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VentureNursery
Shravan Shroff and Ravi Kiran's Mumbai accelerator shaped India's early-stage angel ecosystem through a cohort-based model.
VentureNursery
Venture Nursery (VN) is India’s first angel-backed start-up accelerator. It was established in March 2012 by two like-minded Angel Investors in Residence -Shravan Shroff, Founder and Former MD, Fame India Limited and Ravi Kiran, former CEO-South East & South Asia, Starcom MediaVest Group and Co-Founder, Friends of Ambition.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Asia
Country
India
City
Mumbai
Corporate office
B-103, Kailash Apartment, Juhu Church Road, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049, India
Principals
Shravan Shroff
Co-founder
Ravi Kiran
Co-founder
Frequently asked questions
How does VentureNursery source its startups?
VentureNursery runs an open application process for each cohort cycle, typically attracting early-stage Indian startups seeking first institutional engagement. The selection emphasizes founder coachability and market potential, with finalists entering a 13-week residency at the firm's Juhu office. Founders Shravan Shroff and Ravi Kiran, alongside a network of sector mentors, lead the vetting.
Does VentureNursery operate a traditional venture fund?
No. VentureNursery is structured as an angel-backed accelerator, not a pooled venture fund. It does not disclose assets under management. Instead, it prepares startups for external investment by providing mentorship and organizing a demo day for its network of angel investors, including members of Mumbai Angels and the Indian Angel Network.
Who are the key investment decision-makers at VentureNursery?
Co-founders Shravan Shroff and Ravi Kiran set the firm's strategic direction and lead the selection of cohort participants. Shroff draws on his operating experience as former managing director of Fame India, while Kiran brings his background as former CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group South Asia. Both are active members of Mumbai Angels and the Indian Angel Network, through which much of the firm's co-investment activity flows.
What is VentureNursery's relationship with Venture Catalysts?
Venture Catalysts was co-founded by Apoorv Ranjan Sharma, who previously served as executive vice president at VentureNursery. While the two firms are independent, the connection represents an early example of Indian accelerator talent spinning out to build larger-scale early-stage investment platforms. Venture Catalysts later grew into a multi-city fund with a different capital aggregation model.
How does VentureNursery generate returns if it doesn't have a fund?
The firm's model historically generated returns through equity stakes taken in exchange for acceleration services, with realized gains tied to follow-on rounds or exits facilitated by its angel network. Because VentureNursery does not publicly disclose AUM or carry structures, its specific compensation mechanics remain opaque. Co-founders Shravan Shroff and Ravi Kiran also operate separate investment and advisory vehicles — South Yarra Holdings and Friends of Ambition — which may participate in portfolio company outcomes.
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