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Apax Partners bets big on iD Fresh with Rs 1,300-Cr Investment
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Monday, 05 January, 2026, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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British private equity major Apax Partners is set to take a significant strategic position in India’s burgeoning ready-to-cook food market by acquiring a 25 % stake in Bengaluru-based iD Fresh Food for approximately Rs 1,300 crore. The deal values the company at nearly Rs 4,500 crore, underscoring strong investor confidence in India’s organised consumer and convenience food segment.
Founded in 2005 by PC Musthafa iD Fresh carved out a unique niche in the packaged food space by offering preservative-free, home-style idli and dosa batters through a controlled logistics-led distribution model that ensures freshness without additives. Over the years, the brand has expanded its portfolio to include whole wheat parathas, curd, paneer, instant filter coffee, coffee powder, frozen fruit pulp and chutneys, catering to evolving consumer tastes and convenience demands.
The investment marks one of Apax’s first pure-play consumer sector deals in India, reflecting the firm’s strategic shift toward opportunities aligned with the country’s premiumisation trend, where rising incomes and urban lifestyles are driving demand for organised, high-quality food products. Apax’s competitive bid reportedly edged out several other top-tier private equity firms, including Carlyle, Kedaara, Permira, ChrysCapital, Multiples and Verlinvest.
Apax Partners has a long track record in India, having invested roughly $3.6 billion across 13 deals and realised about $5.2 billion through exits. Its India portfolio spans both technology and consumer segments, with notable investments in companies such as greytHR, Infogain, Zensar, Fractal Analytics and Apollo Hospitals.
For iD Fresh, this capital infusion comes at a time of robust growth the company reported 22 % year-on-year revenue growth to Rs 681.38 crore in FY25 and turned profitable in FY24. It also follows recent leadership changes as the business prepares for a potential IPO in 2027.
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