AJunior VC (AJVC), a pre-seed venture capital firm founded by Aviral Bhatnagar, has officially closed its maiden fund with commitments crossing Rs 200 crore. The fund exceeded its initial target of Rs 100 crore, reflecting strong investor confidence in AJVC’s mission to back India’s next wave of early-stage startups.
The final close was oversubscribed, with Bhatnagar confirming that while demand was much higher, the team decided to stop at nearly Rs 165 crore before later extending to Rs 200 crore. The milestone cements AJVC’s place among the growing list of new-generation VC firms targeting first-time entrepreneurs.
Early Journey and Vision
AJVC completed its first close in March 2025 at Rs 100 crore, marking the beginning of its journey in supporting pre-seed ventures across India. Bhatnagar, who previously worked with early-stage investment firm Venture Highway, launched AJVC shortly before Venture Highway was acquired by General Catalyst in mid-2024.
Since inception, AJVC has reviewed more than 11,000 startup applications and invested in 25 promising ventures. Over the next few years, it plans to fund 60 to 70 more companies, with a sharp focus on artificial intelligence and consumer technology, two of India’s fastest-evolving sectors.
Expanding Entrepreneurial Base
India’s startup ecosystem is currently witnessing a surge of first-time founders from both metros and smaller cities. AJVC reports that its applicant base spans 50+ cities, 6,000 colleges, and 4,000 companies, showcasing the sheer diversity of entrepreneurial talent emerging from the country.
Bhatnagar emphasized that this new generation of entrepreneurs requires venture capital to operate with greater speed and adaptability. AJVC is positioning itself as the go-to partner for these founders, combining financial backing with ecosystem support.
Support Beyond Capital
Unlike many traditional VCs, AJVC offers more than just money. The firm provides access to a 600,000-strong network, community programs, and structured resources worth Rs 4 crore to help startups accelerate their growth. This combination of mentorship, networking, and hands-on support is designed to give founders a head start in building sustainable businesses.
Its recent investments include Nuyug, a modern jewellery brand, and Mithila Foods, a rising FMCG player. These investments showcase AJVC’s strategy of backing both tech-enabled and consumer-facing companies with strong potential for scale.
What is Maiden Fund
A maiden fund is essentially the first fund launched by a new venture capital firm. It reflects not just investor trust in the founding team but also signals the start of a firm’s long-term journey in backing startups. For AJVC, raising Rs 200 crore in its maiden fund highlights both the credibility of its founder and the market’s belief in early-stage Indian ventures.
Maiden funds are critical because they set the tone for future investments and often help VCs establish their track record. AJVC’s success in oversubscribing its first fund demonstrates strong confidence from limited partners and sets it up for larger funds in the future.
India’s VC Landscape
The close of AJVC’s maiden fund comes at a time when India’s venture capital ecosystem is rapidly evolving. While larger funds continue to dominate later-stage financing, there is a growing need for pre-seed and seed capital. AJVC is stepping in to bridge this gap, particularly at a stage where founders need both trust and capital to validate their ideas.
By focusing on AI, consumer technology, and first-time founders, AJVC is aligning itself with sectors that are expected to define India’s next startup wave. Its community-driven approach could also serve as a differentiator in a crowded investment landscape.
For Aviral Bhatnagar, the journey from writing insightful startup analyses on AJVC’s blog to running a 200 crore VC fund represents a remarkable evolution. What began as a platform to decode the startup world is now shaping into a full-fledged investment vehicle empowering India’s future founders.
With oversubscribed demand, a strong portfolio of early bets, and ambitious plans to fund 70 more startups, AJVC’s maiden fund is just the beginning. As India’s early-stage ecosystem expands, AJVC is well-placed to play a defining role in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.
