Stride Ventures is one of the newest entrants in India’s nascent venture debt market that is catering to the alternative funding needs of startups without having to dilute their equity shareholding.
The venture debt firm, founded by Ishpreet Gandhi, had marked the first close of its debut fund late last year. Since then the fund has been actively investing even during the lockdown imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, having made at least a dozen bets so far.
In an interaction with VCCircle, Gandhi, who has over a decade of experience in the banking industry, said the fund will remain active in coming months as well. It plans to have a portfolio of 20-22 companies by the end of March next year, he said.
Stride has recently issued three term sheets to startups operating in the agri-tech, direct-to-brands and business-to-business logistics segments.
He also talked about the recent investment from Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) that has helped the fund inch closer to its final close.