Adolescence over, the private equity (PE) industry in India has now clearly stepped into its adulthood. The initial pangs have given way to bigger, bolder and more complex deals. Indian promoters too are recognizing them as an independent asset class, as both growth equity and buyouts play out side by side. In 2017, both PE/venture capital (VC) investments and exits recorded new all-time highs at $26.5 billion and $13.0 billion, respectively. Inflows are 35% higher than the highs of 2015 and 63% higher than the previous year. Exits in value terms doubled on-year. The momentum is continuing in 2018 as well; $7.9 billion PE/VC investments in the first quarter has eclipsed the previous Q1 high (2016) seen over the past four years by over 83%.

(Economic Times)