South India is fast emerging as a crucial growth region for Edelweiss Mutual Fund as it expands operations through its newly-launched specialised investment fund (SIF) platform, Altiva. The region currently accounts for about 20 per cent of the company’s business in wealth and retail assets—a figure that mirrors its industry-wide significance.
Altiva, the company’s latest initiative under the SIF framework introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is designed to bridge the gap between conventional mutual funds and high-net-worth offerings such as Portfolio Management Services and Alternative Investment Fund(AIF). With a minimum investment threshold of Rs 10 lakh, Altiva aims to offer tax-efficient, flexible and innovation-led investment solutions.
“We believe Altiva will serve the growing segment of investors looking for more sophisticated but accessible products,” said Radhika Gupta, managing director & chief executive officer of Edelweiss Mutual Fund. “South India, with its evolving investor base, is naturally aligned with this proposition,” she added.
The company plans place significant emphasis on the South’s growing role. “We are present in all five major southern states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana,” said Deepak, president & Head-Sales, Edelweiss Mutual Fund. “We have recently enhanced our presence in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and cities such as Cochin are now on our expansion map,” he added.
Edelweiss plans to increase its footprint in South India from its current presence in a few key locations to as many as 25 branches over the next three to five years.
South India’s economic landscape makes it a productive market for investment products. “Per capita GDP in the South is higher, and the savings propensity is notable. While the preference used to be real estate and gold, the shift towards financial assets is accelerating,” said Deepak. He highlighted the region’s potential, particularly in non-metro cities: “From tier-one cities like Chennai and Bangalore to emerging markets, particularly such as West Tamil Nadu area and Mysore, we see tremendous room for growth.”
Gupta pointed out that having crossed the Rs 1.5 lakh crore milestone in assets under management (AUM), Edelweiss has transformed itself from a loss-making firm into a profitable enterprise, with more than Rs 70,000 crore now in equity-oriented AUM. The company’s SIP book stands at over Rs 400 crore, supported by a robust base of 25 lakh retail investors.