Riceberg Ventures launches a $20 million fund to support DeepTech startups. Learn about its focus on AI, spacetech, cybersecurity, and more, and how it’s empowering global innovators.
Riceberg Ventures, a global venture capital firm, is making waves in the world of technology with the launch of its $20 million fund aimed at supporting the next wave of DeepTech startups. This new initiative is set to back some of the most promising companies in fields like space technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, novel energy solutions, semiconductors, and quantum computing.
This fund’s primary focus? To bridge the gap that many early-stage startups face when trying to scale in industries that require substantial research and long incubation periods. Riceberg Ventures intends to support around 25 to 30 startups globally, with each startup receiving an average investment of $500,000.
The demand for deeptech innovations has never been higher. From AI revolutionizing industries to space exploration pushing boundaries, these technologies are changing the world. However, many startups in these fields struggle to secure funding in their early stages. Research-heavy sectors often have long development cycles, making them a harder sell to investors who want faster returns.
Riceberg Ventures, founded in 2023 by a group of ambitious entrepreneurs—Ankit Anand, Mredul Sarda, Shubham Raj, and Lino Gandola—saw this challenge and decided to step in. The fund is designed to support innovators creating game-changing solutions that have the potential to disrupt existing markets or create entirely new ones.
Riceberg Ventures isn’t just about investing; it’s about nurturing the world’s next big breakthroughs. Ankit Anand, a physicist-turned-entrepreneur, believes the rise of DeepTech is not only an opportunity but a necessity. “True venture success comes from investing in disruptive solutions that address global challenges,” he says. DeepTech fields like space exploration, AI, and cybersecurity are not just about profit—they’re about solving some of the world’s most complex problems.
In fact, Riceberg Ventures already has a history of backing exciting startups, including Manastu Space, Signatur Biosciences, EtherealX, and Keyron Medical. These startups are pioneering in their respective fields, whether it’s space technologies, healthcare, or AI-powered solutions.
One of the key differentiators for Riceberg Ventures is its global reach. The firm operates in India, Europe, and the United States, connecting entrepreneurs with an international network of scientists, venture capitalists, and corporate partners. This wide-reaching network gives Riceberg-backed startups the chance to collaborate on a global scale, making it easier for entrepreneurs to bring their solutions to life.
A major initiative under this global umbrella is KickSky, a SpaceTech accelerator program run in partnership with E2MC Ventures. The accelerator supports startups building cutting-edge technologies in orbital systems and advanced propulsion, and it’s helping the space industry take off in ways never seen before. Riceberg’s KickSky program also has partnerships with global organizations, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hungarian government, focusing on cross-border collaboration to boost innovation.
A key focus for Riceberg Ventures is empowering Indian innovators. The Indian DeepTech ecosystem has seen tremendous growth in recent years, thanks to government initiatives like the Rs 10,000-crore Startup Fund of Funds and the Rs 50,000-crore National Research Foundation. But despite this, many early-stage Indian DeepTech founders still struggle with the long development cycles and substantial capital requirements needed to bring their ideas to market.
Lino Gandola, a founding partner at Riceberg and former European VC professional, highlights the issue: “The Indian diaspora has been behind some of the world’s most groundbreaking innovations, from the early days of Google to OpenAI’s breakthroughs. Yet, many Indian founders have had to operate in the background due to systemic challenges and limited access to early-stage capital.”
Riceberg Ventures wants to change that. With the launch of this $20 million fund, their mission is clear: to give Indian innovators the resources they need to create the next Google or SpaceX. Mredul Sarda, another founding partner and an alumnus of IIT Bombay, adds, “We aim to provide Indian researchers and entrepreneurs with the tools to take center stage in the world of DeepTech.”
The new $20 million fund isn’t just about offering capital. Riceberg Ventures provides hands-on support to its portfolio companies, guiding them through the tough early years of product development and helping them find their product-market fit. With a global network of business and technical experts, the firm is dedicated to helping DeepTech startups overcome the hurdles that often stall progress in highly innovative industries.
By providing funding, expertise, and global connections, Riceberg Ventures is positioning itself as a major player in the DeepTech investment space. The sectors it’s targeting—spacetech, AI, cybersecurity, novel energy, and semiconductors—are all poised for rapid growth in the coming years, and Riceberg Ventures is positioning itself to back the next wave of pioneers in these fields.
Riceberg Ventures is making an impact on DeepTech innovation by providing the funding, resources, and expertise that startups need to thrive. With its $20 million fund, Riceberg Ventures aims to bridge the gap between great ideas and successful companies, helping entrepreneurs turn cutting-edge technologies into real-world solutions.
For Indian innovators, this fund is especially important, offering a unique opportunity to take the lead in global DeepTech advancements. With the firm’s extensive network and hands-on approach, the next generation of entrepreneurs has the chance to create revolutionary technologies that will shape the future.
If you’re a DeepTech startup or an aspiring founder, Riceberg Ventures could be the partner you’ve been waiting for. Whether you’re developing a space technology, working on a novel energy solution, or building AI-powered platforms, Riceberg is ready to help you make your mark on the world.
