IIM Bangalore launches Private Equity and Venture Capital Centre of Excellence

Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital is backed by alumnus Mathew Cyriac to drive innovation, research, and talent in India’s PEVC ecosystem.

IIM Bangalore has launched Centre of Excellence dedicated to private equity and venture capital (PEVC), named the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital. The initiative has been made possible through a landmark endowment by IIMB alumnus and finance leader Mathew Cyriac, Chairman of Florintree Advisors.

Centre is named in honour of Hamilton "Tony" James, former President and Executive Vice Chairman of global investment firm Blackstone. Tony James Centre will serve as a national platform for cutting-edge research, talent development, policy dialogue, and academic-industry collaboration in the alternative investments sector.

Vision for PEVC Landscape

Centre was envisioned during IIMB’s golden jubilee celebrations, aiming to strengthen India’s footprint in global private capital. Prof. Thampy, who holds the Florintree Chair in PEVC, said the Centre would contribute to developing high-quality talent to meet India's growing demand for PEVC expertise.

Center sponsor Mathew Cyriac emphasized the need for sophisticated capital models tailored to India’s economic reality. He stated, “It is vital to build something of global repute and support the PEVC ecosystem with structured academic and practical engagement.”

Four finance faculty members — Late Prof. Prakash Apte, Prof. Prasanna Chandra, Prof. S. Sundararajan, and Prof. George Varughese — were honoured with classrooms named after them. Prof. Varughese noted the Centre’s significance in producing not just intellectuals but socially conscious leaders.