Stride Ventures

Reflections from Asian Venture Capital Journal (AVCJ) Abu Dhabi 2025 🚀 Honoured to have been part of the Venture Capital – The Next Wave of Investments panel at AVCJ Private Equity Forum Abu Dhabi 2025, Varun Agarwal, Director Stride Ventures alongside Dr. Oksana Malysheva (Sputnik ATX VC), Mohammed Almeshekah (Outliers Venture Capital) and John Bringardner (Debtwire) 🔹 Middle East’s VC momentum is accelerating, driven by digitization, regulatory support, and sectoral growth in FinTech, E-commerce, and SaaS. 🔹 Growth debt remains underpenetrated, but its flexibility makes it a strong alternative for scaling startups. 🔹 FinTech boom—from 0 in 2018 to 250+ startups in 2024—is a testament to the region’s innovation-led growth. 🔹 Global banks are fueling debt financing, backing BNPL & SME lending platforms, further validating the ecosystem’s strength. Exciting times ahead for venture investments in the Middle East, with strong tailwinds supporting sustainable growth! #AVCJ #VentureCapital #GrowthDebt #FinTech #Innovation #StrideVentures #NavigatingTheNext

Making food real again: The Whole Truth Foods raises $15 million! 💫 We are elated to share that our portfolio company The Whole Truth, has raised $15 million in a funding round led by European investment firm Sofina including existing investors Z47, Peak XV Partners, and Sauce VC. Founded in Mumbai in 2019, The Whole Truth has been a trailblazer in the clean-label food space, setting new benchmarks for transparency. By removing artificial additives and hidden ingredients, it has built a brand grounded in trust, nutrition, and uncompromising quality. This milestone underscores the trust in The Whole Truth’s vision and its relentless pursuit of revolutionizing the healthy snacking industry in India. The funding will be used to fuel the brand’s in-house manufacturing expansion, acquisition, and category growth. Congratulations to Shashank Mehta and the team at The Whole Truth. They are not just building a brand—they're leading a movement to restore trust in food. It’s been an honour to be part of your journey. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gyV5x4Mw #StrideVentures #TheWholeTruth #SeriesCFunding #CleanLabel #FoodInnovation #StartupEcosystem

Calling All Changemakers! 🚀 Stride Ventures, in collaboration with Startup India and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, is proud to present the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge—a platform designed to empower India’s most innovative startups, driving advancements in Circularity, Sustainability, and FinTech through innovations in recycling, CleanTech, E-Mobility and more. With up to ₹15 Cr in funding, exclusive 1-on-1 mentorship, and unparalleled market access, this challenge is an opportunity for early and growth-stage startups (Seed to Series A) to revolutionize industries and drive sustainable, inclusive growth. 🔹 Solve real-world challenges in sustainability, circularity, alternative credit, fraud detection, battery tech, and EV adoption. 🔹 Scale your startup with investor and B2B connections, tailored mentorship, and strategic market expansion support. 🔹 Be part of India’s growth story—winners will be felicitated at Startup Mahakumbh (April 3-4, 2025). 📅 Application Timeline: 🔹 Start Date: 21st Feb 2025 🔹 End Date: 20th March 2025 🔹 Results: 4th April 2025 If you're ready to disrupt industries and accelerate innovation, apply now: Bharat Startup Grand Challenge Let’s build a greener, financially inclusive future together! 🌱💡 #StrideVentures #StartupIndia #Innovation #CleanTech #FinTech #EMobility #FundingOpportunity #EmpoweringEntreprenuers

Legacy Continues, an award winning month at Stride 🏆 We are honored to be recognized as the Venture Debt Investor of the Year by Venture Intelligence for the fourth consecutive year! This achievement underscores our commitment to empowering startups with strategic venture debt solutions, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable growth in the Indian startup ecosystem. At Stride Ventures , our journey has always been about pioneering alternative funding and partnering with visionary entrepreneurs to unlock new possibilities. Now with a global presence across India, UAE, UK, and Singapore, we remain steadfast in our mission to redefine venture debt and create long-term value. A heartfelt thank you to our founders, investors, and ecosystem partners who continue to trust and support us on this journey to sweep all award categories this year. #StrideVentures #VentureDebt #AwardWinning #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

🐾 Supertails Expands Beyond Digital: Launches First Physical Clinic in Bengaluru! 🐶🐱 Stride Ventures is happy to celebrate Supertails, as it takes a major leap in redefining pet healthcare in India! 🚀 With the launch of its first Supertails+ Clinic in Bengaluru, Supertails is bridging the gap in veterinary care by complementing its digital-first approach with high-quality offline services. This expansion is a significant step toward building a holistic pet care ecosystem, ensuring that India's 38 million pet parents have better access to expert veterinary services. ✨ What makes Supertails+ Clinic unique? 🔹 Comprehensive Care: Consultation, diagnostics, radiology, grooming, and an on-site pharmacy. 🔹 Fear Free Certified Vets: Prioritizing stress-free experiences for pets and their parents. 🔹 Tailored Spaces: Separate waiting areas for cats, dogs, and small animals. With a mission to serve 1 million pet parents in the next two years, this launch marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. At Stride Ventures, we are proud to support Supertails as they continue to revolutionize pet healthcare in India! 🎉 🐾 Congratulations to the entire Supertails team on this significant milestone! 🎉 As they continue building a holistic pet care ecosystem, Supertails recognizes the challenges pet parents face in accessing quality veterinary care. With this clinic, they aim to provide high-quality services in a comfortable, stress-free environment for pets! 👏 Varun Sadana Aman Tekriwal Vineet Khanna Read More: https://lnkd.in/g53TjFVq #Supertails #StrideVentures #PetCare #Innovation #Veterinary #StartupSuccess #IndianStartupEcosystem

Deep dive into the future of venture debt and private credit in the powerpacked all-women panel! Fariha Ansari Javed, Partner at Stride Ventures, took the stage at the MEVCA Investors Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM, joining a powerhouse panel alongside: Armineh Baghoomian – MD and Co-Head of Fintech, Partners for Growth, Carmen James – Chief Strategy Officer, LIQUiDITY and Tala A. – Board Member, MEVCA Middle East Venture Capital Association (Moderator). The panel explored the evolving landscape of alternative financing, highlighting the growing momentum of venture debt in extending runway and fueling growth, while private credit is stepping up to bridge gaps left by traditional lenders. With LPs increasingly seeking risk-adjusted returns, investor appetite for venture debt and private credit continues to rise. Meanwhile, the Middle East is emerging as a hub for innovation, driven by thriving capital flows and progressive regulations shaping the future of alternative investments. Congratulations to MEVCA Middle East Venture Capital Association and ADGM for curating such an insightful discussion and providing an opportunity to exchange ideas with industry peers while exploring the future of private credit. #StrideVentures #VentureDebt #PrivateCredit #MEVCA #ADGM #StartupFunding #AlternativeInvestments

A Moment of Pride for Stride Ventures! We are delighted to announce that Stride Ventures has been awarded "Venture Debt Fund of the Year" for Overall Best Performance at the prestigious IVCA Conclave 2025! This recognition is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of every Stride team member. It is also a reflection of the continued trust and support of our ecosystem partners—founders, investors, and stakeholders—who continue to believe in our vision. 2024 has been a defining year for Stride Ventures. We expanded our footprint across global markets, strengthened our portfolio with high-impact investments, and crossed $1 Bn in commitment, supporting some of the most innovative and disruptive startups across the world. The award was proudly accepted by Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Founder and Managing Partner, Stride Ventures. This milestone adds momentum to our resolve to keep pushing boundaries and empowering entrepreneurs and the startup ecosystem. A special thanks to the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) team for fostering an environment that celebrates excellence in the Indian investment ecosystem. 🤝 #StrideVentures #IVCA2025 #VentureDebt #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #InvestmentExcellence #NavigatingTheNext #StartupIndia

A New Chapter Begins with SEED's First Batch! 🌱 At Stride Ventures , we believe in nurturing the next generation of industry leaders, and the overwhelming response to SEED has reaffirmed this vision! With 500+ applications from across the globe—including top ivy league institutions—we welcomed our inaugural cohort of 8 exceptional SEEDlings. These trailblazers bring diversity in every aspect—identity, perspectives, experiences, and expertise—truly reflecting the evolving landscape of venture debt and finance. The journey to SEED wasn’t just about selection; it was about finding individuals who: 🔹 Demonstrated intellectual curiosity 🔹 Showcased problem-solving prowess 🔹 Had a strong entrepreneurial mindset 🔹 Embraced collaboration and innovation 🔹 Aligned with Stride’s vision for the future SEED isn’t just a program—it's a gateway to the industry, connecting emerging talent with real-world opportunities in venture debt and alternative financing. The energy within Stride was unmatched as we welcomed the first batch, and we can’t wait to see them grow, learn, and create impact! A big thank you to everyone who applied, engaged, and supported this initiative. This is just the beginning! 🚀 #StrideVentures #SEED #NextGenLeaders #VentureDebt #TalentForTheFuture

MediBuddy Partners with ELECOM to Launch Smart Health IoT Devices in India! 🚀 We are happy to share that our portfolio company, MediBuddy, has entered into a partnership with the Japanese electronics firm ELECOM to launch smart health IoT devices aimed at revolutionizing healthcare in India. This collaboration aims to address healthcare need-gaps, driven by the rise of lifestyle diseases and a shortage of healthcare professionals. By enhancing the availability of health monitoring IoT devices, it empowers users with real-time data to make informed health decisions. Congratulations to Satish Kannan and the entire MediBuddy team on this achievement. Their vision to make the healthcare sector more accessible and personalised is commendable. Wishing them continued success. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gVmmEEmf #MediBuddy #ELECOM #Healthcare #DigitalHealth #StrideVentures

Curefoods Unveils ‘Kitchens of EatFit’ with Hrithik Roshan as Brand Ambassador and Investor! 🚀 Curefoods is rebranding its flagship brand EatFit under the newly launched ‘Kitchens of EatFit’, reinforcing its commitment to trust, nutrition, and food safety. As part of this transformation, Bollywood icon Hrithik Roshan joins as an investor and brand ambassador. 🍽️ The Kitchens of EatFit will house eight brands—EatFit, HRX by EatFit, Great Indian Khichdi, Homeplate, Chaat Street, Rolls on Wheels, Millet Express, and Madras Curd Rice Company—ensuring zero chemicals, zero trans fat, and ISO-certified kitchens. With this rebranding, Curefoods aims to scale its nutritious offerings to 10+ cities, setting new benchmarks in the industry while making clean, wholesome food more accessible than ever. Congratulations to the founders and the entire Curefoods team on this incredible milestone! Wishing them continued success in redefining the future of the food industry. 👏 Ankit N. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gWjJVud5 #KitchensOfEatFit #Curefoods #HrithikRoshan #FandBInnovation #Rebranding #StrideVentures