Professional Role and Company Overview
Vaibhav Domkundwar is the Founder and CEO of Better Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm with a focus on the Indian startup ecosystem. Established in 2018 as an India-focused micro-VC, Better Capital has evolved into one of the most active and influential pre-seed funds targeting the India opportunity. The firm currently manages approximately $100 million in Assets Under Management (AUM) and has invested in over 200 companies, including multiple unicorns and several high-potential soonicorns.
Better Capital is distinguished by its concentration on backing "gritty founders" and "category-defining" businesses, with a strong emphasis on long-term, sustainable ventures rather than companies dependent solely on venture capital fuel. Vaibhav has articulated a focus on supporting founders who aim to build real, scalable companies through execution on fundamentals and organic growth strategies.
Investment Focus and Portfolio Highlights
Better Capital specializes in pre-seed and seed-stage investments, with a portfolio spanning various domains including fintech, agritech, SaaS, education technology, and digital skills assessment startups. Notable portfolio companies include:
- Khatabook – A leading digital ledger platform for small businesses.
- Open – A neobank for small businesses.
- Rupeek – A fintech startup.
- TeachMint, Airmeet, Eeki Foods – Consumer and enterprise tech ventures.
- Several agritech startups such as Gramophone, Jai Kisan, and BharatAgri.
Vaibhav’s investment approach is grounded in a data-driven, growth-hacking ethos, often experimenting with organic growth mechanisms to scale portfolio startups effectively. The fund has completed 76 follow-on rounds in 2021, indicative of strong portfolio company growth and capital efficiency.
Professional Background and Education
Vaibhav Domkundwar holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Industrial/Manufacturing) from the University of California, Berkeley and previously graduated from the College of Engineering Pune (COEP), affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University. He maintains a bi-continental presence, splitting time between Silicon Valley and India, which facilitates a hybrid advantage bridging the two major innovation hubs.
Before founding Better Capital, Vaibhav was a serial entrepreneur, having built and led two successful companies:
- Roamware – A venture-backed startup focused on mobile software, acquired for a nine-figure sum by Audax Group.
- A bootstrapped company named Better Inc.
He is recognized as a notable figure in SaaSOps and has been featured across prominent media platforms such as CNBC, Forbes, Economic Times, and has received the Inclusive India Award (2021) by the Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (IVCA) for his contributions to inclusive entrepreneurship.
Leadership Style and Public Presence
Vaibhav is actively engaged in the broader innovation ecosystem as a thought leader and speaker. His communications emphasize the importance of building real companies, focusing on execution, grit, and fundamental business metrics over hype. He frequently shares insights into his investment philosophy and ecosystem trends, including commentary on the evolving landscape of AI products and India's pre-seed funding environment.
Better Capital has adapted its business model in response to market cycles, including pivoting strategies and exploring M&A avenues to sustain growth momentum amidst capital raising challenges reported around late 2024.
Key Metrics and Achievements
- $15.28 million raised as the maiden fund in 2021.
- Expanded scope to a $100 million fund with 200+ portfolio companies.
- Backed 2 unicorns and over 15 soonicorns.
- Recognized as India’s largest pre-seed fund.
- Awarded the Inclusive India Award by IVCA in 2021.
- Founder of Better Capital since 2018, evolving from an AngelList syndicate to a full-scale venture capital entity.
- Career entrepreneur delivering a successful exit with Roamware.
- Known for a data-driven, founder-centric investment approach focusing on sustainable growth.
This profile underscores Vaibhav Domkundwar’s significant influence and leadership in India’s early-stage venture capital space, marked by a strong track record in both entrepreneurship and investment. His strategic focus on gritty, high-potential founders combined with deep experience in scaling technology startups establishes him and Better Capital as pivotal stakeholders in the Indian innovation and investment ecosystem.
