While deal numbers shrink, value of PE flows up marginally in H1 of 2017

This, despite squeeze in start-up funding; $946 mn Bharti Infratel deal is biggest so far this year

At $6.57 billion, private equity flows remained steady during the first six months of 2017, slightly more than $6.54 billion raised in the same period last year, despite a squeeze in start-up funding.

Interestingly, the marginal growth in value was achieved in a lower number of deals compared to last year. According to data from research firm VCCEdge, $6.57 billion was invested in 445 deals in 2017, till June 23, as compared to $6.48 billion investment in 770 deals during the first half of year 2016.

Telecom saw the largest investment during the first half of 2017, while three out of the