Ishaan Khosla

STARTING THE YEAR WITH A ROCKING NEWS!! Faad Capital is on the list of India's top startup investors of 2024 by Inc42 Media . 🙌 With 42 investments and over 50 CR deployed last year, we have continued our journey to support many notable companies and entrepreneurs.✅ Also, the year saw eight successful exits, strengthening our quest to create high-value capital for our LPs and stakeholders. 💰 All this would not have been possible without the support of rockstar partners, investors and stakeholders. 🙏 At 110+ portfolio companies now, we are all set. 2025, here we come! 💪 #startups #india #investors Karan Verma Dr.Dinesh Singh Neha Mourya Sanyam Jain Vatsal Lunawat Shivani Khare Abhilash Gupta Vansh Mittal

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Venture capitalists and BizDateUp co-founders Jeet Chandan and Meet Jain have acquired an undisclosed stake in IPO-bound foodtech giant Swiggy through an off-market secondary deal. Founded in 2020, BizDateUp allows angel investors to invest in Indian startups with a minimum of INR 1 lakh and recently launched a INR 200 crore fund for technology investments. The firm raised over $10 million from more than 1,000 angel investors in FY24. This move comes as several celebrities, including cricketers Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan, tennis player Rohan Bopanna, director Karan Johar, and actor Ashish Chowdhry, have also invested in Swiggy ahead of its IPO. Notably, Amitabh Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit have previously acquired stakes in the company. Read full story here: https://lnkd.in/gM8sEWSZ #foodtech #startups #ipo #swiggy #foodindustry #news #latestnews LinkedIn News India Linkedin News Ashu Agrawal

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New Delhi-based venture capital firm growX ventures, focused on B2B and DeepTech, has launched Fund II with a target of ₹400 crore ($47.1 million). The firm plans to support both early-stage and early-growth-stage companies such as semiconductors, defence-tech, spacetech, alternate materials and advanced manufacturing, fintech, healthtech, and supply chain/logistics over the next two to three years. The first investment will be up to ₹10 crore in seed rounds and ₹20-30 crore in Series B rounds. Ashish Taneja To share your startup information write us on - [email protected] For Startup funding reach out us at: https://lnkd.in/gqwTnHME Join Our Whatsapp Channel To Get The Latest Updates & News: https://lnkd.in/esJEFzan #GrowXventure #news #startup #funding #fundraising #venturecapital

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Boris Wertz is one of the many western Venture Capitalists who has been bullish on India and he has displayed it through his actions. Boris is an LP in 5 funds out of India and direct investor through his fund Version One Ventures in a number of companies. He shares in this podcast what makes India so appealing for US / Canadian investors. Globally India is the emerging market which the best of global investors are already investing or aspire to invest in Earlier we had questions on why India is not producing enough exits In 2024 the public market value of Indian startups crossed $100B These are $100B of liquid shares that can be anytime traded on NSE / BSE once the 6 month of lockin expires after the IPO This podcast shares the view of how investors in the US are thinking about Indian private markets https://lnkd.in/g3AfrVCM

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BizDateUp! Co-founders Jeet Chandan and Meet Jain have acquired an undisclosed stake in IPO-bound foodtech giant Swiggy through an "off-market" secondary deal. This investment showcases the growing confidence in Swiggy's innovative approach in the food delivery sector. Jeet Chandan shared, "As an entrepreneur since the age of 13, I have always been driven by a passion for creating businesses that showcase disruptive potential and significantly impact consumers' lives. Swiggy's innovative approach and leadership in the food delivery sector align perfectly with my investment philosophy." Founded in 2020, BizDateUp enables angel investors to support Indian startups with investments starting at just INR 1 Lakh. In April 2024, BizDateUp also announced the launch of a new INR 200 Cr fund aimed at investing in technology startups. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gqf8ekp2 #bizdateup #swiggy #angelinvesting #foodtech #startupfunding #investment #techstartups #startupstory

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"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together" GalaxEye announced investment by MountTech Growth Fund - Kavachh, a $60 million Category-II AIF, has made its inaugural investment in GalaxEye’s $10 million Series A fundraising round. GalaxEye, founded by a dynamic and skilled team from IIT-M, is on a mission to revolutionize space-based surveillance with cutting-edge, multi-sensor (SAR and MSI) fusion technology. With the first LEO satellite launch slated for mid-2025, GalaxEye aims to meet critical security and commercial needs, showcasing the power of innovation driven by purpose and precision. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to supporting trailblazing solutions that address pressing challenges in surveillance and security. GalaxEye’s ambition to leverage SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and MSI (Multispectral Imaging) fusion for space-based surveillance aligns well with the evolving demands of both defence and commercial sectors. Their innovative approach with LEO #satellite constellations promises to address critical security and monitoring needs with unmatched precision and real-time insights. Backing a driven and skilled team like GalaxEye, rooted in a legacy of innovation like Avishkar Hyperloop, speaks volumes about the fund's dedication to fostering groundbreaking technology. This partnership not only reflects the fund's commitment to advancing national security infrastructure but also highlights a forward-looking vision that appreciates the convergence of innovation and practical impact. The anticipated satellite launch in mid-2025 is set to be a milestone in this collaborative journey, and it will be exciting to witness the tangible outcomes of this strategic alliance! #space #venturecapital #investment #india #strategic https://lnkd.in/ggZuW2xs

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Top News of the Week in Indian Startup Ecosystem: 1. The week saw the first mega funding deal materialise for an Indian startup in the form of healthtech unicorn Innovaccer’s $275 Mn Series F fundraise. 2. On the back of this, healthtech emerged as the most funded startup sector this week. Besides Innovaccer, BrainSinghtAI and Zoplar also raised $5 Mn and $3.4 Mn this week. 3. Fintech, cleantech and ecommerce all saw three funding deals materialise this week, leading to fresh capital infusion of $48.9 Mn, $14.2 Mn and $13.3 Mn respectively. 4.  After months of speculations, Ritesh Agarwal increased his stake in his startup OYO with a capital infusion of $65 Mn via his venture capital firm Redsprig Innovation Partners. This funding round made travel tech the second most funded sector this week. 5. This week’s most active investor was VC firm Alteria Capital, investing in BrainSightAI’s $5 Mn pre-Series A funding round and Pratilipi’s $1.2 Mn funding round. 6. Eyewear major Lenskart is said to have initiated talks with bankers for a $1 Bn IPO that could value it in the range of $7 Bn to $8 Bn. Its IPO could hit the Indian bourses toward the end of the next financial year. Read the full post on link below Stay up do that with the Indian startup ecosystem on Medial.

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Sow Seeds of Financial Abundance At ODIGITAL Startup Drivers, we know that investing in early-stage, high-growth, technology-driven startups is a proven way of sowing seeds of future financial abundance and wealth. This is an asset class that delivers great returns on investment (ROI) for stakeholders and has consistently outperformed hyperinflation and local currency weaknesses in global markets. We have partnered with Tekedia Capital to give you the opportunity to co-invest a minimum of $250 in their early-stage, technology startup investment deals. We have an ongoing investment round that will close on November 10, with a rigorously selected group of 15 of the world's best investment deals. And you have the opportunity to get your equity in any of these ventures and position yourself for future profitable exits. These ventures operate in varied sectors and markets such as B2B Commerce for African fashion, B2B Export for Africa, AI operating systems for chemical manufacturing, construction, property management, hardware design, insurance infrastructure with carriers license, supply chain management, medical billing as well as AI Infrastructure for non Nvidia Chips and Quantum Chip design, Diversified global investing for Indians, global payments for travellers in China and South East Asia and Stablecoin based remittance. If you want to join us to sow seeds that will deliver a future of financial abundance and wealth for you and your generations, then hurry and connect with us via any of the options below to get started. * Send me a direct message * Email - [email protected] * Click - https://lnkd.in/dHd8K9ZN - to join our WhatsApp group. Share and repost for the benefit of your network. And follow me for more posts like this.

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Volt VC, a micro venture capital firm, has launched its first fund, Volt VC Fund-1, with the goal of addressing the pre-seed funding gap and offering crucial resources to startups across India. Volt VC Fund-1, a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), aims to raise a corpus of Rs 45 crore. The fund will focus on investing in innovative, consumer-centric startups at the pre-seed stage, with a mission to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and creators building strong, consumer-focused businesses in sectors such as D2C, B2C, and B2B2C. Volt VC plans to invest between Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 2 crore in approximately 20-25 pre-seed startups. Founded by Param Patel, Volt VC will offer strategic guidance, market research support, product development, branding, fundraising strategies, and access to an extensive network of experts across various domains. The firm’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship and fuel the growth of innovative startups in Gujarat and across India. Based in Ahmedabad, the company aims to close its first fund within the next 3-4 months. Volt VC also intends to solidify its role in super early-stage investments by backing promising startups across various sectors within the next 12 months. #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #PreSeedFunding #VoltVC #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Startups #IndiaStartups #SEBI #D2C #B2C #B2B2C #Investment #Fundraising #BusinessGrowth #GujaratStartups #EarlyStageInvestment #ProductDevelopment #Branding #TechStartups #career #job #focus #jobgram #ai #hr

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From Startup Vision to National Impact: Lessons from Aravind Sanka, Co-founder of Rapido I recently had the privilege of speaking with Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido, India's leading bike taxi platform. Aravind shared profound insights into their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting key milestones and challenges that shaped Rapido into what it is today. It was impressive to see after all the success Rapido has achieved, Aravind had arrived in Rapido Auto, reinforcing the need for their product to save time and money in transit. Here are a few takeaways from the conversation. Navigating Early Challenges with Strategic Focus Starting in Bangalore, Rapido faced the typical hurdles of a nascent startup: proving market viability and securing initial funding. What set them apart was their strategic focus on perfecting consumer metrics and fostering organic growth. By concentrating efforts in Bangalore for the first few years, they demonstrated significant consumer adoption and operational efficiency, paving the way for future expansions. Overcoming Investor Skepticism through Results Aravind candidly discussed the challenges of fundraising, especially when the concept of bike taxis was still nascent in India. Despite initial rejections, Rapido's commitment to showing tangible results and strategic timing paid off. They secured investments globally from places like Taiwan and Hong Kong before gaining local traction with investments from Nexus Venture Partners and WestBridge Capital. Addressing investor concerns, such as market size and demographic reach, was crucial. Timing also played a role; as other ride-hailing giants faced diversification challenges around 2019, Rapido emerged as a focused alternative in India's market. Adapting and Innovating in Times of Crisis The resilience of Rapido was further tested during the COVID-19 pandemic when their business temporarily plummeted. However, instead of retreating, they pivoted swiftly, launching auto-rickshaw services and leveraging their technology to meet evolving customer needs. This agility not only sustained them through the crisis but also strengthened their reputation as innovators in the mobility sector. Today, Rapido continues to innovate, focusing on enhancing user experience and expanding their footprint in tier 2 and tier 3 cities where their services are transforming local transportation dynamics. Aravind's journey with Rapido underscores the power of resilience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to solving real-world challenges. #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #MobilityInnovation #ImpactfulLeadership #StartupIndia #Kalaari #Rapido

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Join us! With great power (capital, position, trust) comes great responsibility. Following the launch of Ortella Global Capital - OG Capital, India's only fund that co-builds companies, we are humbled by the overwhelming support and enthusiasm for our mission to empower the next generation of groundbreaking startups. As we embark on this exciting journey, we are reminded of the profound impact we can make through responsible and strategic investing and co-building. At Ortella Global Capital - OG Capital, India's only fund that co-builds companies, we firmly believe that with great power comes great responsibility. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards for our investors, our co-builders, our founders and every individual whose lives we touch. As stewards of capital, we understand the importance of harnessing our resources for the greater good, not just for financial gain (yet focused on delivering 50%+ CAGR). As we grow, we are eager to expand our team with exceptional individuals who share our vision. We look forward to potentially working together to create the next hundred unicorns. Who is it for: a. If you had started a company ever and successfully exited, Reach out to us b. If you are a current founder who is passionate about building but for some reason, your business is not working out, Reach out to us c. If you had started out a few times before but for some or other reason it did not work out, Reach out to us And by the way, all our team members are ex-founders :) Additionally: - It does not matter whether you are 15 years old or 60, Reach out to us - It does not matter whether you are in Ahmedabad or Agartala, Reach out to us - It does not matter whether you are from IIT/IIM or a college drop out, Reach out to us --- because we have seen that success does not have a tag, you just need it to click once. And that's it! Please fill out the form in the comments :)

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💰 Surat-based IVY Growth Associates launches a ₹250 Cr VC fund, Arigato Capital aimed at investing in pre-Series A startups. 🤖 The fund, led by Prateek Toshniwal and team, targets sectors like agritech, cleantech, and generative AI, with an average investment size of $500,000. 🌍 Special focus on building global connections in the Middle East, US, and Europe. First close at ₹100 Cr expected by mid-2025. 🔗 Read more on the link in our comments section 👇

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IvyCap Ventures Advisors Private Limited, an early-stage startup #capital firm, has declared that the third fund’s final closing was at Rs 2,100 crores. The company intends to invest via this fund in roughly 25 early-stage #firms, with an average initial investment of Rs 30–50 crore. About 50 businesses in industries including health, consumer, deeptech, fintech, edtech, agritech, and spacetech have received #investments from FIvyCap Ventures. Promising start-ups, in addition to funding, could receive invaluable advice and scale-up support within the IvyCap Ventures #ecosystem under the Mentorship Program. Founded in 2011, IvyCap Ventures is one of India’s leading homegrown venture capital funds leveraging IIT and IIM alumni #networks to power the Indian startup ecosystem. Vikram Gupta Ashish Wadhwani Anju Gupta Vishal Gauri To share your startup story write us on - [email protected] #ivycapventures #startup #venturecapital

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Pitching to investors anytime, well this one’s for you. As part of our work at Encubay, we constantly listen to startups wanting to raise capital and your first impression is your last impression. So here’s some pointers that you should keep in mind while doing so. 👉 Always spend more time on the opportunity your venture is creating for each stakeholder. 👉 Talk about your unique position, skills or location to be able to solve for that. 👉 Paint a big vision, but an even bigger fool proof execution plans 👉 Always talk about the team and the dynamics between the founders and how the work is split. 👉 Be crystal clear with your numbers; it’s ok to project but have basic financial metrics handy. 👉 Pitch to build trust; not to sell in the first meeting. For female tech founders in Bangalore we’re hosting our signature Soar Up Pitch Showcase, and if you’d like to pitch, fill in the link in the comments. #fundrasing

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🚀 From Even Healthcare to Healthify – Indian Startups Raised $187 Mn This Week🚀 This week 21 Indian startups raised $187 Mn, which includes 4 growth stage and 13 early-stage deals while 4 early-stage startups kept the transaction details undisclosed. In terms of the city-wise number of funding deals, Mumbai-based startups led with 9 deals followed by Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Chennai. During the week, seed funding deals are on top, with 8 deals followed by Series A, pre-Series A, Series C, and Angel deals among others. The average funding in the last eight weeks stands at around $315.51 million with 28 deals per week. So, I put together a comprehensive guide that covers: - 📌 Key Startup Funding Highlights of The Week 📌 Growth/late-stage deals 📌 Early-stage deals 📌 City and Segment-Wise Deals 📌 Other Major Developments of This Week ➕ Follow Shilpi Kumari for more such insightful content. #startups #fundraising #fundingsuccess #investmentstrategy #founders #entrepreneurs #startupecosystem #fundingnews

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𝐌𝐲 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐂 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐂s - VC funding surged by 44.4% in 2024, making India one of the top global markets for venture funding. - Both deal size and number of deals grew, showing rising investor confidence. - While the funding environment is promising, raising capital isn’t easy. Founders must align with evolving investor expectations. - High-growth sectors like #FinTech, #SaaS, #digitalpayments, and #digitalbanking attract the most funding. - Investors prefer teams that deeply understand the market and can clearly explain the problems they’re solving. - Your team should show the ability to execute the vision and scale operations globally. - Investors don’t just want growth; they want sustainable growth. Show positive unit economics (profit per customer or transaction). 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 - 2025 is Competitive: With growing VC activity, investors are spoilt for choice. Only the most prepared startups will secure funding. - Scalability and Profitability Are Key: Investors are no longer swayed by rapid growth alone—they want financial discipline and sustainability. #vc #funding

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Indian venture market has exploded. Someone reported that there are 800+ funds/networks/syndicates/ accelerators active in Indian venture market now. Not sure, if that number is correct but if you are an early stage tech founder on your fundraise journey, chances are, you would meet hundreds of people. While majority of the fund houses are doing incredible work and shaping the ecosystem. There are certain kinds of investors you need to identify & avoid to save time and stay focused: Sharing from my personal experience, top 5 such cohorts to avoid and the takeaways for the founders: 1. Data collectors: At early stage, you don't have historical data to present. Your projections are just that, Projections. I wasted one whole week discussing with a prospective angel investor on why the CLTV to CAC ratio is x, and not y. Takeaway: Discuss high level strategic numbers only without going into the details. None of the projections would be accurate anyway when rubber hits the road. 2. Document collectors: Met few folks, who would watch from the fences and ask for n number of documents, data rooms, statements without sharing the purpose of the ask or even revealing their investment intent. Takeaway: It is supposed to be a bi-directional conversation. Say 'no' often, till the time, an official relationship is established. 3. Valuer (! investor): At early stage, valuation is a function of multiple parameters, the opportunity itself, the team, or anything else except steady cash flows, because you don't have much. I wasted another week with a prospective investor trying to justify valuation, had to shut down that conversation, after both of us started quoting Aswath Damodaran and his valuation principles. Takeaway: Too much content on the internet for both parties anyway. Shouldn't be a bone of contention at early stages. 4. Facilitators posing as investors: Met numerous people, who would go to any lengths to pose themselves as serious investors, even buying paid media articles. Only to reveal at the last: The success fee. Takeaway: Avoid facilitators until Series A 5. Brokers posing as market makers: People posing as market makers sharing tons of gyaan on LinkedIn but are actually deal brokers looking to make quick %. Personal experience: Two rounds of conversation happened and then out of blue, they added a third party in the mail trail, someone who facilitates mergers & acquisitions. There wasn't even a single instance in the past conversations where we indicated any such intent. Takeaway: Avoid name & shame in public but at least share within founder communities. #venture #fundraise #startups #investing

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