The business-to-consumer (B2C) portal will compete with the existing players in the country including Yahoo!, Satyam, Indiainfoline, Indiainfo and Rediff and it will be set up using a significant portion of Aptech's investments for the current fiscal, say sources.

"Currently, a team of software and content professionals are working on the portal. Since we are planning a mega launch within the next 45 days, we can not divulge further details on this project," a top Aptech official told The Financial Express.

Industry sources say the launch of the portal may coincide with Aptech's overseas listing to raise funds to the tune of $125 million through an American Depository Receipts (ADRs) or Global Depository Receipts (GDRs). Company officials declined to comment on the timing of the foreign listing since it may violate the bourse regulations.

The B2C site will also offer services for stock trading, other e-commerce opportunities, in addition to a host of other features. Aptech is said to have planned for a major advertisement campaign following the launch of the portal in Mumbai.

Earlier, Aptech had tied up with WiproNet (to be the Application Service Provider) and Lotus Learning Splace (to provide the development tolls) to build a portal offering online training to both students and corporates in India and overseas. It is planning to focus on computer training, management and other software skills through its Online Varsity.

The company had clocked a 51.48 per cent surge in net profit to Rs 51.08 crore during 1999 from previous year's Rs 33.72 crore. Registering a growth of 40.05 per cent rise, Aptech's global revenues (including subsidiaries) were 394.09 crore (Rs 281.39 crore) during the period.

The Aptech official said the company will also announce a major acquisition in the US soon. The company has been in talks with four software companies in America for an acquisition. Aptech is also open to take marginal equity stakes in e-commerce ventures in India as part of its growth plans.

However, Aptech is averse to acquire portals since the valuation of such portals has been high in the country.

Aptech had earmarked $20 million to acquire a couple of software companies in the US. Aptech would also expand its manpower to 750 from the present 394 in a phased manner.