IGI Logo

Zero To One Fund, a recently launched network of early-stage investors/ angels got the nod of SEBI to set up an INR 300Cr Category-1 Alternative Investment Fund (AIF). Keeping PM Modi’s call for making India the “startup capital of the world” in mind, Zero To One will invest across sectors in early-stage pre-seed to Series A technology companies. Zero To One would be sector agnostic and will be focusing on Edtech, HealthTech, AgriTech, MedTech and CleanTech spaces. 

Early-stage funding has been a “torching light” when the global private equity funding space is witnessing a downfall. The recent reports look to support the above claim as the early-stage startups got investments of more than $2 Bn in the first quarter of FY22.

The idea to start Zero To One Angel Network was muted by Praveen Kaushik, a Chartered Accountant turned Investment Banker in early 2022. The idea got the support of various like-minded professionals from different spectrums of industry and Zero To One became a reality in May 2022. 

Zero To One has been co-founded by Praveen Kaushik (Director) and Rahul Massey (Director). Anurag Agrawal joined Zero To One recently as Chief Analyst and Investment Officer.

Praveen Kaushik, Founder and Director of Zero To One said, “We are witnessing funny times when funding at relatively higher valuations are easier for technology backed innovative ideas/ startups as compared to traditional businesses with heavy asset base. The new age investors are breaking the myth of “Indians being risk-averse investors” and rewriting investment scenario. This is the same set of investors who believe that technology would change society and are bullish on entrepreneurs who can lead the disruption through technology led innovation. The idea behind founding Zero To One is not only to fund startups but create an ecosystem that can assist and support startups to achieve new heights. The management team of Zero To One comprises seasoned professionals such as Chartered Accountants, HR Leaders, Business Strategists, CXOs, Merchant Bankers who can play pivotal role in the success story/ journey of startups. We believe the AIF would not only fund the young startups but also fuel them with the synergy, support, and mentorship from the ecosystem we have created. We are poised to be a “partner in growth” of early-stage startups.”

Zero To One has got nod of SEBI recently to launch the AIF. Manick Wadhwa, Direct Strategy, Ski Capital and Beacon Trusteeship has been hands of help in the journey to secure SEBI registration.

Zero To One is one of the fastest growing communities of early stage investors that comprises 500+ Angels, High Networth Individuals (HNIs) and Venture Capitalists (VCs) across India, Singapore, Dubai, the US and the UK.

Zero To One secures interest of investors who bets on early stage startups through an in-house comprehensive and robust screening mechanism to analyse “suitable” startups, offers them an investor syndicate to share risks and diversifies their investment portfolios to maximize returns.

Above views are of the author and not of the website kindly read disclaimer