How PE-backed Samhi is building its hotels portfolio

Two-year-old Samhi Hotels Pvt Ltd is following a build-and-buy strategy to expand its business in India and already boasts around 22 hotel properties in various stages of operations and development. Co-founded by Ashish Jakhanwala (who previously led the hotel major Accor’s business in India) besides Steve Rushmore and Manav Thadani (founder and senior executive of the hospitality consulting outfit HVS, respectively), it is one of the new-generation hospitality firms to have attracted large private equity funding. The company is majority-owned by early investors Equity International and GTI Capital who had committed around $100 million to the firm over a year ago, of which Equity International came in with $75 million. Speaking to VCCircle, Samhi MD & CEO Jakhanwala said the firm would continue with its build-and-buy strategy and scout for more opportunities, mostly in the metros and the mini-metros in India.Watch the video to know more about Samhi's strategy and expansion plans going forward.