By Kalpana Shah

New Enterprise Associates said Monday that it will expand the venture firm’s operations in India.

India

NEA (India) will invest about $200 million over the next two or three years in technology firms. A full-time vice president, Ben Mathias, will be based in Bangalore to identify mid- to late-stage deals across several tech sectors.

Bangalore

The India expansion is in line with Menlo Park, California-based NEA’s strategic plans to develop a presence in the emerging markets of India and China.

India

“We have been selectively investing in India for many years and believe the country offers an attractive environment for venture investing,” said NEA Managing General Partner Peter Barris in a statement.

India

NEA has already invested in some Indian and Indo-United States cross-border companies such as Sasken, Telsima, Nevis Networks, Protostar, InSilica, and GlobalLogic.

The firm also recently announced that NEA 12, NEA’s most recent fund, became a 20 percent stakeholder and one of the largest investors in NEA-IndoUS Ventures, a venture capital fund focusing on early-stage technology companies that share roots in both India and the U.S. For early-stage investments, NEA will rely on opportunities through NEA-IndoUS Ventures.

U.S.

Looking for a Teammate

NEA’s U.S.-based team, which includes Mark Perry, Ravi Viswanathan, and Krishna Kolluri, will consult with Mr. Mathias to identify opportunities that deliver innovative technologies to address India’s urban and rural market needs.

India

Mr. Mathias said that the firm was also looking for a venture partner in India to join the team later this year. Such a partner would be a successful entrepreneur who would be willing to join the boards of portfolio firms and devote time to them.

India

She or he may even help sign some deals and personally invest in the companies. “This model has worked very well for us in the U.S., and we have no doubt it will in India too,” said Mr. Mathias.

IndiaWith approximately $8.5 billion in committed capital, NEA has invested in over 550 companies, of which more than 155 have gone public and more than 220 have been acquired.