First Bite 2026 by Better Bite Ventures

Better Bite Ventures and Yoga Bar's co-founder are investing up to ₹2.5 crore in one pre-launch or newly launched Indian food brand.

First Bite is a one-off investment call from Better Bite Ventures, co-investing with Suhasini Sampath, the co-founder of Yoga Bar. They will put up to ₹2.5 crore into an early Indian food or beverage brand — one that has either not launched yet, or launched very recently.

Applications close 23 September 2026. There is no fee, and you do not need an introduction to anyone.

This is equity, not a grant. But the bar for applying is unusually low: no incorporation, no traction, no warm intro, and solo founders are welcome.

The categories they name: healthy snacking, functional foods and beverages, protein and fibre, greens and supplements, better-for-you staples, modern takes on nostalgic foods, spices and condiments — and "other emerging categories", which is a genuine invitation rather than a formality.

A unique take on a large food category, with a clear reason to exist that a competitor cannot easily copy. Founders who know exactly why this product and why now, and a team that can actually build it.

The line worth reading twice: your branding, packaging and product can be a work in progress, as long as they show where you are headed and that you can get there. This is a bet on the founder and the category insight, not on a finished shelf-ready SKU.

Four things that are explicitly not required

• Already raised a small round from angels or an early-stage fund?
• Fine.
• Have a round in progress with other investors committed and want them alongside?
• Also fine — there is a question on the form for exactly that.
• Up to ₹2.5 crore. The instrument is a standard early-stage Indian structure — CCPS or a convertible.
• Valuation and structure are not fixed in advance.
• They are agreed with each startup and reflect how early the investment is.
• No equity percentage is published, so treat the stake as negotiable rather than assuming a number.
• If you have never raised before, they say they will walk you through it — which is worth something if this is your first term sheet.

Two things come with the cheque

• Better Bite Ventures is a Singapore-based early-stage fund founded in 2021 by Michal Klar and Simon Newstead.
• It launched as the first VC fund in Asia Pacific dedicated entirely to alternative protein, and has since backed 30+ startups across the region, including India.
• It describes itself as "often the first cheque in", and invests in food that is better for people, planet and animals — from healthier products through to new ingredients.
• Suhasini Sampath co-founded Yoga Bar, grew it into one of India's best-known modern food brands, and exited to ITC. She is co-investing here and mentoring the founder they back.
• The form is short — one sitting, no deck required, though you can attach one. The substantive questions:
• Optional but worth filling: rough revenue numbers with channels and links if you are already selling (their example is "₹3 lakh/month, selling since Feb via own webstore, Amazon and Zepto"), whether you expect to close a round before the deadline, and an upload — a deck, product photos, or a short video.
• Then contact details: name, email, city, WhatsApp number, your personal LinkedIn (mandatory), and optionally your startup's LinkedIn, website and Instagram.
• They read every application and say they will do their best to tell everyone the outcome either way. Shortlisted founders are contacted to arrange a conversation.
• It is confidential.
• Applications are seen only by Better Bite Ventures, Suhasini Sampath and their teams, and used only to evaluate you.
• If you are building in stealth, say so on the form — they say they are used to it and can keep things quiet.
• Questions go to firstbite@betterbite.vc, which is also the fallback if the file upload misbehaves.