What we back

People first, decks second.

The conviction and clarity of a founding team tells us more than any spreadsheet at this stage. Here's how we think about it.

We back first-time founders at the very start — the moment the idea is more conviction than evidence. We're comfortable being the first believer, and we'd rather be early and right than late and certain.

If you can explain why this problem matters, why now, and why you're the person to solve it, the polish of your deck is the least interesting thing about your pitch.

What we look for

Six things that get our attention.

Founders before product

A first-time founder with a rough prototype — or just a sharp idea and the drive to chase it. Idea-stage is welcome.

The earliest stage

Pre-seed and seed only. We like being the first institutional cheque, often before anyone else will.

A wedge, not a platform

A specific, painful problem solved unreasonably well beats a broad vision with no edge.

Speed of learning

How fast you ship, talk to users, and change your mind tells us more than where you are today.

Built for India's scale

Whether it's Bharat-first or India-to-world SaaS, we like businesses the market here can actually carry.

Coachable conviction

Strong opinions, loosely held. Founders who listen hard and still know their own minds.

₹25L – ₹10Cr
First-cheque size
Pre-seed & seed
Stage we lead
First in
Often the first institutional cheque
We follow on
We re-up in the founders we back
Sectors we lean into

Where we spend our time.

Thesis-driven, never tourists. If you're outside these and the insight is strong, pitch us anyway.

Fintech for BharatPayments, credit, savings and wealth for the next hundred million.
AI & applied MLFoundational models, infra, and AI-native products with a real wedge.
Developer toolsInfrastructure and tooling that engineers reach for by default.
HealthCare delivery and clinical software, including Tier-2 and Tier-3 India.
Climate & energySoftware and hardware that make the transition cheaper and faster.
SaaS for the worldIndia-built software sold globally, with capital-efficient distribution.
Beyond the cheque

What you actually get.

Help when you ask for it, room to build when you don't.

The next round, set up early

We start building your Series A story and warm intros from the day we invest.

Hiring your first ten

Access to our network for the early engineers, operators, and design hires that make or break a seed company.

Founders who've done it

Every partner has shipped a product and made payroll. You get operators, not spectators.

An honest sounding board

Direct feedback, fast. We'll tell you what we actually think, not what's easy to hear.

Being honest

When we're probably not a fit.

We'd rather save you the time — here's where another investor is likely the better call.

You're past Series A. We lead at pre-seed and seed; later rounds aren't where we add the most.
It's purely a services or agency model. We invest in software-led businesses with venture-scale outcomes.
You need a passive cheque only. That's fine — we're just more useful to founders who want a hands-on first partner.

Sound like us? Send your deck.

Pitch Rise High