Relentless VC

Before you pitch

• Relentless VC is a venture investor and takes equity. It is not a grant or an incubator, and it publishes no application window.
• It says it only backs startups at the frontier of knowledge in their space, so explain what is new about what you are building.
• The site's newest entries date from 2023. Confirm in your note that the fund is still investing before you spend time on a long application.

How to reach them

• Use the Apply For Funding link on the website.
• Choose the track that fits: Track 1 if you have no lead investor, Track 2 if you already hold a term sheet from one.

What they say they look for

• Grit and determination in the founders.
• A big potential market, a proven way to reach customers, and a reason incumbents cannot simply respond.
• Defensibility if you win, and a clear view of your competitors.
• More than one founder is preferred, but not required.

What to expect

• A reply within 2 business days on whether it will proceed.
• Two Zoom meetings, then a decision within 24 hours of the second.
• Feedback if you reach the meeting stage.
• Two angel mentors for the first 6 months, with no advisory equity.

Relentless VC is an early-stage venture fund based in Bengaluru, built around a network of founder angels who have themselves founded, operated and exited venture-backed startups. Its site says it backs relentless founders, and that it looks first for grit and determination.

Who Relentless VC backs

The fund says it prefers early-stage and very-early-stage startups, and that a founder can raise on just an idea. It is sector agnostic, but it only backs startups working at the frontier of knowledge in their space, the kind that could change how millions of people work and live. It prefers companies with more than one founder, though it says it has backed a few single-founder startups. It does not require an Indian registration: about 40% of its portfolio is registered outside India. Its portfolio page lists companies such as Claim Buddy, SigNoz, SBNRI, ElectricPe, Airmeet and GoSats.

How it works with founders

It offers two tracks. Track 1 is for founders without a lead investor, and Track 2 is for founders who already have a term sheet from a lead and want the fund to follow the round terms. Every startup it invests in is assigned two Relentless Angels as mentors. Each mentor spends 30 minutes with the startup every fortnight for the first 6 months, and the fund says it takes no advisory equity for this. The angels also help with pitch preparation, next-round investor introductions and negotiating terms.

How to pitch

This is an investor, not a programme with an application window. Use the Apply For Funding link on the site. The fund says you will hear back within 2 business days on whether it will proceed, and that you should expect two Zoom meetings, with an in-person meeting sometimes possible in Bangalore. It says it will give a decision within 24 hours of the second meeting, and that it gives feedback to founders who reach the meeting stage.

What it publishes

The site carries the fund's investor course for MBA students at IIM Bangalore, interviews with VCs and entrepreneurs on YouTube, and a page of portfolio news. Check dates before relying on it: the footer, the newest portfolio entries and the news items on the site all date from 2023, and the blog page says coming soon. Ask in your application whether the fund is currently writing new cheques.