Angel Co India: Exploring Angel Network Investments and Portfolio

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Angel Co India is a prominent angel network that invests in promising startups.

Angel Co India was founded in 2011, providing funding and guidance to innovative entrepreneurs.

With a strong focus on early-stage investments, they aim to support startups from ideation to growth.

Angel Co India's portfolio showcases a diverse range of companies, including those in the fintech and healthcare sectors.

About Angel Co India

AngelList India is a platform that facilitates seed financing for startups through angel investors. It was launched in 2018 as a part of the Syndicates platform, which allows angel investors to invest in Indian startups.

AngelList India focuses on sector-agnostic investments, meaning they don't limit themselves to a specific industry or sector. This broad focus allows them to support startups across various domains.

AngelList India's notable portfolio includes Open Bank, BharatPe, DealShare, Nap Chief, and Chingari, all of which have received investments in the range of $100,000 to $350,000.

About

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Angel Co India is a venture capital firm that focuses on empowering entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.

Angel Co India has a strong network of over 1,200 angel investors who provide valuable guidance and support to the startups they invest in.

The firm's investment strategy is centered around identifying innovative and scalable businesses that have the potential to create significant impact.

Angel Co India has a diverse portfolio of startups across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and education.

Lead

Lead Angels is a network that has made a significant impact in the Indian startup ecosystem. It was formed by Sushanto Mitra in 2013 and has since completed a decade in India.

The network has a diverse base of 400 angel investors from various backgrounds, including India and overseas. Its member investor base comprises seasoned entrepreneurs, professionals, and industry veterans.

Lead Angels has led 19 rounds of investments to date and has made 80 investments in total. Its notable exits include Supr Daily, Planet SuperHeroes, and Belita.

The network has a strong presence globally, with footprints across the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Investments and Portfolio

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AngelList India has made 29 investments, with their latest investment being in First Coffee as part of their Seed VC on September 26, 2024. This investment was worth $1.2M and had co-investors such as Agastya Dalmia and Aman Arora.

AngelList India's investment portfolio also includes The Hosteller, which received a Series A investment of $4M on September 4, 2024. The investment was led by Chirag Jain and Climber Capital.

Here's a breakdown of AngelList India's investments:

AngelList India also has 2 portfolio exits, with their latest exit being One Good on December 12, 2023.

Investments Activity

AngelList India has made 29 investments, with their latest investment being in First Coffee as part of their Seed VC on September 26, 2024. This investment was led by Agastya Dalmia, Aman Arora, Aman Bahel, Ashish Gupta, and several others.

Their investments range from Seed VC to Series A, with amounts varying from $1.2M to $4M. For example, The Hosteller received a $4M Series A investment on September 4, 2024.

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AngelList India's investments are primarily focused on technology-enabled sectors, including fintech, SaaS, D2C brands, healthtech, and edtech solutions. They look for startups that demonstrate clear product-market fit and potential for market leadership.

Here are some of the key statistics about AngelList India's investments:

Startups can access angel investors through established networks like Indian Angel Network (IAN), Mumbai Angels, and LetsVenture, or by building relationships within the ecosystem and participating in pitch events.

List Portfolio Exits

AngelList India has a total of 2 portfolio exits. Their latest exit was One Good on December 12, 2023.

One of their notable exits was the acquisition of One Good, which was acquired by Nourish You for a valuation of $XXM.

Here is a list of their portfolio exits:

Their first exit was a spinoff/spinout of a company, which took place on January 1, 2020.

Core Investment Ranges Explained

In India, angel investments typically range from ₹25L to ₹2Cr for early-stage startups. This range can be broken down into individual angel investments, which often start at ₹5L, and syndicated deals through networks like Indian Angel Network or Mumbai Angels, which can reach ₹5Cr.

Syndicated deals often involve pooling resources to participate in larger seed rounds, especially for technology-enabled startups showing strong traction.

Ah! Ventures

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Ah! Ventures is a Mumbai-based network that has been around since 2012, founded by Abhijeet Kumar and Harshad Lahoti.

It has a network of over 62,000 entrepreneurs and over 3,000 investors, which is quite impressive.

The network enables startups to raise funds up to $10 Mn, which is a significant amount for many young companies.

Ah! Ventures claims to have made 183 investments in 121 startups till date, with a total investment portfolio of $47 Mn.

One notable investment is in EV startup Starya Mobility, which is a great example of the network's focus on innovative ventures.

The network's portfolio includes startups like Aisle, Ufaber, UnoCoin, Newsbytes, and Shirsha Labs, which have all benefited from Ah! Ventures' expertise.

Ah! Ventures offers various services such as venture consultancy, venture management and operations, incubation, valuations, and analytics, which are essential for a startup's growth.

With 16 exits till date, Ah! Ventures has proven its ability to help startups succeed and grow.

BITS Spark

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BITS Spark is a seed-stage investment firm that focuses on sector-agnostic startups. They were founded in 2011 by an alumni organization of BITS Pilani.

BITS Spark has a unique approach to investing, requiring that at least one co-founder of the startup be a BITSian, whether a current or graduated student of the university. This requirement has helped them build a strong network of entrepreneurs and innovators.

The investment value for BITS Spark ranges from $50,000 to $700,000, making them a viable option for early-stage startups. They have a diverse portfolio of startups, including Exotel, GreyOrange, eGMAT, and Gigstart.

Here are some key details about BITS Spark's investment focus:

  • Stage: Seed
  • Investment Value: $50,000 - $700,000
  • Focus: Sector Agnostic
  • Year of Inception: 2011

BITS Spark has grown to become a member of over 200 investors, providing financing and mentorship support to early founders.

Agility Ventures

Agility Ventures is a platform for first-time and seasoned investors looking to invest in early-stage startups.

Their focus is on technology startups, and they have a notable portfolio of companies like Power Gummies, Glamyo Health, and Marj Technologies.

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They provide a simplified yet robust startup investing ecosystem in India, assisting founders at every stage by matching them with investors who are passionate about pitching for investments.

In the last 2 years, Agility Ventures has supported the launch of over 30 startups.

Agility Ventures invests in startups at the seed and series A stages, with investment values ranging from $100,000 to $5 million.

Here are some key details about Agility Ventures:

  • Year of Inception: 2020
  • Investment Stages: Seed, Series A
  • Investment Value: $100,000 - $5 million

Jobs and Careers

Angel Co India offers various job opportunities in the startup ecosystem, with a focus on angel investors and entrepreneurs.

Angel Co India has a network of over 3,000 angel investors, providing a wide range of job opportunities in the startup space.

The organization's mission is to enable early-stage startups to grow and scale, which can lead to exciting career opportunities in the startup sector.

Angel Co India's job opportunities are not limited to angel investors, but also include roles for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and professionals in various fields.

1 Team Member

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AngelList India has a surprisingly small team, with only one team member currently on board. This team member is Dhruv Sharma, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer.

Dhruv Sharma brings a wealth of experience to the table, with a diverse work history that includes Springworks, Ashoka University, National Skill Development Corporation, Accenture, Mahindra, and Hero MotoCorp.

69 Jobs

There are over 69 jobs that can be classified as STEM careers, including positions like Software Engineer, Data Scientist, and Biomedical Engineer. These careers require advanced education and often have high salaries.

Many of these STEM careers are in high demand, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 14% growth in employment opportunities for Software Engineers by 2028. That's much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

Some STEM careers require specialized training or certifications, such as becoming a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) for a career in Cybersecurity. This can be a valuable investment for those interested in this field.

With the increasing reliance on technology, many non-STEM careers are also incorporating tech skills, such as Data Analysts in Marketing or Business roles. This is making tech skills a valuable asset for a wide range of careers.

Yatra

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Yatra Angel Network is a great example of a fintech-focused investment platform. Founded in 2020, it's based in Mumbai and is India's first early stage fintech-focussed SEBI-registered CAT 1 alternative investment fund.

YAN primarily focuses on early stage companies and participates in pre-seed to pre-Series A funding rounds. Its core mission is to encourage its investors to support fintech startups dedicated to solving challenges through technologies like AI, ML, and data analytics.

With a portfolio value of approximately $300 Mn, YAN has invested in notable startups such as PayGlocal, M2P, One Card, Riskovry, and ShopSe. Its investors boast a minimum of 15+ years of experience and possess well-established networks within the financial services sector.

YAN launched an INR 90 Cr early stage fintech-focused Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) last year, which will be allocated across 25-30 early stage fintech startups.

Investors and Funding

AngelList India has made 29 investments, with their latest investment being in First Coffee as part of their Seed VC on September 26, 2024.

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AngelList India has invested in companies like First Coffee, The Hosteller, and Healthcred. First Coffee received $1.2M in Seed VC funding, while The Hosteller received $4M in Series A funding. Healthcred also received $1.2M in Seed VC funding.

The Hosteller's Series A funding was co-invested by several parties, including Chirag Jain, Climber Capital, and FAO Ventures. First Coffee's Seed VC funding was co-invested by Agastya Dalmia, Aman Arora, and Ashish Gupta.

AngelList India's investments are not limited to India, as the network has footprints in the US, the UK, Singapore, Australia, Germany, and Switzerland. We Founder Circle, another angel network, claims to have a base of more than 9,000 investors and has participated in over 100 investment deals.

Here are some notable startups from We Founder Circle's portfolio:

  • Stylework
  • Vidyakul
  • Settle
  • Blusmart Mobility
  • Microfinance.ai

Angel investors in India evaluate team credentials, market opportunity size, product differentiation, and early traction metrics before investing. Key considerations include revenue growth, customer acquisition costs, unit economics, and scalability potential.

Investment Platforms

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LetsVenture is a platform that connects startups to a large community of accredited and authentic investors worldwide. It's based in India but operates globally, and has 33,609 startups registered and 17,394 investors in the platform.

LetsVenture has made over 950 investments with a portfolio value of over $11 Bn, and has 19,530 investors in the network. The platform has a Founders First initiative that provides founders with actionable information, coaching, and assistance to help them grow and scale their businesses.

Some notable startups in LetsVenture's portfolio include Innov8, Sugar Cosmetics, Yulu, Bobble, and Little Black Book.

LetsVenture

LetsVenture is a platform that connects startups to a large community of accredited and authentic investors worldwide.

Based in India, LetsVenture has grown to become India's largest angel investment network and private market ecosystem, with 33,609 startups registered and 17,394 investors in the platform.

The platform allows any startup at any stage to create a profile, making fundraising accessible for founders. There are no particular eligibility criteria, which is a big plus for founders.

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LetsVenture has made over 950 investments with a portfolio value of over $11 Bn, and has 19,530 investors in the network.

The platform's Founders First initiative provides founders with actionable information, coaching, and assistance to help them grow and scale their businesses.

Some notable startups in LetsVenture's portfolio include Innov8, Sugar Cosmetics, Yulu, Bobble, Little Black Book, Airmeet, CityMall, BharatX, Dukaan, Agnikul, Absolute Foods, Trell, inFeedo, Yulu Bikes, and Vernacular.ai.

Jito

Jito is a significant player in the investment space. It's a part of the Jito Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF), which was set up in 2017.

The network has over 450 investors, making it a substantial force in the industry. Its name is derived from Jain International Trade Organisation.

Jito has made a total of 76 investments since its inception, with 46 of them being led by the network itself. This is a notable achievement, demonstrating the network's capabilities.

Its cumulative investment so far exceeds INR 147 Cr, a significant amount in the Indian context. This shows the network's commitment to supporting startups.

Some of Jito's notable portfolio startups include BluSmart Mobility, Magenta Mobility, and Chalo. These companies are making waves in their respective fields.

Angie Ernser

Senior Writer

Angie Ernser is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in financial markets. Her expertise lies in municipal bond investments, where she provides clear and insightful analysis to help readers understand the complexities of municipal bond markets. Ernser's articles are known for their clarity and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for both novice and experienced investors.

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