Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini, cofounders of the online learning platform Unacademy, are now raising a new venture capital fund, Longshot Capital. The fund aims to secure ₹700 crore, with a specific focus on AI and deeptech startups. This development transitions the founders, coming just weeks after their previous venture was acquired.

According to Livemint, Longshot Capital has already secured commitments totaling approximately ₹300 crore. The fund managers plan to achieve their first close in January 2027, after which they intend to begin making investments. This move positions Munjal and Saini as institutional investors, shifting from the operational leadership of a large edtech platform to deploying capital in emerging technological domains.

The Aftermath of Unacademy’s Acquisition

The launch of Longshot Capital follows closely on the heels of Unacademy’s acquisition by fellow edtech giant upGrad. This publication first reported in September 2026 that upGrad had acquired Unacademy for $200 million. Further reporting by Startuptalky and this desk noted the acquisition was completed for “slightly over $200 million.” This figure represented a substantial valuation adjustment, coming in 94% below Unacademy’s peak valuation. This sharp decline shows changes in investor sentiment and market dynamics. These have affected the broader edtech sector. Unacademy, an online learning platform, provides educational content and courses for competitive exams and skill development. It had grown significantly before its acquisition. The founders’ decision to pivot into venture capital, particularly in a different technological arena, shows a clear reorientation. Their experience with a high-growth startup includes its acquisition at a significantly reduced valuation. This gives them a unique perspective evaluating new ventures.

Longshot Capital’s Focus on AI and Deeptech

Longshot Capital’s stated focus on AI and deeptech indicates a move towards foundational and often more complex technologies. Investments in these sectors typically involve longer development cycles and higher capital expenditure compared to consumer internet or traditional edtech models. The emphasis on AI and deeptech suggests a pursuit of ventures with potentially disruptive long-term impact, rather than immediate, rapid user acquisition.

For Munjal and Saini, transitioning from operators to capital allocators means bringing their firsthand experience of scaling and exiting a company to their new roles. This operational background could translate into a distinct advantage for their portfolio companies, offering capital and mentorship grounded in recent entrepreneurial challenges. Their understanding of product-market fit, team building, and fundraising dynamics, gained from Unacademy’s journey, will likely inform their investment decisions and the support they provide to the next generation of founders.

Unacademy’s co-founders moved swiftly into venture capital after their company’s acquisition at a reduced valuation. This shows how entrepreneurial careers evolve in Indian technology. Founder liquidity and extensive experience can rapidly channel into new investment theses. The pivot towards deeptech and AI aligns with capital shifting towards areas with enduring value, reflecting a recalibration of investment priorities learned from volatile growth cycles.

The ₹700 crore target fund size positions Longshot Capital as a notable player in early-stage funding for these sectors, particularly for founders building advanced technological solutions. The ₹300 crore already committed provides a strong foundation for the fund’s initial investments once it reaches its first close in January 2027. This capital will be deployed to support startups working on core technological advancements, a departure from the application-layer focus of their previous company.

What is Unacademy?

Unacademy is an online learning platform that provides educational content and courses for competitive examinations and skill development.

How much capital are Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini raising for their new fund?

Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are raising ₹700 crore for their new venture capital fund, Longshot Capital.

What is the investment focus of Longshot Capital?

Longshot Capital will focus its investments on AI and deeptech startups.

Compiled by Launch91 Desk from the sources linked above. More about Launch91.