| AEA Holdings, formed after a merger of New York-based AEA Investors and Hong Kong's Aetos Capital, manages around $10 billion worth of assets. The company operates at different levels with investments in commercial real estate in Japan and Korea, besides investments in publicly traded real estate entities. It also makes private equity investments in sectors, such as industrial chemicals, retail, consumer products and life sciences. |
| "Traditionally, AEA has been strong in buying midsize companies, improving their sales and selling them a few years later. We will continue that focus in Indian investments and our cheque sizes to start off will be in the range of $30 million," said Bill Owens, CEO and chairman of AEA Holdings (Asia). |
| He hoped that there will be a specific India fund. "That's certainly my hope, but let's see how the investments in India pan out," he noted. |
| This announcement by AEA Holdings, comes close on the heels of Garnett & Helfrich Capital (G&H), a technology venture buyout fund, announcing plans for India. G&H specialises in carving out potential technology product business from Global 500 technology companies and expanding it with required focus. |
| G&H also announced that it is raising $850 million for its second fund, as its first $350 million is expected to be committed by early next year. |
| "The initial wave was the rush of venture capital and private equity players to invest in high-growth firms and be able to support entrepreneurs. Now, we are seeing venture buyout funds roll up their sleeves, manage the firm through professional managers with a high degree of focus. Actis, with its private equity fund, is also attempting this model in India. But with focused firms, such as G&H and AEA Holdings, making an India foray, we can see many promising companies on a high-growth path," said a venture capital analyst. |
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