Indian private equity firm launches office in Singapore

The firm’s founder Vijay Sambamurthi said that the new office was aimed at helping Lexygen tap into the various opportunities for trade and investment in the India-South East Asia corridor.

“Opening our first overseas office in Singapore was the next logical step in our growth strategy,” Sambamurthi said in a statement. “Singapore is one of the most vibrant and important finance and services hubs in the world, and our foray into Singapore is driven by the plethora of opportunities presented by the increasingly strong economic and cultural ties that India and Singapore share.”

Lexygen, which opened in Bangalore three years ago, counts Baring Private Equity Asia, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners and Sycamore Ventures among its clients.

The firm has been advising Baring on several of its India deals, including the $100m acquisition of a significant minority stake in architectural design services business RSP Design Consultants (India).

Lexygen also worked with Orient Green Power, a renewable energy company registered under the laws of Singapore, in connection with the infusion of $55m in a private equity funding round led by Olympus Capital.

According to Indian website legallyindia.com, other Indian firms currently operating in Singapore include Kochhar & Co and Nishith Desai Associates, the firm at which Sambamurthi was previously private equity team head before leaving to set up Lexygen.