Fundraising Fox

Sauce.vc

Venture capitalActively deploying

New Delhi · Pre-Seed–Series A · 17 people tracked

Fox Verdict
Sign up to see your fit

Investment thesis

Sauce focuses on backing consumer brands disrupting India's domestic consumption market. The firm employs a high-engagement partnership model, concentrated portfolio approach, and leverages deep industry expertise and data analytics to identify opportunities. The fund acts as a first-check investor providing ongoing support to founders, emphasizing merit-based decision-making and long-term partnership.

Source: firm website, verified Jul 21, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Series A
HQ
New Delhi, IN
Leads rounds
Leads
Founded
2019
Tracked investments
34

Team · 17 people

from the firm's website
Manu

Manu is an early-stage investor and founder at Sauce with deep expertise in consumer and CPG businesses. He is known for providing mentorship, strategic guidance, and operational support to portfolio founders, and is actively involved in helping brands scale from idea stage to profitability.

Manu Chandra· Founder

Founder of Sauce.vc managing Rs 850 Cr in committed capital focused on early-stage consumer businesses. Previously an investment director at 3i Group, a FTSE-listed private equity firm, with portfolio experience in brands including Mokobara, Hocco Ice Creams, and The Whole Truth Foods. Graduate of IIM Ahmedabad and Ratan Tata Scholar.

Yash Dholakia· Partner

Senior member of Sauce's investing team with nearly a decade of investment experience and passion for consumer brands. Founded Tomorrow Capital where he led investments exceeding INR 100 Cr in consumer businesses. Earlier experience includes family office investments across Asia-Pacific and marketing-led brand building in real estate. MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and Chemical Engineer from ICT Mumbai.

Karan Kathpalia· Vice President

Early Sauce VC team member of nearly six years, contributing across investing, fundraising, and portfolio management. Prior experience includes private equity at CDPQ, foreign exchange trading at a leading Indian bank, and multi-billion-dollar family office work in Dubai. Most recently brought operator experience from building a Sauce portfolio company.

Zoeb Ali Khan· Vice President

Founding member of Sauce.vc with experience in consumer and technology startups. Previously a Project Manager at Matrix Partners portfolio company Myra, handling marketing, branding, and consumer research. Earlier work at Wingify Software included CRM and sales automation projects. Holds a BBS in Finance from College of Business Studies, Delhi University.

Anushka Sani· Founder and Creative Director Thought over Design

Advisory board member who is the founder and creative director of Thought over Design.

Arindam Paul· Chief Business Officer / Founding Team Atomberg

Advisory board member with founding team experience at Atomberg and Chief Business Officer responsibilities.

Arjun Purkayastha· Global e-Commerce and DTC Brands Expert and Venture Capitalist

Advisory board member specializing in global e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brand development with venture capital expertise.

Chetan Ghodke· Senior Analyst

Investment team member with early-stage investment experience across diverse sectors at Gruhas, AdvantEdge Founders, and Speciale Invest. Engineering degree from BITS Pilani.

Govind Shrikhande· Ex-MD Shoppers Stop

Advisory board member with former experience as Managing Director at Shoppers Stop with expertise in apparel and retail.

Kunjan Ganatra· Senior Analyst

Investment team member bringing extensive family office experience from roles at Vadilal Industries and Tycho Ventures analyzing diverse opportunities. Foundation includes four years in credit underwriting and risk management with NatWest Group. Chartered Accountant with a degree from Ahmedabad University.

Mayur Maheshwari· Head - Finance & Operations

Finance and operations professional with 12 years of experience across financial services. Prior roles include fund administration at JP Morgan & Chase for infrastructure and private equity funds, accounting for real estate and private equity funds at ICICI Venture, and corporate accounting and MIS responsibilities at AXA Technologies. Chartered Accountant and Commerce graduate from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata.

Namita Nayal· Executive - Admin & Operations

Admin and operations professional bringing expertise in program support, donor management, database management, and procurement from work at Habitat for Humanity India. Supports finance ops and investment teams with compliance, deal pipeline management, and portfolio tracking. Masters degree in Political Science.

Padma Milhotra· Senior Associate

Investment team member joining from Stride Ventures, a venture debt fund where she spent three years working with consumer and B2B startups. Prior experience includes assurance work at PwC in Gurgaon. Chartered Accountant with a degree from Delhi University.

Richa Oberoi· Executive Assistant

Executive assistant with over a decade of experience supporting senior leadership across calendar management, travel coordination, event planning, and expense handling. Professional background includes roles at American Express, Microsoft, and LexisNexis. Degree from Delhi University.

Ritika Jajoo· Senior Analyst

Investment team member previously at Green Frontier Capital, an early-stage climate-focused fund. Former LAMP Fellow with a degree from Kirori Mal College and CFA Level 1 qualification.

Subhashree Bhuyan· Deputy Manager

Fund administration professional with over six years of experience in financial accounting and regulatory compliance for alternative investment funds. Former key leader at Apex Fund Services managing fund administration for diverse AIFs. Earlier contributions at CAMS included fund administration and compliance initiatives for alternative investment vehicles. Chartered Accountant with a Commerce degree.

What they invest in

from 2 of 34 portfolio companies

AgTech ×1B2B Marketplaces ×1Consumer ×1Crypto & Web3 ×1Logistics & Supply Chain ×1Wellness & Fitness ×1

HQs:India×1

Investments · 34 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path
Aprapr.io

A MEV-powered staking protocol that allows users to stake $MON tokens and receive $aprMON for use in decentralized finance applications. Users maintain full custody of their funds while earning yield.

Crypto & Web3

Aroleaparoleap.com
Babyorganobabyorgano.com𝕏
Bare Anatomy
Coveandlanecoveandlane.in
Daysaheaddaysahead.in
Dpandadpanda.inin
Dr. Pawsvisitdrpaws.comin
DRUMS Food
EDTedtworld.com
Epigamia
Gobblygobbly.in
Hausandkinderhausandkinder.com
Hoccohocco.in
Hoovu Freshhoovufresh.comin

Hoovu operates a supply chain platform for traditional flowers (jasmine, marigold, chrysanthemum) in India, partnering with farms to reduce harvest-to-customer time and extend shelf life through innovation in packaging. The company serves Indian households and aims to modernize the fragmented flower market, which has remained largely unchanged for three decades.

AgTechB2B MarketplacesConsumerLogistics & Supply ChainWellness & FitnessBengaluru, IN

Yeshoda Karuturi(Co-founder & Executive Director)Rhea Karuturi(Co-founder)

Hypdhypd.storein𝕏
Innovistinnovist.com
KleeNest, Adehahomehygiene.co
Kreokreo-tech.com
LAFOLIwearlafoli.com
Loopieloopie.in
Mabelmabel.jewelry
Metashotmetashot.in
Mistersmisters.in
Mokobaramokobara.com
Mymusemymuse.in
Perforaperforacare.com
QuikAFsauce.vc
Sammmmsammmm.com
Supertailssupertails.com
The Whole Truththewholetruthfoods.comin𝕏
Uniseouluniseoul.in
XYXX
Xyxxcrewxyxxcrew.com

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Sauce.vc invest at?
Sauce.vc invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What sectors does Sauce.vc focus on?
Sauce.vc focuses on Consumer, Direct to Consumer, FoodTech.
Where is Sauce.vc located?
Sauce.vc is headquartered in New Delhi, IN.
Does Sauce.vc lead rounds?
Yes, Sauce.vc leads investment rounds.

Similar investors

Featured in lists