Sameer Brij Verma, who left Nexus Venture Partners last year, has raised US$150 million for his new solo general partner fund, Northpoint Capital.

The fund will focus on early-stage investments, backing 15 to 20 startups with initial checks between US$1 million and US$8 million.

It plans to lead or join early funding rounds and may also participate in follow-on investments.

About 90% of its capital comes from international sources, with the rest from domestic family offices and individual investors.

Northpoint Capital aims to invest in startups that leverage technology and AI across sectors like financial services, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, and consumer products.

Verma, who previously spent 13 years at Nexus Venture Partners, has backed companies such as Postman, Unacademy, and Infra.market.

🔗 Source: The Economic Times

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Experienced VCs going solo reflects broader industry unbundling

Verma’s departure from Nexus to start Northpoint is part of a significant industry-wide trend where senior venture partners are leaving established firms to launch their own funds.

This movement is happening across major VC firms globally, with partners from Peak XV (formerly Sequoia India), including Shailesh Lakhani and Abheek Anand, making similar moves in 2025 1.

The trend is driven by experienced investors seeking more autonomy in decision-making and a desire to return to hands-on investment approaches, frustrated by the bureaucracy of larger organizations 2.

This shift is creating a more diverse VC ecosystem, with these smaller, nimbler funds often focusing on specific investment theses or sectors where the founding partners have deep expertise.

For entrepreneurs, this change presents opportunities to work with investors who have both the experience of established firms and the flexibility of independent funds, potentially offering more personalized support and faster decision-making.

2️⃣ Northpoint’s timing aligns with India’s VC market rebound

Verma’s $150 million fund launch coincides with a significant recovery in India’s venture capital market, which saw funding increase 40% to $13.7 billion in 2024 compared to 2023 3.