Shell-backed Orb Energy starts Series D fundraising, aims $48 mn
British oil major Shell-backed Orb Energy, which is an integrated solar energy solutions provider, has initiated the process for its Series D round of funding, a top executive told VCCircle. The Bengaluru-based company, which provides end-to-end solar power solutions, including manufacturing, designing, installing, servicing and financing of solar panels for its ......
Grapevine: Aragen Life, Urban Company investors weigh stake sale
Promoters and investors in Aragen Life Sciences, the Goldman Sachs-backed contract research organisation (CRO), plan to sell a 10% stake in a pre-IPO round, valuing the company at Rs 10,000-12,000 crore ($1.5 billion), a media report said. Potential investors, including Quadria Capital and Denmark-based pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk, are in early talks for a minority stake, ......
Blume Ventures aims at nearly $1 bn AUM with fifth VC fund
Early-stage venture capital firm Blume Ventures, an investor in unicorn startups such as edtech platform Unacademy and beauty and personal care retailer Purplle, is set to hit the road to raise its fifth fund, two people aware of the development told VCCircle. Blume Ventures, set up by Karthik Reddy and Sanjay Nath in 2010, intends ......
PE firms mull buying stake in Apex Hospitals as existing backer seeks exit
Rajasthan-based Apex Hospitals Pvt. Ltd is being evaluated by multiple private equity players for a potential stake buy, as current investor Somerset Indus Capital Partners seeks a full exit from the five-year old investment, it is learnt. According to at least two people aware of the development, mid-market healthcare-focussed PE firms ......
Xponentia-backed The Souled Store back to profit as product mix, lesser marketing spends pay off
Direct-to-consumer pop-culture apparel brand The Souled Store, which is backed by venture capital firm Elevation Capital and growth-stage investor Xponentia Capital Partners, bounced back into the black for FY24, a senior executive told VCCircle. The Mumbai-based company's net profit likely jumped to Rs 10-15 crore in 2023-24, compared with a loss of ......
VC-backed Redcliffe onboards new investor in Series C funding
Redcliffe Lifetech Pvt Ltd, which operates diagnostic centers under the Redcliffe Labs brand, has raised Series C funding from existing backers as well as a new international investor. The company, which counts emerging markets-focused impact investor LeapFrog Investments and Indian venture capital firm Chiratae Ventures among its investors, secured $42 million (Rs ......
NIIF-controlled iBus gets new backer on board as another PE investor checks out
Digital infrastructure provider iBus Network and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd has brought on board International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, as a new investor. IFC has invested Rs 280 crore ($34 million) to pick up a minority stake in iBus, providing an exit to some ......
EQT-backed CitiusTech plans return to M&A street for European expansion
Healthtech firm CitiusTech is looking at possible acquisition targets to expand its business in Europe, as the company that counts Swedish private equity firm EQT as an investor returns to M&A street after a two-year gap. CitiusTech acquired one company each in 2020, 2021 and 2022 but went quiet thereafter as ......
Milky Mist plans IPO after failed PE funding talks
South India-based dairy brand Milky Mist is planning to make a stock market debut by early next year after its talks to raise funding from one of the oldest private equity firms in the country fell apart, two people privy to the development told VCCircle. Milky Mist had been engaged in discussions ......
Grapevine: Torrent may buy into CVC-backed Gujarat Titan; Alkem gets PE suitors
Ahmedabad-based Torrent Group has reached an informal agreement with CVC Capital Partners to acquire a majority stake in Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Gujarat Titans after the ownership lock-in period ends in February 2025, a media report said. Gautam Adani's Adani Group, initially a contender, has reportedly withdrawn from the race, The Economic Times reported, ......