Key Stakeholders to Convene at GIFT City on March 12, 2025
The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), in collaboration with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), is gearing up to host the first-ever IFSCA-IVCA Fund Management Conclave 2025. Scheduled for March 12, 2025, at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, this high-profile event is poised to bring together senior policymakers, global fund managers, industry leaders, and influential stakeholders in the fund management sector.
The conclave, held in partnership with prominent institutions such as IC Universal Legal (ICUL), Investec, Peak XV Partners, and PwC India, will address critical developments, regulatory frameworks, investment strategies, and tax efficiency in India's evolving fund management landscape.
A Strategic Collaboration Rooted in Shared Goals
The event is a direct result of an MoU signed between IVCA and IFSCA last year, laying the groundwork for enhancing India’s fund management ecosystem. Commenting on the significance of the conclave, Rajat Tandon, President of IVCA, highlighted, “The IFSCA-IVCA Fund Management Conclave 2025 stands as a testament to the growing synergy between India’s regulatory vision and the alternative investment ecosystem. With progressive regulations, efficient tax regimes, and an optimistic approach, IFSCA continues to strengthen India's positioning as a powerhouse for private capital.”
GIFT City’s Emergence as a Global Investment Hub
GIFT IFSC is steadily becoming the preferred domicile for global and domestic fund managers, bolstered by progressive regulatory measures and tax-neutral policies. Reflecting on these developments, Tejesh Chitlangi, Joint Managing Partner at ICUL, emphasized, “The new FME Regulations clearly reflect the agility and support of IFSCA as a regulator. The ease in Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) norms for NRIs, relaxed mutual fund requirements, and clarified sponsor contributions underscore a thriving ecosystem poised for substantial growth.”
Additionally, the conclave will showcase GIFT City’s attractiveness, including:
- Lower entry barriers, with fund scheme thresholds reduced from $5 million to $3 million and PMS investment minimums lowered from $150,000 to $75,000.
- Tax exemptions on Category III Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) distributions and redemptions.
- Accelerating ESG-focused initiatives with fee waivers for the first 10 ESG funds.
Industry Leaders Express Confidence in GIFT IFSC’s Future
Piyush Gupta, Head of Credit Markets at Investec, noted, “Over the past few years, GIFT IFSC has increasingly evolved into a domicile of choice for top fund managers globally. With proactive regulations and a cost-effective operational framework, GIFT City is poised to become one of the top destinations for global investors in the next decade.”
Rajan Anandan, Managing Director of Peak XV Partners and Co-Chair of VC Council at IVCA, further echoed this sentiment: “GIFT IFSC is emerging as a serious contender for global capital, reshaping India's alternative investment landscape.”
Distinguished Speakers and Expert Discussions
The IFSCA-IVCA Fund Management Conclave 2025 will feature insightful dialogues and expert panels led by senior government officials, including:
- Shri K. Rajaraman
- Dr. Dipesh Shah
- Shri Pradeep Ramakrishnan
The event will also feature industry veterans such as:
- Ashish Fafadia (Blume Ventures)
- Bhautik Ambani (AlphaGrep Investment Management)
- Hamsini Karthik (Moneycontrol)
- Kunal Shah (PwC India)
- Kanchan Jain (Ascertis Credit Group)
- Dr. Pritesh Majmudar (DSP Asset Managers Private Limited)
- Rubin Chheda (Neo Asset Management Private Limited)
- R. Leelavathi Naidu and Sushreet Pattanayak (IC Universal Legal)
- Tushar Sachade (PwC India)
- Vaibhav Sanghavi (ASK Hedge Solutions)
These experts will discuss critical areas, including investment structuring, market trends, legal compliance, and regulatory developments impacting the alternative investment industry.
Expressing enthusiasm about the event, Bhavin Shah, Private Equity Leader at PwC India, said, “We are thrilled to participate in the IFSCA-IVCA Fund Management Conclave 2025. The conclave offers a unique platform for meaningful dialogue that will advance innovation and excellence in the fund management sector.”
IVCA’s Commitment to a Robust Alternative Investment Ecosystem
The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) remains committed to fostering a dynamic investment landscape through strategic partnerships and advocacy with policymakers and regulators. IVCA’s membership includes influential domestic and international venture capitalists, private equity firms, infrastructure funds, real estate investors, credit funds, corporate venture capital entities, and family offices, further cementing its role in India's growing investment ecosystem.
The IFSCA-IVCA Fund Management Conclave 2025 is set to significantly impact the trajectory of alternative investments, solidifying India’s standing as a global financial services hub.