Mumbai, September 08, 2025 – Early-stage investment firm Venture Catalysts has raised INR 150 Cr (approx. $18 Mn) through a combination of primary and secondary transactions. The fresh capital, backed by marquee investors including ace investor Ashish Kacholia, Authum Investments, Mukul Agarwal, Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai, and the Shah Rukh Khan Family Office, will be directed toward leadership expansion, new fund launches, AI-driven technology upgrades, and scaling operations across key startup hubs in India.
Venture Catalysts’ Growth Journey
Founded in 2015 by Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Anil Jain, Anuj Golecha, and Gaurav Jain, Venture Catalysts began as an angel network before evolving into a diversified early-stage investment platform. Over the past decade, it has built a strong presence through syndication deals, angel fund AIFs, and Category II AIFs.
The firm has backed more than 400 startups, including well-known names such as BharatPe, InsuranceDekho, and Renee Cosmetics, and has deployed over $200 Mn via syndication from UHNIs, HNIs, and family offices. Venture Catalysts currently manages assets worth $500 Mn.
Its ticket size typically ranges between $200K and $2 Mn, making it one of the most active early-stage investors in the Indian ecosystem.
INR 150 Cr Funding Round
The INR 150 Cr funding round marks a major milestone for Venture Catalysts in 2025. While the exact split between primary and secondary transactions was not disclosed, ET reported that the primary transaction valued the firm at $200 Mn, according to cofounder and MD Apoorva Ranjan Sharma.
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Quick Fact:
- Funding Amount: INR 150 Cr ($18 Mn)
- Valuation: $200 Mn (primary transaction)
- Founded: 2015
- AUM: $500 Mn+
- Startups Backed: 400+
Existing investors, including DMart’s Radhakishan Damani, Haldiram’s Kamal Agarwal, Enam Securities, Capri Global, Zee Business’ Anil Singhvi, boAt cofounder Aman Gupta, and OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal, also participated in the round, signaling continued confidence in the firm’s expansion strategy.
The company said the funds will be deployed toward:
Industry & Market Impact
India’s startup ecosystem continues to scale rapidly, with the DPIIT estimating over 1.8 lakh registered startups across the country. Early-stage investors like Venture Catalysts are playing a pivotal role in funding entrepreneurs building across fintech, consumer services, healthtech, and enterprise AI.
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According to Inc42’s Indian Tech Startup Funding Report (Q1 2025), more than 23 new funds worth $3.2 Bn were launched in the March quarter alone. Venture Catalysts’ latest fundraise aligns with this trend, giving it greater firepower to back innovative founders.
Industry analysts believe the round strengthens Venture Catalysts’ positioning against peers like Elevation Capital, Inflection Point Ventures, and Campus Fund, especially in the competitive angel and micro-VC space.
Expert Insights & Reactions
Speaking on the round, cofounder Apoorva Ranjan Sharma said:
“This funding will accelerate our mission to make early-stage investing more accessible and technology-driven. With AI-enabled tools, we aim to create a stronger bridge between startups and investors while expanding into emerging hubs.”
A Delhi-based venture consultant added that the entry of celebrity and institutional backers into this round reflects growing confidence in early-stage Indian startups:
“Having strategic investors like Aishwarya Rai and the Shah Rukh Khan Family Office gives additional brand visibility. At the same time, investors such as Ashish Kacholia and Mukul Agarwal bring credibility and long-term expertise to Venture Catalysts’ platform.”
What’s Next for Venture Catalysts
With its expanded capital base, Venture Catalysts plans to roll out new funds under its AIF lineup, including 100Unicorns, Beams Fintech Fund, Elev8 Venture Partners, and Spyre PropTech Venture Fund.
The firm is also expected to deepen AI-driven diligence frameworks to improve startup evaluation, risk assessment, and reporting efficiency for LPs. Expansion into tier-2 and tier-3 cities will form a key part of its geographic strategy, tapping into emerging entrepreneurial hubs outside metros.
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As global investors like Y Combinator, Greenoaks, and FJ Labs continue co-investing with Venture Catalysts, the latest funding round positions the firm to play a stronger role in shaping India’s early-stage investment landscape.
Disclaimer
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