The Venture Intelligence Blog

AZB & Partners, J Sagar Associates follow at Nos. 2 & 3 respectively Khaitan & Co. topped the Venture Intelligence League Tables for Most Active Legal Advisor to M&A transactions for 2014 with 114 points (across 34 qualifying deals) followed by AZB & Partners with 112 points (across 30 deals) while J Sagar Associates came in next with 106 points (29 deals). The Venture Intelligence League Tables, the first such initiative exclusively tracking transactions involving India-based companies, are based on volume of Private Equity and M&A transactions (combined with credits based on fulfilment of criteria) advised by Transaction and Legal Advisory firms. Khaitan & Co. advised M&A deals during the year included Meiji acquisition of Medreich for $290 million and the $74 million acquisition of Transpole Logistics by SBS Holdings. AZB & Partners advised M&A deals during the year included the $2.43 Billion acquisition acquisition of ING Vysya Bank

Ernst & Young topped the Venture Intelligence League Table for the Most Active Transaction Advisor for Mergers & Acquisitions deals for calendar 2014 with 58 points (across 15 qualifying deals). ICICI Securities finished second with 36 points (across 9 deals) while Kotak , MAPE and PwC shares the third spot with 28 points (across 7 deals). The Venture Intelligence League Tables, the first such initiative exclusively tracking transactions involving India-based companies, are based on volume of PE and M&A transactions (combined with credits based on fulfilment of criteria) advised by Transaction and Legal Advisory firms. Transactions that Ernst & Young provided financial advise to during the year included the $470 M acquisition of Reliance Mediaworks by Prime Focus and the $114 acquisition of Jaypee Group cement units by Dalmia Cement. E&Y provided due diligence services to deals like Sun Pharma’s acquisition of Ranbaxy and Kotak Mahindra Bank’s acquisition o

AZB & Partners retained its status – for the fifth consecutive year - as the Most Active Legal Advisor for Private Equity transactions during 2014. According to the Venture Intelligence League Tables, AZB finished the year with 176 points (across 44 qualifying deals). IndusLaw and Impact Law Ventures vaulted to the second and third spot with 164 points (across 41 deals) and 132 points (33 deals) each. The Venture Intelligence League Tables, the first such initiative exclusively tracking transactions involving India-based companies, are based on volume of PE and M&A transactions (combined with credits based on fulfilment of criteria) advised by Transaction and Legal Advisory firms. AZB advised deals during the period included Warburg Pincus’ acquisition of minority stake in Kalyan Jewelers for $200 million ; General Atlantics’ $100 million investment in Citius IT Solutions and the $210 million investment by Softbank Corp. and other investors in Olacabs . Transaction

Ernst & Young retains Most Active Transaction Advisor status inclusive of due diligence, other services  Unitus Capital retained the top position of the Venture Intelligence League Table for Most Active Transaction Advisor (Private Equity) for calendar 2014 acting as financial advisor to 17 qualifying PE investments during the year (and notching up 68 points). Among the transactions advised by Unitus were the $13 million investments by Fidelity Growth Partners and Aavishkaar in Milk Mantra and NMI investment in Satin Creditcare Network. The Venture Intelligence League Tables, the first such initiative exclusively tracking transactions involving India-based companies, are based on volume of PE and M&A transactions (combined with credits based on fulfilment of criteria) advised by Transaction and Legal Advisory firms. Ernst & Young came in second (for pure financial advisory) with 40 points (across 10 deals). Inclusive of its roles in due diligence and related advisory

Interesting article in Forbes India by Meeta Sengupta: If there is one system that is working to further rigour, accuracy and excellence (of sorts), it is the tutoring ecosystem...it is the tutoring system that has added the quality dimension to it. If the goal is better marks, the tuition system has delivered on it. If the goal is smaller classes, the tutoring system has delivered. If the goal is teacher accountability – again, the tutoring system has delivered excellence. ...Students are not necessarily becoming dumber or smarter; they are becoming more skilled at taking exams. This is what a tutor does – and they are good at it. Here is the interesting thing: the tutoring ecosystem has delivered on a national goal of improving standards (as measured by marks) without being organised, regulated, scaled or standardised. There are lessons here for the schooling system – both in the public and private sectors. The tutoring system has been able to deliver much more than a traditi

From The Mint profile: In June 2012, a clutch of investors—part of the Mumbai Angel Network—approached Gupta. However, the presence of a third dormant partner—Agarwal—remained a concern. Agarwal, who had not yet left the company on paper but was inactive in day-to-day operations, left the investors jittery. In the final stages of the term sheet being signed, a dispute between the three partners led investors to back out. It was a very stressful period, adds Gupta, explaining that there were times when he thought of giving up the venture. By the end of 2012, it was very clear that Agarwal would not be returning to the venture. However, good news appeared in the form of a strong order book with advertisers such as Reliance 3G and Proctor and Gamble getting on board. Digital advertising networks such as Networkplay Media, then part of German media group Bertelsmann, became regular marketers of Yo!CAPTCHA. In May 2013, Networkplay offered to buy Yo!CAPTCHA, from Innovese. The acquis