Deeptech-focused Aum Ventures raises Rs.250-Cr in first close of Rs.750-Cr fund

Pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital firm Aum Ventures has raised INR 250 Cr in the first close of its planned INR 750 Cr fund, with a target to complete the fundraise by March 2027. The firm is seeking to expand its limited partner base by engaging with institutional investors in India and overseas, including entities such as the SIDBI Fund of Funds and the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) fund.Founded in 2022, Aum Ventures invests in intellectual property-based, innovation-led businesses across sectors including space-tech, semiconductors, defence-tech, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and energy transition. The firm plans to deploy the capital from the current fund into six to seven investments this year.The firm previously managed a maiden fund of INR 200 Cr, which was supported by global family offices, technology entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals. Through that vehicle, the firm backed 24 companies, including Skyroot Aerospace, Cosmoserve, Sanyark Space, Gimbal Space, Latent AI, and Helogen. Its latest transaction involved leading an INR 17 Cr round in the Bengaluru-based space-tech company OXG Space, which develops edge cell towers for Earth-observation satellites.