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Menterra is a Bengaluru-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 by Paul Basil, Mukesh Sharma, and George Thomas. The firm focuses on creating scalable social impact through investments in early-stage businesses in India. Menterra operates two funds: Fund I, launched in 2016 with a corpus of Rs.50 Cr (~$7M), and Fund II, which had its first close in April 2022 at Rs.227 Cr (~$30M) with a target corpus of Rs.750 Cr (~$100M).
The firm has made 12 early-stage investments across sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, achieving a notable exit with Biosense Technologies, which was divested to PerkinElmer (USA). Menterra's mission is to address unmet needs in these sectors by partnering with entrepreneurs who share their vision for transformative change.
Currently, Menterra has a team of five professionals, including partners with extensive experience in incubation, global investing, and business operations. The firm emphasizes its commitment to social impact and has been actively engaging with its portfolio companies and the broader ecosystem.
Menterra's investment strategy targets early-stage businesses in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and education & skill development. The firm seeks to invest at the pre-seed, seed, and seed-plus stages, focusing on companies that can deliver deep, scalable impact and demonstrate exceptional leadership.
In healthcare, Menterra aims to provide affordable solutions addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, particularly for underprivileged populations. The agriculture sector focus includes improving production efficiency and resilience against climate change for smallholder farmers. In education, Menterra targets businesses that enhance learning outcomes and provide affordable education to underserved communities.
The firm combines financial capital with mentoring, talent, and incubation services, explicitly targeting scalability for bottom-of-pyramid populations. Menterra's approach emphasizes the potential for commercial scale and returns, aligning with their mission to create social impact.
Menterra's portfolio includes 12 notable companies that reflect its commitment to impactful solutions across various sectors:
These companies exemplify Menterra's strategy of investing in businesses that not only aim for financial returns but also strive to create significant social impact.
Paul Basil: Co-founder and Head of Impact Management at Menterra, Paul has extensive experience in impact investing and incubation. He has been a leader in the Indian impact investment space for many years.
Mukesh Sharma: Co-founder and Head of Investment Management, Mukesh brings a wealth of knowledge in managing investments and has played a crucial role in Menterra's growth.
George Thomas: CEO and Partner, George oversees asset management and has a strong background in global investing and business operations.
Chris Ashley Pinto: Investment Analyst, Chris supports the investment team with research and analysis, contributing to Menterra's decision-making process.
Shoba Barnes: Office Manager, Shoba ensures smooth operations within the firm, supporting the team in various administrative capacities.
To pitch to Menterra, founders should visit their website at menterra.com. It is essential to include a comprehensive business plan in the pitch deck, detailing the market opportunity, competitive landscape, and financial projections. Menterra prefers pitches that clearly articulate the social impact of the business.
Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are encouraged, as they can facilitate the review process.
In April 2022, Menterra announced the first close of its second fund, Menterra Social Impact Fund II, at Rs.227 Cr (~$30M). This fund aims to target a total corpus of Rs.750 Cr (~$100M) with a green shoe option of Rs.250 Cr (~$33M).
Notably, Menterra achieved a successful exit with Biosense Technologies, which was divested to PerkinElmer (USA). This exit highlights the firm's ability to identify and support impactful companies in the healthcare sector.
Throughout 2022, Menterra has been actively engaging with its portfolio companies, emphasizing its commitment to social impact investing and addressing unmet needs in healthcare, agriculture, and education.
What are Menterra's investment criteria?
Menterra invests in early-stage businesses primarily in healthcare, agriculture, and education sectors. The firm looks for companies that can deliver scalable social impact, demonstrate exceptional leadership, and have the potential for commercial scale and returns.
How can I pitch to Menterra?
Founders can pitch their ideas through Menterra's website at menterra.com. It is advisable to include a clear business model, market analysis, and how the venture aligns with Menterra's focus on social impact.
What makes Menterra different from other investors?
Menterra combines financial capital with mentoring, talent, and incubation services, specifically targeting scalability for bottom-of-pyramid populations. This dual approach enhances the potential for both social impact and financial returns.
What is Menterra's geographic focus?
The firm primarily invests in India, focusing on early-stage businesses that address local challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and education.
What is the typical check size for investments?
For Fund I, Menterra typically invests between Rs.1–4 Cr (~$120K–$480K) per investment. Fund II is expected to have larger check sizes, although specific amounts have not been publicly disclosed.
What post-investment support does Menterra provide?
Menterra offers mentoring, talent acquisition support, and incubation services to its portfolio companies, helping them scale effectively while addressing social challenges.
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