888VC: 10 Key Things You Must Know
Overview
888VC is an early-stage venture capital and accelerator platform focused on investing in technology startups from emerging markets, particularly emphasizing AI, deep tech, and sustainability sectors. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, with a presence in New York and other global locations, 888VC is uniquely positioned as a cross-border investment enabler. It fosters a global network of investors and mentors, aiming to connect promising startups with capital and expertise to scale internationally. This article delves into many facets of 888VC, highlighting its origin, investment approach, signature platforms, portfolio, and its impact on global startup ecosystems.
1. Origins and Founding Vision
888VC was established in 2022 by Rohit Bafna, a former Vice President at 100Unicorn, aiming to create the largest cross-border VC and investments platform. It was founded to bridge the gap between emerging market startups and global investor networks, supporting businesses with international growth potential. The firm’s founding vision involves not just providing funding but also facilitating mentorship, partnerships, and global market expansion, positioning itself as a peer network of investors across the world. It operates from Bengaluru, New York, and Bengaluru’s Indira Nagar Road, offering a blended approach of venture capital and startup acceleration.
2. Unique Cross-Border Investment Model
At the core of 888VC's strategy is its cross-border investment model, connecting investors and startups from diverse geographies such as India, the US, and the UAE. This model promotes the exchange of local market insights and investment opportunities across borders, reducing barriers for startups to scale globally. The firm actively facilitates co-investments, pulling together capital from its global network to back early-stage technology startups. It leverages its global connections to validate business models in multiple markets, particularly emphasizing the synergy between the Indian and US tech ecosystems.
3. The GRO8 Platform for Growth and Connections
One of 888VC’s flagship offerings is the GRO8 Platform, a unique cross-border investment and mentorship hub. GRO8 connects founders with experienced mentors, investors, and potential partners worldwide. The platform is designed to accelerate startup growth by providing curated guidance, deal rooms for focused funding discussions, and peer support within exclusive industry groups. This approach enables startups to refine their pitch, access strategic advice, and enter new markets, thus moving beyond traditional fundraising to fostering sustainable scaling.
4. Focus Areas: AI, Deep Tech, and Sustainability
888VC specializes in funding startups in emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), deep tech, and sustainability. These sectors are viewed as the future drivers for innovation and economic development globally. The VC fund launched a significant INR 175 crore (approximately $19 million) early-stage alternative investment fund (AIF) in 2025 targeted at these areas. With ticket sizes ranging from ₹2 to ₹4 crore, 888VC backs companies capable of scaling both in India and internationally, recognizing India’s growing role as a global innovation hub in these fields.
5. Portfolio Highlights and Impact
Since its launch, 888VC has invested in over 20 startups with a combined portfolio valuation exceeding $500 million. Notable portfolio companies include EcoRatings—focused on cleantech and sustainability solutions, Sanfe—a women’s hygiene direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand, and Finly, a SaaS startup. The firm’s portfolio spans healthtech, agritech, fintech, SaaS, and climate tech sectors, demonstrating a diversified but focused approach to early-stage investments. Through these investments, 888VC supports innovation that addresses critical social and environmental challenges.
6. Investment Philosophy and Strategic Approach
888VC operates with a strong investment philosophy centered on deep founder support, cross-border validation, and impact-driven innovation. Unlike typical VCs, 888VC combines venture capital with accelerator services to guide startups through funding, product-market fit, and international expansion. It prioritizes startups that demonstrate strong product-market viability with potential to impact multiple markets. Their syndication model further reduces risks and maximizes shared expertise by involving a network of co-investors and family offices.
7. The 888VC Club: An Exclusive Community
The 888VC Club is an invite-only community of industry leaders, investors, and sector experts. This community fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnership opportunities. Members gain privileged access to private networking events, pitch sessions, and strategic roundtables globally. The Club supports 888VC’s mission by building lasting connections that open doors for startups to leverage vast resources beyond immediate capital, including mentorship and market reach, thus enhancing the overall value proposition for founders and investors alike.
8. Role in India’s Deep Tech and Startup Ecosystem
888VC plays a pivotal role in addressing the funding gap in India's deep tech ecosystem, which traditionally sees limited early-stage investment compared to sectors like e-commerce and fintech. By launching a dedicated INR 175 crore fund with support from SEBI as a Category I AIF, 888VC is helping to catalyze innovation in emerging technologies. This move aligns with national priorities on advanced technology development and sustainability innovation, complementing public sector initiatives such as India’s INR 1 Lakh Cr RDI Scheme aimed at fostering research and innovation.
9. Global Fintech and AI Scaling Opportunities
The firm has highlighted the synergistic potential between US and Indian markets in fintech and AI innovation. Rohit Bafna, 888VC’s CEO, often emphasizes the importance of Indian market validation for fintech products due to the complexity and scale of the region, which can serve as a benchmark for global expansion. The firm actively scouts and backs AI-powered risk assessment tools, next-gen wealth platforms, and embedded finance solutions, aiming to build scalable cross-border fintech infrastructure bridging Silicon Valley and India's dynamic tech talent.
10. Future Prospects and Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, 888VC aims to scale its global footprint, deepen sector specialization, and expand its accelerator and syndication offerings. With its growing fund size and network, the firm plans to support more startups in scaling across borders, particularly focusing on climate tech, SaaS, and enterprise AI sectors. Continued engagement with institutional investors, family offices, and international VCs is expected to strengthen its syndicate model. 888VC’s evolving role as a cross-border connector situates it well for shaping the future of tech startups in emerging markets.
Conclusion
888VC stands out as a unique early-stage venture capital and accelerator platform that goes beyond conventional funding models by fostering global connections and deep founder support. With a strategic focus on AI, deep tech, and sustainability, it is advancing innovation across multiple sectors and geographies. Its cross-border investment philosophy reflects the increasing globalization of startup ecosystems, especially between India and the US. As 888VC continues to expand its fund and community, it is poised to play an influential role in shaping emerging tech ventures equipped to scale worldwide. Could this approach redefine how startups think about international growth in an increasingly interconnected world?