A young business leader with new-age dynamism:
Shivam Bajaj founded Avener Capital, financial services firm and business accelerator, in 2018 in Mumbai intrigued by the prospect of helping growth-focussed companies raise capital from the private market. The firm is guided by the futuristic vision and exuberance of this dynamic young second-generation business leader. The idea of setting up the firm germinated from Shivam’s aim to always create maximum value, promote innovation and spur growth by investing in promising start-ups and disrupt the investment banking space with bespoke PE Advisory, M&A Advisory, structured finance advisory and debt syndication services.
A Babson College graduate in Finance and Economics and a Harvard University Corporate Finance Program pass out, Shivam has led a number of marquee transactions since 2018 which include GIC’s Investment into IRB Infrastructure Trust (equity raising of Rs.4,400 crore), Ferrovial and GIC’s investment into IRB Infrastructure (largest equity fund-raise for an Indian Infrastructure HoldCo of Rs.5437 crore). After successfully driving value for the clients through a series of big deals valued $4 billion (Rs.25,000 crore) and building Avener Capital’s reputation as a future-ready player in investment banking space, Shivam is leading his firm to the next phase of growth to position it as a key systemically important financial institution.
Setting up the stage for the entrepreneurial journey:
After coming back to India completing higher studies, he led his family-run financial services firm Bajaj Consultants to a new height. By bringing in new insights and reinventing conventional processes, he increased the cumulative transaction value of the group to Rs. 1 lakh crore. That exposure and learnings during that stint fueled entrepreneurial spirit in Shivam and motivated him to set up Avener Capital with a differentiated market positioning which goes beyond the traditional investment banking framework. He firmly believes in creating and unlocking maximum value for his clients through financial re-engineering.
Before setting up Avener Capital, he donned many hats and he continues to do so. He advised and set up the first unlisted InvIT in India. A passionate start-up investor, Shivam continues to invest in start-ups and back ventures which he strongly believes in. He also actively manages his family office. In addition, He is active in the policy advocacy space with SEBI, RBI, Ministry of Finance related to InvIT’s/ REIT’s.
Life beyond business: An ardent travel buff, he rejuvenates himself by visiting places away from the hustle and bustle of city life surrounded by serenity and unbounded nature. Spending time with family and friends, he believes, keeps him grounded and focused on priorities.