Defying global slowdown, India VC investments jump to $16 bn in 2025
New Delhi: Defying a broader global slowdown in private capital markets, venture capital (VC) investments in India surged to approximately USD 16 billion in 2025, marking a second consecutive year of expansion, according to a report.
The ‘India Venture Capital Report 2026’ by global consultancy firm Bain & Company and the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) revealed that overall deal activity accelerated by about 18 per cent year-on-year, with total transactions exceeding 1,300 across various stages.
The growth was achieved despite global macroeconomic headwinds, geopolitical tensions, and tighter liquidity, which constrained leverage-driven private capital flows globally. Growth remained broad-based, propelled by robust activity in deals valued below USD 50 million.
Larger transactions also picked up pace, with deals exceeding USD 250 million doubling in number from four to eight. Investors continued to prioritise companies showing solid unit economics and clear routes to monetisation, reflecting a market shift towards valuing business quality over unchecked expansion.
Consumer tech funding moderated, though it continued to demonstrate longer-term resilience, rising about 25 per cent year-on-year from 2023. Verticalised quick commerce, which focuses on the quick delivery of specific product categories rather than a general assortment, emerged as a notable growth area.
“After the reset in 2023, the Indian venture ecosystem has returned to a growth path—this time marked by clear signs of maturity... Barring the funding spikes of 2021 and 2022, India is now seeing its highest-ever funding levels, built on the right foundations of governance, capital efficiency, and exit visibility, positioning the ecosystem for sustainable, long-term growth,” said Aditya Muralidhar, Associate Partner at Bain & Company.
Technology-driven sectors played a central role in India’s funding recovery, with fintech emerging as the standout performer. Fintech deal value rebounded by roughly 2.2 times year-on-year. While payments accounted for the largest share in value, wealthtech emerged as a major theme, witnessing a five-fold increase in deal value supported by rising digital adoption and household savings.
Software and SaaS funding grew 1.5 times, driven by mature incumbents returning to the market and a new wave of Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI-native B2B companies gaining traction.
