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• The Technology Development and Information Company of India (TDICI), set up by
ICICI and UTI in 1988, was one of the first VC firms.
• Focus was on funding technology-based startups.
2. 1990s – Liberalization Era
• Economic liberalization in 1991 opened India to global investors.
• Private VC firms began entering the market.
• Sectors like IT and software saw early VC activity.
• Example: Infosys and Wipro benefited from early-stage funding.
3. 2000s – Dot-Com Boom
• The rise of internet companies attracted VC funding.
• Though many dot-coms failed, the ecosystem matured.
• Foreign VC firms like Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners entered India.
4. 2010s – Startup Explosion
• India’s startup ecosystem grew rapidly, especially in e-commerce, fintech, and
edtech.
• Companies like Flipkart, Paytm, and Byju’s received massive VC funding.
• Government initiatives like Startup India (2016) boosted confidence.
5. 2020s – Unicorn Era
• India became home to over 100 unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion).
• Venture capital funds played a crucial role in this growth.
• Global investors like SoftBank, Tiger Global, and Sequoia invested heavily in Indian
startups.
Current Practices of Venture Capital in India
1. Sector Focus
o VC funds target high-growth sectors: IT, fintech, healthcare, edtech, e-
commerce, renewable energy.
2. Stages of Funding
o Seed Stage: Small funding to test ideas.
o Early Stage: Larger funding to scale operations.
o Growth Stage: Big investments to expand market presence.
3. Exit Strategies
o VCs exit through IPOs, mergers, or selling shares to other investors.
o Example: Flipkart’s acquisition by Walmart gave huge returns to early VCs.
4. Government Support
o Policies like Startup India, tax incentives, and easier regulations encourage VC
activity.