Peepul Capital looking at investments in media, ent sectors

Peepul Capital LLC, a private equity firm is looking at large-scale investments in media and entertainment sector, the company's co-founder Srini Raju said here today.

The firm has earlier made some successful investments in media and entertainment sector.

"We have raised $450 million and are looking to invest. Now, we can do Rs 100 crore as a single investment in media and entertainment companies. Sometimes if the requirement is more, we can bring in co-investors," Raju said on the sidelines of Ficci's Media and Entertainment Business Conclave, a two-day meeting which began here today.

He said currently they have a few proposals, which the company is exploring the investment potential.

He also said post-recession, revenues have clearly improved but there is not much improvement in the distribution costs and the PE firm will stay away from investing in the film industry for time being.

"We as a fund are not convinced that we can deliver the kind of numbers in the film industry as our shareholders expect," he said.

The company, earlier known as iLabs Capital, invested in several media and entertainment companies such as ABC, IANS, DQ Entertainment and other online gaming and advertisement firms.

"We exited from IANS, DQ Entertainment, and an online gaming company. These companies have reasonably done well, but they are not outstanding performers when compared to other performers in the fund," Raju said.

He said consolidation is inevitable in every industry and in media and entertainment segment, it still hasn't happened to the extent expected.