The Anil Ambani Group's venture capital arm,Reliance Venture Asset Management (RVAM),has drawn up plans to invest up to USD 150 million in around a dozen companies in FY'12,a top company official said. "We are looking to invest USD 100-150 million in 6-12 deals next fiscal," the fund's Chief Executive,Harshal Shah,said. The amount allocated for investment is broadly the same as the ongoing 2010-11 financial year,Shah said,stressing that investing in innovative start-ups is very relevant even today. Education,infrastructure ancillaries,healthcare and aerospace and defence are the sectors which the fund is bullish on,Shah said. RVAM,which typically invests up to USD 15-million per company,is fully sponsored by the Anil Ambani group and currently has over 18 investments in Indian and American start-ups. Shah said the firm is looking at innovative companies in the defence sector,where private sector participation is set to increase,while the prospect of higher spends (up to USD 100 billion) in airport infrastructure has piqued its interest in aerospace. Considering the demographics,healthcare and education continue to be very alluring in India,Shah said. When asked if VC investment in India is losing out to investment in public equity,Shah replied in the negative,saying only newer ventures have the power to create employment and drive the economy. "This is the ideal time for VC investing. We are passing through our own baby-boomer era," he said.
