New Delhi, September 12, 2024 — Rukam Capital, a leading SEBI-registered Category-II venture capital fund, today announced the launch of ‘Startup Table with AJ’ initiative. Amid the excitement surrounding unicorns and high-profile investors, the voices of early-stage entrepreneurs often get overlooked. ‘Startup Table with AJ’ is the first initiative of its kind, aiming to change that narrative.
‘Startup Table with AJ’ aims to cast a spotlight on the often-overlooked struggles of early-stage Indian startup founders, offering an unfiltered look into their journey through a series of in-depth video discussions by sharing their authentic stories—highlighting how they’ve overcome setbacks, leveraged creativity, and turned challenges into opportunities for growth.
The ‘Startup Table with AJ’ initiative underscores Rukam Capital’s continued commitment to nurturing the next wave of Indian entrepreneurs, offering them a platform to voice their experiences and inspire others in the ecosystem. ‘Startup Table with AJ’ has already released two episodes, featuring candid conversations among founders from FITT – IIT Delhi and the D2C sector. Moving forward, the series will also spotlight startup founders from other segments of the ecosystem, providing a platform for them to share and discuss their entrepreneurial journeys.
As India’s startup ecosystem continues to expand, this initiative comes at a crucial time. According to TheKredible, homegrown startups raised nearly $1.6 billion across 112 deals in August 2024 alone, with a significant portion of this funding directed toward early-stage ventures. The initiative is aimed at offering invaluable insights for emerging entrepreneurs who are looking to make their mark in this highly competitive landscape and will serve as a critical repository for new entrants in India’s booming startup ecosystem.
“India’s startup landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, but the path to success is often paved with obstacles that aren’t widely discussed,” said Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner at Rukam Capital. “As a founder myself, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges that early-stage entrepreneurs face. ‘Startup Table with AJ’ will not only highlight these struggles but will also showcase the resilience and innovation that define India’s next generation of business leaders” she added.
Rukam Capital has a strong track record of supporting high-growth consumer startups, with investments in over 19 companies across the consumer and tech sectors.
About Rukam Capital:
Rukam Capital is a SEBI registered Category-II venture capital fund based in New Delhi that invests in early-stage consumer startups in India. The first fund was founded in 2019 by Archana Jahagirdar and raised Rs 150 crores ($19m). Rukam Capital is in the process of raising a second consumer fund. Further, Archana has expanded her portfolio by launching Rukam Sitara in 2023 aiming to capitalize on India’s evolving tech landscape. Rukam Sitara is a SEBI registered Category-II early-stage venture capital fund investing in emerging tech ventures.
