- USD 30-million first close achieved against USD 60-million target
- Strong UHNI, family-office appetite powers maiden Category III AIF
- Fund to hunt special situations, IBC resolutions and stressed-asset opportunities across India
NE ECONOMIC BUREAU
MUMBAI, AUG 11
One month, one powerful signal of investor appetite: Areion Group has scored a swift first close for its maiden GIFT City fund, securing commitments of approximately USD 30 million—half of its targeted corpus—within a month of launch, underlining growing global investor interest in India’s special-situations and stressed-asset opportunity landscape.
Areion Assets Management Private Limited (AAMPL), the investment management arm of Areion Group, on Tuesday announced the successful first close of Areion Growth Fund – GIFT City, a Category III Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) established under the IFSCA Regulations, 2025.
Backed by strong interest from ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs) and family offices globally, the fund has secured commitments of around USD 30 million against its targeted corpus of USD 60 million, including a USD 20-million base corpus with a USD 40-million green-shoe option.
The fund, launched at the end of June 2026, has a five-year tenure, with an option to extend it by up to two years. Areion expects to achieve the final close by Q3 of FY2026-27.
GIFT City becomes Areion’s new investment springboard
The fund will target a wide range of securities and opportunities across India, with a particular focus on special situations across the credit spectrum, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)-led resolutions, one-time settlements and strategic exits to operating companies.
The rapid first close highlights the growing role of GIFT City as a platform for global capital seeking access to India’s expanding alternative-investment ecosystem.
Commenting on the achievement, Suresh Khatanhar, Group CEO, Areion Group, said, “The successful first close marks an important milestone for us and reflects the growing investor confidence in India’s evolving special situations market. Areion Gift City Fund represents an important step in our long-term growth journey. As institutional participation continues to deepen, we remain focused on identifying high-quality opportunities and delivering sustainable value through a disciplined investment approach.”
Ajay Mehta, CEO, Areion Assets Management, added, “GIFT city offers a compelling platform for global investment management, and establishment of this fund reinforces our commitment to participating in India’s evolving financial ecosystem. Achieving the first close within a month of its launch has cemented Areion Group’s position as a leading player in India’s special situation and stressed-asset investment landscape.”
₹3,000-crore deployment track record
Areion entered the AIF space in 2019 and has since developed a multi-fund platform comprising Category I and Category II funds.
Since inception, the group has deployed approximately ₹30 billion (₹3,000 crore) in special-situation assets, providing the investment platform with an established track record as it expands its presence through the new GIFT City vehicle.
