Early-stage venture capital firm Sadev Ventures has appointed Ishan Kansal, former product head at Snabbit, as its cofounder and managing partner. Kansal will commence his role in early June 2026, operating from Bengaluru where he will establish Sadev’s second office in India. This strategic move is part of the firm’s efforts to expand its reach and influence within India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem.
### Sadev Ventures and Its New Leadership
Sadev Ventures, originally founded as Eternal Capital in 2024 by Dhruv Dhanraj Bahl, focuses on investing in startups at the seed to pre-Series A stages. With Kansal’s appointment, the firm aims to leverage his extensive experience in product and business development, gained from his tenure at high-growth companies like Snabbit and CRED. At Snabbit, Kansal played a pivotal role in leading product, data, and design teams, while his time at CRED saw him scale critical product and business verticals in payments, lending, and insurance. His background also includes valuable stints at Paytm and Deutsche Bank, where he gained insights into the Indian and APAC markets.
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Sadev Ventures is currently managing a ₹240 crore corpus, with investments in startups such as Asaya, Cleevo, Vama, Gladful, and Prosperr. With plans to surpass ₹1,000 crore in assets under management in the next 18-24 months, the firm is also preparing to launch its second equity fund and enter the venture debt space. Kansal’s appointment is seen as a step towards enhancing Sadev’s ability to discover and support innovative founders through the critical early stages of growth.
### The Competitive Landscape and Funding Environment
The Indian venture capital landscape has been increasingly competitive, with numerous firms vying for stakes in promising startups. Sadev Ventures, by bringing on board someone with Kansal’s expertise, is positioning itself to better compete with other early-stage investors. The firm writes cheques ranging from ₹2 to ₹10 crore, targeting sector-agnostic startups with high growth potential. Notable LPs backing Sadev include prominent figures such as Deep Kalra of MakeMyTrip and Nalin Negi of BharatPe.
The firm has been active in recent funding rounds, participating in Bidso’s ₹63 crore round led by Blume Ventures, as well as investments in Care.Fi and Atomgrid. This level of activity highlights Sadev’s commitment to identifying and nurturing innovative startups across various sectors, despite the challenges posed by a fluctuating global investment climate.
### Implications for India’s Startup Ecosystem
Sadev Ventures’ expansion and Kansal’s appointment come at a time when India’s startup ecosystem is witnessing rapid growth and diversification. With a focus on early-stage investments, Sadev is well-positioned to influence the next wave of successful startups. The firm’s move into venture debt also reflects a broader trend in the Indian market, where startups are increasingly seeking alternative financing options to fuel their growth without diluting equity.
For founders, engineers, and investors, Sadev’s strategic expansion signals increased opportunities for collaboration and funding. As the firm ramps up its operations, it will likely play a significant role in shaping the landscape for early-stage startups in India.
Looking ahead, stakeholders in the Indian startup ecosystem should watch how Sadev Ventures executes its growth strategy and how Kansal’s leadership influences the firm’s investment decisions. This development may also encourage other venture capital firms to strengthen their leadership teams and expand their operations in India.
