IIM Bangalore Launches India’s First PEVC Centre of Excellence: Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital
Alumnus Mathew Cyriac’s endowment honours global investment leader Tony James
Bengaluru, August 7, 2025:
Marking a significant milestone in India’s alternative investment landscape, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has inaugurated the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital — the country’s first Centre of Excellence focused exclusively on private equity and venture capital (PEVC).
The Centre has been established through a generous endowment by Mr. Mathew Cyriac, an accomplished member of IIMB’s PGP Class of 1994, Institute Gold Medallist, and recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. Mr. Cyriac is currently Chairman of Florintree Advisors and Co-Founder of Yali Capital.
The initiative, one of the largest alumni contributions in IIMB’s history, was formalized through an MoU signed on August 24, 2024. The endowment will support the Centre’s development, fund scholarships for PGP and doctoral students, and honour faculty mentors by naming four classrooms after prominent professors from the finance area.
Named in tribute to Mr. Hamilton “Tony” James — former President, COO, and Executive Vice Chairman of Blackstone — the Centre aims to foster global-level research, education, policy dialogue, and industry collaboration in the PEVC domain.
The launch event brought together key figures from the PE, VC, and financial services sectors, highlighting the Centre’s ambition to become a knowledge hub for India’s fast-evolving investment ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Professor Sourav Mukherji, Dean (Faculty, Alumni Relations and Development), said, “It is heartening to see an alumnus return to give back in such a meaningful way, especially in an area that is vital to both academia and industry. This Centre stands as a symbol of how alumni can inspire future generations by enabling cutting-edge research and fostering a strong sense of institutional responsibility.”
Professor Dinesh Kumar, Director In-charge, IIMB, added, “High-impact research requires serious capital. This contribution by Mr. Cyriac will allow IIMB to attract world-class talent, invest in key infrastructure, and strengthen our global research footprint. It is a major step towards positioning IIMB as a research-driven institution of international repute.”
A Vision for the Future of Indian Investing
In his address, Mr. Mathew Cyriac spoke of the need for innovation in India’s maturing investment market. “As India’s private equity and venture capital space evolves, we need research and strategy that is deeply rooted in the Indian context but aligned with global standards,” he said.
He noted that the concept for the Centre emerged during IIMB’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, and shared that he wanted to give back by building something foundational and future-oriented. “IIMB has always been at the forefront in finance education. I saw an opportunity to strengthen that reputation with a Centre that could make a real difference to the industry and academia alike,” he explained.
Mr. Cyriac emphasized that the Centre would serve a broad spectrum of stakeholders—including students, researchers, PEVC firms, and Limited Partners (LPs)—acting as a bridge between academic insight and industry practice.
He also fondly recalled his student years and acknowledged the faculty members whose guidance had shaped his cohort, dedicating part of the endowment to honour their legacy through classroom naming.
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