ValleyNXT Launches INR 400 Cr Bharat Breakthrough Fund to Support Early-Stage Startups The fund focuses on deep-tech sectors including AI, robotics, space, defence, cybersecurity, biotech, sustainability, and consumer innovation in India.
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ValleyNXT Ventures has launched Bharat Breakthrough Fund–I, a SEBI-registered Category I Venture Capital Fund, aimed at supporting early-stage startups and addressing the critical challenges faced between validation and scale.
The fund seeks to tackle what industry experts call the early-stage "Valley of Death," where many startups struggle to survive.
The fund is built on the belief that startup failure at this stage is not only due to funding gaps but also unclear direction, fragmented guidance, and pressure to scale prematurely. Bharat Breakthrough Fund–I will operate through a combined venture capital and accelerator model using ValleyNXT's MIB Framework — Mentorship, Investment, and Business Connects — to provide structured support.
Dr Nikhil Agarwal outlined the "Vision C Philosophy" behind the initiative. He emphasised that the seed and pre-Series A stages offer the highest potential for venture growth, as startups are still adaptable and can benefit significantly from structured mentorship and strategic guidance.
The fund targets a base corpus of INR 200 crore with a greenshoe option of INR 200 crore, bringing the total potential size to INR 400 crore. It will focus on deep-tech and technology-driven startups across sectors such as space, defence technology, robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, biotechnology, sustainability, and consumer innovation.
ValleyNXT Ventures has previously supported early-stage startups through its angel network and accelerator-led approach. The firm reports evaluating over 5,000 startup proposals and investing in more than 10 ventures, providing capital support along with mentorship and business connections.
The fund is led by a team with expertise in venture investing and innovation, including Dr Nikhil Agarwal, Dr Madhu Vasepalli, CA Anand Saklecha, and Suresh Goyal.
