Optimistic Capital, a homegrown investment firm, on Monday said it has launched a Rs 200-crore ($24 million) microbreweries-focused fund to tap into the burgeoning sector in India.
Optimistic Capital is backed by four founding partners from ISB and INSEAD — Karthik Chandrasekaran, Jeff Jose, Varun Krishnan, and Edwin Daniel.
The fund will focus on key markets including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Based on current growth rates, by 2030, the number of microbreweries in India is expected to exceed 1,000, marking a threefold increase from 2024, the firm said adding that international alcohol conglomerates are actively investing in and developing local microbreweries in India.
“The microbrewery sector in India is witnessing revolutionary growth on the back of rising consumer demand for craft beers and experiential dining. With more tier 1 and tier 2 cities seeing this consumption shift, our fund is well poised to leverage this growth opportunity,” Jose said.
Optimistic Capital’s fund launch comes as several India-focused domestic funds such as All In Capital, Better Capital, Eximius, Gemba Capital, Java Capital, Neon VC, Propell, Sauce.VC, SenseAI, Silverneedle Ventures, and Upekkha have been launching new funds, in a sign that VC players are amassing enough dry powder to deploy when market conditions are ripe.
