Verma brings over two decades of experience across investing, entrepreneurship and operations. Earlier he worked as Investment Director and Venture Partner at Avaana. Prior to this, he was a partner at Sun Asset Management, where he led investments in areas such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals and energy infrastructure, managing a global portfolio of more than $1 billion.
Srivastava, who has been with Avaana as an Investment Director, has over 15 years of experience across early-stage investing, private equity and development finance. At the fund, she has played a key role in sourcing deals and supporting portfolio companies across core sectors.
Founded in 2018, Avaana Capital has backed startups such as Aerem, Amperehour, Eeki Foods, Kazam, Turno and GreenGrahi, and has previously invested in companies such as Agnikul, Delhivery, Nykaa and Urban Company.
The fund’s focus areas include deeptech entrepreneurs building in the fields of energy, mobility and supply chains, advanced manufacturing, AI and robotics, semiconductor and quantum computing, agriculture and food systems, biotechnology and advanced materials.
Currently, the fund is making investments from its Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund, which closed at $135 million, investing in early-stage climate tech companies.