Better Capital
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Indian Private Venture Capital Firm
Better Capital is an India-focused early-stage venture capital firm specializing in pre-seed and seed-stage investments. Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Vaibhav Domkundwar, the firm is headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, with an international presence including San Francisco, United States.
Better Capital is known for backing founders at the idea and early product stage, often acting as the first institutional investor. The firm maintains a diversified portfolio spanning fintech, SaaS, edtech, health technology, climate technology, consumer internet, and deep tech sectors.
With a portfolio of over 200 companies, Better Capital is regarded as one of India’s most active pre-seed investment firms.
Founding and Background
Better Capital was established in 2018 by Vaibhav Domkundwar, a serial entrepreneur with experience in building and investing in technology startups. The firm was founded to address the gap in early-stage funding for product-first founders in India, particularly at the pre-market-fit stage.
Initially, Better Capital deployed capital through special-purpose vehicles (SPVs), supported by a network of operator-investors and limited partners. In 2021, the firm raised its first institutional fund, Better Capital Ventures I, a $15.28 million fund dedicated to pre-seed and seed-stage investments. This marked the transition to a structured venture capital model.
Growth and Expansion
Since its inception, Better Capital has expanded rapidly. By 2022, the firm was recognized among the most active venture capital investors in India by number of investments. During this period, it reportedly completed over 50 new investments along with multiple follow-on rounds.
The firm broadened its sector focus beyond fintech and SaaS to include edtech, agritech, climate technology, health technology, and enterprise software. Several portfolio companies later achieved unicorn status or high-growth valuations, reflecting the firm’s early-stage conviction strategy.
Better Capital has also developed a strong ecosystem of co-investors, accelerators, and global venture partners to support portfolio companies beyond initial funding.
Investment Focus and Support
Better Capital focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, often engaging with founders at the idea or prototype stage. Its investments are designed to support early product development, team building, and market validation.
Beyond financial capital, the firm provides strategic mentorship, operational guidance, and access to a broad network of operators and global investors. Its sector-agnostic approach enables it to back diverse business models across technology-driven industries.
Achievements and Recognition
Better Capital has built a portfolio of over 200 startups within a relatively short time frame. It has been frequently cited in industry coverage as one of India’s largest pre-seed venture funds by number of investments.
The successful raise of its maiden institutional fund and its consistent investment activity have contributed to the firm’s reputation as a key participant in India’s startup funding ecosystem. Several portfolio companies achieving unicorn or large-scale growth status further strengthened its industry standing.
Culture and Philosophy
Better Capital follows a founder-centric and hands-on investment philosophy. The firm emphasizes long-term partnerships, operational involvement, and conviction-driven decision-making over short-term trends.
Its approach is rooted in the belief that early support — both financial and strategic — can significantly improve the likelihood of startup success, particularly in India’s evolving digital economy.
Future Outlook
Better Capital plans to continue expanding its early-stage investment activities while exploring emerging sectors such as climate technology, Web3, creator economy, and advanced enterprise software.
As its portfolio matures, the firm may consider follow-on investment strategies and additional funds. Its long-term vision remains focused on strengthening India’s startup ecosystem and enabling globally competitive companies to emerge from early-stage innovation.
Conclusion
Better Capital has established itself as a significant player in India’s early-stage venture capital landscape. Under the leadership of Vaibhav Domkundwar, the firm has backed hundreds of startups across diverse sectors and supported several high-growth companies from their earliest stages. Through its founder-first approach and broad sector coverage, Better Capital continues to play a key role in nurturing India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
| Company Name | |
|---|---|
| Company Type | |
| Industry | Venture Capital, Startup Investment |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder(s) | Vaibhav Domkundwar |
| Headquarters | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Area Served | India, United States |
| Key People | Vaibhav Domkundwar (Founder & CEO) |
| Products | — |
| Services | Pre-seed and Seed-stage Investments, Founder Mentorship, Strategic Support |
| Revenue | — |
| Employees | — |
| Website | https://www.bettercapital.vc |