Java Capital

Overview

Founded in 2020, Java Capital is a Bengaluru-based venture capital firm focused on deep technology and climate-focused businesses. The firm backs founders working on hard engineering and scientific problems, with a particular interest in companies developing intellectual property in India for global markets. Its portfolio spans aerospace, robotics, energy, AI, advanced manufacturing, climate technology and enterprise software.

Investment Focus and Stage

Java Capital invests primarily at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages, with a first-cheque approach that allows it to enter companies very early, often around the idea or prototype stage. Its core focus is DeepTech and ClimateTech, with investment themes covering semiconductors, space and aerospace, robotics and physical AI, cybersecurity and defence, AI infrastructure, advanced materials, energy systems, quantum technologies and synthetic biology.

The firm works closely with founders through the transition from technical development to product-market fit and global commercialisation. Its cross-border presence in India and the US is designed to help Indian deep-tech companies access international customers, talent and capital from an early stage.

Fund Size and Portfolio

Java Capital's first institutional fund closed at ₹50 crore in 2023, with an additional ₹25 crore greenshoe option. In 2026, the firm launched Fund III with a corpus of ₹400 crore to back seed-stage deep-tech companies. The new fund plans to invest in roughly 15–20 companies over three to four years, with initial investments of about ₹6–8 crore and reserves for follow-on rounds through Series A and beyond.

Java Capital has backed 35+ companies. Its portfolio includes Agnikul Cosmos, The ePlane Company, CynLr, Lightspeed Photonics, Oorja, Okulo Aerospace, Preimage, Resilience AI, Frigate, Customfit.ai, Quash, Codingal and Healiium. The portfolio reflects the firm's emphasis on companies developing technology around aerospace, industrial automation, energy, AI and climate-related challenges.

Leadership

Java Capital was founded by Vinod Shankar, Bhargavi Vijayakumar and Karteek Pulapaka. Vinod Shankar is a Co-founder and Partner based in Bengaluru, with previous experience at Kstart and Kalaari Capital. Bhargavi Vijayakumar is a Co-founder and Partner based in the US, where she works with portfolio companies on global markets, customers and capital. Karteek Pulapaka is a Co-founder and Partner with a background in venture investing and technology businesses.

The founding team brings more than 30 years of combined investing experience and has built Java around a specialised deep-tech thesis rather than a broad sector mandate.