Roots Ventures

Roots Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Mumbai, supports founders who are driving India's consumption narrative, ranging from modern consumer brands to deep tech and fintech infrastructure. Established in 2018 by Japan Vyas (formerly of Sixth Sense Ventures, IDFC) and Ravindra Vashist, the firm positions itself as a high-conviction, founder-focused investor that embraces unconventional paths.

Identity and Fund

Roots Ventures is currently investing from its inaugural fund, aiming for around INR 200 Cr with an additional INR 100 Cr green-shoe, concentrating on early and growth-stage businesses that are consumer-focused and tech-enabled. The firm considers itself sector-agnostic but thesis-driven, with a strong inclination towards consumer, deep tech, fintech, climate, and mobility sectors.

Ticket Size and Stage

Roots typically invests at the seed and early growth stages, with initial investments ranging from USD 1–2M (approximately INR 2–4 Cr) and increasing exposure up to INR 15–24 Cr per company through subsequent rounds up to Series A/B. Occasionally, it directly participates in Series A/B or even later-stage and listed opportunities when both conviction and valuation are favorable.

Portfolio and Themes

The fund supports businesses that enhance the "wallet share" of Indian consumers and embody conscious, aspirational lifestyles. Its portfolio of over 21 companies includes DailyObjects, Go Desi, Smytten, StockGro, Jar, Jimmys Cocktails, Cancrie, Capt Zack, Just Herbs, Misht, and RAAHO, covering sectors like ecommerce, D2C, mobility, pet care, clean-tech, and sportstech. Roots has also led significant rounds in Go Desi and Sports For Life, becoming a major external shareholder in the latter.

How Roots Works With Founders

Founders often praise Roots for its collaborative, down-to-earth approach, noting that the team acts like peers rather than backseat drivers. Beyond providing capital, Roots assists with branding, distribution, recruitment, strategic collaborations, and subsequent fundraising, actively seeking first-generation entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and regions, not just those with elite educational backgrounds.

By combining consumer insight with patient, multi-stage capital, Roots Ventures is quietly fostering unique brands and platforms at the core of India's upcoming consumption wave.