Early-stage VC Expert Dojo announces India fund,  to invest $15 million in Indian start-ups by FY26

Expert Dojo, a Southern California-based early-stage venture capital and growth accelerator firm, has announced an initial investment of $15 million for Indian start-ups as part of its newly launched $100 million third global fund.

Expert Dojo will deploy the $15 million in the first year to fund 20 to 25 early-stage start-ups across sectors such as fintech, B2B, SaaS and AI. While sector-agnostic, the fund will focus on start-ups with global scalability.

“Founders can expect investment cheques ranging from $50,000 to $1 million, alongside access to Expert Dojo’s international mentorship and go-to- market network,” said the VC firm in a statement.

Over the next 2 to 3 years, Expert Dojo plans to invest an additional $30 million in Indian startups, deepening its engagement with the country’s innovation ecosystem.

deal flow

The firm has also opened its India office in Bangalore, which will serve as a hub for deal flow, founder support, and ecosystem collaboration.

Since its inception in India, Expert Dojo has invested in over 30 startups in India through its global fund. The India portfolio includes startups such as Bhive, Cloudworx, Consuma, Mugafi, The Rollnumber, Fudr, and Doqfy, among others.

Additionally, the firm has invested in over 300 start-ups in the US.

Commenting on the launch of the fund at the conclave in Bangalore, Brian Mac Mahon, Founder and Managing Partner at Expert Dojo, said, “Having previously invested in over 300+ startups globally, we are now setting our sights on replicating that success with our India-focused fund. This fund connects global investors to India’s growth story. For founders, we bring three things: capital, experience and a network that opens doors. By building strong partnerships, we want to help Indian startups grow and compete internationally.”

Ashutosh Kumar Jha, General Partner at Expert Dojo, said, “India’s entrepreneurial talent pool is unmatched. But challenges remain especially in cross-border capital access, international mentorship, and go-to-market expansion. This fund is structured to bridge these exact gaps. We’re building more than a portfolio, we’re building an India-US innovation corridor that opens doors for Indian startups to scale globally. From Bangalore to Boston, from Delhi to Dubai, we want our founders to think and build borderlessly.”

Published on April 11, 2025