Varun Gupta
About Varun Gupta
Varun Gupta is the Managing Director at Avendus, with extensive experience in leading transactions across diverse sectors. He has a background in commerce, chartered accountancy, and corporate law, and has held significant roles at Avendus and BMR Advisors.
Current Role as Managing Director
Varun Gupta serves as the Managing Director at Avendus, where he is responsible for overseeing strategic initiatives and leading various transactions. His tenure in this role began in 2023, following a series of positions within the company, including Executive Director and Vice President. His leadership is focused on driving growth and enhancing the firm's presence in the market.
Experience at Avendus
Varun Gupta has held multiple positions at Avendus, starting as Director from 2019 to 2022, then advancing to Vice President from 2015 to 2019. He contributed significantly to various high-profile transactions, including the USD 440 million fund-raise for Unacademy and the majority stake acquisition of Simplilearn by Blackstone for USD 250 million. His experience spans over seven years at Avendus, showcasing his expertise in financial advisory.
Professional Background at BMR Advisors
Prior to his role at Avendus, Varun Gupta worked at BMR Advisors, where he held several positions from 2008 to 2015. His roles included Associate - M&A, Assistant Manager, Senior Associate, Vice President, and Senior Vice President. During his time there, he was involved in significant transactions, such as the sale of Glyph International and the controlling stake in Newswire18 to Samara Capital.
Educational Qualifications
Varun Gupta holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Osmania University, which he completed from 2001 to 2004. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, having studied from 2004 to 2008. Additionally, he studied Corporate Law and Practice at The Institute of Company Secretaries of India from 2002 to 2005, further enhancing his expertise in corporate governance.
Key Transactions and Contributions
Throughout his career, Varun Gupta has led and participated in numerous transactions across various sectors, including EdTech, B2B Ecommerce, InsurTech, and Agritech. Notable contributions include managing the sale of Mettl to Mercer Global and facilitating the USD 650 million fund-raise for Eruditus, led by Softbank and Accel. His work has significantly impacted the companies involved and the sectors he operates in.