Apax Partners Fuels iD Fresh Expansion with ₹1,300 Cr Investment

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AuthorVihaan Mehta|Published at:
Apax Partners Fuels iD Fresh Expansion with ₹1,300 Cr Investment
Overview

iD Fresh Food has secured a significant 'strategic' investment of ₹1,300 crore from private equity firm Apax Partners for a substantial minority stake. The ready-to-cook food retailer plans to deploy the capital to enhance its product catalogue and aggressively expand into new domestic and international markets. This funding follows iD Fresh's achievement of profitability in fiscal year 2024.

Funding Boost for iD Fresh

Ready-to-cook food retailer iD Fresh announced a major funding round on Monday, securing a substantial investment from London-based private equity firm Apax Partners. This strategic infusion of capital is earmarked for significant growth initiatives, including enhancing its existing product lines and expanding its market presence across India and abroad.

Deal Terms and Valuation

The transaction involves Apax Partners acquiring a significant minority stake in iD Fresh. While exact financial figures were not officially disclosed, reports indicate the deal values Apax Partners' investment at approximately ₹1,300 crore ($144 million) for a 25% equity share. This transaction propels iD Fresh's valuation to an estimated ₹4,500 crore. The investment also includes a secondary component, with Apax Partners acquiring stakes from existing shareholders Premji Invest and TPG NewQuest.

Financial Turnaround and Growth Outlook

Founded in 2005 by Musthafa and his cousins, iD Fresh specializes in instant breakfast mixes like idli and dosa batters, but has diversified into frozen flatbreads, pancake mixes, coffee, curd, and paneer. A key development is the company's profitability in fiscal year 2024, marking a significant turnaround from a net loss of ₹23.3 crore in FY23 to a net profit of ₹1.84 crore. Operating revenue surged by 22.3% to ₹688.22 crore in FY24. The company is targeting operating revenues of INR 1,100-1,200 crore by FY27 and is preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Investor Confidence

Apax Partners has been active in India since 2007, investing approximately $3.5 billion. Their portfolio includes notable companies such as Fractal Analytics and Apollo Hospitals. This investment underscores confidence in iD Fresh's business model and its potential within the rapidly expanding Indian fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, particularly in the ready-to-cook and convenience food segments.

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