Dutch investment giant **Prosus** and US-based venture capital firm **Accel** are significantly accelerating the growth of Indian startups by leading major funding rounds, particularly in the artificial intelligence (AI) and technology sectors. Their combined investments have empowered emerging companies such as Bengaluru-based AI edtech startup **Arivihan** and software productivity platform **CodeKarma**, fueling innovation and scaling opportunities both domestically and globally.
In 2025, Prosus invested a total of $400 million globally, w...
In 2025, Prosus invested a total of $400 million globally, with $88 million dedicated specifically to AI-related ventures, making India one of the largest beneficiaries of this capital. Prosus views India’s vast internet user base, linguistic diversity, and complex challenges as an ideal testing ground for scalable AI solutions. The firm targets startups developing AI applications embedded in business workflows, also called “AI-first startups,” to create localized yet globally scalable products[1][2].
One notable example is **Arivihan**, an AI-driven learning p...
One notable example is **Arivihan**, an AI-driven learning platform focused on personalized education for Class 12 students preparing for state boards, CBSE, and NEET exams. Arivihan recently raised $4.17 million in a pre-Series A round led by Prosus and Accel, with participation from GSF Ventures. The startup plans to utilize the funds to enhance its AI capabilities, expand language options, and increase reach into tier II and tier III cities, addressing the educational needs of India’s vast student population[1][5][13].
Similarly, **CodeKarma**, a Bengaluru-based startup speciali...
Similarly, **CodeKarma**, a Bengaluru-based startup specializing in AI-powered software productivity tools, secured $2.5 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Prosus, Accel, and Xeed Ventures. The investment aims to advance autonomous, self-improving software systems and expand the company’s presence globally, especially in the US market. CodeKarma focuses on integrating AI with developer workflows to improve software debugging and productivity[3][11].
Beyond early-stage startups, Prosus and Accel are also backi...
Beyond early-stage startups, Prosus and Accel are also backing larger scale ventures such as **Rapido**, the Indian ride-sharing platform competing with Uber. Prosus plans to invest approximately $350 million in Rapido, increasing its stake significantly, while Accel is expected to join the funding round through its growth fund. This investment will help Rapido scale operations and compete more aggressively in India’s dynamic mobility sector[7].
Accel India has a long-standing history of backing successfu...
Accel India has a long-standing history of backing successful startups, including Flipkart, Ola, Myntra, and Swiggy, and recently closed a $550 million India-focused fund. Its investment strategy emphasizes identifying innovative startups with strong growth potential across different sectors, supporting them from early stages to growth phases[4].
Together, Prosus and Accel are crucial catalysts in India’s...
Together, Prosus and Accel are crucial catalysts in India’s startup ecosystem, providing not just capital but strategic support to AI-driven and technology startups. Their investments reflect confidence in India’s unique market dynamics and the global potential of Indian innovation, fueling a new wave of startups that combine local relevance with cutting-edge technology to solve complex problems.
This partnership and funding momentum are expected to contin...
This partnership and funding momentum are expected to continue shaping India as a global hub for AI and tech innovation through 2025 and beyond.
🔄 Updated: 10/26/2025, 11:40:41 PM
Prosus and Accel have partnered to co-invest in early-stage Indian startups, focusing on sectors like advanced manufacturing, energy transition, and AI automation, with seed investments ranging from $200,000 to $2 million per startup[1]. Accel partner Pratik Agarwal highlighted that initial investments would be between $100,000 and $1 million each, aiming to "move the needle" for promising startups and potentially increase funding for successful founders[1]. Industry experts see this collaboration as a strategic move that leverages Prosus’s global investment framework and Accel’s founder-centric approach to fuel innovation in India's dynamic startup ecosystem[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/26/2025, 11:50:40 PM
Prosus and Accel’s joint funding initiatives in India have drawn positive reactions from the startup community and users, particularly for addressing trust and growth hurdles in consumer apps. For example, KGeN, backed by Prosus, Accel, and Jump Crypto, raised $13.5 million this round (total $43.5 million) to build a blockchain-based system that verifies real users and combats bots, with Manish Agarwal stating it "solves the hardest problem in consumer growth: trust" by turning user reputation into a valuable asset[1]. The partnership’s early-stage investments, ranging from $200,000 to $2 million per startup, have been welcomed as a catalyst for innovation in sectors like AI, DeFi
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 12:00:44 AM
## Breaking News Update
Prosus and Accel have jointly launched a strategic partnership to co-invest in early-stage Indian startups, targeting sectors like advanced manufacturing, energy transition, and AI-driven automation, with combined seed investments ranging from $200,000 to $2 million per company under Accel’s Atoms X program—Prosus will match Accel’s funding in each deal[2]. “In the beginning, each of us will invest $100,000 to $1 million…and that will move the needle for some of these early-stage companies. Hopefully, we can find more opportunities to double down on these founders,” said Accel partner Pratik Agarwal, highlighting the program’s focus on both technological innovation and novel business models
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 12:10:40 AM
Prosus and Accel have formed a strategic partnership to co-invest in early-stage Indian startups, focusing on advanced manufacturing, energy transition, and AI-driven automation. Their joint seed funding program, an expansion of Accel’s Atoms X, plans to deploy combined investments ranging from $200,000 to $2 million per startup, with each firm initially committing $100,000 to $1 million to accelerate innovation in high-impact tech and novel business models. Accel partner Pratik Agarwal emphasized, “In the beginning, each of us will invest $100,000 to $1 million…and that will move the needle for some of these early-stage companies”[2]. This collaboration reflects Prosus’s broader strategy to back scalable softwar
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 12:20:42 AM
Prosus and Accel's collaboration to fuel early-stage Indian startups has been positively received by the market, with increased investor interest reflecting optimism about India's startup ecosystem growth. Following the announcement of their joint seed investment programme, targeting cheque sizes between $200,000 and $2 million, shares of Prosus and Accel-backed companies like Urban Company have seen notable activity; Urban Company’s IPO recently closed with a subscription over 103 times, underscoring investor confidence tied to these backing firms[2][3]. While direct stock price changes for Prosus and Accel themselves have not been explicitly detailed, the strong subscription rates and investor enthusiasm for their portfolio startups indicate favorable market sentiment.
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 12:30:42 AM
The Indian government and regulators have maintained a cautious stance amidst growing foreign venture capital investments, including those by Prosus and Accel, especially following corporate governance issues in startups like Paytm and Byju’s. Investor scrutiny has intensified, with due diligence becoming a priority as startup funding dropped 72% year-on-year to $7 billion in 2023, partly due to regulatory caution on governance lapses[4]. Despite this, regulatory frameworks continue to support innovation, enabling Prosus and Accel to expand early-stage investments with seed cheques ranging from $200,000 to $2 million, reflecting confidence in sectors like advanced manufacturing and AI[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 12:40:41 AM
Prosus and Accel have formed a strategic partnership to co-invest in early-stage Indian startups, doubling their collective impact in a competitive landscape increasingly focused on innovation in advanced manufacturing, energy transition, and AI-driven automation. Under this tie-up, seed investment cheque sizes will range from $200,000 to $2 million, with each firm initially investing $100,000 to $1 million per startup, aiming to significantly boost early-stage companies' growth prospects and intensify competition among venture investors in India[1][2]. This collaboration enhances Accel’s Atoms X programme and positions both as influential players shaping India’s startup ecosystem by backing novel technologies and business models[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 12:50:39 AM
**Breaking News Update**: As Prosus and Accel continue to fuel early-stage Indian startups with significant investments, India's government remains supportive of the thriving startup ecosystem. There is no specific regulatory response directly tied to this partnership, but the government's broader initiatives, such as the Startup India program, continue to foster innovation and collaboration. "Market opportunities justify the money floating around for Indian startups," said Prosus Group CEO, highlighting the country's vibrant entrepreneurial landscape[8][9].
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 1:00:41 AM
Prosus and Accel have partnered to co-invest up to $2 million each in early-stage Indian startups focused on breakthrough technologies such as AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, aiming to back founders building “LeapTech” companies with long development cycles and potentially global impact[1][2]. This alliance marks Prosus' first global co-investment collaboration of this kind, signaling a strategic expansion into India’s early-stage ecosystem with a focus on innovations that could transform markets through cost, access, or performance improvements, reflecting strong international confidence in India as a prime investment destination[1][4]. Ashutosh Sharma, head of India ecosystem at Prosus, described the partnership as a natural fit with Accel and emphasized the ambition to back audaciou
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 1:10:41 AM
Prosus and Accel have launched a global co-investment partnership to fuel early-stage Indian startups, particularly in cutting-edge sectors like AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, committing up to $2 million each per startup through Accel’s Atoms X program[1][2]. This collaboration marks Prosus’ first alliance of this kind worldwide, reflecting a strategic expansion to capture India’s innovation potential with a focus on startups that could take 10-15 years to mature but may dominate global markets through technical differentiation, according to Ashutosh Sharma, head of India ecosystem at Prosus[1][2]. Internationally, the partnership has been seen as a significant endorsement of India’s startup ecosystem, with seed investments ranging from $100,000 to
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 1:20:41 AM
Shares of Prosus experienced a modest uptick, rising approximately 1.3% following the announcement of its partnership with Accel to co-invest in early-stage Indian startups, signaling positive market reception to their expanded investment focus in India’s dynamic startup ecosystem[2]. Accel's involvement also garnered investor attention, with Accel partner Pratik Agarwal highlighting seed investments ranging from $200,000 to $2 million, potentially boosting confidence in Accel-backed ventures as they gain amplified funding support[2][3]. Market analysts noted that this collaboration broadens Prosus’ exposure to early-stage innovations, which contributed to a favorable sentiment among investors reflecting in the stock price movements[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 1:30:42 AM
Prosus and Accel have partnered to co-invest up to $2 million each in early-stage Indian startups focused on breakthrough technologies like AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, aiming for long-term global impact through technical differentiation[1][2]. This collaboration marks Prosus’ first global co-investment alliance of this type and signals its strategic expansion into India's nascent tech ecosystem, targeting startups with 10-15 year development horizons that could eventually dominate international markets[1][2]. Industry leaders emphasize backing audacious founders shaping innovations with large-scale market potential, reflecting strong international confidence in India's capacity to produce globally competitive tech ventures[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 1:40:40 AM
In a significant move to bolster India's startup ecosystem, Prosus and Accel have teamed up to co-invest in early-stage Indian startups, focusing on sectors like advanced manufacturing and AI-driven automation. This partnership expands Accel's Atoms X program, with combined seed investments ranging from $200,000 to $2 million, according to Pratik Agarwal, Accel partner[2][5]. The collaboration marks Prosus's first foray into formation-stage investments, reflecting the growing interest of global investors in India's vast digital market[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 1:50:40 AM
**Breaking News Update:** As Prosus and Accel continue their partnership to fuel Indian startups through early-stage investments, there has been no specific regulatory or government response reported on this collaboration. However, India's startup ecosystem remains vibrant, with many startups benefiting from foreign investments due to the country's favorable business environment. While no concrete figures or quotes are available on a specific regulatory response, the partnership highlights the growing interest in India's tech sector.
🔄 Updated: 10/27/2025, 2:00:40 AM
Breaking News: The partnership between Prosus and Accel to co-invest in early-stage Indian startups has garnered significant international attention, with the collaboration seen as a strategic move to tap into India's rapidly growing digital economy. This alliance marks Prosus' first global co-investment of its kind, signaling a shift in its investment strategy to include more early-stage ventures. Ashutosh Sharma, Head of India Ecosystem at Prosus, noted, "This is Prosus' first collaboration of its kind globally, and Accel is a natural partner to join hands with" [1][2][9].