Top angel network Keiretsu forum now in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Keiretsu Forum, the world's largest angel investor network, has launched a Bengaluru chapter, a sign that early-stage funding for startups is fast gathering momentum in India.

Keiretsu, which in Japanese means a group of affiliated corporations with broad power and reach, set up a chapter in Chennai earlier this year and has members from Indian Institute of Technology-Madras and Anna University.

“We want to ensure that investors who are looking for opportunities are provided a steady flow of quality deals and the opportunity to meaningfully engage with their investee companies,“ said Randy Williams, founder and CEO of Keiretsu. Founded in the US in 2000, the forum has invested $500 million in about 700 companies.

Unlike other angel networks in the country, Keiretsu does not charge companies a percentage of the money raised or demand an equity from them. It has a local presence in 39 chapters across three continents and has 1,500 members on network.

The members are expected to provide capital between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 5 crore, and can invest as little as Rs 10 lakh through syndication.

“There will be global deal flow as well as value creation,“ said Denny Kurien, president and CEO of Keiretsu Forum Bangalore.