Nikhil Kamath’s Gruhas & Collective Artists Network’s INR 150 Cr Consumer Fund Backs 5 Startups

Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF), a fund floated by Zerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamath and Abhijit Pai’s venture capital fund Gruhas in partnership with Mumbai-based talent management and influencer marketing firm Collective Artists Network, has invested in five businesses so far.

The INR 150 Cr fund was launched in July 2023 to invest in consumer-facing brands and products. Although the names of invested startups remain undisclosed, it had backed a sexual wellness brand and an innerwear company, among others.  

The fund will invest up to a million dollars in its typical investment and will have around 10+ startups in its portfolio. The fund will also make follow-on investments in its portfolio startups. 

Kamath said, “The Indian consumer landscape is primed for transformation and there is an opportunity to cultivate a new wave of brands poised to redefine and resonate with the dynamic Indian consumer. 

“Imagine Silicon Valley’s cutting-edge thought leadership merging with the star power of Hollywood-  that’s the magic we’re unlocking with this partnership in India. With GCCF we are building the bridge to Bengaluru and entertainment to scale entrepreneurship like never before,” said Pai.

Gruhas, launched in 2021 by Pai and Kamath, has invested in 32 startups, including the likes of Licious, Strata and Buyofuel, fintech influencer Sharan Hegde’s 1% Club,  among others. 

It has led two cohorts so far. Modcave, Realiti.io, Safearth, Settl, SusteVest, Tellus Habitat, and Zerund were the startups selected for the first cohort in August 2022. The selected startups in Gruhas ASPIRE’s second cohort in October 2023 included Ambiator, Breathe ESG, EarthFokus, Openhaus, Slice and Zerotouch

The Collective Artists Network, on the other hand, is a Mumbai-headquartered talent management agency. The agency, founded in 2009 by Vijay Subramaniam, manages and offers talent across entertainment and sports. 

Last year, Kamath also introduced a funding and mentorship programme for entrepreneurs under the age of 22, the WTF Fund. The fund will back young entrepreneurs working in the beauty, home, fashion and lifestyle segments.