Digital & Technology

Investment Banking

The business and industrial landscape of India is undergoing a massive transformation, powered by the passion and energy of technology entrepreneurs. Traditional inefficient industries are also being swept by digital and technology disruptions. Driven by the power of the internet and smartphone base in urban and rural areas and combined with a surge in the technology talent pool in the country, industries in India are leapfrogging generations to create significant value over the next decade and beyond.

Avendus Capital's Digital & Technology practice focuses on businesses that leverage technology to facilitate increased engagement of consumers and enterprises within their ecosystems.

The firm has extensive experience working with market leaders across the digital and technology landscapes. Avendus has partnered with entrepreneurs through their growth curves and contributed in creating large economic outcomes. Our deep domain knowledge coupled with the largest and most engaged global network of investors, corporates and institutions allows us to deliver innovative solutions and stellar outcomes for our clients across our core service offerings – private equity (PE) & Venture Capital (VC) syndication and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory. The firm has successfully closed over 75 transactions worth USD 4 billion in the past few years.

Sub-Sectors in Focus

Our mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory and private equity (PE) syndication services are recognized as amongst the best in these chosen sub-sectors.

  • Consumer internet and mobile businesses: e-commerce, online services, e-commerce enablers
  • Payments and financial technology businesses
  • Digital content & entertainment and digital advertising technology
  • Enterprise software, SaaS and technology platforms
  • Communication and networking technology

Led By

Karan Sharma

Managing Director and Co-head, Digital & Technology, Avendus Capital

Karan Sharma co-heads the Digital and Technology vertical for Avendus Group’s investment banking business and is based in Mumbai. A pioneer in advising tech start-ups, Karan has over 15 years of experience working with some of India’s leading digital and technology companies, successfully closing over 60 private equity transactions and mergers & acquisitions. His areas of focus include consumer internet, payments, finance and enterprise technology.

Prior to joining Avendus, Karan worked with Cipher Capital, a boutique investment bank. During his four-year stint with the firm, he was responsible for building the firm’s internet and technology practice. Before Cipher, he worked with JP Morgan Chase.

Karan holds an MBA degree from Mumbai University and has done his Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University. He has authored/co-authored various industry pioneering reports and whitepapers on the Indian technology ecosystem and regularly speaks at leading industry forums.


Pankaj Naik

Managing Director and Co-head, Digital & Technology, Avendus Capital

Pankaj Naik co-heads the Digital and Technology vertical for Avendus Group’s investment banking business and is based in Mumbai. He is a seasoned investment banker with 23 years of experience in M&A advisory, private placements, leveraged finance and capital markets. While he has a deep understanding of the technology, consumer internet and media sectors, he is also well-versed with IT services, infrastructure, and other diversified industries.

Prior to joining Avendus, Pankaj worked with JP Morgan’s investment banking team for over 11 years, where he led several marquee transactions amounting to over USD 10 billion across various industries. Before JP Morgan, he worked with DSP Merrill Lynch’s investment banking team for 4 years.

Pankaj holds an MBA degree from IIM, Calcutta and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Government College of Engineering, Pune. He is a regular speaker at leading industry events focused on internet technology.

Neeraj Shrimali

Managing Director and Co-head, Digital & Technology, Avendus Capital

Neeraj Shrimali co-heads the Digital and Technology vertical for Avendus Group’s investment banking business and is based in Mumbai. Over the last 15 years, Neeraj has played a pivotal role in advising and shaping the Indian tech start-up ecosystem.

Neeraj has established himself as a trusted advisor to some of India’s leading digital and technology companies, including unicorns. He has successfully led over 60 transactions across sectors such as consumer internet, online services, e-commerce, travel, content and gaming.

Prior to joining Avendus, Neeraj has worked with Cipher Capital, a boutique investment bank. During his six-year stint with the firm, he was responsible for building the firm’s niche industrial technology practice.

Neeraj holds an MBA degree from IBS Hyderabad and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from DAVV University, Indore. He has authored/co-authored numerous reports and whitepapers on the Indian technology ecosystem.

Reports

Get in touch

Connect with us on dm-tech@avendus.com and we’ll get in touch with you.