Auraska Ventures launches Rs 500 crore AIF to tap India’s booming orange economy

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The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper Auraska Ventures launches Rs 500 crore AIF to tap India’s booming orange economyBy Kshitij Anand, ETMarkets.comLast Updated: Apr 15, 2026, 01:10:00 PM ISTSynopsis

Auraska Ventures has launched its first fund, the Rs 500 crore Auraska Opportunities Fund, to invest in India’s growing “orange economy.” The Category II AIF will back 10–15 early- to growth-stage companies across sectors like consumer, media, sports, gaming, fashion, and IP-led businesses.

Auraska Ventures, a Mumbai-based alternate investments and advisory platform, has announced the launch of its maiden fund — the Auraska Opportunities Fund — aimed at tapping into India’s fast-evolving cultural and “orange economy.”

The proposed Rs 500 crore SEBI-registered Category II AIF will invest in 10–15 companies across early to growth stages (seed to Series B), with a focus on sectors such as consumer, media, sports, gaming, fashion, and intellectual property (IP)-led businesses.

A Category II AIF (Alternative Investment Fund) is a type of investment fund that pools money from investors and invest primarily in unlisted companies or structured opportunities in private equity, debt, or real estate.

The fund seeks to differentiate itself through a hybrid investment strategy that blends equity with select high-yield debt opportunities, while also leveraging a unique investor base comprising HNIs, celebrities, sports personalities, family offices, and corporates.

This approach is designed to create not just financial backing but also cultural amplification for portfolio companies, aligning capital with influence in sectors driven by visibility and engagement.

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Auraska Ventures is led by Vishal Mahajan, Founder and CEO, who brings over 27 years of experience in alternate investments and investment banking, having closed deals worth more than USD 2 billion.

The platform combines this leadership with an advisory team that has a track record of over USD 3 billion, alongside active ventures spanning celebrity digital rights, legal tech, and consumer IP.

Speaking on the launch, Mahajan highlighted the untapped potential of India’s cultural economy, noting that sectors such as media, entertainment, sports, gaming, and the creator ecosystem are witnessing unprecedented global influence.

He added that despite strong structural tailwinds — including regulatory clarity, government recognition of the orange economy, and favourable demographics — institutional capital participation has remained limited. The new fund aims to bridge this gap by offering an integrated model that combines advisory, investing, and venture building.

Echoing this view, Stuti Shetty, Chief Business Officer at Auraska Ventures, said that India is at an inflection point in the orange economy, and the platform is well-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities. Backed by influential business families with decades of investment experience, Auraska Ventures aims to build a differentiated ecosystem-focused investment platform that goes beyond traditional capital deployment.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
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