Growth Sense Secures SEBI Nod for ₹1,000 Crore Apex Fund, Launches Foundation to Power India’s Entrepreneurial Future

Growth Sense Private Limited, the Investment Manager of the Growth Sense Apex Fund, today announced that it has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its ₹1,000 crore Growth Sense Apex Fund, an AIF Category-2 fund focused on growth-stage opportunities.

At the same time, Growth Sense is launching the Growth Sense India Foundation, a dedicated initiative focused on advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, enterprise creation and entrepreneurial leadership.

Together, the two initiatives mark the next phase of Growth Sense's journey - investing in businesses that can shape India's future while helping build the entrepreneurs and ecosystem that will create them.

From Early-Stage Investing to Institutional Growth Capital

The Growth Sense Apex Fund builds on Growth Sense's experience in early-stage investing through its existing SEBI-registered AIF Category-1 Angel Fund ₹100 crore fund corpus.

• Evaluated Startups: 2,000+
• Completed Investments: 94+
• Investor Network: 3,000+

The Growth Sense Apex Fund represents the natural evolution of this experience into institutional growth capital. The fund will focus on companies that have moved beyond early-stage risk, demonstrated product-market fit, revenue traction, scalable business models and strong execution capabilities, and are now positioned for their next phase of growth.

With a target corpus of ₹1,000 crore, including the green shoe option, the fund will pursue a sector-agnostic strategy across growth-stage private businesses and selected pre-IPO opportunities, with flexibility to participate in select public-market opportunities.

Giving Back by Building the Next Generation

The launch of the Growth Sense India Foundation extends the Group's vision beyond investment. The Foundation has been established to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, startups, enterprise creation and self-employment, while mentoring and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, innovators, students and other stakeholders.

Its initiatives will span:

• Entrepreneurship education
• Mentoring
• Incubation
• Acceleration
• Networking
• Research
• Knowledge sharing
• Ecosystem development

The Foundation will also work towards building long-term communities of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and ecosystem partners and promoting ethical entrepreneurship, responsible leadership, good governance and sustainable business practices.

Two Initiatives. One Vision.

The Growth Sense Apex Fund and the Foundation have different purposes, but share a common ambition. The Fund provides capital to businesses ready to scale. The Foundation helps create the entrepreneurs and ecosystem capable of building those businesses.

Together, they represent Growth Sense's broader commitment to India's entrepreneurial future - from creating entrepreneurial capability to providing growth capital, from supporting founders to building market leaders.

Sanjay Sarda, Co-Founder and Director, Growth Sense Group: “The ₹1,000 crore Growth Sense Apex Fund is an important milestone in our evolution from early-stage investing to institutional growth capital... The Fund allows us to invest in India's businesses of tomorrow. The Foundation allows us to invest in the people and ecosystem that will create them.”

Jimish Kapadia, Co-Founder and Director, Growth Sense Group: “The Growth Sense Apex Fund marks the institutionalisation of an investment philosophy built through years of evaluating businesses and partnering with founders... Through the Growth Sense India Foundation, we also want to build the entrepreneurial capabilities and ecosystem that will create the next generation of such businesses.”

Rahul Rameshan, Chief Growth Officer, Growth Sense Group: “For us, growth has never meant simply growing a portfolio. It means creating an ecosystem where more people can build, more businesses can scale and more value can be created for society... We are not just investing in India’s growth story - we want to help build it.”

Building What Comes Next

The approval of the Growth Sense Apex Fund and the launch of the Growth Sense India Foundation mark more than two new initiatives for the Group. They represent the evolution of Growth Sense from an investment platform into a broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The journey ahead is therefore not only about investing in growth, but enabling it; not only backing businesses, but building the ecosystem around them.

Aum Ventures Secures ₹225 Cr Ist Close for ₹750 Cr DeepTech Fund II to Power India’s Next Frontier Startups

• Aum Ventures Announces ₹225 Crore First Close of ₹750 Crore India Innovation Fund II to Back India’s Next DeepTech Startups
• Fund II to back India’s next generation of technology-led startups across SpaceTech, Semiconductors, DefenceTech, Aerospace, AI, Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing

Aum Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on DeepTech and frontier technologies, has announced the first close of its India Innovation Fund II at ₹225 crore. The fund has a target corpus of ₹750 crore (approximately US$80 million) and will invest in early-stage startups building globally competitive, IP-led technology companies from India.

The first close attracted strong participation from both existing and new investors, with over 65% of commitments coming from international limited partners across the US, the Middle East and other global markets, including leading family offices, entrepreneurs and strategic investors, reflecting growing global confidence in India's DeepTech ecosystem.

The new fund will continue to focus on sectors where India is building long-term strategic capabilities, including SpaceTech, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Aerospace, DefenceTech, Robotics, Energy Transition, Advanced Manufacturing and other IP-led frontier technologies. It will primarily invest at the pre-seed and seed stages, with initial investments typically ranging from US$750,000 to US$2 million, while reserving significant capital for follow-on investments through Series A and Series B. Over its lifecycle, the fund is expected to invest in 25–30 companies.

Aum Ventures was an early institutional investor in Skyroot Aerospace, which became India's first SpaceTech unicorn and recently had the successful launch of Vikram-1, reinforcing the firm's conviction in India's frontier technology potential.

Strong track record from Fund I

Chetan

Fund II builds on the performance of Aum Ventures' inaugural fund, launched in 2023, which has delivered strong early outcomes within three years.

• Gross MOIC: 2.23x
• Gross IRR: 53%
• Two portfolio companies have recorded valuation increases of over 14x from Aum Ventures’ entry valuation, with two additional companies recording increases of over 10x.
• Early investment in Skyroot Aerospace, now India's first SpaceTech unicorn
• Successful exit from Sharang Shakti, acquired by LAT Aerospace
• Portfolio companies securing follow-on investments from global investors including GIC, Temasek, Accel, and strategic investors including Cyient Semiconductor
• Early investments in five SpaceTech startups before the sector gained mainstream investor attention

Today, Aum Ventures' portfolio spans several high-growth technology companies, including Skyroot Aerospace, Azimuth AI, Cosmoserve Space, Sanyark Space, Sully.ai, Latentai, and others across frontier technology domains.

The firm believes DeepTech businesses should be evaluated not only on technological excellence but also on their ability to compete globally from day one. Accordingly, Aum Ventures combines early-stage capital with a global network spanning India, the United States, Israel and the Middle East, supported by strategic advisors across semiconductors, aerospace, defence, AI and advanced manufacturing.

Comments from Founding Partner

Commenting on the first close, Chetan Mehta, Founding Partner, Aum Ventures, said, "The successful first close of India Innovation Fund II reflects the confidence our investors have placed in our team, our investment philosophy and, most importantly, the founders we back. When we started investing in DeepTech several years ago, sectors such as space and semiconductors were still emerging from India. Today, they are becoming strategic priorities for governments, enterprises and investors around the world.

With Fund II, our ambition is to back exceptional Indian entrepreneurs from the earliest stages and help them build global companies; companies that don’t just solve for India, but solve for the world. We want to play a meaningful role in taking Indian innovation from the laboratory and engineering floor to global markets, and in showcasing the depth of India’s technology and entrepreneurial talent on the world stage.

We believe India is entering a defining decade for innovation. The country has world-class engineering talent, a supportive policy environment and entrepreneurs building technologies that can compete globally. Our ambition is to partner with these founders from the earliest stages and help build enduring technology companies with global impact.”

On the firm’s investment approach, Mehta added: “Fund I reinforced our belief that DeepTech investing is fundamentally about backing exceptional founders with long-term conviction. Building breakthrough technologies takes patience, but the outcomes can be transformational. Through Fund II, we will continue partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs solving complex engineering problems while supporting them with capital, strategic guidance and access to global markets.”

Beyond capital, Aum Ventures supports founders with access to global markets, strategic partnerships, talent and industry expertise across India, the US, Israel and the Middle East, while driving sustainable growth through disciplined, milestone-based investing and active governance.

Aum Ventures India Innovation Fund II — At a Glance

Target corpus	₹750 crore / ~$80M
First close	₹225 crore
International LP participation	65%+
Initial cheque	$750K–$2M
Target portfolio	25–30 companies
Fund I Gross MOIC	2.23x
Fund I Gross IRR	53%

About Aum Ventures

Aum Ventures invests in early-stage startups founded by Indian founders, building breakthrough, innovation-driven, IP-led businesses which have the ability to compete globally. The focus is deeptech and IP-led technologies. Within this broad range, Aum Ventures invests in sectors such as spacetech, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, defensetech, artificial intelligence, etc., to build a portfolio of market-defining companies.

www.aumvc.com

Startup Revolution in UP: ₹1,000 Cr Fund Fuels Innovation Dreams

Uttar Pradesh has unveiled its Startup Policy 2026, backed by a massive ₹1,000 crore fund to accelerate innovation, expand incubation, and attract private capital. The policy doubles seed funding, enhances founder support, and introduces deep-tech incentives, positioning UP as a rising national innovation hub.

The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed that the new policy should make youth “job creators, not job seekers,” with special provisions for women, economically weaker sections, persons with disabilities, and startups in Purvanchal & Bundelkhand.

Official announcement outline prototype grants, seed capital, patent reimbursements, and deep-tech incentives in AI, robotics, quantum computing, aerospace, and health tech.

Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026

Key Highlights

• ₹1,000 crore Startup Fund
  Structured via SIDBI-managed AIFs to improve access to early-stage capital.
• Seed & Prototype Funding
  Seed capital support raised to ₹15 lakh (up to ₹50 lakh in special cases). Prototype grants doubled to ₹10 lakh. Deep-tech startups eligible for ₹20 lakh prototype support and ₹30 lakh seed funding.
• Founder Support
  Monthly sustenance allowance increased to ₹20,000 for two years. Cloud reimbursement up to ₹2 lakh annually.
• Deep-Tech Incentives
  Patient capital of up to ₹100 crore for frontier technologies (AI, robotics, quantum computing, space tech). Reimbursement of up to ₹2 crore for patents and certifications. 4% interest subsidy on loans up to ₹2 crore.
• Centres of Excellence
  Plan to establish 20 new CoEs across AI, HealthTech, AgriTech, robotics, and space technology. Financial assistance per CoE increased to ₹12 crore.
• Incubator Support
  Capital grants raised to ₹1.25 crore; incubators in Poorvanchal & Bundelkhand eligible for ₹1.5 crore. Annual operational grants increased to ₹40 lakh. Launch of Navratna Incubator Programme to reward high-performing incubators.

Comparative Snapshot

Policy Feature	Earlier (2020-22)	Startup Policy 2026
Seed Funding	₹7.5 lakh	₹15 lakh (₹50 lakh special cases)
Prototype Grants	₹5 lakh	₹10 lakh (₹20 lakh deep-tech)
Founder Allowance	₹17,500/month (1 yr)	₹20,000/month (2 yrs)
Patent/Certification Reimbursement	Limited	Up to ₹2 crore
Centres of Excellence	8 planned	20 planned, ₹12 crore each
Incubator Grants	₹1 crore	₹1.25–1.5 crore + Navratna scheme

Risks & Challenges

• Execution bottlenecks
  Previous policies struggled with disbursement delays; effective monitoring will be critical.
• Regional equity
  Ensuring balanced growth across districts remains a challenge despite enhanced incubator grants for Poorvanchal & Bundelkhand.
• Private capital mobilization
  Success depends on attracting angel investors, VCs, and NRIs into UP’s ecosystem.

📌 Takeaway

The Startup Policy 2026 positions Uttar Pradesh as a rising national innovation hub with ₹1,000 crore in funding, deep-tech incentives, and expanded incubation support.

Quadria‑backed HealthQuad Secures ₹550 Cr Ist Close for Fund III, Launches with Lifesigns to Scale AI‑driven Healthcare Innovations

Quadria Group (“Quadria”) backed HealthQuad, India's leading early-growth healthcare investor - today announced first close commitments of INR 550 crores for HealthQuad Fund III, at more than one-third of the target fund size of INR 1700 crores. The contributors include existing LPs in prior funds, alongside new LPs spanning local and global fund of funds, institutions and family offices. The Fund has committed its first investment in Lifesigns, India’s leading AI powered remote patient monitoring platform and is actively pursuing other proprietary opportunities to build early portfolio visibility.

Fund III, a successor to HealthQuad Fund I and Fund II, is managed by HealthQuad Advisors Private Limited, a vehicle 100% owned by Quadria Group, through Dr Amit Varma, Abrar Mir and Sunil Thakur. Following a mutual separation with KOIS in 2025, Quadria group has retained majority of the team that continues to manage the prior funds, Fund I and II. It has further expanded the leadership with the joining of Rahul Agarwal and Namit Chugh.

Incubated in 2016, HealthQuad has been a pioneering initiative by the Quadria Group to create a distinct investment vehicle, focused on backing founders building scalable, technology-enabled and next generation healthcare businesses. Funds I and II backed over 18 companies including GoApptiv, Qure.ai, Redcliffe Labs, Cureskin, Strand Life Sciences, Medikabazaar, THB, Wysa, Ekincare, and many of which have gone on to become category leaders.

Fund III will build on HealthQuad’s proven track record of identifying and scaling early-growth stage companies, across HealthTech, MedTech, Bio/Pharma Tech and Novel Healthcare Delivery, with established commercial scale and demonstrated potential to become category-leaders in India and globally. These segments are growing 16 – 40% per annum and are collectively projected to contribute over 40% of the US$ 600 billion Indian healthcare market by 2030.

Bridging India's vast healthcare access gaps is estimated to require over 2x growth in beds, over 7x growth in clinical resources and US$ 500 billion of investment. The Fund will advance the firm's mission of partnering with exceptional founders who build scalable, new-age healthcare businesses, harnessing technology, business-model and product-led innovation to improve access, affordability and quality of care and help close these gaps.

Rahul Agarwal, Partner and IC Member, HealthQuad, said: "Healthcare is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in recent times. We believe the next decade will be defined by companies that leverage emerging technologies and AI, and innovative models to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and outcome driven. Through Fund III, we are looking to partner with exceptional founders who are building category-defining businesses with local and global relevance at scale. We thank our investors for entrusting their confidence and capital with us."

According to various estimates, over 15 lakh digital healthcare transactions take place in India every day, and over 40% clinicians now use health-tech across their workflows. The fund is positioned to capitalize on the rapid structural transformation in healthcare, driven by rising demand for preventive and continuous care, the urgency to address capacity constraints in traditional healthcare systems, and growing adoption of technology and AI. Together, these forces are enabling globally competitive healthcare innovation to emerge from India and Asia.

Sunil Thakur, Co-founder and IC Member, HealthQuad and Partner, Quadria Capital, said: "HealthQuad was created with a simple belief that healthcare requires specialist investors who understand the sector deeply and can support founders through long, arduous growth journeys. Over the past decade, we have witnessed the emergence of a new generation of healthcare entrepreneurs building world-class businesses from India and Asia. Fund III reflects our continued conviction in this opportunity and our commitment to helping founders build enduring market leaders that create meaningful impact while delivering strong outcomes for all stakeholders."

HealthQuad's differentiated approach combines deep sector specialization, proprietary sourcing and access to Quadria's extensive global healthcare ecosystem spanning providers, payors, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and healthcare services across Asia and beyond. This ecosystem enables portfolio companies to access strategic partnerships, growth opportunities and pathways for global scale, supported by the Group’s senior clinical and operating advisory board members.

ConsumerX Ventures Unveils ₹150 Crore Early-Stage Fund Backing India’s Next-Gen Consumer Brands

India’s leading community for D2C operators, founders, and startup leaders, announced the launch of ConsumerX Ventures, India’s first operator-led, early-stage fund focused exclusively on new-age and digitally native consumer brands. With a target corpus of ₹150 crore, ConsumerX Ventures has been created to support startup founders at the most formative stages of their journey, where access to structured institutional support remains limited.

Built on the foundation of D2C Insider’s extensive operator ecosystem, ConsumerX Ventures brings together capital, deep operating insight, and community-led support under a single institutional platform. The fund will focus on pre-seed and seed-stage consumer brands, backing founders early as they build product-market fit, brand differentiation, and scalable business models in a rapidly evolving consumption landscape shaped by Gen Z and Bharat consumers.

The launch of ConsumerX Ventures was announced at the D2C Insider Super Angels Annual Day in New Delhi, a gathering that witnessed participation from over 120+ founders, operators, and ecosystem leaders across India’s consumer and startup ecosystem. The event brought together leaders from brands such as Paytm, Xiaomi, Sirona Hygiene, Nykaa, Pee Safe, InsuranceDekho, Rage Coffee, Droom, ShopClues, Bacca Bucci, among others.

Mr. Abhishek Shah, Managing Partner, ConsumerX Ventures, said, "ConsumerX Ventures has been built to address a clear gap in the ecosystem, the lack of dedicated and institutional support for founders of consumer startups at the earliest stages. As part of the community, we understand the challenges of building in the zero to one phase. By launching ConsumerX Ventures, we are extending the D2C Insider community’s decade-long work with business leaders into a long term and structured platform designed to back the most promising consumer brands from day one."

Ms. Chhavi Bhardwaj, General Partner, ConsumerX Ventures, added, "India’s consumption story is being reshaped by Gen Z, Bharat, and digitally native behaviours. ConsumerX Ventures is focused on identifying and supporting founders who are building for these shifts. Our approach combines capital with deep operator insight and ecosystem access, enabling early conviction, closer founder alignment, and hands-on ecosystem support from day one to founders to build resilient, category-defining brands in a highly competitive market."

ConsumerX Ventures is anchored in an operator led investment approach, built by seasoned consumer operators who have scaled brands, invested in emerging companies, and worked closely with new age founders over the past decade. The fund will build a focused and concentrated portfolio of 20 to 25 early-stage consumer companies across categories, with an emphasis on strong founder market fit, differentiated positioning, and scalable growth potential. ConsumerX Ventures aims to maintain continued participation through Series A and reserve follow on capital for high performing portfolio companies.

ConsumerX Ventures draws from the strength of D2C Insider, one of India’s leading D2C operator ecosystems, with an engaged network of over 30,000 founders, operators, investors, and ecosystem partners. This network strengthens ConsumerX Ventures’ sourcing capabilities, diligence depth, and long-term founder support.

Government Launches ₹10,000 Cr Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0

The Government of India has officially notified the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0), with a total corpus of ₹10,000 crore aimed at mobilizing venture and growth capital for the country’s startup ecosystem. The scheme builds upon the success of the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS 1.0) launched in 2016 under the Startup India Action Plan.

Key Features of Startup India FoF 2.0

• Corpus Size: ₹10,000 crore, spread across the 16th and 17th Finance Commission cycles
• Focus Areas: Deep tech startups, early growth stage startups supported by smaller AIFs, technology-driven and innovative manufacturing ventures, and sector/stage agnostic startups
• Selection Process: Screening by a Venture Capital Investment Committee (VCIC) comprising veterans from the startup ecosystem
• Oversight: An Empowered Committee (EC) will monitor implementation and performance
• Co-Investment Framework: Provisions for joint investments by Government and institutional investors with governance safeguards

Implementation

• Primary Agency: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
• Additional Agency: Another domestic implementation agency to be selected
• Investment Route: Contributions to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) investing in entities recognized as startups by the Central Government

Strategic Impact

• Innovation: Strengthens India’s innovation-led growth agenda
• Manufacturing: Boosts technology-driven manufacturing capabilities
• Employment: Generates high-quality jobs
• Global Positioning: Positions India as a global innovation hub

Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, FoF 2.0 represents the Government’s continued commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and unlocking the full potential of India’s startup ecosystem.

Notification

The official notification is available on the e-Gazette portal: View Notification

Antariksh Venture Capital Fund to Fuel India’s Spacetech Startups from FY2027

India’s ₹1,005 crore Antariksh Venture Capital Fund, managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited, has completed its institutional setup and is expected to begin investing in spacetech startups from the first quarter of FY2027. The initiative aims to strengthen private sector participation and position India as a global space economy leader.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India’s dedicated venture capital fund for the space sector is progressing steadily, with investment in selected startups expected to begin from the first quarter of FY2027.

Key Highlights of the Antariksh Venture Capital Fund

• Fund Corpus: ₹1,005 crore committed corpus.
• Manager: SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL).
• Regulatory Milestones: SEBI registration on October 31, 2025; Initial closing on November 10, 2025.
• Operational Setup: Appointment of custodian, registration with depositories, and constitution of Screening & Investment Committees completed.
• Startup Pipeline: Four spacetech proposals have advanced after Pre-Investment Committee approval.
• First Investments: Expected in early FY2027, following due diligence and documentation.

Strategic Objectives

• Boost Private Sector Participation: Encourage startups to contribute to India’s growing space ecosystem.
• Innovation Support: Provide structured guidance and “handholding” to help startups align with institutional investment processes.
• Global Competitiveness: Strengthen India’s position in the global space economy by fostering innovation and commercialization.

Why This Matters

India’s space sector has traditionally been dominated by ISRO, but recent reforms have opened the door for private players. The Antariksh Fund represents a systematic financial mechanism to nurture startups in areas such as:

• Satellite manufacturing and launch services
• Space-based communication and navigation systems
• Earth observation and data analytics
• Emerging technologies like reusable rockets and deep-space exploration

By FY2027, India could see its first wave of venture-backed spacetech startups, potentially creating new employment opportunities and attracting global partnerships.

Challenges Ahead

• Nascent Ecosystem: Many startups lack robust documentation and compliance readiness.
• Due Diligence Requirements: Institutional investors demand structured data and financial transparency.
• Global Competition: India must balance innovation with affordability to compete with established players in the US, Europe, and China.

Outlook

The Antariksh Venture Capital Fund is more than just a financing vehicle—it’s a policy-driven catalyst for India’s spacetech future. With investments slated to begin in FY2027, the fund could accelerate India’s transition from a government-led space program to a dynamic, private-sector-driven ecosystem, unlocking opportunities in both domestic and international markets.

IAN Group Announces Final Close of its Second VC Fund IAN Alpha Fund with US$100 Mn

IAN Group, the country’s single largest early-stage investment platform, has announced the final close of its 2nd VC Fund - IAN Alpha Fund with US$100 million. The Fund will invest in early-stage companies / MSMEs with strong founders, solving real problems, leveraging technology and innovation, including those aligned to India’s national strategic imperatives. While deep tech remains at the heart of its investment thesis, the IAN Alpha Fund follows a carefully structured risk-mitigation strategy, balancing innovation led long-gestation ventures with shorter-cycle businesses. This approach ensures a high return proposition for investors while enabling the fund to continue supporting frontier technologies that require patient capital and domain expertise.

Since its launch, the Fund has already invested in 10–12 pioneering startups, many of them led by first-generation founders based across India, including Tier II and Tier III cities. These startups are leveraging breakthrough technologies such as AI, space tech, semiconductors, biotech, and are increasingly developing indigenous solutions in healthcare, climate, manufacturing, cybersecurity, environment etc. that align closely with India’s developmental goals.

The investors of the Fund have signalled strong confidence in IAN’s capability and proven track record in identifying and scaling high-potential ventures. The IAN Group is delighted to have an exceptional set of marquee investors, including government investors such as the DPIIT - Fund of Funds for Startups managed by SIDBI, Self Reliant India Fund, ACE Fund, Odisha Startup Growth Fund, and Agri Sure Fund of Funds Scheme managed by Nabventures Ltd., as well as institutional investors including Buimerc Corporation Ltd., Dubai, HDFC Life, DS Group Family Office, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, alongside select family offices and individual investors. Notably, a significant portion of the corpus has been contributed by returning investors, reflecting deep trust and continued conviction in the Group’s vision and performance.

This Fund endorses IAN’s two-decade track record of investing in and growing companies. Its portfolio of 250+ companies today stand at a market valuation of almost $10 billion, in sectors such as space tech, biotech, defence tech, AI/ML, SaaS, robotics, fintech, health tech, manufacturing tech, consumer tech, etc.

Mentorship and strategic guidance, the IAN Group’s hallmark, remain central to the Fund’s philosophy. The company’s founder-first philosophy, extensive industry knowledge, and structured mentorship framework have all been crucial in helping firms grow from concept to scale over the years. By giving entrepreneurs access to top-notch strategic advice, governance support, and market insights, the IAN Alpha Fund carries on this legacy by assisting founders in overcoming difficult obstacles, accelerating innovation, and creating long-lasting, rapidly expanding businesses. The Fund guarantees focused execution and ongoing wealth development across its portfolio, supported by an accomplished leadership and investment team.

Saurabh Srivastava, Co-founder, IAN Group, said, “India's biggest opportunity is to transform its problems into innovation-driven businesses. While the founder is at the centre of IAN Alpha Fund’s thesis, it is critical that technology is leveraged to scale the solution for a large market, both in India and then globally. This fund aims to breed companies that bring a paradigm shift to industry and become global leaders.”

Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder, IAN Group, said, “The IAN Alpha Fund’s thesis is to invest and breed innovation solving real problems or building for India’s strategic imperatives. The role that the Fund plays is way beyond funding, to bring mentoring, market access, and governance frameworks for these early companies. The Fund focuses on technology innovation by Indians, from India, for India & the globe.”

Chintan Thakkar, Group CEO, IAN Group, said, “IAN’s unique strength is an early-stage investment platform that enables entrepreneurs to raise from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 50 crores with handholding from domain and industry experts. The IAN Group continues to focus on improving lives, promoting inclusivity, and establish India as a leader worldwide.”

By combining patient capital, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, the IAN Alpha Fund is catalyzing the next generation of founders who are building solutions. Its continued growth marks a defining moment in India’s journey toward becoming a global innovation hub — where every rupee invested helps solve real problems, create jobs, and build national capability.

About IAN Group:

IAN Group is India’s largest horizontal platform for seed and early-stage investments, comprising the IAN Angel Fund, BioAngels, and a series of SEBI-registered venture capital funds. It enables entrepreneurs to raise anywhere from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 50 crores, supported by capital, high-quality mentoring from successful founders, and access to global markets. Sector-agnostic in its approach, IAN Group backs founders across domains and helps them scale their companies across India and beyond. Forbes has recognised IAN as one of the most iconic business and economic developments of Independent India over the last 75 years, alongside institutions such as LIC, NASSCOM, the RBI, and Naukri.com.

Nexus Venture Partners Closes $700M Fund VIII to Back AI and Early-Stage Innovators in India & US

Nexus Venture Partners (“Nexus”), a leading venture capital firm investing in transformational startups across India and the United States, today announced the closing of Nexus Ventures VIII, a $700 million fund to back exceptional founders building AI, enterprise software, consumer and fintech startups at inception, seed, and Series A stages in India and the US. Nexus VIII has the support of world-class limited partners, the majority of whom have been with the firm since the early days.

Founded by entrepreneurs and engineers with deep technical and operating experience, Nexus has established itself over the last two decades as the trusted go-to partner for early-stage founders. Nexus has extensive hands-on experience in helping scale companies from inception to IPO. Over the years, the firm has invested in more than 130 companies and achieved over 30 exits, including several IPOs. They have a strong track record of investing in AI stack innovators, developer platforms, open-source infrastructure, AI agents, consumer, and fintech companies.

From new-age, fast-growing AI startups like Avoca, Giga, TensorWave, Firecrawl, and Gumloop, or established leaders like Postman, Apollo, Fingerprint, MinIO, Zepto, Turtlemint, Delhivery, India Shelter and Rapido, Nexus has consistently backed a roster of exceptional founders who are challenging the status quo and reimagining how things are done. Along with seminal enterprise AI startups in the US, Nexus is also investing in generational consumer, fintech, and AI companies in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with accelerating digital consumption powered by advanced payments infrastructure, mobile adoption, and ubiquitous broadband.

“The last few years have been surreal for the technology world with trailblazing breakthroughs in generative AI and an unprecedented pace of AI adoption across consumers and businesses alike”, quoted Nexus partners. “From infrastructure to applications, every layer of the tech stack is getting rewritten by AI. Agentic AI is transforming how work gets done, bringing a whole new wave of augmentation and automation across industries.”

They added, “Over the years, we have had the pleasure of backing several founders from the early days of their journeys, who have gone on to take their companies public or are poised to do so soon. With Fund VIII, we’re doubling down on visionary entrepreneurs solving the hardest problems and shaping the next wave of global innovation”.

Nexus’s integrated approach, with depth of experience and relationships across the Bay Area and India, enables it to focus on the two largest startup ecosystems in the world: the US and India.

The firm remains uniquely positioned to help build path breaking companies in both the geographies.

About Nexus Venture Partners

Nexus is an early-stage venture capital firm partnering with the most ambitious founders building product-first companies. Founded in 2006, Nexus manages $3.2 billion in capital across funds and operates as an integrated team across the US and India. Nexus portfolio includes Postman, Apollo.io, Zepto, MinIO, Fingerprint, Avoca, Firecrawl, Orkes, Gumloop, Neysa, Giga, Tensorwave, Druva, Observe.ai, Daloopa, Pubmatic, PromptQL, Delhivery, Turtlemint, India Shelter, Rapido, Infra.Market, Ultrahuman, and more.

AssisTech Foundation Launches India’s First Startup India Seed Fund for AT Startups

AssisTech Foundation (ATF), India’s pioneering Assistive Technology ecosystem enabler, has set up India’s first and exclusive Startup India Seed Fund for AT startups under Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) through the support of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, wherein a capital pool of INR 5 Crores will be invested in 32 AT startups in the next 3 years. This dedicated fund aims to support early-stage startups in the Assistive Technology (AT) space by providing crucial seed capital for innovation, prototyping, and market entry.

Startups chosen under the scheme have a provision of grant, equity and debt where they can apply for grants up to ₹20 lakhs and equity investment up to ₹50 lakhs.

Prateek Madhav, CEO & Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation said, “The launch of the SISFS Fund for Assistive Technology (AT) start-ups marks a significant milestone in the AT ecosystem. This dedicated fund will provide much-needed early-stage capital to AT start-ups, enabling them to validate ideas, build prototypes, and accelerate market entry. By leveraging the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, ATF aims to bridge the critical funding gap faced by entrepreneurs working to empower persons with disabilities. This initiative reinforces ATF’s long-standing commitment to nurturing impactful solutions that drive accessibility and independence, while helping to build a more inclusive and equitable society through the power of technology.”

Through its support for early-stage innovators under the scheme, ATF advances its strategic vision of strengthening the Assistive Technology (AT) innovation pipeline in India. By providing targeted seed funding, ATF is helping build a robust, self-sustaining ecosystem that effectively addresses the real-world needs of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

To apply under the scheme, a start up must be DPIIT-recognized and incorporated within the last 2 years. It should not have received more than ₹10 lakh in monetary support from any other Central/State government scheme and have at least 51% Indian promoter shareholding at the time of application.

Startups creating innovative solutions that empower persons with disabilities and promote inclusive living are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about the eligibility criteria and apply at: https://seedfund.startupindia.gov.in

About AssisTech Foundation

AssisTech Foundation (ATF) is India’s first Assistive Technology (AT) ecosystem enabler that focuses on empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) by enabling Learning, Livelihood, and Living opportunities (3Ls of Empowerment). ATF does it by harnessing the power of AT and supporting the development of innovative technology products and services. In a span of 6 years, ATF has impacted the lives of over 1 million Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through its high-impact programs and initiatives and has established a network of over 500 AT Startups in the country. ATF is accelerating 54 AT Startups as a part of the portfolio, who have collectively developed 110+ AT products and secured over 50 patents.

IIT Madras to Launch ₹200 Crore VC Fund to Back Deeptech Startups

IIT Madras has announced the launch of a ₹200 crore (~$24 million) venture capital fund to support early-stage deeptech startups, particularly those incubated within its innovation ecosystem.

The fund, titled the IITM Alumni Fund, was formally introduced during the Sangam 2025 alumni summit in Bengaluru.

The fund aligns with the institute’s Startup Shatam mission to incubate 100 deeptech startups annually. 

• Fund Focus: Pre-Series A and Series A investments in deeptech ventures
• Backers: Primarily funded by IITM alumni and high-net-worth individuals
• Structure: Operates as a separate legal entity with standard VC governance
• Vision: Supports the institute’s ‘Startup Shatam’ mission to incubate 100 deeptech startups annually
• Track Record: IITM has already incubated 500+ startups with a combined valuation of over ₹50,000 crore and created 11,000+ jobs
• Notable Successes: Includes unicorns like Ather Energy and Uniphore

Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said —

“This fund will help accelerate our vision of ‘Startup Shatam’... A focused Series A-level VC fund, where the investors are our own alumni and well-wishers, is exactly what is going to get us there.”

Artha Global Opportunities Fund Nets 6X Return from investments in Distressed Debt Fund

Artha Global Opportunities Fund, the first Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) focused on distressed assets and special situations to shift its domicile from Mauritius to GIFT City, Gandhinagar, has exited investment in securities receipts of non-performing assets (NPAs) in India netting an over 6X return on its original $112 million investment.

"After repaying loans had taken to enhance the internal rate of return (IRR) for our investors, we have now netted a sum of $600 million, delivering over six times return for our investors in the Artha Global Opportunities Fund within just 2 years since launch," said Sachin Sawrikar, Managing Partner, Artha Bharat Investment Managers IFSC LLP.

The Artha Global Opportunities Fund is a $132.5 million (₹1,100 crore) closed-ended fund with a 7-year tenure classified as a Category III Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) as per IFSCA regulations. It specializes in acquiring non-performing loans (NPLs) backed by operational assets through high-value private market transactions. “We are currently evaluating three new distressed investment opportunities to redeploy the realized capital and enhance returns for our investors over the balance life of the fund,” added Sawrikar.

This landmark exit, rivaling returns typically seen in private equity and venture capital, highlights the effectiveness of India’s distressed asset resolution framework under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). “While there has been some criticism of the time taken by the IBC process to realize dues for lenders, our exit shows that smart selection of assets can allow investors to earn very attractive IRRs on their investments,” added Sawrikar.

Founded by Sachin Sawrikar, a seasoned private equity professional and former SBI Mutual Fund equity fund manager, Artha Bharat relocated its base in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming GIFT City into a world-class international financial services hub.

About Artha Bharat:

Artha Bharat Investment Managers IFSC LLP is registered with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), GIFT City, as a Fund Management Entity. It manages the Artha Global Opportunities Fund and is promoted by XLRI alumnus and CFA charterholder Sachin Sawrikar, who brings over 29 years of global fund management experience. Artha Global Opportunities Fund is registered with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), GIFT City as a Category III Alternate Investment Fund.

Bessemer Venture Partners Raises $350 Mn India Fund to Back Next-Generation of Startups

• Second dedicated India fund builds on Bessemer’s nearly two-decade-long presence in the country and reinforces its commitment to supporting technology and innovation-driven businesses
• The fund will focus on early-stage startups and support them through subsequent growth stages
• Bessemer will focus on investments across AI, SaaS, fintech, digital health, consumer, and cybersecurity.

Bessemer Venture Partners today announced the close of $350 million in capital for its second dedicated India fund, reinforcing the firm’s long-standing commitment to backing founders in the region as they build enduring companies.

The new fund will enhance the firm’s focus on early-stage investments, across AI-enabled services and SaaS, fintech, digital health, direct-to-consumer brands, and cybersecurity. Bessemer has a long-standing history of partnering with companies early and supporting them through their growth. More than 80 percent of its investments in India over the last five years have been in early-stage companies.

Speaking on the fund raise, Vishal Gupta, Partner and Managing Director of the firm’s Bangalore office said, “This fund deepens our commitment to India’s startup ecosystem as we continue backing the next generation of entrepreneurs building technology-led businesses. We remain focused on identifying and investing in founders who are driving innovation, solving complex challenges, and building market-defining companies. Beyond providing capital, we bring deep sector expertise, a global network, and hands-on support to help founders navigate their growth journeys and scale sustainably.”

Bessemer Partner Anant Vidur Puri added, "India is at the forefront of the AI-driven transformation, with founders building domestic as well as globally-competitive businesses across enterprise software, fintech, and consumer technology. As AI adoption accelerates, we see immense opportunities for innovation, and this fund allows us to back entrepreneurs shaping the next phase of India’s digital economy."

Bessemer first established its India presence nearly two decades ago in 2006 and has since invested in more than 80 startups in the country. The partnership’s strategy centres around being patient, long-term partners to visionary founders from the early stages. The firm has a history of taking a roadmap-driven investment approach that enables its investors to build conviction in emerging areas across industries before they become obvious, and better help founders navigate evolving industry landscapes. This approach has led Bessemer to invest early in shifts in the market like the onset of the mobile revolution, India’s digital infrastructure, and its healthcare revolution, resulting in investments such as Urban Company, Perfios, and Medi Assist.

The firm’s first dedicated India fund backed notable startups including Boldfit, MoveInSync, Pepper Content, Shopdeck, Vetic, and Zopper, while its broader portfolio includes category leaders like BigBasket, Livspace, Perfios, Swiggy, and Urban Company. The firm has also seen nine IPOs within its India portfolio.

With investment teams positioned across five countries, Bessemer is a globally integrated platform that is committed to supporting innovative startups and fostering the next generation of industry leaders.

About Bessemer Venture Partners

Bessemer Venture Partners helps entrepreneurs lay strong foundations to build and forge long-standing companies. With more than 145 IPOs and 300 portfolio companies in the enterprise, consumer and healthcare spaces, Bessemer supports founders and CEOs from their early days through every stage of growth. Bessemer’s global portfolio has included ServiceTitan, Pinterest, Shopify, Twilio, Yelp, LinkedIn, PagerDuty, DocuSign, Wix, Fiverr, and Toast and has more than $18 billion of assets under management. Bessemer has teams of investors and partners located in Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, London, Hong Kong, Boston, and Bangalore. Born from innovations in steel more than a century ago, Bessemer’s storied history has afforded its partners the opportunity to celebrate and scrutinize its best investment decisions (see Memos) and also learn from its mistakes (see Anti-Portfolio).

IN-SPACe Launches Technology Adoption Fund to Accelerate India's Space Sector

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) today announced the launch of the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) to nurture and support the growth of India’s space technology capabilities. This fund is designed to support the transition of early-stage space technologies developed by Indian companies into commercially viable products. By providing partial funding to Non-Government Entities (NGEs), the TAF will support the transition of innovative ideas from the drawing board to a market-ready stage.

The TAF has been created to promote the development of space technology within India while reducing the nation’s dependence on imported solutions. Investing in domestic research and development, the TAF will help building a strong partnership between government bodies and the private sector and position India as a reliable global partner in the space industry.

“The fund will offer financial support of up to 60% of the project cost for startups and MSMEs, and 40% for larger industries, with a maximum funding cap of ₹25 Crores per project,” said Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe. “We have designed this fund to help innovators bridge the gap between early-stage development and commercialization. This support will enable companies to refine their technologies, enhance production processes, and meet market demands both within India and abroad. Our focus is on enabling practical solutions that can be quickly integrated into the space ecosystem”, he added.

With TAF, IN-SPACe aims to support a wide range of outcomes—from the development of new space products to the creation of intellectual property that can drive future research and development. The fund will help promote advanced space technologies and contribute to job creation along with economic growth. By funding projects that have the potential to become commercial successes, IN-SPACe is taking concrete steps toward strengthening India’s position in the global space sector.

The Technology Adoption Fund is open to all eligible NGEs/companies that are ready to demonstrate the commercial potential of their innovations. Interested parties are encouraged to register on the IN-SPACe Digital Platform (IDP) at www.inspace.gov.in/taf to review the Guidelines Document and to submit their applications in the prescribed format.

In addition to financial support, the initiative will provide technical guidance and mentoring opportunities, which will help companies navigate challenges during the product development phase. This comprehensive support framework is intended to ensure that innovative ideas are not only protected and refined but also brought to market efficiently.

Bharat Value Fund by India Inflection Opportunity Trust (IIOT) Announces the 1st Close of Its Series 3 at ₹ 1,250 Cr

• Achieves Unmatched Fundraising Momentum with more than INR 3,000 Crore Raised Across Series 2 and 3 in Six Months

Bharat Value Fund- a category II AIF by India Inflection Opportunity trust has announced the first close of its third fund—Bharat Value Fund (BVF) Series 3—at INR 1,250 crore. The fund is managed by The Wealth Company Pvt Ltd, formerly known as Pantomath Capital Management Pvt Ltd. The milestone was achieved in a record 45 days, reaffirming the firm’s leadership in the mid-market Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) segment, especially in the closed equity segment. With a target corpus of INR 2,500 crore, including a green shoe option of INR 1,000 crore, BVF Series 3 underscores the firm’s commitment to driving growth in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This achievement builds on The Wealth Company’s remarkable fundraising trajectory. Over the past year, Bharat Value Fund has raised a total of INR 3,000 crore across Series 2 and Series 3, establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing funds in the AIF equity segment.

Commenting on the First Close of BVF Series 3 Fund, Madhu Lunawat, Managing Director, The Wealth Company said,

The Wealth Company is committed to fostering India’s mid-market growth through strategic investments and active ownership. We are humbled by the trust our investors have placed in our vision and execution capabilities. We remain dedicated to unlocking value for our stakeholders and driving the next phase of growth in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At the core of The Wealth Company approach is a sector-agnostic investment thesis focused on resilient, asset-backed businesses. Through Bharat Value Fund, the fund targets mid-market, high-growth enterprises with revenues between INR 300 crore and INR 1000 crore. These businesses, often rooted in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, are strategically positioned for scale, profitability, and value creation. The fund emphasizes structured exit strategies, including IPOs within 30-36 months, while offering alternative paths such as PE or M&A.

The Wealth Company adopts an active ownership model, providing portfolio companies with comprehensive support in strategy, recruitment, business development, and corporate governance. This approach ensures sustainable value creation while delivering consistent returns for investors.

The Wealth Company’s AIF business has demonstrated unparalleled momentum in the alternative investments space. BVF Series 1 raised INR 500 crore in 2023, establishing a foundation for growth in the mid-market segment. BVF Series 2 further cemented the confidence of the investors and got commitments of more than INR 1800 crore earlier this year. With the first close of the third fund at INR 1,250 crore in record time, the company plans to achieve the full target corpus of INR 2,500 crore by mid-2025.

This success reflects the firm’s deep understanding of mid-market opportunities and its ability to attract investors seeking high-growth, scalable opportunities in the Indian market.

The Wealth Company Asset Management Pvt Ltd - Formerly known as Pantomath Capital Management Private Limited is an asset management company which houses all alternate products under India Inflection Opportunity Trust.

Bharat Value Fund (BVF) is a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) launched by India Inflection Opportunity Trust (IIOT) and managed by The Wealth Company – formerly known as Pantomath Capital Management Private Limited. BVF primarily focuses on pre-IPO investment opportunities in Indian growth-stage enterprises. The fund targets companies that promote the "Made in India" ethos, substituting imports, fostering exports, and supporting India's vast rural consumption. BVF exemplifies its strategic vision of fostering Indian enterprise growth, driving innovation for value-driven growth in the Indian mid-market segment.

Suzuki to Support India's Social Entrepreneurs Via Newly Established $40 Mn Venture Fund

On July 4, 2024, Suzuki Motor Corporation established a wholly-owned subsidiary called "Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited" (referred to as "Next Bharat") and a fund named "Next Bharat Venture Fund-1" (referred to as "Fund") in India.

The purpose of Next Bharat is to support and invest in social entrepreneurs working in areas such as agriculture, financial inclusion, supply chain, and mobility.

Through this initiative, Suzuki aims to contribute to solving social issues in India through business ventures. The company also plans to invest in venture capital projects.

By nurturing and empowering social entrepreneurs, Suzuki aims to connect with the "Next Billion" people in India, extending beyond the mobility sector and becoming part of India's future story.

With a capital of INR 1 billion, Next Bharat is headquartered in Special Financial Zone GIFT City, Gujarat. The total investment of the fund-1 will be US $40 million.

Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki, said, "There are about 1.4 billion people in India, but we have only reached about 0.4 billion people. Next Bharat will focus on nurturing and empowering social entrepreneurs, who are passionately solving the problems of India. Through this, we will connect with the “Next Billion” people of India, extending beyond mobility and becoming a part of India’s future story.”

Suzuki began production and sales of automobiles in India in 1983, and has since been providing customers with mobilities including automobiles and motorcycles. Through the activities of Next Bharat, Suzuki aims to build ties with the people of India beyond the mobility sector and contribute to the further development of India.

Cisco Launches $1 Bn Global AI Investment Fund To Bolster Startup Ecosystem

• Cisco is launching a $1B global investment fund to expand and develop secure, reliable and trustworthy AI solutions. 
• Cisco is making strategic investments with world-class start-ups across software and infrastructure that build upon Cisco’s strategy to connect and protect the AI era
• Cohere, Mistral AI and Scale AI among the initial GenAI startups joining the Cisco Investments portfolio to help build a broader AI ecosystem

Cisco Investments, the global corporate venture investment arm of Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), has announced the launch of a $1 Billion AI investment fund to bolster the startup ecosystem and expand the development of secure and reliable AI solutions. As part of the new AI fund, Cisco is making strategic investments in Cohere, Mistral AI and Scale AI among others to advance customers’ AI readiness and complement Cisco’s AI innovation strategy. Cisco has already committed nearly $200M of the $1B investment fund to date.

AI is reshaping every industry and the world at an unprecedented pace, putting greater emphasis on how businesses globally interact and rely on technology. Recent research from IDC (2023) indicates that the global AI market is expected to double in size to over $500 billion in the next three years. Enterprises, including Cisco, have an opportunity to leverage Gen AI to significantly enhance their products and services and better serve their customers and end users.

"For more than 30 years, Cisco Investments has invested and partnered with hundreds of companies to drive innovation both within Cisco's core markets and in new strategic areas. Our recent investments in generative AI companies align perfectly with this long-standing strategy," said Mark Patterson, Chief Strategy Officer, Cisco. "At Cisco, we believe we are well positioned to be the best strategic partner for our customers in the AI era as they look to build, secure, and power AI. In addition to building essential technology to connect, secure and advance AI, Cisco is committed to investing in the broader AI ecosystem to more effectively meet our customers' needs."

Over the past several years, Cisco has made over 20 AI-focused acquisitions and investments, furthering GenAI and Machine Learning capabilities and integration of AI across the Cisco portfolio. These strategic investments and partnerships with world-class AI platforms across software and infrastructure build upon Cisco’s holistic strategy to connect and protect the AI era. In addition to these investments, Cisco will also be working with AI companies on product collaborations that allow Cisco to co-innovate, while also being an agnostic provider and platform player in AI, offering options and coverage for Cisco’s global customer base.

The committed investments in the new AI fund include:

• Cohere: Headquartered in Toronto and San Francisco, Cohere provides security-focused frontier large language models (LLMs) and industry-leading Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities tailored to meet the needs of enterprises.
• Mistral AI: Mistral AI is a global company headquartered in Paris specializing in generative artificial intelligence. The company develops new models of generative artificial intelligence for businesses, combining scientific excellence, an open approach and a responsible vision of technology.
• Scale AI: Based in the U.S., Scale AI provides a data-centric, end-to-end platform providing training and validation for AI applications. Cisco recently participated in Scale AI’s Series F funding as the round’s largest strategic investor.

“The establishment of our $1 billion AI investment fund is a testament to our commitment to the transformative power of artificial intelligence and its potential to redefine industries globally,” said Derek Idemoto, SVP, Corporate Development and Cisco Investments. “This fund represents our unwavering commitment to AI and innovation, and to the entrepreneurs and visionaries who are defining the next wave of technology.”

Cisco has a rich history of delivering innovation through R&D, Investments, M&A, and strategic partnerships—using a multi-pronged build, buy, partner, invest and co-develop strategy. Today’s announcement builds on the momentum of Cisco’s investments and product innovations in AI, while reinforcing that Cisco is well-positioned to help enterprises harness the power of secure, reliable and trustworthy AI on a global scale.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals.

Visa Launches $100 Mn Venture Fund for Generative AI Startups

Card-based payment services multinational organization Visa has announced the launch of a $100 Million venture fund to invest in Generative AI startups that will impact the future of commerce and payments.

Visa, which claims to be a pioneer of AI use in payments since 1993, considers this initiative an extension of Visa’s leadership in using AI to drive innovation in payments, create value for partners and clients, and enable and empower global commerce.

This generative AI ventures initiative will invest in the next generation of companies focused on developing generative AI technologies and applications that will impact the future of commerce and payments.

This initiative will be led by Visa Ventures, the global corporate investment arm of Visa. Visa Ventures has been investing in and partnering with companies driving innovation in payments and commerce since 2007.

David Rolf, Head of Visa Ventures, Visa Inc. said, "While much of generative AI so far has been focused on tasks and content creation, this technology will soon not only reshape how we live and work, but it will also meaningfully change commerce in ways we need to understand."

Earlier in 2018, Visa had launched $100 million Venture Fund for investment in fintech startups. 

YEA Hyderabad Launches ₹5 Cr Startup Fund, Unveils New Logo and Forge Strategic Partnerships

10-year-old Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) of Hyderabad, on Friday evening unveiled its striking new logo. Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder & Executive Chairman of Cyient, unveiled the emblematic symbol of YEA Hyderabad's evolution.

The association also introduced a dynamic startup fund with an initial corpus of ₹5 Crore, and plans are in place to expand its scale in the future.

Furthermore, YEA has forged strategic partnerships with the likes of T-Hub and others, aimed at identifying and nurturing potential startups in the Hyderabad region.

YEA Hyderabad, founded on the principles of "Meet, Connect, and Grow," has been in the forefront of fostering entrepreneurship among individuals aged 25 to 37. It remains unique in its approach, being the only organization to focus exclusively on this age group, both then and now.

BVR Mohan Reddy in his address, commended YEA's new logo design and called on association members to embrace the brand's mission: "meet, connect, and grow." He stressed the importance of creating significant value and achieving exponential growth, stating that this is the future - "living the brand."

Reddy emphasized that what truly matters is the value an association can create and its resulting brand value. He cited Cyient's rebranding as an example, highlighting the significance of investing in visualizing, building, and creating brand value.

On the topic of entrepreneurship, Reddy expressed his deep passion for education, which has led him to innovation and incubation.

Subhakar Alapati, President of YEA Hyderabad in this address said: "Today marks a significant milestone in our journey. With our new logo, and a startup fund, YEA Hyderabad is poised to redefine entrepreneurship and foster win-win entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur networking like never before. We are committed to nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship among our members and the broader community, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in Hyderabad."

Addressing the significant strides made by YEA Hyderabad, the President of the organization remarked, "Our membership comprises entrepreneurs from various generations - first, second, third, and even fourth-generation business leaders, all hailing from prominent business houses. A common thread among our members is their active involvement in the business world. We are committed to providing them with an enriching learning experience, from renowned professors at institutions like the ISB to future collaborations with Harvard School for comprehensive business education."

YEA Hyderabad hosts distinguished business leaders who share their journeys and insights, enriching the community's entrepreneurial spirit. The organization also engages with leaders from diverse sectors, including politics and bureaucracy, to gain valuable insights that can shape and redefine their business strategies. The organization also plans to conduct annual international study and business enrichment tours each year, and this year the Young Entrepreneurs have planned to go to Italy. Alapati expressed.

Over a decade ago, YEA Hyderabad commenced its journey with a mere 11 members, but today, it stands proudly with 80 members and plans to expand to 120. Despite the YEA’s rapid growth, membership remains highly exclusive. The selection process is based on the entrepreneur's active involvement and accomplishments within the business sector.

The Young Entrepreneur Association, Hyderabad, had set an enrolment target of 15 members for each year, for the current year, the target is already achieved as soon as it was opened.

YEA’s Membership is available to entrepreneurs of the first, second, and third generations, aged between 25 and 37, with a mandatory relinquishment of membership at the age of 45.

Membership within YEA Hyderabad is a coveted and rigorous process, involving stringent screening, interviews, and board approvals. The organization is resolute about ensuring diversity and avoiding overrepresentation from any one industry. Monthly events are a hallmark, dedicated to learning and featuring industry leaders and celebrity speakers, all aimed at nurturing and empowering young entrepreneurs on their path to success.

The unveiling of the new logo, and the launch of the startup fund, have positioned YEA Hyderabad at the forefront of the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem, promising a bright future for aspiring business leaders and innovators.

Incubate Fund Asia Announces Ist Close of IIIrd Fund, Aiming for $50 Mn to Fuel Startup Growth in India

This is the third fund from the Japanese VC in India which specializes in seed-stage investment

Incubate Fund Asia, a sector-agnostic Japanese venture capital fund specialising in seed-stage investment today announced the first close of their third fund which has a target corpus of $50 Million (around INR 416 crores). This accomplishment underscores their steadfast commitment to fostering the growth of startups and propelling them towards remarkable success. Incubate Fund’s India-focused entity has now been rebranded as Incubate Fund Asia, to expand focus on supporting pre-seed and seed-stage startups in India and South East Asia (SEA). The proceeds of the fund will be used to make early-stage investments and also for follow-on investments in startups that have shown strong fundamental growth. The fund aims to build a portfolio of around 20 startups with the third fund. The fund will invest only 40 per cent of its total investible corpus to create the portfolio and then use the balance to back the 'winners' in its portfolio.

Incubate Fund has firmly established itself within India’s dynamic startup investment landscape and since 2016, the fund has taken on a prominent role as a lead investor by setting up a dedicated fund for Indian startups. With a global presence, Incubate Fund Group maintains offices in key locations, including Tokyo, Singapore, Bangalore, Mumbai, São Paulo, and Mountain View. Some notable portfolio investments include Captain Fresh, Yulu, ShopKirana, Plum etc. Incubate Fund Asia has played a pivotal role in nurturing these startups, expertly guiding them towards achieving market leadership positions within India.

In a strategic and forward-thinking move, Incubate Fund India has undergone a significant transformation, emerging as Incubate Fund Asia. This rebranding initiative signifies a deliberate alignment of the organization's brand identity with its broader vision and extensive outreach within the Asian startup ecosystem. Positions itself to better encompass its regional ambitions and emphasize its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial endeavours throughout the Asian continent. Incubate Fund Asia was founded and has been led by Mr Nao Murakami, Founder and General Partner of the fund, with support from Incubate Fund’s Japan team.

Nao Murakami, Founder and General Partner of Incubate Fund Asia, expressed his enthusiasm about the fund's focused objectives. "Our mission is to empower startups and fuel innovation across Asia. With the target fund closure of $50 million, we will be ready to significantly enhance our support to emerging ventures, driving sustainable growth and innovation. Incubate Fund Asia remains deeply committed to its vision of nurturing innovation and catalyzing the growth of startups, ultimately contributing to the development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across Asia.”

Sumit Ghorawat, Co-Founder of ShopKirana, expressed how Incubate Fund’s support has been pivotal for ShopKirana’s journey. He stated, “Incubate Fund Asia is everything that we look for in an investor and is definitely one of the top folks to have on your cap table and board. I feel proud to say ShopKirana was the first investment of Incubate Fund in India back in 2016, since then we have raised 4 rounds and they continue to back us in each of them. They have stuck with us during highs and lows, always pushing us to do better, giving us complete access to their rolodex and so much more. Over the years I have found the team at Incubate Fund to be one of the best to collaborate with and get perspectives from. Incubate Fund's team will move mountains for you to help you on your startup journey.”

The fund has provided invaluable support to 27 Indian companies, including notable ventures like ShopKirana, the innovators behind a groundbreaking retail merchandise procurement app, and Captain Fresh, trailblazers in the B2B seafood trading sector. Their investments are broad in scope, encompassing B2B, B2C, Supply Chain, and consumer tech startups operating across both Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets. The contributions made by Incubate Fund Asia are pivotal in advancing business digitization and innovation, consistently investing in the $500K to $1.5 million range. In the year 2019, Incubate Fund launched a USD 18 million Fund II.

About Incubate Fund Asia

Incubate Fund, originating from Japan, is a renowned venture capital fund specializing in seed-stage investments. With a history of nurturing over 200 startups in Japan and Asian regions, they expanded to India in 2016 and started Incubate Fund India which was rebranded recently as Incubate Fund Asia. They actively engage with startups, offering hands-on support and mentorship, making them a vital partner for entrepreneurs. Incubate Fund Asia takes on a prominent role as a lead investor by committing a substantial 80% of its funds to Indian startups. This commitment spanned various sectors including B2B, B2C, Supply Chain, and consumer tech market.

https://www.incubatefund.in/