructure market” RSG Consulting (London) has identified Krishnava as being amongst the leading second generation of Indian corporate lawyers. Chambers and Partners has identified Krishnava as a leading lawyer in India.
Krishnava serves as an independent director on the board of directors and committees (including as Audit Committee Chairman) of several internationally reputed listed companies.
Krishnava started his legal career at Calcutta High Court. After a short stint at the high court, he joined ICICI Bank in Mumbai where he gained several years of experience in handling transactions involving stressed assets and the international banking sector. He joined Amarchand Mangaldas in 2005 and was made partner in 2007. He retired from Amarchand Mangaldas in June 2009.
Krishnava has closely worked with several large corporate groups, investors, private equity funds and renowned banks and financial institutions. He has also worked closely with both the government at the centre and state governments in India while advising on several transactions including disinvestments of public sector undertakings and framing of policies. Clients have deeply appreciated his strong financial, accounting and business acumen, which helps in providing a well-rounded commercially prudent legal advice to clients.
Krishnava has been identified by India Business Law Journal as one of India’s top 100 lawyers and is mentioned amongst the India A-List lawyers of 2017. Describing him as “a sharp, distinctive individual who has made the most of the booming Indian infrastructure market” RSG Consulting (London) has identified Krishnava as being amongst the leading second generation of Indian corporate lawyers. Chambers and Partners has identified Krishnava as a leading lawyer in India.
Krishnava serves as an independent director on the board of directors and committees (including as Audit Committee Chairman) of several internationally reputed listed companies.
Krishnava started his legal career at Calcutta High Court. After a short stint at the high court, he joined ICICI Bank in Mumbai where he gained several years of experience in handling transactions involving stressed assets and the international banking sector. He joined Amarchand Mangaldas in 2005 and was made partner in 2007. He retired from Amarchand Mangaldas in June 2009.
Anjali Bansal
Founder
Avaana Capital
Avaana Capital
Anjali Bansal is the founder of Avaana Capital, a platform that invests in the scaling up of early-growth stage businesses. She has been appointed non executive Chairperson of Dena Bank. She also chairs NITI Aayog Women Entrepreneurship Platform Investment Council.
She was previously global Partner and Managing Director with TPG Growth PE, Spencer Stuart India Founder CEO, and strategy consultant with McKinsey and Co in New York and India. She has also been an active angel investor in India with investments in various early and growth stage consumer companies. She started her career as an engineer.
She serves as an independent non executive director on the public boards of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals India, Bata India Limited, Tata Power as well as Delhivery. She is on the Advisory Board of the Columbia University Global Centers, South Asia. Previously, she chaired the India board of Women’s World Banking, a leading global livelihood-promoting institution and continues to be an advisor to SEWA.
She is a charter member of TiE, serves on the managing committee of the Indian Venture Capital Association, angel investor and mentor to Facebook SheLeadsTech.
An active contributor to the dialogue on corporate governance and diversity, Anjali co-founded and chaired the FICCI Center for Corporate Governance program for Women on Corporate Boards. She serves on the managing committee of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
She has been listed as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Indian Business” by India’s leading publication, Business Today, and as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Business” by Fortune India
She has a Bachelors in Computer Engineering from Gujarat University and a Masters in International Finance and Business from Columbia University.
She was previously global Partner and Managing Director with TPG Growth PE, Spencer Stuart India Founder CEO, and strategy consultant with McKinsey and Co in New York and India. She has also been an active angel investor in India with investments in various early and growth stage consumer companies. She started her career as an engineer.
She serves as an independent non executive director on the public boards of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals India, Bata India Limited, Tata Power as well as Delhivery. She is on the Advisory Board of the Columbia University Global Centers, South Asia. Previously, she chaired the India board of Women’s World Banking, a leading global livelihood-promoting institution and continues to be an advisor to SEWA.
She is a charter member of TiE, serves on the managing committee of the Indian Venture Capital Association, angel investor and mentor to Facebook SheLeadsTech.
An active contributor to the dialogue on corporate governance and diversity, Anjali co-founded and chaired the FICCI Center for Corporate Governance program for Women on Corporate Boards. She serves on the managing committee of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
She has been listed as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Indian Business” by India’s leading publication, Business Today, and as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Business” by Fortune India
She has a Bachelors in Computer Engineering from Gujarat University and a Masters in International Finance and Business from Columbia University.
Anjana Seshadri
ESG Officer
Neev Fund
Neev Fund
Anjana has around eleven years of experience in the field of sustainability and ESG and leads Environment Social and Governance for all the Neev portfolio companies.
She has worked at IndusInd Bank in mainstreaming sustainability disclosures, investor led sustainability assessments and Environmental and Social Management framework for corporate banking. She holds a Master’s degree in Planning (specialisation in environment) from School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), New Delhi
She has worked at IndusInd Bank in mainstreaming sustainability disclosures, investor led sustainability assessments and Environmental and Social Management framework for corporate banking. She holds a Master’s degree in Planning (specialisation in environment) from School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), New Delhi
Ranu Vohra
Co-founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Avendus Capital
Ranu heads Avendus and is responsible for its overall growth. He has spent the last 20 years in the Indian financial services industry, concluding several marquee transactions in Investment Banking and Private Equity. Avendus is a leading provider of financial services with an emphasis on customized solutions in the areas of investment banking, wealth management, asset management and credit solutions. Avendus relies on its extensive experience, in-depth domain understanding and knowledge of the regulatory environment, to offer customized solutions that enable clients to meet their strategic aspirations.
Avendus has a strong track record of cross-border transactions and has helped multiple clients benefit from opportunities across geographies. Avendus’ wide range of clients is testimony to its ability to serve its corporate clients throughout their life cycle – from growth stage funding to complex, large sized transactions later in the cycle. Avendus Capital Inc. and Avendus Capital (UK) Pvt. Ltd. located in New York and London respectively are wholly owned subsidiaries offering M&A and Private Equity syndication services to clients in the respective regions.
From being known as Coolstartups, operating from above a garage in Mumbai in 1999, to becoming a company of 325+ employees that is consistently ranked as India’s top name in investment banking, Avendus has carved a niche for itself by partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs, family offices and corporate treasuries.
Prior to co-founding Avendus, Ranu worked with a Tampa (USA) based technology and media investment bank, Communications Equity Associates (CEA), and Hinduja Finance, a diversified financial services firm.
He holds an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi and a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
Avendus Capital
Ranu heads Avendus and is responsible for its overall growth. He has spent the last 20 years in the Indian financial services industry, concluding several marquee transactions in Investment Banking and Private Equity. Avendus is a leading provider of financial services with an emphasis on customized solutions in the areas of investment banking, wealth management, asset management and credit solutions. Avendus relies on its extensive experience, in-depth domain understanding and knowledge of the regulatory environment, to offer customized solutions that enable clients to meet their strategic aspirations.
Avendus has a strong track record of cross-border transactions and has helped multiple clients benefit from opportunities across geographies. Avendus’ wide range of clients is testimony to its ability to serve its corporate clients throughout their life cycle – from growth stage funding to complex, large sized transactions later in the cycle. Avendus Capital Inc. and Avendus Capital (UK) Pvt. Ltd. located in New York and London respectively are wholly owned subsidiaries offering M&A and Private Equity syndication services to clients in the respective regions.
From being known as Coolstartups, operating from above a garage in Mumbai in 1999, to becoming a company of 325+ employees that is consistently ranked as India’s top name in investment banking, Avendus has carved a niche for itself by partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs, family offices and corporate treasuries.
Prior to co-founding Avendus, Ranu worked with a Tampa (USA) based technology and media investment bank, Communications Equity Associates (CEA), and Hinduja Finance, a diversified financial services firm.
He holds an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi and a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
Amit Gupta
Partner
NewQuest, Hong Kong
NewQuest, Hong Kong
Amit is a founding Partner of NewQuest and oversees the firm’s India and Southeast Asia business as well as investments in the power and financial services sectors. Amit has nearly 20 years of industry experience.
Prior to co-founding NewQuest, he was a Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s (BAML) Asia Private Equity group where he led the India business and oversaw investments the energy and financial services sectors across the Asia Pacific. Amit has also served in other roles in BAML, including Corporate Principal Investments based in Hong Kong and Investment Banking based in Mumbai.
Prior to working at BAML, Amit was a software engineer based in Mumbai and the United States. Amit has an MBA from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, where he was placed on the Director’s Merit List for his performance, and an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from REC Kurukshetra, where he received the University gold medal. Amit is fluent in English and Hindi.
Prior to co-founding NewQuest, he was a Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s (BAML) Asia Private Equity group where he led the India business and oversaw investments the energy and financial services sectors across the Asia Pacific. Amit has also served in other roles in BAML, including Corporate Principal Investments based in Hong Kong and Investment Banking based in Mumbai.
Prior to working at BAML, Amit was a software engineer based in Mumbai and the United States. Amit has an MBA from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, where he was placed on the Director’s Merit List for his performance, and an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from REC Kurukshetra, where he received the University gold medal. Amit is fluent in English and Hindi.
Vikram Raju
Partner, Head of Emerging Markets
Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners.
Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners.
Vikram Raju is a Partner and Head of Emerging Markets at Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners
Vikram has led investments in over a 100 private equity and venture capital funds across 21 emerging markets and serves on 10 advisory boards of funds in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Prior to joining the firm, Vikram was a Principal Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, where he led the investment programs for private equity funds in South Asia and globally in the climate-related sectors.
Earlier in his career, Vikram was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, London and an emerging markets investor with Lazard Frères, New York. Vikram received a B.A. in economics from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai and an Masters in finance from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute, Mumbai. He also received Master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Vikram has led investments in over a 100 private equity and venture capital funds across 21 emerging markets and serves on 10 advisory boards of funds in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Prior to joining the firm, Vikram was a Principal Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, where he led the investment programs for private equity funds in South Asia and globally in the climate-related sectors.
Earlier in his career, Vikram was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, London and an emerging markets investor with Lazard Frères, New York. Vikram received a B.A. in economics from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai and an Masters in finance from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute, Mumbai. He also received Master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Haresh Vazirani
Head, India and Europe Venture
Aberdeen Standard Investments, UK
Aberdeen Standard Investments, UK
Haresh Vazirani heads Europe Private Equity and Global Venture Capital team where he is responsible for fund investments, co-investments and secondaries. Haresh joined Aberdeen in 2015 following the acquisition of FLAG Capital Management. At FLAG, he held a similar role as a senior associate at the Hong Kong office, covering venture capital and private equity investments in Asia. Haresh worked at Ares Management based in India before joining FLAG in 2014, where he focused on evaluating and executing direct investment opportunities and managing portfolio investments. Haresh started his career in Dubai with Laing O’Rourke, one of the largest private construction management companies in the United Kingdom, where he was involved in project operations. He has also authored a patent on the use of positioning technology in built environments. Haresh completed his Master’s in Business Administration from the Indian School of Business, where he was the recipient of the Torchbearer Award. He has a Bachelor of Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering.
Dirk Elsen
Director, Emerging Markets
Triodos Investment Management
Triodos Investment Management
Dirk Elsen joined Triodos Investment Management as Director Emerging Markets in January 2012. From 2002 to 2011, he served as Chief Executive of SNV, an international development organization implementing advisory, advocacy and knowledge brokering work in 36 countries across four continents. Before that, Dirk worked at Shell, the World Bank and ABN AMRO, working as a corporate and operational lawyer on projects in Africa and Asia, structuring trade finance business and serving in various senior relationship management roles. Dirk serves on several boards in The Netherlands and beyond including the board of directors of Aavishkaar Group in India.
Ajit Kumar
Managing Director
Evolvence India Fund
Evolvence India Fund
Ajit Kumar leads Evolvence India Fund, an India focused diversified and differentiated PE Fund sponsored by New York Life Insurance/Gold Point Partners and Evolvence Asset Management. He is responsible for the core operations of the fund, from deal origination to exit as well as investor relations and regulatory compliance. During his investment career spread over 25 years he has been involved in Private Equity investments in more than 175 funds, direct and co-investments across various themes and strategies, sectors and geographies. He represents EIF in the Advisory Boards, Investment Committees and board of the various investments. He holds a MBA from London Business School.
Michael Liu
Sr. Vice President
Portfolio Advisors
Portfolio Advisors
Michael is a Senior Vice President of Portfolio Advisors, based in Hong Kong, and serves as a voting member of one or more of the firm’s Investment Committees. Michael joined Portfolio Advisors in 2013 and primarily supports Portfolio Advisors’ Asia Pacific activities. Previously, he was a Vice President in the UOB Investment Management Divsion’s alternative investment fund-of-funds advisory business where he had worked with Portfolio Advisors since 2006 through a joint venture, Asia Select Management, Ltd.
Sanjay Nath
Managing Partner
Blume Ventures
Blume Ventures
Sanjay is a Co-founder & Managing Partner at Blume Ventures ( www.blumeventures.com ), India’s leading homegrown early-stage VC. Founded in 2010 by Karthik Reddy and Sanjay Nath, Blume has invested in over 100 startups since its inception.
Blume’s portfolio includes notable exits such as Taxiforsure (acquired by Olacabs), Zipdial (acq by Twitter), Promptec Renewables (acq by Havells), Minjar (acq by Nutanix), and most recently Mettl (acq by Mercer). Its growing base of emerging portfolio stars include Grey Orange Robotics, Unacademy, Servify, Locus, Railyatri, Nowfloats, Tricog, Belong, Webengage, Carbon Clean Solutions, Stellapps amongst others. Sanjay serves as a board advisor on several Blume portfolio companies including Locus, Tricog, Little Black Book, Dataweave, Yulu Bike and others.
Prior to Blume, Sanjay was also an active angel investor through Mumbai Angels. His angel investments include Inmobi, LittleEye Labs (acquired by Facebook), Tonbo Imaging, Svasti Microfinance, 6Dbytes (Blendid), amongst others.
Sanjay’s experience spans the US and India, and ranges from management consulting (PwC and IBM Global Services), product marketing and operations (Sun Microsystems) and angel investing (thru Mumbai Angels). Most recently, prior to founding Blume, he co founded Loxodrome, a legal outsourcing company with dual-shore operations in San Francisco and Pune, India. Early in his career, Sanjay supported the growth of Kanbay (Nasdaq IPO in ’04), then acquired by Cap Gemini for $1.25BL in ‘06.
Sanjay has earned an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management and also holds an undergraduate major in Information Systems from BITS, Pilani.
Blume’s portfolio includes notable exits such as Taxiforsure (acquired by Olacabs), Zipdial (acq by Twitter), Promptec Renewables (acq by Havells), Minjar (acq by Nutanix), and most recently Mettl (acq by Mercer). Its growing base of emerging portfolio stars include Grey Orange Robotics, Unacademy, Servify, Locus, Railyatri, Nowfloats, Tricog, Belong, Webengage, Carbon Clean Solutions, Stellapps amongst others. Sanjay serves as a board advisor on several Blume portfolio companies including Locus, Tricog, Little Black Book, Dataweave, Yulu Bike and others.
Prior to Blume, Sanjay was also an active angel investor through Mumbai Angels. His angel investments include Inmobi, LittleEye Labs (acquired by Facebook), Tonbo Imaging, Svasti Microfinance, 6Dbytes (Blendid), amongst others.
Sanjay’s experience spans the US and India, and ranges from management consulting (PwC and IBM Global Services), product marketing and operations (Sun Microsystems) and angel investing (thru Mumbai Angels). Most recently, prior to founding Blume, he co founded Loxodrome, a legal outsourcing company with dual-shore operations in San Francisco and Pune, India. Early in his career, Sanjay supported the growth of Kanbay (Nasdaq IPO in ’04), then acquired by Cap Gemini for $1.25BL in ‘06.
Sanjay has earned an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management and also holds an undergraduate major in Information Systems from BITS, Pilani.
Shashank Singh
Partner and Head of the India office
Apax Partners
Apax Partners
Shashank Singh is a Partner and Head of the India office of Apax Partners, the global Private Equity fund. He joined Apax in London in 2004, before moving to India in 2007 to start Apax’s office there. His deals at Apax include Cholamandalam Investment and Finance, GlobalLogic, IGATE Corp, Apollo Hospitals, TDC, Bezeq and Synetrix. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Shashank spent four years as a strategy consultant with Monitor Company in their London office, leading client engagements in the telecommunications and high technology sectors. Shashank serves on the boards of iGATE Corporation Inc. (Nasdaq: IGTE) and GlobalLogic.
Sumeet Nindrajog
Senior Partner
Paragon Partners
Paragon Partners
Sumeet has over 18 years of experience in advising, investing and operating in companies in North America and India. Prior to co-founding Paragon Partners, Sumeet was the co-founder and executive director at Hover Automotive India (HAI), a leading global automobile manufacturer’s exclusive distributor in India, and grew the company from a start-up stage to record annual sales of approximately 40,000 units and expanded the distribution network from a single dealer to approximately 130 outlets nationwide. Prior to joining HAI’s operations, Sumeet successfully managed automobile retail outlets which were part of his family business. He has also successfully started and sold two independent ventures in India in the Real Estate and Power sectors. Sumeet previously worked at Ares Management in their Private Equity Group in Los Angeles and with UBS in the Investment Banking Group. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
ABOUT PARAGON PARTNERS
Established in 2015, Paragon Partners is a mid-market focused private equity firm India. Investing out of its maiden fund – Paragon Partners Growth Fund-I, the firm targets attractive investment opportunities across a number of sectors including consumer discretionary, financial services, asset light infrastructure services, manufacturing & industrials and healthcare services. The fund has a corpus of $120 million and typically invests between $10 to $20 million for significant minority stakes. The team, which comprises individuals with investing, operating and entrepreneurial backgrounds, takes a very hands-on investment approach and plays an active role in value-addition in the firm’s investment portfolio.
ABOUT PARAGON PARTNERS
Established in 2015, Paragon Partners is a mid-market focused private equity firm India. Investing out of its maiden fund – Paragon Partners Growth Fund-I, the firm targets attractive investment opportunities across a number of sectors including consumer discretionary, financial services, asset light infrastructure services, manufacturing & industrials and healthcare services. The fund has a corpus of $120 million and typically invests between $10 to $20 million for significant minority stakes. The team, which comprises individuals with investing, operating and entrepreneurial backgrounds, takes a very hands-on investment approach and plays an active role in value-addition in the firm’s investment portfolio.
Ganapathy Venugopal
Co-founder & CEO
Axilor Ventures
Axilor Ventures
Axilor Ventures is a platform for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. Axilor Ventures (www.axilor.com), an accelerator and seed-fund, was set up to improve the odds of success of early stage startups through a new venture funding model. It runs the largest accelerator program in India and is one of the most active seed investors. It currently works with startups in consumer internet, enterprise, healthcare, deep-tech and fin- tech.
VG spent his first fifteen years in leadership roles helping large corporates manage and mitigate risk. Prior to co-founding Axilor Ventures, VG was Head of Strategy & Planning at Infosys. At Axilor, he works with startups encouraging risk and helps founders build successful businesses.
VG serves on the boards of several companies and advisory bodies. An avid reader and writer, he holds a bachelors in engineering and a post graduate degree in management from IIM Lucknow.
VG spent his first fifteen years in leadership roles helping large corporates manage and mitigate risk. Prior to co-founding Axilor Ventures, VG was Head of Strategy & Planning at Infosys. At Axilor, he works with startups encouraging risk and helps founders build successful businesses.
VG serves on the boards of several companies and advisory bodies. An avid reader and writer, he holds a bachelors in engineering and a post graduate degree in management from IIM Lucknow.
Kumar Sharadindu
Managing Director & CEO
SBI Pension Funds
SBI Pension Funds
Mr. Kumar Sharadindu took charge as MD & CEO of the Company on 30.12.2016 is of the rank of CGM in SBI. Previously, Mr. Kumar was General Manager at SBI Corporate Centre, Mumbai heading private equity business of the Bank. He joined SBI as Probationary Officer in 1984. He has held several crucial assignments in his banking career spanning more than 30 years. He has held key positions in the areas of credit, treasury, Risk and large corporate lending. He spent more than five years in treasury of the bank. He was also the head of Market Risk department of SBI. Before coming to Private Equity, he was head of the Mid Corporate Group in Chandigarh Region. By qualification, he has done Masters in Physics.
Niren Shah
Managing Director & India head
Norwest Venture Partners
Norwest Venture Partners
Niren is a Managing Director at Norwest (NVP) India and has been leading NVP India for over 10 years. Niren brings more than 20 years of Investing, entrepreneurial, financial and operating experience from leading global financial institutions to consumer and technology companies.
Niren focuses on both Private equity and late stage Venture investments with special interest in sectors such as Financial Services, Internet, Consumer and Technology. Niren has overseen more than 30 investments at NVP India and has directly facilitated 14 such investments. Investments include Cholamandalam Finance, Pepperfry, IndusInd Bank, ING Vysya, Jain Irrigation, RBL Bank, Quikr.com, Swiggy.com, RevX Technologies, Shriram City Union, Yes Bank, Five Star Finace, Esskay Fincorp and Kotak Bank. Niren also has a strong exit record having overseen more than 15 exits, of which he has directly facilitated significant exits for 9 of his companies
Prior to joining NVP India, Niren was the Senior Director of Strategy and Ventures at eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) in California, where he helped drive the worldwide strategy across eBay’s Global Marketplaces. Prior to eBay, Niren was part of the original team at Baazee.com, Inc., the leading Indian eCommerce player in the mid-2000s (which was eventually acquired by eBay). Prior to his entrepreneurial journey, Niren was an investment banker with KPMG focusing on the Financial
Services and Technology spaces and before that, a Registered Equity Dealer on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Niren is a rank holder Chartered Accountant and a Gold medallist Masters in Commerce from University of Mumbai.
Niren focuses on both Private equity and late stage Venture investments with special interest in sectors such as Financial Services, Internet, Consumer and Technology. Niren has overseen more than 30 investments at NVP India and has directly facilitated 14 such investments. Investments include Cholamandalam Finance, Pepperfry, IndusInd Bank, ING Vysya, Jain Irrigation, RBL Bank, Quikr.com, Swiggy.com, RevX Technologies, Shriram City Union, Yes Bank, Five Star Finace, Esskay Fincorp and Kotak Bank. Niren also has a strong exit record having overseen more than 15 exits, of which he has directly facilitated significant exits for 9 of his companies
Prior to joining NVP India, Niren was the Senior Director of Strategy and Ventures at eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) in California, where he helped drive the worldwide strategy across eBay’s Global Marketplaces. Prior to eBay, Niren was part of the original team at Baazee.com, Inc., the leading Indian eCommerce player in the mid-2000s (which was eventually acquired by eBay). Prior to his entrepreneurial journey, Niren was an investment banker with KPMG focusing on the Financial
Services and Technology spaces and before that, a Registered Equity Dealer on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Niren is a rank holder Chartered Accountant and a Gold medallist Masters in Commerce from University of Mumbai.
Nitin Nayar
Founder & Managing Partner
Filter Capital India
Filter Capital India
Nitin launched Filter Capital India in 2018. Nitin brings 14 years of investment advisory experience from his tenure with the India affiliate of US-based global investment firm Warburg Pincus LLC, including six years as a Managing Director (2012-17), where he spearheaded the company’s investment advisory activities in the technology sector in India. In his role as Managing Director, Nitin evaluated close to 300 opportunities in technology and tech-enabled businesses including Internet and e-commerce, software and IT services, payments, logistics, education and health. He oversaw investments of over $200 million in three notable Internet and software businesses: Quikr, CarTrade, and Capillary Technologies.
Parth Gandhi
Managing Partner
AION Capital
AION Capital
Parth Gandhi is Senior Partner and Managing Director at AION India Investment Advisors Private Limited. Prior to that Mr. Gandhi was President of Private Equity at ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited. At ICICI Venture Mr. Gandhi was responsible for establishing the strategic partnership with Apollo and in developing AION Investment strategy.
Mr. Gandhi brings nearly two decades of investing experience in India. Over the course of his career, Mr. Gandhi has invested in multiple Indian as well as international companies. His investments have been in listed and unlisted companies in the form of equity, mezzanine and senior debt. Mr. Gandhi currently serves on the board of Aion Capital Partners, Aion Capital Management, Clix Capital and Clix Finance. Also in the past he has served on the boards of Varun Beverages, RJ Corp, Geometric Software Service Ltd and Mahindra Retail Pvt Ltd. In addition to his investment activities, Mr. Gandhi is a charter member of TiE Global (The Indus Entrepreneurs) and an active member of The Explorers Club and ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India). In previous jobs Mr. Gandhi was a Managing Director at Navigator Capital Advisors Limited and prior to that was a Consultant with Ernst and Young. Mr. Gandhi has an MBA from Michigan State University and a BE from University of Mumbai.
Mr. Gandhi brings nearly two decades of investing experience in India. Over the course of his career, Mr. Gandhi has invested in multiple Indian as well as international companies. His investments have been in listed and unlisted companies in the form of equity, mezzanine and senior debt. Mr. Gandhi currently serves on the board of Aion Capital Partners, Aion Capital Management, Clix Capital and Clix Finance. Also in the past he has served on the boards of Varun Beverages, RJ Corp, Geometric Software Service Ltd and Mahindra Retail Pvt Ltd. In addition to his investment activities, Mr. Gandhi is a charter member of TiE Global (The Indus Entrepreneurs) and an active member of The Explorers Club and ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India). In previous jobs Mr. Gandhi was a Managing Director at Navigator Capital Advisors Limited and prior to that was a Consultant with Ernst and Young. Mr. Gandhi has an MBA from Michigan State University and a BE from University of Mumbai.
P.R. Srinivasan
Partner
Xponentia Capital Partners LLP
Xponentia Capital Partners LLP
Prior to founding Xponentia, Mr. Srinivasan served as India Region Head and Managing Director of Citigroup Venture Capital International (“CVCI”). He was also a member of the CVCI team which raised two global emerging market funds – USD 1.5 billion in 2005 and USD 4.3 billion in 2007. Before CVCI, he was one of the founders of HSBC Private Equity in India, which raised a USD 60 million fund in 1995. Over his investment career, he has led and been involved in numerous deals with an aggregate invested capital in excess of USD 700 million. Mr. Srinivasan holds a bachelor’s degree from College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai and obtained a post-graduate diploma in Business Management from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
Padmanabh Sinha
Managing Partner
Tata Opportunities Fund
Tata Opportunities Fund
Padmanabh (Paddy) Sinha is the Managing Partner of the advisory team for the flagship private equity fund of the Tata group – Tata Opportunities Fund. Prior to joining Tata Capital as a founding partner of the Tata Opportunities Fund, Sinha was the Managing Director for India at Temasek Holdings. Sinha was part of Temasek’s founding India team in 2004 and during his tenure at Temasek also led global special projects for Temasek. He has worked with ICICI Venture previously as well as an entrepreneur where he was the President of an e-learning company funded by ChrysCapital, Star TV and International Finance Corporation, which he eventually sold to a listed Indian corporation. Sinha has served on several corporate boards, including select Tata companies. He is the current Vice Chairman of the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA)
The Tata Opportunities Fund is a USD 600 million third party private equity fund which invests in select Tata group entities as well as other independent Indian businesses. The Fund’s investees benefit both from its capital as well as from access to the Tata group’s global reach and wide ranging long established industry presence. The fund is sector and stage agnostic and invests in both minority and control deals.
The Tata Opportunities Fund is a USD 600 million third party private equity fund which invests in select Tata group entities as well as other independent Indian businesses. The Fund’s investees benefit both from its capital as well as from access to the Tata group’s global reach and wide ranging long established industry presence. The fund is sector and stage agnostic and invests in both minority and control deals.
Amit Bhagat
Managing Director and CEO
ASK Property Investment Advisors
ASK Property Investment Advisors
Amit co-founded Real Estate practice of ASK Group in 2008. At ASK, he manages INR 5,000 cr ($750 mn) of Real Estate Investments. He has an experience of managing / advising investments of $1.25 bn in his current and previous assignments as Head of ICICI Property Services. He has over two decades of experience in financial services mainly in the mortgage and real estate business. Previously, he was also the National Credit Head for the mortgage division of ICICI Bank.
Mayank Choudhary
Sr. Investment Specialist
Asian Development Bank
Asian Development Bank
Mayank Choudhary is Principal Investment Specialist, with the Private Sector Operations Department at the Asian Development Bank. Mayank has eighteen years of corporate finance, investment banking, private equity and project finance experience. Prior to ADB, he has worked at Macquarie Capital, SUN-Apollo Real Estate and International Finance Corporation (IFC). He has an MBA degree from the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad).
Amit Goenka
MD & CEO
Nisus Finance
Nisus Finance
Amit Goenka is the Founder MD & CEO of Nisus Finance, a premier alternative asset manager with AUM of INR 450 cr. Amit was also the Founder, MD & CEO of Essel Finance, part of the USD 7 bn ZEE Group, managing financial services and real estate funds, both domestic and offshore. Amit has held senior roles at Knight Frank across various verticals, including as CEO of a domestic rental yield fund. He has also served in senior capacities with Alghanim and Adeem Group in the Middle East besides Ernst & Young and Aditya Birla Group in India.
Amit is one of India’s foremost thought leaders on real estate, known for his views on the developments in taxation, regulatory, statutory and structural frameworks. He has chaired conferences in association with NAREDCO, PwC, FICCI, IMC and APREA on subjects like Banking, Private Equity, REITs, Union Budget, RERA etc. Amit brings 20 years of top tier multinational experience in Banking, Direct Investments and Strategy and has been responsible for over USD 7 billion of transactions worldwide. He holds a BE, MBA, MRICS and CCF.
Amit is one of India’s foremost thought leaders on real estate, known for his views on the developments in taxation, regulatory, statutory and structural frameworks. He has chaired conferences in association with NAREDCO, PwC, FICCI, IMC and APREA on subjects like Banking, Private Equity, REITs, Union Budget, RERA etc. Amit brings 20 years of top tier multinational experience in Banking, Direct Investments and Strategy and has been responsible for over USD 7 billion of transactions worldwide. He holds a BE, MBA, MRICS and CCF.
Sharad Mittal
Executive Director & CEO
Motilal Oswal Real Estate Investment Advisors
Motilal Oswal Real Estate Investment Advisors
Sharad joined MORE in 2013, spearheading the firm’s real estate fund practice and has been instrumental in rebuilding and scaling up the MORE business from an AUM of Rs. 200 Cr to more than Rs. 2,000 Cr over this period. Under his leadership, MORE has successfully raised two funds – IREF II (Rs. 500 Cr) and IREF III (Rs. 1031 Cr) and has a Prop Book/PMS of more than Rs. 300 Cr. During this period, the Funds have established a strong track record of profitable exits from investments and have received awards and accolades at the CNBC Awaaz Real Estate Awards. (“Real Estate Fund of the Year” for 2016-17). Sharad has over 16 years of experience in Real Estate investing, lending and fund raising.
Rupen Jhaveri
Managing Director, Private Equity: Mumbai
KKR
Rupen Jhaveri (Mumbai) joined KKR in 2009 and has been a member of the India investing team since its founding. At KKR, he has led investments in Ramky Enviro, Alliance Tires, Magma Fincorp, Dalmia Cement, Max Financial Services, Emerald Media, SBI Life Insurance, Bharti Infratel and HDFC. Prior to joining KKR, he was with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in its principal investment area and Warburg Pincus in Mumbai where he was involved in a number of investments including Mahindra & Mahindra, NDTV, Amtek Auto, Sigma Electric, Sintex, Dainik Bhaskar, amongst others. Mr. Jhaveri holds a B.S., magna cum laude, from Leonard N. Stern School of Business of New York University.
KKR
Rupen Jhaveri (Mumbai) joined KKR in 2009 and has been a member of the India investing team since its founding. At KKR, he has led investments in Ramky Enviro, Alliance Tires, Magma Fincorp, Dalmia Cement, Max Financial Services, Emerald Media, SBI Life Insurance, Bharti Infratel and HDFC. Prior to joining KKR, he was with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in its principal investment area and Warburg Pincus in Mumbai where he was involved in a number of investments including Mahindra & Mahindra, NDTV, Amtek Auto, Sigma Electric, Sintex, Dainik Bhaskar, amongst others. Mr. Jhaveri holds a B.S., magna cum laude, from Leonard N. Stern School of Business of New York University.
Gopal Srinivasan
Chairman & Managing Director
TVS Capital Funds
Gopal Srinivasan is the Chairman and Founder of TVS Capital Funds Limited, Managing two mid-Market Growth Oriented Private Equity Funds, with total AUM of ₹1,100 Crores with 100%-rupee capital.
• Led investments in 22 companies in the Food & Agri, Financial Services, Fintech, Lifestyle and Healthcare Services sectors
• Invested and provided mentorship to over 25 early stage start-ups across various sectors
A 3rd generation TVS Group Family Member. Over a 30-year entrepreneurial career, founded companies operating in a wide spectrum of sectors viz. Information Technology, Private Equity, Consumer Finance, Consumer Durables. Board member of several TVS group companies, start-ups, and portfolio companies of TVS capital. Active member of SEBI’s “Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC)”, which was set up to recommend and steer policy changes to enhance India’s regulatory framework for ease of investing and catalyzing domestic capital flows. Several recommendations have been adopted. As Chairman of Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association IVCA) since 2015, the largest forum of VC and PE, active advocate of making “Manage in India” for fund managers easier as well as enhancing availability of domestic capital pools. Two-term Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Committee for Private Equity & Venture Capital from 2009-2011. Founder member of The Chennai Angels, Chennai’s premier Angel Investor network with over 100 Angel investors. Chairman of Board of Governors at Forge CIBI (a Technology Accelerator & Incubator), hosted at the Kumaraguru College of Technology.
A strong believer in the importance of business education, he serves on the Advisory board of University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and on the Governing Council of the Loyola Institute of Business Administration in Chennai. Formerly served on the boards of Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM) and Institute of Financial Management & Research (IFMR).
Gopal earned a B.Com from Loyola College, Chennai and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
TVS Capital Funds
Gopal Srinivasan is the Chairman and Founder of TVS Capital Funds Limited, Managing two mid-Market Growth Oriented Private Equity Funds, with total AUM of ₹1,100 Crores with 100%-rupee capital.
• Led investments in 22 companies in the Food & Agri, Financial Services, Fintech, Lifestyle and Healthcare Services sectors
• Invested and provided mentorship to over 25 early stage start-ups across various sectors
A 3rd generation TVS Group Family Member. Over a 30-year entrepreneurial career, founded companies operating in a wide spectrum of sectors viz. Information Technology, Private Equity, Consumer Finance, Consumer Durables. Board member of several TVS group companies, start-ups, and portfolio companies of TVS capital. Active member of SEBI’s “Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC)”, which was set up to recommend and steer policy changes to enhance India’s regulatory framework for ease of investing and catalyzing domestic capital flows. Several recommendations have been adopted. As Chairman of Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association IVCA) since 2015, the largest forum of VC and PE, active advocate of making “Manage in India” for fund managers easier as well as enhancing availability of domestic capital pools. Two-term Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Committee for Private Equity & Venture Capital from 2009-2011. Founder member of The Chennai Angels, Chennai’s premier Angel Investor network with over 100 Angel investors. Chairman of Board of Governors at Forge CIBI (a Technology Accelerator & Incubator), hosted at the Kumaraguru College of Technology.
A strong believer in the importance of business education, he serves on the Advisory board of University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and on the Governing Council of the Loyola Institute of Business Administration in Chennai. Formerly served on the boards of Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM) and Institute of Financial Management & Research (IFMR).
Gopal earned a B.Com from Loyola College, Chennai and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Ramesh Nair
CEO & Country Head, India
JLL
JLL
Ramesh is the CEO & Country Head of JLL India. He is responsible for the overall direction, strategy and growth of the Firm in India. Prior to taking over the role of CEO & Country Head in 2017, Ramesh held positions such as COO – India, MD – West India, India Head of Land, South India Markets Head, MD – Chennai, MD – Hyderabad and MD – Industrial. With estimated revenue for FY 2018-19 expected to be approx INR 4,000 crores, the Firm is growing from strength to strength in India for the past 2 decades.
JLL is also the market leader in terms of market share, revenues, profitability and team size for all the business lines in India. JLL India was rated as one of the Best Places to Work in India by the Great Place to Work® and The Economic Times in 2017 & 2018. JLL is a Fortune 500 company, creating value for owners, investors and users of real estate. Globally, JLL operates in 1,000 locations across 80 countries.
Experience
Having joined JLL in 1999, Ramesh has over 20 years of diversified and hands-on professional expertise in most facets of the real estate business. He has worked across diverse asset classes such as office, retail, land, residential, warehousing and industrial advising leading domestic and multinational owners, investors and occupiers in India. Throughout his career, Ramesh has helped his clients define and deliver successful real estate projects of the highest quality. Ramesh is a member of the Asia Pacific Board, the J8, a group of JLL’s 8 largest countries in terms of profit and revenue globally. Ramesh also chairs the India Leadership Council of JLL India. He is also the Chairman of CII – Western Region Real Estate and Infrastructure Conclave. As one of the pioneers of professional real estate consulting services in India, Ramesh has been instrumental in introducing many new concepts into the Indian real estate sector. Ramesh has also served as a Non-executive Director on the Global RICS Regulatory Board for 3 years. He has written numerous thought leaership articles for some of India’s leading publications such as The Economic Times, The Times of India, The Hindu, The Indian Express and many others.
JLL is also the market leader in terms of market share, revenues, profitability and team size for all the business lines in India. JLL India was rated as one of the Best Places to Work in India by the Great Place to Work® and The Economic Times in 2017 & 2018. JLL is a Fortune 500 company, creating value for owners, investors and users of real estate. Globally, JLL operates in 1,000 locations across 80 countries.
Experience
Having joined JLL in 1999, Ramesh has over 20 years of diversified and hands-on professional expertise in most facets of the real estate business. He has worked across diverse asset classes such as office, retail, land, residential, warehousing and industrial advising leading domestic and multinational owners, investors and occupiers in India. Throughout his career, Ramesh has helped his clients define and deliver successful real estate projects of the highest quality. Ramesh is a member of the Asia Pacific Board, the J8, a group of JLL’s 8 largest countries in terms of profit and revenue globally. Ramesh also chairs the India Leadership Council of JLL India. He is also the Chairman of CII – Western Region Real Estate and Infrastructure Conclave. As one of the pioneers of professional real estate consulting services in India, Ramesh has been instrumental in introducing many new concepts into the Indian real estate sector. Ramesh has also served as a Non-executive Director on the Global RICS Regulatory Board for 3 years. He has written numerous thought leaership articles for some of India’s leading publications such as The Economic Times, The Times of India, The Hindu, The Indian Express and many others.
Gaurav Ahuja
Managing Director
ChrysCapital
ChrysCapital
Gaurav Ahuja is a Managing Director with ChrysCapital and has been with the firm since 2004. He is responsible for the LP Relations and Fund Raising functions at ChrysCapital. Mr. Ahuja is a member of the Investment Committee and sits on the board of Infogain, ChrysCapital’s IT Services portfolio company. Prior to joining ChrysCapital, he was in the M&A group at Lazard Freres in San Francisco and Merrill Lynch in New York. Mr. Ahuja received an MBA from INSEAD and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics from the University of Virginia.
Satrajit Bhattacharya
Jt. General Manager Treasury
HDFC Ltd
HDFC Ltd
Mr. Satrajit Bhattacharya is a graduate in Arts from the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong and holds a Master’s degree in Finance & Control from the University of Delhi.
He is responsible for the equity investments made by HDFC Limited. He also leads cross functional teams looking at strategic initiatives including Capital Market and M&A transactions.
He holds directorships in companies such as Kaizen Management Advisors, Softcell Technologies and Citrus Processing India Private Limited. He is also the CEO of HDFC Investments Limited.
He is responsible for the equity investments made by HDFC Limited. He also leads cross functional teams looking at strategic initiatives including Capital Market and M&A transactions.
He holds directorships in companies such as Kaizen Management Advisors, Softcell Technologies and Citrus Processing India Private Limited. He is also the CEO of HDFC Investments Limited.
Manish Kejriwal
Managing Partner
Kedaara Capital
Kedaara Capital
Prior to co-founding Kedaara Capital Advisors, Manish served as a Senior Managing Director of Temasek Holdings, where he founded their India office in early 2004 and headed all of their investments and other activities in India. He also held multiple responsibilities in Temasek Singapore. He was a core member of its senior leadership team and a key member of Temasek Holding’s Senior Management Committee (SMC), and it’s Senior Investment & Divestment Committee (SIDC). Prior to joining Temasek, he was a Partner at McKinsey and Company. He had been a part of their New York, Cleveland and Mumbai offices. He has also worked at Goldman Sachs and at the World Bank.
Harish Chander
Executive Vice-President
Edelweiss Financial Services
Edelweiss Financial Services
Harish has over three decades of experience in working with SBI, IDBI & Edelweiss (the largest players in the respective fields in India) in project & infra financing documentation, distress asset investing, asset resolution and recovery. Harish was Head of Project & Infrastructure Financing (Loan & Security) Group at IDBI. He was also the legal and resolution head of the Stressed Assets Stabilisation Fund where he handled revival, restructuring and resolution of Assets aggregating more than USD 2 billion. He has vast experience across various legal resolution mechanisms and has a deep understanding of structuring and documentation related to the resolution of troubled assets. Additionally, he has five years of experience as a lawyer in the courts from the district level to the Supreme Court of India. He holds a degree in Law with distinction from Punjabi University in India.
Martin Blake
Strategic Advisor
Board of Blue Planet Environmental Services
Board of Blue Planet Environmental Services
Dr Martin Blake is an award-winning visionary thought leader and strategist with 35 years practical experience at an executive level. He is a company director, speaker and mentor with specialist expertise in board direction, governance and futuring. He holds a working portfolio of board directorships and advisory roles encompassing the USA, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. He is the owner of Blake Advisory, a Strategic Advisor to the Board of Blue Planet Environmental Services, an Associate Director of Future Smart Strategies, a Strategic Partner at IAQ Consultants, and a Non-Executive Director of Sabien Technology and PearTrack Security Systems Inc.
Dr Blake chairs and advises a multitude of strategic groups, all focused on the development and deployment of innovative business models. He is an Adjunct Professor of Sustainable Business Development at both Griffith University and the University of Southern Queensland, and is also a Visiting Fellow at the Business School of the University of Hull in the UK.
Dr Blake is internationally recognised as having designed and deployed one of the most successful organizational change management programmes in the world, saving millions of pounds annually and winning multiple National and International awards.
Dr Blake chairs and advises a multitude of strategic groups, all focused on the development and deployment of innovative business models. He is an Adjunct Professor of Sustainable Business Development at both Griffith University and the University of Southern Queensland, and is also a Visiting Fellow at the Business School of the University of Hull in the UK.
Dr Blake is internationally recognised as having designed and deployed one of the most successful organizational change management programmes in the world, saving millions of pounds annually and winning multiple National and International awards.
Akash Agarwal
Promoter
Crystal Logistics
Crystal Logistics
He is the CEO of the company and one of the Directors of Crystal Logistic Cool Chain Ltd who is involved in Company’s medium and long term business plans & growth and heading Marketing group for all the verticals. He is spearheading cold chain development in the organization to take it to new heights. He has introduced various new Initiatives in Crystal providing numerous services under one roof for cold chain services.
Manav Bansal
CIO
Neev Fund
Neev Fund
Manav has over 20 years experience in PE and investment banking. Prior experience includes heading India operations for Brightlink Partners Inc., being a founding member of Maquarie’s infrastructure team in India and Director at SNC-Lavalin India infra fund. Manav has also worked at advisory/corporate finance at PwC and KPMG. Manav holds a MBA and an engineering degree.
Anurag Malempati
Founder & Executive Director
Leap India Food & Logistics
Leap India Food & Logistics
Founder & Executive Director of Leap India food & Logistics, One of the leading developer of Agri Silos in the country.
Co-founder and Non executive Director of Nkars Online (Torquex.com) – One of India’s early automobile marketplace and led them to secure a Series – A Funding.
Over 5 Years of Experience in Agri Silos. Was instrumental in Raising the series A capital of USD 7 Million from Neev Fund And USD 20 Million Debt capital.
Co-Founder and General Secretary, Association of Silo Operators and Developers ( ASDO)
Co-founder and Non executive Director of Nkars Online (Torquex.com) – One of India’s early automobile marketplace and led them to secure a Series – A Funding.
Over 5 Years of Experience in Agri Silos. Was instrumental in Raising the series A capital of USD 7 Million from Neev Fund And USD 20 Million Debt capital.
Co-Founder and General Secretary, Association of Silo Operators and Developers ( ASDO)
Adarsh Das
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
SunSource Energy
SunSource Energy
Adarsh Das is the CEO & Co-Founder of SunSource Energy, where he leads overall day-to-day management, strategy and project finance. SunSource under his leadership has built more than 140 plants for commercial and industrial clients in 24+ states in India, and significant international experience. Most recently, Adarsh led investment from SBI’s Neev private equity fund into SunSource, and won a ground-breaking tender for a solar+storage “mini grid“ power plant in Leh.
Adarsh’s solar experience extends over 20+ years, with well known solar companies such as SELCO, Bangalore and Solectria, in Massachusetts, U.S.A., prior to SunSource. During ten years in the U.S., Adarsh also had stints at GE Wind and Booz Allen Hamilton, in addition to DTE Energy, where he helped launch utility-scale solar project development with a capital commitment of $200 Million.
Adarsh has an MBA from University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MS in Solar Engineering from University of Massachusetts and B. Tech in Energy Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.
Adarsh’s solar experience extends over 20+ years, with well known solar companies such as SELCO, Bangalore and Solectria, in Massachusetts, U.S.A., prior to SunSource. During ten years in the U.S., Adarsh also had stints at GE Wind and Booz Allen Hamilton, in addition to DTE Energy, where he helped launch utility-scale solar project development with a capital commitment of $200 Million.
Adarsh has an MBA from University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MS in Solar Engineering from University of Massachusetts and B. Tech in Energy Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.
