India-focused early-stage venture fund Zeropearl VC has announced the final close of its maiden fund at Rs 159 crore (~$18 million), oversubscribed 3.5x against its original Rs 80 crore target. Founded by veteran investor Bipin Shah, the fund aims to back pre-seed and seed-stage startups with high conviction and selectivity.
About the Fund
Zeropearl VC’s Fund I attracted commitments exceeding Rs 280 crore before being capped at Rs 159 crore. Over 52% of the capital comes from 31 successful founders, including 19 unicorn leaders and multiple IPO-linked entrepreneurs. The fund also counts global funds-of-funds and family offices among its limited partners, providing not just capital but mentorship and market access to portfolio companies.
Strategy & Investments
Bipin Shah, an IIT Bombay alumnus and former Titan Capital partner, brings 14 years of early-stage investing experience, having evaluated over 50,000 startups and backed 250+ companies, including Mamaearth, Credgenics, InVideo, CityMall, and Giva. Notable exits include Beardo (Marico), Oziva (HUL), and SuprDaily (Swiggy).
With Fund I, Zeropearl plans to invest in 45 startups across sectors, maintaining high selectivity by funding only 0.5% of evaluated opportunities. The fund has already made 20 investments, seven of which are publicly disclosed: Gully Labs, Cura Care, Zanskar, Catalogus, Akinna, Supply6, and Tryo.
Market Outlook
Zeropearl VC targets high-conviction, founder-led early-stage startups across emerging sectors in India, leveraging founder networks and global market insights to accelerate growth. The fund aims to combine capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance to help startups scale efficiently while navigating early-stage risks.
Final Take
With strong backing from successful entrepreneurs and early traction in portfolio deployment, Zeropearl VC’s maiden fund positions it as a high-conviction partner for India’s next generation of category-defining startups, bridging capital gaps and providing strategic support to founders from pre-seed to seed stages.
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