EQT has officially acquired Niwas Housing Finance (formerly IndoStar Home Finance), reinforcing its strategic focus on financial inclusion and middle-class growth in India. With assets under management of Rs30,000 crore, Niwas has already supported over 47,000 low-income homeowners and small businesses across tier 2 to tier 4 cities.
EQT will infuse Rs500 crore as growth capital to expand Niwas’ geographic footprint and accelerate its digital capabilities. This investment aligns with the increasing demand for affordable, accessible housing finance and positions Niwas as a catalyst in India’s Rs30+ trillion housing finance market.
Niwas, founded in 2017, specializes in granular, secured home loans and is poised for scaled expansion under EQT’s stewardship. The new board, chaired by K.R. Kamath, will steer Niwas toward responsible growth with customer-centric strategies and robust governance.
Shreejit Menon, CEO of Niwas Housing Finance, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome EQT as our new partner. Their focus on performance, digital enablement, sustainability, and governance aligns with our vision of building a differentiated housing finance company. With EQT’s support, we aim to help 150,000 families realize their dreams of home ownership by 2029.”
Hemant Sharma, Partner at EQT Private Capital Asia, added, “India’s retail lending sector offers tremendous opportunity, and our acquisition of Niwas is a meaningful step toward expanding access to financial solutions. We’re committed to scaling Niwas’ operations, enabling digital transformation, and enhancing governance.”
As urbanisation accelerates and affordable housing demand surges, this acquisition signals a pivotal move in reshaping the homeownership landscape—anchored in inclusive finance and long-term impact.
