UGRO Capital to acquire Profectus capital in Rs 1,409 crore cash deal

United News of India

18-06-2025

Hyderabad, June 18 (UNI) UGRO Capital Limited, a leading DataTech NBFC focused on MSME lending, on Wednesday announced it has executed a Share Purchase Agreement with the existing shareholders of Profectus Capital Private Limited ("Profectus") to acquire 100% of the shares of Profectus.
This all-cash deal, with the consideration payable in a single tranche at closing, shall mobilise proceeds from UGRO's recently announced equity raise and will deploy capital into a fully secured asset portfolio delivering instant scale benefits with zero origination costs, making Profectus a wholly owned subsidiary, the company said in a release.
We estimate that this acquisition would add around Rs 150 crores of annualised profit to UGRO making it a capital adequacy accretive transaction.
The acquisition strategically enhances four core NBFC pillars: Immediate 29% AUM growth diversifies the combined portfolio to accelerate high-yield Emerging Markets and Embedded Finance expansion, while adding School Financing with incremental Rs 2,000 crore medium-term potential, as per our assessment. We estimate significant geographic and product alignment in Secured LAP, Machinery Finance, and Supply Chain Finance, which we believe will drive operational efficiencies, generating Rs 115 crore in cost savings and adding incremental profitability of ₹150 crore, thus boosting ROA by 0.6-0.7% once a post-acquisition merger is complete.
The combined entity's strengthened asset mix features higher secured assets, thereby providing further impetus to scale emerging market and embedded finance businesses.
Profectus has demonstrated stable portfolio expansion, building its assets under management to Rs 3,468 crore as of March 2025, with a presence across seven states through a 28-branch network and an over 800-member team, all while maintaining a gross NPA of 1.6% and a net NPA of 1.1%. Its complementary businesses in secured lending perfectly align with UGRO's data-driven underwriting platform.
To facilitate the discharge of purchase consideration for the proposed acquisition, the company is proposing to add financing of Profectus' acquisition as an object of the existing preferential issuance of compulsorily convertible debentures by seeking fresh approval from the board and shareholders.
The acquisition is expected to close on fulfilment of customary conditions, including receipt of RBI/shareholder approvals.
Both entities will maintain current operations and strategy during integration.
Reflecting on this acquisition, Shachindra Nath, Founder and Managing Director of UGRO Capital, said, 'This strategically priced acquisition deploys our equity raise to achieve instant scale and Rs 115 crore cost savings and annualised incremental profitability of Rs 150 crores, thus boosting ROA by 0.6–0.7%. Integrating Profectus' school finance expertise unlocks Rs 2,000 crores in growth potential and strengthens our secured asset mix – accelerating our journey to become India's largest MSME lender through enhanced Emerging Markets and Embedded Finance capabilities.'
Mr. K.V. Srinivasan, Executive Director & CEO, Profectus Capital, added, 'The coming together of the two organisations would be beneficial owing to the synergies and complementarity of the businesses, which should result in greater operational efficiency and profitability for the business. We at Profectus, thank our investors for their unwavering commitment and support throughout our journey, which has helped us to establish a very strong process-orientated business with excellent portfolio quality.'
With this strategic acquisition, UGRO Capital reaffirms its commitment to driving inclusive economic growth and empowering MSMEs across India, leveraging combined synergies to expand high-yield offerings while maintaining portfolio quality.
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