Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India has emerged as a conducive environment for the startups. Owing to its vibrant investment scene in the city, there is a plethora of opportunities for early-stage startups to raise their seed funding. It becomes all the more important to know who these seed investors are, what they expect from startups, and how to get in touch with them.
This guide will help you identify the top seed investors who are investing in Bangalore-based startups.
Top 20 Seed Investors Making Waves in Bangalore
1. Abhijay Jain – Terex Ventures
As Vice President at Terex Ventures, Abhijay Jain works closely with high-growth businesses and investors across multiple sectors. Terex Ventures focuses on unlocking opportunities in technology, artificial intelligence, and scalable ventures. Their investment approach emphasizes sustainable growth and long-term value creation, making them an ideal partner for startups looking to scale methodically.
Investment Focus: Technology, AI, scalable ventures across sectors
Key Strength: Cross-sector expertise and strong global network
Best For: Tech startups with proven traction seeking strategic guidance
2. Shaishav Shah – Serial Entrepreneur & Investor
With deep experience across data, artificial intelligence, and governance, Shaishav Shah brings valuable cross-border insights to the table. His investment philosophy combines practical entrepreneurial experience with a strong global network, making him an ideal partner for founders looking to scale internationally. Shah’s hands-on approach includes active mentorship in areas like data strategy, AI implementation, and establishing governance frameworks.
Investment Focus: Data, AI, governance technologies, GCC
Key Strength: Global network and cross-border expertise
Best For: Data-driven startups planning international expansion
3. Praveen M – Innovative Startup Supporter
Praveen M focuses on facilitating systematic startup investments with a keen interest in innovative business models. His approach emphasizes structured investment processes and long-term support for founders navigating early-stage challenges. With a focus on supporting innovative startups, Praveen brings methodical thinking to investment decisions.
Investment Focus: Innovative startups across sectors
Key Strength: Systematic investment methodology and structured support
Best For: First-time founders needing systematic guidance
4. Manish Dsouza – Strategic Investor
Manish Dsouza brings a strategic investment perspective to Bangalore’s startup ecosystem. His investment approach focuses on identifying companies with strong fundamentals and clear paths to profitability. With an emphasis on sustainable business models, Dsouza works with founders who prioritize building lasting value.
Investment Focus: Multiple sectors with strong fundamentals
Key Strength: Strategic investment analysis and profitability focus
Best For: Startups with clear revenue models
5. Anoop Jose – Finspurt Capital Connector
Anoop Jose specializes in arranging capital for companies through Finspurt, assisting corporates in connecting with the right investors. His expertise lies in pre-IPO fundraising and helping companies prepare for significant growth rounds. Jose’s network spans across institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals looking for promising investment opportunities.
Investment Focus: Pre-IPO stage companies, growth capital
Key Strength: Extensive investor network and capital arrangement expertise
Best For: Growth-stage startups preparing for larger funding rounds
6. Mona Mamtani – Business Advisory and Startup Consulting
With over three decades of rich and diversified experience in corporate and consulting, Mona Mamtani helps small businesses scale up effectively. Her investment and advisory approach focuses on business strategy, operational excellence, and building scalable processes. Mamtani is particularly interested in co-founding opportunities where she can add significant strategic value.
Investment Focus: Small businesses ready to scale, consulting-intensive ventures
Key Strength: 30+ years of corporate experience, business advisory expertise
Best For: Businesses needing operational guidance and strategic mentorship
7. Isha Gupta – Investor Readiness Specialist
As a Chartered Accountant with 13+ years of experience, Isha Gupta specializes in making teams investor-ready through financial modeling, KPI development, data room preparation, and 13-week cash forecasting. Her expertise in controls, forecasting, and investor readiness helps founders present their businesses professionally to potential investors, significantly improving fundraising success rates.
Investment Focus: Companies seeking investor readiness support
Key Strength: Financial modeling, due diligence preparation, clean close processes
Best For: Founders preparing for institutional fundraising
8. Sarjak Shah – Management and Financial Consulting
Sarjak Shah’s mission is to help startups grow, scale, and achieve sustainable profitability. Recognizing that over 50% of startups fail in their first year, Shah focuses on changing this narrative through comprehensive management and financial consulting. His approach combines financial discipline with growth strategies.
Investment Focus: Early-stage startups needing profitability guidance
Key Strength: Financial sustainability and growth strategies
Best For: Startups struggling with profitability and scaling challenges
9. Abhijeet Zaware – Strategy Consulting and Execution
Abhijeet Zaware specializes in business and strategy consulting with a clear focus on KPIs and ROI. His investment and advisory approach emphasizes execution alongside strategy, ensuring that plans translate into measurable results. Zaware works closely with founders to establish metrics-driven growth frameworks.
Investment Focus: Strategy execution, performance-driven businesses
Key Strength: KPI development and ROI optimization
Best For: Startups needing help translating strategy into execution
10. Pavandeep Duggal – Banking and Financial Training
Pavandeep Duggal focuses on re-skilling and upskilling for tomorrow’s digital financial transformation. With expertise in banking and finance, Duggal supports fintech startups and financial services companies navigating digital transformation. His investment approach combines capital with training and capability building.
Investment Focus: FinTech, banking technology, financial services
Key Strength: Digital transformation expertise, training programs
Best For: FinTech startups requiring regulatory and domain expertise
11. Dhakshna Murthy Raj – Industrial and Management Consultancy
Dhakshna Murthy Raj offers comprehensive management consultancy services including industrial consultancy, profit consultancy, ISO certification, digital marketing, and business setup. His multifaceted approach helps startups establish proper foundations while focusing on profitability and compliance from day one.
Investment Focus: Industrial businesses, manufacturing, service businesses
Key Strength: Multi-domain expertise from compliance to marketing
Best For: Industrial startups needing comprehensive setup guidance
12. GANGA SINGH – B2B Industrial Procurement Platform Expert
GANGA SINGH is revolutionizing B2B procurement in India with speed, simplicity, and AI. As the founder of India’s first B2B industrial procurement platform designed around industrial purchasers’ pain points, Singh brings a deep understanding of B2B dynamics and industrial supply chain challenges. His investment focus naturally extends to B2B technology and procurement solutions.
Investment Focus: B2B platforms, industrial technology, procurement solutions
Key Strength: Deep B2B expertise and industrial procurement knowledge
Best For: B2B startups solving procurement and supply chain challenges
13. Rushikesh Mahajan – AI and App Development
Rushikesh Mahajan helps businesses through practical solutions in AI, app development, and web development. His approach involves providing clear, step-by-step guidance and simplifying complex topics for practical application. Mahajan’s technical expertise makes him valuable for technology startups needing both investment and technical mentorship.
Investment Focus: AI applications, mobile apps, web development
Key Strength: Technical problem-solving and practical implementation
Best For: Tech startups needing hands-on technical guidance
14. Swapnil Khollam – Custom Software Solutions
As a startup founder focusing on custom software solutions, Swapnil Khollam specializes in AI, ERP, CRM, websites, blockchain, and custom software development. His dual perspective as both a founder and technical expert enables him to evaluate technology startups with practical insights into development challenges and market opportunities.
Investment Focus: Software solutions, AI, blockchain, enterprise software
Key Strength: Full-stack technical expertise and founder experience
Best For: Software startups requiring technical validation and guidance
15. Shivam Vats – AI and B2B Research
Shivam Vats focuses on AI and B2B research, bringing analytical rigor to investment decisions. While his venture is currently under construction, Vats represents the new generation of investors who combine research capabilities with emerging technology understanding to identify promising opportunities early.
Investment Focus: AI, B2B solutions, research-driven ventures
Key Strength: Research methodology and analytical approach
Best For: Research-intensive startups and B2B solutions
16. Ayush Bansal – AI Native Business OS for SMEs
Ayush Bansal is building an AI-native Business OS for SMEs, described as “cursor for ERP.” Having onboarded three SMEs, Bansal focuses extensively on product development. His investment perspective comes from understanding SME pain points and building solutions that drive operational efficiency.
Investment Focus: SME technology, ERP solutions, AI for business operations
Key Strength: SME market understanding and product development expertise
Best For: B2B SaaS targeting small and medium enterprises
17. Aditya Gayakwad – Sales Intelligence and AI Development
Aditya Gayakwad helps with sales intelligence including deep lead research, outreach, and increasing sales pipelines. As an AI developer capable of building AI agentic systems, Gayakwad brings a unique perspective on go-to-market strategies combined with technical capabilities. His dual expertise makes him valuable for sales-tech startups.
Investment Focus: Sales technology, AI agents, B2B sales tools
Key Strength: Sales intelligence and AI agentic systems
Best For: Sales-tech startups and B2B lead generation platforms
18. Shubham Pandey – FinTech and Investing
Shubham Pandey runs a fintech startup focused on India’s equity and mutual funds market, aiming to ease the stress of investing and make it simple and reliable. His firsthand experience building in the highly regulated fintech space provides valuable insights for other fintech founders navigating compliance, user acquisition, and financial product development.
Investment Focus: FinTech, investing platforms, SaaS for financial services
Key Strength: Regulatory navigation and financial product expertise
Best For: FinTech startups working on investment and wealth management
19. Saurabh Belote – AI and Automation for Recruitment
Saurabh Belote founded Jobform Automator, an AI-driven ecosystem for recruiters and job seekers that automates every step of hiring. His expertise in RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and AI application in HR-tech makes him particularly valuable for startups building automation solutions for traditional processes.
Investment Focus: AI, automation, RPA, HR-tech
Key Strength: Process automation and AI implementation
Best For: Automation startups and HR-tech platforms
20. Rohan Baisantry – AI Agents for DTC Brands
Rohan Baisantry is the founder of Techcats Labs, building AI-powered sales agents for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. His specialization in AI agents and tech consulting, combined with practical experience in the DTC space, makes him well-positioned to support startups at the intersection of AI and e-commerce.
Investment Focus: AI agents, DTC technology, tech consulting
Key Strength: AI for commerce and DTC market understanding
Best For: E-commerce AI startups and DTC technology platforms
Essential Elements of a Compelling Pitch
Regardless of which investor you’re approaching, certain elements make any pitch more compelling and increase your chances of securing investment.
- Problem Statement: Clearly articulate the problem you’re solving, its magnitude, and who experiences it. The best startups address urgent, expensive problems for large markets. Make investors feel the pain your customers experience.
- Your Solution: Explain how your product or service solves this problem uniquely. What’s your unfair advantage? Why can’t this problem be solved with existing solutions? Demonstrate deep understanding of both the problem and your solution’s elegance.
- Market Opportunity: Size the market using credible data, ideally combining top-down and bottom-up analysis. Investors want to see large, growing markets where even capturing a small percentage creates significant value.
- Traction and Validation: Nothing speaks louder than customer validation. Whether it’s revenue, user growth, engagement metrics, or pilot programs, demonstrate that customers value what you’re building enough to pay for it or use it consistently.
- Business Model: Explain clearly how you make money, your unit economics, and path to profitability. Investors increasingly focus on sustainable business models rather than pure growth-at-all-costs strategies.
Understanding Different Investment Structures
Seed investors/funding can take several forms, knowing each helps you negotiate better.
- SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity): Fast, valuation-deferred funding method common in India; equity converts in later rounds.
- Convertible Notes: Short-term debt converting to equity later, usually with a discount and defined interest or maturity terms.
- Priced Equity Rounds: Direct share purchase at a fixed valuation; offers clear ownership but involves detailed structuring.
- Revenue-Based Financing: Non-dilutive option where investors earn a share of revenue until a fixed return multiple is met—ideal for near-profitable startups.
Sector-Specific Investment Trends in Bangalore
Investor focus shifts by sector; aligning your pitch accordingly improves success.
- Technology & AI: Strong investor demand for AI solving real problems—especially in automation, analytics, and enterprise tools.
- FinTech: High interest in lending, payments, and inclusion-focused startups that show strong regulatory compliance.
- B2B SaaS: Favored for scalable, recurring revenue and healthy unit economics.
- HealthTech: Ongoing interest in telemedicine, diagnostics, and digital health—compliance readiness is key.
- E-commerce & D2C: Still attractive, but profitability and retention now outweigh rapid growth.
Red Flags That Scare Investors Away
Understanding what concerns investors helps you address potential issues before they derail fundraising conversations.
Founder Red Flags:
- Lack of domain expertise or relevant experience
- Inability to articulate the business clearly
- Defensive responses to constructive feedback
- Unclear division of responsibilities among co-founders
- Unrealistic financial projections or market assumptions
- Poor understanding of competitive landscape
Business Red Flags:
- No clear differentiation from competitors
- Solving problems customers don’t actually have
- Over-reliance on single customers or channels
- Weak unit economics with no clear path to improvement
- Regulatory uncertainty without mitigation strategies
- Technical debt or IP ownership issues
Conclusion
Bangalore is a hub for seed investments, with a thriving startup ecosystem supporting ambitious founders and innovative ideas. The 20 investors in this guide bring diverse expertise, philosophies, and support systems. No matter your industry or stage, these investors can play a key role in your startup journey.You can also download the complete investors list to explore their profiles and funding preferences in detail.
Fundraising blends art and science. A strong product and value proposition matter, but execution, traction, realistic projections, and authentic investor relationships make the difference. The investors listed here provide not just capital but also strategic guidance, networks, and mentorship to drive growth.
Fundraising is a means to an end to focus on building products customers love, creating value, forming a talented team, and strengthening competitive advantages. With solid fundamentals, capital naturally follows as investors recognize real execution.
Investor relationships take time. Show progress through consistent milestones, adaptability, and resilience. Transparency about challenges and clear action plans build the trust essential for long-term partnerships.
Finally, the best investor isn’t always the one offering the biggest cheque. Alignment in vision, culture, growth pace, and exit goals matters more. Choose investors who understand your market and can add strategic value beyond money to form a lasting, growth-oriented partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much equity to give in a seed round?
Typically 10–20%; many founders target ~15%. Factor in a 10–15% employee option pool and future rounds.
2. How long to close seed funding in Bangalore?
Usually 2–4 months. Angels can close in 4–8 weeks; institutional processes may take 3–6 months.
3. One investor or many at once?
Approach multiple investors in parallel to create leverage, prioritize 15–20 targets and keep backups warm.
4. Angel vs seed-stage VC?
Angels = individuals, smaller checks, faster decisions, hands-on. Seed VCs = institutional, larger checks, formal due diligence and processes. Rounds often mix both.
5. How to get investor attention in Bangalore?
Show real traction (customers/revenue), a tight problem-solution narrative, relevant team expertise, warm intros, and sector-fit. Be coachable.
