Piyush Agarwal

STARTING THE YEAR WITH A ROCKING NEWS!! Faad Capital is on the list of India's top startup investors of 2024 by Inc42 Media . 🙌 With 42 investments and over 50 CR deployed last year, we have continued our journey to support many notable companies and entrepreneurs.✅ Also, the year saw eight successful exits, strengthening our quest to create high-value capital for our LPs and stakeholders. 💰 All this would not have been possible without the support of rockstar partners, investors and stakeholders. 🙏 At 110+ portfolio companies now, we are all set. 2025, here we come! 💪 #startups #india #investors Karan Verma Dr.Dinesh Singh Neha Mourya Sanyam Jain Vatsal Lunawat Shivani Khare Abhilash Gupta Vansh Mittal

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New Delhi-based venture capital firm growX ventures, focused on B2B and DeepTech, has launched Fund II with a target of ₹400 crore ($47.1 million). The firm plans to support both early-stage and early-growth-stage companies such as semiconductors, defence-tech, spacetech, alternate materials and advanced manufacturing, fintech, healthtech, and supply chain/logistics over the next two to three years. The first investment will be up to ₹10 crore in seed rounds and ₹20-30 crore in Series B rounds. Ashish Taneja To share your startup information write us on - [email protected] For Startup funding reach out us at: https://lnkd.in/gqwTnHME Join Our Whatsapp Channel To Get The Latest Updates & News: https://lnkd.in/esJEFzan #GrowXventure #news #startup #funding #fundraising #venturecapital

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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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This post from Vaibhav Domkundwar beautifully shows how surviving long enough can position a startup to take advantage of an eventual tailwind. When we invested in Yulu, no one had a clue that Quick Commerce will become the next commerce phenomenon in the country after payments. Because Yulu intelligently survived, kept improving the product and is capital-efficient enough to be agile to market needs, it’s now befitting from QC tailwinds. Reminds me of what the Rippling founder once said - as a startup, just survive 10 years and the odds are that you will end up succeeding.

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.406 Ventures is a venture capital firm that seeks to invest in business to business, commercial services, healthcare, information technology, SaaS, cybersecurity, big data, financial technology, artificial intelligence, & digital health sectors. They also invest in data & cloud sectors with investments ranging between USD 2 million to USD 18 million in 20 to 25 companies. https://lnkd.in/gec3GtgR #venturecapital #firm #investors #enterprenuers #founders #innovators

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Boris Wertz is one of the many western Venture Capitalists who has been bullish on India and he has displayed it through his actions. Boris is an LP in 5 funds out of India and direct investor through his fund Version One Ventures in a number of companies. He shares in this podcast what makes India so appealing for US / Canadian investors. Globally India is the emerging market which the best of global investors are already investing or aspire to invest in Earlier we had questions on why India is not producing enough exits In 2024 the public market value of Indian startups crossed $100B These are $100B of liquid shares that can be anytime traded on NSE / BSE once the 6 month of lockin expires after the IPO This podcast shares the view of how investors in the US are thinking about Indian private markets https://lnkd.in/g3AfrVCM

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IvyCap Ventures Advisors Private Limited, an early-stage startup #capital firm, has declared that the third fund’s final closing was at Rs 2,100 crores. The company intends to invest via this fund in roughly 25 early-stage #firms, with an average initial investment of Rs 30–50 crore. About 50 businesses in industries including health, consumer, deeptech, fintech, edtech, agritech, and spacetech have received #investments from FIvyCap Ventures. Promising start-ups, in addition to funding, could receive invaluable advice and scale-up support within the IvyCap Ventures #ecosystem under the Mentorship Program. Founded in 2011, IvyCap Ventures is one of India’s leading homegrown venture capital funds leveraging IIT and IIM alumni #networks to power the Indian startup ecosystem. Vikram Gupta Ashish Wadhwani Anju Gupta Vishal Gauri To share your startup story write us on - [email protected] #ivycapventures #startup #venturecapital

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"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together" GalaxEye announced investment by MountTech Growth Fund - Kavachh, a $60 million Category-II AIF, has made its inaugural investment in GalaxEye’s $10 million Series A fundraising round. GalaxEye, founded by a dynamic and skilled team from IIT-M, is on a mission to revolutionize space-based surveillance with cutting-edge, multi-sensor (SAR and MSI) fusion technology. With the first LEO satellite launch slated for mid-2025, GalaxEye aims to meet critical security and commercial needs, showcasing the power of innovation driven by purpose and precision. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to supporting trailblazing solutions that address pressing challenges in surveillance and security. GalaxEye’s ambition to leverage SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and MSI (Multispectral Imaging) fusion for space-based surveillance aligns well with the evolving demands of both defence and commercial sectors. Their innovative approach with LEO #satellite constellations promises to address critical security and monitoring needs with unmatched precision and real-time insights. Backing a driven and skilled team like GalaxEye, rooted in a legacy of innovation like Avishkar Hyperloop, speaks volumes about the fund's dedication to fostering groundbreaking technology. This partnership not only reflects the fund's commitment to advancing national security infrastructure but also highlights a forward-looking vision that appreciates the convergence of innovation and practical impact. The anticipated satellite launch in mid-2025 is set to be a milestone in this collaborative journey, and it will be exciting to witness the tangible outcomes of this strategic alliance! #space #venturecapital #investment #india #strategic https://lnkd.in/ggZuW2xs

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Indian venture market has exploded. Someone reported that there are 800+ funds/networks/syndicates/ accelerators active in Indian venture market now. Not sure, if that number is correct but if you are an early stage tech founder on your fundraise journey, chances are, you would meet hundreds of people. While majority of the fund houses are doing incredible work and shaping the ecosystem. There are certain kinds of investors you need to identify & avoid to save time and stay focused: Sharing from my personal experience, top 5 such cohorts to avoid and the takeaways for the founders: 1. Data collectors: At early stage, you don't have historical data to present. Your projections are just that, Projections. I wasted one whole week discussing with a prospective angel investor on why the CLTV to CAC ratio is x, and not y. Takeaway: Discuss high level strategic numbers only without going into the details. None of the projections would be accurate anyway when rubber hits the road. 2. Document collectors: Met few folks, who would watch from the fences and ask for n number of documents, data rooms, statements without sharing the purpose of the ask or even revealing their investment intent. Takeaway: It is supposed to be a bi-directional conversation. Say 'no' often, till the time, an official relationship is established. 3. Valuer (! investor): At early stage, valuation is a function of multiple parameters, the opportunity itself, the team, or anything else except steady cash flows, because you don't have much. I wasted another week with a prospective investor trying to justify valuation, had to shut down that conversation, after both of us started quoting Aswath Damodaran and his valuation principles. Takeaway: Too much content on the internet for both parties anyway. Shouldn't be a bone of contention at early stages. 4. Facilitators posing as investors: Met numerous people, who would go to any lengths to pose themselves as serious investors, even buying paid media articles. Only to reveal at the last: The success fee. Takeaway: Avoid facilitators until Series A 5. Brokers posing as market makers: People posing as market makers sharing tons of gyaan on LinkedIn but are actually deal brokers looking to make quick %. Personal experience: Two rounds of conversation happened and then out of blue, they added a third party in the mail trail, someone who facilitates mergers & acquisitions. There wasn't even a single instance in the past conversations where we indicated any such intent. Takeaway: Avoid name & shame in public but at least share within founder communities. #venture #fundraise #startups #investing

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When Karthik, Rohit, and I were laying down the foundation of PeerCapital, the most important question we asked was: “Why are we doing this?” The answer didn’t just appear out of thin air; it took work. The thing is you cannot invent your why. You cannot manufacture it. You only discover it by curiously observing what is dysfunctional in the world and how you can uniquely contribute to making it better. I meet tons of founders who often aren’t madly in love with the problem but are somewhat mildly convinced about solving it. But to play for the long haul, the calling must come from within. External motivation runs out. And that's where the why is important. Gravity wasn’t invented—it was discovered because someone dared to ask “why?” This led humanity to build foundations of advanced physics and engineering. Because innovation is an action, and ‘the why’ is the intention that drives the action. Some questions we asked ourselves that helped surface our why: • What’s a niche/industry/idea I cannot stop thinking about?  • How do I envision changing my world? Where can I contribute the most with my current skill set and passion?  • What are my key motivations in life?  • Which problem pushes me to enter my flow and makes me feel alive? How connected a founder is to their purpose is the most underrated success-determining factor. Dare to ask - “why?”

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India's economic growth slowed to near two-year low of 5.4% in July-September quarter of the ongoing fiscal against 8.1% in the year-ago period, mainly due to poor show by manufacturing sector, according to official data released on Friday (November 29).

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What Value Addition does a VC has to make? Gear up folks! Hosting Prapti Patel for an exciting session today on “Value Addition by VCs.” Prapti will also be sharing insights from her personal experiences as a VC and the value she added as a VC to her portfolio companies. Requesting all the fellows to be on time and take part in this interesting conversation. #venturecapital #valueaddition #vccareers

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From Startup Vision to National Impact: Lessons from Aravind Sanka, Co-founder of Rapido I recently had the privilege of speaking with Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido, India's leading bike taxi platform. Aravind shared profound insights into their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting key milestones and challenges that shaped Rapido into what it is today. It was impressive to see after all the success Rapido has achieved, Aravind had arrived in Rapido Auto, reinforcing the need for their product to save time and money in transit. Here are a few takeaways from the conversation. Navigating Early Challenges with Strategic Focus Starting in Bangalore, Rapido faced the typical hurdles of a nascent startup: proving market viability and securing initial funding. What set them apart was their strategic focus on perfecting consumer metrics and fostering organic growth. By concentrating efforts in Bangalore for the first few years, they demonstrated significant consumer adoption and operational efficiency, paving the way for future expansions. Overcoming Investor Skepticism through Results Aravind candidly discussed the challenges of fundraising, especially when the concept of bike taxis was still nascent in India. Despite initial rejections, Rapido's commitment to showing tangible results and strategic timing paid off. They secured investments globally from places like Taiwan and Hong Kong before gaining local traction with investments from Nexus Venture Partners and WestBridge Capital. Addressing investor concerns, such as market size and demographic reach, was crucial. Timing also played a role; as other ride-hailing giants faced diversification challenges around 2019, Rapido emerged as a focused alternative in India's market. Adapting and Innovating in Times of Crisis The resilience of Rapido was further tested during the COVID-19 pandemic when their business temporarily plummeted. However, instead of retreating, they pivoted swiftly, launching auto-rickshaw services and leveraging their technology to meet evolving customer needs. This agility not only sustained them through the crisis but also strengthened their reputation as innovators in the mobility sector. Today, Rapido continues to innovate, focusing on enhancing user experience and expanding their footprint in tier 2 and tier 3 cities where their services are transforming local transportation dynamics. Aravind's journey with Rapido underscores the power of resilience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to solving real-world challenges. #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #MobilityInnovation #ImpactfulLeadership #StartupIndia #Kalaari #Rapido

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Global #venturecapital investor General Catalyst has amassed $8 billion for its latest vehicle. Read more here: Hemant Taneja Aman Rawat

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Sujith Nair, Beckn's WhatsApp-averse, badminton-loving chief mover and shaker, gave us a peek into the world's first # e-commerce protocol. Imagine if Colgate wanted to sell a lot of toothpaste, would it open separate exclusive stores on every street? NO! Instead, it ensures its products are available in all stores where people come to shop, and not just toothpaste. Similarly, Beckn is a way for an online business to make its products and services available on other stores (popular daily-use consumer apps) instead of setting up its own store (its own consumer app) and waiting for customers to come in droves! The Beckn Protocol underpins Open Network For Digital Commerce (ONDC) and is a universal translator for e-commerce platforms. We would normally call it the Rosetta Stone for digital services, but now we have BHASHINI 😉 . It allows disparate systems to "speak" to each other seamlessly. The Beckn Protocol has become a verb in the tech world. "Just Beckn it!" has become a common phrase among developers when discussing open-source solutions for digital commerce. In fact, we like it so much that we are using Beckn use cases as our episode artwork (instead of our normal groovy cover art) to spread the word in our own little way. Some may even argue that the yellow and black in the artwork denote open mobility networks (read taxis) 😀. The even more nerdy might catch the movie reference in the title 🎬. So, is it an app? Is it an aggregator? Is it a platform? No. It is a Super Capability - #decentralised and #open. Listen, learn and use. sujith nair | Pramod Varma | Sanjay Purohit | Shankar Maruwada | Shireesh Joshi | T Koshy | Namma Yatri | FIDE | Antler | Bingepods (Ideabrew Studios) | OpenExO | Thinkers360 | IBM Alumni | Microsoft Alumni Network | The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce) | World Economic Forum | Digital India Corporation | nasscom | Abhishek Singh | Nilesh | Sheetal https://lnkd.in/dydrjnbU

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Isn’t it amazing how start-ups’/ companies’ focus have dramatically shifted to profitability? 😯 Just in the last decade era (10-15 years back), companies like Amazon/ Flipkart, Ola/Uber, BYJU'S’s, OYO and WeWork were laser-focused on growth - revenues over everything.
 It was all about grabbing market share, even if it meant burning through cash. 💸 Today, most of them are still loss-making. But companies in the last 5-10 years? We’re seeing a shift.
 Newer players (or the ones that became prominent recently) like Meesho, Zepto, Urban Company, and PW (PhysicsWallah) are taking a different path.
 They’re not just chasing scale— most of them actually aiming and winning profitability (at least EBITDA-positive). 📊
 Sustainability is finally becoming as important as growth. Of course, it’s not a one-size-fits-all trend.
Companies like Ola Electric are loss making, while Zerodha (last decade era) have consistently made profits. But it’s fascinating to see this evolution of new tech/ business model focus to profitability.
 What do you think about this shift? 💬

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In the latest story by LiveMint on the FY2024 Budget, Brijesh Damodaran, Managing Partner at Auxano Capital shares how additional tax incentives for promoters and investors is an approach for higher domestic capital allocation. Read full story here: https://bit.ly/3xykTfu

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