How does our India expert search out the subcontinent’s most promising technology firms to put on the path to global success from a UK HQ?
Alpesh B Patel
As a GEP dealmaker, my aim is to find the most innovative firms in India and make them global companies with a global HQ in the UK. In doing so I look out for revolutionary technology which brands the UK as an innovative, forward-thinking home for entrepreneurship.
The essence of the role is part dealmaker, part lawyer, part financier and part priest!
My role as dealmaker
Once I have found these companies, my role is to evaluate them and do deals to make the move a reality. This includes working with the company on its pitch and strategy, liaising with financiers and acting as broker.
Promoting the UK as a strategic base for a global HQ, nestled in the EU and with easy access to the US is central to the proposition.
Evaluating potential firms
One of the ways I discover new talent is by developing channels with organisations such as Nasscom, TiE, IIT, IIM and ISB, from whom I can receive pre-vetted business plans.
My target companies are early-stage, IP-rich technology companies who can be persuaded of a business case to set up a global HQ in the UK. Ideally they will have a realistic prospect of achieving sales of US$20m by year five, giving a market cap of US$200m on a multiple of 10.
I examine over 200 business plans annually and evaluate them against due diligence on financials, market opportunities, feasibility of growth from the UK, assessing the fit with GEP objectives.
Alpesh the India specialist
I am passionate about developing the UK-India business relationship. My membership of organisations such as the Indo-British Partnership and UK-India Roundtable puts me in a good position for understanding Government policy.
I was specifically appointed by the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the UK India roundtable from 2000 until 2005, to promote closer bilateral ties between the two countries. I have written 10 books on investing and several cover India in particular.
Sharing my experience as entrepreneur
My experience as founder of Agile Partners Asset Management has provided a solid grounding for my role as dealmaker: in both capacities I’m looking for outstanding companies with immense potential.
My investment experience also extends to membership of the Investment Advisory Committee, ICICI Bank’s Private Bank Division, which evaluates best-of-breed global funds.
Alpesh’s current emphasis is on Defence/Intelligence related companies in India looking to go global from the UK, taking the In-Q-Tel model in the US which was launched in 1999 by the CIA.