Campus Fund

Campus Fund is a venture capital firm founded in 2020 in Bengaluru, India, that provides finance and support exclusively to student entrepreneurs. Its mission is to empower student-led startups by offering early-stage capital, mentorship, and access to a global network of industry experts and investors. The fund typically invests in innovative sectors such as AI and machine learning, Adtech, Agritech, and more, focusing on startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. Campus Fund aims to be more than just a financier by actively supporting founders through critical growth phases, helping them refine their business models, pitch decks, and scaling strategies[1][3][4].

The fund serves as a catalyst in the startup ecosystem by backing young entrepreneurs who are often the first institutional investors in their ventures. This early support helps transform bold campus ideas into scalable businesses, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students and recent graduates. Campus Fund’s approach combines financial investment with hands-on advisory, community building, and founder-first support, positioning it as a key player in nurturing the next generation of tech startups in India and beyond[2][3].

Campus Fund was established in 2020 by a team including founder and CEO Richa Bajpai, with key partners such as Anuj Mehta and Paarth Chandna. The fund’s origin lies in recognizing the untapped potential of student entrepreneurs who often lack access to institutional capital and mentorship. Since its inception, Campus Fund has evolved to provide not only capital but also a comprehensive support system that includes connections to top-tier global investors and industry leaders. This evolution reflects a growing focus on building a robust ecosystem around student founders to accelerate their journey from idea to impact[1][3][4].

Core Differentiators

• Student-Focused Investment Model: Campus Fund exclusively backs student and recent graduate founders, filling a niche often overlooked by traditional VCs.
• Founder-First Support: Beyond capital, the fund offers mentorship, honest feedback, and community support tailored to the unique challenges of student entrepreneurs.
• Access to Elite Networks: Portfolio companies gain connections to world-class entrepreneurs, industry experts, and corporates, facilitating strategic advice and partnerships.
• Flexible, Founder-Friendly Terms: Campus Fund emphasizes equity terms that empower founders without restrictive conditions, enabling them to focus on growth.
• Sector Diversity: While focused on tech-driven startups, Campus Fund invests across a broad range of sectors including AI, Adtech, Agritech, aerospace, and more[1][3].

Campus Fund rides the broader trend of early-stage investment democratization and youth entrepreneurship, capitalizing on the increasing number of students launching startups with innovative technologies. The timing is favorable due to the global surge in student entrepreneurship, advances in technology lowering barriers to entry, and growing investor interest in fresh, high-potential founders. By focusing on this segment, Campus Fund influences the ecosystem by validating student ventures as viable investment opportunities and by building a supportive infrastructure that encourages more students to pursue entrepreneurship seriously[2][3].

Looking ahead, Campus Fund is poised to expand its influence by scaling its portfolio, deepening its advisory capabilities, and potentially increasing fund size to support startups through later stages like Series A. Trends such as AI adoption, digital transformation in emerging markets, and increased global connectivity will shape its investment focus. As student entrepreneurship continues to grow worldwide, Campus Fund’s role as a dedicated early-stage partner will likely become even more critical, helping to launch the next wave of impactful startups from campuses to global markets[1][2][3].

In essence, Campus Fund is not just a financing source but a comprehensive ecosystem builder for student entrepreneurs, turning campus ideas into tomorrow’s leading startups through capital, mentorship, and community.