Aum Ventures secures ₹225 crore first close for new deeptech fund

Aum Ventures has announced the first close of its new deeptech-focused fund at ₹225 crore (~$27 million). The fund will target 15-18 early-stage startups in sectors like industrial automation, enterprise SaaS, and energy, with initial cheques ranging from ₹3-10 crore. This new capital pool signals continued investor interest in India's deeptech sector and provides a new funding source for founders building technology-intensive solutions.

GMR Airports plans ₹6,500 crore capital raise for expansion and debt refinancing.

GMR Airports Ltd intends to raise ₹6,500 crore to strengthen its balance sheet and fund its expanding portfolio. The fundraising plan includes ₹5,000 crore via a qualified institutional placement (QIP) and other securities, with the remaining ₹1,500 crore sourced through non-convertible debentures (NCDs). This capital injection is earmarked for refinancing existing obligations and financing growth projects, as the company manages a consolidated net debt of approximately ₹34,000 crore.

Investors explore majority stake sale in value retailer Baazar Retail at up to ₹5,000 crore valuation.

Global private equity firm Siguler Guff and its partners are exploring the sale of their 51% majority stake in value-retail chain operator Baazar Retail. The potential transaction is expected to value the company between ₹4,000-₹5,000 crore, with O3 Capital advising on the process. This move comes as the company, which operates over 250 stores, reported increased revenue of ₹1,324.83 crore but also a wider loss of ₹127.48 crore in FY25.

Data center operator CyrusOne reportedly eyes 2027 IPO, potentially raising $5 billion

Data center operator CyrusOne, owned by KKR and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering as early as 2027. The private equity owners recently met with investment banks, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, to discuss roles for the potential listing, which sources suggest could raise approximately $5 billion. This move, following its $15 billion take-private deal in 2022, signals strong public market appetite for AI-related infrastructure and a potential monetization path for PE-backed ventures.

South Korea to Launch $3.5B Fund to Boost Semiconductor Ecosystem

The South Korean government will launch a 5 trillion won ($3.52 billion) fund for semiconductor materials, parts, equipment, and fabless companies. An additional 5 trillion won in trade finance will be provided for suppliers as part of the country's national chip strategy. This initiative supports a broader plan for over $576 billion in investments by Samsung, SK Hynix, and their partners to develop new manufacturing hubs and accelerate infrastructure development for the sector.