Ideas|Products|Startups|VCs

2009 was tough year for companies in raising venture capital since most of the VC firms were averse to taking risks. However VC investments and deals took place.  Here are the top 5 VCs in terms of investments -

• Intel Capital invested in One97 Communications, IndiaMART.com, Global Talent Track, FINO,  ItzCash and BuzzInTown.
• Matrix Partners India invested in FIIJEE, Ver se Innovation Private Limited, Siesta Hospitality, ItzCash and  Quikr.
• NVP invested in  PubMatic,  MapMyIndia, Eka Software Solutions, VMops, OLX Inc,  Deccan Healthcare and mCheck.
• Helion Ventures invested in Pubmatic, YLG, Brand Calculus, GETIT infoserve and Global talent track.
• Aavishkaar invested in Waterlife India Pvt Ltd, Zameen Organic, Swas Healthcare, Saraplast, Suryoday and Utkarsh Microfinance

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

Zameen Organic, a Hyderabad based organic cotton trading company has raised 1 crore capital from Aavishkaar Micro Venture Capital. Zameen will use the amount in expanding and strengthening its sales team across US, Europe and India.

Zameen Organic is a pioneering farmer-owned marketing company for Fairtrade, organic and pesticide-free cotton. Zameen works with marginalised farming communities in rural India to improve livelihoods by increasing efficiencies, lowering input costs and raising incomes through certification. Zameen’s ethos and objectives centre on farmer empowerment.

Vineet Rai, Director, Aavishkaar said that Zameen was a perfect fit with their investment portfolio as both the companies believe in producer ownership and their commitment to the management team.

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

Swas Healthcare is a 3 year old Gujarat based venture which offers naturopath treatment.

Swas also provides treatments for lot of advanced-stage cases of chronic diseases. It has a team of qualified and experienced doctors. This helps Swas provide cost effective treatments for chronic diseases. At an all inclusive price as low as INR 300 per day, Swas perhaps runs the lowest priced for-profit hospital in the country.

Swas is operational in Kutch and Rajkot area of Gujarat and the money raised from Aavishkaar will be used to expand their presence in other parts of Gujarat. This would help Swas establish a hub and spoke model of naturopathy clinics and hospitals.

Aavishkaar Micro Venture Capital Fund is a India based fund that invests in early stage and highly scalable business models. Vineet Rai, CEO of Aavishkaar said, “ Swas Healthcare is our second investment in Healthcare after Vaatsalya and we remain committed to support ventures in affordable quality healthcare .”

Sanjay Singh, Director of Swas Healthcare, said “This investment would help us take our bouquet of highly effective and low cost healthcare solutions to a much larger population. We keep prices low because for a large number of people, medically as well financially, this might be the only solution for their chronic health problems.”