12052025 Bharath, NEWZROOM:
The Indian StartUp ecosystem saw a mix of highs and lows last week. Venture capital funding dipped 16% in April, reflecting investor caution amid global uncertainties. However, hiring surged 32%, signaling a shift toward sustainable growth and expansion into Tier-2 cities.
StartUp leaders met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss innovation and policy reforms. Meanwhile, Urban Company filed for an IPO, marking a significant milestone. Fintech remained the most funded sector, while deep-tech gained traction. Despite funding challenges, India’s StartUp scene continues to evolve, balancing resilience with strategic pivots.
However, the major development that inspired the national StartUp Ecosystem was two giants coming together. Let’s have a deep look into the collaboration and how it enhances the ecosystem.
A2D Ventures and We Founder Circle Join Forces to Forge the First Cross-Border Bridge Between India and Southeast Asia’s Startup Ecosystems
On 8th May 2025, A2D Ventures, a trailblazing venture capital firm and startup investing platform shaping Southeast Asia’s early-stage investment landscape, has entered India through a strategic partnership with We Founder Circle (WFC), one of India’s largest and most active angel investment syndicates. This collaboration marks a major milestone in fostering cross-border innovation, unlocking new opportunities for Indian and Southeast Asian founders and investors alike.
As digital-first investment platforms, both A2D Ventures and We Founder Circle share a deep commitment to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs globally. A2D Ventures has been at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s startup scene, backing high-growth startups and building a strong network of investors.
WFC has invested in over 150 startups with 50 Winners and 24 exits, including fast-growing ventures such as Zypp Electric, Hesa, Garuda Aerospace, and Kazam, contributing to a collective portfolio valuation exceeding $1 billion. Together, they are poised to reshape cross-border capital flows and mentorship for early-stage founders.
“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to democratizing venture capital and expanding access to high-growth opportunities across Southeast Asia. By collaborating with WFC, we aim to empower visionary founders and investors across borders, fostering innovation and economic growth in both regions.” – Ankit Upadhyay, Co-Founder & General Partner of A2D Ventures.
The partnership will be powered by a tech-enabled approach to investing—combining Invstt, a digital platform offered by We Founder Circle for dashboard-driven automated investing, and A2D Ventures’ proprietary systems—to create a seamless cross-border experience for global investors. From deal access and due diligence to portfolio management, this digital synergy will unlock new levels of efficiency, transparency, and investor engagement across both regions.
“This partnership is more than just an expansion—it’s about creating a seamless bridge between two of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in the world. Southeast Asian founders are looking beyond their borders for scale, and India offers immense synergies. Likewise, Indian investors now have a structured gateway to tap into the high-growth potential of Southeast Asian startups.” – Neeraj Tyagi, Co-Founder & CEO of We Founder Circle.
The first wave of cross-border deals already showcases the diversity and ambition of this partnership. These include:
- A biotech startup producing a lactose-free milk alternative that tastes like traditional milk
- An autonomous food kiosk ventures similar to Flying Turtle (Tao Bin) for beverages
- A fintech open finance platform, following the playbook as CRED in India, but tailored for Southeast Asia
- A rising F&B coffee brand rapidly expanding across the Philippines
- And more high-potential startups across AI, SpaceTech, HealthTech, and ClimateTech sectors
This announcement comes at a pivotal moment, following a strategic MoU signed by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Thailand, at the BISMEC Summit held in Bangkok from April 3–5, 2025.
The MoU emphasizes enhanced startup collaboration between the two countries, especially in sectors such as Fintech, HealthTech, Climate Tech, and Digital Infrastructure.
A2D Ventures
A2D Ventures is Southeast Asia’s prominent early-stage venture capital firm, angel syndicate, and angel investing platform with a mission to democratize venture capital. Their platform enables global investors to back innovative and impactful companies across various sectors, with a focus on supporting entrepreneurs who are building the future of Southeast Asia.
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We Founder Circle
We Founder Circle (WFC) is one of the world’s largest startup investment platforms, having invested in over 150+ early-stage startups across India, the US & Southeast Asia. It has three funds, including the India fund, the global angel fund, and the VC fund Avinya, with over $100M in capital commitment.
WFC offers tech-enabled seamless investing experience through its investment platform Invstt.com, which enables global curated deals discovery, investing automation, portfolio investment & networking among a global investor community of over 30K investors from 66+ countries.
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