Kerala Angel Network

Before you apply

• Check your stage. The home page asks for startups with proven market traction and initial revenue. The investment policy describes growth-stage companies that want to scale before a Series A round. Apply if you fit one of these and say clearly where you are.
• Have a business plan and exit strategy. The site lists both as expectations.
• Be ready for a single cap table entry. KAN invests through one entry on the cap table, using a service run by a SEBI-registered fund.

How to apply

• Use the Apply for Funding tab at the top of the KAN website.
• The startup form opens on Google's form service and may ask you to sign in to a Google account.
• Investor membership is a separate route. Its form currently says it is not accepting responses.

What to expect

• The process runs from pitch to final decision in about 1 to 2 months, according to the site.
• The company pays KAN a fee on the investment for facilitating it, plus taxes. Read the questions and answers on the website before you agree terms.
• The site sets out KAN's ticket size on its investment policy page. Check it before you apply.

Kerala Angel Network (KAN) is the funding arm of TiE Kerala, a community of investors, industry leaders and entrepreneurs based in Kochi. It takes equity stakes in startups and offers strategic mentoring alongside the investment.

What KAN does

KAN says its mission is to bridge the gap between founders and strategic investors. Its network provides startups with capital, guidance, industry connections and growth opportunities from experienced investors and successful entrepreneurs. The network also runs pitch sessions, events and founder-focused initiatives to build the startup ecosystem in Kerala.

How the investment works

The home page says KAN supports early-stage startups that have proven market traction and initial revenue. The investment policy describes a different stage, growth-stage companies that want to scale before a Series A round, so check your stage against both before you apply. KAN says it is sector agnostic but size specific. It appears as a single entry on the cap table, using the SPV service of a SEBI-registered fund. The stated average investment horizon is 2-5 years. The site sets out its ticket size on the investment policy page. If a request is beyond what KAN can fund, the site says KAN will work with other investor groups.

Founder support

KAN describes a founder-first approach: guidance and partnership through the whole journey, not only funding. It says its investors offer experience, insights and connections that go well beyond money. The site also describes the network as a set of catalysts for Kerala's startup ecosystem, through its pitch sessions and events.

Who can apply

The site asks for startups with proven market traction and initial revenue. Applicants should have a proper business plan and exit strategies. Founders apply through the Apply for Funding tab on the KAN website. A separate membership form for investors states that it is no longer accepting responses.

How selection works

After you submit an application, the investment committee reviews it. Selected startups are invited to pitch to KAN investors, then go through a deal committee screening, deep dive calls, due diligence and a final investment decision. The site says the process can take 1 to 2 months from start to finish. After the investment, KAN sends quarterly MIS reports and provides ongoing support.

Who runs it

The management committee listed on the home page is led by Raveendranath Kamath as President. Ajit A Moopan is a founder president and heads the membership committee. Roy I Varghese heads the portfolio committee, Rahul Mammen heads the deal committee, and Eldhose Johnson leads investments. Ann D Mathew is an investment associate. Dr. Geemon Korah is TiE Kerala's nominee on the executive committee.

Portfolio and investors

The home page shows a portfolio of company logos, each linked to the company's own website. A separate investors page lists the people who invest through KAN. The site does not give a count for either, so this page does not give one.

Location and contact

The head office is on the third floor of Chalakkalakkal Arcade in Padivattom, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala 682028. The office is shared with TiE Kerala. Funding enquiries go to Funding@Keralaangelnetwork.com.