Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Mayfield Ventures to invest $15 mn in domestic i-bank Avendus Advisors

Mumbai-based investment bank Avendus Advisors has received a private equity investment of around $15 mn, for a stake of 20%, from US-based venture capital fund Mayfield Ventures. The fund is being infused as fresh equity, and the term sheets would be signed in a week’s time. Other details of the deal have not been disclosed. Avendus, founded in 1999, has been valued at around Rs. 330 crores. Before the equity sale, the three initial promoters, Ranu Vohra, Gaurav Deepak and Kaushal Aggarwal, and the employees of Avendus held around 70% stake, while Spanish institutional investor Americorp held 20% and entrepreneur-investor from California, Anil Godhwani held the remaining 10%. Once the deal is finalized, there will be corresponding reduction in the stake held by each promoter.

Mayfield has already partnered Avendus to raise a $200 mn offshore fund which would invest in Indian projects, and is expected to be set up by July-August. Avendus has seen a strong growth over last couple of years. Its annual revenues are expected to cross $12 mn in 2006-07. The organisation employs approximately around 40 professionals.

The investment bank focuses on wealth management, institutional broking and debt solutions. It is also offering private equity syndication, advice on M&As, and strategic advisory services to corporates and funds. It is now in the process of expanding its operations abroad by opening offices in New York and Munich. Avendus focuses on industries where Indian companies have a strategic growth advantage including IT services, IT-enabled services, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, media and consumer products and services. The most recent deal cracked by Avendus was to help AnandRathi Securities to dilute around 20% stake in favour of CVC International, for around Rs. 100 crores (See Related Post).

Read The Economic Times article.
Related Posts:
Avendus Advisors to divest 20% stake to Old Lane and Mayfield Ventures
Avendus Advisors forms $200 mn PE fund with Mayfield Fund; to invest in the outsourcing sector

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