Thursday, 9th April 2026: Gurugram-based Masters’ Union has introduced a ₹100 crore early-stage investment initiative, MU Ventures, aimed at nurturing entrepreneurs under the age of 25. The platform focuses on what investors often describe as the “-1 to 1” phase—when an idea is still unproven and needs support to evolve into a viable business.
According to founder Pratham Mittal, young innovators are often closely connected to grassroots challenges but struggle to access funding and mentorship at the earliest stage. MU Ventures seeks to bridge this gap through a streamlined funding process, promising decisions within 10 days of application.
The Masters Union fund adopts a sector-agnostic approach, allowing founders from any industry to apply. It is structured into four dedicated tracks tailored to different entrepreneurial paths. These include the Dropout Fund for founders who leave formal education to pursue startups, and the Bharat Capital Fund, which backs technology-driven solutions targeting smaller cities and rural markets.
Other verticals include the Content Creator Fund, aimed at influencer-led ventures, and the Founders’ Union Fund, which is supported by industry leaders such as Aman Gupta.
In addition to offering investments ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹50 lakh, Masters Union Ventures plans to provide a broader support ecosystem. This includes access to software credits from companies like Google and Amazon, as well as co-working infrastructure.
Managing Partner Saksham Kotiya emphasized that early-stage backing is particularly crucial in a young economy like India, where entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a key growth engine.
A striking feature of the programme is its global exposure component. Selected startups will travel to San Francisco for a Demo Day, where they will pitch to international investors and seasoned founders. The initiative is further supported by an advisory board and global faculty, including former executives from organisations such as NASA and Samsung.
Advisory board member Swapna Gupta noted that the broader goal is to strengthen the startup ecosystem from its earliest stages by combining funding with mentorship, infrastructure, and market access.
New ₹100 Cr Fund From MU Ventures Backs Early-Stage Startup Ideas
MU Ventures reflects a growing trend in India’s startup ecosystem: shifting focus toward earlier-stage founders, particularly younger entrepreneurs. By targeting the “idea stage,” the platform positions itself ahead of traditional venture capital, which typically enters at more mature stages. Its fast decision-making model and structured funding tracks may also address a long-standing bottleneck—delayed capital access.
The inclusion of global exposure and institutional backing suggests an attempt to bridge local innovation with international markets. If executed effectively, this could help Indian startups scale faster and compete globally. However, the success of such initiatives will depend on sustained mentorship and the quality of startups selected, not just capital deployment.
