Silicon Road Ventures Expands Power Base as It Launches India-Centric Venture Fund to Back B2B Commerce AI Startups in India

Atlanta-based venture capital firm Silicon Road Ventures has unveiled a new India-focused investment vehicle aimed at accelerating early-stage startups building Agentic AI solutions for B2B commerce technology.

The move signals a deeper push into India’s rapidly evolving digital retail and enterprise ecosystem.

The fund has already completed its first close and has begun deploying capital into selected startups operating across commerce, supply chain, and retail innovation.

SEBI-Approved Fund Targets INR 150 Crore Corpus

Structured as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), the vehicle has received approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and is targeting a total corpus of INR 150 Crores.

Early momentum has already been established, with initial investors committing capital and the fund moving into active deal-making mode.

The structure allows Silicon Road Ventures to deploy flexible growth capital into emerging technology companies while maintaining regulatory alignment within India’s investment framework.

Focus on Agentic AI and Commerce Transformation

The India-dedicated fund is designed to support startups developing Agentic AI systems that enhance decision-making and automation across business-to-business commerce environments.

Priority sectors include multi-channel commerce platforms, logistics and supply chain optimization, fintech innovation, retail intelligence systems, and consumer analytics tools.

The strategy centers on improving operational efficiency for retailers, manufacturers, consumer packaged goods (CPG) firms, and brands undergoing digital transformation.

Beyond capital, the fund is positioning itself as a bridge to the United States market, offering portfolio companies access to infrastructure, leadership expertise, and potential expansion pathways into North America.

Leadership Experience Rooted in Retail and Enterprise Tech

Founded in 2019 by Sid Mookerji, Silicon Road Ventures typically invests at the seed and Series A stages, continuing to support companies through follow-on rounds.

The firm focuses heavily on retail and enterprise technology sectors.

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Mookerji previously co-founded Software Paradigms International (SPI), a retail technology company that operated across five continents before being acquired by Cognizant in 2018.

The leadership team also includes Ross Kimbel, who brings corporate venture experience from The Coca-Cola Company ecosystem, and Frank Tighe, a serial entrepreneur and former head of Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC).

In India, the fund’s investment operations are led by Partner Ajay Mahajan, who brings over three decades of experience in banking, financial services, and credit ratings, having previously held senior roles at Bank of America, UBS, Yes Bank, and IDFC.

Expanding a Portfolio Built Around AI Commerce Infrastructure

Silicon Road Ventures has already supported more than 30 startups across its existing portfolio, spanning multiple layers of the commerce technology stack.

These include AI-driven personalization engines, autonomous payment systems, retail media technologies, warehouse automation tools, fraud detection platforms, and customer data infrastructure.

Notable portfolio companies include Knit, Tradeverifyd, Wripple, Turn, Daash, Everyware, Qortex, Harness, i-Genie, Hammoq, Muuk, Grid & Pixel, Chatlabs, Pull Logic, and Pitchit, among others.

The firm’s investment thesis continues to center on enabling intelligent, automated commerce ecosystems that reduce friction across global retail supply chains.

Impact and Consequences

The launch of the India-focused fund is expected to intensify competition in the early-stage AI and commerce-tech investment space, particularly as global venture firms increasingly target India’s expanding digital economy.

For startups, the fund introduces a capital partner with both U.S. and India-linked operational networks, potentially improving access to cross-border scaling opportunities.

The emphasis on Agentic AI could also accelerate adoption of autonomous decision-making systems in retail operations, logistics planning, and customer engagement.

At an ecosystem level, the move reinforces India’s position as a testing ground for advanced enterprise AI solutions that may later scale into Western markets.

What’s next?

With its first close completed, Silicon Road Ventures is expected to ramp up deal activity across India in the coming months, targeting early-stage startups in commerce infrastructure, AI automation, and supply chain intelligence.

The fund is also likely to deepen partnerships with founders building globally transferable technologies, while expanding its pipeline through university-linked innovation programs and industry networks.

Further capital deployments and additional close milestones are expected as the fund moves toward its INR 150 Crore target.

Summary

Silicon Road Ventures has launched a SEBI-approved India-focused fund to invest in Agentic AI-driven B2B commerce startups.

The fund has already reached its first close and is actively deploying capital into early-stage companies transforming retail, logistics, fintech, and supply chain systems.

Backed by experienced leadership across venture capital, enterprise tech, and financial services, the initiative aims to bridge Indian innovation with U.S. market access while accelerating digital transformation in commerce infrastructure.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Silicon Road Ventures launched a SEBI-approved India-focused Category II AIF
• Fund targets INR 150 Crores in total capital
• First close completed; capital deployment has begun
• Focus: Agentic AI for B2B commerce, retail, supply chain, fintech, and logistics
• Designed to connect Indian startups with U.S. market opportunities
• Founded by Sid Mookerji in 2019
• Leadership includes Ross Kimbel and Frank Tighe
• India investments led by Ajay Mahajan
• Portfolio spans 30+ startups across AI commerce, automation, and retail infrastructure
• Key thesis: building scalable, AI-driven global commerce systems