Prashanth Prakash

Overview

Prashanth Prakash is a founding partner of Accel India, a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in Indian startups. He has been instrumental in shaping India's startup ecosystem, contributing to the growth of numerous technology companies. Before his venture capital career, Prashanth founded Visual Reality, one of India's first animation companies, in 1995. He co-founded NetKraft in 1997, an offshore solutions provider specializing in retail and healthcare sectors. In 2004, he co-founded Erasmic Ventures, an early seed fund that later became Accel India, one of the first global venture funds to enter the Indian market. Prashanth has played a pivotal role in the success of several prominent Indian startups, including Flipkart, Ola, Freshworks, BookMyShow, and Swiggy. His investment focus spans digital-first consumer brands, B2B, Agritech, and SaaS sectors. He has invested in over 35 Indian technology startups and serves as a board member for more than 30 companies. In recognition of his contributions to trade and industry, Prashanth was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025 by the Government of India. He is also actively involved in philanthropic initiatives, including supporting the Sikshana Foundation, which works to improve education in schools across India. Prashanth holds a degree from the University of Delaware and is based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Investment Focus

• Innovative business models
• Scalable growth potential
• Strong founding teams
• Clear market differentiation
• Sustainable competitive advantage

Portfolio Companies