By 
Equentis Wealth Advisory Services, a prominent player in India’s investment advisory sector, has launched its first Category I Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), the Equentis Angel Fund, with a target corpus of ₹500 crore ($60 million). This initiative is set to provide a major boost to India’s vibrant startup ecosystem by backing early-stage, high-growth ventures.
Investing in Emerging Opportunities
The Equentis Angel Fund aims to invest between ₹4 crore and ₹10 crore ($500K–$1.2 million) in pre-Series A and bridge-to-Series A funding rounds. With a focus on startups that operate in a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of at least ₹8,000 crore (approximately $1 billion), the fund plans to support 40–50 startups over the next 18–24 months.
Key sectors of interest include:
- Defence technology
- Consumer technology
- Deeptech
- Logitech
- Fintech
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
Collaborative Growth Strategy
Equentis aims to amplify its impact by collaborating with similar funds, boutique and mid-market investment banks, startup accelerators, and incubators. This collaborative approach is intended to create a robust support system for startups, enabling them to access growth capital and scale their operations effectively.
Leadership Vision
Manish Goel, Founder and Managing Director of Equentis Wealth Advisory Services, highlighted the fund’s broader mission:
“Furthering our mission to democratize wealth creation, we have added Equentis Angel Fund, offering a broader financial ecosystem that fosters sustainable growth for both investors and entrepreneurs. This fund embodies our commitment to empower startups and drive meaningful contributions to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while creating lasting value for all stakeholders.”
Rakesh Gupta, Chief Operating and Compliance Officer at Equentis, emphasized the fund’s role in diversifying investment opportunities:
“With the launch of the Equentis Angel Fund, we are offering alternative investment avenues for investors that complement their existing portfolios. Expanding from investment advisory to full-spectrum wealth management services reflects our commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of investors and building a robust future.”
The Startup Ecosystem in India
India is home to one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems globally, with over 128,000 startups as of 2024, ranking it third-largest worldwide. Startups raised over $10 billion in funding in 2024, with projections exceeding $15 billion by year-end. Early-stage investments (Seed to Series A) secured $3.28 billion across 1,546 funding rounds, while Angel Funds (Cat-I AIF, VCF) alone garnered approximately $1 billion in investor commitments.
Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
With the launch of its Angel Fund, Equentis is positioned to play a pivotal role in India’s startup revolution. By focusing on high-growth potential ventures and providing essential growth capital, the firm is fostering innovation and contributing to the nation’s vision of becoming a global hub for entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
As India’s entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like the Equentis Angel Fund are set to redefine wealth creation and catalyze transformative growth across industries.
Comments