- Arāya Ventures' Super Angel Fund raises $10.6 million in the first close, aiming to invest in up to 60 pre-seed and seed-stage startups over four years.
- The fund emphasizes providing strategic value beyond financial support, addressing a perceived gap between investor claims and founder experiences.
London-based Arāya Ventures, founded by entrepreneur-turned-investor Rupa Popat, has secured $10.6 million in the first close of its Arāya Super Angel Fund. This community-driven fund will invest in up to 60 pre-seed and seed-stage startups over the next four years, focusing on health tech, fintech, climate, commerce, and work.
Notable investors include Bridgerton actress Charithra Chandran, former Credit Suisse CEO Phil Cutts, and former Browns CEO Holli Rogers.
“Raising over €9.8 million in our initial close is a strong validation of our approach and mission. This is just the beginning, and we are committed to providing not only financial support but also the strategic value that can help early-stage founders succeed. We look forward to continuing to build on this momentum as we work towards our €22.5 million target,” said Popat.
As per the company, the $10.6 million raised will be invested flexibly, covering both EIS and non-EIS options. The fund aims to make 10 to 15 investments each year to keep the portfolio diverse. Plus, 25% of the fund is set aside for founders who have already shown success in building businesses.
A recent report showed that while 92% of VCs say they add value, only 61% of founders agree. Arāya addresses this by using its network of investors, entrepreneurs, and experts to offer full support to its portfolio companies.
As a former founder turned investor, Popat states that she has experienced both sides of the table and understands that for most early-stage founders, while capital is important, the additional value and support investors provide are equally crucial.
Additionally, she mentions that their approach is highly customized and personalized, and with this unique structure, they are not only optimizing for performance but also filling a gap by offering real support to early-stage founders, giving them value beyond just funding.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
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