Gemba Capital Plans 10 Investments in 2025, Focuses on Fintech and Consumer Tech Expansion.

Micro-VC firm Gemba Capital plans to make nearly 10 investments in 2025, leveraging its expertise in fintech, consumer tech, and B2B platforms. According to Founding Partner Adith Podhar, the firm will allocate four investments from its Fund I and another 4–5 from Fund II.

Having backed seven startups in 2024, Gemba Capital will begin active fundraising for its second fund in January 2025, aiming to close it by mid-year. The ₹250 crore Fund II, launched in July, includes a ₹50 crore green-shoe option and is designed to support 30 early-stage, “platform-first” startups. Approximately 30% of the corpus will be reserved for follow-on investments.

The firm’s fintech focus spans InsurTech, lending, wealth management, investment platforms, payments, and

enablers, while its consumer tech investments will expand into B2C gaming, health, e-commerce, content, and social platforms. Podhar highlighted an increased focus on startups targeting tier-2 and tier-3 cities, rural areas, and products tailored for the mass affluent category, marking a shift from traditional ultra-HNI and HNI audiences.

Optimistic about sector trends, Podhar expects a revival in the InsurTech space, which experienced a slowdown in 2024, alongside growing opportunities for generative AI solutions in both B2B and B2C markets.

Since its inception in 2018, Gemba Capital has invested in 51 startups, including PlumHQ, GripInvest, ClickPost, Wintwealth, Navadhan Capital, and Zuper. The firm currently allocates ₹2 crore per first check from Fund I and ₹5 crore per first check from Fund II.

With a focus on innovation and tech-driven solutions, Gemba aims to strengthen its portfolio and further drive growth in India's burgeoning startup ecosystem.

HBL