IIMA Adventure Increases Check Size for Pre-Screen Startups, Focusing on Deep Technology Space
The company’s senior official said early-stage venture capital platform IIMA Ventures plans to put its pre-seed and seed investments up to $500,000, compared with the usual amounts of $50,000 to $200,000.
“Startups at the pre-seed and seed stages often require a continuous capital range from $50,000 to $500,000 to truly unlock their potential,” Priyanka Chopra, CEO and managing partner of IIMA Ventures, told him. Mintexplain the reasons for the company. “By expanding our investment capabilities, we can better meet the founders they are and grow from day zero.”
The company will use its own funds and will also stay in touch with other organizations, just like it did in the past.
“We are working with other organizations to create a common capital pool. There is no need to do everything in the form of alternative investment funds,” Chopra said.
The venture capital firm was established at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Gujarat government, and plans to make 40 to 50 investments this year, with a greater weight in the deep technology field. The rest of the checks will be written for start-ups with climate technology and digitally included space.
In the context of a speech delivered by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi earlier this month, the decision to increase the check size of pre-seed start-ups was in New Delhi earlier this month, when India needed more in-depth technological innovation than fast community solutions to remain competitive in the global market.
The early stage company was bundled with the Indian Small Industrial Development Bank in 2023 to create a ₹4 million yuan of funds invested in Shenzhen Technology startups. The company has written 10 checks for the fund, which includes the Fabless semiconductor manufacturer Deformer and Cancrie, a nano-carbon-based Cancrie from a battery from a coconut shell.
“We really hope that we can deploy their entire capital over the next 18 months,” Chopra said.
Evaluation of Shenzhen Technology Co., Ltd.
IIMA Ventures’ deep technology portfolio has 8 to 10 space technology companies, including Agnikul and Bellatrix Aerospace. This year, the company will shift its focus to aerospace and invest in Nabhdrishti Aerospace, which builds gas turbines for aviation and power generation.
The Ahmedabad-based company said its moat was in the early stages, and even before the product was realized.
“We build relationships with them through studio mechanisms or one-on-one with founders. We make sure we are on their mind before they start, so we become their first standby port for them.”
Patel also believes that manufacturing is a key area of interest for deep technology.
“If you see it as level, even space, robotics and even defense and advanced materials advancements, we’ll see a great opportunity there,” he said.
In climate technology, the focus is on sustainability in industrial environments, with decarbonization as a larger theme. The company has invested in Green Labs and Free Spirit Green Labs and plans to invest additionally.
“The advancement in green materials is the category we are expanding our portfolio,” Patel said.
With the digital inclusive investment of that year, IIMA Ventures is looking at startups that build target financial services products.
“People can create as many products as possible, but without trust, adoption will be limited. Aside from a little bit, there needs to be trust and stability to scale up product innovation. That’s why customer protection is so important to us.”
