Momo-VC Research
Investment Thesis
Momo-VC is a US-based early-stage venture fund that backs technology-enabled companies, with a stated emphasis on underrepresented founders and the global Nepali diaspora. The firm's pitch is that it wants to know founders at the very earliest stage ("we love to be there at their whiteboard") and help shape strategy so that returns improve for both founders and investors. Its public positioning is that underrepresented founders rarely lack skill or ambition; they lack access to capital and networks, and that closing that gap is both an equity matter and a source of return.
Focus Areas
The website lists six focus areas:
- Cyber Security: startups building data protection and security technology.
- Artificial Intelligence: intelligent solutions that improve efficiency and innovation.
- Fintech: financial inclusion technologies that make financial services more accessible, efficient and secure.
- Digital Health: telemedicine, health monitoring apps, medical devices and health data analytics.
- Biotech: solutions in healthcare, agriculture and environment.
- Sustainability: clean energy, agriculture, waste reduction and other eco-friendly initiatives.
Stage Focus
The firm describes itself as early-stage and works with startups "very early". It does not publish stage buckets or a check size. Its first fund was small (about USD 2.2M), so checks are almost certainly pre-seed to seed sized, but no figure is stated and none is claimed here.
Check Size and Lead Tendency
No check size or ownership target is published. Lead tendency is unknown. The firm says it builds joint investment opportunities through networks of other VCs and investors, which suggests co-investing is common, but this is not stated as a policy.
Recent Activity
- June 2025: Momo VC publicly launched; press coverage titled "Diaspora Leaders Launch Momo VC to Empower Tech Startups".
- Instagram anniversary post (about August 2026): in two years the firm has backed 8 early-stage US startups, launched a Startup Resource Hub and signed an MoU with NIMB Ace Capital.
- June 2026: Momo VC and NIMB Ace Capital signed an MoU to jointly establish a Nepal-focused private equity and venture fund with a USD 30M target (three pools of roughly USD 10M each), subject to regulatory approval. NIMB Ace Capital would be licensed fund manager, Momo VC operating partner and/or GP leading diaspora fundraising. SNV Nepal is a technical assistance partner.
- Mid 2026: GPs met portfolio companies in New York City.
Portfolio
The firm's portfolio page contains only placeholder entries ("Test", "Test 2", "Test 3", "Test 4" with lorem ipsum), so it discloses nothing. No named portfolio companies were found on the website, the partner NIBL Equity Partners page, press coverage or search results. The firm says it has backed 8 early-stage US startups, but they are not named in any source found. No companies are listed in this record.
Team
- Preeti Adhikary, General Partner: founder of The Great Nepali Diaspora, a community of 2,000+ global Nepali talent with an incubator, pitch events and a mentorship program; nearly two decades across technology startups, banking and nonprofits.
- Sajan Gautam, General Partner: technology practitioner turned startup advisor and investor; involved in networks of VCs to assess markets and evaluate joint investments.
The about page also cites partner experience as a long-time practitioner in the focus areas, marketing expertise from a successful startup, experience as investment advisor to larger funds, and early deal flow through other VCs.
Decision Process
Two general partners. Founders apply through the website; the firm reviews against its theses, schedules a 45 minute intro, then deeper discussions on team, market and product-market fit, and, if positive, offers a term sheet and enters formal due diligence. Decisions are therefore partnership-based. If it does not invest it says it aims to offer connections and insight.
Founder Preferences
Underrepresented founders, including minority-led and women-led companies and Nepali diaspora founders; entrepreneurs with strong vision and determination, ideas that address significant market needs with scalable growth. The firm offers strategic guidance, network access (partners, customers, talent), operational support in marketing, sales, finance and product, and long-term commitment.
Geographic Focus
United States for the venture fund (headquarters city not published). The planned NIMB Ace Capital vehicle would invest in companies incorporated and operating in Nepal, with an emphasis on companies that can expand regionally or globally and have a track record of at least two years.
Gaps
No check size, no named portfolio, no headquarters city, no fund size beyond the USD 2.2M first fund figure published by NIBL Equity Partners. Blog posts on the site are about an ecosystem-builder approach to venture investing; the about page blog block is lorem ipsum filler.