May 3rd, 2026

IITKGP Foundation

From KGP Classrooms to Global Venture Capital: The Story of z21 Ventures

A new chapter in the entrepreneurial journey of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP) is being written by a group of alumni who are now helping shape the next generation of innovators. Founded in 2022 by IIT Kharagpur graduates Raj Shekhar Singh (B.Tech/2005-09), Abhinav Shashank (B.Tech/ME/2006-10), Jyotika Gupta (B.Arch/2007-12), and Sudarshan Ravi (Dual Degree/2008-13), z21 Ventures has quickly emerged as a rising force in early-stage venture capital focused on the India–US technology corridor. 

What makes z21 Ventures especially significant for the IIT Kharagpur community is not only its impressive growth, but also its deliberate effort to reconnect with and invest in the KGP ecosystem. Built around a “community-led” and “operator-driven” model, the firm draws on the experience of successful founders, technology leaders, and investors to mentor emerging entrepreneurs. 

The founders themselves represent the spirit of IIT Kharagpur’s entrepreneurial legacy. Raj Singh, a former executive at Innovaccer and entrepreneur in the AI and battery technology space, has helped shape the strategic vision of the fund. Abhinav Shashank, co-founder and CEO of Innovaccer, brings deep expertise in healthcare technology and scaling global startups. Jyotika Gupta, who previously worked at Glassdoor, contributes operational and business strategy experience, while Sudarshan Ravi, co-founder of LetsTransport, adds firsthand knowledge of building and growing logistics and mobility ventures. Together, the four alumni have combined their diverse experiences to create a platform designed to support founders at the earliest and most critical stages of innovation. 

Their momentum has been remarkable. In 2024, z21 Ventures announced the first close of its second fund at $20 million, with support from WestBridge Capital as anchor investor. The fund focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and deeptech - fields that increasingly align with IIT Kharagpur’s strengths in research and technology innovation. 

Most importantly for the KGP community, z21 Ventures is now actively building bridges back to campus. In partnership with IIT Kharagpur, the firm helped launch “KGP Forge,” a startup accelerator program designed for final-year students. Additionally, z21 Ventures is in the process of launching a dedicated IIT Kharagpur-focused seed fund designed to identify, mentor, and back the next generation of high-potential startups emerging from the IIT KGP ecosystem. Built in partnership with IITKGP leadership, alumni, operators, and industry leaders, this fund aims to strengthen IIT Kharagpur’s vision of becoming a global hub for entrepreneurship by providing founders with early-stage capital, mentorship, community support, and access to global markets and investors.

With z21 ventures, the IITKGP alumni spirit is being institutionalized into an ecosystem of capital, mentorship, and innovation. For IIT Kharagpur students and alumni alike, it is a powerful reminder that the bonds formed at KGP can extend far beyond campus—fueling ideas, companies, and communities across the world.

Together, these recognitions underscore the global influence of IIT Kharagpur alumni and their enduring commitment to leadership, innovation, and giving back.