Published on: 12/23/2024
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Navigating the fundraising landscape can be a daunting task for Indian startups. However, for visionary founders, Eximius Ventures offers a unique opportunity to streamline this crucial process. Targeting early-stage startups in sectors like fintech, SaaS, media, gaming, and health tech, Eximius provides up to USD 500,000 as their first institutional investment to help these companies hit the ground running.
The story of Eximius Ventures begins with Pearl Agarwal, the firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, whose childhood experiences in a Tier 4 town in Orissa greatly influenced her entrepreneurial journey. “Growing up, I saw firsthand that local entrepreneurs were brimming with potential but lacked access to the resources necessary for success,” says Agarwal. This realization sparked her desire to create better opportunities for these founders.
Having spent over a decade in investment banking and private equity in the US and UK, Agarwal saw how capital could transform businesses. With her extensive experience in the financial world, she founded Eximius Ventures in 2020 to help aspiring Indian entrepreneurs raise the funding they need to grow their startups.
Agarwal’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by early-stage startups drives Eximius’ commitment to providing more than just capital. “We want to be the first institutional investor for these startups, providing the right cheque size to help them scale while being a hands-on partner in their growth,” she states.
Eximius Ventures focuses on pre-seed stage companies, which are often the most challenging to fund. By providing initial investments of up to USD 500,000, Eximius aims to equip these startups with the necessary resources to survive their first 500 days- a critical period that often determines a startup’s future success.
“Our goal is to make quick decisions, simplify processes, and reserve capital for follow-up rounds. The early days are crucial, and we want to be there every step of the way,” Agarwal explains.
Eximius Ventures takes a highly personalized approach to investing, aiming to build lasting relationships with its portfolio founders. It is not just about the money; it’s about offering the support and guidance that many early-stage startups need but often lack.
Beyond providing funding, Eximius Ventures acts as a strategic partner, helping its startups navigate the difficult early years. For instance, when STAN, a startup in Eximius’ portfolio, needed to pivot and expand its market, the firm worked closely with the founders to refine their business model and strategy.
Similarly, Vegapay, another portfolio company, benefited from Eximius Ventures’ guidance in fundraising and hiring the right team. “We helped them craft their investor story, refine their pitch, and gain exposure on various public forums. Our network of Indian and global VCs played a crucial role in their growth,” says Agarwal.
These examples highlight Eximius Ventures’ commitment to providing continuous support to its portfolio companies. The firm is focused on fostering long-term relationships with its founders, understanding that the path to success is not linear and that hands-on support is key to overcoming the challenges of scaling a startup.
Looking ahead to FY 2024–2025, Eximius Ventures plans to continue expanding its portfolio with a focus on innovative sectors such as fintech infrastructure (wealth, insurance, payments), Gen AI applications in content and entertainment, and middleware infrastructure for Gen AI. The firm aims to invest in 10–12 startups, helping them build scalable solutions that can create lasting value.
Agarwal believes that the Indian startup ecosystem is poised for exponential growth. “We see great potential in Indian startups, particularly in fintech and AI-driven sectors. Our goal is to help these companies grow and eventually reach their full potential on the global stage.”
While India’s startup ecosystem is thriving, a significant funding gap persists for entrepreneurs from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. According to a report by NASSCOM, only 20% of startups outside major metropolitan areas secure funding in their early stages, despite their innovative ideas and potential to impact underserved markets.
Eximius Ventures is committed to changing this narrative. With Pearl Agarwal’s firsthand experience of growing up in a Tier 4 town in Orissa, the firm has made it a priority to identify and nurture talent beyond traditional startup hubs. By simplifying funding processes and providing mentorship, Eximius empowers emerging founders to overcome systemic barriers and compete on a level playing field.
Through its investments in startups like Jar and Eka.care, Eximius demonstrates the value of betting on ambitious entrepreneurs who might otherwise be overlooked. These efforts not only support individual founders but also contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic startup ecosystem.
With a strong portfolio, strategic approach, and a clear focus on nurturing early-stage founders, Eximius Ventures is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian entrepreneurship.
Eximius Ventures continues to redefine early-stage funding in India, bridging critical gaps for startups navigating their first 500 days. By combining strategic capital with deep mentorship and unwavering support, the firm has become a trusted partner for pre-seed founders across fintech, SaaS, media, gaming, and healthtech.
With 21 investments to date and ambitious plans for FY 2024-2025, Eximius is not just funding startups- it’s nurturing innovation and building long-term relationships that drive sustainable growth. Stories like those of STAN and Vegapay highlight the firm’s ability to empower founders to pivot, grow, and scale with confidence, setting benchmarks for excellence in the Indian startup ecosystem.
India’s pre-seed funding landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by a surge in entrepreneurial activity and an influx of early-stage investors. According to reports by Inc42, India saw over 1,400 startups raising funds in 2023, with a notable increase in pre-seed investments in sectors like fintech, AI, and healthtech.
Eximius Ventures is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this momentum. By focusing on underserved sectors and backing visionary founders, the firm aligns itself with a larger trend of democratizing access to capital. As startups increasingly adopt tech-driven solutions to solve traditional problems, the demand for specialized guidance from accelerators and pre-seed investors will only grow.
Pearl Agarwal, Founder and Managing Partner of Eximius Ventures, believes that early-stage investors hold a pivotal role in shaping India’s innovation ecosystem. “The next decade will see unprecedented growth in startups emerging from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and it’s essential to bridge the opportunity gap by supporting these founders with more than just funding.”
This evolving pre-seed ecosystem signals a promising future where startups, fueled by resources from firms like Eximius Ventures, will drive significant technological and social change across India and beyond.
This piece builds upon insights shared in an article by Minakshi Sangwan for Entrepreneur.com, shining a light on Eximius Ventures’ mission to transform India’s entrepreneurial landscape. As the firm looks ahead, its commitment to fostering innovation and enabling impactful ventures remains stronger than ever.
Understanding the myths of pre-seed investing is only the first step for entrepreneurs aiming to secure funding. The next crucial phase involves executing the lessons learned from debunking these myths and navigating the complex landscape of pre-seed funding. To ensure success and increase the likelihood of securing investment, founders need to focus on a few key strategies.
Eximius Capital Ventures Private Limited is the investment manager of the funds licensed by SEBI under AIF categories CAT I – Eximius Trust I (IN/AIF1/20-21/0855) and CAT II – Eximius Fund (IN/AIF2/24-25/1566).
Eximius Capital Ventures Private Limited is the investment manager of the funds licensed by SEBI under AIF categories CAT I – Eximius Trust I (IN/AIF1/20-21/0855) and CAT II – Eximius Fund (IN/AIF2/24-25/1566).
