Membership · FY 2026-27

Where industrial capital meets deep-tech conviction.

Keiretsu Forum Chennai is a coalition of industrialist and domain-expert investors writing the first institutional anchor cheque into India's deep-tech founders at TRL 6+.

🔒 Application is open to all - membership & renewal are by invitation
55
Chapters Worldwide
24
Countries
85+
Chennai Investments
130+
Forum Sessions
Apply for membership -> Preview the deal flow first
The Thesis

Design in India - not just Make in India.

A contrarian bet placed in 2015, validated by outcomes. We back founders building India's sovereign technology stack - defense, industrial AI, MedTech, mobility. Ownership, not assembly.

01 · THE GAP

The Valley of Death at TRL 6+

Technology is proven, but commercial capital fears to tread - breakthroughs die here. We write the first institutional cheque with conviction.

02 · THE MODEL

Anchor the round

9-18% ownership at seed, anchoring 40-70% of the round. Sub-₹15 Cr entry where government and lab funding ends and VCs have not yet arrived.

03 · THE BRIDGE

Groom to Series A

Unlock TDB / BIRAC matching grants, then systematically groom for Accel, Shell Ventures, Zerodha Rainmatter and Naspers. Our name is a quality mark.

The Track Record

Outcomes, not promises.

85+
Portfolio Companies
₹500 Cr+
Follow-on Unlocked
3×
Accel-Backed Companies
16+
Exits & Returns
B2B · Industrial AI
Detect Technologies
60× peak multiple

₹16 Cr -> ₹1,000 Cr+ valuation. T-Pulse AI monitors Shell, Vedanta and global majors across 12+ countries. Follow-on: Shell Ventures, Naspers, Accel.

B2B · Aerospace Mfg
Fabheads Automation
Accel-backed

Asia's only continuous carbon-fiber 3D printer. Critical supplier to ISRO & ideaForge, replacing ₹100 Cr+ in annual aerospace composite imports.

B2B · Inspection Robotics
Planys Technologies
Seed -> ₹100 Cr

India's first compact ROVs for underwater inspection, deployed with the Indian Navy. Seed at ₹13 Cr into a ₹100 Cr round.

MedTech · Cardio AI
AI Health Highway
AIIMS · Apollo

AI-powered smart stethoscopes for cardio-respiratory care. Deployed across Nepal and Sri Lanka; AIIMS and Apollo validated.

MedTech · Women's Health
Pragmatech / Cervicheck
Pfizer award

Self-sampling kit for cervical-cancer screening. Partnered with Adyar Cancer Institute, shipped to Nigeria, Pfizer INDovation award winner.

B2B SaaS
Spintly
$8M Series A · Accel

The 3rd Accel-backed company from this chapter. Wireless access control scaling globally on the back of a Keiretsu Chennai anchor round.

"3 Accel-backed companies from one chapter. Not coincidence - a quality signal."

What Membership Means

Beyond cheques - active participation.

Smart capital, not passive money. Members open factory floors, supply chains and boardrooms - industrial validation that standard VCs cannot replicate.

01

Curated deal flow

Multi-stage due diligence with domain-SME technical, commercial and compliance review before any company reaches a member.

02

Deep-tech network

IIT Madras Innovation Council, CII Deep Tech Sub-Committee, defense procurement, IITM-IC, Venture Center and IIT Bombay SINE.

03

Cross-border syndication

Co-invest alongside Singapore and evaluate thesis-building opportunities from European and American chapters.

04

Governance rights

SSHA, anti-dilution protection, observer rights and milestone-based governance - institutional-grade protections for angel capital.

05

Special Interest Groups

AI / ML · MedTech · Electronics & IoT · Construction Tech · Defense - evaluate deals inside your domain of expertise.

06

Secondary access

Positions in mature portfolio via SPV / AIF, with tax-efficient exit structuring and liquidity management.

The Self-Filter

This network is not for everyone.

We are deliberate about fit. Honesty up front saves everyone time.

A Fit

  • Active or retired C-suite - manufacturing, electronics, chemicals, pharma, technology.
  • Deploying ₹25L - ₹2 Cr annually into early-stage deep tech.
  • Willing to open factory floors, supply chains and boardrooms - not just write cheques.
  • Patient capital: a 5-8 year horizon on deep-tech early stage.
  • Connected to IIT Madras / CII / industrial ecosystems.

Not a Fit

  • Want quarterly liquidity.
  • Prefer passive portfolio exposure.
  • No sector-relevant industrial expertise to contribute.
  • Measure success in quarters, not 5-8 year horizons.
  • Better served by PMS, listed equity or late-stage funds.
Membership Terms · FY 2026-27

Straightforward, serious commitment.

₹50,000 / year

Regular Membership fee for the Chennai Chapter, FY 2026-27. Additional GST applicable.

Apply for membership ->
  • One-time administrative fee ₹25,000 - waived FY 26-27
  • Expected annual investment ₹10 lakh min.
  • Membership term 1 year
  • Renewal By invitation
  • Fees Non-refundable

Members invest from their own funds in full compliance with applicable legislation. All deals presented through Keiretsu Forum are confidential and for members only. Fees are non-refundable except as expressly provided in the Membership Agreement.

The Team

Who you're backing when you join.

Gowtham Sarvesh R R
Partner & COO · Chennai & Singapore
Gowtham Sarvesh R R
A decade with Keiretsu Forum from the inaugural Chennai chapter. Leads angel investments in early-stage hardware and deep-tech startups.
LinkedIn ↗
Subramaniam Iyer
Co-Founder & CEO · Chennai & Singapore
Subramaniam Iyer
Singapore-based co-founder. Cross-border deal access and Southeast Asia investor network; global chapter syndication into Singapore and ASEAN.
LinkedIn ↗
S V Krishnamoorthy
Co-Founder & Advisor
S V Krishnamoorthy
Co-founder and advisor to Keiretsu Chennai, guiding the chapter's thesis and industrial network since inception.
The Ask

Getting in now is ground floor.

We are 63 members today. Target: 300. India's deep-tech decade is compressing. The best time to back India's sovereign tech stack was 2015 - the second best time is now.

Application is open to all. Membership and renewal are by invitation - submit below and the chapter team will be in touch to begin the conversation.

63
Members Today
300
Target
2015
Since

Membership Application

A short introduction - no obligation. The team reviews every application personally.

By submitting you agree to be contacted by the Keiretsu Forum Chennai team. Membership is subject to review; membership and renewal are by invitation. This is not an offer of securities.