The Indian startup ecosystem has become one of the most active and high-growth ecosystems in the world, raising billions of dollars every year. With 112 unicorns and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, there are massive opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Finding Investor for Startup has become a key step for founders aiming to scale quickly and strategically. This guide outlines the top 20 investors in India who are driving the future of entrepreneurship and innovations across sectors.
Introduction: India’s Thriving Investment Landscape
The Indian startup ecosystem saw rapid growth with India raising over $10 billion in investments, becoming one of the largest in the world. The ecosystem in 2024 saw increased focus on profitability, innovation, and compliance. Initiatives such as elimination of angel tax and a reduction in long-term capital gains tax by Indian authorities are likely to create an investment-friendly environment for investors and startups alike.
The investors are optimistic about the future and have the funds available. Hence, there is expected to be substantial deal activity in 2025 for startups.
What Makes These Investors Stand Out?
Top investors in India have built long-standing reputations based on their track record, industry experience, strong network, and an ability to spot great companies at early stages and grow them to an exit. They have collectively invested in thousands of companies and have contributed to many unicorns and fostered India’s economic and technological growth.
Top 20 Investors in India: Detailed Profiles
1. Peak XV Partners (Formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA)
About: Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA) is a leading venture capital and growth investing firm that has been instrumental in building India’s startup ecosystem since 2006.
Investment Focus: Technology, healthcare, consumer services, fintech, and enterprise software
Investment Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B, and Growth
Notable Investments: Byju’s, Zomato, OYO, Freshworks, Paytm
Peak XV Partners has been at the forefront of India’s digital transformation, backing companies that have become household names. Their expertise in identifying market-leading companies and providing strategic guidance has made them one of the most sought-after investors in the region.
2. Accel Partners
About: Accel has raised $650 million for its eighth India fund, demonstrating their continued commitment to the Indian market. It is one of India’s earliest venture capital investors that has supported major companies like Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, Vedantu, and many more.
Investment Focus: Consumer technology, enterprise software, fintech, and marketplaces
Investment Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Cure.fit
Accel’s deep understanding of the Indian market and their ability to scale companies globally has made them a preferred partner for ambitious entrepreneurs. Their hands-on approach and operational expertise have helped portfolio companies achieve remarkable growth.
3. Matrix Partners India
About: Matrix Partners India, which backs unicorns like Ola and Razorpay, is setting up $450 million for its fourth and largest India fund yet. They focus on early-stage investments in technology companies.
Investment Focus: Fintech, mobility, SaaS, and consumer internet
Investment Stages: Pre-seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Ola, Razorpay, Dailyhunt, Practo, Quikr
Matrix Partners India has established itself as a leading early-stage investor with a strong track record of backing category-defining companies. Their sector expertise and network of entrepreneurs make them valuable partners for startups.
4. Lightspeed Venture Partners
About: A global venture capital firm with a strong presence in India, focusing on consumer, enterprise, and deep technology investments.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, and deep tech
Investment Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Sharechat, Udaan, Innovaccer, Byju’s, OYO
Lightspeed’s global perspective combined with local expertise has enabled them to identify and back some of India’s most successful startups. Their portfolio spans various sectors and stages of growth.
5. Kalaari Capital
About: One of India’s leading early-stage venture capital firms, founded in 2006, with a focus on backing passionate entrepreneurs building innovative products.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Snapdeal, Dream11, Myntra, CureFit, Mu Sigma
Kalaari Capital has been instrumental in nurturing India’s startup ecosystem, with several successful exits and a strong portfolio of growing companies. Their entrepreneur-first approach has earned them a reputation as founder-friendly investors.
6. Blume Ventures
About: A Mumbai-based early-stage venture capital fund that focuses on backing Indian startups with global potential.
Investment Focus: Consumer tech, enterprise software, fintech, and IoT
Investment Stages: Pre-seed to Series A
Notable Investments: GreyOrange, Unacademy, Dunzo, Cashify, Purplle
Blume Ventures has established itself as a key player in India’s early-stage ecosystem, with a focus on technology-driven companies that can scale globally. Their portfolio includes several unicorns and high-growth companies.
7. Nexus Venture Partners
About: A leading venture capital firm in India with over 15 years of experience, focusing on technology-enabled businesses.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, fintech, consumer internet, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Postman, Unacademy, Traveloka, Droom, H2O.ai
Nexus Venture Partners has built a strong reputation for backing enterprise-focused startups and has several successful exits in their portfolio. Their deep sector expertise makes them valuable partners for B2B companies.
8. 3one4 Capital
About: A Bangalore-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies with a focus on India and Southeast Asia.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Lendingkart, Rebel Foods, Simpl, Dunzo, Betterplace
3one4 Capital has emerged as a significant player in India’s early-stage ecosystem, with a focus on companies that leverage technology to solve real-world problems.
9. SAIF Partners (now Elevation Capital)
About: A leading venture capital firm in India with a track record of backing successful technology companies.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Paytm, MakeMyTrip, Naukri, Swiggy, Delhivery
Elevation Capital (formerly SAIF Partners) has been instrumental in building several category-leading companies in India and has a strong track record of successful exits.
10. India Quotient
About: It specializes in investments in the early and seed stages and also provides follow-on investments. Notable Investments: ShareChat, Sugar Cosmetics, Lendingkart, and iimjobs. Investment Focus: India Quotient invests across several sectors, including Fintech, Consumer tech, and SaaS.
Investment Focus: Fintech, consumer tech, SaaS, and marketplaces
Investment Stages: Pre-seed to Series A
Notable Investments: ShareChat, Sugar Cosmetics, Lendingkart, iimjobs
India Quotient has established itself as a key early-stage investor with a focus on consumer and enterprise technology companies.
11. Chiratae Ventures (formerly IDG Ventures India)
About: A leading venture capital firm in India with over 15 years of experience in backing technology companies.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Lenskart, FirstCry, Myntra, Manthan, Newgen
Chiratae Ventures has built a strong portfolio of successful companies and has established itself as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs across various sectors.
12. Stellaris Venture Partners
About: A Bangalore-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage technology investments in India.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, fintech, consumer internet, and deep tech
Investment Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Whatfix, Mfine, Propelld, Zenoti, Mamaearth
Stellaris Venture Partners has quickly established itself as a key player in India’s early-stage ecosystem with a focus on technology-driven companies.
13. Bessemer Venture Partners
About: A global venture capital firm with a strong presence in India, focusing on technology companies across various sectors.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, consumer internet, fintech, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Series A to Series C
Notable Investments: Twilio, Yelp, Shopify, Wix, Mindtickle
Bessemer Venture Partners brings global expertise and a strong network to Indian startups, helping them scale internationally.
14. Omidyar Network India
About: A philanthropic investment firm that invests in market-based approaches to create opportunities for underserved populations.
Investment Focus: Financial inclusion, digital identity, property rights, and governance
Investment Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Paytm, PolicyBazaar, Ola, Skymet, Droom
Omidyar Network India focuses on investments that have the potential to create positive social impact while generating financial returns.
15. Jungle Ventures
About: A Singapore-based venture capital firm with a strong focus on Southeast Asia and India.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, and logistics
Investment Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Livspace, Kredivo, Pomelo, Carsome, Moglix
Jungle Ventures has established itself as a key player in the Southeast Asian and Indian startup ecosystems.
16. Venture Highway
About: A Bangalore-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage technology investments.
Investment Focus: Consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, and marketplace
Investment Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Licious, Tricog, Stepathlon, Tala, Droom
Venture Highway has built a diverse portfolio of technology companies across various sectors.
17. Inventus Capital Partners
About: A venture capital firm focused on investing in technology companies in India and the US.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, consumer internet, fintech, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Seed to Series B
Notable Investments: Mu Sigma, NestAway, Xoxoday, Ather Energy, Belong
Inventus Capital Partners has established itself as a key investor in the Indian technology ecosystem.
18. Accel India
About: The India-focused arm of Accel Partners, with a dedicated focus on the Indian market.
Investment Focus: Consumer technology, enterprise software, fintech, and marketplaces
Investment Stages: Seed to Series C
Notable Investments: Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Cure.fit
Accel India has been instrumental in building several of India’s most successful technology companies.
19. Prime Venture Partners
About: A Bangalore-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage technology investments in India.
Investment Focus: Enterprise software, consumer internet, fintech, and healthcare
Investment Stages: Seed to Series A
Notable Investments: Niyo, Ezetap, Happiest Minds, MyGate, Zoho
Prime Venture Partners has established itself as a key early-stage investor with a focus on technology-driven companies.
20. AngelList India
About: AngelList India participated in 120 deals in 2024, recording the highest deal count in the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. They are a platform that connects startups with angel investors and venture capital firms.
Investment Focus: All sectors, with a focus on early-stage investments
Investment Stages: Pre-seed to Series A
Notable Investments: fintech startup Ambak, bubble tea brand Boba Bhai, traveltech startup The Hosteller, proptech startup Truva, deeptech companies
AngelList India has democratized access to startup investments and has become a key platform for early-stage funding in India.
Investment Trends and Sectors in Focus
- Fintech Revolution
The fintech sector continues to dominate India’s investment landscape, with investors betting heavily on digital payments, lending, insurance, and wealth management platforms. The sector’s growth has been accelerated by government initiatives like Digital India and the widespread adoption of smartphones.
- Consumer Technology
Consumer technology startups, including e-commerce, food delivery, and entertainment platforms, continue to attract significant investment. The growing middle class and increasing internet penetration drive this sector’s growth.
- Enterprise Software and SaaS
B2B SaaS companies are gaining increased attention from investors as Indian entrepreneurs build world-class enterprise software solutions. The sector’s scalability and recurring revenue models make it attractive to investors.
- Healthcare and Edtech
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated investment in healthcare and education technology, with investors recognizing the huge potential in these sectors. Telemedicine, online learning, and healthcare management platforms are particularly attractive.
- Deep Tech and AI
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other deep tech sectors are emerging as new areas of focus for investors. The availability of skilled talent and growing enterprise adoption drive interest in these sectors.
- Sustainability and Green Tech
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are increasingly important for investors. Clean energy, sustainable mobility, and circular economy startups are gaining traction.
How to Approach These Top Investors
- Research and Preparation
Before approaching any investor, thoroughly research their portfolio, investment thesis, and preferred sectors. Understand their investment criteria and recent deals to tailor your approach accordingly.
- Build a Compelling Pitch
Develop a clear and compelling pitch that articulates your value proposition, market opportunity, and growth potential. Highlight your traction, team, and competitive advantages.
- Leverage Networks
Use your professional network to get warm introductions to investors. Attend industry events, join entrepreneur groups, and build relationships with other founders who can provide referrals.
- Demonstrate Traction
Investors want to see evidence of product-market fit and growth potential. Prepare detailed metrics, customer testimonials, and growth projections to support your pitch.
- Be Persistent but Respectful
Follow up appropriately and maintain relationships even if you don’t receive immediate funding. Investors appreciate entrepreneurs who are persistent but respectful of their time.
The Future of Investment in India
- Emerging Opportunities
The Indian startup ecosystem continues to evolve, with new opportunities emerging in sectors like agritech, logistics, and space technology. Investors are increasingly looking at these sectors for the next wave of growth.
- Government Support
Government initiatives like Startup India, Digital India, and various policy reforms are creating a more favorable environment for startups and investors. This support is expected to drive further growth in the ecosystem.
- Global Expansion
Indian startups are increasingly looking to expand globally, and investors are supporting this trend. The ability to scale internationally is becoming a key factor in investment decisions.
- Technology Adoption
Emerging technologies like blockchain, IoT, and quantum computing are creating new investment opportunities. Investors are actively looking for startups that can leverage these technologies to solve real-world problems.
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
- Sector Expertise Matters
Choose investors who have experience and expertise in your sector. Their knowledge and network can be invaluable for your company’s growth.
- Stage Alignment
Ensure that the investor’s investment stage aligns with your company’s current stage and funding needs. Approaching the right investor at the right time is crucial for success.
- Value Addition Beyond Capital
Look for investors who can provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to networks beyond just capital. The right investor can accelerate your company’s growth significantly.
- Build Long-term Relationships
Investment relationships are long-term partnerships. Choose investors who share your vision and values, and with whom you can build a strong working relationship.
- Prepare for Due Diligence
Be prepared for thorough due diligence processes. Have your financial records, legal documents, and business metrics organized and ready for review.
Conclusion
The Indian investment landscape is as vibrant and diverse as ever, with countless opportunities for entrepreneurs in various sectors and stages. In this guide, we highlight the top 20 investors operating in India today. Each investor brings their own expertise, network, and other resources to the table.
With investors being optimistic and still flush with cash, 2025 could be another big year for deal activity in India. Between the supportive government policies, increased digital adoption, and the availability of talent, there are a number of reasons why investors should be interested in India.
For founders looking to get funding from these top investors, it is important to be well prepared, offer a compelling value proposition, and show strong execution capabilities. By knowing what each investor focuses on, their investment criteria, and their portfolio focus, founders will have a much better chance of winning investment. Meet Our Startup Investors to understand how aligning with the right backers can accelerate your startup’s growth journey.
As the Indian startup ecosystem continues to grow and mature, there will be more opportunities for innovation and value creation than ever before. As the ecosystem matures, we can expect to see more sophisticated investors, larger funds, and greater emphasis on sustainability and social impact.
For entrepreneurs building the next generation of successful Indian companies, it is critical to engage with these top investors. They bring expertise, network, and capital to help build world-class companies that not only thrive in India, but compete globally.
The future of Indian entrepreneurship is bright, and these investors will continue to shape it. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or an experienced founder, the information and connections they provide could be what launches your startup to success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the most successful investor in India?
Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) is considered the most successful investor in India, with a portfolio including unicorns like Byju’s, Zomato, OYO, and Paytm. Their consistent track record of backing category-defining companies makes them the most sought-after investor.
Who is the largest investor in India?
The largest institutional investor in India is the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), while among venture capital firms, Peak XV Partners and Accel Partners manage the largest funds dedicated to Indian startups.
Who is India’s biggest angel investor?
Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, is widely regarded as India’s biggest and most influential angel investor. He has invested in over 50 startups including Ola, Paytm, Snapdeal, and Urban Company through his personal investments and Tata Capital.
Which portfolio is best in India?
Peak XV Partners has the best-performing venture capital portfolio in India, with multiple unicorns and successful exits. For angel investors, Ratan Tata’s portfolio stands out with investments in companies like Ola, Paytm, and Snapdeal.
Where do billionaires invest their money in India?
Indian billionaires primarily invest in real estate, equity markets, government securities, gold, and increasingly in startups and venture capital funds. Many also invest in family offices and alternative investments like private equity and hedge funds.
Who is the youngest trader in India?
Rachana Ranade and Nikhil Kamath are among the youngest successful traders and investors in India. Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, became a billionaire in his 30s through trading and fintech investments.
