Catamaran delivered 22% VC returns over past decade: Infosys founder Narayana Murthy

Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy on Friday said his family office, Catamaran Ventures, has delivered returns of over 22% from venture capital (VC) investments over the past 10 years. The investment firm also invests in publicly traded stocks, and these equity investments have delivered over 17-18% returns over the same period, Murthy said, calling the performance “reasonably good.”

The investment firm, with offices in Bengaluru and Boston, manages investments of over $1 billion across strategic joint venture (JV) partnerships, private equity (PE), public equity, and growth-stage venture capital (VC), according to the company website.

Murthy rarely spoke about Catamaran and its investments, but his comments about the investment firm’s activities came in response to a question at a fireside chat with former IIIT-B director S Sadagopan, organised by Ittiam Systems at its 25^th anniversary celebrations.


The questioner sought to know from Murthy how his family firm supported budding entrepreneurs. The Infosys founder said he remained only a bystander who would watch Catamaran from a distance and was very happy about its growth under chairman MD Ranganath and president Deepak Padaki. The two are leading a team of highly competent professionals who are “powered by intellect, driven by values,” Murthy said, recollecting the catchphrase that he coined to define Infosys.

The Infosys founder said he distanced himself from business and foundation activities after he turned 75 five years ago. Since then, he spends time at his home office, meeting knowledgeable people and chatting with them. “I don’t go to Catamaran. I don’t ask them any questions.”

He wanted Catamaran to encourage entrepreneurs to convert ideas into jobs, to help create wealth for all stakeholders and to pay as much tax as is lawful to help the government spend on health, education, infrastructure, etc.