Mumbai: Percept has set up an expansion plan for all its key areas of business. In order to fund this future growth, Percept plans to raise Rs 15 billion (Rs 1500 crores) through private equity, IPO and debt.

A sum of Rs 1.50 billion (Rs 150 crores) has already been raised through Edelweiss, Passport Capital and Indivision India Partners (IIP). This has been done at a valuation of up to Rs 12 billion (Rs 1200 crores). The expansion plans aim at scaling up the content and IPR businesses. Percept is also aiming at inorganic growth within the media and communications domain.
 
The funds will be deployed in building presence and strength in the entertainment, media and communications domain – including creation of knowledge practices, proprietary tools & assets and creation of asset and talent ownership.
 
Funds will also be deployed in acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Strategic investments are planned in the areas of IPR Acquisition, Home Video Distribution, Film Production Studio, Development of Digital & Mobile Content and International Distribution. These investments will result in a better integrated
content business covering the complete value chain.
 
Percept will continue to invest more in the field of Animation – both in development of global content and animation production. The marketing communication business will also be strengthened with key investments in the area of media services and digital and online marketing.
 
Percept is in advanced stages of negotiations with other strategic and financial investors, and is expecting an immediate closure of Round 1 of funding. The Company is also planning an IPO in the 2nd half of the current year.

Percept had recently announced its strategic restructuring and change from ‘Percept Holdings’ to ‘Percept Limited’ in keeping with the expansion and growth plans in the coming year.
 
President-corporate affairs Ajay Upadhyay said, "We have been a closely held Company for 24 years and grown organically and inorganically to challenge the best in the business. We are now set to enter the global stage and we will be
partnering with strategic partners going forward. We have already raised Rs. 150 crores through private equity and are in talks with potential partners and investors to raise the balance amount."

He added, "The Indian entertainment and media industry is estimated to touch Rs 1.157 trillion by 2012 with a compounded annual growth rate of 18% between 2008-12. The Indian economy is on the growth path today and we are optimistic about the markets and the economy. The fundamentals of our economy are very strong and we are highly optimistic about the current scenario."