Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has set up a $50 million fund for investing in Indian startups over the next three years. This will be in addition to its already active impact investment fund called India Educational Investment Fund, will be primarily used towards making direct investments in early-stage ventures.
The firm has also backed two early-stage funds in the country as a Limited Partner - Unitus Seed Fund and social business incubator Villgro-launched Menterra Venture Advisors. The foundation is planning to increase its offerings to ventures, which currently include grants, equity financing, debt and non-convertible debt offerings.
Currently, the firm has over over 25 portfolio companies in India, making it one of the most active investors in the country. It typically focuses on areas related to education, skill development, and financial inclusion and already backed ed tech ventures such as Report Bee, iSTAR Skill development, Guru G Learning Labs with the most recent investment being in online test preparation startup Oliveboard.
MSDF was founded by Dell founder and billionaire Michael Dell and his wife, Susan in 1999, opened its India office in 2006.
Last month, Bengaluru-based investment firm Unitus Seed Fund has announced its plans to launch a second fund of $50 million to invest in around 50 startups with each company receiving between Rs 1 crore and Rs 3 crore. Also in the same month, vyCap Ventures which is known for investing in early and growth stage companies, raised around $45 million for the first close of its second fund of $90 million and US-based venture capital firm, Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital (EVC) launched an India-focused $50 million early-stage investment fund.
White Unicorn Ventures is also in talks with investors in Germany and Silicon Valley to raise a $20-million fund to invest in early-stage companies.
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