Bengaluru: Sequoia Capital’s Surge accelerator programme has selected 13 Indian companies for its fifth batch, as early-stage investments in India continue to see increased activity.Sequoia Surge had a dozen Indian startups in its last class. The most recent batch includes 23 companies from India, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong that have raised a total of $55 million.Surge often invests $1-2 million in each business, with extra cash coming from other traders. Co-investors on this round include DSG Client Partners, Nexus Enterprise Partners, Y Combinator, Water Bridge Ventures, Accel, and India Quotient.
Surge by Sequoia Capital has made early-stage investing for Indian funds like Blume Ventures, India Quotient, and Orios Enterprise Companions extremely competitive. Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley-based accelerator, is doubling down on India as one of its core international markets, with a record number of Indian entrepreneurs in each of its most recent batches. Surge’s fifth batch has the potential to be its last.
Among the Indian firms in the newest cohort are ApnaKlub, an agent-led B2B wholesale network for FMCG items; Mailmodo, an e-mail advertising platform; and Belora, a make-up model.
“At this inflection point in global recovery, we’re pleased to be a part of the journey of our founders and their businesses, many of which we believe will grow into large, enduring businesses,” Raj said.
Seed-stage funds such as Orios Enterprise Companions are expected to join the markets this month to raise new funds of $80-100 million, according to ET, while India Quotient has closed the first round of its $80 million fund to accept new bets. Orios and India Quotient have closed $30 million and $40 million alternative funds, respectively. Blume Ventures is also launching a new company.
