Capital-A, a venture capital firm focused on manufacturing and deeptech, has successfully secured the first close of its second fund at ₹160 crore. The firm aims to raise a total of ₹300 crore, with an additional ₹100 crore available through a greenshoe option. The fund is primarily backed by domestic investors, including notable figures like Srikar Reddy and Siddharth Bafna. Capital-A plans to invest in early-stage startups across various sectors, including aerospace, robotics, and energy transition. Founder Ankit Kedia emphasized a shift in how startups approach manufacturing, moving away from traditional large factories to more modular and flexible models. The firm has already made seven investments and is in advanced discussions for three more. Capital-A intends to support 15-18 companies with a hands-on approach to operations and scaling. Despite a challenging fundraising environment, Kedia noted that investor interest in India's manufacturing sector is increasing, driven by the country's evolving role in global supply chains.