Cranganore Inc announces its market-development and investor-positioning mandate with SiriusOne Capital LLP, a Chennai-based investment firm.
“The coronavirus economy is creating major allocation opportunities in emerging markets worldwide,” according to Douglas Johnson, Managing Director at Cranganore Inc. “We’re excited to be working with SiriusOne Capital, a best-in-class venture manager focused on deal flow in India. This relationship provides a foundational opportunity for institutional names looking for risk-mitigated market access.”
SiriusOne Capital is a new-to-market company, now launching its first venture-capital fund. One feature of the fund is its focus on Indian firms benefitting from commercial ties to the American economy. Johnson argues, “Strength in the US dollar—paired with weakness in the Indian rupee—is potentially creating an ideal entry point for global investors looking for long-term gain.” Indian companies benefit from this scenario because revenues are earned in dollars, but expenses are largely paid in local currency.
SiriusOne Capital is led by Guruswamy “Subbu“ Ramasubramanian. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, with over 35 years of professional experience. Ramasubramanian held senior leadership positions with both IBM and Tata. He has also worked the other side of the table, as a fintech executive and angel investor.
“Over the years I’ve spoken with many capital sources who understand the potential of the Indian market, but they simply have not known how to access the story,” explains Ramasubramanian. “We are now focused on guiding these investors to Indian opportunities.”
Elements of SiriusOne’s investment strategy align with coronavirus-related turbulence. “I believe that one of the most effective ways to help India emerge from the pandemic is to direct capital to local startups.” Ramasubramanian continues, “ In my discussions, I’ve been impressed with the entrepreneurial commitment to drive the nation forward, in fields as diverse as agricultural technology, renewable energy, and space commerce.”
SiriusOne Capital is based in Chennai, where a core of potential portfolio companies are based. Chennai is one of the largest metropolitan areas in India with a population estimated to be over 11 million. For international context, both Paris and Nagoya are similarly-sized. ■
SiriusOne Capital LLP is the designated investment manager for the SiriusOne Capital Fund, a trust registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category I Alternative Investment Fund. The fund is open to qualified individual and institutional investors. Additional information available.
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