This Fund House Reveals its Star Investments Sachin Bhartiya, Partner, Lighthouse Funds, shares with BIZ Experiences his star investments from previous two rounds

After exhausting its $135 million fund, Lighthouse Funds is almost in the middle of closing its third round. The size of the third fund is about $200 million and has further received commitment of $20 million from International Finance Corporation (IFC). The fund house is committed to support mid-level consumer business, mostly operating in sectors like agrochemicals, building material, financial services and healthcare. Before the fund house announces the closing of its round three, Sachin Bhartiya, Partner, Lighthouse Funds, shares with BIZ Experiences his star investments from previous two rounds.

Dhanuka Agritech - What It Does: Sells Branded Pesticides

When we invested in Dhanuka Agritech, it was a Rs 300 crore listed company, much smaller compared to where it stands today. We bought close to 10 per cent of its stake in 2010. Seven years down the line, today, this company has close to Rs 1,000 crore turnover and about Rs 150 crore profit (before tax). The company was selling branded pesticides but without proper branding or marketing. So, we helped them get Amitabh Bachchan as a brand ambassador and their whole story changed. After getting Bachchan on board, its sales tripled, profit margins improved and the corporate image went up.

Year of Investment: September, 2010 (follow on investments as well)

Size: $8 million

Stylam Industries - What it Does: Sells High Quality Laminates

The company, based out of Chandigarh, is one of the largest laminate manufacturers and sells high quality laminates. With its newly added state-of-the-art capacity, the company is strongly positioned to cater to the global market, where laminates of larger dimensions are in demand. Even India is a highly favorable market for Stylam today. Increasing urban population and rising per capita income are leading to a growing need for housing/real estate which is expected to accelerate the company's domestic growth.

Year of Investment: May 2017 (follow on investments as well) Amount: $8 million

Kama Ayurveda - What It Does: Sells Luxury-Ayurvedic Personal Care Products

Today, Indian consumers are looking for luxury personal care products and the segment is dominated by international brands. When we discovered Kama, it was a two-store brand with Rs 10-12 crore turnover. We realized the products are great but it was a small set up. So, we met the promoters and company's management to convince them to take some money from us and grow. Today, the business has grown almost at 70 per cent CAGR in the last five years and from two stores to 30 stores.

Amount: $ 11 million

Year of Investment: March, 2014 (follow on investments as well)

(This article was first published in the February issue of BIZ Experiences Magazine. To subscribe, click here)