The Venture Intelligence Blog

From the Press Release: Varun Beverages (International) Limited (VBIL) has concluded a US$56 million private equity financing with Standard Chartered Private Equity Limited (SCPE). The funds would be used to accelerate VBIL’s growth in its beverages business in India and overseas. VBIL is promoted by the RJ Corp group which comprises diversified business interests ranging from beverages, fast food restaurants, ice creams & dairy products, breweries, education, health care and hospitality. VBIL is engaged in the business of bottling, distribution and marketing of soft drink beverages, sold under the trade marks owned by PepsiCo Inc., USA. VBIL, through itself and its subsidiaries, operates in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Morocco. Commenting on the development, Mr Ravi K Jaipuria, Chairman, VBIL, said: "To convert the huge opportunity of growth, penetration and enhanced territories domestically and internationally into reality, we need to build, year after year, large capacities...

After focusing substantially on exits in 2010 (when it successfully exited its investments in Mahindra Finance and ABG Shipyard), StanChart PE has announced four new investments in the first half of 2011 (in GMR Airports, Bush Foods, Privi Organics and Innoventive Industries). Three of its other portfolio companies – Endurance Technologies, Powerica and Intergloble Technology - are on the IPO path. Venture Intelligence spoke to Nainesh Jaisingh, Managing Director of Standard Chartered Private Equity, who heads the bank’s proprietary PE investments team in India on the firm’s recent moves and his views on the current PE investing landscape in India. This interview first appeared in the latest issue of the Venture Intelligence India Private Equity Roundup Report . Venture Intelligence: In 2010, StanChart PE announced only one investment - the syndicated $217-M round in Coffee Day Resorts – but, this year, you have already announced four new ones. What’s changed in your outlook? Nainesh ...

From the Press Release: Standard Chartered Private Equity (“SCPE”) has invested Rs 1,100 Million (approximately US $ 25 Million) in Bush Foods Overseas Private Limited (“BFL”), one of India’s leading Basmati rice companies. The funding will part finance the expansion of Bush Foods’s state of art fully automated manufacturing and processing facilities in Sonepat, Haryana and also support the company’s long term working capital requirements. BFL is focused on processing and sale of premium quality Basmati rice. With an emphasis on quality, it has achieved a strong and growing presence in both the export and domestic markets with well established premium brands like, Neesa, Indian Star and Himalayan Crown. The Company’s products are sold in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia including through premier global retail chains such as Westmill Foods, Loblaws, Walmart, Costco, Supersol, Riso Galo s.p.a, Migros Super Markets and Indian retail chains like Relia...

Edited excerpts from the Press Release: Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has invested Rs.850 million in Privi Organic s, one of India’s leading aroma chemical manufacturer and exporter. Mumbai-based Privi exports its products to over 25 countries and has established itself as a key supplier to several of the world's largest fragrance and flavours companies. This funding will part finance the growth plans of the company’s business through expansion of manufacturing facilities at Mahad, Maharashtra and also support key backward integration projects. Rahul Raisurana, Managing Director, Standard Chartered Private Equity, said, "The aroma chemicals space presents significant opportunities for Indian companies, as India emerges as a key manufacturing center for aromatic and speciality chemicals. We have found Privi Organics to be the right partner because of its strong chemistry skills and quality manufacturing strengths that are well recognized by its global customer bas...