Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group has invested $4 million in Worldzen Holdings Ltd, a Bangalore-based firm that specialises in business process outsourcing in the financial services, insurance and healthcare industries.

The funds will be used to expand Worldzen's outsourcing capabilities in Bangalore.

"Our platform allows clients to focus on revenue growth and strategic priorities while Worldzen provides a means to reduce costs and gain operational efficiencies.

"We are also thrilled to partner with The Carlyle Group and chose to align ourselves with Carlyle because their global resources complement our US-India outsourcing model," said Sandeep Bhargava, chief executive officer, Worldzen.

According to Sandeep, the Worldzen business model is in line with the experience and vision of its US-based healthcare, insurance, financial services and collections specialists with an India-based outsourcing management team.

"BPO in India is experiencing an explosive growth period as companies seek to reduce costs while improving customer service. Worldzen offers a unique model of process optimisation at the front end in the US and cost savings through outsourcing to India," Tony Jansz, managing director of Carlyle Asia Venture Partners, added.

The Carlyle Group is a global private equity firm with more than $13.9 billion under management.

Carlyle invests in buyouts, real estate, high yield, and venture in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Their focus has varied from aerospace and defence to automotive, consumer and industrial, energy, healthcare, technology and business services, telecommunications and media, and transportation.

Since 1987, the firm has invested $7.2 billion and achieved a realised internal return on investment of 36 per cent.

The Carlyle Group employs 510 people in 22 offices in 11 countries.