Cornerstone Ventures Secures First Close of USD 200 Mn Fund-II at USD 40 Mn, Welcomes Suresh Pareek as General Partner The second fund will target a range of sectors, including financial services, retail, e-commerce, healthcare, and supply chain, while also focusing on sector-agnostic core technology innovations.

By Entrepreneur Staff

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Abhishek Prasad, Managing Partner at Cornerstone Ventures

Cornerstone Ventures, a leading SaaS-focused venture capital firm, announced that it has achieved the first close of its second fund at approximately USD 40 million, marking a significant milestone towards its target of USD 200 million.

The close reflects growing investor confidence in Cornerstone's ability to back transformative B2B technology ventures. Alongside the milestone, the firm is excited to welcome Suresh Pareek as its General Partner, further strengthening its leadership team.

The first close has garnered substantial participation from a diverse group of domestic investors, including high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), family offices, corporates, and other institutional partners.

Abhishek Prasad, Managing Partner at Cornerstone Ventures, said, "We are thrilled to have Pareek join the team. His addition has played a crucial role in accelerating our first close, thanks to the strong network he brings. With his expertise and the expanded investor base, we are even better positioned to help our portfolio companies scale and make a meaningful impact across industries."

Suresh Pareek brings a wealth of experience in venture capital and private equity investments. As the founder of Sukvi Ventures and co-founder of Elephant Canvas LLP, a digital fine art NFT marketplace operating under the NewartX brand, Pareek has curated a diverse portfolio of 12 startups. His track record includes channeling personal wealth into private equity funds and direct startup investments, showcasing his commitment to fostering innovation and growth.

Suresh Pareek, General Partner at Cornerstone Ventures, stated, "I'm thrilled to join Cornerstone Ventures at a time when India is positioned to redefine its role in the global startup ecosystem. My focus has always been on supporting startups that aim to drive both growth and meaningful impact. I look forward to working with a dynamic team to empower founders who are transforming industries and addressing real-world challenges."

Since its inception, Cornerstone Ventures has been a key partner for innovative startups, deploying strategic capital and providing operational expertise. The firm's first fund, raised in 2018, successfully backed companies such as NRT, Blubirch, Mystifly, and Olive Gaea, with notable exits including Wigzo and Intelligence Node.

The second fund will target a range of sectors, including financial services, retail, e-commerce, healthcare, and supply chain, while also focusing on sector-agnostic core technology innovations. With an emphasis on early growth-stage companies, the fund aims to help ventures scale sustainably and capitalise on emerging opportunities in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Deployments from Fund-II are expected to begin this quarter.

Entrepreneur Staff

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor

For more than 30 years, Entrepreneur has set the course for success for millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. We'll teach you the secrets of the winners and give you exactly what you need to lay the groundwork for success.
Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Branding

Creating a Brand: How To Build a Brand From Scratch

Every business needs good branding to succeed. Discover the basics and key tips to building a successful brand in this detailed guide.

Innovation

It's Time to Rethink Research and Development. Here's What Must Change.

R&D can't live in a lab anymore. Today's leaders fuse science, strategy, sustainability and people to turn discovery into real-world value.

Marketing

How to Better Manage Your Sales Process

Get your priorities in order, and watch sales roll in.

Business News

AI Agents Can Help Businesses Be '10 Times More Productive,' According to a Nvidia VP. Here's What They Are and How Much They Cost.

In a new interview with Entrepreneur, Nvidia's Vice President of AI Software, Kari Briski, explains how AI agents will "transform" the way we work — and sooner than you think.

Starting a Business

Passion-Driven vs. Purpose-Driven Businesses — What's the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?

Passion and purpose are both powerful forces in entrepreneurship, but they are not the same.