BENGALURU: US-based early-stage venture capital firm Expert Dojo on Tuesday launched an India-dedicated startup cohort. As part of this, it will invest $100,000 each in over 10 startups across sectors such as technology, AI, EV and B2B.
The aim of this cohort is to support Indian founders facing challenges like limited access to global capital, lack of international mentorship, and restricted market reach, the firm said.
This launch follows Expert Dojo’s earlier announcement of a $15 million India-focused fund, with plans to deploy in 20–25 early-stage startups by FY 2026. While the fund is sector-agnostic, it will focus on high-potential areas like fintech, SaaS, B2B, and AI, helping founders scale beyond borders.
This cohort will help early-stage startups strengthen their business models, enter new markets, and move quickly toward raising their next funding round.
Brian Mac Mahon, Founder and Managing Partner at Expert Dojo, said, “As the startup world expands beyond Silicon Valley, we see enormous promise in regions like India, where innovation is thriving. With applications now open, we’re excited to discover bold founders ready to take their ideas from concept to global scale.”
Ashutosh Kumar, General Partner at Expert Dojo, said, “India is not just a market for us, it’s a priority. We see a powerful wave of innovation emerging from tier-1 cities to remote corners of the country, led by founders who understand real problems on the ground."
Its growth accelerator and fund have already supported over 300 startups from over 40 countries.