Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | 6th August 2025: The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) is set to host the highly anticipated IVCA CAT III Summit 2025 on August 6, 2025, in Mumbai, bringing together top voices from India’s alternative investment fund (AIF) ecosystem. With Category III AIFs rapidly reshaping India’s capital markets, the summit will serve as a pivotal gathering of over 120 industry stakeholders—including fund managers, limited partners, policymakers, and wealth advisors—to explore evolving strategies, structures, and innovations in this high-growth asset class.
Category III AIFs: Fastest-Growing Segment in Indian Alternatives
The summit arrives at a watershed moment for the Category III AIF segment, which has clocked an impressive 65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past three years. As of FY25, the sector boasts ₹2.3 lakh crore in capital commitments spread across 371 SEBI-registered funds. In a single year, 95 new Category III AIFs were launched—an 86% year-on-year surge, highlighting rising investor demand for structured alpha and differentiated investment strategies.
IVCA’s Vision for the Future of Alternative Capital
Rajat Tandon, President of IVCA, emphasized the strategic importance of CAT III funds in India’s financial evolution:
“Category III AIFs are bridging strategic growth with institutional capital, enabling investors to access sophisticated, high-conviction strategies. The IVCA CAT III Summit is a step toward building a future-ready investment ecosystem through deep collaboration among fund managers, regulators, and allocators.”
Thought Leaders and Regulatory Voices to Headline the Summit
Keynote speakers will include Shri Pradeep Ramakrishnan from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and Shri Pavan Shah, who will lead critical regulatory discussions. The summit will also feature prominent fund managers and thought leaders such as:
- Bhautik Ambani – AlphGrep Investment Management
- Siddharth Bhaiya – Aequitas Investments
- Prashant Jain – 3P
- Vikas Khemani – Carnelian Asset Advisors
- Dr. Pritesh Majumdar – DSP Mutual Fund
- Vikaas Sachdeva – IVCA CAT III Council Co-Chair
- Onkarpreet Singh Jutia – Nuvama Private
Driving Innovation Across Equity and Debt Alternatives
Highlighting the innovation potential of Category III strategies, Dr. Pritesh Majumdar from DSP said:
“Long/short equity funds offer powerful risk-adjusted returns and portfolio diversification by capturing sectoral dispersion in Indian equity markets. Partnering with IVCA helps amplify best practices and institutional engagement.”
Priyam Kedia, Senior Portfolio Manager at Vivriti Asset Management, introduced the concept of semi-liquid credit funds under CAT III regulations:
“Vivriti AMC is pioneering this structure in India to offer periodic liquidity options, addressing a key gap for global and domestic investors alike.”
Adding to this, Udit Sureka, EVP at Nuvama Asset Services, remarked:
“Category III AIFs are enabling performance through strategy and agility. These funds are uniquely positioned with their ability to span derivatives, quant strategies, and multi-asset investing across public and private markets. Clarity around taxation and leverage will only accelerate their growth trajectory.”
Summit Backed by Leading Institutions
The IVCA CAT III Summit 2025 is supported by partners including 3P, DSP, and Vivriti Asset Management, with Nuvama as the Custody and Clearing Partner, adding further institutional credibility to the event.
A Crucial Gathering for India’s AIF Ecosystem
As Category III AIFs gain traction among both domestic and international investors, the IVCA CAT III Summit 2025 promises to be a landmark platform. It will facilitate critical conversations around regulatory frameworks, fund structuring, and portfolio innovation, helping shape the next chapter of India’s alternative investment landscape.
