Roots Ventures

Roots Ventures is an early-stage, sector-agnostic venture capital firm based in Mumbai, India. The firm focuses on identifying and supporting founders who are driving India's consumption narrative. Their investment scope encompasses a diverse range of areas, including modern consumer brands, deep technology, financial technology infrastructure, climate-related ventures, and mobility solutions. Roots Ventures operates with an "Investor First" philosophy, deliberately avoiding popular or "go-go" sectors and instead seeking out unique opportunities where others may not be looking.

The firm was established in 2018 by its founding partners, Japan Vyas and Ravinder Vashist, with Bhavik Mehta also listed as a founder. The establishment of Roots Ventures leverages the founders' multi-decade investing experience and their history of successful collaboration across various funds and business cycles. Their vision is to serve as a preferred conduit for both Indian and international investors seeking exposure to the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem, aiming to be the foundational "roots" for entrepreneurs building stable and sustainable businesses.

Roots Ventures has built a robust portfolio of over 25 investments. Notable companies within their portfolio include Paytm, Smytten, Stockgro, Just Herbs, DailyObjects, Go Desi, Jar, Jimmys Cocktails, Cancrie, Capt Zack, Misht, and RAAHO. These investments reflect the firm's broad sector interests, covering areas such as e-commerce, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, mobility, pet care, clean technology, and sportstech, among others.

The team at Roots Ventures is recognized for its deep expertise and a founder-first approach. Japan Vyas, for instance, is noted for his successful track record spanning over a decade in identifying winning investments, including being an early shareholder in Paytm. Founders within their portfolio commend the team for its collaborative and supportive engagement, acting as peers rather than taking a backseat. Beyond capital, Roots Ventures actively assists its portfolio companies with crucial aspects like branding, distribution, recruitment, strategic collaborations, and subsequent fundraising efforts.