US VC firm Expert Dojo’s cohort to invest $100,000 each in 10 Indian startups

Expert Dojo, a US-based early-stage venture capital firm has announced the launch of an India-dedicated startup accelerator programme, and plans to invest $100,000 each in over 10 startups spanning the segments like technology, AI, EV and B2B.

This launch follows Expert Dojo’s earlier announcement of a $15 million India-focused fund, with plans to deploy in 20–25 early-stage startups by FY 2026.

According to a statement, the cohort is designed to help early-stage startups strengthen their business models, enter new markets, and move quickly toward raising their next funding round. Besides capital, the startups will receive mentorship, growth support and access to its investor network.

Expert Dojo Founder and Managing Partner Brian Mac Mahon said, “As the startup world expands beyond Silicon Valley, we see enormous promise in regions like India, where innovation is thriving.”

According to Expert Dojo, the goal of this cohort is to support Indian founders facing challenges like limited access to global capital, lack of international mentorship, and restricted market reach. The fund is sector agnostic but the focus will be on high potential areas like fintech, SaaS, B2B, and AI.

“India is not just a market for us, it’s a priority. We see a powerful wave of innovation emerging from Tier I cities to remote corners of the country, led by founders who understand real problems on the ground,” Expert Dojo General Partner Ashutosh Kumar said.

Expert Dojo has invested in over 300 startups since its inception in 2019. The accelerator focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage companies with high growth potential, especially in the tech industry.