Team Startupcity

• All In Capital launches Elevator Pitch 2.0, a Rs 5 crore live funding program to back 15 early-stage startups, focusing on founders from India’s tier II and III cities.
• Applications open till July 10, with a unique one-minute pitch format and no need for warm intros, selected startups will pitch live in Bengaluru for direct investment and mentorship.
• Backed by All In Capital’s Rs 85 crore second fund, the initiative seeks to democratize venture access, spotlighting high-potential founders beyond traditional startup hubs.

Early-stage venture capital firm All In Capital has rolled out the second installment of its live startup funding program, Elevator Pitch 2.0, with renewed emphasis on identifying high-potential entrepreneurs from India's tier II and III cities.

The program, meant to sidestep conventional gatekeeping in venture capital, is now accepting applications until July 10 and will end in a live pitch event in Bengaluru later this month.

Supported by a committed Rs 5 crore corpus, the program aims to select 15 high-potential startups that are currently fundraising at sub-Rs 50 crore valuations. The shortlisted startups would present live in front of a panel of investors with the support of Bingelabs. The winners would get direct investment, strategic guidance, and exposure in the larger venture ecosystem.

"Elevator Pitch was designed to offer early-stage entrepreneurs a legitimate platform to connect with funding, gain exposure, and showcase their businesses to active investors", explained Aditya Singh, All In Capital partner. "We think authentic innovation is coming out of India's underserved pockets and they should have access to capital and support".

The inaugural edition of the program in Delhi saw over 300 applications and witnessed an interesting array of entrepreneurs pitching their ideas from a 17-year-old dropout in Bihar to an AIIMS-trained doctor from Jodhpur. Though there was just one company that received direct investment at the launch event, it served to highlight the untapped entrepreneurial class beyond the main tech centers in India.

At the heart of Elevator Pitch 2.0 is its unique one-minute pitch structure. Founders are judged on product vision clarity, strength of founding team, and earliest indications of market traction. Contrary to conventional fundraising, no warm introductions or high-end networks are needed. Startups shortlisted to the final showcase will also be provided with professional support to create clear pitch videos, which shall be screened by All In Capital and other partner investors.

The program represents a conscious attempt to rebalance access to venture capital. "The current venture ecosystem is biased towards connections and privileged background", Singh said. "Elevator Pitch is a move towards evening that playing field".

Elevator Pitch 2.0 arrives in a period when All In Capital is busy deploying its second fund. The Bengaluru-headquartered company, which was established in 2021 by Aditya Singh and Kushal Bhagia, has invested in over 50 startups from verticals such as fintech, SaaS, consumer, healthcare, AI, and deeptech. Prominent portfolio firms are Newme, Salty, Magma, and Piersight.

The company recently closed the first close of its second fund at Rs 85 crore and is utilizing platforms such as Elevator Pitch to detect breakout startups at their early stages.