Nexus Venture Partners’ $700M Bet: Building the AI Bridge Between Silicon Valley and India

In a powerful reaffirmation of the deep ties between the world’s two most dynamic tech ecosystems, Silicon Valley-rooted venture capital firm Nexus Venture Partners has successfully closed its eighth fund at $700 million. Matching the size of its 2023 predecessor, this new fund is strategically designed to fuel early-stage innovation with a unique, balanced mandate: a 50-50 geographical split between India and the United States.

Founded in 2006 by pioneers Naren Gupta, Sandeep Singhal, and Suvir Sujan, Nexus has spent nearly two decades building a distinctive bridge across the Pacific. Managing over $3.2 billion in assets from offices in Menlo Park, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, the firm is doubling down on its core thesis at a pivotal moment for artificial intelligence and the global digital economy.

The Nexus Advantage: A Trans-Pacific Launchpad

Nexus’s model is more than just geographic diversification; it’s a strategic synthesis. It provides a unique “one-stop” value proposition for ambitious founders:

• For Indian Startups: Access to Silicon Valley’s deep pools of technical talent, go-to-market expertise for global SaaS, and introductions to the world’s largest enterprise customers.
• For US Startups: A gateway to understand, pilot, and scale in the massive, complex, and high-growth Indian market, which is undergoing its own digital revolution.
• For All Founders: The combined perspective of partners who have seen multiple cycles in both markets, offering guidance that is globally aware yet locally nuanced.

The firm typically deploys inception-to-Series A cheques, starting between $300,000 and $1 million, aiming for 30 investments per fund cycle. This focused approach allows them to be deeply involved partners from the very beginning.

A Portfolio Built for the AI Era: From Quick Commerce to Foundational Models

Nexus’s portfolio reads like a who’s who of modern Indian and cross-border tech success, demonstrating an uncanny ability to spot category leaders early:

• Indian Unicorns & Leaders: Zepto (quick commerce), Rapido (bike-taxis), Postman (API platform), Druva (cloud data protection), and Delhivery (logistics).
• Cutting-Edge AI Plays: Recent bets on frontier AI companies like Neysa and Giga, showcasing their push into the most advanced layers of the AI stack.

This track record is backed by formidable exit performance: the firm has delivered over $700 million in cash returns through 30+ exits (IPOs and acquisitions) and generated $1.5-$2 billion in total liquidity for its investors.

Why This Fund Matters Now: Seizing the AI Inflection Point

The new fund’s timing and focus are deliberate. As Managing Partner Jishnu Bhattacharjee articulated, the current moment is defined by “AI’s inflection point,” which demands a dual-strategy approach.

1. Betting on US Innovation: The United States remains the epicenter of fundamental AI research, foundational model development, and cutting-edge enterprise software. Nexus will continue to back startups at this innovation frontier.
2. Capitalizing on India’s Digital Surge: India presents the world’s largest laboratory for AI application. Its booming digital economy, vast datasets, and unique domestic challenges create fertile ground for startups applying AI to solve problems in commerce, finance, healthcare, and agriculture at a billion-person scale.

This 50-50 split allows Nexus to fund the creators of new AI technologies and the scalers who will deploy them to massive audiences.

A Signal of Broader VC Confidence and Discipline

Nexus’s successful close is a microcosm of a larger, healthy trend. It comes amidst a wave of 81 new funds launched in India in 2025, totaling $12.1 billion—a 39% year-on-year surge. However, the fact that Nexus held its fund size steady, rather than aggressively upsizing, reflects a disciplined, conviction-driven approach. It signals that top-tier VCs are focused on deploying capital thoughtfully, not just accumulating it.

This discipline aligns with the broader maturation of the Indian venture landscape, where capital is becoming more strategic and aligned with long-term national goals like the IndiaAI Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Conclusion: The Bridge to Global Scale is Funded and Open

The closing of Nexus’s $700 million Fund VIII is more than a fundraising announcement; it’s a renewal of a powerful covenant between two tech superpowers. It reinforces that the most ambitious tech journeys of this decade will be trans-Pacific from day one.

For founders in AI, enterprise software, consumer tech, and fintech, the message is clear: the bridge to global scale is not just a metaphor. It is a funded, operational platform with a proven track record of building legendary companies. Whether you are starting in a garage in San Francisco or a studio apartment in Bengaluru, Nexus represents a partner that understands both your technological ambition and your path to a global market. The next generation of category-defining companies will likely be built on this very bridge.