Company Overview
WaterBridge Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm embedded in India's vibrant start-up ecosystem. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New Delhi, the firm targets tech-driven, India-centric start-ups. They focus on sectors including education, healthcare, SaaS, B2B commerce, and manufacturing. With $250 million in assets under management (AUM), WaterBridge is recognized as a significant early-stage investor, having participated in substantial funding rounds like the noteworthy $6.5 million investment in Atlan.
Investment Strategy
WaterBridge Ventures aims to be the first institutional investor and an active partner for its portfolio companies. The firm supports founders from pre-seed to Series C stages, focusing on high potential opportunities that align with their thesis-driven investment approach, which is centered around strong product-market fit and capital-efficient growth. This strategy emphasizes fostering large-scale talent and innovation within India.
Key Personnel
- Manish Kheterpal: Co-Founder and Managing Partner, significant venture capital experience with prior investments totaling $800 million. Currently the Vice Chair of the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association's VC Council for 2024-26. Educated at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- Ashish Jain: Partner, focused on financial strategy and supporting entrepreneurs. Formerly associated with Acuity Capital Advisors and Lok Capital. Holds degrees from Delhi University and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
- Anjali Sosale: Partner, specializes in investments from Seed to Series A. Active participant in the venture capital community and involved in panels and discussions on growth strategies.
- Sapna Goyal: Vice President, brings over 12 years of experience in internet start-ups, previously headed strategic investments and M&A at Udaan.
- Kartik Mehta: Vice President, focuses on early-stage tech investments with a strong entrepreneurial approach.
- Raj Nayan Datta: Investment Professional with strategic insights into Seed and Series A investments, educated at IIT Bombay.
- Abhishek Jha: Specializes in fund operations, finance, and compliance, has extensive experience from Deloitte.
- Baba Prasad Nath: Investment Professional with a background in operations and investment within the VC-backed sector.
Portfolio
WaterBridge Ventures’ portfolio includes companies such as Bijnis, FairDeal, Legitquest, Loopworm, and Trampoline. These investments highlight the firm’s commitment to supporting innovation and sustainable business growth, focusing on entrepreneurs with robust technology foundations to address local and global market challenges.
Competitor Profile
Accel
Accel is a prominent global venture capital firm known for its seed, early, and growth-stage investments. With past successes such as Facebook, Slack, and Dropbox, Accel focuses on sectors like AI, fintech, and cloud/SaaS. The firm has significant financial power in the Indian market, with $650 million raised in its eighth India-focused fund.
Bessemer Venture Partners
Founded in 1911, Bessemer Venture Partners is a seasoned firm with a portfolio boasting over 145 IPOs and 300 companies. Their roadmap-driven approach, supported by $5 billion in assets under management, highlights their robust strategic posture in consumer and enterprise sectors.
Canaan Partners
Canaan Partners, based in the U.S., with 190 investments in technology and healthcare, manages $5 billion in diversified funds. Known for working closely with entrepreneurs from inception to growth, Canaan emphasizes early-stage ventures.
Matrix Partners
Operating mainly in the U.S. and India, Matrix Partners focuses on seed and early-stage investments. Their history includes successes like Apple and FedEx. Matrix values partnerships with technically skilled founders and transformative business ideas.
Investment Landscape and Strategic Insights
WaterBridge Ventures operates in a competitive environment with firms like Accel and Bessemer that have substantial financial resources and strategic depth. These competitors target similar sectors such as fintech and cloud-based technologies, providing them with a wide reach and extensive networks.
WaterBridge's commitment to building generational companies indicates a focus on long-term growth, aligning with its thesis-driven investment strategy. While competitors possess substantial funds and a global presence, WaterBridge harnesses local expertise and deep relationships within Indian markets as a differentiator. Emphasizing unique regional insights and a strong value proposition could enhance WaterBridge's competitive edge in attracting innovative startups.
