Warburg-controlled Vistaar Financial inducts new investors in Rs 1,360-crore fund raise

Warburg-controlled Vistaar Financial inducts new investors in Rs 1,360-crore fund raise

Vistaar Financial Services, a micro-enterprise lender controlled by Warburg Pincus, announced a fund raise of Rs 1,360 crore on August 25.

The investment included Rs 870 crore of primary capital to support its next phase of growth. The round was led by Motilal Oswal Alternates and saw participation from multiple investors, including Singapore-headquartered Asia impact investor ABC Impact, and others.

The announcement added: "Since Warburg Pincus acquired a majority stake in 2023, in partnership with Managing Director & CEO Avijit Saha, the company has scaled meaningfully across operational, financial, and digital fronts. Vistaar has strengthened its leadership bench, deepened its technology stack, strengthened analytical and cybersecurity capabilities, enhanced its compliance focus, and expanded across 12 states with 250+ branches, while maintaining a strong focus on financial inclusion and credit quality."

The company manages over Rs 5,000 crore in AUM with a capital adequacy ratio exceeding 50%, a credit rating of A+ (Stable), and delivered mid-teens RoE in FY25.

Narendra Ostawal, Managing Director & Head of India Private Equity, Warburg Pincus, said: “Vistaar has established itself as a leading lender and partner for underserved MSMEs, an essential segment for the country’s long-term economic progress. Under Avijit’s leadership, the company has accelerated growth with discipline and purpose. At Warburg Pincus, we believe in building enduring businesses through long-term partnerships. We’re proud of Vistaar’s transformation and are pleased to welcome the new investors as Vistaar continues to advance its long-term goals.”

Vinit Mehta, Managing Director, Motilal Oswal Alternates, added, “Vistaar’s leadership in MSME lending, particularly in semi-urban and rural India, aligns strongly with our investment philosophy of backing transformative, high-impact platforms enabling last-mile delivery of credit. We look forward to working with Avijit and the Vistaar team in its next phase of growth, anchored in strong corporate governance and risk management, as they continue to build a sustainable, technology-enabled lending institution.”

Sugandhi Matta, Chief Impact Officer, ABC Impact, said, “Vistaar’s mission to provide timely credit to India’s underserved MSME businesses aligns closely with our impact lens. We look forward to working with Avijit and the Vistaar team to support their continued expansion and deepen their reach across a segment that plays a vital role in India’s economic engine.”

Investment bank Avendus Capital advised Vistaar and its shareholders on the transaction.