Colossa Womenfirst Fund — Colossa Ventures | wisefolio

Colossa Womenfirst Fund

Women First. Business First.

IN/AIF2/22-23/1245Cat II

Private equity, private credit and real-estate funds that don't employ leverage except for operating needs. The largest AIF category.

Overview

About

Colossa Womenfirst Fund is a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (reg. IN/AIF2/22-23/1245), managed by Colossa Ventures LLP, an independent venture capital management company headquartered in Lower Parel, Mumbai. The fund was co-founded by Ashu Suyash (former MD & CEO of CRISIL, former India Country Head at Fidelity International) and Vandana Rajadhyaksha (ex-Partner at ICICI Ventures and Aditya Birla Private Equity). With a target corpus of ₹500 crore, the fund achieved its first close at ₹100 crore in March 2024, backed by investors including SIDBI, the family office of Ranjan Pai, and Shriram Ownership Trust. The fund invests in disruptive, category-defining startups that are founded or co-founded by women, or where women are the primary beneficiaries — sectors include SaaS & deep tech, fintech, healthcare, climate & cleantech, and consumer. Portfolio companies include FS Life (FableStreet), FinReach, CENTA, Exposome, Ahammune Biosciences, Serigen Mediproducts, Meolaa, and Vioma Motors. Capability partners include IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, Manipal Academy, and Bombay Law Chambers.

Investment Philosophy

Colossa believes that investing in 'WomenFirst businesses' makes immense business sense — data shows that women comprise half the world, make over 75% of household decisions, and that women-founded companies' success rates are on par with male counterparts, yet they remain chronically underfunded. The fund goes beyond the cheque through its proprietary 3C Framework: Capital (early-stage funding and access to follow-on capital), Capability (resources, networks, mentorship, and market linkages for founders), and Confidence (mindful mentoring to overcome challenges and biases). Colossa seeks to create a new asset class of enduring, high-quality WomenFirst businesses and generate strong alpha for investors — combining financial returns with a knock-on positive social impact through wider economic agency for women in India.

Team— 10

Ashu Suyash

Founder & CEO

Ashu Suyash is Founder & CEO of Colossa Ventures, with over three decades of experience in Indian financial services and global information services. She was previously Managing Director & CEO of CRISIL Limited (2015–2021) and a member of the Global Operating Committee of S&P Global Inc. She was also CEO of L&T Investment Management and L&T Capital Markets, and Country Head & MD of Fidelity's Indian Mutual Fund business. She began her career at Citibank India across corporate and investment banking. She is an independent director at Hindustan Unilever, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tata Elxsi, and the National Institute of Securities Market. She is a Chartered Accountant and holds a BCom from University of Mumbai.

Vandana Rajadhyaksha

Co-Founder & Co-Head

Vandana Rajadhyaksha is Co-Founder & Co-Head of Colossa Ventures with over 21 years in venture capital and private equity. She was Investment Director at ICICI Ventures and Director (Investments) at Aditya Birla Private Equity, where she oversaw portfolios exceeding USD 300 million, including laying the foundation for Aditya Birla Ventures. Her board representation has spanned Infoedge, ShriramCity, Olive Bar and Kitchen, and IEX.

Anuj Kokate

AVP

Anuj Kokate brings six years of experience in financial services including the incubation of tech-focused startups.

Khush Trivedi

Research Associate

Khush Trivedi has three years of experience in research, fundraising, and M&A for startups.

Vidhi Dalmia

Associate

Vidhi Dalmia is a healthcare professional (MBBS) with experience in healthtech and life sciences.

Dev Parekh

Analyst

Dev Parekh is an IIT Bombay graduate passionate about innovation and high-impact investments.

Registration

SEBI Registration

SEBI-registered

Reg. NumberIN/AIF2/22-23/1245

VintageMar 2023 · 3 yrs old

Valid ToPerpetual

Contact PersonVandana Rajadhyaksha

Address1402, 14TH FLOOR, LODHA SUPREMUS, SENAPATI BAPAT MARG, OPP. KAMALA MILLS COMPOUND, LOWER PAREL, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400013

Insights

No insights published yet.

Disclaimer

Investments in AIFs carry market and credit risk including possible loss of capital. Past performance does not indicate future returns. Information shown is sourced from the issuer's PPM and SEBI filings — confirm against the latest PPM before committing. wisefolio is an information platform; it is not registered with SEBI as an investment adviser, portfolio manager, or distributor. By using this page you accept our terms and privacy policy, including the self-attestation that you are eligible to view AIF marketing material under SEBI rules.