About Company
StepTrade Share Services Private Limited
StepTrade Capital, based in Ahmedabad, India, is an investment manager that focuses on small and micro businesses. Kresha Gupta, the youngest female fund manager in India, started the company. It manages over ₹350 crore in assets using SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds and Portfolio Management Services.
The company is well-known in the SME IPO market, often serving as an anchor investor using a research-based approach. Their main fund, the Chanakya Opportunities Fund, is the first AIF in India that is totally focused on small company stocks. StepTrade's goal is to achieve strong growth by investing in solid, creative small businesses.
Steptrade India Fund
Fund Snapshot
|
Global Investors |
Including NRIs /Foreign Nationals and corporates |
|
Step-trade |
Revolution Fund |
|
Direct Equity |
Markets |
|
Trustee |
MITCON Credentia Trusteeship Services Limited |
|
Category |
Category III AIF |
Fund Overview
The StepTrade India Fund, a CAT III Restricted Non-Retail Scheme AIF, operates under the IFSCA FM Regulations and is registered with the GIFT International Financial Services Centre.
The fund combines the benefits of a Category III AIF with the global outreach of a Category I FPI license, offering unparalleled access to India's most promising growth sectors.
Investment Strategy
The Fund plans to invest at least 40% of its investable funds as an anchor investor in Indian SME AND MICROCAP IPOs and up to 60% as a QIB in Indian SME and Microcap IPOs and listed Micro-Cap companies with a total market capitalization of up to Rs 1000 crore. The Investment Manager will identify these investments based on market opportunities.
Anchor Investments
The fund intends to allocate up to 40% of its capital as Anchor Investments in SME and Microcap Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). This strategic position provides early-stage support to promising SME and Microcap entering the public market.
Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB)
The fund aims to invest up to 60% of its investable funds as a Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) in listed SME and Microcap companies.
- SME AND MICROCAP IPOs: A portion of the fund will be dedicated to participating as a QIB in SME and Microcap IPOs, offering growth-stage SME and Microcap access to institutional capital and support.
- Listed SME and Microcap Companies: Investments will be made in listed SME and Microcap Companies, especially those with market capitalizations up to INR 1,000 crore. These investments target companies with growth potential and established market presence.
Objectives of the fund:
- Provide Retail investors access to booming SME and Microcap market
- Diversified portfolio with Anchor and QIB investments.
- Offer a flexible and open-ended investment option to investors.
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Kresha Gupta
Kresha Gupta is an investment professional who specializes in SME and microcap strategies, emphasizing disciplined research, risk management, and scalable growth opportunities. She is the Director and Fund Manager at Steptrade Capital, an investment management firm that operates in all three SEBI-registered AIF categories and holds an FPI license. Kresha, a Chartered Accountant who qualified at the age of 20, brings extensive financial knowledge and over seven years of experience in the capital markets. She oversees Steptrade Capital's SME and microcap investment initiatives, including the Chanakya Opportunities Fund—India's first SME-focused AIF—and the Steptrade Revolution Funds I and II. Her investment strategy is based on rigorous bottom-up research, promoter assessment, and identifying innovation-driven businesses with long-term value creation potential. Kresha's accomplishments demonstrate her enthusiasm for learning, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to promoting business growth in India. By constantly evolving her strategies and staying ahead of market trends, she remains committed to maximising value for her investors and shaping the future of investments. Her market insights and perspectives have been covered by CNBC Awaaz, Moneycontrol, the Economic Times, Business World, and the Financial Times. She is still making an impact on India's investment landscape today by using a data-driven, innovation-oriented, and institutionally aligned fund management approach.
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Find answers to common questions about fund investments, performance, portfolio strategy, and investor services.
The fund primarily focuses on SME and microcap opportunities in India through anchor investments, QIB participation in IPOs, and investments in listed microcap companies.
The strategy plans to allocate up to 40% of capital toward anchor investments in SME and microcap IPOs, while up to 60% may be invested as a Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) in IPOs and listed companies.
The fund is designed for global investors, including NRIs, foreign nationals, corporates, and eligible investors looking for exposure to India’s SME and microcap growth story.
SME and microcap businesses often offer higher growth potential, early-stage expansion opportunities, and access to emerging companies before they become larger market participants.
The fund operates as a Category III AIF under the IFSCA framework in GIFT IFSC, combining alternative investment flexibility with broader global investment access.