Jasveer Singh

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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Venture capitalists and BizDateUp co-founders Jeet Chandan and Meet Jain have acquired an undisclosed stake in IPO-bound foodtech giant Swiggy through an off-market secondary deal. Founded in 2020, BizDateUp allows angel investors to invest in Indian startups with a minimum of INR 1 lakh and recently launched a INR 200 crore fund for technology investments. The firm raised over $10 million from more than 1,000 angel investors in FY24. This move comes as several celebrities, including cricketers Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan, tennis player Rohan Bopanna, director Karan Johar, and actor Ashish Chowdhry, have also invested in Swiggy ahead of its IPO. Notably, Amitabh Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit have previously acquired stakes in the company. Read full story here: https://lnkd.in/gM8sEWSZ #foodtech #startups #ipo #swiggy #foodindustry #news #latestnews LinkedIn News India Linkedin News Ashu Agrawal

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Raised $26,000,000 with just an idea Lyskraft India Pvt Ltd - the latest kid in the block! So, Mukesh Bansal is back with another startup this time with Mohit Gupta, the former CEO of Zomato's food delivery arm. In July of last year, there were reports about Bansal and Gupta raising funds for a new venture. As per TechCrunch, both of them pitched a range of ideas to potential backers like a female-focused counterpart to Manyavar and "Infosys 2.0" a presumed upgrade to a multinational IT services and consulting firm. Now finally... The news is out and we know what they are building, Lyskraft: initially a women's only marketplace for premium brands mostly focusing on Gen-Z shoppers. Recently we have seen giant e-commerce platforms launching dedicated portals to attract GenZ shoppers, like SPOYL launched by Flipkart within its app, FWD by Myntra, also we are seeing the growth of new-age startups working in this space like Virgio(Mukesh Bansal is an investor in it), Newme(recently raised $4,500,000), Absolute Brands, Snitch, Styched and many more As per Inc42's Report, India's fashion and apparel sector is projected to reach a mouth-watering $112 Billion by 2030, which will be over a quarter of the country's $400 Billion e-commerce market!! Let's be honest, anyone will want a piece of this market. As we are already aware of how crowded this space is, let's see how Lyskraft differentiates itself from others. Mohit Gupts and Mukesh Bansal, in this crowded space building a community around your product, building digital IPs, and creating experiences through videos are the ways to elevate your brand to the next level. I the founder of Elevate would love to connect and assist Lyskraft in building a community, digital IPs and help create experiences through videos, if that sounds like something that interests you would love to connect and discuss!! sources of information : TechCrunch article 2021 - https://bit.ly/49UwkLI Inc42 article - https://bit.ly/3w0SDlb #mukeshbansal #myntra #fashion #startups #venturecapital #fundingwinter #norevenue #cultfit #community #communitymarketing #socialmediamarketing #india

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Here's one more theme that has played out over the past decade in India SaaS: SaaS companies that sell into India/Asia (non-China/Japan). There's been a reasonably large set of investors in India who have been default no in this category, based on perception of limited TAM and GTM challenges. However, there is reason to be optimistic for this theme (we are!). A reasonable set of companies in the ecosystem have scaled, such as MoEngage, Darwinbox, Capillary Technologies, Yellow.ai, Unicommerce , Gupshup, CRMNEXT, LeadSquared. Companies like Salesforce, SAP etc have reached multi-hundred million ARR in India. As a result, the potential scale from sales in India has grown from the $15-20mm that people used to talk about 5 years back to perhaps $50mm in India, overall $100mm-150mm in Asia. I think we'll see more companies continue to get funded here as IT demand in India/SEA deepens and local requirements (mobile, India Stack, regulations, languages) get addressed. Founders and investors will need to tune into this being a solid path to go but will take longer to get to impact than US/EU-focused companies. Some characteristics we see at India/SEA-facing software companies: * Many start out in SMB but then find scale & success selling into enterprises. India market has a ton of SMBs (10mm+), a relatively light mid-market and a significant set of large enterprises. * Products tend to have feature sprawl and design-deficit but this can be fixed. * Some large sectors that are pulling at enterprise level e.g. BFSI, multi-sector conglomerates. Early traction from digital native companies (but naturally capped market). * Natural to go to SEA & Gulf countries. Product could remain fairly similar but sales & marketing motion can be quite different. To get really large, feels like will have to end up going to US/EU markets eventually. * ~10 years to $100mm ARR, with market leadership in Asia * Gross margins start out perhaps 10-15 points lower than corresponding companies in the US/EU but trend up over time. * Most India-facing SaaS companies are starting as India Pvt. Ltd. today, compared to 5 years ago (versus US C-corp), with a view to going public in India at $50-100mm revenue level.

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🚨Swiggy IPO gets oversubscribed led by QIB bids Swiggy’s IPO was oversubscribed 1.07 times by the third day, driven largely by QIBs, who oversubscribed their portion 1.52 times. Retail investors subscribed to 97% of their portion, while Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs) made bids for 22% of their allocation. Swiggy's employee quota also saw strong demand, with a subscription rate of 1.38 times. Swiggy raised around Rs 5,085 crore (approx. $605 million) from anchor investors like HDFC, ICICI, SBI, and global players including Fidelity and BlackRock. by Akshita Toshniwal | #SwiggyIPO #IPO #QIB #RetailInvestors #Foodtech Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/ggm_piMt

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🚨 Mega investor sales in Swiggy's IPO 💰 Swiggy’s investors seized the moment in the private market, cashing in on high demand for shares ahead of the IPO. Before the IPO, Chinese internet giant Meituan Dianping and DST Global sold $250 million in shares, EACH, in the private market. DST and Meituan, besides other investors, also sold additional shares in the IPO. The pre-IPO cashouts doubled the secondary exits for Swiggy’s investors as part of the IPO buildup — from $800 million to $1.6 billion. We have the breakdown of numbers and what they mean for all the investors involved - https://lnkd.in/gBJxUHpB #swiggy #swiggyipo #IPO #quickcommerce #fooddelivery #zomato #zepto

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This was one of my most relaxed and enjoyable interviews, thanks Shrishti Sahu for making it so. We dive into multiple topics that have shaped my career and helped create value for many others too along the way. If you do have time to spare, do watch! #indiaopportunitypodcast

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#Take2 Why the Market May Be Overestimating Quick Commerce's Future Despite Damodaran's Optimism As a genuine admirer of #AswathDamodaran and his insightful #valuation frameworks, it's fascinating to see how his evaluations cut to the core of a business's #financial #health. However, with #quickcommerce, it’s possible that the broader market has overestimated the long-term potential of these businesses. Quick commerce is undeniably enticing in terms of #growth and #marketshare grabs, but as Damodaran himself has noted, the sector faces headwinds like narrow #margins and dependency on high-frequency, low-value transactions. Quick commerce relies heavily on the temporary advantage of local #logistics and #labor #arbitrage, but as cities become more congested and labor markets tighten, these operational “advantages” could quickly erode. Furthermore, the political landscape may not always be welcoming, especially given the impact on local #kirana stores, which are integral to India’s #retail fabric. While Damodaran’s framework rightly emphasizes lifecycle positioning, it may not fully capture the #political and #inflationary risks that quick commerce facilitates and faces as it scales. This could mean that valuations, even if optimistic now, might not reflect the long-term stability or profitability the street expects. One critical factor that quick commerce models often overlook is India's regional #diversity —it's anything but a #homogenous market. Local preferences, purchasing behaviors, and infrastructure vary widely from city to city. Quick commerce platforms will need to adapt to these variations, constantly refining and expanding their product categories to cater to local demands. This could mean shifting beyond the basic groceries and essentials model and embracing more regional product mixes, which further adds to complexity and costs. The sector's reliance on ultra-fast delivery and inventory optimization only intensifies these challenges, as what works in a metro city like Delhi or Mumbai may fail in smaller towns where consumer habits and logistical networks differ significantly. This makes scaling in India particularly #complex, and could limit the profitability of the "one-size-fits-all" model that quick commerce often tries to implement. All things considered, I’m confident that these companies have the talent needed to evolve. Just look at how Zomato transformed from its early days to what it is now. The real question is: what will they evolve into, and will that future model justify the premium they currently command? For now, I’ll take advantage of my exclusive offer on Coke Zero from quick commerce and enjoy it while it lasts.

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Highperformr.ai, a marketing SaaS startup floated by former Freshworks executives Ramesh Ravishankar and Srivatsan Venkatesan, has raised $3.5 Mn (INR 29.2 Cr) in a seed funding round 👇 The startup’s first product, Highperformr for Teams, leverages generative AI and LLMs to help B2B businesses maximise their return on investment (ROI) on social media campaigns. The fresh capital will be deployed to further the startup's research and development activity, build the platform's native AI capabilities, and expand its distribution network. To read more in detail, click here: https://lnkd.in/gV8tqWyU #startups #fundraising #growth #saas

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#QuickCommerce: A Boon or Bubble? The rapid rise of quick commerce players like #Swiggy, #Zomato, and #Zepto has undeniably transformed how we shop, making instant gratification the new norm. The industry, valued at over $80 billion globally, is expected to grow by 25-30% annually, driven by urban millennials and #GenZ’s appetite for on-demand services. Yet, there’s a storm brewing on the horizon. #UdayKotak, an influential voice in the financial industry, recently issued a cautionary warning about the sustainability of the quick commerce model. Here are some key points that raise concerns: 1. Cash Burn and Profitability Challenges: Despite impressive growth rates, the majority of quick commerce firms are struggling with profitability. Data shows that companies like Swiggy and Zomato have been spending 4-5x more than their revenues just to acquire and retain customers. 2. Logistical and Operational Strain: While 10-minute deliveries sound appealing, they come with a cost. The logistics infrastructure required is both expensive and complex, often relying on heavily subsidized delivery models. This raises questions about how sustainable this race for speed truly is. 3. Investor Fatigue: Venture capital funding, which fueled much of the industry’s growth, is beginning to show signs of hesitation. With valuation corrections and demands for a clearer path to profitability, the pressure on these startups is mounting. 4. Consumer Behavior and Economic Pressures: While the convenience is unmatched, there’s a limit to how much consumers will pay for speed. Economic uncertainties and rising inflation may shift spending habits, making ultra-fast delivery less attractive when discretionary spending is squeezed. 5. Regulatory Concerns: Kotak highlighted a crucial point: the political and regulatory landscape could change drastically if these companies start impacting small, local businesses. With potential regulations on the horizon, the industry might face unexpected headwinds. Is the quick commerce model inherently flawed, or is it just facing temporary challenges in the journey to profitability? How can these companies pivot or adapt to ensure long-term sustainability without compromising on speed and convenience? Are consumers willing to pay a premium for faster deliveries in the current economic climate, or will we see a shift in priorities towards cost and value? Your thoughts? #indianstartups #cashburn #roadtoprofitability #ceosgurukul #firsttimeceos https://lnkd.in/dCp84sCd

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Slowdown in VC funding could slow late-stage investment activity. In addition, the continued strength of public equity markets makes IPOs more attractive for profitable late-stage companies. Good to speak with Ayanti Bera at Financial Express (India) cc: QED Investors #startupfunding #startups #fintech #QEDInvestorsforfintech

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 #Zepto announced a $350 million #fundraise in its latest round that the quick commerce company said marks the largest 100% domestic fundraise within India's startup ecosystem. Click on the link below to know more... Zepto I Aadit Palicha I Kaivalya V. #Zeptofunding #capitalraise #retailfunding #retailindustry #retailgrowth #retailing #businessgrowth #Indianretailmarket #retailresults #retailindia #retailupdates #retailsectornews #businessnews  #retailbusiness #ir #IndiaRetailing

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Key takeaways for startup ecosystem from Budget: - LTCG tax for unlisted investments has been reduced to 12.5% (without indexation) from 20% (with indexation) - At par with listed - Abolishment of Angel Tax - INR 1000 cr VC fund for space technology - Custom duty cuts will further enhance EV adoption Big boost to startup ecosystem, we will see more startups registering in India and more domestic capital participation in Private Markets🚀 #Budget #PrivateMarkets #India #Startup

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Sometimes, serendipity plays a crucial role in shaping what problems we pick to solve, especially at pre PMF startups. A few months ago, a friend building an RMG from India shared two challenges. One of them was in performance marketing that he was uploading a lot of creatives and wanted suggestions for new ones based on previous learnings. At the time, we were focused on something else and didn’t have time to dive in. Later, the idea we were pursuing didn’t work out, but another agency mentioned the same challenge. So, we decided to take a day to figure out a solution. I manually gathered data from videos, putting it into an Excel sheet to run a correlation analysis. At first, I didn’t realize Google AI Studio could read videos, so I used OpenAI to analyze the video frame by frame, and it worked surprisingly well. Through some YouTube tutorials, I discovered AI Studio could do it even better and with an API. That made everything fall into place smoothly. In the video below, you’ll see this analysis for Subway Arabia. We did this as a way to showcase our work via a friend who works at Subway MENA (Middle East and North Africa), hoping to present it to them. This wasn’t an official collaboration, but the data was publicly available, so we scraped and used it. If you’re interested in the data insights or prompts, feel free to comment with “data,” and I’ll gladly share them with you on DM.

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India is at cusp IMO when it comes to consumer startups. 1. Depending on category almost 4-10x of current customer base will become "first time" customers over the next 5-7 years. thats the sheer size of the market. 2. Many categories will continue to be massive and fragmented - this means even a sub 5% market share is a couple of thousand crore opportunity. 3. With every passing year - you will have 2-3x more customers who have already brought your product/service and your repeat/retention is key if you are able to have high repeat/retention cohorts then you can continue to acquire customers at a higher CAC cos your blended CAC will be good. This means your competition will be at a disadvantage for real and it wont be a function of who has the maximum cash in the bank! If you are starting up in the consumer sector, your customer service is the biggest moat. For us at PYT - Unsolicited positive feedback (UPF) like these are the true measure of how things are. I strongly believe that if you delight customers, they do take time to call it out. The repeat/referral of such mentions are beyond any attribution, measure :) The key is to keep raising the bar and fixing the gaps. Thats what keeps us awake at night at Pickyourtrail.

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Unicorns are out, Indicorns are in! 🦄➡🇮🇳 “It’s time we abandon the concept of unicorns and start creating Indicorns– profitable startups with Rs 100 crore+ revenue, started in the last 15 years,” said Kunal Bahl, Co-founder of Snapdeal | AceVector Group & Titan Capital, during #TechSparks2024 in Bengaluru. Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gpAfZpmk Shradha Sharma

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🚀 Swiggy Set to Make Waves with ₹11,300 Crore IPO: Key Details and Market Implications 🌐 Swiggy, India's food delivery giant, is set to go public with an IPO launching on November 6, 2024, aiming to raise around ₹11,327 crore (~$1.35B). Shares will be priced at ₹371-₹390 each (around $4.64), with trading expected to start on November 13, 2024. IPO Highlights: Price Range: ₹371-₹390 per share Funds Allocation: Expanding logistics and quick commerce operations This IPO is launching amidst rising tech-driven competition in India’s market. By securing capital, Swiggy plans to advance its quick commerce capabilities, aiming to gain a strategic edge over competitors like Zomato. Market Impact: Swiggy’s IPO offers a unique investment opportunity with strong growth potential, balancing between established dominance in food delivery and quick commerce expansion. Investor Insight: With a grey market premium around ₹25, sentiment is optimistic. As Swiggy steps into the public sphere, it's poised to redefine India's fast-paced delivery ecosystem. #IPO #SwiggyIPO #Investment https://lnkd.in/eyHRRPXh

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