Annual Dealtracker 2023
Annual Dealtracker 2023
Annual Dealtracker 2023
Revenue Growth
Key highlights 05
Sector spotlight 42
Regulatory updates 61
Disclaimer
This document captures the list of deals closed and
announced as of 25th December 2022 based on the
information available in the public domain. Our analysis
in the document is basis appropriate assumption where
necessary. For example, deals have been classified
by sectors and by funding stage based on certain
assumptions. If different assumptions were to be applied,
the outcomes and observations would be different. Hence,
the document should not be relied upon as a substitute for
relevant and detailed advice.
02 Annual Dealtracker
Foreword
Prashant Mehra
Partner and COO
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
2022 has been a jarring ride for the government policies like extension of PLI and governance) driven by increased
global economy and investors with scheme to multiple sectors. consciousness especially post Covid.
uncertainty and volatility being the The slowdown in emerging economies
dominant theme. The year started Despite many economic fallouts, Indian could also position India as an attractive
off with geopolitical tensions, dealscape stood strong. 2022 was alternate investment destination.
uncontrollably high inflation, and a a year of revelations, with India Inc. Moreover, inbound investments as well
pervasive slowdown, but saw some relief recording over 2,000 deals valuing as domestic consolidation may also
in the second half with widespread over USD 127 billion, a 47% increase eye the buy-side opportunities in the
agreement over the peak of inflation in values since last year. Deal activity stressed asset sector. All these factors
and subsequent allayment of high remained active since the start of the including strong economics will witness
prices across the board. The global year witnessing record number of 2023 surpass 2022 deal levels.
slowdown continues with the Eurozone deals with over 58% of deals valued at
further struggling with an energy crisis, USD 105 billion in H1 2022. However, We, at Grant Thornton Bharat, are
China still under the symptoms of H2 2022 witnessed a wait and watch pleased to present the 18th annual
Covid-19 and the US in an unofficial approach by both strategic and edition of the Dealtracker, our
recession with all eyes on the Federal financial investors, across various pioneering publication on the M&A and
Reserve as it takes the difficult decision sectors and across borders. The PE/ PE deals in India. When we started this
regarding its monetary policy; however, VC segment continued to drive volumes publication 18 years ago, our objective
the Indian economy and the Indian while M&A led the values on the back of was to cover all the deal highlights and
capital markets have been an outlier, landmark deals like the HDFC merger, sector updates and provide detailed
outperforming the rest of the world on LTI-Mindtree merger among others. M&A analysis and insights into deal trends.
the back of strong performance. deal values hitting an all-time high was We continue to emphasise that deals
the highpoint for 2022. are an important growth driver for the
India’s GDP is expected to grow from the Indian economy. Hence, we believe that
current USD 3.4 trillion to USD 8.5 trillion Stepping into 2023, we are expected to for the Indian economy to grow and far
over the next 10 years. India is also witness a trend reversal from H2 2022 exceed its projected growth rate, India
set to overtake Japan and Germany with the following themes. H1 2023 is Inc. needs to see more of both these
to become the world’s third-largest expected to witness deal activity around activities. We thank you all for being a
economy. However, spillover effects of consolidation driven by strong balance part of our journey and hope that you
slowdown in major economies, lower sheets of companies whose appetite will continue to share your valuable
exports growth, strengthening USD has increased for mixed integration; PE/ feedback. I hope you find this report
placing a drag on INR, trade deficit VC will further fuel this with increased an insightful read. Stay safe and here’s
levels and forex reserve levels give rise consolidation-backed funding. We are hoping to #GoBeyond towards shaping
to near-term risks for domestic growth also expected to see activity around a #VibrantBharat.
in addition to the increased spending distressed asset M&A on a global scale
in the pre-election year impacting the and from India’s perspective pushing the
fiscal situation. Despite that, Indian cross-border activity that was subdued
economy remains at a favourable place in H2 2022. Further, from a sector
with a robust credit cycle, improving perspective, while the tech sector will
capex cycle led by healthier balance continue to be dominant in the coming
sheets, rising incomes leading to year, we may see the emergence of a
higher consumption and supportive new sector ESG (environmental, social,
Annual Dealtracker 03
Quick view of 2022
Total Volumes Total Values
2,061 USD 136.6 billion
04 Annual Dealtracker
Key highlights
Shanthi Vijetha
Partner
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
Deal-making active amid cement, and IT sectors. The top three breached. However, PE/VC investors are
transactions, namely the HDFC-HDFC optimistic about 2023, with a majority
global downtrend Bank merger, the L&T and Mindtree betting on increasing pace of investment
At the start of 2022, dealmakers were merger and Adani acquiring Ambuja and fundraising given the availability of
riding on the best year (2021) on record cement, alone accounted for 75% of the
dry powder and the strong domestic and
for Indian dealscape and everyone total values in the M&A space.
global interest in the Indian markets.
predicted 2022 to be even better before
the development of the Russia-Ukraine Domestic consolidation dominated the
war and the impact of the same on the M&A deal space recording 355 deals Digitalisation continued to
valued at USD 70.7 billion. Outbound
global economies. Although there were
activity saw record deal values till date
be the prevailing theme
many setbacks at the start of the year,
India recovered quicker than its peers amounting to USD 17.9 billion across 61 One of the themes brought about by the
who entered into an unannounced deals. USA dominated the outbound Covid pandemic is the acceleration of
recession with lack of liquidity in the focus with 30 deals worth USD 6.2 billion.
digitalisation. Many businesses across
global markets. This is reflected in the sectors, especially consumer-centric
subdued inbound deal flow. Bangalore, Mumbai, and NCR regions
remain the hubs for most deal activity businesses, have been catching up with
whether in M&A or PE/VC activity; and adopting the emerging technologies
India Inc. remained active witnessing
however, tier 2 cities have also been to remain competitive and to identify
2,007 deals worth USD 127 billion,
although this is a 6% decrease in the slowly catching up with supporting new growth opportunities. This continues
deal volumes over 2021 (record year); infrastructure, favourable mix of to fuel deal activity in the tech savvy
2022 saw a 47% increase in the values demographics and opportunity to sectors; the deal making in 2022, similar
on the back of a few marquee deals that showcase entrepreneurial talent. to the trends seen in 2020 and 2021, was
were witnessed in no other year. The year led by the start-up, e-commerce and IT
witnessed 11 multi-billion-dollar deals Despite funding winter, sectors which constituted 74% of the
amounting to USD 82. 5 billion and 97
deals valued between USD 100 and USD wheels are rolling deal volumes.
999 million amounting to USD 26.2 billion. The Indian funding ecosystem has IPO euphoria was
witnessed a downtrend after a
Domestic businesses blockbuster fundraising year in 2021.
shortlived
expanding their footprint While the total investment in home-grown 2022 witnessed the biggest IPO launch
companies until the first half of 2022 was (LIC with issue size USD 2.8 billion) in
India defied the global trend and
at par with the previous year, the latter Indian history accounting for 33% of the
saw a record level of mergers and
acquisitions in 2022, as companies half of the year witnessed a slowdown. total issue size. In addition, new-age tech
sought to consolidate their positions India saw a 26% decline in fundraising at stocks like Paytm, Zomato, PB Fintech
in their existing businesses. Besides USD 36.4 billion from PE/VC compared to or Policybazaar, Nykaa, Delhivery, etc
consolidations, this year’s M&As were the last year. Although PE/VC accounted got listed. However, the euphoria was
also driven by conglomerates’ entry into for 76% of overall deals recording 1,530 short lived as the listings saw a massive
new businesses. These trends led to the deals, due to absence of big-ticket dip in their market capitalisations
largest-ever transactions in the banking, transactions, 2021 numbers were not post listing. The global recessionary
Annual Dealtracker 05
trend and the expiration of the lock-in period of pre-IPO
investors might have triggered this. In case of new-age
companies, uncertain path to profitability, weak short-term
projections and blurred strategic decision may have made
the investors jittery. In light of the above, many new-age
businesses delayed their IPO plans and started focusing
on improving the company’s financials and thereby raise
private equity/debt funds in the medium term.
To sum up
The Indian market has been attracting global investors
over the years, due to the return potential and scope for
differentiated fund strategies in the context of the India
growth story. 2020 has been seen as the pandemic year
where business strategies changed, and companies opted
for new models to stay relevant and 2021 is widely known
as the glory year for Indian dealscape, whereas 2022 will
be known as the year in which India stood strong amongst
the global markets. It also witnessed domestic businesses
emerging stronger and pursuing to expand their footprint
both domestically and globally. We expect this trend to
continue into 2023, which in turn would in turn reinvigorate
funding deal activity as the global money will be re-
allocated in the backdrop of resilience, confidence and
potential in the Indian markets.
06 Annual Dealtracker
Deal-making remained active
in 2022...
M&A deal annual trend
No. of deals
>=USD 500 mn 9 22 9 16 14 14
91.4
89.4 501
477
444 477
413
357
40.4 38.2
34.0
27.6
USD 2.5 bn Flipkart USD 1.2 bn UPL Ltd USD 3.7 bn Reliance USD 9.8 bn Jio Platforms USD 3.6 bn Flipkart USD 1.8 bn Viacom18
USD 1.8 bn Axis USD 1 bn Swiggy Jio lnfratel USD 6.4 bn Reliance USD 2.1 bn Mphasis USD 1.6 bn Solenergi
Bank USD 1 bn Oyorooms USD 1.8 bn East Retail Venture USD 1.2 bn Power
USD 1.4 bn Paytm West Pipeline USD 2 bn RMZ Corp HGS-healthcare biz USD 1.2 bn Brookfield
Top deals
USD 1.4 bn DLF USD 1 bn Paytm USD 1.2 bn Prestige USD 1 bn Asset Management
>=USD 1 bn
Cyber City Group Tata Passenger USD 1.1 bn Yes Bank
Developers USD 1 bn Jindal Electric Mobility Ltd
USD 1.1 bn Olacabs Shadeed Iron and Steel
USD 1 bn Piramal Glass
No. of deals
>=USD 500mn 6 6 11 24 14 12
1,624
48.0 1,530
945
39.8
791 807 35.4
731
30.8
20.6
20.5
Annual Dealtracker 07
...but pace slowed in H2 2022
51 50 53
46 29.6
42 48
40 38
35 37 35
44 37
34 37 35
32 26
22 22
6.5 26
5.5 5.3 5.6 5.4
3.2 2.7 2.6 3.0 3.3
1.5 1.4 1.6 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.8
0.3 0.9 0.7 0.40.8
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2021 Values USD bn 2022 Values USD bn 2021 Volumes 2022 Volumes
182 193
175 5.9
159 161
146 151 5.1
139 136 146
123 140 148
3.6 134 121
3.4 107 3.1 119 3.4 110 3.5
103 2.9 98 3.1
2.7 2.5 93
87 2.2 83 100
1.7 1.9 1.9
1.5 1.5 1.4
1.2 1.2
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2021 Values USD bn 2022 Values USD bn 2021 Volumes 2022 Volumes
08 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and
01 acquisitions
dealscape
• M&A sector trends
• Top M&A deal board
• Grant Thornton insights
• Domestic M&A deal trend
• Outbound M&A deal trend
• Inbound M&A deal trend
Annual Dealtracker 09
Strategic acquirers upped
consolidation and expansion
The mergers and acquisitions activity and the L&T and Mindtree merger (USD segment by 88% and 18% respectively,
in India touched a record of USD 91.4 17.7 bn). Driven by Adani’s acquisition the transport and logistics segment
billion, driven by seven multi-billion- of Ambuja Cement for USD 10.5 billion, saw an increase of 141% in deal values
dollar deals. The deal-making activity the manufacturing sector stood strong led by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel’s
was boosted by economic resilience recording 22 deals at USD 11.8 billion. acquisition of Essar Group’s port assets
displayed by Indian economy and its with an 80% increase in volumes.
supporting factors resulting in domestic Deal activity in the energy sector was Pharma sector witnessed a significant
consolidations and overseas expansion seen in the renewable segment driving drop in the volumes, while values
across sectors for value creation and deal values up to USD 4.2 billion. spiralled driven
market share gain. JSW Energy’s acquisition of Mytrah’s by one multi-billion-dollar deal.
renewable portfolio for USD 1.3 billion
Start-ups and IT sector led the volumes was the biggest of the segment. Aerospace and defense, automotive,
accounting for 44% of total volumes, professional services and agriculture
while the BFSI and IT sectors topped While 2022 witnessed a drop in deal sectors were also active during the year
the charts in terms of values on back of values and volumes for the education compared to muted activity witnessed
two big-ticket transactions - the HDFC in 2021.
and HDFC Bank merger (USD 40 bn),
71 126 132
4 1 5 Start-up 60 78 80
Automotive E-commerce
21 30 34
7 5 9
32 48 24
1 13 13
1,089 1,645 4,430
41 234 229
Pharma, healthcare
Hospitality and leisure and biotech
11 7 13 30 29 22
14 18 14 15 22 21
10 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Top 10 deals accounted for 87% of the total deal values. Deals such as the HDFC-HDFC Bank merger, the L&T-Mindtree merger,
and Adani’s acquisition of Ambuja Cement were responsible for 75% of the total M&A deal values.
HDFC Bank Ltd HDFC Ltd Banking and 40,000 Merger 100% Domestic
financial services
Larsen & Toubro Mindtree Ltd IT & ITeS 17,690 Merger 100% Domestic
Infotech Ltd
Adani Group Ambuja Cement Ltd and Manufacturing 10,500 Controlling N.A. Outbound
ACC Ltd stake
Biocon Ltd Viatris Inc. Pharma, health- 3,340 Acquisition 100% Outbound
care and biotech
ArcelorMittal Essar Group - Ports, power and Transport and 2,400 Acquisition 100% Domestic
Nippon Steel Ltd transmission assets Logistics
Axis Bank Ltd Citicorp Finance (India) Ltd - Banking and 1,643 Acquisition 100% Outbound
Indian consumer businesses financial services
JSW Energy Ltd - Mytrah Energy (India) Pvt. Ltd - Energy and 1,316 Acquisition 100% Domestic
JSW Neo Energy 1.75 GW of renewable portfolio natural resources
Worldone Pvt. Jindal Power Ltd Energy and 987 Majority stake 96.42% Domestic
Ltd natural resources
Google Bharti Airtel Ltd Telecom 700 Minority stake 1.28% Inbound
International LLC
Dalmia Cement Jaiprakash Associates Ltd Manufacturing 691 Acquisition 100% Domestic
(Bharat) Ltd - clinker, cement and power
plants
Annual Dealtracker 11
Grant Thornton insights
The deal activity in India remained The banking and financial sector had is expected to continue in the next
strong despite volatility in capital the highest contribution of 46% in terms year as well. Significant volatility in
markets and an increase in interest of overall deal value followed by the IT public capital markets for technology
rates across the board, with & ITeS sector at 21% which was driven and new-age businesses will lead to
consolidation being the key driver for by large deals. The start-up sector, on challenging times for start-ups and
large deals. This is reflected in this the other hand, contributed the highest new-age businesses for raising capital,
year’s average ticket size for acquisition in terms of deal volumes but the volume opening opportunities for consolidation.
/merger which is the highest till date. growth was flat over the previous year. We expect the deal activity during the
The IT/ITES and e-commerce sectors next year to be better as against the
The total deal value this year stood at continued to drive the deal volumes for current year.
USD 91.4 billion - the highest in the last the year.
11 years. Around 75% of the total deal
values were contributed by three mega The disruption caused by the Abhay Anand
deals - the merger of HDFC Bank & geopolitical instability arising from Partner
HDFC for USD 40 billion, the merger of the Russia-Ukraine war and the fear of Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
LTI and Mindtree for USD 17.7 billion, and recession due to rising inflation rates
the acquisition of a controlling stake across the developed markets has
in Ambuja Cement Ltd and ACC Ltd by impacted valuations. The tempering
Adani Group from Holcim Ltd for USD of valuations from the highs of 2021
10.5 billion.
Deal 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
summary
Domestic 250 285 267 213 382 355 32,278 51,748 17,734 12,973 23,596 70,741
Grand 413 477 444 357 501 477 40,423 89,378 27,633 33,962 38,231 91,437
total
12 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
USD 23 bn USD 14.6 bn USD 7.2 bn ArcelorMittal USD 1.4 bn USD 5.1 bn USD 40 bn
Vadafone - Idea Bharti Infratel - - Essar Steel Adani Ports and Special Piramal Capital & HDFC - HDFC Bank;
USD 2.4 bn Indus Towers USD 1.7 bn Economic Zone - Housing Finance USD 17.7 bn
IndusInd Bank - USD 5.8 bn India Grid Trust - Sterlite Krishnapatnam Port Ltd.- Dewan Housing L&T - Mindtree
Top deals
Bharat Financial ONGC - Hindustan Power Transmission Ltd USD 1.4 bn Finance Corporation
Inclusion Ltd Petroleum Corporation USD 1 bn Consortium - Yes Bank USD 2.7 bn
USD 1.2 bn USD 5.5 bn Tata Steel - Radiant Life Care - Max USD 1.3 bn JSW Steel Ltd -
ONGC - Krishna - Bhushan Steel Healthcare Institute and Embassy Office Parks Bhushan Power &
Godavari Basin Max India REIT - Embassy Steel Ltd
TechVillage
No. of deals
>=100 mn 19 32 25 23 31 24
70.7
382
355
51.7
250 267
285
32.3 213
23.6
17.7
13.0
21% 62%
23%
Bangalore Mumbai
Mumbai
Annual Dealtracker 13
Sector movement compared to 2021 Top 5 deals
In 2022 while the new-age sectors like start-up and e-commerce had a greater
accounted for
number of deals, the traditional sectors like banking, IT and energy led in values. 88% of domestic
deal values
Start-up E-commerce IT & ITeS
Banking and
118 | 117 47 | 51 32 | 44 1 financial services
780 | 996 2,417 | 1,712 401 | 17,991 USD 40,000 mn
HDFC Bank Ltd-HDFC Ltd
Retail and
consumer Education
Media and
entertainment 2 IT & ITeS
USD 17,690 mn
Larsen & Toubro Infotech
25 | 26 16 | 16 12 | 15 Ltd-Mindtree Ltd
Energy and
1,150 | 2,794 1,023 | 3,285 7,190 | 40,040
5 natural resources
USD 987 mn
Worldone Pvt. Ltd-Jindal Power Ltd
14 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Annual Dealtracker 15
Domestic resilience fueled
outbound deal activity
USD 0.7 bn USD 4.2 bn USD 0.4 bn USD 1.5 bn USD 3.5 bn USD 10.5 bn
Fortis UPL Ltd- Arysta OyoRooms - Haldia Adani Green Energy- SB Adani-Ambuja
Healthcare- RHT Lifescience @Leisure Group Petrochemicals- Energy India USD 3.3 bn
Health Trust- USD 2.6 bn Lummus Technology USD 1.5 bn Wipro-Capco Biocon-Viatris
Top deals
Indian asset Hindalco Industries USD 0.5 bn Bharti USD 1.6 bn
portfolio Ltd- Novelis Inc- Aleris Enterprises-Oneweb Axis-Citicorp Finance
Corporation USD 0.5 bn Byju’s-Epic! USD 0.5 bn
USD 1.8 bn Creations Wipro-Rizing
HCL-IBM intermediate holdings
No. of deals
>=USD 100 mn 6 11 5 4 11 9
92
17.9
82
77 77
63 61
11.9
8.0
2.2 2.9
2.0
Outbound interest
North America Asia
2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022
32 28 30 12 8 11
16 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Pharma,
2
10 | 25 5 | 1,665 112 | 85
healthcare and
biotech
Energy and Hospitality USD 3,340 mn
and leisure Automotive
natural resources Biocon Ltd-Viatris Inc.
5 IT & ITeS
USD 350 mn
Tech Mahindra Ltd-Com Tec Co IT Ltd
Annual Dealtracker 17
Global uncertainty dampened
inbound deal activity
USD 0.7 bn USD 16 bn USD 2 bn USD 5.7 bn USD 2.5 bn USD 700 mn
Tencent- Flipkart Walmart - Flipkart RA Hospitality Facebook Inc- Jio Total SE- Adani Green Google international
USD 0.6 bn USD 2.1 bn Holdings- Cayman – Platforms Energy – Bharti Airtel
ATC- Idea Schneider Electric- OyoRooms USD 4.4 bn USD 2 bn
Cellular Larsen & Toubro Ltd USD 0.9 bn Google- Jio Platforms Sumitomo Mitsui -
USD 0.6 mn USD 1 bn Total SE- Adani Gas USD 1.4 bn Fullerton India Credit
Top deals ATC- Vodafone Teleperformance- USD 0.9 bn Groupe Aeroports de Company
India Ltd Intelenet Global Nippon Life Paris -GMR Airport
Services Insurance Co. Ltd USD 1.2 bn
and others- Reliance Walmart-Flipkart
Nippon Life Asset USD 1 bn
Management BP- Reliance BP
Mobility
No. of deals
>=USD 100 mn 20 24 21 17 9 5
25.7
95
100
86 18.0
61
67 56
7.9
6.0 6.6
2.8
Inbound interest
North America Asia
2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022
16 27 23 23 16 22
Europe Australia/Oceania
2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022
26 12 15 2 1 1
Year
3,673 3,355 895 Volumes Values USD mn 6 50 5
18 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
84 | 64 819 | 66 91 | 156
Telecom
E-commerce
Pharma, healthcare
and biotech
Professional /
Business services 1 USD 700 mn
Google International LLC-
Bharti Airtel Ltd
4|5 5|3 -|3
Automotive
160 | 41 175 | 15 - | 24
2 USD 631 mn
Compagnie Plastic
Omnium SE-Varroc
Retail and Banking and Energy and Engineering Pvt. Ltd- four-
consumer financial services wheeler lighting system
natural resources
operations in the Americas
and Europe
3|3 3|2 5|2
5|2 -|1
4 Energy and
natural resources
42 | 10 - | 631
USD 335 mn
Sembcorp Industries Ltd.- Vector
Green Energy Pvt. Ltd.
5 Banking and
financial services
USD 167 mn
Generali Participations Netherlands N. V.- Future
Generali India Life Insurance Company Ltd. and
Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd.
Annual Dealtracker 19
Geographic spread of deals
crossing borders
Globally, recovery post pandemic has been
remarkably uneven. This can be seen with
transactions from the Asian subcontinent
rebounding substantially faster than other regions.
France
The value of cross-border transactions in 2022 Outbound Inbound
Canada
crossed USD 20.7 billion across 122 deals, 1 2
Outbound Inbound
compared to USD 14.6 billion across 119 deals.
1 2 122 636
The USA accounted for 29% of total deal volumes
and 26% of the total values. 3 10
USA
Outbound Inbound
29 22
6,160 923
Belgium
Outbound Inbound
1 1
11 5
20 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Finland
Outbound Inbound
1 -
107 -
Germany
Outbound Inbound
UK 3 1
Outbound Inbound
109 5
4 3
227 55
Amsterdam
Switzerland
Outbound Inbound
Outbound Inbound
6 1 - 4
- 179 Denmark
10,655 5 Outbound Inbound
1 1
5 5
Cyprus
Outbound Inbound
1 -
350 -
Japan
Outbound Inbound
1 4
5 82
Singapore
Outbound Inbound
4 15
146 828
Israel
Outbound Inbound
2 1
16 5 South Korea
Outbound Inbound
Croatia 1 1
Outbound Inbound
5 5
1 -
6 -
Annual Dealtracker 21
Corridors
India-USA
Inbound Outbound
Volumes Values USD mn Volumes Values USD mn
16%
33%
19% 50%
Start up
7%
IT & ITeS IT & ITeS
Pharma, healthcare Media &
India-US Inbound & biotech India-US Outbound entertainment
10% Manufacturing Manufacturing
8%
Telecom Others
10% Others
24% 15%
22 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Siddhartha Nigam
National Managing Partner, Growth
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
Annual Dealtracker 23
India-UK
Inbound Outbound
Volumes Values USD mn Volumes Values USD mn
25% 25%
34%
33%
Aviation Retail and consumer
India-UK Inbound IT & ITeS India-UK Outbound Manufacturing
Manufacturing Banking and
financial services
Energy and natural
resources
25% 25% 25%
33%
24 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Inbound
IT & ITeS
USD 5 mn
Real- Syntellect India
Pvt. Ltd.
Annual Dealtracker 25
India-Europe
Inbound Outbound
Volumes Values USD mn Volumes Values USD mn
24%
20%
27%
17%
IT & ITeS
Start up Pharma, healthcare
India-Europe Inbound Retail and consumer India-Europe Outbound & biotech
Manufacturing Hospitality and leisure
13%
Others Manufacturing
17% 42% Others
13% 27%
India-Germany
Inbound Outbound
Volumes Values USD mn Volumes Values USD mn
2019 1 5 2019 6 87
2021 - - 2021 3 59
26 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Inbound
Banking and financial services
USD 167 mn
Generali Participations
Netherlands N. V.- Future
Generali India Life Insurance
Company and Future
GeneraliIndia Insurance
Company
Inbound
Pharma, healthcare and biotech
USD 122 mn
Gland Pharma Ltd-
Cenexi Group- CDMO
Annual Dealtracker 27
India-Japan
Inbound Outbound
Volumes Values USD mn Volumes Values USD mn
2022 4 82 2022 1 5
Pharma, healthcare
and biotech
28 Annual Dealtracker
Mergers and acquisitions dealscape
Outbound
Retail and consumer
Undisclosed
Lenskart Solutions Pvt. Ltd-
OWNDAYS co. Ltd
Annual Dealtracker 29
Private
02 equity
dealscape
• Sector focus
• PE investment deal board 2022
• Grant Thornton insights
• PE investments - cities in focus
• PE exit trend
30 Annual Dealtracker
Private equity dealscape
15 16 13 33 54 41
9 9 14 25 48 40
9 18 15 26 30 31
Annual Dealtracker 31
PE investment deal board - 2022
The top 10 deals in 2022 accounted for 29% investment values. The year recorded four deals in the billion-dollar category and
66 deals valued between USD 100 million and USD 999 million together accounting for 63% of total PE deal values.
Bodhi Tree Systems Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd Media and N.A. 1,776
entertainment
Shell Overseas Investment B.V. Sprng Energy Pvt. Ltd.-Solenergi Energy and 100% 1,550
Power Pvt. Ltd. natural resources
Carlyle Group Inc and Advent International Yes Bank Ltd Banking and 20% 1,100
financial services
CPPIB, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board, Ver Se Innovation Pvt. Ltd Media and N.A. 805
Luxor Capital, Sumeru Ventures, Sofina Group, entertainment
Baillie Gifford, and others
Sumeru Ventures, Vitruvian Partners, BlackRock Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd-Byju's Education N.A. 800
and angel investor
Baring PE Asia IGT Solutions Pvt. Ltd IT & ITeS 85% 800
Invesco, Baron Capital Group, Sumeru Venture, Bundl Technologies Pvt. Ltd- E-commerce N.A. 700
IIFL AMC Late Stake Tech Fund, Kotak, Axis Swiggy.com
Growth, Sixteenth Street Capital, Ghisallo, Smile
Group, Segantii Capital, Prosus Ventures, Alpha
Wave Global, Qatar Investment Authority and
ARK Impact
42 24
38
30
26 23 14
12
10
6
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Deals between USD 100 mn - USD 499 mn ticket size Deals <USD 100 mn ticket size
1,173 1,206
96
54 57 628
48 527 564
41
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
32 Annual Dealtracker
Private equity dealscape
Dinesh Anand
Partner and National Sector Leader,
PE and VC
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
Annual Dealtracker 33
Pune and tier II cities are buzzing
with funding activity
Cities in focus
Bengaluru which is the “Silicon Valley of Pune, the only non-capital tier I city in Surat, Jaipur, and Coimbatore also
India” tops the charts in terms of volumes India, witnessed a higher deal value than showed increased funding activity and
as it is home to a majority of companies. most tier I cities and came third in terms the emergence of new start-ups.
Mumbai topped the charts in terms of of deal value. Tier II cities such as Indore,
values and accounted for 27% of total
values.
Gurgaon
Values: 3,308 | Volumes: 219
Delhi Top sector: Start-up
Values: 3,165 | Volumes: 173 Values: 1,096 | Volumes: 160
Top sector: Start-up Leading: E-commerce
Values: 605 | Volumes: 116 Values: 828 | Volumes: 27 Chandigarh
Leading: E-commerce Values: 68 | Volumes: 7
Values: 698 | Volumes: 21 Top sector: Start-up
Noida
Values: 34 | Volumes: 4
Values: 896 | Volumes: 44
Jaipur Top sector: Start-up
Values: 768 | Volumes: 19 Values: 119 | Volumes: 21
Top sector: Start-up Leading: E-commerce
Values: 232 | Volumes: 11 Values: 387 | Volumes: 7
Leading: E-commerce
Values: 469 | Volumes: 4
Ahmedabad
Values: 142 | Volumes: 28
Top sector: Start-up
Values: 95 | Volumes: 20
Kolkata
Surat Values: 59 | Volumes: 11
Values: 35 | Volumes: 11 Top sector: Start-up
Top sector: Start-up Values: 20 | Volumes: 7
Values: 2 | Volumes: 6
Leading: Manufacturing
Values: 18 | Volumes: 2 Hyderabad
Values: 1,145 | Volumes: 65
Top sector: Start-up
Mumbai Values: 107 | Volumes: 41
Values: 9,470 | Volumes: 285 Goa Leading: E-commerce
Top sector: Start-up Values: 130 | Volumes: 6 Values: 63 | Volumes: 5
Values: 1,422 | Volumes: 161 Top sector: Start-up
Leading: E-commerce Values: 44 | Volumes: 4
Values: 633 | Volumes: 33 Bengaluru
Values: 8,889 | Volumes: 450
Top sector: Start-up
Pune Values: 2,701 | Volumes: 309
Values: 3,468 | Volumes: 62 Leading: E-commerce
Top sector: Start-up Values: 2,792 | Volumes: 51
Values: 351 | Volumes: 37
Leading: E-commerce
Values: 992 | Volumes: 7 Chennai
Values: 931 | Volumes: 68
Top sector: Start-up
Indore Coimbatore Values: 446 | Volumes: 42
Values: 50 | Volumes: 9 Values: 153 | Volumes: 6 Leading: E-commerce, Pharma,
Top sector: Start-up Top sector: Start-up healthcare and biotech
Values: 7 | Volumes: 6 Values: 3 | Volumes: 5 Values: 277 | Volumes: 10
34 Annual Dealtracker
Private equity dealscape
PE exit activity in 2022 slowed down can also be attributed to the slowing The decline in exits was across all deal
significantly due to a bearish sentiment pace of funding activity witnessed in segments, with strategic exits recording
in private and public markets. The decline H2 2022. the sharpest fall, followed by secondary
and IPO exits.
2022
2021
2020
Secondary Open market IPO Buyback M&A
Sale transaction
Full Exit Part Exit 2020 2021 2022
Sector exit
8%
E-commerce Pharma, healthcare and biotech Pharma, healthcare and biotech IT & ITeS
Banking and financial services IT & ITeS E-commerce Real estate Automotive
Retail and consumer Start-up Real estate Banking and financial services Others
Education Others
Annual Dealtracker 35
Notable PE exits
Investor exited Investee company Part/Full exit Sector
KKR Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. Full exit Pharma, healthcare and biotech
AION Capital Partners IGT Solutions Pvt. Ltd Full exit IT & ITeS
Blackstone Group Lp Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd Part exit Automotive
Bain Capital Axis Bank Ltd Part exit Banking and financial services
Carlyle Group, Brighton Park Capital Indegene Part exit Pharma, healthcare and biotech
and the Nadathur Family Office
Baring Private Equity (PE) Asia Coforge Ltd Part exit IT & ITeS
Blackstone Group Lp Embassy Office Parks real estate investment trust Part exit Real estate
Blackstone Group Lp Mindspace Business Parks REIT Full exit Real estate
Softbank One97 Communications Ltd-Paytm Part exit E-commerce
Alipay Singapore Pte Ltd-Alibaba Zomato Ltd Part exit E-commerce
SoftBank PB Fintech Pvt. Ltd-Policybazaar Part exit E-commerce
36 Annual Dealtracker
Private equity dealscape
Annual Dealtracker 37
The aforesaid amendments are an safeguard investor interest. The proposed made to FME claiming tax benefits, and
indication of GoI’s twin intention of VCC regime coupled with the extant FME clarification under the Act in line with the
promoting the growth of the fund Regulations in IFSCs would make India deemed categorisation of funds under
industry while maintaining appropriate one of the preferred jurisdictions for fund FME regulations, which shall go a long
regulatory oversight. Some of the management activities. way to add to the growth story of the
amendments are a resolution of the fund industry in India.
long-standing asks from the industry. The industry is looking toward the
These amendments will act as a forthcoming Union Budget for the
Amit Kedia
catalyst for investment activities with fulfilment of certain unfinished asks
Chartered Accountant, Mumbai
more capital flowing to various sectors. such as clarity to put to rest litigations on
Some amendments have added to the GST on carried interest, the distinct tax
compliance and disclosures by the funds regime for category III AIFs, exemption
with the intention to grant benefits and from withholding tax on payments
38 Annual Dealtracker
IPO and
03
QIP trends
Annual Dealtracker 39
2022 saw the second-highest
number of IPO listings in the last
11 years, after the 2021 high
IPO snapshot
The year witnessed 40 IPO listings by geopolitical tensions and discounted active this year than the new-age
raising USD 8.3 billion which is a listing prices. Investors remained sectors. Start-ups, IT, and e-commerce
38% decrease in volumes and a 53% jittery throughout 2022 on account of sectors opted to raise private equity and
decrease in values. The drop would have recessionary fears and rising interest turn profitable before going public. 2022
been difficult to predict at the start of rates, especially in the first half of the saw the biggest IPO in terms of the issue
the year given 2021 was a good year year. size - the LIC IPO which accounted for
for IPOs. However, IPO activity slowed 33% of total values.
down amidst market volatility triggered Traditional sectors like manufacturing,
real estate, and banking were more
44% 14%
8% 41%
8% 11%
9% 7%
8% 6% 17% 31%
8%
24%
17%
Manufacturing Retail and consumer Banking & financial services Retail and consumer
Banking & financial services IT and ITeS Manufacturing E-commerce
E-commerce Others Pharma, healthcare and biotech Others
40 Annual Dealtracker
IPO and QIP trends
QIP snapshot
Qualified Institutional Placements (QIP) year. 2022 will be the second year since adopt a wait and watch attitude.
lost lustre as volatility kept sentiments 2012 when Indian companies refrained
weak. Equity fund-raising through QIP from raising funds through the QIP route, Banking and financial services and
route dropped to USD 1.5 billion in 2022, which has been a popular route. Volatility manufacturing led the volumes in the QIP
a 76% decline in values compared to last and global headwinds saw companies segment.
2.6 14
12
1.5
2022 2022
14% 6% 1%
29%
2021 2021
17% 26%
14% 20% 37%
33% 26% 6%
6%
28%
14% 11%
8% 45%
30%
29%
Manufacturing Banking & financial services Real estate Hospitality and leisure
Pharma, healthcare and biotech Real estate Banking & financial services Manufacturing
Hospitality and leisure Others Pharma, healthcare and biotech Others
Annual Dealtracker 41
Sector
04 spotlight
• Sector trends
• Start-up
• E-commerce and retail
and consumer
• IT & ITeS
• Pharma, healthcare and
biotech
• Banking and financial
services
• Other sectors
42 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
Sector trends
2022 was dominated by big-ticket transactions from the BSFI and IT sectors. While start-ups and e-commerce dominated the
volumes with a 67% share, BSFI and IT accounted for 52% of total values. Many sectors such as manufacturing, pharma and
healthcare and infrastructure showed an increase in values, whereas sectors which boomed in the COVID-19 period like
education declined.
Pharma, healthcare
and biotech Education E-commerce Energy and natural
resources
62 87 65 39 71 59 4,488 17,626 8,321
6,565 8,537 6,456
Infrastructure Professional /
Real estate Real estate
management Business services
12 15 13 5,076 796 394
14 13 11 209 103 196
Average deal 15 7 7
size USD mn
No. of deals 4 3 3
>USD 50 mn
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2020 2021 2022
Values USD mn Volumes
44 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
PE deal trends
The Indian start-up ecosystem recorded in the backdrop of global downturn. PE/ compared to the last year. The average
991 deals worth USD 7.4 billion. While VC firms pivoted to a cautious approach investment size also dropped from over
Covid-19 opened up opportunities amid a funding crunch which has USD 10 million in 2021 to USD 7 million
for PE/VC investment in 2021, 2022 resulted in a 34% decline in deal values in 2022 owing to significant drop in the
witnessed a gradual drop in investments and an 8% decline in deal volumes when late-stage funding.
Average deal
7 10 10
size USD mn
No. of deals
>USD 100 mn 8 25 7
352
328 4.9
PE trend 286
267
252
210 3.2
192 189 2.9 186
139 153 2.2
129 2.1
1.5 1.5 1.4
1.1 1.0 0.9
0.5
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2020 2021 2022
Values USD bn Volumes
Top PE deals
Top PE deals
Retail Autotech Travel, transport Retail Fintech
& logistics
USD 210 mn USD 200 mn USD 200 mn USD 165 mn USD 137 mn
Consortium of Tekne Private Consortium Dragoneer Investments Insight Partners,
investors-Zetwerk Pvt. Ventures, Alpine of investors Group, Kora Capital, B Capital Group,
Ltd Opportunity Fund, -KiranaKart Unilever Ventures, Tiger Dragoneer and existing
Edelweiss and others Technologies Pvt. Global and Alpha Wave investors-Credavenue
-Ola Electric Mobility Ltd.-Zepto Global-Merabo Labs Pvt. Ltd.
Pvt. Ltd. Pvt. Ltd-DealShare.in
Annual Dealtracker 45
Start-up funding
6 | USD 115 mn 5 | USD 245 mn 5 | USD 157 mn 5 | USD 137 mn 5 | USD 121 mn
Infifresh Foods Pvt. Ltd Neblio Technologies Bunch Microtechnologies EpiFi Technologies Teachmint
Pvt. Ltd Technologies Pvt. Ltd
Captain Fresh Pvt. Ltd Pvt. Ltd
CoinDCX Classplus Fi Money Teachmint
1 | USD 1,014 mn 1 | USD 700 mn 4 | USD 628 mn 4 | USD 627 mn 4 | USD 501 mn
Tata Passenger PhonePe Internet Resilient Innovations Dreamplug Zetwerk Pvt. Ltd
Electric Mobility Ltd Pvt. Ltd Pvt. Ltd Technologies Pvt. Ltd Zetwerk
Tata Electric PhonePe BharatPe Cred
4 | USD 455 mn 4 | USD 375 mn 4 | USD 367 mn 4 | USD 361 mn 4 | USD 338 mn
Ola Electric Mobility Merabo Labs Pvt. Ltd Billionbrains Garage KiranaKart Galactus Funware
Pvt. Ltd DealShare.in Ventures Pvt. Ltd Technologies Pvt. Ltd Technology Pvt. Ltd
Ola Electric Groww Zepto Mobile Premier
League
2 | USD 315 mn 3 | USD 302 mn 3 | $ 300 mn
Acko General Go Digit Infoworks Bitcipher Labs LLP
Insurance Ltd Services Pvt. Ltd CoinSwitch Kuber
Acko Digit Insurance
Funding round Funds raised
2022 2022
46 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
Start-ups in the B2C segment B2B segment on the other hand saw a two-fold growth in the number of
dominated both in terms of volumes 469 deals valued at USD 3.7 billion. This SaaS transactions compared to last
by 52% and values by 49% in both segment witnessed start-ups majorly year. From logistics to healthcare to
M&A and PE segments combined operating in the enterprise application manufacturing, companies are using
recording 586 deals valued at USD (SaaS) and fintech segment. Year-on- SaaS for communications, project
4.2 billion. Consumer retail and retail year Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) management, sales and marketing and
banking (fintech) segments led the B2C products have been on the rise and a host of other things.
segment deals followed by edtech and year 2022 was no different and saw
healthtech deals.
M&A PE
Values USD mn Volumes
Funding by series
493 1.9
453 1.7
1.6 1.7
1.4
294 1.2 1.3
1.0 0.9 243
209 0.8 0.8 0.8
175
0.6
0.5 0.5
0.4
47 54 0.3 0.3
36 18 0.2 0.2 0.1
22 17 9 13 6 562 1 21
Values USD bn 2020 Values USD bn 2021 Values USD bn 2022 Volumes 2020 Volumes 2021 Volumes 2022
Annual Dealtracker 47
Cities in focus
Bengaluru, Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad and Pune, continued to application (Saas) segments while
Delhi continued to dominate the dominate the start-up space, tier 2 also showing an increased interest in
start-up ecosystem, both in terms of cities, including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, gaming, agritech and healthtech.
emerging start-ups as well as raising Kolkata, Surat, Coimbatore and Indore,
funds; moreover, 75% of total deals attracted PE investments worth USD 2022 witnessed start-up focused
in India came from these four cities 359 million. deals across India including Guwahati,
amounting to a total of USD 5.8 billion. Bhopal, Calicut, Alwar. Hariswar,
While tier 1 cities, such as Chennai, Most tier 1 cities led the volumes Panchkula and Rajgarh among other
in the fintech, retail and enterprise cities.
Unicorns corner
2022 saw the birth of 20 unicorns which is a 38% drop since last year.
Q2
Q1
Unicorns
corner
Q3
48 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
8 25 29 73 159 194
Retail Retail
38 192 121 334 1,376 1,148
5 26 15 45 86 74
Fintech Healthtech
20 144 213 260 632 496
2 2 8 67 121 64
Autotech Edtech
10 70 59 455 506 395
4 2 6 36 53 43
Travel, transport and logistics Travel, transport and logistics
365 10 28 258 474 592
4 8 5 28 39 39
Healthtech Agritech
90 190 25 103 182 230
5 1 5 21 25 29
HR-tech Discovery platform
55 5 16 58 82 84
3 6 5 24 26 29
Real estate tech Mediatech
16 17 53 62 105 241
3 4 17 38 26
Agritech Autotech
15 16 253 1,398 352
2 6 3 13 14 24
Foodtech Real estate tech
6 30 15 100 131 100
2 3 2 21 14 22
Data analytics, big data and AI Foodtech
5 15 202 157 58 145
3 2 2 19 31 22
Discovery platform Gaming
12 10 10 149 434 180
3 5 2 14 24 22
Gaming HR-tech
7 21 10 41 221 29
3 2 22 35 16
Networking platform On-demand services
15 10 236 117 27
4 4 2 3 13
On-demand services Cleantech
16 12 10 11 29
5 2 3 22 16 9
Others Data analytics, big data and AI
25 10 8 186 53 21
3 4 7 21 9
Mediatech Networking platform
11 15 85 122 9
Annual Dealtracker 49
Evolving consumer preferences
are driving the deals
41 Retail Retail
34
30
33
USD 348 mn USD 512 mn
21 Reliance Industries Amazon.com Inc and Samara
- METRO Cash & Carry Capital - More retail Pvt
1.4 1.5
0.9 1.1 - 100% Ltd. - 100%
0.7
FMCG FMCG
50 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
Annual Dealtracker 51
Grant Thornton insights
Naveen Malpani
Partner and National Sector Leader, Retail & Consumer,
E-commerce
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
52 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
Deals est & valued over USD 50 mn Average deal size USD mn
Insurance & TPAs Financial Services
Annual Dealtracker 53
Fintech 6.0
209
231
4.0
118
1.9
33
7 0.4
0.2 0.4 24
Insights
Public goods in the form of India stack insurance sector is poised for growth and continue to be strong with a growth
has enabled the financial inclusion story the liberalisation that one is seeing and rate of about 5% and the insurance
in India in a cost-effective manner and may continue to expect to see is a theme and the NBFC space will continue to
the biggest beneficiaries of this after that is reflected in the M&A investor see a lot more funds inflow, especially
the Indian consumers are the NBFCs. sentiments as well. where technology is the key delivery
Private equity investments in the NBFC model for such insurance and NBFC
space continue to hold the largest share The year 2023 is a year that is going companies. The Indian ecosystem may
within the financial services sector, both to be impacted by high-interest rates, not experience a funding winter, but
in terms of deal value and volume. The PE higher inflation, slowing globalisation, we do see a more measured approach
investors seem to have adopted a more increased protectionism, and a new to investing, and hence we may see
top-down approach to investments in geo-political order with the traditional reduced deal volumes but very high deal
India with a more focused exposure on advanced economies not being at the values.
the NBFCs. centre stage. Over the years, the fintech
industry has been able to convert gaps
The M&A activity in India is witnessed within the financial services industry Khushroo Panthaky
more in the insurance market, with deal into business opportunities and the Chartered Accountant, Mumbai
volumes being the highest across various same trend could continue with better
sub-sectors within financial services. The momentum. The Indian story will
54 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
Acceleration of digitisation
continues to be the key theme
8 12 8 4 14 8
M&A PE
38 49 243 32 92 28 The top five deals The top five deals
accounted for 97% of accounted for 65% of the
80
the total sector values total sector values
19.5
78 69
63 IT Solutions IT Solutions
60
USD 17,690 mn USD 800 mn
37 Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd - Baring PE Asia - IGT Solutions
Mindtree Ltd - 100% Pvt. Ltd - 85%
5.8
3.8
2.3 1.9
1.2
IT Solutions Software Development
2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022
USD 540 mn USD 153 mn
M&A PE Wipro Ltd - Rizing Intermediate WestBridge Capital and existing
Values USD bn Volumes Holdings, Inc - 100% investors - MarketXpander
Deals est & valued over USD 50 mn
Services Pvt. Ltd - Leadsquared
Average deal size USD mn
IT Solutions IT Solutions
USD 350mn USD 150 mn
Tech Mahindra Ltd - Com Alpha Wave Global - Pine Labs
Tec Co IT Ltd - 100% Pvt. Ltd
Software Development
Software Development
USD 100 mn
Netcore Cloud Pvt. Ltd-
USD 72 mn
Unbxd Inc Consortium of investors -
Darwinbox Digital Solutions
Pvt. Ltd
Annual Dealtracker 55
Grant Thornton insights
The deal activity in the technology The Indian technology sector has been both activity levels as well as valuation
sector continued to be robust in 2022 witnessing robust growth rates on the metrics.
and contributed 17% of overall M&A and back of digital disruption and massive
PE deal value. However, we have been market opportunities for tech players. It is well noted that public market
witnessing some cooling-off in the deal While we witnessed a record level of valuations have fallen significantly since
activity from Q3/22 driven by global deal activity in the tech sector during January 2021, particularly high-growth
macro headwinds, tightening in funding, 2021, we have seen overall moderated technology assets. We can see these
and moderation in valuations. However, macro trends in deal activity from Q3 reflected in the prevailing market prices
there continues to be available dry 2022 on the back of global uncertainties, of some of the tech IPOs that were
power for high-quality digital and tech moderation in PE and VC funding, and launched in 2021.
assets, and this augurs well for deal- pressure on earnings and valuations.
Private-market valuations by comparison
making for 2023. The M&A market is adjusting and working
have remained more resilient, but we can
out what is the new normal in terms of
see they have started to show the first
signs of slightly easing back.
Increased opportunities for bolt-ons SAAS and new-age sectors’ deal- Available dry powder for M&A
for larger tech players making expected to increase and PE deals
We have seen mid-sized companies As India continues to grow its Private equity funds, both bulge-bracket
get impacted by valuations as well as SaaS player base, we expect and mid-sized funds, have significant
potential listing opportunities. Given that deal-making and enhanced funding dry powder waiting to be deployed for
investors are likely to opt for less risky in this segment to build Indian SaaS technology deals across the spectrum of
assets, this could create opportunities for companies on a global scale. Further, sectors such as tech services, engineering
bolt-on acquisitions for larger compa- new-age sectors like fintech, agritech, services, analytics and AI, especially for a
nies. We have already witnessed M&A and spacetech are expected to see buy-out and significant minority deals. As
momentum for larger players. This trend good funding in the coming year. valuations continue to be under pressure
is expected to continue, albeit with more and cool off the impact of listings, this
choosy, high-quality, niche assets. makes a good opportunity for M&A and PE
deal-making.
Raja Lahiri
Partner and National Sector Leader, TMT
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
56 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
1.1
Pharma & Biotech Medical Devices
USD 250 mn USD 210 mn
Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd Warburg Pincus - Micro Life
2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022 - Curatio Healthcare (I) Pvt Sciences Pvt. Ltd. - Meril Group
Ltd - 100%
M&A PE
Values USD bn Volumes
Deals est & valued over USD 50 mn Average deal size USD mn Pharma & Biotech Hospitals
USD 228 mn USD 188 mn
Mankind Pharma Ltd - General Atlantic, Kedaara
Panacea Biotec Ltd. - 100% Capital and Foundation
Sub sector classification Holdings - ASG Hospital Pvt. Ltd
Annual Dealtracker 57
Healthtech 1,526
99
88
861
48
283
217
95 30
13 6
5
2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022
M&A PE
Values USD bn Volumes
58 Annual Dealtracker
Sector spotlight
19
12.3 18 18
17
16
14 14
15 13
11
7.5
5.0
4.5 4.2 3.9
1.9 2.3
1.5 1.1
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
M&A PE
Values USD bn Volumes
Manufacturing
16.0
43
37
11.8
29
30
8.1
22
15 13
11 10
3.1 7
2.2
0.6 2.5 0.6
0.5 0.4
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
M&A PE
Values USD bn Volumes
Annual Dealtracker 59
Entertainment remains active, media gains traction
Media and entertainment sector Viacom18’s fundraise from Bodhi Tree Entertainment and advertisement and
recorded 40 deals valuing over USD Systems of USD 1.8 billion, followed marketing segments dominated the
3.2 billion in 2022. While the volumes by Ver Se Innovation’s USD 0.8 billion sector deal activity with over 68% of
witnessed a 9% decline, values saw an fundraise by a consortium of investors. the sector deals together valued at
18% increase over 2021. Sector values These two top deals alone were USD 2.3 billion. Digital media platforms
were driven by two big-ticket deals, responsible for 80% of the sector deal also remained active, recording 9 deals
values. worth USD 0.9 billion during the year.
2.8
29
22 2.0
21 21 22
1.6
17 17 19
15
0.7 0.8 8
0.4 0.4
0.2 0.3
0.1
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
M&A PE
Values USD bn Volumes
60 Annual Dealtracker
Regulatory
03 updates
• Tax and regulatory
reforms
• GST reforms
• Updates on Companies
Act 2013
Annual Dealtracker 61
Tax and regulatory reforms
The strong economic growth in Q1 of • The space-tech industry has pitched • So far, PLI schemes have been
FY2022-23 helped India overtake the for allowing 74% FDI under the announced for 14 sectors including
UK to become the fifth-largest economy automatic route. The government is automobile and auto components,
after it recovered from repeated waves of likely to revisit the Space Activity Bill electronics and IT hardware,
the COVID-19 pandemic. The real GDP in and introduce at least three policies telecom, pharmaceuticals, solar
Q1 of 2022–23 is about 4% higher than (Space Communication Policy, modules, metals and mining, textiles
in the corresponding quarter of 2019- Remote Sensing Policy, and Transfer and apparel, white goods, drones,
20, indicating a strong start for India’s of Technology Policy). and advanced chemistry cell
economic recovery. batteries.
• Extension of the PLI scheme to
The country’s robust growth is captured Overseas direct sectors such as leather, footwear,
by a number of high-frequency
indicators that are performing well. The
investment bicycle, some vaccine materials,
certain telecom products, toys,
government’s flagship program, Make • In August 2022, with the chemicals, and shipping containers
in India, which aspires to facilitate intention of increasing the overall is currently being explored.
investment, foster innovation, enhance competitiveness of Indian companies
skill development, and build best-in-class to access global markets and
manufacturing infrastructure, completed facilitate acquisitions, new ODI SEBI
eight years in September 2022. regulations were announced
allowing greater flexibility for Indian • SEBI has floated a consultation
As per Finance Ministry statistics, the paper reviewing the existing
companies investing overseas and
direct tax collections as on 30 November buyback regulations on 16 Nov 2022
reducing the burden of getting
2022 were INR 8.77 trillion, which is 24% (open for public consultation up to
approvals.
higher than the corresponding period of 1 Dec 2022). The recommendations
the preceding FY2021-22. This represents • ODI- FDI structures (colloquially
are based on a sub-group set up by
approximately 62% of the full-year referred to as round tripping) have
SEBI under the chairmanship of Keiki
budget estimates. The monthly gross GST now been permitted for corporates
Mistry, Vice Chairman & CEO, HDFC.
revenue collection has also surpassed with up to two layers of subsidiaries.
• The new framework proposes to
INR 1.4 trillion every month in FY2022-23. • Deferred payment of consideration
cut the time taken for completion
has been permitted subject to
Some of the key regulatory of buybacks, enhance the amount
the condition that the period of
announcements announced in the last companies can repurchase vis-à-
deferment is agreed upon upfront in
eight months are summarised here: vis their free reserves, reduce the
the underlying agreements.
cooling-off period between two
• Gifting of overseas shares between buybacks and shift the tax incidence
Foreign Direct Investment residents (only relatives) is fully to the share-tendering
Policy permissible without any limit. A gift shareholders rather than the
from a non-resident to a resident is companies concerned.
• FY 2021-22 recorded the highest- permitted subject to compliance with
• A glide path has been proposed
ever FDI at USD 83.6 billion. This the Foreign Contribution Regulation
with respect to the reduction in
FDI came from 101 countries and Act provisions.
the maximum limit and the time
invested across 31 UTs and states period for a buyback offer through
and 57 sectors in the country.
Investment promotion the open market under the stock
• On the back of economic reforms exchange mechanism. SEBI believes
and ease of doing business, India is • The government has set aside INR that the current buyback period
expected to attract USD 100 billion 2 trillion under the PLI schemes for of six months prevents efficient
FDI in FY 2022-23. various sectors and an additional price discovery as this may result
• Reforms in FDI policy have been amount of INR 0.195 trillion was in artificial demand being created
introduced allowing up to 20% FDI in allocated towards PLI for solar PV for the relevant company’s shares
LIC through the automatic route. modules in FY 2022-23. during such an extended period of
62 Annual Dealtracker
Regulatory updates
time and trading of shares occurring • Currently, companies can buy back free company should be permitted
at an exaggerated price. The proposed only 25% of the paid-up capital and to undertake up to two buybacks in
glide path is as below – free reserves under the tender route. a single FY to help companies return
SEBI has proposed to increase it to a greater amount to shareholders in
the form of buybacks
Parameters Current threshold Proposed thresholds w.e.f. • It is proposed that in the case
of buybacks through the stock
exchanges, the company should use
01 April 2023 01 April 2023 01 April 2023
75% of the amount earmarked for
the buyback (as against the current
Maximum limit 15% 10% 10% 0% limit of 50%).
• The incidence of taxation is proposed
Time period for 66 working 22 working
6 months NA to be shifted from the hands of the
completion days days
company to the shareholder, as
the current mechanism is in favour
• SEBI has suggested that a separate 40%. SEBI would make a reference of existing shareholders and the
window on the stock exchange can to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs continuing shareholders have to
be created for undertaking buyback to ensure that this proposal is share the burden of tax payable by
and the same can be harmonised also reflected in Section 68 of the the listed company on the buyback
with the proposal of the glide path. Companies Act, 2013 Further, SEBI proceeds of the shares tendered by
has recommended that a net debt- exiting/ tendering shareholders.
India assumed the G20 presidency high global commodity prices have led policy oriented towards debt control
w.e.f. 1 December 2022 which gives to a widening of the current account and targeting current and capital
it the opportunity to set the global deficit. spending. Improvements in the business
economic governance agenda and climate, when combined with financial
make it inclusive. In December 2022, the However, the report notes that policy deepening and skills development, can
World Bank revised its FY 2022-23 GDP reforms and prudent regulatory boost investment and infrastructure
forecast upward to 6.9% from 6.5% (in measures have played a key role in and create more and better jobs.
October 2022), considering a strong developing resilience in the economy.
out-turn in India in the second quarter The report finds that while a 1 The Budget session of the Parliament in
(July-September) of FY 2022-23. percentage point decline in growth 2023 is likely to be closely watched and
in the USA is associated with a 0.4 analysed as it will set the trend for the
The report forecasts that the Indian percentage point decline in India’s sentiment in the following year when
economy will grow at a lower rate growth, the effect is around 1.5 times India will go in for a general election.
of 6.6% in FY 2023-24 because of a larger for other emerging economies.
challenging external environment. It
also states that rapid monetary policy As per OECD, macroeconomic stability Sridhar R
tightening in advanced economies has should be pursued through monetary Partner
resulted in large portfolio outflows and policy geared towards anchoring Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
depreciation of the Indian Rupee while inflation expectations and fiscal
Annual Dealtracker 63
GST reforms
Goods and Services Tax, touted as the INR 1.45 lakh crore, showing an 11% The PLI scheme has become a
biggest greenfield tax reform since India’s y-o-y growth in GST receipts. With this, springboard for the PM’s vision of ‘Make
Independence, reached an important the GST collections have surpassed the in India’ and ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
milestone of half a decade this year. The figure of INR 1.40 lakh crore for straight The government introduced PLI schemes
government has come a long way in its nine months in a row. The predominant to promote local manufacturing in
‘one nation one tax’ agenda by bringing reason for this growth is the increase 14 key sectors. It is meant to promote
millions of taxpayers under an umbrella in consumer spending in the post- a robust manufacturing sector by
of a unified taxation system. During the pandemic period and an improvement inviting overseas companies to set up
last five years, commendable efforts by in taxpayer compliance because of manufacturing operations in India
the government have paved the way digital tax governance, data analytics and boosting India’s exports and
for a new tax structure despite initial implementation for detecting dubious manufacturing capabilities for high-
implementation hiccups. The advanced transactions, and a plug in tax leakages. quality, competitive products in the
use of digitalisation and data analytics in global arena. The government plans
the contemporary tax regime has reaped E-invoice has proved to be effective on covering more sectors under the PLI
manifold benefits such as transparency, in curbing tax invasions and creating scheme.
effective implementation of the law, and a seamless ecosystem for ensuring
efficient tax administration. Initiatives the compliance and reporting of B2B The government also hopes to curb
such as e-invoicing, e-way bill, linkage of invoices. It has provided a standard tax leakages by making changes in
GSTR-1/ FORM GSTR-2B with GSTR-3B, protocol for real-time communication the reporting structure of the returns
and integration of the GSTN Portal of B2B invoice data within the tax on the GSTN Portal. While there are
with ICEGATE have proven to be game ecosystems. Auto-population of details many benefits, filing GST tax has been
changers. Revenue collection from of B2B supplies in Form GSTR-1 has a complex process for the taxpayer
GST in the current financial year has significantly contributed to achieving which demands trained professionals
exceeded the growth seen during the pre- ease of doing business by doing away and robust tech-based ERPs to meet
pandemic period. April 2022 witnessed with the need to punch in data again, the reporting requirements. In a short
an all-time high GST revenue collection thereby reducing the probability of span of five years, such changes have
of INR 1.68 lakh crore. In the month of errors. increased the compliance burden for
November 2022, GST collection was taxpayers while possibly impacting the
ease of doing business in the long run.
64 Annual Dealtracker
Regulatory updates
Annual Dealtracker 65
Our Corporate Finance practice comprises
senior multi-faceted specialists
experienced in providing end-to-end solutions
Abhay Anand Aditya Khanna Anirudha Chakravarty Anirudh Gupta Arpit Nitin Thakkar
Ashish Chhawchharia Ashwini Rushabh Modi Darshana Kadakia Dhanraj Bhagat Deepak Agrawal
Dinesh Anand Karan Jain Karthik Gopalakrishnan Nitesh Jain Prateek Sengupta
66 Annual Dealtracker
Pankaj Chopda Rahul Kapur Raja Lahiri Santhosh Chandrasekaran Saumil Hasmukhbhai Shah
Shanthi Vijetha Sridhar V Sumeet Abrol Sunil Kumar Singh Vishesh Chandiok
Jagannath Ray Kartik Vashisth Kshitij Sharma Pankaj Subhash Agrawal Rajiv Ramesh Parekh
Annual Dealtracker 67
Acquisition Acquisition Acquisition Acquisition Acquisition
68 Annual Dealtracker
Acquisition Acquisition Acquisition Acquisition Acquisition
Annual Dealtracker 69
Notes
70 Annual Dealtracker
Notes
Annual Dealtracker 71
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