Organization · Micro VC
First Cheque
First Cheque is a Bengaluru-based micro-VC that invests in early-stage startups in India, focusing on ideation and pre-product stages. The firm provides funding of up to $500,000 across various sectors.
Overview
What First Cheque does
What First Cheque is
First Cheque is a Bengaluru-based micro-VC that invests in early-stage startups in India, focusing on ideation and pre-product stages. The firm provides funding of up to $500,000 across various sectors.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Micro VC
- Structured capabilities
- Funder
- Last reviewed
- April 23, 2026
Official channels
Find First Cheque elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
First Cheque as a funder
Investment thesis
First Cheque focuses on pre-seed and ideation-stage startups in India, investing in ambitious founders before product-market fit. The firm aims to provide the first institutional capital to startups across various sectors.
Focus narrative
First Cheque invests primarily in teams at the Paper-Plan, Pre-Product, and MVP stages, offering funding of up to $500,000. The firm has a broad investment thesis that encompasses a variety of sectors, including B2B Marketplace, D2C, SaaS, FinTech, Creator Economy, Consumer Internet, and EdTech, among others. This diverse focus allows First Cheque to support a wide range of innovative startups.
Value beyond capital
First Cheque adds value to its portfolio companies by providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and support in navigating the early stages of their business. The firm focuses on being the first institutional investor, which helps startups gain credibility and access to further funding opportunities. Additionally, First Cheque fosters a strong network among its portfolio companies, facilitating collaboration and shared learning.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $100,000–$500,000
- Sweet spot
- $100,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- SaaS & Cloud SoftwareFintechConsumerCreator EconomyEducationCommerce & RetailHealthcareArtificial Intelligence
- Regions
- Asia
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 120
- Recorded notable exits
- Giva
Portfolio context
First Cheque has backed over 120 companies, including notable names such as: Giva: A silver jewelry brand that achieved a partial exit with a 75X return. Rigi: A platform focused on creator monetization that recently secured $10 million in Series A funding. CapGrid: A B2B cloud manufacturing startup that raised $7 million. Wint Wealth: A financial services company that raised nearly $15 million. Fashinza: A B2B fashion supply chain company that raised $100 million in Series B funding.
Common questions
What to know about First Cheque
Upseed classifies First Cheque under the Micro VC organization type. Its current public profile includes funder capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 23, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.