In a move set to redefine early-stage innovation in India, Accel and Prosus have joined forces to co-invest in deeptech and “leap-tech” startups the next wave of ventures building for India’s future. The partnership will focus on founders innovating across automation, energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and population-scale digital services, with early cheques ranging from $100K to $1M.
The collaboration marks a strategic alignment between two of the world’s most influential investment firms, both deeply committed to nurturing founders at the idea and formation stage. The initiative reflects a growing confidence in India’s capability to build globally competitive, technology-first companies from the ground up.
Pratik Agarwal, Partner at Accel, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “We feel now the time is right for the Indian startup ecosystem to move from adapting global businesses to creating Indian models that help India leapfrog its journey toward becoming a developed nation.” His words capture a growing sentiment among investors India’s moment to lead in original tech innovation is now.
Echoing this vision, Ashutosh Sharma, Head of India Ecosystem at Prosus, added, “We could both continue to do our own things in this space, but given how large the ambition is with these founders, and how difficult the problems they are solving are, it made all the sense for us to put our resources together.”
By pooling expertise, networks, and capital, Accel and Prosus aim to catalyze an ecosystem where early-stage founders have the backing they need to build disruptive, scalable, and globally relevant technologies. This move also signals a shift in India’s venture capital landscape—where collaboration between major funds could accelerate the next generation of deeptech breakthroughs.
As India transitions from a consumer-led digital economy to one driven by innovation and intellectual property, this fund could play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s technological leadership in the decade ahead.
