Equentis Wealth Advisory Services, a prominent name in India’s investment advisory sector, has announced the launch of its inaugural Category I Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) — the Equentis Angel Fund. With a targeted corpus of Rs 500 crore ($60 million), this initiative aims to empower early-stage, high-growth Indian startups by providing essential growth capital to accelerate their development.
The fund is set to invest between Rs 4 crore and Rs 10 crore ($500K to $1.2 million) in pre–Series A and bridge–to–Series A funding rounds, focusing on businesses operating within a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of Rs 8,000 crore or approximately $1 billion. Over the next 18-24 months, the Equentis Angel Fund plans to support 40-50 startups, emphasizing sectors such as defense, consumer tech, deeptech, logistics technology, fintech, and artificial intelligence. This approach underscores its commitment to backing innovative companies poised to transform their industries.
To amplify its impact, Equentis aims to collaborate with like-minded funds, boutique and mid-market investment banks, startup accelerators, and incubators. These partnerships are expected to strengthen the fund’s ability to identify promising ventures and contribute to India’s burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Manish Goel, Founder and Managing Director of Equentis Wealth Advisory Services, emphasized the fund’s mission to democratize wealth creation. He highlighted its broader vision to foster sustainable growth for both investors and entrepreneurs, adding that the initiative reflects Equentis’s dedication to driving meaningful contributions to the startup ecosystem while creating enduring value for all stakeholders.
India’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive as one of the most dynamic and expansive in the world. By 2024, the country has seen over 128,000 startups emerge, making it the third largest globally. These startups have raised over $10 billion in funding this year, with projections suggesting that this figure could surpass $15 billion by year-end. Early-stage investments, spanning Seed to Series A rounds, have already attracted $3.28 billion across 1,546 deals by November. Angel Funds, particularly Category I AIFs, have played a pivotal role, raising nearly $1 billion in investor commitments.
Rakesh Gupta, Chief Operation and Compliance Officer at Equentis, remarked on the firm’s evolution from investment advisory to full-spectrum wealth management services. He stated that the Equentis Angel Fund offers investors a unique opportunity to diversify their portfolios by exploring alternative investment avenues. This strategic shift reflects the company’s response to evolving investor needs and the changing wealth management landscape, positioning Equentis as a key player in fostering innovation and economic growth.
The launch of the Equentis Angel Fund marks a significant milestone in India’s startup financing landscape. By focusing on high-growth sectors and collaborating with ecosystem partners, the fund aims to support entrepreneurial ventures and catalyze transformative changes across industries. This initiative reinforces Equentis Wealth Advisory Services’ commitment to shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for startups and investors alike.
