- Seafund Venture India Trust is an AIF focused on early-stage technology startups, operating in Bengaluru and Delhi.
- The fund supports mission-driven teams developing future technologies, with a focus on sectors like AI, semiconductors, space, and energy.
- Fund I was a ₹25-crore micro-fund with successful investments in sectors such as SaaS, fintech, and ed-tech.
- Fund II aims to raise ₹250 crore for sectors like fintech, SaaS, agri-tech, health-tech, IoT, and gaming.
- The fund collaborates with state governments, universities, and industry bodies to foster innovation and has invested in sustainability-focused startups.
Funding the Future: Seafund Venture India Trust
In the realm of future technology, funding plays a crucial role in nurturing innovative ideas and bringing them to fruition. One such entity making waves in the investment landscape is Seafund Venture India Trust, a category-2 alternative investment fund registered with SEBI. Led by visionary founders Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Mayuresh Raut, and Narendra Bhandari, this fund is dedicated to supporting early-stage technology startups with a focus on building the technologies of tomorrow.
Investment Philosophy: Building Tomorrow’s Technologies
Seafund Venture India Trust prides itself on being an early-stage, sector-agnostic fund that is deeply entrenched in the world of technology. Their mission is clear: to back mission-driven teams that are pioneering the future through innovative technologies. With a keen eye on sectors like fintech, enterprise SaaS, healthcare, AI, semiconductors, space, energy, climate, and materials, the fund is at the forefront of driving innovation and disruption in these key areas.
Portfolio and Successes: From Fund I to Fund II
The fund’s initial success with Fund I, a ₹25-crore micro-fund, paved the way for investments in 13 active startups, resulting in one successful exit. Companies in sectors such as SaaS, fintech, hardware IoT, ed-tech, and media-tech benefited from the fund’s support, leading to significant follow-up rounds and successful Series A raises. As the fund gears up for Fund II, with a target corpus of ₹250 crore, the focus remains on sectors like fintech, SaaS, agri-tech, health-tech, IoT, drone technology, EV and logistics, deep-tech, Web3, and gaming.
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Startups like Advarisk, Bestdoc, Genrobotics, Clootrack, inc42, Wizgo, and Zippee were part of Fund I’s success story. Moving forward, Fund II boasts promising startups such as Docker Vision, Swapp Design, Simactricals, Evhicle, and Red Wing. The fund’s general partners have also made significant investments in other entities, further diversifying their portfolio and expanding their impact in the startup ecosystem.
Strategic Partnerships and Vision: Nurturing Innovation Across India
Seafund Venture India Trust’s commitment to fostering innovation goes beyond just financial investments. The fund has forged strategic partnerships with institutions like IITs, IIMs, Nasscom, TiE, iDEX, and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, among others. By collaborating with state governments and startup hubs like Kerala Startup Mission, the fund is actively involved in building a robust ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs.
The fund’s recent initiative to invest ₹5 crore in sustainability-focused startups underscores its dedication to supporting technologies that have a positive impact on the environment. By providing not just capital but also market access and acceleration programs, Seafund Venture India Trust is empowering startups to scale and succeed in a competitive landscape.
Seafund Venture India Trust stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs in the realm of future technology. With a visionary leadership team, a diverse portfolio of innovative startups, and a commitment to driving positive change, the fund is poised to shape the future of technology in India and beyond.
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