The Indian startup ecosystem is burgeoning day by day. 2025 is no different with the series of funds that are being raised and rounds being conducted at the earliest stage than ever before. While venture capital has played a vital role in fuelling this early stage growth, in many cases pre-seed and seed stage angel investors are the ones who are the first to back an idea, and often provide additional support to founders in the form of mentorship, market access and other strategic support.
As India is now one of the largest as well as one of the fastest growing startup ecosystems in the world, platforms that help founders connect with the investors in-person have taken on a whole new level of significance in the startup ecosystem in India. Tablon as a platform along with curated meet investors club events have enabled founders to connect with decision-makers who can help supercharge them from ideas to scale.
Here is a comprehensive guide to 20 of the most active pre-seed stage angel investors and early-stage VCs in 2025 and their areas of focus, investment style and some of their noteworthy portfolio companies.
Types of Pre-Seed Stage Angel Investors
Pre-seed stage angel investors can be broadly classified into:
- Individual Angels – Experienced entrepreneurs or professionals investing their personal funds.
- Super Angels – High-net-worth individuals who invest larger amounts and often lead funding rounds.
- Friends & Family Investors – Close personal connections supporting the founder’s early vision.
- Syndicate Angels – Groups of investors pooling resources to back startups collectively.
- Domain Experts – Industry specialists who offer both capital and strategic guidance.
Peak XV Partners (Formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA)
About: Since its inception in 2006, Peak XV Partners has played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian startup landscape. Rebranding from Sequoia Capital India & SEA, it remains one of the most trusted early backers of transformative ideas.
Investment Focus: Technology, healthcare, consumer services, fintech, enterprise software
Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth
Notable Investments: Byju’s, Zomato, OYO, Freshworks, Paytm
Their approach is highly data-driven but also rooted in long-term founder relationships. By combining capital with in-depth market analysis, Peak XV Partners has been instrumental in nurturing companies that dominate their categories.
Accel Partners
About: Accel is one of India’s earliest and most influential venture investors, with over $650 million raised for its eighth India fund. Their track record includes supporting unicorns and enabling Indian startups to go global.
Investment Focus: Consumer technology, enterprise software, fintech, marketplaces
Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Cure.fit
Accel is known for a hands-on investment style — helping founders refine product-market fit, strengthen teams, and scale operations. Their global network offers portfolio companies access to international markets from an early stage.
Matrix Partners India
About: Matrix Partners India is synonymous with early bets on some of India’s most iconic startups, including Ola and Razorpay. Their $450 million fourth India fund reflects confidence in the country’s growth potential.
Investment Focus: Fintech, mobility, SaaS, consumer internet
Stages: Pre-seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Ola, Razorpay, Dailyhunt, Practo, Quikr
They stand out for actively collaborating with founders through the earliest product iterations, often staying engaged well into the growth stage.
Lightspeed Venture Partners
About: Lightspeed combines a global reach with deep local knowledge, making them a bridge for Indian startups to enter international markets.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, deep tech
Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: ShareChat, Udaan, Innovaccer, Byju’s, OYO
Their balanced portfolio spans cutting-edge technologies and scalable consumer platforms, making them a versatile choice for early founders.
Kalaari Capital
About: Founded in 2006, Kalaari Capital has built a reputation for being founder-first. They have played a key role in nurturing India’s digital economy with a focus on innovative, disruptive ideas.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, healthcare
Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Snapdeal, Dream11, Myntra, CureFit, Mu Sigma
Kalaari emphasizes strong operational partnerships and is known for helping founders fine-tune business models for long-term sustainability.
Blume Ventures
About: Blume Ventures has become a cornerstone of India’s pre-seed and seed investment landscape. Their focus is on technology-driven companies with global ambitions.
Investment Focus: Consumer tech, enterprise software, fintech, IoT
Stages: Pre-seed to Series A
Notable Investments: GreyOrange, Unacademy, Dunzo, Cashify, Purplle
Blume’s portfolio includes a healthy mix of B2B and B2C companies, reflecting their belief in a diverse approach to early-stage investing.
Nexus Venture Partners
About: With more than 15 years in India’s startup ecosystem, Nexus is known for its strategic bets on enterprise technology and consumer internet plays.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, fintech, consumer internet, healthcare
Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Postman, Unacademy, Traveloka, Droom, H2O.ai
They bring deep product expertise and often help companies pivot or expand into new verticals.
3one4 Capital
About: Based in Bangalore, 3one4 Capital focuses on leveraging technology to address pressing real-world challenges.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, healthcare
Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Lendingkart, Rebel Foods, Simpl, Dunzo, Betterplace
Their investment thesis often aligns with long-term industry shifts, making them a forward-looking partner for startups.
Elevation Capital (formerly SAIF Partners)
About: Elevation Capital’s portfolio includes several of India’s most recognized startups. Their name change from SAIF Partners reflects a renewed commitment to early-stage innovation.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, healthcare
Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Paytm, MakeMyTrip, Naukri, Swiggy, Delhivery
They have consistently delivered successful exits while maintaining strong relationships with founders.
India Quotient
About: India Quotient stands out for its focus on consumer-first startups and willingness to take risks on unconventional ideas.
Investment Focus: Fintech, consumer tech, SaaS, marketplaces
Stages: Pre-seed to Series A
Notable Investments: ShareChat, Sugar Cosmetics, Lendingkart, iimjobs
Their ability to identify emerging trends in consumer behavior has helped them back several early category leaders.
Chiratae Ventures (formerly IDG Ventures India)
About: Chiratae Ventures has built an impressive portfolio over 15 years, spanning consumer, enterprise, and healthcare innovations.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, healthcare
Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Lenskart, FirstCry, Myntra, Manthan, Newgen
They are particularly known for their strategic advisory support and talent network.
Stellaris Venture Partners
About: Stellaris Venture Partners is relatively young compared to some peers but has quickly become a force in early-stage funding.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, fintech, consumer internet, deep tech
Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Whatfix, Mfine, Propelld, Zenoti, Mamaearth
Their focus on scalable, tech-led solutions has helped them back some of the most promising new-age startups.
Bessemer Venture Partners
About: A global VC with over a century of investing history, Bessemer brings unmatched global connections to Indian founders.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, consumer internet, fintech, healthcare
Stages: Series A to Series C
Notable Investments: Twilio, Yelp, Shopify, Wix, Mindtickle
While often engaging slightly later than pre-seed, Bessemer’s strategic value makes them a key target for scaling founders.
Omidyar Network India
About: Omidyar Network combines impact investment with strong market understanding, funding businesses that can change lives at scale.
Investment Focus: Financial inclusion, digital identity, property rights, governance
Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Paytm, PolicyBazaar, Ola, Skymet, Droom
They bridge the gap between profit-driven and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Jungle Ventures
About: Headquartered in Singapore, Jungle Ventures has a strong foothold in Southeast Asia and India.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, logistics
Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Livspace, Kredivo, Pomelo, Carsome, Moglix
Their cross-border expertise makes them a valuable partner for startups eyeing multiple Asian markets.
Venture Highway
About: Venture Highway’s focus is to work closely with founders from the earliest stages, often before the first product launch.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, marketplace
Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Licious, Tricog, Stepathlon, Tala, Droom
They maintain a flexible approach, adapting support to the founder’s evolving needs.
Inventus Capital Partners
About: Inventus operates in both India and the US, bringing cross-border experience to its portfolio.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, consumer internet, fintech, healthcare
Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Mu Sigma, NestAway, Xoxoday, Ather Energy, Belong
They excel in helping founders establish strong unit economics early.
Accel India
About: The India-focused arm of Accel Partners operates with deep market immersion, enabling startups to scale faster domestically.
Investment Focus: Consumer technology, enterprise software, fintech, marketplaces
Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Cure.fit
Their brand equity helps portfolio companies attract top talent and strategic partners.
Prime Venture Partners
About: Prime Venture Partners emphasizes partnerships with early-stage technology founders across diverse sectors.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, consumer internet, fintech, healthcare
Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Niyo, Ezetap, Happiest Minds, MyGate, Zoho
They provide not just funding but also high-touch mentorship and market strategy.
AngelList India
About: AngelList India has democratized early-stage investing, with 120 deals closed in 2024 alone.
Investment Focus: All sectors, with emphasis on early-stage
Stages: Pre-seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Ambak, Boba Bhai, The Hosteller, Truva, deeptech startups
By connecting founders directly with angel investors and syndicates, AngelList has expanded access to funding for first-time entrepreneurs.
How Tablon Helps in Connecting with Pre-Seed Angel Investors
But while identifying who these investors are is one step, actually getting in front of them is where the challenge begins for most founders. This is where Tablon has carved its niche, as an investor relations platform that connects entrepreneurs with capital providers.
Far from just being a digital-only service, Tablon places a special focus on helping founders meet with investors in person. From curated meet investors club meetups to targeted networking dinners and private pitch sessions, entrepreneurs have the chance to interact with investors face-to-face. This helps to build trust and understanding on both sides, allowing founders to break through the noise of online fundraising, while giving investors a clearer sense of the individuals and passion behind the proposals.
This “offline-first” strategy can be especially valuable for early-stage founders, particularly those looking for pre-seed angel investor funding, as the ability to attend these events and meet investors in person can often accelerate the fundraising timeline. By facilitating introductions, helping founders prepare for investor meetings, and ensuring a good strategic fit, Tablon helps improve both the probability and the quality of successful funding outcomes.
In short, it’s not just about meeting an investor, but meeting the right one at the right time and in the right way.
Closing Thoughts: Building Real Connections in 2025
In an age where virtual pitches and AI-driven deal sourcing dominate the startup landscape, the impact of meeting investors face-to-face remains unmatched. A candid conversation over coffee, an impromptu brainstorming session at an event and an investor gathering, or a shared laugh during a networking dinner can often move an investment decision forward faster than months of online exchanges.
As India’s startup ecosystem becomes more competitive, founders who actively seek personal connections gain a significant advantage. Platforms like Tablon, exclusive meet investors programs, and well-curated in-person events give entrepreneurs the rare opportunity to build genuine relationships with decision-makers.
In 2025, winning over a pre-seed angel investor is about much more than the size of the cheque. It’s about shared vision, mutual trust, and forming partnerships that endure well beyond the first round of funding. The investors featured in this guide have consistently gone beyond capital serving as collaborators, mentors, and long-term allies to the founders they believe in.
If you’re serious about your fundraising journey, you can download our free investor list to identify and connect with the right pre-seed backers for your startup.
