Suresh Sambandam, the founder and CEO of Chennai-based SaaS firm Kissflow, has launched a new venture capital fund called MudhalVC. The fund aims to support idea-stage and early-stage startups in Tamil Nadu, with a focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities. MudhalVC plans to invest around ₹125 crore in two phases over the next 3-4 years.
The first phase of ₹25 crore will come from family sources, while the remaining ₹100 crore will be raised from external sources in the second phase. Sambandam has been mentoring entrepreneurs through the Idea Pattarai accelerator program, which has connected with 1,000 founders over the past 24 months. The program has resulted in over 75 startups at various stages of mentorship, with 15 of them already securing investments from MudhalVC.
The fund’s investments range from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore and span sectors such as food tech, electric vehicles, health tech, SaaS, and biotech.
MudhalVC funds Tamil Nadu startups
Some of the portfolio companies include Amura, Bversity, BookingBee, MeenSatti, Mushroom MaMa, Pickmyad, Social Gallery, InspectionOne, Bad Boy, Correctmate, and Trashbotics.
MudhalVC differentiates itself from traditional VC firms by investing time and money in founders even without a formal pitch deck, as long as they have a compelling idea and a committed team. The fund places a strong emphasis on coaching entrepreneurs before offering capital. Sambandam also unveiled “Bad Boy,” an electric super vehicle designed for a unique driving experience.
The vehicle combines elements of a Formula car and a superbike, featuring a futuristic reverse trike design, narrow chassis, and lightweight build. It can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in under 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 200 kmph. The launch of MudhalVC and the unveiling of Bad Boy underscore Tamil Nadu’s potential as a growing hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, driven by dedicated local investment and mentorship.
