| Global and Indian private equity biggies as well as strategic players are in the race to acquire a minority stake in Excel Soft Technologies, the Mysore headquartered e-learning firm. This six year old firm provides a range of customised learner-centric Learning systems, Test & Assessment systems and Desktop tools. |
| According to industry information, the company which has a top line of around Rs 50 crore is expected to be valued at close to Rs 400 crore for this stake sale. |
| When contacted, an official spokesperson declined to comment on the transaction. Sources further indicate that ICICI Ventures is one of the PE players keen on this deal. A deal is expected to be signed by early January 2008. |
| Industry analysts indicate that this firm is attracting such a premium valuation due its product licensing approach on which services and consulting add value and stickiness. Excelsoft has created intellectual property in the area of e-learning technologies and combines its strengths in software development, instructional design and e-learning content development to deliver e-learning solutions. |
| ¿As we understand on a topline of around Rs 50 crore, this firm may have a net profit of around Rs 25 crore. Adding to this is the space of e-learning which is getting to mature,¿ noted the analyst. |
| Excel Soft currently employs around 500 people across centres in Mysore, Hyderabad and New Delhi and serves a marquee global list of clients in global educational publishers, universities and corporate. |
| A few of names who are clients of this firm are Pearsons Education, Infosys Technologies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Oxford University, World Bank, UNESCO, besides a clutch of others. |
| The company of late has been keenly focusing on the test and assessment platforms which are key enablers for universities. |
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