OG Capital, a new venture capital firm, has announced the launch of a $40 million fund aimed at backing early and growth-stage startups across India. The firm plans to make investments in over 20 startups, focusing on consumer-focused businesses and enterprise solutions. The fund will provide funding of up to INR 15 crore (approximately $2 million) per startup.
In a statement, the firm revealed it has already made initial investments in three startups, although details about these companies have not been disclosed. OG Capital intends to go beyond traditional investment by offering more than just capital. The firm promises hands-on support to its portfolio companies, helping them scale operations and navigate the challenges of growing a business.
OG Capital’s approach is rooted in its belief that the future of venture capital lies in a more involved and collaborative model of investing. The firm claims to have assembled one of the largest early-stage investment teams in India, consisting of seasoned entrepreneurs and operators. Their team brings expertise in a variety of key areas, including scaling startups, identifying product-market fit, driving profitability, building go-to-market strategies, and facilitating high-value exits.
Commenting on the firm’s philosophy, OG Capital founder Ghosh said, “Our vision at OG Capital is to redefine early-stage investing by going beyond just writing cheques. We believe in rolling up our sleeves and co-building alongside founders to tackle the big challenges head-on, helping them build high growth, profitable and impactful businesses.” Ghosh, who brings more than a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, investment banking, and venture investing, has previously been involved in notable investments and exits in Indian startups such as Lenskart, upGrad, 1mg, and BigBasket during his tenure at the World Bank.
While OG Capital is aiming for aggressive returns, with a target of 10X growth from its investments, the firm has emphasized that it will prioritize ventures with a strong commitment to grassroots-level impact, sustainability, and gender diversity. However, the firm has not provided a specific timeline for closing the fund or its deployment schedule, leaving some questions unanswered regarding the pace of investments.
The launch of OG Capital comes at a pivotal moment for India’s startup ecosystem, which is emerging from a period of cautious optimism as the effects of the so-called “funding winter” begin to subside. Over the past two years, many venture capital firms held back from deploying capital amid global economic uncertainty. However, with market conditions gradually stabilizing, there is a renewed sense of confidence, as evidenced by the recent closings of several prominent funds. Notably, Titan Capital recently raised an INR 333 crore opportunities fund, while Avaana Capital secured $135 million for its climate-focused fund.
As the Indian startup ecosystem continues to mature, OG Capital’s hands-on, founder-centric model could resonate with entrepreneurs looking for more than just financial backing. With its focus on high-impact ventures, the firm is positioning itself as a key player in the next wave of growth for India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.
