Global investors eye green SMEs

Bangalore: "Investors from the U.S. and European countries have shown their interest to invest around Rs 2,000 crore to promote and equip small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in green business," stated New Ventures India (NVI).

NVI set up by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the World Resources Institute, Washington, acts as a facilitator between the Indian Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and foreign investors who support SMEs operating in environmental or green sectors.

Hemant Nitturkar, consultant, CII said, "Since 2006 NVI aided investments for nine companies amounting to around Rs 80 crore in sectors like bio pesticides, environmental-friendly air-conditioners, low-cost automation systems and organic products." Some of the key investors include ICICI Bank, ATE Enterprises, Denmark-based Best Seller, Canara Bank, Nexus India Capital, Sequoia Capital, the Netherlands-based Cordaid and Acumen Fund.

NVI also provides mentoring and technical assistance to entrepreneurs through a network of business consultants, business school students and technical experts. It also helps them market their products by identifying potential markets. NVI is also planning to tie up with various industrial associations across various industry clusters in the country.

Nitturkar noted that the minimum investment in a company will be 1 crore and the maximum could go up to 15 crore. The investor will stay with the company for 3-7 years. The fund option can be debt, equity and hybrid.