VentureSoul Capital, a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), has introduced its first debt fund, VentureSoul Capital Fund I, with a target corpus of up to ₹600 crore. The fund has already attracted commitments from family offices, corporates, high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), and other prominent investors.
Key Investors and Fund Focus
Micro Labs Ltd. serves as the anchor investor for this tech-focused structured debt fund. Other notable investors include E Madhusudan, Founder of Kreditbee, Abhishek Khemka, Promoter of Baazar Kolkata, and Ponnuswami M of Pure Chemicals Group.
Investment Strategy
The fund aims to achieve its first close soon and will target investments in companies at Series A or later stages that have demonstrated revenue models. Although sector-agnostic, the fund will show a preference for diversified Fintech, B2C, B2B, and SAAS companies. VentureSoul Capital plans to provide differentiated debt solutions to the New Economy sector.
Founding Partners
VentureSoul Partners was founded by three ex-HSBC bankers: Anurag Tripathi, Ashish Gala, and Kunal Wadhwa. With extensive experience in building businesses for various domestic and international organizations, they launched VentureSoul with the goal of creating a value-based enterprise.
Growing Venture-Debt Market in India
According to a recent report by Stride Ventures, India’s venture-debt market surpassed the billion-dollar mark at $1.2 billion last year, driven by increasing confidence from founders, venture capitalists, and investors. This milestone represents a 50% increase from the previous year and was achieved through 175-190 deals, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 34% from 2017 to 2023.
Future Prospects
Stride Ventures’ managing partner, Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, predicts that the market is poised to reach $1.8 billion – $2 billion by 2026. This optimistic outlook indicates robust growth and an expanding role for venture debt in supporting startups and growth-stage companies in India.
Conclusion
VentureSoul Capital’s launch of its maiden debt fund underscores the growing importance and potential of venture debt in the Indian investment landscape. With a strategic focus on tech-driven companies and a robust backing from prominent investors, VentureSoul Capital Fund I is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the New Economy space.
Disclaimer: Investors are advised to consult certified experts before making any investment decisions.
