8i Ventures Unveils Second Leg Of ‘Origami’ To Back Early-Stage Founders

8i Ventures has launched the second edition of its pre-seed funding program, Origami, aimed at supporting early-stage founders. The program offers rapid access to funding, with a streamlined process designed to provide founders with a response within one week, a term sheet in two weeks, and deal closure in just four weeks. The first edition, launched in March 2024, saw the fund invest $600k in three startups. The second edition continues the $10 million allocation, with plans to invest in more pre-seed startups this year. 8i Ventures has a track record of successful early investments, including Slice, Easebuzz, and Bbetter. The firm recently announced the first close of its $50 million Fund II, raising $25 million, with $10 million allocated specifically to support the Origami program. The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of India’s startup ecosystem by providing early-stage startups with the resources they need to succeed.