India has a vibrant startup culture that has developed into a giant over the years. There are now many angel investors and VC firms that have established networks to help these early-stage companies. As a guide to founders looking to raise angel funding for a small business, this list ranks 20 of India’s most notable investors who have a history of backing small businesses. Seed money, mentorship, and networks are all at play in supporting budding entrepreneurs, whether for a financial app or a healthtech solution. Venture capital is a complex ecosystem with different players at different stages of the investment process. These 20 investors have been chosen not only for their presence in the market but also because they’re investors’ favorite among founders for their personalized, hands-on, and unique approach to helping small businesses.
Top 20 Angel Investors List for Small Business
Peak XV Partners
One of India’s most prolific tech investors, this firm was formerly known as Sequoia Capital India & SEA. Peak XV Partners has been building India’s startup ecosystem since 2006 with a focus on seed to growth-stage companies. They invest in technology, healthcare, fintech, and enterprise software. Their portfolio companies include some of India’s best-known startups like Byju’s, Paytm, Zomato, Ola, and others. For investors looking for startups in healthcare or edtech, this is the go-to list. Peak XV has a history of backing game-changing startups in the early stages of their life cycle.
Accel Partners
Accel has been a major player in India’s startup transformation, and many of its investments are some of the country’s most well-known companies. Flipkart, Swiggy, and BookMyShow are just a few examples of well-known investments. Seed to Series B funding is the focus of their investments, which are largely in consumer tech, enterprise software, and fintech. Accel has a history of investments both in India and overseas, making it a top pick for ambitious founders.
Matrix Partners India
Matrix Partners India has received early-stage investments from the startup community in some of its most well-known companies. Ola and Razorpay are two early-stage companies that have received support from the Bangalore-based firm. The firm invests in a variety of early-stage companies, with a concentration on fintech, mobility, SaaS, and the consumer internet space. Seed to Series B investments are accompanied by capital and strategic advice to assist entrepreneurs in navigating the ups and downs of a startup and scaling quickly.
Lightspeed Venture Partners
Lightspeed is a global VC firm with a growing Indian portfolio. From deep tech to fintech to consumer internet and enterprise software, they’ve invested in a variety of sectors. Byju’s, Sharechat, Urban Company, and Udaan are among the businesses in their India portfolio. In addition to their sector-specific and domestic expertise, they have a global reach, which aids Indian startups in going global.
Kalaari Capital
Kalaari Capital is another firm that specializes in early-stage investments and has been active since 2006. They have a special focus on consumer tech, enterprise software, and healthcare. Snapdeal, Myntra, Razorpay, Policybazaar, and Dream11 are a few of the firms that have gotten early-stage funding from Kalaari. Kalaari is known for having a founder-friendly investment policy and a long-term approach to partnerships.
Blume Ventures
Blume Ventures is a Mumbai-based early-stage investment firm that is on the lookout for startups with the potential to go global. Consumer tech, IoT, and fintech are among the sectors in which they invest. In India, they invest from pre-seed to Series A. Unacademy, Dunzo, and Purplle are a few of their portfolio businesses. Blume Ventures plays an important part in India’s early-stage startup community and will give the finest exposure to a cross-section of the industry.
Nexus Venture Partners
Nexus has been investing in India for more than a decade and a half, with companies across enterprise software, fintech, and healthcare. Postman, Unacademy, and Droom are a few of the firms in their portfolio. Seed to Series C funding is available. They’re a great source of funding for any firm that is an idea, a startup, or a company that’s trying to scale.
3one4 Capital
3one4 Capital is a Bangalore-based VC firm that has a special focus on investing in startups that are solving real-world issues with technology. Fintech, healthcare, and enterprise software are the main sectors they are interested in, with investments like Dunzo, Lendingkart, Zomato, and Betterplace being among them. They’re known for being closely involved in guiding the firm’s course of development.
Elevation Capital
Elevation Capital, formerly SAIF Partners, has been a leading investor in Indian startups since 2002. Paytm, Swiggy, and MakeMyTrip are among the well-known companies that have received funding from the VC firm. Elevation invests in consumer internet, fintech, and software businesses from seed to Series C stages. Elevation is well-known for its experience in the startup community and is a go-to source for early-stage investing.
India Quotient
India Quotient is a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage and seed-stage startups across a range of sectors. Fintech, SaaS, and consumer technology are the primary sectors they’re looking at, and they pride themselves on being nimble and responsive to founders’ ideas. ShareChat, Sugar Cosmetics, Lendingkart, Clue, and Vokier are among the businesses in their portfolio. India Quotient is known for being open-minded and founder-centric in their investment strategy, as well as willing to make bets.
Chiratae Ventures
Chiratae Ventures, formerly IDG Ventures India, is a venture capital firm with over 15 years of experience investing in Indian startups. Consumer tech, fintech, and healthcare are among the sectors in which they specialize, and they’ve invested in some of the industry’s biggest names. Lenskart, FirstCry, PolicyBazaar, and Myntra are among the well-known companies on their list. Chiratae Ventures is an important player in the Indian startup community, and they have a wealth of experience in a number of sectors, giving them the ability to support early-stage startups.
Stellaris Venture Partners
Stellaris Venture Partners has been around since 2013 and has had a big impact in a short period of time, investing in technology-led startups with a strong emphasis on early-stage and seed-stage investments. Startups in SaaS, healthcare, and consumer technology are among their investments, which include Whatfix, Mamaearth, and Zenoti. Seed to Series A funding is available, and they’re known for being deeply engaged and giving input to startups at an early stage in their growth.
Bessemer Venture Partners
One of the most well-known VC firms in the world is Bessemer Venture Partners, which has had a role in some of the most well-known brands. Shopify and Twilio are two of Bessemer’s well-known investments in the United States. In India, their investment and industry experience is in enterprise software and healthcare. Series A to Series C funding are all available from Bessemer, which has a worldwide portfolio of investments. For startups with global ambitions, Bessemer’s international investment knowledge is especially helpful.
Omidyar Network India
The Omidyar Network is a venture capital firm with a mission to help businesses that both want to make an impact and earn money. The focus is on financial inclusion, governance, and access to digital assets and payments, among other topics. Omidyar Network’s investments in India include PolicyBazaar, Paytm, Meesho, and others. For startups with social and environmental missions, Omidyar Network can be a wonderful investor to have on your side.
Jungle Ventures
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures makes investments all across Southeast Asia and India. Scalable, technology-driven businesses with huge potential are what they search for, with investments in logistics, fintech, consumer internet, and agrotech among the most significant. Livspace, Kredivo, Carsome, and Groww are some of the more well-known businesses in their portfolio. Jungle Ventures is a major cross-border investor in the industry.
Venture Highway
Venture Highway, as the name suggests, is focused on early-stage technology investments in the consumer internet, software, and marketplaces sectors. Seed to Series A funding is available, and they’ve invested in companies like Licious and Tricog. They’re close with the founders and focus on building product-market fit and core operations, making them a key participant to invest in at the earliest stages.
Inventus Capital Partners
Inventus invests in early-stage technology companies both in India and in the United States. Ather Energy, Mu Sigma, Snapdeal, Pharmeasy, and Xoxoday are among their investments. Their areas of expertise include software, consumer internet, and healthcare, and they provide strategic advice to founders as well as capital from seed to Series B.
Accel India
Accel India is a part of the Accel group and focuses only on investments in India. Accel India has a history of investments that have helped build India’s tech scene, including Flipkart, Postman, and PolicyBazaar. With their global perspective, they combine global standards with in-depth local market understanding, and they’re here to back companies all the way from their early days to scale.
Prime Venture Partners
Prime Venture Partners is a Bangalore-based VC firm with a focus on early investments in India. Niyo, Zoho, Ezetap, and Koprad are a few of the firms they’ve invested in. They provide assistance in the areas of operations, product strategy, and product marketing to help businesses scale, which is what sets them apart. Prime Venture Partners is another one of India’s key angel investors to follow.
AngelList India
AngelList is a startup funding platform that’s a little different from the others on the list. AngelList India is not a VC firm; rather, it is a platform that connects startups to angel investors and syndicates. AngelList was a participant in 120 deals in 2024 alone, and their startups were spread out across fintech, traveltech, and deeptech among the top 10 sectors in terms of capital. AngelList has helped to democratize startup investing, making it easier for founders to get funding and for investors to find the next best startup.
3 Tips to Find a Good Angel Investor for Your Small Business
Angel investors come in all shapes and sizes. However, finding the right one from the sea of investors in the market can be challenging. But with the right strategy and approach, you can find an angel investor who is not only a source of funding but also becomes a compatible partner for your business in the long run. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find the right angel investor for your small business:
1. Know Their Profile
Before approaching an angel investor, conduct thorough research to determine if they are a good fit for your business. A good angel investor should have the following characteristics:
- Invest at least INR 150,000 or more, and be open to syndicate opportunities
- Be committed to a long-term investment horizon of 5–7 years or more
- Preferably have entrepreneurial experience in your industry
- Be a mentor and not just a funder; they should enjoy the journey and be involved in the business
- Be geographically aligned, especially for early-stage investors in the same city or region
2. Participate in Business Networks
Networking with other business owners, mentors, advisors, and attending industry events is a great way to find trusted investors. Some effective networking methods include:
- Warm introductions from business owners, mentors, advisors, or other trusted sources
- Networking at local startup hubs, business chambers, or industry events
- Engaging with accelerators and incubators that have investor networks looking for early-stage startups
3. Leverage Online Networks
Online platforms have made it much easier for small business owners to access angel investors. Some of the online ways to connect with angel investors include:
- Online platforms like AngelList India, LetsVenture, Tyke Invest, and others
- LinkedIn for identifying, researching, and reaching out to potential investors
- Webinars, virtual pitch events, and online demo days
4. Align on Vision and Value
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ensure the investor sees the potential in your business and market. Angel investors should be:
- Aligned with the market and product fit
- Available during key inflection points for your business
- Aligned with your values, mission, and growth expectations (speed, expansion, etc.)
Pro Tip:
Start building relationships with investors well in advance, and don’t be afraid to engage even before you’re ready to raise. A warm introduction and regular updates go a long way in building trust, which will help you when you do raise funds.
Conclusion
India’s startup ecosystem would not have grown the way it has without the assistance of these 20 investors, funds, and angel networks. They’re the ones on the ground providing guidance, mentoring, and resources to founders who want to make a difference in the world. For entrepreneurs, this list is a collection of the finest angel investors and VCs to raise funding for your small business idea. As a result, if you’ve been trying to decide where to start with angel investing, this list is a good place to begin. And, with online crowdfunding platforms like MyTablon that make the connection between a startup and its resources easier, it’s only going to get better.
