Overview
Venture Catalysts++ is lauded as India's first multi-stage venture capital firm, founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Mumbai. The firm has firmly established itself within the startup ecosystem, aiming to empower entrepreneurship through an integrated model that involves funding, mentoring, and networking.
Key Figures and Operations
- Foundation Year: 2016
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Investment Strategy: Primarily focuses on seed to early growth-stage investments, especially in high-tech sectors like IoT, software, and healthcare.
- Portfolio: Over 500 startups with a consolidated portfolio valuation of around $10 billion as of November 2022.
Notable Funds and Regulatory Registrations
1. Venture Catalyst Angel Growth Fund
- Fund Manager: Venture Catalysts Angel Growth Fund Manager LLP
- SEBI Registration: IN/AIF1/18-19/0653
- Category: Category I AIF – Venture Capital Fund – Angel Fund
2. Venture Catalyst Angel Fund
- Fund Manager: Venture Catalyst Pvt. Ltd.
- SEBI Registration: IN/AIF1/22-23/1157
- Category: Category I AIF – VCF – Angel Fund
Distinct Achievements
- Delivered returns of 5x-8x from a complete exit in a portfolio startup by October 2023.
- Named as one of the most active global angel and seed-stage investors in 2019.
- Transitioned multiple startups to unicorn status, with 54 startups surpassing $50 million valuations by November 2022.
Leadership and Key Figures
Leadership Team
- Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma: Co-Founder & President, a prominent figure in India's startup ecosystem, leading initiatives at Venture Catalysts and 9Unicorns Accelerator Fund.
- Anil Jain: Co-Founder, with significant entrepreneurship experience in finance, plays a vital role in strategic growth.
- Anuj Golecha: Co-Founder, a Chartered Accountant by training, instrumental in business strategy and development.
- Gaurav Jain: Co-Founder, involved in directing investment strategies, bringing a Stanford-backed educational background.
Global Reach
Venture Catalysts++ enhances its influence not only across 47 Indian cities but also globally, with footprints in Singapore, UAE, USA, and the UK. This international strategy supports startups on a global scale and diversifies its investment portfolio.
Investment Initiatives
The firm serves dual purposes of aiding startups and inviting investors into its broad network. Notable funds include:
- BEAMs Fintech Fund: Spearheading growth-stage focused fintech investments.
- SPYRE: Pioneering in PropTech investment within India.
- elev8: Targeting hyper-growth tech investments in a sector-agnostic approach.
Competitive Landscape and Strategic Positioning
Operating as both an investor and incubator, Venture Catalysts++ supports entrepreneurial ventures with investments ranging from $500K to $2MN, backing over 110 startups. The competitive landscape in India includes rivals like:
- 50K Ventures: Specializes in tech startups with seed funding.
- YourNest: Targeting deep tech domains like AI and IoT.
- Infuse Ventures: Focused on sustainable tech and clean energy.
- LetsVenture and Indian Angel Network (IAN): Offering combined funding, mentoring, and guidance across diverse industries.
Recent Developments and Industry Impact
The introduction of initiatives such as the $200MN Elev8 Venture Partners India-focused fund demonstrates Venture Catalysts++' strategic momentum. Collaborations with leading fintech and logistic marketplaces like Paytm further fortify its market impact and role as a critical enabler in India's startup ecosystem.
This report outlines the strategic operations, sector focus, and competitive positioning that define Venture Catalysts++ as a key player in the venture capital space, underpinning its influence within India's dynamic startup environment.
