VC / PE Investment in Indian Education Sector

D E Shaw plans $200-mn education blitzkrieg

D E Shaw, a global private equity firm with $36 billion in assets, is understood to be planning around $200 million investment in the Indian education sector by taking up strategic positions in companies offering e-learning, distant learning, vocational training and the like.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=1&subLeft=2&chklogin=N&autono=325939&tab=r

http://www.livemint.com/2008/06/09231817/Education-is-far-from-crowded.html

http://www.livemint.com/2007/10/04002905/Elearning-company-Hurix-Syste.html


Some Investors:
Helion - Hurix
Helix Investments - Mahesh Tutorials
Gaja Capital - Educomp

Last week’s Intel Capital funding of education assessment firm Vriti Infocom followed a raft of similar deals earlier. Blackstone Group, New Vernon Private Equity and Deutsche Securities pooled Rs94 crore into Chennai-based e-learning firm Everonn Systems India Ltd in May and earlier this year KPCB (Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers) and Sherpalo Ventures funded education portal StudyPlaces.com. Earlier venture fund rounds in the sector were at Bangalore’s TutorVista Global Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai e-learning services firm 24x7 Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi-based exam preparation tutorial Career Launcher India Ltd, Hurix Systems Pvt. Ltd and Educational Initiatives Pvt. Ltd, among others.