First Bite is a one-off investment call from Better Bite Ventures, co-investing with Suhasini Sampath, the co-founder of Yoga Bar. They will put up to ₹2.5 crore into an early Indian food or beverage brand — one that has either not launched yet, or launched very recently.
Applications close 23 September 2026. There is no fee, and you do not need an introduction to anyone.
This is equity, not a grant. But the bar for applying is unusually low: no incorporation, no traction, no warm intro, and solo founders are welcome.
Who this is for
| |
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| Where | India |
| Sector | Consumer food & beverage brands |
| Stage | Pre-launch, or recently launched |
The categories they name: healthy snacking, functional foods and beverages, protein and fibre, greens and supplements, better-for-you staples, modern takes on nostalgic foods, spices and condiments — and "other emerging categories", which is a genuine invitation rather than a formality.
What they say makes a strong fit
A unique take on a large food category, with a clear reason to exist that a competitor cannot easily copy. Founders who know exactly why this product and why now, and a team that can actually build it.
The line worth reading twice: your branding, packaging and product can be a work in progress, as long as they show where you are headed and that you can get there. This is a bet on the founder and the category insight, not on a finished shelf-ready SKU.
Four things that are explicitly not required:
- Traction. You can apply with nothing sold.
- A warm introduction. They read every application that comes in cold.
- Incorporation. If it goes ahead, they help you set up the basics.
- A co-founder. They back teams more often, but a solo founder with a clear plan is welcome.
Already raised a small round from angels or an early-stage fund? Fine. Have a round in progress with other investors committed and want them alongside? Also fine — there is a question on the form for exactly that.
The money, and the terms
Up to ₹2.5 crore. The instrument is a standard early-stage Indian structure — CCPS or a convertible.
Valuation and structure are not fixed in advance. They are agreed with each startup and reflect how early the investment is. No equity percentage is published, so treat the stake as negotiable rather than assuming a number. If you have never raised before, they say they will walk you through it — which is worth something if this is your first term sheet.
Two things come with the cheque:
- Suhasini as a sounding board. She built Yoga Bar, raised from consumer VCs including Fireside Ventures, and sold it to ITC. The value here is specific: someone who has taken an Indian food brand from first product to exit.
- Introductions when you raise next. When you are ready, they open doors to top consumer investors in India and beyond. Better Bite's portfolio companies have gone on to raise hundreds of millions in follow-on funding.
Who is behind it
Better Bite Ventures is a Singapore-based early-stage fund founded in 2021 by Michal Klar and Simon Newstead. It launched as the first VC fund in Asia Pacific dedicated entirely to alternative protein, and has since backed 30+ startups across the region, including India. It describes itself as "often the first cheque in", and invests in food that is better for people, planet and animals — from healthier products through to new ingredients.
Suhasini Sampath co-founded Yoga Bar, grew it into one of India's best-known modern food brands, and exited to ITC. She is co-investing here and mentoring the founder they back.
What the application asks
The form is short — one sitting, no deck required, though you can attach one. The substantive questions:
- What is the product and who is it for — one or two sentences.
- Which category best describes it — pick from their list.
- Why will people choose your brand over what they buy today, and why is now the moment? This is the core question. Your unique take on the category, and how your brand is different.
- Who is on the founding team and what does each person bring? They ask for each person's "superpowers".
- What are the key ingredients you are using? A food-specific question most generic VC forms do not ask — they mean it literally, so list them.
- What is the status today — closest match from a list.
- How much have you raised so far and from whom, and how much are you looking to raise now in INR.
Optional but worth filling: rough revenue numbers with channels and links if you are already selling (their example is "₹3 lakh/month, selling since Feb via own webstore, Amazon and Zepto"), whether you expect to close a round before the deadline, and an upload — a deck, product photos, or a short video.
Then contact details: name, email, city, WhatsApp number, your personal LinkedIn (mandatory), and optionally your startup's LinkedIn, website and Instagram.
After you apply
They read every application and say they will do their best to tell everyone the outcome either way. Shortlisted founders are contacted to arrange a conversation.
It is confidential. Applications are seen only by Better Bite Ventures, Suhasini Sampath and their teams, and used only to evaluate you. If you are building in stealth, say so on the form — they say they are used to it and can keep things quiet.
Questions go to firstbite@betterbite.vc, which is also the fallback if the file upload misbehaves.
