The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) has announced the establishment of the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital.
This global centre of excellence, named in honor of the distinguished investment banker Tony James, aims to position IIMB as a leading hub for research and discourse in the fields of private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC).
The initiative was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Mathew Cyriac, Executive Chairman of Florintree Advisors Pvt Ltd and an alumnus of the PGP Class of 1994.
Tony James, renowned for his former roles as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice Chairman of the Blackstone Group, will lend his name to the centre, which is set to become a pivotal resource for industry professionals and academics alike.
Mathew Cyriac expressed his vision for the centre, stating, “I expect the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital at IIMB to emerge as a globally reputed ‘go-to’ place for all players interested in private equity as well as venture capital. It should be the kernel around which an ecosystem of academics, practitioners, investors, and regulators gets developed.”
The Tony James Centre will focus on advanced research, education, and fostering industry partnerships in the realms of PE and VC.
It plans to host global experts for annual lectures, tackle key industry challenges, and enhance collaboration between academia and industry.
The centre will also facilitate practical learning opportunities for students, allowing them to engage with industry leaders and stay abreast of emerging trends.
Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director of IIMB, highlighted the significance of the contribution, remarking, “This is the single largest ever contribution from an alumnus, and we are grateful to Mathew not just for his generous support but for his extreme thoughtfulness in contributing to the naming of four classrooms on campus after faculty who taught his batch, and for his clarity in setting up scholarships for PGP and PhD students to continue excellent work in the area of finance.”
Tony James also conveyed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “By providing entrepreneurs with the equity capital they need to grow, private equity is a strong contributor to the vibrant Indian economy. The timing is right now for a centre of excellence at IIM Bangalore to bring the Indian perspective to global PE thought leadership. I look forward to working closely with IIM Bangalore to build the centre into a world-class institution.”
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by key figures from Florintree Advisors Pvt Ltd, including Jayanta Banerjee, Executive Vice Chairman, as well as IIMB alumni, faculty, and staff.
The establishment of the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital marks a significant milestone in advancing the study and practice of private equity and venture capital in India and beyond.
