Eximius Ventures, a leading pre-seed-focused venture capital (VC) firm, has announced the launch of its second fund, targeting a corpus of $30 million. Building on the success of its inaugural fund, Fund II will focus on investing in 25-30 early-stage startups across fintech, artificial intelligence (AI)/software-as-a-service (SaaS), frontier tech, and consumer tech.
Key Highlights of Fund II
- Investment Strategy: Initial cheques of $500K will be deployed per startup, with half of the fund reserved for follow-on investments to support high-potential portfolio companies.
- Portfolio: Fund II has already invested in four companies across consumer tech and AI/SaaS, either leading or co-investing alongside marquee institutional investors.
- Thesis-Driven Approach: Eximius Ventures continues to back bold, thesis-driven ideas rather than following a “spray and pray” approach commonly seen in the early-stage funding space.
A Mission to Drive Momentum in India’s Innovation Ecosystem
Commenting on the launch, Pearl Agarwal, Founder and Managing Partner at Eximius Ventures, emphasized the firm’s commitment to empowering pre-seed startups:
“At a time when funding is becoming increasingly selective, Eximius is doubling down on pre-seed startups to drive momentum in India’s innovation ecosystem. We focus on backing bold ideas with contrarian viewpoints and bridging the gap for founders seeking their first institutional capital. With Fund II, we’re excited to accelerate growth and forge long-term partnerships with visionary founders.”
Building on Fund I’s Success
Eximius Ventures’ first fund, launched in 2021 with $10 million, has been instrumental in driving early-stage innovation.
- Portfolio Companies: Fund I invested in 23 startups, of which 60% secured multiple up-rounds from global investors.
- IRR Performance: Delivered an impressive IRR of greater than 40%, highlighting the firm’s strategic approach to pre-seed investments.
Diverse Funding Sources and Founder-Driven Vision
Fund II will draw capital from a diverse mix of limited partners (LPs), including:
- High-net-worth individuals (HNIs).
- Founder-investors and family offices.
- Global corporate venture companies (CVCs), particularly from Japan.
“We are looking at companies led by seasoned operators and entrepreneurs who approach problems with first-principle thinking and exceptional execution in large markets,” added Pearl.
Eximius Ventures: Investing in the Future
By doubling its focus on pre-seed investments, Eximius Ventures is playing a pivotal role in nurturing India’s next wave of disruptors. With a targeted focus on fintech, AI/SaaS, and consumer tech, Fund II promises to empower startups with the resources, mentorship, and strategic support needed to thrive in competitive global markets.
The launch of Fund II reaffirms Eximius Ventures’ mission to bridge the gap for early-stage founders, enabling them to create meaningful impact while achieving sustainable growth.