New Delhi, July 12 (TIWN) Lightspeed Venture Partners on Tuesday announced a global fund raise of more than $7 billion that includes a $500 million early-stage fund for the startups in the Indian and South East Asian markets.

"We believe in investing at the earliest stages of innovation, partnering with generational entrepreneurs who have clarity of vision, an insatiable desire to build something enduring, and the conviction and courage to compete and win against all odds," said Arif Janmohamed, Partner, Lightspeed.  Over the past five years, the firm's presence has expanded to 28 professionals across four locations -- Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Singapore.