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Investcorp Announces Sale of Citykart to TPG NewQuest and A91 Partners - Middle East Business News and Information

Mid East Info27-05-2025
Manama, Bahrain,May 2025 — Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, today announced the sale of its entire stake in Citykart, one of India's fastest-growing value retailers focused on Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, to TPG NewQuest and A91 Partners. It represents the fifth full exit from the firm's India Consumer Growth Portfolio (ICGP) and the sixth liquidity event for the India franchise in the past 32 months.
The operating scale-up has seen the store network expand dramatically from 37 to 137 stores. This leads to an estimated revenue of INR 8.8 billion (about US $102 million) for FY 2025. This growth is mirrored by a matching growth in EBITDA, with sustained industry leading margins. It has consistently delivered profitability while building core functions, strengthening governance, and attracting strong talent across leadership and mid-management levels.
Furthermore, Investcorp has been instrumental in fostering a strategic partnership with founder Sudhanshu Agarwal, focusing on building a professional second line, integrating the W-Mart acquisition, revitalising under-performing stores, and optimising sourcing and inventory processes.
Gaurav Sharma, Partner & Head of India Investments at Investcorp, said: 'Citykart was the very first deal we executed after formally entering India in 2019, and it epitomizes our strategy of backing category-defining, founder-led businesses in high-growth segments. Today's outcome underscores our ability to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns while supporting India's consumption story.'
Yusef al Yusef, Global Head of Distribution atInvestcorp, commented: 'Partnering with the Citykart team to triple the store base, steer the business through the pandemic and still outperform our underwriting is immensely satisfying. We thank all stakeholders and are confident that TPG NewQuest and A91 will help Citykart accelerate its next growth phase.'
Other recent realizations besides Citykart include the sale of its stake in luggage maker Safari Industries, a profitable exit from eyecare specialist ASG Eye Hospital, a planned IPO-led exit from health-benefits administrator Medi Assist Healthcare, and a partial exit from dialysis network NephroPlus.
Investcorp's India private equity strategy targets asset-light opportunities across consumer & retail, healthcare, financial services, B2B and technology. Its active Indian holdings include Global Dental, Wakefit, Canpac, Xpressbees, Zolo, Freshtohome, Intergrow Brands, Unilog, V-Ensure, and the buy-out of NSE IT, rechristened NuSummit among others, demonstrating Investcorp's commitment to scaling high-growth businesses while realising timely liquidity for investors.
About Investcorp:
Investcorp is a global investment manager specialising in alternative investments across four asset classes: Private Equity (Mid-Market Buyouts, Growth Investments, and GP Staking), Real Assets (Infrastructure and Real Estate), Credit (CLOs, Broadly Syndicated Loans & Structured Credit, and Middle-Market Direct Lending), and Liquid Strategies (Absolute Return Investments and Insurance Asset Management).
Since our inception in 1982, we have focused on generating attractive returns for our clients and seeking to create long-term value in our portfolio companies by adopting a disciplined investment process, employing talented professionals, and utilizing the resources of a global institution with an innovative approach.
We invest capital in our products and strategies, aligning interests with our clients and other stakeholders. We pursue sustainable value creation through our investments and in the communities in which we operate and take pride in partnering with clients to deliver tailored solutions for their needs.
Today, Investcorp manages $55 billion in assets, including assets managed by third party managers. Investcorp has 14 offices in the US, Europe, GCC and Asia, including, India, China, Japan and Singapore and employs approximately 500 people from 50 nationalities globally.
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Investopia Global launches new economy dialogues in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh to strengthen UAE-India partnership in future and sustainable economic sectors
Investopia Global launches new economy dialogues in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh to strengthen UAE-India partnership in future and sustainable economic sectors

Mid East Info

time20 hours ago

  • Mid East Info

Investopia Global launches new economy dialogues in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh to strengthen UAE-India partnership in future and sustainable economic sectors

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Bin Touq said: 'Investopia has succeeded in establishing itself as an effective platform for dialogue between the UAE and Indian business communities and supporting the growing economic partnership between the two countries in the sectors of the new and sustainable economy. Since 2021, Investopia has launched its global dialogues in five Indian cities and states: Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh. These events served as impactful gatherings that brought together senior leaders, economic players, investors, and entrepreneurs from both sides to capitalize on promising economic and investment opportunities in both markets. Our two nations have established diverse pathways to support a shared vision for innovative and sustainable economic models, while also promoting the development of diversified economic partnerships across both the public and private sectors.' 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Through its events and international dialogues, the platform connects ambitious capital with transformative ideas, contributing to the development of a new economy that fosters sustainable growth and enables cross-border economic and investment partnerships.' He added: 'The global economy is undergoing profound geopolitical and structural shifts, marked by evolving trade routes and an accelerating digital transformation. In this context, there is an urgent need to build more resilient and sustainable economic systems. Against this backdrop, we gather here in Hyderabad and the state of Andhra Pradesh to leverage the geographic and competitive advantages of both the UAE and India, forging joint visions and innovative solutions that unlock new opportunities for both business communities.' Expanding avenues for economic and investment partnerships: In detail, Investopia Global dialogues in Hyderabad City and Andhra Pradesh State featured a series of panel discussions and roundtable meetings that explored the evolution of cross-border economic and investment partnerships between the UAE and India, across both public and private sectors. The sessions spotlighted promising opportunities in the two countries' markets, particularly within the new economy, infrastructure, technological innovation, sustainable industries, data centers, and agri-tech. Shaping the future of UAE-India-Africa trade corridor: The sessions examined the future of the UAE–India–Africa trade corridor and its critical role in creating new avenues for economic and investment integration among the three regions. The corridor empowers Emirati and Indian enterprises to forge partnerships and launch viable joint ventures in African markets. The UAE's strategic location, bridging East and West and North and South, and its position as a global logistics and financial gateway, together with India's strength as a regional and global center for production and innovation, and Africa's status as a rapidly growing and opportunity-rich emerging market, make this corridor a strategic platform for expanding cross-border and intercontinental economic activity. Accelerating startup access to global markets: The dialogues underscored collaborative opportunities to nurture entrepreneurial ecosystems through venture capital funding and institutional support from accelerators such as Hub71 and T-Hub. These initiatives aim to accelerate the growth of Emirati and Indian startups and support their entry into global markets. 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These efforts aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation, enhance the competitiveness of healthcare systems in both countries, and support their transition toward smarter, technology-driven models that are efficient, future-ready, and responsive to population needs. The Investopia Global dialogues in Andhra Pradesh witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Investopia and the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB), to enhance cooperation and support the participation of a high-level delegation from the state in the fifth edition of Investopia's flagship summit, scheduled to be held in April next year in Abu Dhabi. The MoU was signed by Dr. Jean Fares, Chief Executive Officer of Investopia, and Mr. Saikanth Varma IAS, Chief Executive Officer of APEDB, in the presence of H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism; and H.E. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

H.E. Bin Touq holds meetings with Andhra Pradesh CM and Ministers of Commerce, IT, and Food Processing to strengthen collaboration in new economy, agriculture & food sectors
H.E. Bin Touq holds meetings with Andhra Pradesh CM and Ministers of Commerce, IT, and Food Processing to strengthen collaboration in new economy, agriculture & food sectors

Mid East Info

time20 hours ago

  • Mid East Info

H.E. Bin Touq holds meetings with Andhra Pradesh CM and Ministers of Commerce, IT, and Food Processing to strengthen collaboration in new economy, agriculture & food sectors

Meetings take place on the sidelines of Investopia Global Talks in Andhra Pradesh H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of Investopia, held four bilateral meetings with H.E. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; H.E. T. G. Bharath, Minister of Industries, Commerce, and Food Processing; H.E. Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology; and H.E. R. Mukundan, President‑designate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2025-2026 term and CEO of Tata Chemicals Limited. The meetings aimed to enhance collaboration across priority areas such as the new economy, agriculture, food processing, fintech, the circular and green economy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and SMEs. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Investopia Global Talks held recently in Andhra Pradesh, bringing together over 200 business leaders, investors, innovators, officials, and decision-makers from both the UAE and India. H.E. Bin Touq highlighted that the UAE and India share a comprehensive and advanced strategic partnership, aligning with the two leaderships' shared vision for sustainable economic development. H.E. emphasised that economic collaboration between the two nations continues to grow, adding further momentum to their exceptional partnership. The Minister of Economy and Tourism said: 'India is a key economic and investment partner for the UAE. We look forward to fostering fruitful cooperation and forging new partnerships with our counterparts in the Indian government, while exploring promising opportunities for the business communities in both countries across sectors of mutual interest. This will help drive sustainable growth and shared prosperity in both nations.' H.E. further added, 'India's Andhra Pradesh stands out for its strategic geographic location that connects local and global markets, its competitive strengths in agriculture and exports, and the presence of leading UAE companies across key sectors such as supply chains, food, industry, and logistics – including DP World, Sharaf, Tabreed, and Lulu. This meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and expanding opportunities to advance public-private economic partnerships between the two nations, reinforcing integration across vital sectors that drive the growth and sustainability of both the UAE and Indian economies.' National priorities for transitioning to sustainable economic models: H.E. Bin Touq's meeting with H.E. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, discussed national development policies and priorities for transitioning to sustainable and adaptable economic models. The meeting also explored the exchange of expertise in modern economic legislation aimed at encouraging UAE and Indian business communities to invest in future economic sectors and expand into international markets, leveraging their unique strengths. Both sides underscored the significance of Andhra Pradesh hosting the Investopia Global Talks, offering a valuable platform for highlighting promising investment and economic opportunities, facilitating connectivity and communication between UAE and Indian investors, and creating new pathways for collaboration across vital sectors including technology, renewable energy, food, agriculture, and digital economies. UAE's efforts in developing economic food cluster: During his meeting with H.E. T. G. Bharath, Minister for Industries, Commerce and Food Processing, H.E. bin Touq highlighted the UAE's efforts to develop a food cluster combining agricultural production, food industries, and latest agricultural technology within a unified ecosystem based on collaboration and integration. These efforts enhance the national economy's competitiveness and empower private sector companies in food sector and related activities. Strengthening cooperation on digital economy: In a sperate meeting, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq and H.E. Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, explored the importance of collaborative efforts in digital economy and adopting modern technologies as key enablers of growth in vital economic sectors. Both sides emphasized that digital transformation directly contributes to building more efficient business environments and enhances innovation, competitiveness, and productivity. The Minister of Economy and Tourism also met with H.E. R. Mukundan, President‑designate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the 2025-2026 term, to explore avenues for enhancing economic and investment collaboration between the UAE and India. The meeting focused on strengthening public-private partnerships across innovation, industry, technology, entrepreneurship, while also discussing the means to enhance the food sector and growth of SMEs. The meeting highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between governmental entities and business communities in enhancing the food sector and enabling SMEs to play a stronger role in driving economic growth and achieving sustainable development.

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