Nexus Venture Partners is launching a $700 million fund with a dual focus on global AI startups and India-centric companies in consumer, fintech, and digital infrastructure. The move reflects the firm’s strategy to balance the rapid rise of AI with opportunities in India’s growing digital economy.
Founded in 2006, Nexus manages $3.2 billion across multiple funds and has invested in over 130 companies, recording more than 30 exits, including several IPOs. The firm’s U.S. portfolio includes Postman, Apollo, MinIO, Giga, and Firecrawl, while its India portfolio covers Zepto, Delhivery, Rapido, Turtlemint, and Infra.Market.
According to managing partner Jishnu Bhattacharjee, India’s AI ecosystem is accelerating due to a large talent pool, expanding digital infrastructure, and demand for localized models supporting multiple languages. Startups such as Zepto are leveraging AI across operations, while infrastructure firms like Neysa are addressing India-specific AI needs, including sovereign workloads and localized data handling.
The $700 million fund, raised largely from returning limited partners, reflects Nexus’ measured approach to early-stage investing, targeting inception to Series A, with checks typically ranging from a few hundred thousand to $1 million. The firm aims to capitalize on AI’s global impact while supporting India’s emerging tech ecosystem.
Nexus’s move aligns with broader AI adoption trends in India, as illustrated by recent investment activity from major investors, such as Google and Accel, targeting Indian AI startups.
