Verlinvest acquires controlling stake in Ferty9 Fertility Center for $50M
Verlinvest, the Brussels-based investment firm founded by the families of beer maker AB-Inbev, has announced its entry into the Indian healthcare sector with the acquisition of a controlling stake in fertility chain Ferty9 Fertility Center. The acquisition marks Verlinvest’s first control deal in India and the company’s first investment in the Indian healthcare sector. Verlinvest plans to build Ferty9 as a platform with a commitment of $50 million and acquire fertility clinics across major cities in India, while also expanding the business organically.
Ferty9, which was founded by Dr. C. Jyothi Budi and partners in 2013 and currently operates seven centers in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, will be led by fertility sector veteran Vinesh Gadhia, who will serve as its Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the board. Verlinvest plans to expand the platform’s presence in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and in the top cities in the country through organic and inorganic growth opportunities.
“There is a growing market with increasing instances of infertility. Today, one in 15 couples has some kind of infertility issue and the problem is only increasing due to lifestyle changes and many other issues,” said Shagun Tiwari Shah, Senior Principal at Verlinvest. “We want to be the consolidators of this space.”
Verlinvest’s other investments in India include edtech major Byju’s, India’s largest wine maker Sula Vineyards, online beauty shopping platform Purplle, and furniture maker Wakefit. The company plans to replicate its European strategy of building healthcare platforms in India, with the aim of being present in at least 25-30 cities with the money it has committed.
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