Draft:Utsav Somani
Indian entrepreneur, venture capitalist and author
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Utsav Somani is an Indian entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author based in New Delhi, India. He founded AngelList India in 2018 and led it for five years, during which it became one of the most active seed-stage investment platforms in the country.[1][2] In 2020, he launched iSeed, a micro venture capital fund.[3] In 2023, he founded Offline, an invite-only membership community for technology founders in India, which raised US$2 million at launch.[4] He is the author of The Founder Manual, published by Penguin Business in 2025.[5] He has been listed on the Fortune India 40 Under 40 and Entrepreneur India 35 Under 35 lists.[5][6]
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Submission declined on 11 April 2026 by ChrysGalley (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
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Comment: There is no independent, reliable sourcing giving significant coverage of the individual here, his life and career. ChrysGalley (talk) 10:00, 11 April 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Ravisomani.official (talk) 09:49, 11 April 2026 (UTC)
M.Sc. Innovation & Entrepreneurship, ESADE Business School
Entrepreneur India 35 Under 35
Utsav Somani | |
|---|---|
| Education | B.Sc. Information Systems Management & Finance, Singapore Management University (2005–2009) M.Sc. Innovation & Entrepreneurship, ESADE Business School |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author |
| Known for | Founding AngelList India; Offline; iSeed micro-fund |
| Awards | Fortune India 40 Under 40 Entrepreneur India 35 Under 35 |
| Website | utsavsomani |
Early life and education
Somani completed a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management and Finance at Singapore Management University, graduating in 2009.[7] He subsequently earned a Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from ESADE Business School in Spain.[7]
Career
Early angel investing (2014–2016)
Somani began investing in Indian startups as an angel investor, working with Mumbai Angels and the Indian Angel Network between 2014 and 2016.[2] He also served as Delhi Chapter Lead for LetsVenture from 2015 to 2016.[2]
AngelList India (2016–2023)
In 2016, Somani contacted Naval Ravikant, co-founder of AngelList, proposing to launch the platform in India. He was appointed as its India representative and worked with law firms and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to obtain regulatory approval for AngelList's model of combining software infrastructure with venture capital.[1][2] AngelList India formally launched in 2018.[7]
Under Somani's leadership, AngelList India facilitated over 1,000 investments and accumulated more than US$250 million in assets under management.[5] The platform introduced syndicate investing and Roll Up Vehicles (RUVs) — instruments that pooled multiple investors into a single vehicle — to the Indian market.[2]
Somani left AngelList India in mid-2023.
iSeed and Galaxy funds
In May 2020, Somani launched iSeed, a micro venture capital fund investing in early-stage Indian technology companies.[3] The fund was anchored by Naval Ravikant and backed by founders and investors including those associated with Xiaomi, Thumbtack, DST Global, and Matrix Partners India.[3][6] iSeed planned to invest in approximately 30 early-stage Indian startups at an average ticket size of US$150,000.[3]
In January 2022, Somani launched a second fund, Galaxy. Together, iSeed and Galaxy manage approximately US$100 million in assets under management.[5]
Offline (2023–present)
In 2023, Somani founded Offline (offline.club), a membership community for technology founders and chief executives in India.[4] The platform requires members to have raised at least US$10 million in funding, generated US$5 million or more in annual revenue, or achieved a previous exit of US$10 million or more.
At launch in September 2023, Offline raised US$2 million. Investors included micro-VC funds Better Capital, DeVC, Huddle, Riverwalk Ventures, and India Silicon Valley, as well as founders and executives from companies including Groww, Razorpay, Polygon, CoinDCX, Shiprocket, Ultrahuman, BharatPe, Park+, M2P, Fashinza, Xiaomi, GoKwik, and Mosaic Wellness.[4]
Offline subsequently expanded to the United Arab Emirates with a Dubai chapter.
Written work
The Founder Manual (Penguin Business, 2025) draws on Somani's decade of experience as an investor, covering the practical and operational challenges of building a startup in India. The foreword was written by Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal.[5]
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