Nov 16, 2025

College Sports News Report Florida Atlantic Athletics Muscle Building Guides Event Tickets India's startup ecosystem is entering a defining decade-one driven not just by visionary founders and bold VCs, but by a powerful new force reshaping early-stage innovation: emerging angel investors . These operators, technologists , marketers, and seasoned corporate leaders are backing young companies with far more than capital; they bring hard-earned expertise, global exposure, deep networks, and hands-on guidance. Thier sharp instinct for identifying potential, coupled with a willingness to bet early, is helping build the next wave of breakout ventures across tech, consumer, fintech, and beyond. Rising Stars: 100 Emerging Angel Investors Powering India's Startup Growth celebrates these high-impact individuals who are quietly but decisively accelerating India's progress toward becoming one of the world's most vibrant entrepreneurial hubs. Ajay Jain: CA Ajay Jain, national Director at Venture Catalysts and Partner at Beam (the fintech-focused fund backed by Venture Catalysts), is one of India's most active emerging angel investors. With over 50+ portfolio companies including Vedantu, Chingari, BluSmart, Magenta, Financepeer, biddano, and Zypp Electric, he has backed some of the country's fastest-growing startups. More than 25 of his investments have seen successful uprounds or exits, cementing his reputation as a sharp early-stage picker. A community leader and avid sportsperson, Ajay balances his investing career with deep involvement in Rotary and JITO, and a lifelong passion for cricket and badminton. AJAY KARMAKAR: With three decades of rich experience in IT delivery, Ajay Karmakar has transitioned from corporate leadership to full-time entrepreneurship and angel investing. As the Founder and Managing Director of a stealth-mode startup, he now channels his deep operational expertise into mentoring early-stage founders and backing high-potential ventures. His approach blends strategic insight with hands-on guidance, making him a valuable ally for young entrepreneurs. Ajay represents a new wave of seasoned professionals turning investors, powering India's next phase of startup growth. Akshay Ghulati: akshay Ghulati, Co-founder of Shiprocket, is one of the key forces behind India's largest D2C logistics platform empowering millions of SMEs. With ShiprocketX, he is now taking Indian brands global by simplifying cross-border shipping. Backed by rich operating experience across India, the Middle East, and the UK, Akshay brings sharp execution, scale thinking, and global market expertise to the companies he backs. Akshay Maheshwari: An entrepreneur and mentor turned angel investor,Akshay Maheshwari actively supports transformative startups across sectors. With rich experience in building ventures from the ground up, he offers founders more than capital-providing guidance, networks, and operational expertise. His investment approach is rooted in championing innovative ideas and first-principle problem solvers. Ambarish Kenghe: Ambarish Kenghe blends deep product-and-tech expertise with a growing role as a startup backer. A former senior leader at major firms such as Google India (where he scaled UPI-payments via Google Pay) and myntra, he now serves as Group CEO of Angel One and has qui India's Rising Angel Investors: A New Breed Shaping the Startup Ecosystem Table of Contents India's Rising Angel Investors: A New Breed Shaping the Startup Ecosystem Meet the Angel Investors Fueling India's Startup Revolution India's Rising Angel Investors: A Spotlight on Key Players Meet India's Angel Investors: The Power Players Fueling the Startup Ecosystem Rising Angel Investors in India to Watch India's startup ecosystem is buzzing, and fueling this growth is a new generation of angel investors. These aren't just financiers; they are experienced entrepreneurs, industry veterans, and thought leaders who bring invaluable expertise and networks to the table. Here's a look at some of the most promising emerging angel investors in India: Anmol Sharma: Anmol Sharma is a young and dynamic investor with a strong analytical bent and a keen eye for identifying high-potential startups. With a hands-on approach,he supports startups across technology and consumer sectors. Anmol is known for his analytical mindset and long-term conviction in India's innovation story, making him a rising name among India's next-gen investors. Anupam Dhanuka: A serial entrepreneur and product visionary, Anupam Dhanuka has built and scaled consumer technology ventures from the ground up. He co-founded Kiddopia with just $2,000 in seed capital, transforming it into a $30 million ARR edutainment platform without external funding. The company's eventual acquisition by Nazara Technologies at over $75 million underscores his execution prowess. Today, Anupam is building his next venture while actively mentoring and investing in early-stage founders, making him one of India's most promising emerging angel investors. Aravind Maddireddy: Aravind Maddireddy, an IIT-IIM alumnus turned entrepreneur-investor – is quietly emerging as one of India's most intriguing angels. Having co-founded D2C footwear brand Rapawalk, he brings hands-on founder gravitas to his investment bets.As starting his journey in the startup ecosystem around 2015, he has been backing early-stage ventures with a founder-first mindset and a strong product bias. With this dual lens of operator and investor, Maddireddy is well-positioned to support the next wave of Indian founders in turning ideas into scalable brands. Archana aggarwal: Archana Aggarwal is a respected marketing leader and angel investor with decades of experience across FMCG, telecom, and global consumer brands. With deep expertise in integrated media, digital transformation, and consumer behavior, she helps startups craft powerful, future-ready brand strategies.A trendspotter and early adopter, Archana brings unmatched marketing wisdom to the founders she backs. ASHISH DEVGON: With over 25 years of multifaceted leadership across telecom, travel, wealth management, and wellness, Ashish Devgon brings a rare 360-degree viewpoint to the world of angel investing. A seasoned strategist known for building businesses from the ground up, he has led cross-functional teams, driven market expansion, and delivered consistent top- and bottom-line growth.His sharp understanding of foreign exchange, remittance, and hospitality markets adds depth to his investment lens. Backed by elite credentials from IIM Kozhikode and IIM Kolkata, Ashish stands out as a dynamic, analytical, and relationship-driven angel investor shaping India's next wave of high-potential startups. Dilipkumar khandelwal: Dilipkumar Khandelwal is a global tech leader who has held top roles at Deutsche Bank and SAP before joining Celonis as Chief Customer Officer. A founder of Plaksha University and a longtime advisor to India's tech and education institutions, he is deeply embedded in India's innovation culture. With investments in 70+ early-stage companies, Dilip brings strategic depth and global leadership experience to the founders he backs. Haresh Chawla: Haresh Chawla is a seasoned investment and operating executive whose career spans leadership across media, entertainment and financial services. As Partner at top Indian private equity firm, True North, he brings a wealth of experience to his angel investments. Meet the Angel Investors Fueling India's Startup Revolution India's startup ecosystem is buzzing with innovation,and behind many successful ventures are the angel investors who provide crucial early-stage funding and guidance. These individuals aren't just providing capital; they're offering invaluable experience, networks, and strategic support to help founders navigate the challenges of building a business. Here's a look at some of the key angel investors making waves in India: Anirudh Sharma: A serial entrepreneur and investor, Anirudh Sharma is the managing Partner of Eximius Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed and seed-stage startups. He's known for his deep understanding of technology and his ability to identify promising founders with the potential to scale to ₹100 crore+ revenues. Kapil Chadha: After a 25-year career in insurance, Kapil Chadha turned to entrepreneurship and now leads Radpics AI-an innovative HealthTech venture transforming diagnostics and healthcare access. His work tackles critical gaps in medical imaging, remote care, and AI-driven clinical decision-making.Passionate about technology with purpose, he brings a powerful blend of industry insight and mission-driven innovation to angel investing, supporting startups building smarter, more equitable healthcare solutions. Karan Ahuja: Entrepreneur and investor Karan Ahuja brings a rare mix of operational depth, cross-sector experience, and strategic investing across ecommerce, manufacturing, pharma, and blockchain. As founder of Indian Barcode House and co-founder of Tykhe Block Ventures, he supports startups with hands-on guidance and sharp decision-making acumen. His poker-honed clarity under pressure makes him a standout strategist in India's angel ecosystem. Kavit Sutariya: Recognised as one of India's most prolific super angels, Kavit sutariya has invested in 70+ startups over the past decade.His portfolio spans SaaS, fintech, consumer tech, healthcare, mobility, deep tech, and D2C, giving him a panoramic view of India's innovation landscape. Known for identifying high-potential founders early, Kavit brings strategic depth and unwavering founder support.His ability to spot trends and back bold ideas makes him a standout force in the startup ecosystem. krishna Jhunjhunwala: Based in Mumbai, Krishna Jhunjhunwala is a dynamic angel investor and advisor who has quietly backed a string of early-stage Indian startups as around 2014. With a focus spanning apps, data analytics, transportation and logistics, he brings hands-on support and strategic guidance alongside capital. His willingness to roll up his sleeves with founders and navigate the evolving Indian ecosystem makes him one of the rising stars empowering India's next-wave innovation economy. Kunwar asheesh Saxena: Kunwar Asheesh Saxena is a seasoned digital transformation leader and Fractional CTO with over 25 years of global experience shaping high-scale, tech-driven businesses. As Co-founder & CTO of RedDoorz, he helped build APAC's leading budget hospitality platform, scaling it to millions of users and transactions. His career spans pivotal technology leadership roles at MakeMyTrip,Lastminute.com, Zuji, and top enterprises across the UK, Japan, and the Middle East. Today, he advises boards and growth-stage startups on cloud, AI, and digital strategy, making him a sought-after angel investor focused on innovation-led, scalable ventures. Lalit Wadhwa: An early-stage startup advisor and strategic investor, Lalit Wadhwa supports founders shaping the future across healthcare, D2C, digital learning, travel, and consumer tech. His portfolio spans innovative ventures like 4Basecare, PeeSafe, Redcliffe, Deyor Camps, Skin Elements, Knimbus, and Primebook.Lalit is known for his sharp operational insight. India's Rising Angel Investors: A Spotlight on Key Players India's startup ecosystem is fueled not just by entrepreneurial spirit, but also by the crucial support of angel investors who provide early-stage funding and mentorship. Here's a look at some key individuals shaping the future of Indian innovation: Apoorva Ranjan Sharma: Apoorva Ranjan Sharma is a prominent figure in the Indian startup landscape, known for his early investments in companies like Ola, UrbanClap, and Zoomcar. As Managing Partner at Ventureland, he focuses on seed and pre-Series A investments, backing founders with a vision to disrupt customary industries. Sharma's expertise lies in identifying scalable business models and fostering rapid growth. anupam Mittal: Best known as a Shark Tank India judge, Anupam Mittal is the founder and CEO of Shaadi.com, India's leading matchmaking service.As an angel investor,he actively supports early-stage startups across diverse sectors,with a particular interest in consumer internet businesses. Mittal brings a wealth of experience in building and scaling digital platforms. Kunal Shah: Kunal Shah is the founder of CRED, a fintech company revolutionizing the credit card experience. A serial entrepreneur, Shah has a keen eye for identifying innovative solutions and disruptive technologies. He invests in early-stage startups through his platform, AngelList, focusing on areas like fintech, consumer tech, and AI. Murali Talasila: murali Talasila is a technology leader and entrepreneur with a passion for fostering innovation. With a background in building and scaling technology companies, he now focuses on enabling meaningful innovation and nurturing early-stage growth as an angel investor. Navin parwal: Navin Parwal is a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur-turned-angel investor. His career spans leadership roles in brand and creative at companies including Urban Ladder, WeWork India and Uber India, before co-founding the D2C lifestyle brand Mokobara. He focuses on early-stage bets in AI/ML, manufacturing, lifestyle and community sectors, championing India's next-gen startups. Oliver Fernandes: Based in Mumbai, Oliver Fernandes brings his roots in capital markets and finance into India's early-stage startup arena.He bridges traditional capital markets discipline with the agile spirit of India's startup ecosystem, evaluating and backing emerging ventures with a focus on governance and risk. PK Sambamoorthy: A seasoned financial strategist with over 30 years of expertise,PK Sambamoorthy mentors and funds early-stage ventures with strong structural and financial discipline through Indian Angel Network and IP Ventures. He guides startups on strategy, governance, and sustainable growth. Priyanka Chawla: Priyanka Chawla is a seasoned retail and ecommerce specialist with over two decades of experience in brand building and product strategy. Her strategic acumen and deep understanding of Indian consumer behavior fuel her investing lens, championing high-impact retail and consumer startups. promila Kapoor: With over 30 years of experience in the insurance sector, Promila Kapoor actively backs startups since 2019, bringing deep industry insight and a nurturing mentorship approach to ventures across HR-tech, sports-tech, agri-tech, and social commerce. Rajesh Kumar: Rajesh Kumar is a seasoned taxation and corporate law expert, author of Law of Goods & Services Tax , who supports India's startup ecosystem with his legal acumen and practical insight into GST, income tax, and customs. Meet India's Angel Investors: The Power Players Fueling the Startup Ecosystem India's startup landscape is booming, and behind every successful venture are the investors who believed in the vision early on. Angel investors play a crucial role, providing not just capital but also mentorship and networks to help fledgling companies take flight. Here's a look at some of the key angel investors shaping India's innovation narrative: Sanjeev Kakar: A veteran entrepreneur and investor, sanjeev Kakar brings deep domain expertise in reverse logistics, electronics repair, and tech-driven services.With 150+ investments, 15 exits, and stellar portfolio returns, he is known for his sharp eye for scalable ventures. His rich experience in building high-velocity businesses and advising on strategy,scaling,and value creation makes him a powerful force in India's angel investing landscape. Shashi Munjal: Shashi Munjal is an active angel investor with early-stage backing via Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) as 2019.A veteran leader in the alumni ecosystem – serving as Co-Chairman of Pan‑IIT alumni Association and a former President of the IIT Delhi Alumni Association – he blends institutional networking with startup grit. With a firm eye on India's growth phase, Munjal mentors and funds disruptive founders at the intersection of technology and innovation, making him a notable fuel-injector in the nation's startup engine. Shobhit bhansali: Shobhit Bhansali, formerly of The Carlyle Group and Warburg Pincus – brings a sharp private-equity lens to early-stage investing.Now operating as an equity fund manager and active angel investor in India, he backs tech-enabled founders with ambition and scale potential. His dual strength of deal-making discipline and startup energy gives him rare credibility on both sides of the table. In the fast-evolving Indian startup ecosystem, he is emerging as a quietly influential under-the-radar backer. Sidharth Rao: A pioneer of India's internet industry as 1998, Sidharth Rao has built several successful digital ventures and mentored many more. Known for his candid entrepreneurial journey with wins and failures alike,he embodies the spirit of India's evolving startup culture. As an angel investor, he backs bold founders and disruptive business ideas, drawing from two decades of building internet-first companies. Sony Joy: Sony Joy, the driving force behind Enterprise Solutions & FinTech at Truecaller, is an entrepreneur-turned-investor with strong roots in India's fintech and telecom innovation. Having founded and scaled Chillr and MOBME, he brings a sharp understanding of product-market fit, user trust, and digital ecosystems. His investments reflect a commitment to backing ventures pushing the boundaries of technology, payments, and digital dialog. Soumya Mishra: A seasoned entrepreneur-turned-angel, Soumya Mishra brings the rare combination of founder grit and investor insight to the Indian startup ecosystem.With three entrepreneurial ventures under her belt and a core role as Co-Founder and investor at WI Ventures and Wealthylancer, she is now backing early-stage founders across consumer and tech verticals. A graduate of IIM-Calcutta, Mishra has turned her hands-on operational experience into a thoughtful early-stage investment practise. Her focus on mentorship and scalable ideas positions her as one of India's rising stars in angel investing. Sowmya (B) Keshava: Sowmya Keshava is a dynamic angel investor and the founder of Nilah Advisors, a boutique advisory firm shaping global-India investme Rising Angel Investors in India to Watch India's startup scene is booming, and a new generation of angel investors is helping to fuel that growth. These investors aren't just providing capital; they're offering valuable mentorship and expertise to early-stage companies. Here are some rising stars in the Indian angel investing world: Anupam Mittal: Anupam mittal is a well-known entrepreneur and angel investor, best known as a Shark on the popular show Shark Tank India . He founded Shaadi.com,one of India's leading matchmaking services. Anupam invests in a wide range of startups, focusing on consumer internet, fintech, and healthcare.He's known for his direct advice and willingness to help founders navigate challenges. Sumit Ghosh: Sumit Ghosh is an angel investor and entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in financial markets.He uses his strong analytical skills to find promising startups. He's passionate about backing innovative ideas and helping entrepreneurs change industries with technology. Sumit is dedicated to building strong relationships and creating lasting impact. Swathi Mohan: Swathi Mohan is an angel investor who supports early-stage founders in consumer, tech, and digital businesses. She has a strong background in marketing, branding, and building digital businesses. She helps startups create compelling stories and grow their customer base. Swathi understands consumers well and is a valuable mentor to new founders. Sweta Aggarwal: Sweta Aggarwal is an angel investor with seven years of experience investing in new consumer brands and companies that improve customer experience through innovation. She has invested in successful companies like licious, Bewakoof, and Mcaffeine.Sweta has experience building companies from the start and works with founders who want to create lasting businesses. She offers both strategic advice and practical experience. Utkarsh Singh: Utkarsh Singh is a fast-rising angel investor who invests in startups changing various industries. He looks for businesses with new ideas and partners with founders, offering funding, advice, and guidance.He believes in the strength of founders and takes a careful approach to helping businesses grow. Vaibhav Singh: Vaibhav Singh,Founder of UrbanSky Media,is a marketer who is changing how brands tell their stories using new digital methods. He helps businesses grow through creativity and data. As an angel investor, Vaibhav supports founders with strong ideas. Advertisement