Expert Dojo Commits $15 Million to Fuel Indian Startups as Part of Global Innovation Drive

April 10, 2025 | Mumbai, India — In a bold move to tap into India’s surging entrepreneurial momentum, Expert Dojo, a Southern California-based early-stage venture capital firm, has announced a $15 million investment commitment for Indian startups during the 2025–26 financial year. This initiative forms part of its larger $100 million Global Innovation Fund, focused on empowering early-stage founders in high-potential but undercapitalized markets.

Catalyzing India’s Next Wave of Innovation

India, now recognized as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, continues to attract global attention due to its young demographic, robust digital infrastructure, and supportive government policies such as Startup India and Digital India.

With this backdrop, Expert Dojo’s India allocation specifically targets startups in seed to pre-Series A stages, where funding gaps are more pronounced. The firm will direct its investment toward disruptive technologies and scalable business models across five strategic sectors:

• Fintech: To nurture inclusive finance models, Expert Dojo is looking at startups that are redefining access to credit, payments, insurance, and personal finance management for India’s vast underserved population.
• Healthtech: Companies working on telehealth platforms, AI-driven diagnostics, affordable health monitoring tools, and rural healthcare delivery will be a major focus, given India’s vast and uneven health infrastructure.
• SaaS (Software-as-a-Service): With global enterprises outsourcing cloud-based tools, SaaS startups from India are positioned to dominate niches like HR tech, marketing automation, legal tech, and vertical-specific ERPs.
• Consumer Internet: The rise of regional content and social commerce presents a strong case for investing in vernacular platforms, gamified commerce, and digital community networks.
• Deep Tech: From AI/ML platforms and blockchain resolutions to quantum computing and IoT, Expert Dojo seeks to back companies edifice IP-led innovations that can participate on the global stage.

India: A Strategic Frontier for Global VC

India is not just a fast-growing market—it’s a crucial innovation hub that is exporting globally relevant solutions. Expert Dojo intends to play a hands-on role by embedding itself within local ecosystems. Their strategy includes working alongside:

• University incubators and entrepreneurship programs to engage early-stage talent
• Regional accelerators and co-working spaces to tap innovation from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
• Government innovation cells and private innovation labs to align with national development goals

By having a localized outreach model, the firm aims to uncover high-quality startups that may not yet be on the radar of traditional VCs.

Backing Founders Beyond Capital

A distinguishing aspect of Expert Dojo’s model is its deep commitment to founder development. Instead of being passive investors, the team actively supports portfolio companies with an array of post-investment services. According to Brian Mac Mahon, Founder and CEO:

“Great founders can come from anywhere. Our job is to find them early, believe in them deeply, and help them win globally. In India, we see an incredible density of talent and ambition – and we want to add fuel to that fire.”

Comprehensive Support for Scalable Growth

Indian startups selected under this initiative will benefit from an end-to-end growth acceleration framework, including:

• Global Mentorship Network: Startups will gain access to over 200 seasoned mentors—including former founders, industry veterans, and domain experts from Silicon Valley, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
• Go-to-Market Launchpads: Entrepreneurs will receive assistance in crafting launch strategies for new markets, building sales funnels, and understanding local compliance and customer behavior.
• Business Development & Strategic Partnerships: Expert Dojo will help forge cross-border partnerships, distribution tie-ups, and enterprise collaborations.
• Product & Engineering Advisory: Founders can tap into expert reviews for UX design, platform scalability, data architecture, and cybersecurity standards.
• Follow-On Fundraising: The firm offers coaching on investor relations, term sheet negotiation, and pitch refinement for Series A and beyond.

This model ensures startups have the infrastructure and resilience needed to scale efficiently and sustainably.

Positioning India on the Global Innovation Map

India’s growing influence in the global startup scene – evidenced by its unicorn count surpassing 100 and successful tech IPOs – makes it a key market for global capital. Expert Dojo’s India play is intended to:

• Bridge global capital with grassroots innovation
• Foster entrepreneurship in underrepresented regions and sectors
• Drive economic and technological inclusion through startup success

Moreover, the firm will advocate for more cross-border VC collaboration, encouraging other international firms to co-invest or syndicate deals in India’s early-stage ecosystem.

Looking Ahead: A Cross-Border Startup Revolution

As FY26 approaches, Expert Dojo’s strategic focus on India is more than a one-time allocation – it’s a long-term commitment to building cross-continental startup bridges. The firm believes that with the right mix of capital, mentorship, and global access, Indian entrepreneurs can build globally dominant companies across verticals.

This initiative not only reinforces India’s standing as a global innovation powerhouse but also underlines Expert Dojo’s role as a catalyst in shaping the next generation of tech giants.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For investment eligibility, selection criteria, and official announcements, please refer to Expert Dojo’s official communication channels.