New Fund To Invest In AI, Spacetech, Semiconductors And Defence Innovation
Early-stage venture capital firm Aum Ventures has launched its second investment vehicle, Aum Ventures India Innovation Fund II, with a target corpus of ₹750 crore (approximately $80 million).
The new fund will focus on backing Indian founders building intellectual property (IP)-driven and innovation led startups with the potential to compete on a global stage.
The launch comes amid growing investor interest in deep-tech sectors as India seeks to strengthen its capabilities in strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space technology, advanced manufacturing, and defence.
Focus On Pre-Seed And Seed-Stage Startups
Aum Ventures plans to primarily invest in pre-seed and seed stage companies through Fund II.
The firm will write initial cheques ranging from $750,000 to $2 million and will continue supporting portfolio companies with follow-on investments through Series A and Series B funding rounds.
Over the lifecycle of the fund, Aum Ventures expects to invest in approximately 25 to 30 startups.
The strategy reflects the firm’s focus on identifying promising technology-led companies early and supporting them throughout their growth journey.
Building On A Strong Deep-Tech Portfolio
Founded with a thesis centered on deep-tech and IP-led innovation, Aum Ventures has built a portfolio of companies operating in some of India’s most strategic technology sectors.
Since launching in 2022, the firm has deployed nearly $30 million across 24 early stage startups.
Its portfolio includes notable companies such as Skyroot Aerospace, Cosmoserve Space, Sanyark Space, Azimuth AI, and defence technology startup Sharang Shakti.
One of the firm’s recent successes came when Sharang Shakti was acquired by Deepinder Goyal-backed LAT Aerospace, highlighting growing interest in India’s defence and aerospace startup ecosystem.
Nisha Shah Joins As General Partner
Alongside the launch of Fund II, Aum Ventures has appointed Nisha Shah as General Partner.
Shah brings extensive experience from the venture capital, private equity, and consulting sectors. Prior to joining Aum Ventures, she held leadership positions within a large family office and worked across investment-focused organizations.
The appointment is expected to strengthen the firm’s investment capabilities as it scales its operations and expands its portfolio across emerging technology sectors.
Why Deep-Tech Is Attracting Investor Attention
The launch of India Innovation Fund II comes at a time when deep-tech startups are attracting increasing investor interest globally.
Unlike traditional software startups, deep-tech companies often build proprietary intellectual property, advanced engineering capabilities, and breakthrough technologies that can create long-term competitive advantages.
India’s growing startup ecosystem has seen increasing activity in areas such as semiconductors, aerospace, defence systems, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
Government initiatives including the Indian Semiconductor Mission, Make in India, Startup India, and defence innovation programmes have also helped create momentum in the sector.
Betting On India’s Next Wave Of Innovation
Aum Ventures believes that the next generation of globally competitive Indian companies will emerge from innovation-driven sectors rather than purely digital business models.
By focusing on founders building defensible technology and proprietary IP, the firm aims to support startups capable of solving complex global challenges while creating long-term value.
As India’s deep-tech ecosystem matures, funds such as India Innovation Fund II are expected to play a critical role in providing early-stage capital to entrepreneurs working on frontier technologies.
With ₹750 crore earmarked for deployment, Aum Ventures is positioning itself at the center of India’s next wave of technology innovation.
