Venture Catalysts Secures Rs 150 Cr to Ignite India’s Startup Ecosystem with New Funds and Leadership Expansion
In a bold move to fuel India’s burgeoning startup landscape, Mumbai-based Venture Catalysts, a leading multi-stage venture investing platform, has successfully raised Rs 150 crore (approximately USD 18 million) through a dynamic mix of primary and secondary transactions. This landmark funding round, valuing the firm at an impressive USD 200 million post-money, marks a significant milestone for the company as it sets its sights on amplifying its influence across India’s entrepreneurial hubs. The capital injection will empower Venture Catalysts to launch new funds, bolster its leadership team, and integrate cutting-edge AI-driven technologies to enhance its investment processes, signaling a transformative phase for the platform and the startups it supports.
Founded in 2016 as an angel network, Venture Catalysts has evolved into a powerhouse in India’s venture capital ecosystem, operating through a dual-pronged approach of deal-by-deal syndication via angel alternative investment funds (AIFs) and a venture capital arm that co-creates Category II AIFs with fund managers and institutional anchors. With over USD 500 million managed across its funds and approximately USD 200 million deployed through syndication over nine years, the platform has backed more than 400 startups, including notable names like Renee Cosmetics, InsuranceDekho, BharatPe, Wiom, Zypp Electric, and Kissan Konnect. This latest funding round underscores the firm’s commitment to scaling its operations and fostering innovation across diverse sectors.
The Rs 150 crore raise has attracted a stellar lineup of investors, blending public-market veterans, corporate giants, and high-profile family offices, including those from Bollywood. New backers include renowned investor Ashish Kacholia and his group, Authum Investments, the Shah Rukh Khan Family Office, Aishwarya Rai, Karthik Sundar Iyer, Hardik Patel of Finquest, LNB Group, Mukul Agarwal, Sakal Media Group, Utpal Sheth, and Vinod Dugar of RDB Group. These new investors join an existing roster of heavyweights such as Radhakishan Damani (DMart), Kamal Agarwal (Haldiram), Enam Securities, Capri Global, Anil Singhvi (Zee Business), and founder-investors like Aman Gupta (boAt), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Nirmit Parikh (Apna), and Srinath Ramakkrushnan (Zetwerk). This diverse investor base reflects strong confidence in Venture Catalysts’ vision to empower entrepreneurs across all growth stages, from seed-stage ventures to hyper-growth companies.
“This infusion of capital is a game-changer for Venture Catalysts,” said Anuj Golecha, Co-Founder of Venture Catalysts. “It will enable us to deepen our deal flow, seed innovative fund strategies, and enhance our technology backbone, particularly with AI-driven solutions that allow investors and founders to collaborate with unprecedented speed and scale. We are thrilled to have such a distinguished group of investors join us in our mission to build vibrant accelerator communities and robust alumni networks across India.”
The proceeds from the funding will be strategically deployed across four key areas: leadership expansion, new fund launches, technology upgrades, and geographic outreach. Venture Catalysts plans to onboard senior talent in investing, product, and platform functions over the next few quarters, strengthening its ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups. The firm is also set to expand its Category II AIF suite, which currently includes funds like 100 Unicorns, Beams Fintech Fund, Elev8 Venture Partners, and Spyre PropTech Venture Fund. These funds target diverse sectors, from fintech and proptech to consumer goods, aligning with India’s rapidly evolving startup ecosystem.
A significant portion of the capital will be invested in technology upgrades, with a focus on AI-enabled tools for due diligence and limited partner (LP) reporting. These advancements aim to streamline investment processes, enhance transparency, and provide data-driven insights to both investors and portfolio companies. By leveraging AI, Venture Catalysts seeks to stay ahead of the curve in a competitive venture capital landscape, ensuring faster and more informed decision-making.
Geographic expansion is another cornerstone of the firm’s strategy. Venture Catalysts plans to deepen its presence in India’s top startup corridors, including Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and emerging hubs like Ahmedabad, Pune, and Chennai. This move will enhance the firm’s on-ground support for entrepreneurs, fostering closer connections with local startup ecosystems and enabling more effective deal sourcing and portfolio management. The company’s syndication model, which has already mobilized USD 200 million from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs), and family offices, will further benefit from this expanded footprint.
The funding round comes at a time when India’s startup ecosystem is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by digital transformation, increasing consumer demand, and supportive government policies. Venture Catalysts’ ability to attract high-profile investors, including Bollywood luminaries, highlights the growing intersection of entertainment, business, and technology in India’s investment landscape. The involvement of figures like Shah Rukh Khan’s Family Office and Aishwarya Rai adds a layer of cultural resonance to the firm’s mission, bridging mainstream visibility with entrepreneurial ambition.
Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Venture Catalysts, emphasized the firm’s role in shaping India’s startup narrative: “Since our inception, we have been committed to empowering entrepreneurs by providing not just capital but also mentorship and access to networks. This funding will accelerate our efforts to build a robust platform that supports startups at every stage of their journey, from ideation to global scaling.”
The company’s track record speaks for itself. With successful exits like Koovers, a B2B e-commerce platform for auto spare parts, which delivered 2.1 times returns in just 18 months following its acquisition by Schaeffler India Ltd in August 2023, Venture Catalysts has demonstrated its ability to generate significant value for investors and portfolio companies alike. The firm’s portfolio spans a wide range of sectors, including consumer tech, fintech, agritech, and mobility, positioning it as a key player in India’s innovation-driven economy.
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Last Updated on Monday, September 8, 2025 2:00 pm by Entrepreneur Live Team
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