Steptrade Share Services Invests Rs 52 Cr Via India’s First SME-focused AIF
Date: April 23, 2025
Through Chanakya Opportunities Fund I, Steptrade targets renewable energy, defence, water management, and infrastructure, with plans to invest Rs 20 crore more in IPO-bound ventures
Steptrade Share Services, a SME-focused investment firm, has invested approximately Rs 52 crore in over 20 high-growth, unlisted companies during FY 2024-25. These investments were made through its debut fund, Chanakya Opportunities Fund I, India’s first Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) dedicated to the SME exchange.
The firm is set to invest an additional Rs 20 crore by the end of 2025, with a focus on emerging IPO-bound companies. Steptrade’s strategic investments span next-generation and high-impact sectors including renewable energy, defence, water management, and infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to building a resilient and sustainable economic future.
"StepTrade Share Services is proud to be a part of this growth journey,” said Kresha Gupta, Director at Steptrade. “Our vision has always been to go beyond short-term gains and drive transformative growth by amplifying the voices of underrepresented SME and micro-cap companies.”
The firm’s targeted approach aligns closely with national priorities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to enhance self-reliance through domestic manufacturing and innovation. The 2025-26 Union Budget has amplified these efforts with a 9.5 per cent hike in the defence budget and significant incentives for renewable energy and infrastructure development.
India’s renewable energy capacity now stands at 459.65 GW, supported by schemes such as PM-Kusum, which promotes solar energy use in agriculture. This sector alone received a 29 per cent budgetary increase compared to last year.source : www.bwdisrupt.com