z21 Ventures secures $20M for Fund II targeting AI and healthcare startups

z21 Ventures has announced the first close of its $40 million Fund II, securing $20 million in commitments. The early-stage investment firm, founded by a group of IIT Kharagpur alumni, focuses on disruptive technology startups. Anchor investor WestBridge Capital led the funding, signalling strong confidence in the fund’s approach. The fund was launched by four co-founders: Raj Singh, Abhinav Shashank, Jyotika Gupta, and Sudarshan Ravi Jha. Singh previously co-founded healthcare tech firm Innovaccer and worked at McKinsey, while Shashank remains Innovaccer’s CEO. Jha, another co-founder, had earlier established logistics startup LetsTransport.

Fund II will target pre-seed and seed-stage companies, particularly in AI, enterprise software, and healthcare. The team emphasises backing startups with strong leadership, cutting-edge technology, and clear market potential. z21 Ventures operates on a community-led model, tapping into its limited partner network for mentorship and strategic guidance. WestBridge Capital’s participation underscores its belief in the fund’s ability to identify and nurture early-stage innovation.

The $20 million first close marks a key step toward z21 Ventures’ $40 million target. With a focus on disruptive sectors and a network-driven approach, the fund aims to support the next wave of technology startups. WestBridge Capital’s backing further strengthens its position in the early-stage investment space.