Inflection Point Ventures to invest USD 20 mn in start-ups in India this year

Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) aims to double its investment to USD 20 million (about Rs 155 crore) in start-ups this year as it looks to play a larger role in mentoring and growing the start-up ecosystem in the country.

IPV, which comprises about 4,000 investors, is also looking at expanding its network to 5,000 members by the end of the year.

''We, as a network of CXOs, came together to help start-ups grow and succeed, and the belief is that everyone can grow along with start-ups, it creates jobs, creates experience and propels innovation in the country.

''We invest heavily not financially but also with mentorship, support, guidance in business experience to help the start-ups succeed,'' Inflection Point Ventures founder CEO Vinay Bansal told PTI.

Till date, IPV has announced 55 deals and these include names like Milkbasket, Blusmart, Otipy by Crofarm, Truly Madly, Samosa Party and Multibhashi.

''Last year, we invested north of USD 10 million and we are looking at about USD 20 million this year... We remain sector agnostic and the reason is that we look to support strong management teams and strong founders running very effective, and strong businesses.

''If I were to only fund one industry, then I would not be able to fund too many. Therefore, the idea is to stay sector agnostic,'' Bansal said.

IPV announced 30 deals in 2020, and IPV expects to announce close to 60 deals in the current year.

IPV members invest about half a million dollars in a start-up. Excluding the deals announced last year, IPV has offered exits in 5 start-ups and has secured follow-on rounds at higher valuations in 10.

He added that IPV will focus on the trends and needs of the market and cited examples of sectors that had seen strong growth during the lockdown.

''When coronavirus hit, we realised that essentials delivery is going to be a larger need and so, we doubled down on our investments in Milkbasket, Otipy by Crofarm and the likes and online D2C (direct to consumer) food brands. So, we identify a need and then we go back and find great start-ups and great founders in that area,'' he said.

Bansal added that India has done phenomenally well in terms of innovation by start-ups in the last 5-7 years.

''While we will continue to be sector agnostic but in the near term, I see a lot of D2C brands coming up with a lot of digitalisation ability for the smaller brands that they can be used to reach consumers directly,'' he said.

He added that a lot of logistics and delivery for essentials are taking shape, a lot of agri reforms are happening and one can see larger companies coming up, and a lot in health tech will continue to evolve.

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