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UK-India Cross-Border Innovation Fund
Indian Tech For The World Fund (IN/AIF2/20-21/0807) is a SEBI-registered Category II AIF managed by Pontaq Advisory Services Private Limited (or the equivalent India-incorporated entity of Pontaq). Pontaq is a cross-border innovation venture capital fund operating since 2015, investing in startups across the UK-India corridor. The UK entity is Pontaq (trading name of Anugraha Ventures Ltd, Companies House registration 09557812, regulated by the FCA). The India SEBI-registered AIF is the Indian companion vehicle. Pontaq's current emphasis is on disruptive innovation in clean and climate tech, AgriTech, HealthTech, and FinTech in India. The fund has invested in 100+ startups. The registered address — Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Technest Incubation Facility, Cabin No. 23, 2nd Floor, Taramani, Chennai – 600113 — confirms Pontaq's deep ties with STPI (Mahesh Ramachandran serves on STPI FinBlue Governing Council). The fund's legal adviser is Nishith Desai Associates (pontaq.nda@nishithdesai.com = NDA's dedicated Pontaq email).
Pontaq invests in startups building for the global stage from India — with particular focus on companies using digital, fintech, and deeptech innovations to address large unmet needs. The fund's cross-border thesis targets cross-pollination of technology between the UK and India — leveraging India's innovation capabilities and UK's global market access. Investment focus has evolved from pure cross-border technology transfer to India-first disruptive innovation in climate tech, clean energy, agritech, healthtech, and fintech. Pontaq targets a 3rd fund to raise USD 50 million.
Mahesh Ramachandran
Partner, Pontaq Cross Border Innovation Fund; SEBI Contact Person
Mahesh Ramachandran is a Partner at Pontaq and the SEBI-designated contact person for Indian Tech For The World Fund. He is a serial and social entrepreneur turned investor, founder of Commonwealth Inclusive Growth Services Ltd (CIGS — serving 7M+ rural customers in 30,000+ villages across 27 states). He chairs TiE FinTech Special Interest Group, serves on STPI FinBlue Governing Council (a MeitY-set-up FinTech Centre of Excellence), and is visiting faculty at ISB, Bennett University, and National Policy Academy. He holds an MBA from University of Westminster and a Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy from London Business School. He is a IRDA-qualified Chief Insurance Officer.
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