IAN (Indian Angel Network) & IIM Alumni Singapore partner to bring Money, Mentoring and Market Access to Indian & Singapore startups

IM Alumni Singapore members will have access to IAN’s startup investment opportunities and IAN angel investors will have access to IIM Alumni Singapore linked start-ups

20, November 2023: IAN (Indian Angel Network), India’s first and largest horizontal platform for seed & early stage investments and IIM Alumni Singapore, which brings together alumni of the Indian Institutes of Management, announce a win-win strategic partnership to link up two of the largest start-up ecosystems in Asia – India and Singapore. 

The Indian startup ecosystem today is the third-largest globally and the fastest growing. IAN is the pioneer of angel investing and has played a pivotal role in transforming India’s startup industry. Comprising the Angel Group and two VC Funds, the IAN enables entrepreneurs to raise from US$50K to US$ 5mn on a single platform.  The IIM Alumni Singapore partnership is strategic. It will provide IAN investors access to high quality investment opportunities, with robust IP protection rights and supportive government based schemes in Singapore.  It is also aligned with IAN’s vision of investing and breeding valuable companies with global foot prints. This partnership will provide a fillip to IAN’s vision of investing in “500 startups with Rs. 5000 crores to create 500,000 jobs” which will help create high value jobs in both India and Singapore.  

Similarly, one of IIM Alumni Singapore’s key objectives is to provide value to its members and this partnership provides them access to engage with the Indian and South East Asian start-up ecosystems. Partnering with IAN will provide IIM Alumni Singapore members high quality investment opportunities  and the ability to engage with them to leverage the South East Asian markets.  

This partnership will enable both IAN & IIM Angel Investors’ portfolio companies to leverage the Indian and South East Asian markets: bringing value to both startups and investors. The well governed SEBI approved AIF structure  provides cross border investors  a well governed mechanism to invest and engage. This partnership will also provide India based angel investors in the IAN network a unique opportunity to support innovative IIM alumni Singapore linked startups in Singapore, through a SEBI approved structure. This will strengthen the early stage India-Singapore startup corridor.   

Speaking on the same, Mr. Suresh Shankar, President, IIM Alumni Singapore, said, “It is game changing for us to be associated with IAN, the pioneers of angel investing in India. The group is pivotal in upscaling the entrepreneurial landscape in the country and is known for its strong startup and investor portfolio. Our partnership will bring abundant opportunities for IIM Alumni in Singapore who are keen to invest and mentor startups and get access to IAN’s platform for the same. IIM Alumni  Singapore linked startups will also receive access to the required financial assistance and mentorship to grow and build profitable businesses through IAN’s VC Funds and members comprising the who’s who of successful entrepreneurs/CXOs around the world.”

Mr Saurabh Srivastava, Co-Founder, IAN & Chairman Emeritus TiE Delhi-NCR & Past Member of TiE Global Board , said, “This strategic partnership will accelerate the growth of jobs both in India & Singapore. IIM Alumni Singapore is the nodal coordinating body of IIM Alumni in the city. The alliance between IAN & IIM Alumni Singapore will bring together high quality investors from two leading organisations to help  create path breaking valuable companies, with innovative solutions for some of the world’s real problems. through a well governed and active cross border platform for investing and growing startups. ”

Mr Amit Gupta, President TiE Singapore, said “ One of TiE’s mission is to focus on generating and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. The partnership between IIM Alumni SG and IAN, both of whom are partners who share many members with TiE, is another step to creating a cross border platform for the next generation of entrepreneurs. TiE supports such partnerships and indeed breeds similar models on its own platform”

About IAN

IAN (Indian Angel Network) is India’s first angel investor group, comprising renowned, successful entrepreneurs and dynamic CEOs from across the world. With investors from 12 countries, IAN’s presence spans 7 global locations. Over the past 17 years, the platform has funded innovative start-ups across 19 sectors in India and 7 other countries, with several Unicorns in its stable of companies valued at over $ 9 bill. IAN has been enabling excellent cash exits year-on-year to its investors for the last 14 years. Some of its marquee investee companies include Druva Software, Spinny, Uniphore Software Systems, WOW Momos, Consure Medical, FarEye, Propelld, Dhruva Space, WebEngage, Planetsparks, amongst many others. 

Apart from the IAN’s angel investor network, the platform comprises BioAngels, India’s first sector-focused angel investor group, in partnership with BIRAC, an enterprise of the Department of Biotechnology. The IAN Group also includes the IAN Fund I, an INR 375 crore VC fund, and the INR 1,000 crores IAN Alpha Fund, to build the single largest platform for seed and early-stage investing enabling entrepreneurs to raise from INR 50 lakhs to INR 50 crores from quality investors who provide funds, mentoring and global market access. 

About IIM Alumni Singapore

IIM Alumni Singapore is a not-for-profit organization registered under the laws of Singapore for the development of community networks amongst alumni members of the Indian Institutes of Management. IIM Alumni Singapore aims to build the IIM alumni brand and network, with all relevant professional, business, academic, governmental and social communities in Singapore, India and globally and continually seeks to develop programs that promote the interests of such IIM alumni communities.

About TiE Singapore

TiE Singapore is a vibrant eco-system of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists and industry professionals. It is a non-profit that inspires entrepreneurs through its training, mentoring and networking programs. 

TiE Singapore nurtures a productive environment where: 

Startups can interact and get advice from successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

Entrepreneurs can help their peers and benefit from each other’s experiences and network with potential investors.

Investors can stay updated on the startups scene in Asia and get introduced to the hottest startups and the founder community.

Founders can find a support system through the entire entrepreneurial process and groom into seasoned entrepreneurs.