Dutch firm Capital 4 Development Partners (C4D Partners) said it has applied to the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to register an India-focused venture capital fund that plans to raise about $70 million.
“We have plans to raise $70 million through our first India-focused fund. In accordance with applicable rules, we have applied to SEBI to do so,” said Arvind Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of C4D Partners.
The company plans to reach out to potential investors to make about 18 to 20 individual investments with an initial ticket size of $1 to $2 million up to $5 million by mid-2022 and after the fund mobilizes, he said.
“Through the India-focused fund, we plan to invest in early- and growth-stage companies engaged in diverse sectors, including agriculture and related activities, food processing, retail and consumer goods, clean energy, healthcare, skills and education. Water and sanitation, financial inclusion and others in India,” Mr Agarwal said.
“We operate as a sector-agnostic fund with a primary focus on companies that have a clear positive social/environmental impact,” he added.
In 2018, the company raised $30 million through an Asia fund and invested in 13 Indian startups.
“We believe that building inclusive economies, where the well-being of people and protection of the environment go hand in hand with economic principles, is a responsible strategy,” said Mr. Agarwal.
“In this way, we can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals and manage investors’ expectations for a market-adjusted return,” he added.
“The fund would invest approximately 30% of total capital commitments in portfolio companies owned and/or managed by women and encourage portfolio companies to include women in their supply chains and staffing,” he said.
