Venture Catalysts

Venture Catalysts

Company type	VC firm / Accelerator
Industry	Venture capital, Incubation
Founded	2016 (2016)
Founder	Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma Anil Jain Anuj Golecha Gaurav Jain
Headquarters	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, India
Key people	Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma (Co-founder) Anil Jain (Co-founder) Anuj Golecha (Co-founder) Gaurav Jain (Co-founder)
AUM	$700 million (syndicated across portfolio)
Number of employees	108
Website	venturecatalysts.in

Venture Catalysts, established in 2016, is an Indian venture capital firm and startup accelerator headquartered in Mumbai. It focuses on early-stage and growth-stage startups, providing funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The firm has syndicated over $700 million across more than 300 startups, with a portfolio valuation exceeding $10 billion. Venture Catalysts operates in over 50 cities globally, including India, the UAE, USA, UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. It is recognised for fostering startup ecosystems in Tier II and III cities in India, such as Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Nagpur, alongside major metros like Mumbai and Bangalore. The firm has backed notable startups like BharatPe, Vedantu, and Fynd, with a mission to democratise angel investing and support high-growth ventures.

Founders & Leadership

Venture Catalysts was co-founded by Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Anil Jain, Anuj Golecha, and Gaurav Jain in 2016.

• Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma: Holds a PhD and has extensive experience in venture capital and startup ecosystems. Sharma's investment philosophy emphasises mentorship and strategic guidance to drive startup growth. He has been instrumental in building Venture Catalysts' network of over 3,000 angel investors.
• Anil Jain: An experienced entrepreneur with a background in business development, Jain focuses on scaling startups through operational support and industry connections.
• Anuj Golecha: A finance and investment expert, Golecha specialises in deal structuring and portfolio management, leveraging his expertise to identify high-potential startups.
• Gaurav Jain: With a background in technology and innovation, Jain drives the firm's focus on tech-driven startups, particularly in SaaS and Fintech.

The leadership team prioritises a hands-on approach, combining capital with mentorship to enhance startup success.

Investment Thesis

Venture Catalysts focuses on pre-seed, seed, and Series A investments, with check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $2 million per startup. The firm is sector-agnostic but has a strong presence in Fintech, D2C, SaaS, AI, consumer goods, and healthcare. It prioritises startups with scalable business models and strong founding teams. The firm targets high-growth potential ventures in India, with selective investments in the United States and other global markets. Venture Catalysts supports startups through its incubation program, offering 18–24 months of mentorship and strategic guidance to ensure higher success rates.

Timeline Table

Year	Milestone
2016	Venture Catalysts founded in Mumbai, India.
2018	Launched incubation programs in Tier II and III cities like Ahmedabad and Lucknow.
2019	Ranked No. 7 globally among most active angel and seed-stage investors.
2020	Launched $150 million accelerator fund, 9Unicorns.
2021	Portfolio startups BharatPe, Vedantu, and Fynd achieve significant growth.
2022	54 portfolio startups surpass $50 million valuation, including three unicorns.
2023	Launched proptech fund Spyre and $200 million growth-stage fund Elev8.
2024	Made 52 investments, with notable deals in Kult App and Garuda Aerospace.
2025	Invested in 14 startups, including Malaki and Garuda Aerospace (follow-on round).

Portfolio/Featured Startups

As of May 2025, Venture Catalysts has invested in over 353 startups across various sectors, with a focus on technology and consumer-driven businesses. The firm has backed one unicorn and facilitated 21 acquisitions.

Startup Name	Sector	Investment Stage	First Invested (Year)	Notable Outcomes
BharatPe	Fintech	Seed	2018	Unicorn (2021)
Vedantu	Edtech	Seed	2018	Valuation over $100M (2022)
Fynd	E-commerce	Seed	2016	Acquired by Reliance Industries (2019)
Beardo	D2C	Seed	2017	Acquired by Marico (2020)
Garuda Aerospace	Hardware/Drones	Seed	2022	Follow-on round (2025)
Kult App	Social media	Seed	2025	Active
Malaki	Beverages	Seed	2025	Active

Notable Exits

Venture Catalysts has facilitated several high-profile exits:

• Fynd: Acquired by Reliance Industries in 2019 for an undisclosed amount.
• Beardo: Acquired by Marico in 2020, delivering multifold returns.
• GoMechanic: Partial exit through acquisition in 2023.

The firm has achieved 35+ multi-bagger exits, with 60% of its portfolio raising follow-on funding.

Fund Details

Venture Catalysts manages multiple funds targeting various stages and sectors:

Fund Name	Launch Year	Fund Size	Theme
9Unicorns	2020	$150 million	Accelerator fund for early-stage startups
Venture Catalysts Angel Fund	2021	Undisclosed	Angel investments
Beams	2022	$200 million	Fintech-focused
Spyre	2023	Undisclosed	Proptech
Elev8	2023	$200 million	Growth-stage, sector-agnostic

Accelerator / Program Details

Venture Catalysts operates an incubation program for 18–24 months, providing startups with mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to a global network of investors and corporates. The program is active in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Raipur, Surat, and Nagpur. It also conducts investor education sessions for HNIs and potential angel investors. The firm’s 9Unicorns accelerator has invested in over 100 early-stage startups since 2020.

Application Process

Startups can apply for funding through the Venture Catalysts website by submitting a pitch deck and business plan. The firm reviews applications based on market potential, team strength, and scalability. Selected startups undergo due diligence, followed by mentorship and funding discussions. Entrepreneurs can also connect via events like the Global Demo Day (DDay), which showcases curated startups to global investors.

Key Co-investors

Venture Catalysts frequently co-invests with funds like 100Unicorns (54 companies), LetsVenture (21 companies), Z Nation Lab (36 companies), and global investors such as Y Combinator, Sequoia Capital, and Accel. The firm has collaborated with 2,640 co-investors across its portfolio.

Impact Investments or CSR

Venture Catalysts supports startups with social impact, such as Ukhi, a biomaterials startup focused on sustainable packaging solutions. The firm has also invested in healthcare and Edtech ventures, contributing to job creation and wealth generation in India.

Media & Recognition

• Ranked No. 7 globally among most active angel and seed-stage investors in 2019.
• Recognised as India’s top early-stage investor by national media.
• Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma featured in interviews for contributions to India’s startup ecosystem.

FAQs

What is Venture Catalysts’ investment focus?

The firm invests in pre-seed, seed, and Series A startups across sectors like Fintech, D2C, and SaaS, with check sizes of $500,000–$2 million.

How can startups pitch to Venture Catalysts?

Startups can apply via the firm’s website with a pitch deck or participate in events like Global Demo Day.

What support does Venture Catalysts provide?

Beyond funding, the firm offers 18–24 months of mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to a global investor network.

Who can apply for funding?

Startups with scalable models, strong teams, and market potential are eligible, primarily in India and select global markets.

External Links

• Official website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Related Investors

• 100Unicorns
• LetsVenture
• Y Combinator
• Sequoia Capital