Global private equity firm VerlInvest has reaffirmed its bullish stance on India, citing the country’s significantly higher investment returns compared to its global portfolio. Speaking to Moneycontrol, Arjun Anand, Managing Director and Head of Asia at VerlInvest, revealed that India now accounts for 20% of the firm’s global assets under management (AUM), with returns that outperform global benchmarks.
📈 India Outshines Global Markets
“Indian returns are significantly at a premium to our global returns… We are happy with our global returns, but even happier with our Indian returns,” Anand said, attributing the performance to maturing markets, stable exits, and growing investor optimism.
VerlInvest, which manages over €2 billion globally, has been investing in India for over 15 years, focusing on consumer brands, healthcare, retail, and e-commerce.
💼 Key Investments and Strategy
- Recent participation in Blue Tokai’s $35 million Series C round
- Portfolio includes Epigamia, Veeba, Wakefit, Sula Wines, Heads Up For Tails, and Purplle
- Annual India investments exceed $100 million, with cheque sizes ranging from $20–100 million
- Plans to increase average investment per company to $60 million, up from $40 million historically
🧭 Focus Areas and Future Outlook
VerlInvest is now eyeing healthcare services and fitness brands, driven by rising health consciousness among Indian consumers. While it remains active in e-commerce, the firm avoids quick commerce due to its preference for significant ownership stakes (30–50%), which are harder to secure in mature startups.
“India offers timely exits and a thriving capital market. The IPO window is wide open,” Anand noted, adding that the firm is scaling up its local team and portfolio depth.
Stay tuned for updates on VerlInvest’s expanding footprint in India’s high-growth sectors.
