New Fund Targets IP-Led Founders Building Globally Competitive Technology Companies
Early stage venture capital firm Aum Ventures has launched its second investment vehicle, Aum Ventures India Innovation Fund II, with a target corpus of ₹750 crore (approximately $80 million).
The fund will focus on backing Indian founders building intellectual property (IP) driven and innovation led companies with the potential to compete on a global stage.
The launch comes amid growing investor interest in deep-tech sectors such as space technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and defence technology, where India is increasingly emerging as a hub for innovation.
Fund To Invest In Pre-Seed And Seed-Stage Startups
Aum Ventures said Fund II will primarily invest in pre-seed and seed stage startups.
The firm plans to make initial investments ranging between $750,000 and $2 million and will continue supporting portfolio companies through follow-on investments up to Series A and Series B rounds.
Over the life of the fund, Aum Ventures expects to invest in approximately 25 to 30 startups.
The strategy reflects a growing trend among venture capital firms to support founders throughout their growth journey rather than limiting involvement to early stage funding.
Building On A Strong Deep-Tech Portfolio
Since its launch in 2022, Aum Ventures has deployed nearly $30 million across 24 early stage companies.
Its portfolio includes notable startups such as Skyroot Aerospace, Cosmoserve Space, Sanyark Space, Azimuth AI, and defence-tech startup Sharang Shakti.
One of the firm’s recent success stories came through Sharang Shakti, which was acquired by Deepinder Goyal backed LAT Aerospace, highlighting increasing acquisition activity within India’s emerging defence and aerospace ecosystem.
The firm has built a reputation for identifying founders working on complex technology challenges that require long development cycles but have the potential to create significant long-term value.
Nisha Shah Joins As General Partner
As part of the new fund launch, Aum Ventures has appointed Nisha Shah as General Partner.
Shah brings extensive experience across venture capital, private equity, family offices, and consulting. Prior to joining Aum Ventures, she held leadership roles at a large family office and worked with investment firms focused on high-growth businesses.
Her appointment is expected to strengthen the firm’s investment capabilities as it expands its focus on innovation-driven sectors.
Why Deep-Tech Is Attracting Investor Interest
The launch of Fund II comes at a time when deep tech startups are attracting increasing attention from investors globally.
Unlike traditional consumer internet businesses, deep-tech companies typically focus on proprietary technologies, scientific breakthroughs, and intellectual property that can create long-term competitive advantages.
India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed growing activity in sectors such as space technology, semiconductor design, defence innovation, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and AI infrastructure, driven by supportive government policies and rising domestic capabilities.
Investors believe these sectors could produce the next generation of globally competitive Indian technology companies.
Aum Ventures Bets On India’s Innovation Economy
Aum Ventures’ investment thesis remains centered on backing founders developing breakthrough technologies rather than purely execution-driven business models.
By focusing on IP led innovation, the firm aims to support startups capable of creating globally relevant products and technologies from India.
With the launch of its ₹750 crore fund, Aum Ventures is positioning itself to play a larger role in shaping India’s deep-tech ecosystem and supporting entrepreneurs building the country’s next generation of technology leaders.
