How This Hyd VC Firm Bridging The Gap Between Indian Startups & US Investors

New age entrepreneurs are leading the way in creating a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship to flourish in tier-2 cities and beyond. In this direction, BITS Pilani alumni, Vikas Katragadda and his friend have Co-Founded Naandi Ventures and Growth Hub. Naandi Ventures is a Hyderabad-based early stage Venture Capital firm working towards bridging the gap between Indian startups and US investors. Growth Hub is a one-stop virtual accelerator for startup founders lacking access to the startup ecosystem. In an interview with Bizz Buzz, Katragadda shares his thought about startup investor sentiment in Telangana and their vision to play a key role in a startups early growth journey

How will Naandi Ventures bring value to its investors?

Naandi Ventures is an early-stage VC firm that my co-founder and I, both BITS Pilani alumni, started after realising we had complementary skills to build something meaningful. My co-founder, who also holds an MBA from Kellogg, leads startup evaluation, due diligence, and deal formulation, while I focus on managing deal flow, building our brand, and fostering the ecosystem. We are sector and stage agnostic, committed to bringing high-quality, thoroughly vetted deals to our investors. Our current investor base primarily includes alumni from Kellogg and BITS Pilani, and we are excited to diversify and expand this network as we grow. We have a group of interns from Nalsar University and St Stephen’s Delhi helping us in the journey. We will soon be adding BITS interns as well.

What is the motivation behind starting Growth Hub?

While the government is pushing entrepreneurship, resources for Indian founders remain insufficient. With a population of 1.5 billion, India needs atleast 10 lakh startups, yet 70-80 per cent of the investments over the last two years went to founders from tier-1 colleges. This is not due to a lack of talent elsewhere but a lack of access to the startup ecosystem - incubators, accelerators, investors, and networks. Growth Hub aims to bridge this gap by being a virtual accelerator for passionate founders from tier-2 and tier-3 colleges, helping them turn their ideas into successful ventures.

How has the investment landscape evolved in India, and specifically in Telangana?

The angel investment landscape in Telangana has grown significantly, with Hyderabad emerging as a startup hub supported by initiatives like T-Hub and We Hub. Investors are increasingly backing early-stage startups in tech, AI, EVs, and health tech, focusing on scalable, high-impact ventures.

What is taken into consideration while investing in a startup?

At Naandi, there is a strong emphasis on the founder’s vision, resilience and adaptability. We invest based on the merit of the deal, focusing on strong product-market fit. We look beyond technical abilities to assess a founder’s character and ethics, which are critical for long-term success.

How are investors finding the balance between providing financial capital and being mentors?

At Naandi Ventures, we focus on providing capital while leveraging our networks within BITS Pilani and Kellogg to add strategic value to startups. For us, mentorship is not just about guidance – it is about filling gaps in founder’s skill sets and opening doors to industry connections. Our involvement varies for each startup, we add value without micromanaging, allowing founders the freedom to execute their vision while benefiting from structured support.

How do Indian startup accelerators fare compared to global startup accelerators?

Indian accelerators often fall short compared to global leaders like Y Combinator or Techstars, particularly in personalised mentorship, global networks, and structured, outcome-driven programmes. Many Indian programmes focus primarily on early-stage funding and lack the depth needed for scaling and global market entry. At Growth Hub, we bridge this gap by integrating proven methodologies inspired by top global accelerators, heavily influenced by the Kellogg School of Management, where one of our co-founders studied. We provide tailored mentorship, strategic growth planning, and access to industry and investor networks, ensuring Indian founders receive the same level of support as their global counterparts.

Which are the startups that would interest Naandi Ventures for investing?

At Naandi ventures, we are sector agnostic. We have invested in a wide variety of businesses – AI sector, Animation and VFX, STEM Education, Space Tech, electric vehicles, and others. Most startups seem innovative on paper. Our focus is primarily on finding the right founder (60 per cent of the evaluation), solving a scalable problem with a reasonable business model. We have a group of advisors supporting and mentoring us. We invest in startups based in the US and India. So far we have invested in three companies in India and one in the US. We are currently in final stages of negotiation for two more startups based in India - one in the EV space, the other a leading privately owned space company in India. Our average check size is around Rs 1 crore.

How can angel investors diversify investments in startups to mitigate risks?

Angel investors should diversify their portfolios across sectors, stages, and geographies to minimize risks. At Naandi, we encourage investors to balance high-risk ventures with more stable investments while staying aligned with their mission and values. We have invested in NSE pre-IPO, we have also invested in Wexa.AI, an AI startup based in US. NSE is more low risk while AI sector investments are more high-risk.

Has VC’s investment pattern/cycle affected angel investors’ returns/profits?

Yes, VC cycles do impact angel investors’ returns, especially in terms of follow-on funding rounds. A slowdown in VC investments can delay exits, impacting profitability. However, this also creates an opportunity for angel investors to invest in strong startups at better valuations, paving the way for higher returns in the long run.

How important is a strong alumni network in building a thriving startup ecosystem, and how has it shaped your journey?

A strong alumni network is the backbone of any thriving startup ecosystem, and for us, the BITS Pilani alumni community has been a game-changer. Over the years, it has fostered a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and shared success. Initiatives like SEEP (Startup Entrepreneurs Encouragement Program) and BITS Spark have been pivotal in identifying and supporting budding founders, providing both funding and mentorship. Programmes like BITSAA’s Cocreate and Conquest, the largest student-run startup accelerator in India, have further strengthened the entrepreneurial pipeline. What makes the BITS ecosystem special is its spirit of camaraderie and belief in the potential of its people. It is more than just a network; it is a family that celebrates and empowers its own. This ethos inspires us at Naandi and Growth Hub, and we are proud to build on this foundation to support entrepreneurs across the country.

As an investor and accelerator, what would your message be for aspiring founders and investors?

At Naandi Ventures and Growth Hub, we are on a mission to empower passionate founders and foster a thriving startup ecosystem. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur looking for mentorship and resources or a collaborative angel investor eager to support high-impact ventures, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of innovation. Let us build something extraordinary together. Reach out to us at [email protected] to explore how we can collaborate and grow together!