Gautam Patil

IndusDC is on a mission to slash 1 GT of #CO2 emissions by 2035! With a commitment of Rs 100 crore in blended finance for FY25 and FY26, they're set to co-build tech #startups in the industrial and energy sectors. 🌍 Launching five startups in the next two years and aiming for over 50 globally in the next decade, #IndusDC offers robust support by stepping in as co-founders and providing up to Rs 20 crore in capital for each startup. Founded in 2023 by Kushant Uppal, Satyanarayanan Seshadri, and Kaustubh Hanmantgad (Kau), IndusDC is gearing up to sign additional commitment agreements with investors in FY25. by Sai keerthi | #GreenTech #ClimateAction #StartupSupport #SustainableFuture #Innovation

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Inspiring Conversations with Mithun Sacheti Founder of CaratLane It was truly amazing and inspiring to meet Mr. Mithun Sancheti and hear about his incredible journey—from starting with modest capital to achieving an extraordinary exit at a valuation of ₹17,000 Cr in such a short span. Here are my key takeaways from our conversation: 1️⃣ Continuous Improvement: Strive to become at least 1% better every day—aligning with the Kaizen Theory. 2️⃣ Customer-Centric Mindset: Anticipate reasons why customers might not choose you, address them proactively, and refine your approach. 3️⃣ Lifelong Learning: Despite securing ₹4,000 Cr from his equity with Tata, he pursued an internship with Airtel—a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge. 4️⃣ Mastering Negotiation: Negotiation is an art, and reaching the right person requires both patience and skill. Conversations like these remind us that success is not just about results but also about the mindset and principles we uphold along the way. #enterprenureship #desireenergy

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Thanks Bismah and Inc42 Media for the insightful coverage and deep dive into the vital role of operator VCs! Bismah's thoughtful analysis underscores the growing need for operator VCs in today's startup landscape. As an operator VC , I've witnessed firsthand how founders increasingly value more than just capital. They seek partners who bring operational expertise, strategic guidance, and an extensive network to the table. These elements are crucial for driving sustainable growth and navigating the complexities of scaling a business. At GrowthCap Ventures , we understand the unique challenges faced by early-stage startups, which is why we prioritize offering not just funding, but also hands-on support and access to our extensive network. Together, we're empowering founders to realize their vision and build transformative businesses. #OperatorVC #StartupEcosystem #Gratitude

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Hyderabad-based venture capital firm Pavestone VC has announced the final close of its Pavestone Technology Fund at a staggering Rs 816 crore (~$97 million)—surpassing its original target of Rs 600 crore! The fund witnessed enthusiastic participation from notable investors, including The Self Reliant India(SRI) Fund, the family office of MANKIND PHARMA LTD promoters, and Colruyt Group India. This marks a major milestone in India's VC ecosystem, highlighting growing confidence in tech innovation. What’s Next? Pavestone plans to invest in 14-15 growth-stage B2B tech startups with an average cheque size of $5-10 million, focusing on deeptech and enterprise tech. Portfolio Highlights: The fund has already backed cutting-edge companies like E42.ai, NewSpace Research and Technologies , LivNSense GreenOps Private Limited, and Bellatrix Aerospace—all shaping the future of technology in their sectors. Founded in 2021 by Sridhar Rampalli, Srikanth Tanikella, and V Laxmikanth (VLK), Pavestone VC is setting the stage for transformative growth in India’s tech landscape. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gVPm-ScB #VCNews #PavestoneVC #TechInnovation #B2BTech #DeepTech #StartupFunding #IndiaStartups #VentureCapital

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Announcing: Antler Fastrack to Residency - MUMBAI Edition (for founders in Mumbai / Pune / Ahmedabad / Surat) 2 weeks back we announced the first version of Fastrack to Residency through a warm intro to stay true to our promise on delivering faster to the most exceptional founders in Bangalore! We had an overwhelming response of 250+ warm referrals from other VCs, operators, serial founders and were introduced to a vibrant bunch of founders building across bath fittings, offline senior care clubs to CBDCs powered international payments. Of this, we met with 22 founders (and have 30+ we are speaking to virtually given limitation of slots) and offered the residency to 5 teams and individuals within 48 hours! Seeing such a promising response from the ecosystem, we are now coming to Mumbai and hope to see an even bigger outcome! If you are an exceptional founder (individual or team) that’s just starting up, Nitin Sharma & I will spend a full day in Bombay on the 27th of August to talk to you! The only twist - you need to reach us through someone who knows you - and knows us too! Why are we doing this - we announced last month that we are investing $500k in 20 companies (amounting to $10Mn). This is our endeavor to deliver faster and bigger on this promise! What we promise - is a decision into the Residency within 24 hours of us meeting you. Here’s how it will work - (1) Find someone in our networks (cue: some of them would have shared this post on their LinkedIn / Twitter) or would have engaged with us in the past. (2) Show us you are super resourceful :) Ask them to email us / tweet to us / message us on LI / Whatsapp us - any of the Antler team members that they know (there’s 18 of us!) - to give a warm intro to you. Convince them to write a good line or two :)  (3) All shortlisted individuals and teams will get a direct slot with Antler India on Aug 27th meet us IRL in Mumbai. (If you are not shortlisted post the above process, you will hear from us by Aug 24th) (4) You will get a decision to get into the Antler India Residency by Aug 28th Please note that the last date for being referred to this is 21st of August. Do refer great folks our way! Next on the list - NCR in September!

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#founder #startup #circular #sustainability There's always a first for everything. Yet again, as a founder, we put the 'Why' ahead - even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. Founder Snehal Chaitanya shared Wheedle's journey and more on Let's Talk Sus. With Bhairevi Aiyer https://lnkd.in/gafPC2Pb

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Startups recognised under the government’s Startup Initiative have created over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across 55 industries, showcasing the transformative power of innovation and entrepreneurship. According to the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, the IT sector led the way in job creation, adding 2,04,119 jobs, followed by healthcare and life sciences with 1,47,639 jobs. This milestone reflects the vital role of startups in driving economic growth and providing employment opportunities across other sectors, including technology, agriculture, and education. Government initiatives like the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) are providing critical support to startups at various stages, promoting their growth. IAN Group (formerly Indian Angel Network) is proud to support this vibrant startup ecosystem by investing in and nurturing innovative ventures that are shaping India’s future. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gjKHKwDh #StartupIndia #JobCreation #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #GovernmentInitiatives

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Game On, India: A VC Perspective on the Untapped Potential in Sportswear (Beyond Jerseys) 🇮🇳 The Indian sportswear market is poised for a major leap, fuelled by a growing passion for fitness and exploring the great outdoors. But let's talk beyond the ubiquitous cricket jerseys for a moment and delve into a hidden gem – the booming market for outdoor gear! 💸 A VC's Perspective: Why I am Bullish on Outdoor Sportswear in India As a Venture Capitalist, the Indian outdoor sportswear market presents a compelling investment opportunity for several reasons: 💹 High-Growth Market: The market is projected to reach a staggering USD 1.93 billion by 2029, with a growth rate exceeding 16% annually (source: Maximize Market Research). This significant growth trajectory signifies a large and rapidly expanding consumer base. 🥇 Untapped Potential: Unlike cricket jerseys, the outdoor segment lacks a centralized and organized retail experience. This fragmentation creates a prime opportunity for innovative brands and platforms to capture market share. 📯 Shifting Consumer Preferences: Growing participation in activities like running, cycling, trekking, and adventure travel is driving demand for specialized outdoor gear. Consumers are increasingly seeking high-quality, functional products that enhance their outdoor experiences. 🇮🇳 Rise of Domestic Brands: This market shift presents a golden opportunity for Indian brands to offer high-quality, affordable options alongside established international players. This approach can resonate with cost-conscious Indian consumers while fostering domestic innovation. 🦋 Experience-Driven Retail: The rise of experience-based travel and adventure sports opens doors for brands to connect with customers beyond just products. VCs are looking to invest in companies that curate a holistic outdoor experience, fostering brand loyalty and customer engagement. 🚵‍♂️ The REI Model for India? The current market lacks a comprehensive online or physical store similar to REI in the US or Outdoor Goat internationally. A platform that curates a selection of established international brands alongside promising domestic ones, offering expert advice and a focus on the entire outdoor experience, could revolutionize the Indian market. 🔊 Calling All Outdoor Enthusiasts and Industry Leaders! Share your thoughts in the comments. What exciting possibilities do you see in the Indian outdoor sportswear market? #sportswear #india #outdoors #entrepreneurship #marketresearch Khyati V Bhinde Joanne Kiara Fernandez Lakshmi Naga Potluri Abhay Vashistha Amisha Vashistha Garima Vashistha

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Indian VC Ecosystem Maturing Fast & Experiencing Exponential Growth In a recent conversation with #WomenEntrepreneursReview magazine, Surabhi Washishth, Founding Partner, Paradigm Shift Capital discussed impactful trends in the Indian VC ecosystem, the influence of emerging technologies on venture investment decisions, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in decision-making and team composition. Read More: https://goo.su/Z9b0 #IndianVCEcosystem #ExponentialGrowth #IndianVentureCapital #venturecapitalindustry

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India's D2C fashion space is booming like no other, with the country's growing middle class, increasing discretionary spend online. More than 40,000 D2C fashion brands have emerged in just the last two years, creating a vibrant and competitive market. utsav and I are building in the D2C fashion e-commerce x AI space. We are addressing discoverability challenges for both users and brands by enabling multi-modal search and comparison, making it easier for: (a) users to find and compare fashion items, and (b) for brands to be discovered Alongside Tech roles such as AI researcher, ML scientists, we're also looking to grow our business team and are hiring for roles in our Growth and Partnerships teams. If you’re passionate about fashion and want to be part of the coolest start-up in town 👀 😎 , apply now using the links below - a. Partnerships (CTC: 20-30 LPA): https://tally.so/r/3N0Y0W b. Growth (CTC: 25-40 LPA): https://tally.so/r/wA8DxW note: the CTC ranges are indicative and might vary basis experience and fit for the role. #hiring

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Gen Z comprises 377 million individuals in India today. They’re not just the future; they’re the now, reshaping the consumer landscape and demanding brands to catch up! In case you missed the Gen Z report by Snap and BCG (where were you yesterday??), here are the cliff notes (I reccomend you read the actual report too!) 🌟 Gen Z currently drives $860 billion in consumer spending in India, with projections soaring to $2 trillion by 2035. 💡 With 75% emphasizing authenticity, keep it real, or you might find yourself ghosted! 🛍️ They engage in “shopcializing,” sharing experiences and seeking advice from their inner circle. About 66% say their friends influence their purchasing decisions! 🎨 Nearly 80% of Gen Z is glued to visual content. Brands must step up with eye-popping, immersive visuals— preference is for short, engaging videos. 🌍 They are 1.6 times more likely than millennials to rally behind causes they care about. Over 60% actively participate in social justice campaigns and community efforts! 🎉 Gen Z flows seamlessly between online and offline shopping. They expect a truly omni-channel experience, with 70% wanting brands to provide consistent messaging across platforms. 🔍 Gen Z is the Sherlock Holmes of shopping, spending 1.5 times more effort researching products before they buy. They value reviews, ratings, and user-generated content, making them savvy consumers. 👩‍🎤 Influencers are Gen Z’s guiding stars. About 70% check out creators’ pages for product recommendations. Brands that collaborate with relatable influencers can capture their attention effectively. 💖 This generation is open about mental health—75% feel positive about discussing it. Brands that support mental health initiatives will win their hearts like a puppy video on a bad day!a 🌱 With 67% of Gen Z willing to pay extra for sustainable products, brands need to get their eco-friendly game on. They prefer brands with transparent supply chains and ethical practices. 🌈 Gen Z values representation. Brands that celebrate diversity will connect more effectively. 83% of Gen Z believes that brands should take a stand on social issues and reflect diverse perspectives in their advertising. ☕ Personalized Experiences FTW! 79% of Gen Z prefers brands that know their favorite coffee order. They value customized marketing messages and tailored recommendations. 💻 Gen Z expects brands to incorporate technology into their shopping experiences. They’re fans of AR/VR for trying products before buying, with 50% expressing interest in immersive shopping experiences. ⚡ While Gen Z can be brand loyal, they will bolt if their needs aren’t met. 60% are willing to switch brands if they find a better fit, highlighting the need for continuous engagement and innovation. 🤑Building for Gen Z is a massive value unlock—are you ready to ride the Gen Z wave? 🌊 Ajit Mohan Abheek Singhi 🙌🏼🙌🏼 Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/g4NRF_ki

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The Startup Catalyst: Episode 1- The very first guest is one of our illustrious mentor, Amit Singal , founder of Gurgaon based Fluid Ventures . Through Fluid, Amit is redefining the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) sector and shaping the trajectory for startups to succeed. Amit Singal has had an illustrious career spanning over 18 years, carving a path through diverse industries. His journey from founding ASR Business Advisors to igniting the entrepreneurial spirit through Start-up Buddy in 2015 echoes a profound commitment to fostering and fortifying the start-up landscape. #entrepreneurship #mentor #incubator #startup #angelinvestors link to full episode in comments HETAL SONPAL

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A glimpse of the first episode of The Startup Catalyst by GRG Gen Nxt Incubator! Our founding partner - Amit Singal shared his insights from his experience in the startup ecosystem. Watch full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gCWfzjbC #entrepreneurship #podcast #interview #startups #investors #insights #founders #funding

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There's buzz across the market that HUL is looking to acquire Minimalist for ₹3,000 crores. While I personally feel the valuation is a bit nutso (new favourite word), it's heartening to see India Inc embrace new age companies who are creating differentiators and appealing to broader consumer bases than the traditional. Some great examples across the past decade include: 1. Dr. Vaidya's by RPSG Group: Built by the phenomenal Trisha Rajani Vaidya and Arjun Vaidya, in 2019. By no means the biggest exit, it was one of India's first D2C exits, opening up the pathway for other India Incs to follow suit. 2. Flipkart by Walmart: India's largest startup acquisition and the World's largest E-commerce acquisition at $16 billion, this deal was Walmart's commitment to what's expected to the biggest growth market for the next decade and a chance to incorporate a lot of Flipkart's processes and in-house technology into Walmart's global e-comm efforts 3. CaratLane - A TATA Product & Tata 1mg: Clubbing the two, since Tata has been an active player across M&A, the teams here beautifully showcased a synergistic (ONLY time this word should be used) acquisition as well as a market-entry one, with Tanishq's supply chain being leveraged in the jewellery space, while 1mg giving Tatas a foray into pharmaceutical retail. 4. Reliance Industries Limited and Haptik, Addverb, Fynd (Shopsense Retail Technologies Ltd.), Karkinos Healthcare, JioSaavn and more, Reliance has emerged the most supportive of corporates, acquiring startups to help expand their reach, services and bolster the ecosystem they are building. Kudos to Aakrit Vaish and the omnipresent Manoj Modi. Global companies have long had their eye on India, with the likes of Meta acquiring Little Eye Labs all the way back in 2014, with Google following suit in 2017 (acquiring Halli Labs) and 2018 (acquiring Where is my Train), Rephrase.ai being snapped up by Adobe and more #venturecapital #startups #acquisition #funding #sale

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The next decade is indeed the moment for ‘The Great Indian Consumer’. We at Fireside are amazed by the insights and learnings from the consumer behaviour of the new Indian consumer. Building Brands and proposition for the Micro segment will the big theme in the next decade …from teens to GenZ to Seniors to an aspiring consumer to an affluent consumer across the length and breadth of the country there are countless white spaces. JUST BUILD GREAT PRODUCTS !! Any founder building for the next decade should just worry about building a great product and brand for a micro segment of consumer who would love you !! Don’t worry about TAM …The TAM will find you !! Fireside Ventures #consumer #brands #startups #greatindianconsumer

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Kiko Live is dependent on Open Network For Digital Commerce (ONDC), it's valuation is too high and there are too many competitors. The reasons for jury on Shark Tank India to pass on the opportunity. As CEO of eSamudaay, this argument holds true for me too and even though I didn't apply for Shark Tank, I use this post to explain the business model so that our existing investors don't lose hope. #eSamudaay is in the business of localising data and was founded in July 2020 based on work done in 2016-2020 on #redefine (Regulated Decentralized Financial Networks). One of the first use-cases for our nested network (network of nests where "nest" is a store of data) was to localize data infrastructure for hyper-local digital business models. I have worked at a #kirana during my school days and I know that online is NOT the mode for us to gain customers. Our primary needs out of digital is for CRM or it's new age version - Community Management. Online ordering by people that don't know us is expected to be tending toward zero. The #LCommerce business model defined by our pioneer district digital economy platform Udupi eSamudaay Digital Services Pvt Ltd is developed on this insight. Deepinder Goyal is right when is says that #UPI and #ONDC are like apples and oranges. UPI is for digital goods and that too for a single digital good (INR on banking rails). Also, UPI is built on a strong technology foundation of core banking and IMPS. So, any business model that is dependent on ONDC needs to be aware that this is a game that will evolve in the long term and adapting existing platform business models to ONDC won't work. For eSamudaay's network of nests, ONDC is the data transfer protocol. Also, our network of nests is dependent on the ONDC gateway only for local to global, global to local transaction flows which we estimate as ~20% of total transaction flows. So, yes, eSamudaay is dependent on the ONDC protocol's success. To the same extent that we are dependent on GST's success. People reached out to me over the past few days congratulating me on my new role as CEO of Tenacious Bee Collective and asking me how I will manage the pressures of being CEO in two companies. The Nirmund style of management enables me to do that. Through this, we are developing a polycentric conglomerate of we, the People. We are creating a network of people-friendly, earth-caring businesses supplying to our Roti (Food), Kapda (Clothing), Makaan (Housing) and Muskaan (Celebration?) needs. I am very comfortable being CEO/CXO and directing the first businesses in this network serving as models which can be adapted by entrepreneurs across India and the world. All these businesses have access to the technology, the know-how and the network reach of the existing businesses in the network. This is a complex system thats adaptive. Not the kinds that sharks will get. I would love your feedback though. Please comment with candid views. https://lnkd.in/g4dDcmdn

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Following on from yesterday's post, somebody directed to this interesting analysis by Aditi Shrivastava, the Co-founder at the Arc, on the returns made by Swiggy VC investors at the IPO Swiggy obviously is an incredible Indian startup success story (maybe all time top 10) and more power to Sriharsha M. and his team. But purely from a VC returns perspective - DST and subsequent investors made low single digit multiples. A 3.2x in 9 years translates to 13.8% annual return compounded. That's incredibly low for a high risk asset class like VC (where there is a high risk of losing your money) and this is an exit from one of the best companies that has come from the Indian ecosystem. (Note: I have taken The Arc's analysis at face value, usually funds participate at various stages during the company's lifecycle so most probably the return might be slightly higher than what I have calculated, but the logic still holds good, it doesn't make sense from a risk adjusted standpoint) (Mandatory disclosure as Swiggy is listed now, I don't hold any stock in the company and this is not stock advice of any kind. Understand the business of any company before investing in it otherwise it is just gambling your hard earned money)

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In this short clip, Arpit Dave, Co-founder & CEO of Smartstaff , discusses the essential factors in building for the Middle India consumers. He elaborates on the key principles to consider when developing products and services for this audience. Founders building for Middle India can resonate and learn from the journey of Smartstaff and if you are one of them, write to us, we are keen to know more about your journey. Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/gUBysFfS

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As a founder, it's easy to get tunnel vision. But sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to unlock new growth opportunities. That's exactly what happened when three talented teams from IIM Bangalore's PGPEM course took on the Founders' Dilemma Challenge to help Qurez scale up. Key Takeaways: - Third-eye perspective: Being too close to your brand can blind you to minute details. These teams' objective insights helped identify blind spots. - Customer-centricity: Understanding consumer pain points and desires is crucial. The teams' research and analysis provided actionable tips. - Innovative solutions: Each team brought unique strategies to tackle our challenges, from digital marketing to supply chain optimization. - Data-driven decision-making: The teams' data-backed recommendations will inform our future business decisions. - Community engagement: Building a loyal community is vital. The teams showed us how to amplify user-generated content and social media engagement. - Scalability: Practical advice on process streamlining, partnerships, and team structure will aid our growth. A huge thank you to Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and NSRCEL for organizing this event and to the participating teams and organising team from IIM Bangalore's PGPEM course - Dhaval T. Shraddha Narayanan Yash Sabharwal Nachimuthu Kandasamy Haimabati Nandan Biswaranjan Mishra Kuldeep Ghan Parul Mahajan, Ayan Ganguly, Megha Dev, Neha, Dildeep Sudeepthi and Gaurav Your brilliant ideas and enthusiasm have reignited our passion to make Qurez India's favorite, most loved, customer-focused, community-driven suncare brand. Let's scale new heights! #Qurez #FoundersDilemma #IIMBangalore #StartupLife #Suncare #CustomerFirst #CommunityDriven #ScalingUp

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