Kriscore Capital, a fresh face in India’s venture capital scene, is stepping in with bold ambition and a clear vision: to back India’s next generation of tech-led innovations. The firm has just announced the first close of its debut fund, raising Rs 100 crore of its Rs 200 crore ($23.3 million) target.
What sets Kriscore apart isn’t just its early-stage focus—it’s the thoughtful blend of capital and strategic guidance the team promises to bring to the table. With Rs 50 crore already committed by a network of family offices and high-net-worth individuals, the firm is setting the stage to support 16–18 startups across sectors where India has a global edge: digital consumer experiences, resilient supply chains, generative AI, net-zero initiatives, and businesses with export potential.
Leading the charge is Nilesh Balakrishnan, a seasoned VC with roots at WaterBridge Ventures. As General Partner at Kriscore, Nilesh is bringing his experience and ecosystem insights to support founders not just with funds, but with the kind of strategic mentorship that can shape companies for global impact.
Kriscore has already placed its first bet on a stealth-mode startup—quietly signaling that the wheels are already in motion.
The firm’s firepower is further bolstered by a heavyweight advisory board that reads like a who’s who of Indian business: D. Sundaram of Infosys, Shyam Srinivasan, formerly of Federal Bank, and Manish Khetarpal from WaterBridge Ventures. Their combined expertise adds not just credibility, but a depth of perspective that young founders often need most in their formative stages.
With Kriscore’s thoughtful approach and a high-caliber network behind it, the fund could become a key player in shaping India’s early-stage tech future—one startup at a time.
