Speciale Invest

Speciale Invest is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in India, with a strong focus on deep-tech and technology-driven ventures. Founded by Vishesh Rajaram and Arjun Rao, the firm has established itself as a key player in nurturing innovative startups in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, SaaS, SpaceTech, Robotics, Photonics, and Quantum Technologies. Their investment strategy centers on identifying and supporting companies that are developing proprietary technologies and intellectual property, often addressing complex problems with significant market potential.

The firm typically invests at the Seed and Pre-Series A stages, aiming to be the first institutional investor or a co-lead in funding rounds. Speciale Invest launched its maiden fund, Fund I, in 2018, raising approximately $10 million (INR 70 crore). This initial fund successfully deployed capital into over 20 deep-tech startups, demonstrating their commitment to the nascent but growing deep-tech ecosystem in India. Building on this success, they announced their second fund, Fund II, in 2022, which secured commitments of around $24 million (INR 200 crore).

With Fund II, Speciale Invest plans to further expand its portfolio, targeting investments in an additional 20-25 startups. Their investment philosophy goes beyond capital infusion, emphasizing active mentorship and strategic guidance to help founders navigate product development, market entry, and subsequent fundraising rounds. Speciale Invest's dedication to deep-tech innovation positions them as a crucial enabler for India's ambition to become a global hub for advanced technological development.