In the past decade, India has emerged as a global hub for new ideas and economic growth. Not limited to just a few startups, our country is now home to over 1 lakh DPIIT-recognized startups across 763 districts of the country. This number underscores the pivotal role that Indian startups and MSMEs play in the Indian economy.

However, this growth would not have been so rapid if angel investors had not provided the necessary funds for these startups to get off the ground and grow.

Angel investors play a key role in boosting the entrepreneurial spirit, providing crucial early-stage capital, mentorship, industry connections, and strategic advice to startups. These investors have played a key role that has been fundamental to the success stories emerging from India, especially in India’s Silicon Valley, Bangalore.

Home to unicorn startups like Swiggy, Groww, Acko, Ola Cabs, Razorpay, CRED, Meesho, LivSpace, and many more, Bangalore stands at the forefront of our country’s vibrant ecosystem, drawing entrepreneurs and innovators from across the globe.

Just as Mumbai comes to mind when someone thinks of becoming an actor, Bangalore has been doing the same for entrepreneurs for quite a long time now.

The city’s unique blend of technical prowess, dynamic startup culture, and an ever-expanding network of angel investors makes it a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship. If you are a startup founder looking for investment, we have prepared a list of top Angel Investors in Bangalore. Look at their investments and experience and approach the one that resonates with you.

Top 5 Most Active Angel Investors in Bangalore

1. Kris Gopalakrishnan

A veteran in the tech and investment space, Kris Gopalakrishnan is one of the co-founders of Infosys and has served as the chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys from 2007 to 2011 and vice chairman of Infosys from 2011 to 2014.

Serving as the Chairman of Axilor Ventures, an accelerator that helps startups during the early stage of their business journey, Mr. Gopalkrishnan has invested in 47 rounds, with 5 unicorns in his portfolio, including Lenskart and ACKO. One of the most active angel investors in Bangalore, Mr. Gopalkrishnan has invested in startups operating in segments, including AI and ML, Fintech, Insrutech, Agritech, Healthtech, Commerce and Shopping, etc. His recent investments include FIRSTCRY, Bewakoof.com, Locofast, and Resorcio.

2. Mohandas Pai

With multiple successful ventures in his investment portfolio, Mohandas Pai is one of India’s most prolific technology investors. Mr. Pai has made 56 total investments, with an average round investment of around ₹273.78 million.

Padma Shri Awardee and former CFO and Board Member at Infosys, Mr. Pai has served on the Board of SEBI and was a Board Member of the National Stock Exchange in India. He is also the co-founder of Akshaya Patra, the world’s largest midday meal program.

Currently serving as the Chairman of Aarin Capital Partners and an Investment Committee Member at 3one4 Capital, Mr Pai has helped start over 14 different funds in venture, growth, and public markets. With life sciences, technology, and education being his primary investment segment, Mr Pai has invested in Byju’s, Licious, ZoomCar, Praxify, Counsyl, and YourStory.

3. Mekin Maheshwari

Mekin Maheshwari, ex-head of engineering and Chief people officer at Flipkart, is an investor and a startup founder who has invested in 50 rounds. He is the founder and CEO of Udhyam Learning Foundation and also the co-founder of Global Alliance Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) and ACT grants.

With Entrepreneurship, Education, and Livelihoods being his areas of expertise, Mr. Maheshwari primarily invests in Food and Agriculture Tech, Consumer, and Enterprise Applications segments. Some of his recent investments include ofScale, ONWO, Neverinstall, and ResellMe, with Urban Company, Pratilipi, and Leverage Edu being a few notable companies in his investment portfolio.

4. Ramakant Sharma

A successful entrepreneur and supportive angel investor coming from the Silicon Valley of India, Ramakant Sharma, Ex-Vice President of Engineering at Myntra, is the co-founder of Livspace and Violetbag.com and operating partner at Jungle Ventures, a Singapore-based VC that invests in regional or global technology category leaders from Asia.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Mr. Sharma has over fifteen years of experience in the Internet, e-commerce, and software industries. He has invested in startups, operating in Fintech, HealthTech, PropTech, Mobility, Consumer, Media, etc., and made 113 investments till date. With PharmEasy being the only unicorn firm in his portfolio, Mr. Sharma has invested in General Autonomy, Stable Money, Crib, and Apptile, to name a few.

5. Abhishek Goyal

A notable name in the Indian startup and angel investing ecosystem, Abhishek Goyal is the founder of Tracxn, a platform that tracks innovative startups, private companies & emerging sectors globally.

Mr. Goyal stepped into the world of startup investing with Accel Partners in 2008 and till now has founded 4 companies, including Tracxn Labs and UrbanTouch. In his initial professional years, he worked as a Software Developer at Amazon.

In his journey as an angel investor, Mr. Goyal has made 87 investments across Fintech, HealthTech, Edtech, SaaS, Consumer, Media, and Agritech industries, including Delhivery, Bobble AI, and Pratilipi. Some of Mr. Goyal’s recent investments include Earthful, ofScale, Stable Money, Trential, and Zyod.

Final Words: 

Having an angel investor backing your startup can provide a significant boost and guide your early journey in the right direction. Although 2023 might have been India’s lowest-funded year in the last 5 years, angel investments in Bangalore and beyond have maintained their momentum with relatively steady activity. 

This resilience indicates that with a solid idea, angel investors are still eager to support startups. However, before approaching investors, ensure your startup ideas are validated. Have a comprehensive business plan and a clear understanding of the market trends in your industry.

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