IIM Bangalore to Establish Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) is set to launch a new Centre of Excellence named the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital. This initiative is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Dean Faculty of IIMB, and Mathew Cyriac, the Executive Chairman of Florintree Advisors Pvt Ltd. Cyriac, an alumnus from the 1994 batch, has made a significant contribution to establish this center.

Mathew Cyriac, a distinguished alumnus who graduated at the top of his MBA class and was awarded the IIMB Gold Medal, expressed his enthusiasm for the new center. “My alma mater IIM Bangalore, which is a leader in the area of finance amongst the top B-schools of the country, is naturally positioned to take the lead on this,” said Cyriac. He envisions the Tony James Centre becoming a globally renowned destination for individuals and organizations interested in private equity and venture capital.

Tony James, after whom the center is named, is a notable figure in the investment banking world. He served as the President, COO, and Executive Vice Chairman of Blackstone, and his influence in Wall Street has been profound.

Cyriac’s support extends beyond the establishment of the center. He has also pledged to fund four new scholarships for IIMB’s PhD and MBA/Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) students. His contributions will enhance the academic environment at IIMB, reflecting his commitment to fostering future leaders in the finance sector.

In addition, Cyriac’s donation will facilitate the creation of four new classrooms in IIMB’s K Block. These classrooms will honour distinguished former IIMB faculty members: Prof. Prakash Apte, Prof. Prasanna Chandra, Prof. S. Sundararajan, and Prof. George Varughese.

Prof. Rishikesha Krishnan, Director of IIMB, acknowledged the impact of Cyriac’s contribution, stating, “This is the single largest ever contribution from an alumnus, and we are grateful to Mathew for his generous support.” The establishment of the Tony James Centre and the creation of new facilities and scholarships are expected to significantly enhance the institute’s capabilities and global standing in the field of finance.

Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean of Alumni Relations & Development at IIM Bangalore, highlighted the importance of alumni support. “The proposed Centre is a shining example of an alumnus giving back to his alma mater in a meaningful way. We hope this initiative serves as an inspiration to other alumni to collaborate with IIM Bangalore,” he remarked.

The Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital at IIM Bangalore represents a significant step forward in advancing the institute’s leadership in finance education. With Mathew Cyriac’s generous support, IIMB aims to foster innovation and excellence in the fields of private equity and venture capital, contributing to the growth and development of future finance professionals.