The Hindu Business Line : DFJ to focus on capital efficient business

“With valuations being reset, minute scrutiny, due diligence and less fund availability being the norm, means venture capital will strive only to seek the best ideas from entrepreneurs,” said Mr Sateesh Andra, venture partner of Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), India Advisory Services.

Agreeing that there was a definite slowdown in funds, Mr Sateesh told Business Line that DFJ, a global fund, would focus on capital efficient business as it anticipated capital would be scarce.

Another position it would take was to make sure of the health of the existing funding. However, what differentiates DFJ from others is the risk-taking ability, he said. DFJ has recently raised about $700 million called the Ninth Fund for investments mainly in the US, China and India.

Further it has DFJ Element (Clean Technologies) and DFJ Growth (Late stage funding) each with about $300 million, Mr Sateesh said.

Asked about the health of its investments in India, Mr Sateesh said, “In the majority of our portfolio of investments, we have seen new investors with higher value entering. Our exits also show value creation and we are among the best performers among funds”.

DFJ had in 2008 funded Cleartrip (Internet travel), Pressmart (media), Atero (ewaste recycling) and Catura (education sector). “Our focus both globally and in India would be in the areas of clean tech, consumer services, healthcare and education,” he said.

Some of the ventures it has funded in India include, mginger (mobile space), Seventymm (DVD rental), Convera (Photo products), Live Media, Komili, D-Lite (LEDs for rural market), Deeya (energy storage) etc. and Naseeb (naukri & shaadi for Muslims) in Pakistan.

More Stories on : Venture Capital | Outlook

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Pension fund managers shun market

Ministry initiates dumping probe into pesticide ingredient from China

Call for more credit to micro, small units

‘No fall in resale value of commercial vehicles’

`Slowdown a boon for home buyers'

MMRDA takes ‘rental’ route to development

Smart domestic investors see value in falling market: Bhave

Weekly News Round-up

Aviation fuel may become ‘declared goods’ by year-end

DFJ to focus on capital efficient business