3one4 Capital Launches $15M Fund Dedicated to Under-Represented Founders, Backed by British International Investment
Bengaluru-based venture capital firm 3one4 Capital has announced the launch of a dedicated $15 million fund aimed at backing under-represented founders across India. The fund marks a significant step in addressing systemic gaps in access to early-stage capital, with British International Investment (BII) — the UK's development finance institution — stepping in as the lead investor.
Bridging the Equity Gap in Indian Startup Funding
Despite India's booming startup ecosystem, access to early-stage capital remains deeply unequal. Founders from underrepresented backgrounds — including women, those from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and entrepreneurs from minority communities — have historically received a disproportionately small share of venture funding. This new fund from 3one4 Capital directly targets that disparity, channeling capital toward founders who are often overlooked by mainstream investors.
3one4 Capital, one of India's most respected early-stage VC firms, has built a strong track record of identifying and nurturing high-potential startups before they hit mainstream radar. The firm's portfolio spans sectors including SaaS, consumer technology, fintech, and deep tech. This new fund represents a deliberate pivot to not just back great ideas, but ensure that the opportunity to build those ideas is available to a wider, more diverse set of entrepreneurs.
BII's Commitment to Inclusive Growth
The involvement of British International Investment as the lead investor underscores the growing global recognition that inclusive entrepreneurship is not just a social imperative — it's a smart investment strategy. BII, which focuses on sustainable and inclusive economic development across Asia and Africa, has been increasingly active in India's venture ecosystem, betting on firms that align financial returns with broader developmental goals.
By partnering with 3one4 Capital, BII is signaling confidence in both the firm's investment discipline and its ability to identify overlooked talent pools that could generate outsized returns over the long term.
What This Means for India's Startup Ecosystem
The launch of this fund arrives at a critical moment for Indian venture capital, which is maturing rapidly but still grappling with representation challenges at the founder level. If successful, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other VC firms to carve out dedicated capital pools for underrepresented communities — transforming inclusion from a talking point into a structural feature of the funding landscape.
For aspiring founders who have long felt shut out of the startup funding conversation, 3one4 Capital's $15 million commitment may well signal the beginning of a more equitable chapter in Indian entrepreneurship.