Expert Dojo to launch first India cohort with $100K investments in 10+ startups by August

US-based venture firm Expert Dojo is set to launch its inaugural India cohort by mid to late August, investing $100,000 each in over 10 early-stage startups. This initiative is part of a broader $15 million India-focused fund aimed at supporting founders building globally relevant technologies.

The firm, which is sector-agnostic, shows a particular interest in deep tech sectors such as AI, blockchain, electric vehicles (EVs), and SaaS. Ashutosh Kumar Jha, General Partner at Expert Dojo, emphasized that valuation metrics are secondary to the founder-market fit, stating, "Valuation and fancy numbers don’t matter much to us. Our decisions are based on founder-market fit—why you are the right founder to build this company."

Expert Dojo plans to scale some investments up to $1 million in follow-on rounds, signaling a commitment to nurturing promising startups beyond initial funding. The fund’s strategy reflects a vision to back entrepreneurs who are not only innovating for the Indian market but also aiming to make a global impact.

"With a $15 million India-focused fund in play, Expert Dojo wants to back founders who are building not just for India, but for the world," Jha added.

This move highlights growing international investor interest in India’s startup ecosystem, particularly in cutting-edge technology sectors, and underscores Expert Dojo’s confidence in the country’s entrepreneurial talent.

US-based venture firm Expert Dojo will launch its first India cohort by August, investing $100,000 each in over 10 startups. The $15 million India-focused fund targets deep tech sectors like AI, blockchain, EVs, and SaaS, with potential follow-on investments up to $1 million.