IFSCA issued Regulatory framework for Angel Funds to facilitate investments in start-ups (01/07/2022)

“angel investor” meansan investor including a Venture Capital Scheme or Restricted Scheme set up in an IFSCandsimilar regulated scheme or fund set up in India or foreign jurisdiction, andinvests in an angel fundin accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

advtanmoy 01/07/2022 2 minutes read

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 12 and 13 of the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019, read with Regulations18, 144 and 146 of the IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2022, and in recognition of the crucial role played by angel investors in nurturing entrepreneurship by providing the much-needed early-stage financingto start-ups, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (Authority) hereby specifies the following frameworkfor Angel Funds,specifically attuned to the requirements ofearly-stage investing.

Angel Funds under IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2022

DATE: 01 JUL 2022

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), in furtherance of its mandate to develop and regulate financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centres (IFSC), had notified the IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2022 in April 2022 enabling the regulatory framework for various activities related to fund management including schemes for investing in early-stage venture capital undertaking (start-ups).

Angel Funds bridge the gap between start-ups and angel investors, who are instrumental in providing mentoring, and resources to the start-ups. In recognition of the same, IFSCA has now issued a framework for Angel funds under the IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2022. The salient features of the said framework are as under:

A Fund Management Entity (FME) in IFSC will be able to launch Angel Fund by filing a placement memorandum with the Authority under a Green Channel, i.e. the schemes can open for subscription by investors immediately upon filing the placement memorandum with the Authority.
Angel Funds shall accept investments from accredited investors or investors who are willing to commit at least USD 40,000 over 5 years.
Angel Funds are permitted to invest in start-ups as well as other regulated angel schemes in IFSC, India, foreign jurisdictions upon receiving consent from the desirous investors.
While investment(s) by an Angel Fund in a start-up is capped at USD 1,500,000, the Angel fund is permitted to invest in subsequent rounds of fund raising by the start-up in order to protect its shareholding from dilution, subject to certain conditions.

The detailed framework for Angel Funds may be accessed at https://ifsca.gov.in/Circular