8i Ventures announces “origami” seed fund 

8i Ventures announces “origami” seed fund 

8i Ventures, a pioneering early-stage startup fund, has unveiled Origami, a new $10 million seed fund poised to inject capital ranging from $250,000 to $2 million into fledgling startups navigating the pre-seed to early revenue phases across diverse industries.

Promising a swift turnaround for entrepreneurs, Origami pledges a response within one week, a term sheet within two weeks, and a deal closure in just four weeks, signalling its commitment to agility and efficiency.

With aspirations to bolster the startup ecosystem, Origami aims to support 8-10 startups in the coming year, fostering innovation and growth in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Established in 2019 by Vikram Chachra and Vishwanath V, 8i Ventures boasts a track record of early backing for notable entities such as Slice, M2P, Easebuzz, and Blue Tokai. Reflecting on the timing of Origami’s launch, Vikram Chachra, Founding Partner of 8i Ventures, emphasized the historical precedence of successful startups emerging during economic downturns.

Citing examples like Uber, Airbnb, and WhatsApp, all of which originated amidst the tumult of the 2008 financial crisis, Chachra underscored the opportunity-rich environment for entrepreneurial ventures in the present day.

Chachra articulated that Origami’s initial corpus of $10 million could double to $20 million, contingent upon favourable reception and demand. Leveraging resources from its Fund II, 8i Ventures has allocated $10 million to inaugurate the seed program, demonstrating its strategic commitment to nurturing early-stage startups. Amidst the prevailing funding winter, 8i Ventures marked a significant milestone with the first close of its $50 million second fund, securing $25 million in investments, indicative of investor confidence and market resilience.

Distinguished by its investment focus, 8i Ventures specializes in startups operating within the fintech, commerce, and consumer sectors, leveraging its expertise and network to identify and support promising ventures. With a track record of over 50 investments in seed to early-stage startups spanning a decade, 8i Ventures has emerged as a stalwart supporter of entrepreneurial endeavours, catalyzing innovation and driving economic growth.

Origami represents more than just a financial vehicle; it embodies a strategic initiative to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in an ever-evolving business landscape by streamlining the investment process and offering rapid response times—Origami endeavours to empower entrepreneurs and catalyze the growth of disruptive startups. As 8i Ventures continues to expand its investment portfolio and solidify its position as a leading venture capital firm, Origami stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to driving positive change and unlocking the potential of the startup ecosystem.