2008: Top VC Firms in India [in terms of activity]
Sequoia tops the chart, followed by DFJ and NEA-IUV.
- Sequoia struck a total of 11 deals in the year, investing around $60 million,
- DFJ India made eight investments worth $32 million,
- NEA-Indo US funded 7 deals with $23 million (source)
Well, one of a clear indication (the good news) is that VC firms are investing in sectors beyond Internet and Mobile; and we do hope that the much needed development in infrastructure, education etc sectors does receive VC money.
What’s your opinion on investment strategy of these firms?
Recommended: Summary of VC activity in 2008
About the author - Ashish Sinha is a Startup Mentor/Product Strategy Coach, and the founder/chief editor of pluGGd.in.
He has launched/managed couple of products (consumer as well as enterprise) in US and India, and now consults with startups/small businesses on their product/media strategy. He can be reached at: ashish (at) pluGGd.in [+91 98452 06443]
How does number of deals in a year determine which are the top VC firms?
Ashish – Now you are talking like AajTak or India TV….. Please don’t write anything just to increase pageviews and advertising revenue…
Ravi – maybe you should have taken a look at the post headline [clearly states that - top vc firms in terms of activity].
Maybe you should not comment like the way people do @ Rediff.
I comment because I care about the quality of this blog and don’t want it to be like most other tech blogs in India….
I strongly believe that the quality of this blog is deteriorating primarily because of useless and shallow posts like these…
i guess there are diff. perspectives here..
for instance, i liked this specific post for the fact that one could see who did how many # of deals in 2008..
each one to himself..
Alrgt – I take that as a feedback!
Given current scenario I dont think anyone knows what strategy should be taken…heard mentality should be avoided….like go after clean tech (funds have focus, why change), stay away from ad models(why, if some are showing good traction , mkt in long term is attractive anyways)
I think strategy wont change drastically, but
- a rethink on sectors and broadening it may help(not that easy)
- Be open to true innovation and try to take higher risk, funding me 2 is riskier today
- follow the first principle of innovation, question the conventional (wrt a VC investments)
- put less but fund more startups (de-risk as well as promote entrepreneurship as well)
(not on the post but what happened above)
always remember “Bura jo khojan mein gaya, bura na milya koi, jo dil khoja aapna, mujhsa bura na koi”
peace!
@Sumeet, well said – thanks for your optimism (needed in these days when we are being kicked by all the VCs!)
Funds for businesses in India are pretty free flowing at this stage. I know if individual funders who would be ready to fund any viable projects as loan or equity with the promoter willing to take a li’le bit of risk. Why approach the ‘formal’ VC/PE who operate under so much of constarints. You can reach me on gmail, my Id is write2sid77