Industry Odisha Bureau, Aug 28: In a bid to fuel the entrepreneurship dreams of college and university students with capital, credibility and conviction, Campus Fund (CF), [claimed to be India’s first and only SEBI-registered Category II fund that invests exclusively in student-led start-ups], is reportedly raising $100 million fund as venture capital firms are reportedly scouting college and university campuses for their next investments.
Quoting reliable CF sources, media reports have stated that, “The CF is building a portfolio of about 60 student-led start-ups, chiefly EtheralX, Sarla Aviation, Digantara, Banza, Expand My Business, Raaz, D-Nome, We360, et al.”
Media reports added that, “Venture Capital investors are turning up more and more for demo days showcasing student-led start-ups. The growth in the investor-interests reflects a sharp increase in the number of student-run start-ups the CF evaluates. While the CF assessed 4,300 companies in 2024, it assessed 7,400 in 2025, and as of now this year (2026), it has already assessed 4.500 student-run start-ups.”
Media reports have also stated that, “Since CF’s model is claimed to be recruiting students to scout for start-ups, it has, at present, 90 scouts across 25 universities in the country. The scouts also look beyond their companies and founders.”
Media reports further stated that, “The CF, with its Fund III, is planning to expand its network to 150 scouts, including the campuses in the United States of America (USA), but claims that it is not targeting founders who intend to build their businesses in the USA. CF’s Fund III has plans to invest in ‘Deeptech’, ‘Consumer Tech’ (consumer brands going global), and ‘Enterpise AI’.”
