Utsav Somani

Utsav Somani is a highly influential early-stage investor and a key figure in India's venture capital ecosystem, primarily recognized for his role as a Co-founder and Partner at AngelList India. He is known for his keen eye for disruptive technologies and his commitment to backing passionate founders who are poised to challenge existing markets. Somani's investment philosophy centers on identifying companies with tremendous future potential, particularly those leveraging innovative approaches to create new categories or significantly disrupt established ones.

His investment focus spans a diverse range of high-growth sectors, including fintech, SaaS, consumer technology, and the burgeoning Web3 and crypto space. Somani typically engages with startups at the pre-seed, seed, and early Series A stages, providing crucial capital and strategic guidance during their formative years. Through AngelList India, he has been instrumental in democratizing access to venture capital for Indian startups, facilitating significant capital deployment. For instance, AngelList India has helped deploy over $100 million in capital across more than 250 startups, showcasing the breadth of their investment activity.

Beyond capital, Somani is valued for his extensive network, which he leverages to connect founders with follow-on investors, strategic partners, and industry experts. His portfolio includes several notable success stories such as BharatPe, CoinDCX, Mensa Brands, and Slice, demonstrating a strong track record in identifying and nurturing future market leaders. As an active participant in the Indian startup scene, his typical first checks, often deployed through AngelList India's various funds and syndicates, generally range from $100,000 to $1 million, targeting companies with high-growth potential and strong execution capabilities. This strategic approach positions him as a crucial early backer for many of India's most promising ventures.