TDV Partners

TDV Partners is an India-focused venture capital firm that serves as the first institutional investor for early-stage startups, primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages. The firm is dedicated to backing visionary founders who are building companies poised to create significant value in India's rapidly expanding consumer market. TDV Partners focuses on three core investment categories: Consumer Tech, which includes tech-led products addressing everyday consumer needs; Consumer Upgrade, targeting products and services that cater to the rising aspirations of Indian consumers; and Consumer AI, supporting AI-driven products designed to enhance productivity. The firm is known for its hands-on approach, providing comprehensive support beyond capital, including strategic guidance, access to a robust network of operators and investors, and mentorship.

Founded in 2021 by Ujwal Sutaria, TDV Partners emerged with a thesis centered on India's consumer growth story and the potential for Indian startups to build for a global audience. Ujwal Sutaria, a 2x founder turned investor, brings extensive experience from his previous role at InnoVen Capital, where he managed investments in prominent companies like Swiggy, Eruditus, Licious, and Blackbuck. His entrepreneurial background, having built Athletto and FruitOn, provides him with a unique founder-investor perspective, enabling the firm to deeply understand and support early-stage ventures from day zero, even without a product or revenue.

The firm has built a diverse portfolio of over 40 investments, with notable companies including Kindlife, Aftershoot, Hypergro, and Hirequotient. Other significant investments include Public (a unicorn in their portfolio), Awign, AppsForBharat, indiagold, SalarySe, STAN, and TradeX. TDV Partners aims to identify and nurture innovative companies with the potential for substantial growth, with several portfolio companies already achieving significant milestones, such as reaching ₹100 Cr+ in annual recurring revenue. The firm recently launched its second fund with a target size of approximately $6 million (₹50 crore), intending to make 10-12 investments annually with cheque sizes ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore.

The team at TDV Partners is led by Ujwal Sutaria, the Founder and General Partner, and includes Investor Kunal Juneja and an AI Analyst. The firm also leverages a strong network of over 35 Venture Partners and backers, comprising experienced founders and CXOs from leading global and domestic companies. This extensive network provides portfolio companies with invaluable insights, connections, and strategic support across various domains, from brainstorming and customer acquisition to hiring, go-to-market strategies, and future fundraising efforts. This collective expertise underscores TDV Partners' commitment to being a true partner in the entrepreneurial journey.