Sanra to buy gaming firms

The company is also working on rolling out Flash-based products and expand its high-end production-oriented training in the animation and gaming spheres into a full-fledged retail model.

Venkatramani did not disclose the planned acquisition value. However, it is reliably learnt that having gained SEBI approval for GDR issues of upto $27.5 million in March this year, Sanra Software has set aside $10 million-$15 million towards making strategic acquisitions in the gaming and animation spaces this year.

Sanra will focus on target companies with strong IP creation base as well as companies abroad with excellent marketing tie-ups.

Investments will also be made in furthering the company's product development efforts. The Chennai-based company, which acquired Bangalore-based animation studio Acropetal Animation India Pvt Ltd last year, has also opened an animation studio in Bangalore.

Operations at the new animation studio will now be headed by Acropetal founder N K Narsimhan. The company has built up end-to-end expertise in delivering animation work out of its over 100-strong Chennai operations.

"With the Acropetal acquisition, we will be able to create a global footprint. Our total strength currently is around 150 and we plan to expand to around 500 in the next one year on an organic basis. Being a listed entity, and to give high value return for investors, we will be continuously looking at expansion through acquisition of studios in India and abroad," Venkatramani said.

Sanra Software's core business lies in IP creation and quality services in the field of animation, gaming and new media technology.

With revenues of Rs 13.5 crore in fiscal 2008, the company is currently servicing orders of around $3 million and is targeting expansion of its services business to around $8 million-10 million by next year.

Sanra expects to show a CAGR of around 40 per cent and achieve revenues in the region of Rs 100 crore over the next 4-5 years.

The company has exposure of around 70 per cent on services and 30 per cent on product creation, but expects this ratio to be reversed in the next three years.