HyKr Commits INR 100 Cr to Co-build 20 Startups by FY27 HyKr will deploy INR 2–4 crore per startup, backing 20 ventures across deep tech, health and bio, and proptech sectors.
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HyKr, a new venture studio founded by Apty CEO Krishna Dunthoori, has announced a commitment of INR 100 crore to co-build up to 20 startups by FY27. The studio is scheduled to formally launch operations in March 2026 and will work primarily with pre-seed and seed-stage founders in India.
Unlike traditional venture capital firms or accelerators, HyKr positions itself as an institutional co-founder. The studio plans to partner with startups from the earliest stages, combining capital with operational and execution support. It will deploy between INR 2 crore and INR 4 crore per company, depending on the stage and requirements of the venture.
HyKr's model is based on a structured co-creation approach. Instead of making investments and remaining at a distance, the studio embeds itself into the company-building process. Founders will receive access to shared teams and expertise across product development, engineering, operations, finance, and go-to-market strategy. This structure is intended to help early-stage teams focus on product development and customer needs while core business foundations are built in parallel.
According to the studio's framework, founders working with HyKr are expected to move from an initial idea to an investor-ready business within the first six months. This phase includes developing a functional product, validating demand with early users, setting up legal and financial systems, and hiring an initial operating team.
HyKr will focus on three sectors: deep tech, health and bio, and construction and proptech.
The venture studio follows an evergreen model rather than operating as a time-bound fund and typically takes a co-founder-level equity stake in the startups it builds. While its mandate is India-first, HyKr aims to support companies with global ambitions over time.
The studio is led by Krishna Dunthoori along with a leadership and advisory group of experienced operators. It is also supported by partnerships with global technology platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Nvidia.
As part of its launch plans, HyKr has announced the HyKr Build Challenge, a national initiative aimed at identifying execution-focused founders. The challenge requires participants to build working products rather than submit pitches and will offer total prize money of INR 35 lakh, with selected teams eligible for entry into the venture studio.
