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The Karnataka Learning Partnership was formed as a framework for nonprofits, corporations, academic institutions, and citizens to get involved in improving government schools in Karnataka. Our work has touched thousands of children in the state.
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Friday, April 17, 2009

Venture Capitalists Eye Indian Education Market

Via Venture Capital Dispatch

One particular area in India that apparently has venture capital firms salivating is education. A new report from research firm Venture Intelligence suggests that various factors in India - such as an inefficient public education system, a booming young population and a bourgeoning middle class - are creating a wealth of opportunities for start-up companies.

Venture Intelligence recently surveyed 90 venture capital and private equity investors in India and found that 80% of them were interested in investing in education in the next six to eight months. In the past four years, these firms have made more than 30 education-related investments worth more than $300 million, according to the report. One-fourth of that money has gone to companies focused on online learning services, while vocation training and tutoring/test preparation have also received a large share.

Despite the investor enthusiasm, more than half of the fund managers polled for this report believe that regulatory hurdles are “a significant deterrent to the free flow of investments into the education industry.” These concerns include a non-profit requirement for certain schools and colleges, restrictions on foreign investments in higher education and a general lack of clarity on what is allowed.
Read the entire article here.

Also read: 'Non-profit only' rule hinders private equity in education

Image Source: focus2capture

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