The one where Pratiti Desai brings eChai Women Founders together every month at Mauji Cafe
Meanwhile, across eChai
Prateek Srivastava
Drone-based surveying, geospatial-data services and drone-pilot training provider. Headquartered in Bavdhan, Pune, Maharashtra.
Supam Maheshwari, Amitava Saha
Kids and baby products e-commerce and omnichannel retail platform. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Ravi Pandit, Kishor Patil
Automotive software / software-defined-vehicle, middleware and electric-powertrain engineering company. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Anand Deshpande
Digital-engineering, cloud, data-analytics and AI software services company. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Pramod Chaudhari
Bioenergy and clean-water engineering company providing ethanol/biofuel plants, compressed biogas, bioplastics, and water-treatment solutions. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Sanjay Ghare, Dharmendra Ladi, Ajit Mulani, Ganesh Pawade, Sameer Lodha, Amol Raut
AI-driven hotel and room data-mapping and content-curation platform for online travel companies. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Jaspreet Singh, Milind Borate, Ramani Kothandaraman
SaaS platform for cloud data protection, backup and cyber-resilience across endpoints and workloads. Born in Pune (2008); moved HQ to Silicon Valley / Santa Clara, USA in 2009; retains large Pune R&D center.
Jaydeep Barman, Kallol Banerjee (Rebel Foods)
Multi-brand food-delivery app consolidating Rebel Foods' cloud-kitchen brands and partner restaurants under a single 'sure' quality promise. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Saurabh Nigam, Shitiz Bansal, Sandeep Deshmukh
Technology-led logistics and distribution platform connecting FMCG brands to kirana stores in underserved parts of India via a crowdsourced network. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Anurag Sinha, Rupesh Kumar, Vibhav Hathi (Vaibhav Hathi)
Mobile-first metal credit card (OneCard) and free credit-score app (OneScore). Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Samir Bodas, Monish Darda
Enterprise contract-lifecycle-management (CLM) SaaS platform (Icertis Contract Intelligence). Born in Pune (2009); HQ now Bellevue, Washington, USA; major Pune operations.
Krishna Depura, Mohit Garg, Deepak Diwakar, Nishant Mungali
AI-powered sales readiness and revenue-enablement platform (onboarding, training, forecasting). Founded in Pune (2012); HQ now San Francisco, USA; large Pune office.
B2B SaaS (pure-play focus); enterprise/digital transformation tech. Pre-seed, Seed to Series A. Portfolio of B2B SaaS startups across India; Fund I backed 20+ SaaS companies. Specific named Pune bets not fully verified in public sources ...
Internet, technology, consumer, FinTech, Retail, Auto Tech. Seed, Series A (also angel/venture debt). CarIQ (Pune auto-tech, acquired), Quikwallet (acquired), LivQuik (acquired), Mplifire. ~18 portfolio companies. Founded 2012.
Enterprise/productivity software, high tech, hardware, deep tech. Pre-seed to Series A (early and mid-stage). IdeaForge (drone-tech, IPO exit), Skye Air, Datachamps, Atmax. ~28-36 investments, ~$30M AUM. Founded 2013.. unknown (early-sta...
Sector-agnostic; deliberately targets 'non-trending' sectors; consumer, enterprise applications. Pre-seed, Seed. GP Akshay Bhansali's personal angel portfolio includes Yulu Bikes, Kawa Space, Paper.vc, DealShare, TapChief. Fund aims to b...
Sector-agnostic, distribution-first / product-first; fintech, SaaS, consumer, AI. Pre-seed (fastest-moving; 150+ checks/year). Slice, Rupeek, Open, Khatabook, Bijak, Airmeet, Teachmint, Dukaan, Jai Kisan, M2P, Toddle (200+ companies). Le...
Consumer, enterprise applications, retail, proptech, education infrastructure. Seed, Series A / early-stage VC. Bootstart, HooLiv; ~21 portfolio companies. Investment arm est. 2015 by the Kolte-Patil developer family.
Climate solutions, sustainability, responsible consumption, ESG, impact. Early to late-stage VC (can lead rounds); has done up to Series C. Dunzo, Smart Joules, Proklean Technologies (~7 companies). Founded 2017 by Leena, Abha & Vivek Da...
Retail, enterprise applications, consumer, fintech. Seed, Series A. InCred, OYO, PB Fintech, Bombay Shaving Company, Plush (~26 companies, 2 unicorns, 2 IPOs). Founder Amit Patni; CIO Benaifer Malandkar.
EV, DeepTech, D2C, HealthTech, SaaS, climate, fintech, consumer. Pre-seed, Seed, early-stage (monthly Pitch Day; syndicate structuring). Curates deals incl. Bione (D2C genomics), Nino Foods/KHA (QSR), GetMyCruise. Connects HNIs, family o...
Deep tech, biotech, healthtech (~50%), cleantech/sustainability (~16%), agritech (~14%), materials/chemicals. Seed / pre-seed (grants + seed funds). Manages BIRAC SEED, TDB Seed, DST-NSTEDB Seed funds; 650+ entrepreneurs supported, 70+ r...
Deep science: materials, chemicals, biotech, pharma, healthtech, cleantech, medical devices, agri-biotech. Space (labs + offices), mentorship, scientific facilities, and multiple grant/funding routes (BIRAC BioNEST bio-incubator, BIRAC S...
B2B SaaS: enterprise digital transformation, fintech, vertical SaaS, applied AI, e-commerce enablement, healthtech, sustainable tech. Seed capital + hands-on mentorship; Fund I ~INR 80 Cr / 23 startups, Fund II ~INR 450 Cr targeting 25 e...
Cross-sector startups at any stage (founders must hold TiE membership; company must be Pvt Ltd or equivalent). Equity-free, no-fee 6-month structured mentorship: 15-week guru sessions, 15-week workshops, 6-week finishing school, 36-week ...
Idea-stage / pre-seed founders across sectors. Structured pre-seed accelerator curriculum, mentorship from local entrepreneurs, global Founder Institute network
High-end manufacturing, advanced materials, defence, aerospace, automotive technology. Acts as incubator for new technologies; KCTI R&D centre DSIR-recognized, ISO17025 NABL certified; corporate R&D + prototyping resources. unknown (corp...
IoT, healthcare, cybersecurity, deep-tech, grassroots innovation; student and engineering startups. Co-working space, innovation lab, shared services, mentorship, training, events, investor/co-founder network; facilitates funding under S...
Technology startups converting technically feasible projects into commercially viable ventures. Space, mentorship, networking; SISFS grants up to INR 10 lakh (early stage) and seed loan/convertible debentures up to INR 30 lakh (mature). ...
Multi-unit incubation across BVDU units (e.g., BIC, CINHD, IRSHA); health, sciences, general innovation. University-coordinated incubation units, mentorship, institutional infrastructure
Idea, Innovation, IPR and Entrepreneurship; student-driven innovation. Incubation, mentorship, IPR support; part of VU innovation ecosystem (VU IIC rated 3 stars by MoE Innovation Cell 2022-23). Launched 1 Oct 2020; 20+ patents processed...
University research-driven startups and student entrepreneurship (broad sectors). Incubation space, mentorship, university lab/research access
Bootstrapped/early-stage founders and 1-3 person teams; no-frills, community-driven, affordable, friendly help-oriented crowd. WiFi, AC, meeting rooms, unlimited tea/coffee/water, pantry, breakout/recreation area, printer, power backup, ...
SMEs, mid-size teams and enterprises; large-format managed offices; professional/corporate feel. Fully managed flexible workspaces, WiFi, meeting rooms, reception, virtual-office options, cafeteria, power backup, housekeeping; enterprise...
Small independent, community-oriented; freelancers, small teams. WiFi, meeting rooms, coffee/tea, standard coworking amenities (specifics unverified). Genuinely Pune-run independent; small-scale, founder-led
Creative, community-driven Koregaon Park crowd; small teams, freelancers, consultants; open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm (closed weekends). WiFi, meeting rooms, coffee, premium cafes next door (specifics unverified). Long-standing premium independent...
Digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers; combined co-living + coworking; open Mon-Sun 9am-7pm. WiFi, co-living rooms, workspace, community events (specifics unverified). Rare co-live + co-work hybrid aimed at digital nomads in Korega...
Small independent; open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm (closed Sundays). WiFi, meeting rooms, coffee (specifics unverified). Boutique independent in Koregaon Park cluster
Small-to-mid teams; premium local independent. WiFi, meeting rooms, managed office fit-outs (specifics unverified). Pune-run independent premium operator across the western belt
Startups, tech teams, creative professionals, enterprises; polished, high-energy. High-speed WiFi, premium fit-out, meeting rooms, event spaces, micro-roasted coffee, printing, phone booths, community events, on-demand day passes. Flagsh...
Tech teams and enterprises near Magarpatta/Hadapsar IT belt. High-speed WiFi, meeting rooms, event space, coffee, phone booths, community events. Serves the Magarpatta/Hadapsar enterprise corridor. Premium (specifics unverified)
Startups and scale-ups on the Baner commercial belt. High-speed WiFi, meeting rooms, event space, coffee, phone booths, community events. WeWork's Baner presence in one of Pune's densest coworking corridors. Premium (specifics unverified)
Broad entrepreneurship: mentoring, networking, funding, incubation. TiECON Pune (flagship annual conference), 'My Story' speaker sessions (First-Gen, Social, Women, Inheritors-to-Innovators, Puneri Brands series), monthly interactive mee...
Early-stage startups, networking, product demos. Startup Saturdays (monthly meet, product/service demos, learning from founders), networking events. Nationally active (Startup Saturdays 2nd Saturday monthly across cities); Pune Meetup ch...
IT/ITeS/tech industry advocacy, product ecosystem, startups. NASSCOM Product Conclave (NPC) Pune editions, NASSCOM Technology Confluence (NTC) sessions, industry-government-academia collaboration, member networking; historically ran the ...
Google technologies, Android, web, AI/ML, cloud, general dev. DevFest Pune (flagship annual, JW Marriott ~Nov 30, 2025 edition; India's largest community-driven tech conference), tech talks, workshops, bootcamps, hackathons, study jams, ...
Google Cloud, GenAI, databases, cloud-native, AI. Monthly meetups (e.g., 'Cloud & AI', 'Gen AI and Graphs', 'Databases & AI'), Cloud Community Day Pune (annual), GCDC kick-offs, expert talks + live demos. Active. Monthly meetups through ...
Founders education, inspiration, networking. Monthly fireside-chat events with founders/investors (hosted guests like Rishika Chandan, Sowmya Iyer, Keerthi Kadam, Guy Kawasaki), pitch practice ('The Pitch Pit'), workshops on ARR growth/b...
Student & early-stage tech startups; IoT, healthcare, cybersecurity, grassroots innovation. Pre-incubation, Incubation for Growth, Acceleration programs; mentoring, co-working, innovation lab; Bhau E-Cell student activities; corporate in...
Science & deep-tech startups: biotech, chemicals, materials science, medical devices, clean energy. Incubation, mentoring, scientific/lab access, grant facilitation (BIRAC, DST), specialized resource centers, deep-tech mentoring under pr...
Business advocacy, industry networking, startup incubation & ecosystem glue. Innovation & Incubation Committee, startup incubation platform connecting founders with business leaders, ecosystem convening, events, publications (Incubation ...
Early-stage startup funding across tech, healthcare, fintech, consumer. Curated monthly Pitch Day connecting startups with angels/family offices/VCs, mentorship, curated deal flow. Active. Monthly pitch days.
solo work / small meetings
Cozy neighbourhood cafe; also offers printing facility
solo work / video calls / casual meetings
Global coffee chain; consistent amenities
solo work / community / team catchups
Book cafe + coworking + events across 3 Pune branches
solo work / casual meetings
Syphon/chemex/pour-over single-origin coffee
solo work / casual meetings / video calls
Specialty coffee chain, wide coffee menu
casual work / quick meetings near Hinjewadi
Indian-Korean fusion, donuts, coffee
solo deep work / reading / quiet meetings
Concept bookstore + chai cafe; conscious/alternate lifestyle theme
solo work / casual meetings
Specialty coffee, croissants, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches
solo work / casual meetings
Cozy cafe good for solo outings and book lovers
Answers about the Pune startup scene
What does the startup ecosystem in Pune look like?
Pune's ecosystem is strongest in Deeptech, SaaS and AI, with a deep bench of companies building across the map. The Founder Circuit and vertical pages above list who is building what, filterable by vertical.
Where do founders network in Pune?
Mostly at community meetups rather than conferences, clustered around hubs like Hinjewadi (Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park). eChai runs free, open founder meetups in Pune, alongside the vertical communities listed below. The simplest first step is to RSVP to an upcoming event.
How do I find a co-founder in Pune?
Go where founders already gather. Most pairings start informally at meetups, not on platforms. Come to a few eChai events in Pune, meet people building adjacent things, and the conversations tend to find their own way to co-founder fit.
How do I join the startup community in Pune?
eChai is free and open: pick an upcoming Pune event above, RSVP, and walk in. There is no application or membership fee, and the meetups are built so first time founders and seasoned operators end up in the same conversation.
Which are the top startup verticals in Pune?
Deeptech, SaaS and AI lead, with active clusters in several more. Use the vertical chips above to browse the companies in each, or open a vertical page to see the names rising in that category.
Who are the active investors and VCs in Pune?
Pune has a working layer of VCs, micro VCs, family offices and angel networks. The investors section below lists the firms and networks active here, grouped by type.
Which incubators and accelerators are in Pune?
The city has a mix of university and institutional incubators, government backed programs and private accelerators. The incubators section below lists them, alongside the coworking spaces where early teams set up.
What are the best startup events and meetups in Pune?
The upcoming events block above is live: RSVP to the next Pune meetup. eChai's events are free and open, and the communities section lists the other vertical meetups and conferences worth following.
New to Pune's startup scene? Start here.
eChai runs free, open founder meetups in Pune. No membership, no fee, just show up. RSVP to the next one and meet the people building the city.
See upcoming Pune events
