Early-stage investor Venture Catalysts Group (VCats) closed 102 deals this year compared with 63 in 2019, despite pandemic-led disruptions. The Mumbai-based investment firm runs an incubator and an accelerator fund 9Unicorns registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

“We expect to invest around Rs 1,000 crore in the coming year and double the number of deals. We expect the growth coming in from small B and C towns of India,” said Dr Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, co-founder, and president, Venture Catalysts Group.

VCats, focused on strengthening the startup ecosystem in smaller towns, has invested over Rs 700 crore through syndication in several idea-stage and early-stage businesses across sectors this year, vis-à-vis Rs 500 crore in 2019. Among those who were part of the syndication were Sequoia Surge, Anicut, DSG Consumer Partners, Nexus Venture Partners, Facebook FB Start, Lightspeed Venture Partners India, and Matrix Partners India.

“While several investment firms in India and abroad, witnessed a slower funding activity in 2020, we continued growing. As a founder-friendly investor, we believe that adversity brings several opportunities along with it. In fact, we were able to scout many innovative and good start-ups at right valuations and were fortunate to back these promising start-ups,” added Sharma.

Sharma said VCats typically invests from $100k to $1.5 million in early-stage and idea-stage startups and has invested in companies including BluSmart, ChargeZone, Dukaan, and Mitron TV. DeepTech, B2B Saas, FinTech, InsureTech, F&B, HealthTech, Media dominated the investments this year.

Its portfolio also includes startups such as BharatPe, SuprDaily, Beardo, Coutloot, Fynd, and Blowhorn. In less than five years, the firm’s overall portfolio investments have reached a total valuation in the excess of $ 1.2 billion. Mitron TV. DeepTechB2B SaasBluSmartChargeZoneDukaan