US-based multi-asset alternative investment firm Bain Capital has earmarked $7 billion to invest in India over the next three to five years, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.
In an interview, Pavninder Singh, partner and a member of the Asia Pacific private equity (PE) team at Bain, said the firm also plans to increase its team of 25 PE and special situations investment professionals by 15-20% over the next two or three years.
Bain has invested capital in the country across a range of sectors including IT services, financial services, pharmaceuticals, and industrials. It’s making a concerted effort to grow its consumer retail business, which “plays to the theme of more consumer demand in India”, according to Singh.
Some of Bain Capital’s investments in India include 360 One Capital, Emcure, L&T Finance Holdings, and Axis Bank.
The firm will also explore making investments in India from several of its global strategies in the next three to five years, including its global real estate, tech opportunities, and life sciences funds, according to David Gross, partner and founding member of the firm’s Asia business.
Bain Capital’s plans to invest in India come as many small and large VC firms such as Chiratae, Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed, Elevation Capital, Accel, and Matrix have raised India-focused funds in the past year, highlighting global investors’ increasing bet on the country’s startup ecosystem.
Last year, 3one4 Capital raised $200 million for its fourth fund to back startups in sectors including consumer Internet, SaaS, and fintech. Previously, Myntra- and Lenskart-backer Chiratae Ventures hit the final close of its ‘Growth Fund I’ at $122 million. In February, Iron Pillar, a venture growth investor that backs technology companies in India, was reported to have raised at least $128.83 million for its second fund so far.
In October, Singularity AMC, backed by investor and former Reliance Capital executive Madhusudan Kela, secured the first close of its Rs 1,500 crore Growth Opportunities Fund II at $60 million and expects to hit the final close in 2-4 quarters.