Unicorn India Ventures

At Unicorn India Ventures, we build businesses. Every day, we interact with entrepreneurs and founders who are changing India and the world in unique ways. And we wish to spotlight those who have etched their names as disruptors in the Indian startup ecosystem. So, we bring to you a new series, 'From the Trenches' that explores the stories, ideas and experiences from ground zero of India’s startups. In our first episode, Inspired, Empowered and Ambitious, we are showcasing five entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses and the impact their presence has had in the professional and personal spheres. You will be hearing from Mabel Chacko, Co-founder and COO, Open Financial Technologies | Dr. Prabhjot Kaur, Co-Founder and CEO, Esmito | Akanksha Priyadarshini, Co-Founder and CEO at Aurassure | Prerna Kalra, Co-founder Daalchini - Smart Vending Machines and Dr Anita Bhandari Co-founder and Director, NeuroEquilibrium Diagnostic Systems Pvt Ltd. We hope that the insights shared by our guests give you a fresh perspective on the unlimited possibilities that Indian startups have to offer to the world. Leave your comments and feedback. Send us love and encouragement in the comments and DM us your powerful stories. If you want to know more, visit us at https://lnkd.in/dNqnRKJ9 and thank you again for watching! #BackedByUnicorn #Entrepreneurs #WomenEntrepreneurs Bhaskar Majumdar | Anil Joshi | Ratun Lahiri | Chhavi Dang

🌟 Delighted to Partner with Netrasemi🌏 Edge AI chip startup Netrasemi raises Rs 10 crore in pre-Series A round. 1️⃣ Revolutionize the AI chip market: Leveraging the power of edge AI, NetraSemiconductor is at the forefront of innovation, driving advancements in the telecom and devices sector. The company’s domain-specific architecture (DSA), SoCs, AI development tools, flexible SDKs and platform reference designs help IoT product and solution makers to go to market with cost effective and power efficient advanced AI chipsets catering to their specific domains. 2️⃣ The Need & Growth of AI driven solutions: With the growing demand for AI-driven solutions, Netrasemi is poised to make a substantial impact. Its key target segments include surveillance, smart sensors, smart infrastructure, machine vision and industry 4.0, robotics, drones and autonomous vehicles, among others. 3️⃣ Scale Operations & Fuel Expansion: As NetraSemiconductor charts a course towards success, this funding round marks a significant milestone in its growth trajectory. The infusion of capital will fuel the company's expansion plans, enabling it to scale operations and solidify its position as a key player in the AI chip domain. We look forward to working with the Netrasemi team as they grow & make their mark in the AI chip market. 🚀💼 Read More: The Economic Times - https://lnkd.in/gGrUDQPC  moneycontrol.com - https://lnkd.in/gZPhp4fd Inc42 Media - https://lnkd.in/gYTqZw5B YourStory Media - https://lnkd.in/diBjXeTC Entrackr - https://lnkd.in/gAbf3bKv Anil Joshi, Bhaskar Majumdar, Ratun Lahiri | Jyothis Indirabhai | Deepa Geetha | Hariprasad C | Dr. Koshy P. Vaidyan | Sreejith Varma #BackedByUnicorn #AI #Tech #AIStartups #semiconductor #semiconductorstartups #startupecosystem #VCFirm #PreSeries #Funding

Our Founder & Managing Partner Bhaskar Majumdar shares his views with businessline on why Unicorn India Ventures invests heavily in intellectual property-led deep-tech ventures. Our managing partner highlights that UIV's current focus is on intellectual property-driven ventures and its ongoing third fund, which has a corpus of ₹1,000 crore, with ₹600 crore already raised. We primarily invest in early-stage companies, aiming to be the first institutional backer, with a significant portion of investments going into tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The investment horizon spans seven to eight years, with initial cheque sizes for Fund III ranging from ₹10-12 crore. We have achieved notable returns from the first fund, with a 3x return so far and a target of 6x. The exit strategy focuses on mergers and acquisitions of the businesses and secondary exits emphasizing the importance of a company's defensibility and strategic value. Read the full story here - https://lnkd.in/eT8irnp4 Anil Joshi | Ratun Lahiri | Chhavi Dang | Jyoti Banthia #VC #EarlyStageStartup #IndianStartupEcosystem #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #Investment #Funding

Our Managing Partner Anil Joshi shares his thoughts with DealStreetAsia on how SME IPOs are becoming a popular exit option for deeptech startups leaving traditional exit routes like mergers and acquisitions (M&A) behind. Future Implications for Deeptech Startups: - They must focus on unit economics, financial systems, and compliance to prepare for public markets - SME IPOs provide market-driven valuations and greater transparency. As companies scale, their value can increase, benefiting both founders and investors Read the full article here - https://lnkd.in/eSE3J3Cr Bhaskar Majumdar #SMEs #IPOs #Deeptech #DeeptechStartups #IndianStartupEcosystem #StartupEcosystem #Investment #VC

Kochi based IKIN Global, an IoT smart lock brand by SectorQube , has raised $1 million in a pre-Series A round led by Unicorn India Ventures and Callapina Capital. SectorQube’s brand Ikin Global has been growing over the last 12 months, giving the company a boost to enter international markets. Recognized by Forbes India in 2023 as one of the Select 200 companies with global potential, Ikin leverages AI and IoT to deliver GPS-enabled smart locks, AI-driven intrusion detection, and cloud-based dashboards. #BackedByUnicorn Funds raised will enhance the product line with AI-powered analytics, advanced sensor tech, and sector-specific solutions. In addition to the new launches Ikin will also be expanding its presence in India, US, and Europe for sales, marketing, operations, and support. The company also plans to increase its production capacity to streamline with growing demand coming from the logistics sector. Read more - Entrackr - https://lnkd.in/eFuagyNj BW Disrupt - https://lnkd.in/eviHytqZ YourStory Media - https://lnkd.in/eu9EHW9R businessline - https://lnkd.in/gbNaUsPx Indian Startup News - https://lnkd.in/dHMCQDKu Bhaskar Majumdar, Anil Joshi | Nibu Alias, Ani Abraham Joy, Biniyas Valiyaveettil, Sabarish P., Midhun Skaria, Arjun Sarath #IoT #SmartLocks #Innovation #AccessControl #Tech #Security #VC #Investment #FundRaising #IndianStartupEcosystem

We are proud to share that three startups from our portfolio have been featured in the prestigious Forbes India D Globalist.'s Select List of 200 Companies with exceptional global business potential. This recognition celebrates not just their innovative solutions but also highlights their visionary founders as true eXtrepreneurs—leaders who are redefining entrepreneurship by creating impactful solutions for the world. As they continue their journey to expand across international markets, we look forward to their contributions in strengthening the global eXtrepreneurial ecosystem. #BackedByUnicorn #Fintech #Saas #ConsumerTech #StartupFunding #StartupEcosystem #IndianStartupEcosystem #Forbes #DGlobalist #NEOBanking #Gaiming #AI #CRM Open Financial Technologies Gamerji Vodex.ai Know more - https://lnkd.in/gE2Y5S-p Bhaskar Majumdar, Anil Joshi | Mabel Chacko, Anish Achuthan, Ajeesh Achuthan, Deena Jacob | Soham Thacker | Kumar Saurav, Anshul Shrivastava

Insights from Bhaskar Majumdar, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures Bhaskar Majumdar shares his profound insights on the critical roles of government and investors in nurturing the startup culture and enhancing the startup ecosystem in a freewheeling chat with Vikas Agrawal, Founder & CEO, AIF & PMS Experts India. Key Highlights: Mission and Vision: An overview of Unicorn India Ventures' mission and vision. Geographical Expansion: While startup activity was once concentrated in metro cities, entrepreneurial ventures are now emerging nationwide. Investment Themes: India for India: Investing in companies leveraging the comprehensive India stack and the digital transformation narrative. India for the World: Targeting investments in Indian SaaS companies with a focus on international markets. Make in India: Allocating 50% of investments towards companies driven by intellectual property, particularly in the manufacturing sector, aligning with the Make in India initiative. For further insights, please view the interview linked below. #IndianInvestmentEcosystem #IndianStartups #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #VCs

🌟📱 Excited to Partner with Pelocal Fintech Private Limited: Simplifying Digital Payments and Conversational Commerce🌏💳 We’re pleased to announce our latest investment in PeLocal, a fintech innovator enabling conversational commerce, last-mile payments and transforming customer experiences through WhatsApp-enabled solutions. At Unicorn India Ventures, we are committed to supporting companies that lead with innovation and impact. Here’s what makes PeLocal a standout: 1️⃣ Simplifying Last-Mile Payments: PeLocal leverages AI and WhatsApp to create seamless payment and engagement experiences for enterprises and consumers alike. From transit ticketing to insurance renewals, PeLocal integrates payments directly into WhatsApp, offering convenience, speed, and reliability. 🚍📲 2️⃣ Proven Partnerships and Market Fit: Trusted by over 30 large enterprises, including Delhi Metro, LIC and PNB MetLife, PeLocal has showcased its ability to scale and deliver value across sectors such as utilities, insurance and transit. These partnerships validate its strong product-market fit and potential to lead in the growing digital payment space. 🤝💡 3️⃣ Harnessing a High-Growth Opportunity: With WhatsApp-enabled payments rapidly expanding in India, PeLocal is perfectly positioned to capture a share of this growing market. India’s UPI ecosystem processes over 8 billion transactions monthly, and PeLocal’s deep integration with payment gateways ensures low failure rates and high efficiency. 📈💳 4️⃣ Innovative Technology and Security: Combining AI, cloud computing, and WhatsApp’s vast user base, PeLocal ensures a secure, scalable and user-friendly platform for businesses and end-users. Its focus on data security and compliance underscores its commitment to trust and transparency. 🔐⚙️ This investment aligns with our commitment to supporting technologies that simplify processes and bridge gaps. PeLocal’s practical approach to conversational commerce and digital payments is helping businesses, consumers and public utilities save time, reduce costs and improve experiences. We look forward to working with the talented PeLocal team as they build on their momentum and deliver impactful CX and fintech solutions. 🚀💼 Read More: Entrackr - https://lnkd.in/ej4FZjBJ The Economic Times - https://lnkd.in/egxc-yNF VCCircle - https://lnkd.in/eqEBxdda BW Disrupt - https://lnkd.in/eT3576vW #BackedByUnicorn #Fintech #DigitalPayments #CustomerExperience #WhatsAppPayments #PeLocal #LastMilePayments #WhatsAppForBusiness #ConversationalCommerce Bhaskar Majumdar | Anil Joshi | Bikram Mahajan | Ratun Lahiri | Vivekanand Tripathi | Gyan Vardhan

🌟🔧 Excited to Back StampMyVisa: Redefining Global Travel for Indian Travelers 🌏✈️ We’re excited to announce our investment in StampMyVisa, a company that’s transforming the digital visa process and making international travel simpler and more accessible for millions of Indians. At Unicorn India Ventures, we invest in startups that drive real impact. Here’s why StampMyVisa stands out: 1️⃣ Efficiency meets Innovation: International travel is often hindered by a lengthy, complicated visa process. StampMyVisa is changing that with a digital-first platform that automates applications using advanced AI, biometric security, and blockchain. The result? Fewer errors, less waiting, and a streamlined experience that’s secure and easy to use. 🌐🤖 2️⃣ Capturing a High-Growth Market: India’s outbound travel sector is expected to hit $40 billion in annual expenditure by 2024, growing at 11% yearly. StampMyVisa is perfectly positioned to capture this growth with a solution designed to meet the needs of India’s expanding global travelers. 🌍📈 3️⃣ Trusted Partnerships and Scalability: Working with industry leaders like MakeMyTrip and Yatra, StampMyVisa has forged partnerships with over 900 travel agents and OTAs in 110+ countries, achieving a 98.5% visa approval rate. This ecosystem positions them for scalable, long-term growth. 🤝✈️ Our investment in StampMyVisa reflects our belief in transforming the travel landscape for Indian consumers. This is about more than just growth—it’s about creating a future where international travel is simple, secure, and accessible for all. We’re excited to work with the talented team at StampMyVisa as they set new standards for efficiency and accessibility in travel. 🛫🌟 Learn about our investment thesis: https://lnkd.in/e6t_4DKF Read More: 1. The Economic Times - https://lnkd.in/ea3wUXWS 2. BW Disrupt - https://lnkd.in/eRy2ZWsw 3. YourStory Media -https://lnkd.in/eisVTC7E 4. Entrepreneur India - https://lnkd.in/eWvdX_tv 5. Entrackr - https://lnkd.in/e_j7sGhm #BackedByUnicornIndia #DigitalVisa #TravelTech #IndiaOutbound #Innovation #SimplifiedTravel #StampMyVisa #GlobalTravel Bhaskar Majumdar | Anil Joshi | Bikram Mahajan | Ratun Lahiri | Rahul Borude

🚀 Delighted to announce our investment in Qube Health - the emerging leader in healthcare payments 🚀 As a VC fund focused on transformative opportunities, we believe in supporting innovations that solve significant challenges and have immense growth potential. QubeHealth is doing just that in India’s healthcare payments and financing landscape, where over $72 billion is spent annually on out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Why we invested in QubeHealth? 1️⃣ Massive Market Need: India’s healthcare sector faces double-digit inflation, and the market for healthcare financing is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4%, reaching $81.36 billion by 2033. QubeHealth’s tailored, interest-free financing solutions directly address this need. 2️⃣ Innovative and Scalable Model: Unlike traditional healthcare financing that is cumbersome and costly, QubeHealth provides a frictionless experience via employer partnerships, allowing employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently while companies boost their benefits offerings. 3️⃣ Strong Market Traction: With over 300 enterprise clients and an expanding network, QubeHealth has demonstrated impressive market validation and demand for its digital healthcare payment solutions. 4️⃣ Strategic Vision and Growth: From unique cashback offerings to covering healthcare expenses for extended families, QubeHealth’s approach not only ensures affordability but also scalability, with projections of serving one million users by 2025 and reaching profitability by 2026. Our thesis is simple: Invest in innovation that makes healthcare more accessible and affordable. QubeHealth is not just a promising venture; it is reshaping how Indians pay for healthcare. We’re excited to be part of their journey to redefine healthcare financing and improve lives across India! Stay tuned as QubeHealth continues to expand and transform the healthcare payment ecosystem! Learn about our investment thesis: https://lnkd.in/eeW-y4z2 Read More: 1. The Economic Times (Edge) - https://lnkd.in/db9kGZbd 2. Business Standard - https://lnkd.in/ejF9h3ii 3. VCCircle - https://lnkd.in/e2ik96zj 4. Entrepreneur India - https://lnkd.in/ejMbXymC 5. The Economic Times (Tech) - https://lnkd.in/emD3Zq3i 6. YourStory Media - https://lnkd.in/eE5aib-q #BackedByUnicorn #Insurtech #Fintech #Digitalpayments #HealthcarePayments #IndiaHealthcare #VentureCapital #QubeHealth #FinancialInclusion #HealthBenefits #HealthcareFinancing #EmployerBenefits Bhaskar Majumdar | Anil Joshi | Bikram Mahajan | Ratun Lahiri | Chris George | Gagan Kapur | Pankaj Shukla | Priyanka G.