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Better Capital is a global venture capital firm founded in 2018, with dual headquarters in Pune, India, and San Francisco, California. The firm is recognized as India's largest pre-seed fund by deal volume and assets under management (AUM), boasting over $100 million. Founded by Vaibhav Domkundwar, Better Capital focuses on supporting innovative entrepreneurs from the inception of their ideas, particularly those addressing significant challenges across various sectors.
Since its inception, Better Capital has made over 200 investments, maintaining a deliberate strategy of staying small and early, rather than moving up the investment stack to later-stage rounds. The firm emphasizes a distribution-first approach, ensuring substantial support for its portfolio companies. Better Capital's commitment to mission-driven founders has led to a portfolio with a combined valuation exceeding $7 billion, highlighting its impact in the startup ecosystem.
Better Capital invests exclusively in early-stage companies, primarily at the pre-seed stage, with a focus on sectors such as fintech, agritech, AI, SaaS, edtech, healthcare, gaming, and climate. The firm emphasizes conviction-driven investments, supporting founders from the ground up. Their investment strategy is characterized by a distribution-first approach, ensuring that they provide substantial support to their portfolio companies.
Geographically, Better Capital primarily focuses on India while also expanding into other global markets. The firm looks for mission-driven founders who are addressing significant challenges and building impactful businesses. Their check sizes typically align with early-stage funding needs, allowing them to write over 150 checks annually. This operational mindset enables Better Capital to work closely with founders on go-to-market strategies and distribution, enhancing the likelihood of success for their portfolio companies.
Better Capital has invested in over 200 companies, with notable portfolio companies including:
These companies represent a diverse range of sectors and demonstrate Better Capital's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the market.
Vaibhav Domkundwar: Founder & CEO of Better Capital, with a background in venture capital and entrepreneurship. He has led numerous investments in early-stage companies and is known for his operational mindset.
Deepanshu Arora: Co-founder & CEO of Toddle, bringing expertise in technology and education sectors.
Anish Achuthan: Co-founder & CEO of Open, focusing on fintech solutions for small businesses.
Mayank Banerjee: Co-founder of Even, with experience in building scalable tech platforms.
Pratyush Rai: CEO of Merlin by Foyer, specializing in innovative tech solutions.
Vinay Singhal: Co-founder of STAGE, with a focus on supporting startups in their growth phases.
Sumit Ghorawat: Co-founder of ShopKirana, experienced in the retail and e-commerce sectors.
Rahul Attuluri: Co-founder & CEO of NxtWave, focusing on education technology.
Sachin Gupta: Co-founder of Probo, with expertise in building platforms for market insights.
To pitch Better Capital, founders should visit their website at bettercapital.vc. The firm prefers detailed pitch decks that include information about the business model, market opportunity, team background, and go-to-market strategy. Founders should expect a response within a few weeks, and warm introductions are encouraged to enhance the chances of engagement.
In 2023, Better Capital continued to expand its portfolio, surpassing 200 investments with a combined valuation exceeding $7 billion. The firm has been actively investing in early-stage companies across various sectors, reinforcing its position as a leader in the pre-seed funding space.
Notable recent investments include companies like Yulu and Open, both of which have shown significant growth and traction in their respective markets. Better Capital's commitment to supporting mission-driven founders remains a cornerstone of its investment strategy.
What are Better Capital's investment criteria?
Better Capital focuses on early-stage companies, primarily at the pre-seed stage. They invest in sectors such as fintech, agritech, AI, SaaS, edtech, healthcare, gaming, and climate. The firm seeks mission-driven founders who are addressing significant challenges and building impactful businesses.
How can I apply or pitch to Better Capital?
Founders can pitch to Better Capital through their website at bettercapital.vc. The firm encourages entrepreneurs to provide detailed information about their business model, market opportunity, and team in their pitch.
What makes Better Capital different from other VC firms?
Better Capital is recognized as India's largest pre-seed fund by deal volume and AUM. The firm emphasizes a distribution-first approach, working closely with founders on go-to-market strategies and providing substantial support throughout the early stages of their businesses.
What is Better Capital's geographic scope?
While Better Capital primarily focuses on India, the firm is expanding its reach into other global markets, allowing them to support founders building for both local and international audiences.
What is the typical check size for Better Capital?
Better Capital writes over 150 checks annually, focusing on early-stage funding needs. The specific check sizes may vary based on the company's requirements and stage of development.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Better Capital have?
Better Capital works closely with its portfolio companies, providing operational support, mentorship, and guidance on distribution and go-to-market strategies. This hands-on approach helps startups navigate early challenges and scale effectively.
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