Warmup Ventures, a leading investment firm, has launched its second fund, Warmup Fund II, with a corpus of Rs 300 crore. This fund is a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) focused on supporting early-stage startups in the deeptech, climate, and sustainability sectors.
Investment Plans and Strategy
Warmup Fund II plans to invest Rs 5-7 crore in 25-30 startups across various industries, with provisions for follow-on funding. The goal is to bridge the gap between India’s traditional business heritage and the growing innovation ecosystem, by connecting family offices and second-generation entrepreneurs.
Fostering Collaboration Between Traditional and New-age Businesses
Warmup Ventures creates a platform for collaboration between traditional businesses and innovative startups, empowering both to thrive in today’s fast-paced market. The firm is co-founded by Sharad Bansal (IIT Delhi alumnus), Rajendra Lora (IIIT Jabalpur alumnus), and Yogesh Chaudhary (Director at Jaipur Rugs), who bring years of angel investing experience and have supported over 100 startups in the last 5-6 years.
Notable Portfolio and Achievements
Under its previous syndicate fund, Warmup Ventures has already supported over 15 startups, including:
- Bobabhai: A bubble tea chain with over 45 stores across India.
- Nitro Commerce: A platform hosting 200+ brands.
- Minimizes: A startup focused on Li-ion battery recycling for sustainability.
- RocketPay: A payment app serving 5,000+ merchants.
- Balwaan Krishi: An agritech company that raised Rs 40 crore to provide advanced solutions for farmers.
Providing More Than Just Capital
Warmup Ventures provides startups with not only financial backing but also mentorship, strategic knowledge, and networking opportunities. Co-founder Sharad Bansal emphasized the value of strategic capital, recognizing the challenges of the founder’s journey and the need for the right capital to drive success. Rajendra Lora added that the firm harnesses its network’s collaborative power to generate value for both startups and investors.
Warmup Ventures’ Rs 300 crore Fund II aims to accelerate India’s innovation-driven economy, supporting startups that address key challenges in technology, climate, and sustainability, and helping them scale rapidly to success.
