Manish Maheshwari’s BAT VC Launches $100 Million Fund to Back Early-Stage Ventures in India
Former X India Head Manish Maheshwari is making a significant move into the venture capital space with the launch of BAT VC, a new firm that aims to support and accelerate the growth of early-stage startups in India. The firm’s inaugural $100 million Fund II will focus on funding ventures across a variety of sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, and Software as a Service (SaaS), with an emphasis on startups operating both in India and the United States.
The Vision Behind BAT VC
BAT VC is co-founded by Manish Maheshwari, the former head of X India (previously known as Twitter), alongside Aditya Mishra, an ex-Yahoo executive and Managing Director of the firm, and Ravi Metta, former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Finastra, who will lead the firm’s U.S. operations. The venture capital firm is positioning itself as a bridge between the two rapidly growing markets of India and the U.S., focusing on startups that have the potential to scale globally.
With the launch of Fund II, BAT VC aims to invest in promising early-stage ventures that are building innovative solutions in some of the most exciting sectors of the tech industry today. The fund’s strategy includes seed and Series A investments to help startups with early-stage growth and market entry.
Focus on AI, Fintech, and SaaS
BAT VC’s Fund II will specifically target startups working in the artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, and SaaS sectors. These industries are growing at a rapid pace in both India and the U.S., offering significant opportunities for companies that can create scalable, innovative solutions.
- AI: Artificial intelligence is at the forefront of digital transformation, with applications spanning everything from healthcare and education to enterprise software and consumer services.
- Fintech: India’s fintech sector has been booming in recent years, driven by increased internet penetration, digital payment adoption, and government initiatives like Digital India. BAT VC plans to support startups that are enabling financial inclusion, digital banking, and innovative payment solutions.
- SaaS: Software as a Service (SaaS) companies are revolutionizing the way businesses operate by offering scalable, cloud-based solutions that reduce operational costs and improve efficiency. This space continues to grow globally, with India emerging as a hub for SaaS companies that cater to international markets.
Maheshwari’s Leadership and Regional Expansion
Manish Maheshwari, who will lead the firm’s operations in India, brings extensive experience in scaling businesses in India and working in the technology sector. Before his time at X India, Maheshwari was a key figure in driving the growth of Flipkart, India’s leading e-commerce platform, and has deep knowledge of both the Indian and U.S. startup ecosystems.
His leadership will be crucial in identifying high-potential startups in India and helping them scale internationally. BAT VC aims to leverage Maheshwari’s expertise to build strong relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, and key stakeholders in the Indian startup ecosystem.
BAT VC’s Global Strategy
While Fund II focuses on India and the U.S., BAT VC is taking a global approach to venture capital, seeking out startups with the potential to disrupt markets worldwide. The firm’s leadership team, with their combined experience in technology, venture capital, and operations, is well-positioned to provide the strategic support and mentorship that startups need to grow beyond their local markets.
The Future of BAT VC
With the launch of its $100 million fund, BAT VC is ready to make a significant impact in India’s dynamic startup ecosystem. By focusing on high-growth sectors like AI, fintech, and SaaS, the firm hopes to back the next generation of innovative companies that will shape the future of technology in India and globally.
As the Indian startup ecosystem continues to grow and attract global investment, BAT VC is poised to play a key role in its development, helping entrepreneurs bring their groundbreaking ideas to life and scale them to international markets.
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