FME Regulatory Intelligence, Learning & Practice · IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2025

Topic C of 6 · 14 terms

Fund products and strategies

What does the fund invest in, and how?

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1 · In one sentence

Investing in young, fast-growing companies, usually start-ups, in exchange for a share of ownership.

2 · Think of it like thisThink of spotting a talented young athlete early and paying for their training in return for a share of their future earnings. Venture capital puts money into young, fast-growing companies for a share of ownership, knowing many will fail but a few may grow very large.

4 · A real-world example

A VC fund invests in a 2-year-old fintech start-up.

5 · Why it matters

High risk: many investments fail, a few succeed big.

6 · How is it different from private equity?

Venture capitalBacks young start-ups
vs
Private equityBacks established businesses

Private equity usually invests in more mature companies.

7 · Regulatory meaning

SEBI AIF Regulations, Reg 2(1)(z): an AIF investing mainly in unlisted securities of start-ups and early-stage ventures; a Category I sub-category.

8 · Explain it to someone else

Remember it this way: VC = early-stage, high-risk, high-potential.

A fund buys 15% of a two-year-old app company that is not yet profitable. This is typically:

Plain-English explanations to aid understanding. Regulatory points cite their source; general finance concepts are explained as commonly used. Not legal or tax advice.

Prashant Kumar

Meet the expert

CS Prashant Kumar

Company Secretary & Compliance Officer
Global Horizons Capital Advisors (IFSC) Private Limited — an IFSCA-licensed investment banker

13+ years of experienceFCS Fellow member, ICSIAuthor Audit Under Fire

Published in The Chartered Accountant (Jun 2025, Jan 2025, Mar 2024) and Chartered Secretary (Aug 2023)

Prashant Kumar is a seasoned Company Secretary and corporate governance strategist with more than 13 years of experience advising large corporates, promoter-led groups and global businesses on compliance, regulatory risk and board governance. In GIFT IFSC, the IFSCA regime is his day job rather than a research topic.