First Bite 2026 by Better Bite Ventures
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
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.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹2.5 Cr
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- Better Bite Ventures
- Application deadline
- 1d — 23 Sept 2026
- Location
- International
About this funding program
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.
Who this is for
| Where | India |
| Sector | Consumer food & beverage brands |
| Stage | Pre-launch, or recently launched |
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.
What they say makes a strong fit
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:
- Traction. You can apply with nothing sold.
- A warm introduction. They read every application that comes in cold.
- Incorporation. If it goes ahead, they help you set up the basics.
- A co-founder. They back teams more often, but a solo founder with a clear plan is welcome.
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.
The money, and the terms
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:
- Suhasini as a sounding board. She built Yoga Bar, raised from consumer VCs including Fireside Ventures, and sold it to ITC. The value here is specific: someone who has taken an Indian food brand from first product to exit.
- Introductions when you raise next. When you are ready, they open doors to top consumer investors in India and beyond. Better Bite's portfolio companies have gone on to raise hundreds of millions in follow-on funding.
Who is behind it
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.
What the application asks
The form is short — one sitting, no deck required, though you can attach one. The substantive questions:
- What is the product and who is it for — one or two sentences.
- Which category best describes it — pick from their list.
- Why will people choose your brand over what they buy today, and why is now the moment? This is the core question. Your unique take on the category, and how your brand is different.
- Who is on the founding team and what does each person bring? They ask for each person's "superpowers".
- What are the key ingredients you are using? A food-specific question most generic VC forms do not ask — they mean it literally, so list them.
- What is the status today — closest match from a list.
- How much have you raised so far and from whom, and how much are you looking to raise now in INR.
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.
After you apply
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.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Funding providers
Better Bite Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund founded in 2021 by Michal Klar and Simon Newstead. It launched with a $15M fund and was the first VC fund in Asia Pacific dedicated entirely to alternative protein. It invests at founding, pre-seed and seed stage,…
Learn moreSuhasini Sampath co-founded Yoga Bar, one of India's best-known modern food brands. She raised from top consumer VCs including Fireside Ventures and grew the company before selling it to ITC. She co-invests alongside Better Bite Ventures in the First Bite programme and acts as a…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹2.5 Cr
What You Get
Up to ₹2.5 crore invested by Better Bite Ventures together with Suhasini Sampath, co-founder of Yoga Bar.
This is equity, through a standard early-stage Indian instrument — CCPS or a convertible. Valuation and structure are not fixed in advance: they are agreed with each startup and reflect how early the cheque is. No equity percentage is published, so the stake is negotiable. If you have never raised before, they say they will walk you through the terms.
Alongside the money you get Suhasini as a sounding board — someone who took an Indian food brand from first product through a VC-backed scale-up to an exit to ITC — and introductions to top consumer investors in India and abroad when you are ready for your next round. Better Bite's portfolio has gone on to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in follow-on funding.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Application fee
- Free
Timelines & Process
Application Fee
Free
Selection Process
There is no pitch event, no cohort and no demo day — this is a direct investment decision.
Every application is read. Better Bite says it reviews all of them and will do its best to tell everyone the outcome, whether or not they proceed. You do not need a warm introduction to be taken seriously.
Shortlisted founders are contacted for a conversation. That is the next step after the form; they reach out to arrange it.
What they are weighing: a unique take on a large food category, with a clear reason to exist that competitors cannot easily copy; a founder who knows exactly why this product and why now; and the right team to build it. Branding, packaging and product being unfinished is explicitly acceptable, provided they show direction and that you can execute.
If it goes ahead, terms are agreed individually — CCPS or a convertible, with valuation and structure reflecting how early the investment is. They also help unincorporated founders put the basic entity in place.
Applications are confidential to Better Bite Ventures, Suhasini Sampath and their teams, and are used only to evaluate the application.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application Form
Complete and submit the online application form with all required details and optional supporting documents.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the investment terms?
Standard early-stage instruments common in India — CCPS or a convertible. Valuation and structure are not fixed; they are agreed with each startup and reflect how early the investment is. No equity percentage is published. If you have not raised before, Better Bite says it will walk you through the terms.
How much can I raise through First Bite?
Up to ₹2.5 crore, invested by Better Bite Ventures together with Suhasini Sampath. The exact amount is agreed with each startup.
What is the deadline?
23 September 2026. Applications go through the form at betterbite.vc/first-bite.
Do I need to be incorporated already?
No. If they decide to go ahead, they will help you get the basics in place.
Can I apply as a solo founder?
Yes. They back teams more often than individuals, but a solo founder with a clear plan and the ability to execute is welcome to apply.
Do I need traction or revenue?
No. Pre-launch startups are explicitly in scope, and there is no traction requirement. If you are already selling there is an optional question for rough numbers, how long you have been selling and your channels.
Do I need a warm introduction?
No. They read every application that comes in through the form, and say they will do their best to let everyone know the outcome.
I've already raised, or have other investors lined up. Can I still apply?
Yes. A small early round from angels or an early-stage fund is fine, and so is a round in progress — if you have other investors committed and want Better Bite in alongside them, apply. The form has a question specifically about closing a round before the deadline.
What kind of food brands are they looking for?
Consumer food and beverage brands in India, in categories like healthy snacking, functional foods and beverages, protein and fibre, greens and supplements, better-for-you staples, modern takes on nostalgic foods, and spices and condiments. Other emerging categories are also welcome. What they want is a unique take on a large category with a reason to exist that competitors cannot easily copy.
My packaging and product aren't finished. Should I wait?
No. They say branding, packaging and product can be a work in progress, as long as they already show where you are headed and that you can get there.
What happens after I apply?
They read every application and will do their best to let everyone know the outcome. If you are shortlisted, they reach out to arrange a conversation. There is no pitch event or demo day.
Is my application confidential?
Yes. It is seen only by Better Bite Ventures, Suhasini Sampath and their respective teams, and used only to evaluate your application. If you are building in stealth, tell them — they say they are used to it and can keep things quiet.
Do I need to submit a pitch deck?
No. The upload is optional — a deck, product photos or a short video are all accepted. If the upload does not work, you can email it to firstbite@betterbite.vc.
Is there an application fee?
No. There is no fee to apply.
Who is Suhasini Sampath?
The co-founder of Yoga Bar, one of India's best-known modern food brands. She raised from consumer VCs including Fireside Ventures and sold the company to ITC. She is co-investing in First Bite and acts as a sounding board to the founder they back.
Who is Better Bite Ventures?
A Singapore-based early-stage fund founded in 2021 by Michal Klar and Simon Newstead, investing in food startups across Asia Pacific including India. It was the first VC fund in the region dedicated entirely to alternative protein, has backed 30+ startups, and is often the first cheque in. Its portfolio has gone on to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in follow-on funding.
Is this a grant?
No. First Bite is an equity investment through CCPS or a convertible. You are giving up a stake in the company, not receiving non-dilutive funding.
Can I apply if I'm outside India?
The programme is for founders building in India — the form defaults the country field to India and the investment is denominated in rupees. Better Bite invests across Asia Pacific through its main fund, so a non-India food startup would be a conversation with the fund rather than a First Bite application.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
