From Saha Fund to Arise Ventures: Building a Future Powered by Women and Innovation
It began with a belief that women are not just participants in innovation but leaders defining the future economy.
When Saha Fund launched in 2014 as India’s first venture capital fund focused on women-led businesses, it changed how the country looked at inclusive investing. At a time when less than 2% of global venture funding went to women-led startups, Saha Fund invested in more than a dozen high-impact companies, creating thousands of jobs and proving that diversity delivers both performance and purpose.
The fund’s success inspired the creation of Arise Ventures, a global platform that builds on Saha’s mission with a broader focus on technology, sustainability, and impact-driven growth.
Arise Ventures: Scaling the Vision
Arise Ventures is a global early-stage venture fund investing in AI-first startups across enterprise, consumer, and healthcare sectors. The firm backs bold founders who redefine what’s possible through innovation, conviction, and execution.
With over 50 startups funded, 20 successful exits, 4 unicorns, and a network of 200+ venture partners and 500+ entrepreneurs, Arise has become one of the largest capital-backed early-stage accelerators with deep investor, mentor, and corporate networks globally.
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Arise’s Triple Impact Thesis focuses on:
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Commercial Returns – Scalable ventures with strong market traction.
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Inclusive Innovation – Backing diverse, women-led, and impact-first teams.
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Economic and Societal Empowerment – Creating measurable job, education, and sustainability impact.
Arise Connect: Bridging Innovation and Inclusion
Arise Connect I was India’s largest pre-seed accelerator for women-led and women-focused startups, run in partnership with WeWork and AWS.
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1300+ applicants, 100+ founders accelerated, and 16 mentors from top corporates including AWS, Accenture, and Deloitte.
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Startups represented key sectors like FinTech, HealthTech, Consumer, Web3, and Future of Work, combining expert-led masterclasses, in-person sessions, and enterprise connects
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Arise Connect II expanded globally as a 12-week accelerator for high-impact early-stage startups across FinTech, HealthTech, Climate, Mobility, DeepTech, AgriTech, and EdTech.
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1100+ applications, 60+ startups, and 16+ mentors from across the U.S., India, and Europe.
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The program focused on cross-border scaling, curated growth tracks, and investor exposure, preparing founders for global expansion and fundraising success
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Together, Arise Connect I and II accelerated over 150 startups and built a community of founders that continue to collaborate across continents.
StrongHer AWE: Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs
The StrongHer AWE (Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs) program stands as a cornerstone of Arise’s inclusion vision. In partnership with the U.S. Consulate, it brought together 60+ women-led startups in DeepTech, AI, HealthTech, ClimateTech, and SaaS, bridging India and the U.S. innovation ecosystems.
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300+ applications, 150+ hours of mentorship, and 25+ investors engaged across curated panels and pitch sessions.
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The 6-month hybrid accelerator provided market access, funding readiness, and global exposure for women founders driving technology-led impact
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StrongHer AWE continues to champion women founders across sectors by combining mentorship, visibility, and strategic connects, shaping a future where women-led startups are central to economic growth.
Climate Change Innovators Cohort
The Climate Change Innovators Cohort (CCIC), also supported by the U.S. Consulate, focuses on accelerating 15 climate-first startups solving critical environmental challenges through scalable, tech-driven solutions.
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150+ applications, 50% women-led startups, and 20+ hours of masterclasses delivered by industry experts.
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Sessions covered climate innovation, funding mechanics, and go-to-market strategies, helping founders translate ideas into actionable, investable models
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CCIC reinforces Arise’s commitment to sustainability by investing in technologies that drive measurable environmental and social outcomes.
SAP x Deloitte x Arise Cohort
In collaboration with SAP and Deloitte, this 9-month accelerator supports early-stage startups building enterprise-grade solutions in AI, Cloud, Cybersecurity, and Digital Operations.
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6 startups selected from over 50 evaluated, focused on CPG, Retail, and Pharma Life Sciences sectors.
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The program combines SAP’s technology, Deloitte’s market insight, and Arise’s venture expertise to help startups build GTM strategies, pilot with corporates, and prepare for institutional investment.
This cohort represents Arise’s growing role as a bridge between startups and global enterprise ecosystems.
Impact by the Numbers
500+ startups accelerated across all AriseX programs.
Conducted 80+ masterclasses led by global experts, sharing insights on scaling and innovation.
25+ global partnerships and $60 million+ in total funding access to startups.
More than 2,500 office hours to help startups solve challenges and accelerate their journey.
1,500 founders+ have received mentorship through our accelerator, gaining guidance for growth and fundraising.
Innovation with Purpose
From Saha Fund’s pioneering gender-lens investing to Arise Ventures’ global ecosystem, every chapter of this journey reinforces one idea: innovation must be inclusive, scalable, and sustainable.
Arise continues to back founders who combine vision with purpose, shaping industries across AI, Climate, Health, and Consumer sectors. The firm’s approach blends capital, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration to accelerate ideas that create lasting impact.
The future of venture capital is not just about disruption.
It is about direction, toward a world where innovation is equitable, technology is purposeful, and growth is shared.
That future is StrongHer.