Chiratae Trust — Chiratae Ventures | Wisefolio

Chiratae Trust

Cat I · Managed by Chiratae Ventures

Backing The Audacious Entrepreneur

SEBI-encouraged funds — venture capital, SME, social-impact and infrastructure. Close-ended, generally unleveraged.

Overview

About

Chiratae Trust (IN/AIF1/15-16/0174) is a SEBI-registered Category I Alternative Investment Fund managed by Naigama Investment Manager LLP — part of Chiratae Ventures, India's largest home-grown venture capital firm. Originally founded as IDG Ventures India in 2006 (backed by International Data Group, co-founded by Patrick J. McGovern), the firm rebranded to Chiratae Ventures in 2018. Headquartered in Bangalore, Chiratae manages USD 1.3 billion in AUM across 7 funds with 130+ investments, 56 exits, 5 IPOs, and 8 unicorns including Flipkart, Myntra, PolicyBazaar, Lenskart, Cult.fit, FirstCry, GlobalBees, and Uniphore. The firm invests in disruptive technology startups across SaaS, ConsumerTech, HealthTech, FinTech, EdTech, AgriTech, Mobility, ClimateTech, Deep Tech, and B2B — with a thesis-driven approach targeting white spaces in large Indian markets. Chiratae's platform includes programs such as Chiratae Sonic (48-hour seed investment decisions up to USD 2 million), Chiratae Spotlight (India's largest follow-on funding program), Chiratae Showcase, Chiratae Midas (for family offices), and the annual McGovern Awards (instituted 2016) and Pride of India Awards. The fund is registered at 7B, 7th Floor, Sobha Pearl No. 1, Commissariat Road, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Investment philosophy

Chiratae Ventures backs audacious entrepreneurs building disruptive technology companies for India and the world. The firm's investment philosophy is thesis-driven — manoeuvring into untapped opportunities and white spaces in large markets rather than chasing established categories. Chiratae invests at the intersection of technology, innovation, financial returns, ESG, and impact, with thematic focus across SaaS, ConsumerTech, HealthTech, FinTech, Deep Tech, and ClimateTech — six areas aligned to UN SDG targets. The fund takes a long-term, founder-first approach evidenced by 14+ years of consistent returns, with early bets on Flipkart and PolicyBazaar through to later-stage growth investments. Active value-add extends beyond capital: Sonic for rapid seed decisions, Spotlight for follow-on fundraising, Showcase for LP-portfolio engagement, a global advisory board, and deep operational support from a team with decades of combined venture and operating experience.

Team39

Sudhir Sethi

Founder & Chairman

Sudhir Sethi is Founder and Chairman of Chiratae Ventures India Advisors. He has over 30 years of technology and investment leadership experience. Under his leadership, Chiratae has managed USD 1.3 billion across 7 funds, made 135+ investments, achieved 60 exits including 18 M&A transactions and 5 IPOs, and backed 8 unicorns. Over USD 300 million has been invested in 60+ DeepTech companies across AI, Climate, Healthcare, Medical Devices, Robotics, SpaceTech, and Agile Manufacturing. He has served on advisory roles with EMPEA, IVCA, NASSCOM, SEBI's AIF Committee, and IIM Bangalore's Entrepreneurship Centre, and was named a Visionary Venture Capitalist by Bloomberg UTV. He is an engineering graduate in Electronics and Telecommunications and holds an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi.

TC Meenakshisundaram

Founder & Vice Chairman

TC Meenakshisundaram (TCM) is Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Chiratae Ventures with 38+ years of industry experience including 18+ years in venture capital. He has served on the boards of Lenskart, AgroStar, Vayana, Kristal.ai, Metadome, Bounce, HUVIAiR, and Pando. He led investments in PolicyBazaar, Lenskart, Zivame, Cloudcherry, Fintellix, and Vayana Network. Previously at Walden International (investments in Mindtree, Jobstreet) and CFO & President at Venture Infotek, and 14 years at Wipro.

Venkatesh Peddi

Managing Director

Venkatesh Peddi is Managing Director at Chiratae Ventures with 20+ years of experience including 14 years in venture. He leads the SaaS/Cloud practice and has authored the annual 'Indian SaaS Revolution' report. Investments include Deepfence, Healthplix, Hevo Data, Pixis, Questt, Rentomojo, SquadStack, and GetVantage. Prior roles at Reliance Ventures, Credit Suisse, and Blue Star Infotech. CFA charterholder; B.E. from VJTI Mumbai, MBA from JBIMS.

Ranjith Menon

Managing Director

Ranjith Menon is Managing Director at Chiratae Ventures focusing on early-stage health-tech and online B2B. He has been investing in Indian tech startups since 2007. Portfolio includes Uniphore, Redcliffe, and ExMyB; past investments include Myntra (acquired by Flipkart) and Fintellix (acquired by Verisk). Previously designed aircraft engines at Pratt & Whitney. B.E. from Bangalore University; MBA from Great Lakes Institute of Management.

Registration

SEBI registration

SEBI-registered

SEBI registration no.IN/AIF1/15-16/0174

RegisteredOct 2015 (11 years ago)

Valid untilPerpetual

Address7B, 7th Floor, Sobha Pearl No. 1, Commissariat Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, Bangalore, Karnataka

Investment manager

Chiratae Ventures

Insights

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Disclaimer

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