Unacademy Founders Launch ₹700 Cr Fund for AI and Deeptech
Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are establishing Longshot Capital, a new venture fund targeting seed and pre-Series A AI and deeptech startups in India.
Unacademy cofounders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini have unveiled plans for a new venture capital firm, Longshot Capital. The Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) aims to raise ₹700 crore to support early-stage startups within the artificial intelligence and deeptech sectors. According to recent reports, the fund has already secured commitments of approximately ₹250–300 crore and is eyeing a first close by January 2027.
Longshot Capital intends to build a portfolio of 25–28 companies, with investment tickets ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million. The firm targets an 8–12% ownership stake in its portfolio companies. While Saini will manage the firm full-time, Munjal will serve as a general partner alongside his existing executive responsibilities. The investment mandate prioritizes industrial sectors such as robotics, space, and defense, bypassing traditional consumer-retail business models.
The launch follows a decade of active angel investing by the founders, who have collectively deployed capital into over 200 ventures. The fund's 10-to-11-year lifespan is designed to accommodate the longer gestation periods typical of deeptech development. This shift reflects a broader trend of Indian startup founders transitioning from personal angel investments to managing institutional-grade capital.