Infosys divests stake in ANSR

BENGALURU: Infosys has divested its stake in ANSR Consulting Holdings for $1 million. Bengaluru-based ANSR, led by Lalit Ahuja, helps global companies set up captive centres in the country. Among the companies it has brought in are L Brands, Lowe's, Target and Swiss Re.

Infosys invested $1.4 million for less than 5% stake in ANSR two years back, when the company was headed by Vishal Sikka. This was the company's first investment in an Indian firm after setting up a $500 million Innovation Fund.

Calls made to ANSR head Lalit Ahuja did not elicit a response. According to sources, ANSR, which has also received funding from Accel Partners, is buying back the shares.

Shekhar Kirani, partner in Accel Partners, said the company has exceeded its expectations with its unique positioning, brilliant execution and value proposition in the market.

ANSR has brought in investments to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore through the captive centre route.

ANSR has spearheaded the GIC landscape in the country, bringing more than 30 GICs to leverage India's talent pool. It forms joint ventures with the global companies, helps run it, and, once the India unit matures, hands them to the parent company. The divestment is intriguing especially when GICs are strengthening their innovation agenda in newer areas like artificial intelligence, analytics, big data and cloud transformation. India has become their go-to tech outpost.

The divestment also raises questions about whether there is a renewed focus on the traditional business. The company had invested in 13 firms from its innovation fund, but no investment was made this year, post the controversy surrounding the acquisition of Israeli firm Panaya.

Infosys Technologies Limited