Arjun Vaidya

Co-lead a workshop (with Sumathi my business partner and Komal lath of Tute Consult) on branding and communication and why/how its' strategic & important for the portfolio companies of an early stage growth focused PE fund in Mumbai this noon. very interactive session. lots of takeaways. one of the biggest benefits of doing such workshops with founders and CXOs of growth companies is that you get to first hand understand their pain points and priorities. which makes you realize there is a long road ahead laden with great opportunity for those in PR & comms if we take off our hats and look at it from their perspective.

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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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What if the answer to a massive healthcare problem was hidden in plain sight? In this week's The Lobster Talks, we follow Ankur Rustagi of Saatvy Health (YC S23) a YC founder who pivoted from AI to delve into the untapped potential of Ayurveda for chronic conditions. Ankur's curiosity was piqued by a startling statistic: the U.S. spends trillions on healthcare, yet a significant portion of the population suffers from chronic illnesses. Driven by personal experience and a thirst for solutions beyond conventional medicine, Ankur turned to Ayurveda. This episode uncovers: -The eye-opening data that revealed the scale of the chronic illness problem in the U.S. -Ankur's personal journey with rheumatoid arthritis and his exploration of alternative treatments -The discovery of Ayurveda's potential to manage symptoms and address root causes -The initial skepticism surrounding Ayurveda's ancient wisdom and its relevance in the modern world -Ankur's decision to dive deeper, connecting with practitioners, experimenting, and witnessing the benefits firsthand Listen to the full episode to hear Ankur's story and gain valuable insights into: -The power of questioning conventional wisdom and seeking alternative solutions -The importance of personal experiences in shaping entrepreneurial journeys -The potential of ancient healing traditions like Ayurveda to address modern health challenges -The courage to embrace unconventional ideas and explore uncharted territories 🎧 Listen to this episode on your fave pod platform or watch on YouTube -https://lnkd.in/e6_hUq_6 . . . . . #ayurveda #chronicillness #healthcaresolutions #founderstory #YCstartup #thelobstertalks

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Meet Venture Crafters, a micro venture capital (micro VC) firm where ex-founders are looking to redefine early-stage investing in South and Southeast Asia. In this candid conversation with founding partners Abhinav Krishna, Ayush Bharti, and Ivy Huq Russell, we get an inside look at how their experiences as entrepreneurs shape their unique "founders first" investment approach, everything Micro VC, how VC makes investment decisions, raising money, and building successful companies. This interview is particularly valuable for: Early-stage founders looking to understand what investors care about beyond the pitch deck Entrepreneurs in South and Southeast Asia seeking insights into raising capital at the earliest stages Anyone interested in the idea of micro VC and how the micro VC model is evolving to fill critical gaps in startup funding The partners share refreshingly honest perspectives on everything from Venture Crafters thesis to common founder mistakes to their hands-on investment philosophy to what separates successful companies from the ones that fail. You'll learn how VCs generally make investment decisions, the most underrated founder traits, what makes a great pitch, what VCs look for in startups, why the future belongs to AI-native companies with lean teams, why they're not afraid to get calls when things aren't going well, and how they're democratizing access to angel investing. What makes this conversation special is the distinct position of Venture Crafters partners. They're not just investors writing checks, but former founders who've been in the trenches themselves. Their insights provide a deep understanding of both sides of the table, offering a unique lens on building successful startups in emerging markets. Please enjoy our conversation with Abhinav Krishna, Ayush Bharti, and Ivy Huq Russell.

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🚀 Breaking Ground with VC Grid: India's Venture Odyssey! 🚀 Thrilled to unveil VC Grid, a paradigm shift in venture syndication crafted exclusively for the visionary minds of family offices & UHNIs. With a formidable war chest of Rs 900 crore, VC Grid embarks on a mission to empower 100-120 startups over the next triennium, spanning diverse realms from agritech to financial frontiers, seeding each venture with an infusion ranging from INR 4-16 crore. Powered by the backing of esteemed Indian family offices, entrepreneurs, and UHNIs, VC Grid's helm is steered by Vansh Oberoi, a dynamic VC professional in early-stage investments with an illustrious six-year journey at Venture Catalysts alongside Sidhi Dalmia, former Goldman Sachs executive, captaining our venture towards new horizons. Already carving its mark, VC Grid has infused INR 40 crore into five trailblazing ventures, catalyzing an unprecedented INR 100 crore in follow-on funding. Notable among these are Autocracy Machinery Pvt Ltd, KisanKonnect Safe Foods and Ideal Insurance. But VC Grid isn't just about capital infusion; it's a beacon of collaborative innovation, fostering a nexus of expertise and domestic capital. Our mandate? Backing ventures grounded in research, profitability, and ESG principles, with an eye on delivering over 30% IRR. Join us on this exhilarating venture odyssey as we redefine the contours of India's startup landscape, one disruptive idea at a time! Venture Catalysts++ | India's 1st Multi-Stage VC, 9Unicorns, Anuj Golecha, Anil G Jain, Gaurav Jain, Vansh Oberoi, Sidhi Dalmia, Shreeyesh Chandgothia #VentureCatalysts #AngelInvestor #VC #IndianStartups #StartupFunding #SyndicateFund #FamilyOffices #IndianStartups #ESGInvesting https://lnkd.in/de65Wk9p

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The process of getting deeper into the Indian start-up ecosystem as an angel investor and limited partner (2 new hats of mine since 2023) is well on its way. Today spent the day attending Ivycap day 2024 as a special attendee. getting to understand the dynamics of investing, assessing business models and plans, valuation and most importantly founders. should have started a bit earlier but then no regrets. these new hats are part of a larger connecting the dots am attempting.

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Many VCs have written about eldercare as an exciting market opportunity in India. And indeed it is. India’s greying population will have a series of new unmet needs and therefore new TAMs will get created. However, the mistake that many are likely to make is to think of the silver years only from the lens of decline and disability. Think adult diapers and senior living. Like with everything else in India, it would be a fatal mistake to paint all the silvers with the same brush. Think the actors Rekha, Kirron Kher, Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher. Rekha and Kirron Kher haven’t traded their lush Banarasis and Kanjeevarams with suti, neutral coloured cottons. The adornments too are celebratory and not subtle. Anupam Kher has built his body in his advancing years. Anil Kapoor is of course a case study of keeping himself current and relevant. Each of them continue to look at their careers from the lens not only of age but their abilities as actors. The much trolled Malaika Arora, though not yet in her silver years is refusing to allow her fifth decade to change her to a more matronly appearance. These though in the glamour business aren’t anamolies but rather an embodiment of how Indians are thinking about life post-sixty. Income, affluence is allowing Indians to redefine how life should be post 60. Founders looking for ideas to build for this burgeoning cohort should study this segment carefully for possilities of building large, venture fund able businesses. As I have said before on this platform, the best bussineses get built when you spot an unique opportunity early enough. #rukamfounders #ageingwell #newideas

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A uniquely Indian paradox: Even as the Indian consumer makes a move towards premiumization, and is increasingly willing to pay for quality across existing categories (health & wellness, home interiors) and new ones (gaming, pet care, astrology): As a consumer-facing company, you still have to invest in building an offline presence, call-centres and focus on building trust through physical and audio touch-points. A strong online presence and influencer marketing is not enough. Increasing incomes do not translate to increased trust.

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For all potential founders building consumer brands - come join the 430-530 pm session on Monday (Nov 11) as I jam on D2C ideas / spaces / brand building with an awesome founder turned investor Mohit Sadaani from The Moms Co. | Good Glamm Group and DeVC We plan to talk about how to choose the right category, customer segment, research vs. intuition on a gap, building content / community / digital marketing chops etc. as you take your brand idea from 0 to 1. Regn. link in the first comment.

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I’ve always been skeptical about D2C brands for a few reasons. With today's democratization of the internet and knowledge, anyone with enough distribution power can create a D2C brand. We’re seeing this trend with social media influencers launching their own brands and generating massive revenue simply by leveraging their following. It’s no longer just about the product; it's about distribution power, which can make the market feel unfair. Most D2C brands in India rely heavily on digital channels like e-commerce and quick commerce, believing that’s enough to drive significant revenue—and for many, it has been. Digital sales have allowed some brands to scale quickly, but that’s not the whole game. The real challenge, and where most D2C brands struggle, is offline distribution, which is a complex maze. The few brands that figure this out, like Mamaearth, go on to win big. After interacting with Abhishek kaushik and learning about MITRA's journey, I realized they’re doing something completely different. While most brands are focused on going online, MITRA is building a strong offline presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where their semi-premium, high-quality products have a real edge. Despite competing with giants like ITC, MITRA's key advantage is offering the same premium experience that people in Tier 1 cities enjoy but at an affordable price—and in stores that are easily accessible to Tier 2 and 3 consumers. These consumers watch the same content and aspire for the same products but often lack access to the D2C brands popular in metro cities. MITRA bridges that gap, offering a unique value proposition in these underserved markets. I’m highly optimistic about MITRA’s future and excited to see their expansion into international markets. At Beej Network, our goal is simple: we invest in companies that have the potential to go global, and MITRA is definitely one of those companies. #angelinvestment #indianstartups #FMCG #D2C #D2Cstartups #foodstartups #startupinvestment #indianinvestment #startupfunding #fundingalert #venturecapital #VCworld #venture

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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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Excited to partner with Zepto for the third time, and thrilled to announce that this marks avra 's first significant investment. Why does 10-minute delivery work in India? India is a retail anomaly with over 90% of trade being unorganized retail. Consumers often prefer shopping for groceries at their local stores, which are conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from home. Why Zepto? At first glance, Zepto may seem like just a 10-minute delivery company, but they offer so much more. We believe they are building the Walmart of India—providing the same local store convenience (10 minutes) but at affordable prices by aggregating the purchase of supplies across their 300+ dark stores. Unlike many other quick commerce companies, Zepto started with some of the toughest categories—fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, and more. Today, they run one of the largest fruits and vegetable supply chains in the country. Aadit Palicha , Kaivalya V. and the exceptional team at Zepto operate at the lowest level of detail. They maximize efficiency at every layer of the supply chain. The result: 75% of their dark stores are fully profitable even as they have scaled to $1.2B of sales in 33 months. It's Day 1, and Zepto is just getting started.

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India’s most innovative brand may not be in apparel or beauty, but 5,000 Cr beverage maker Bira 91 Bira makes beers, which isn’t new. Bira has lost money each year since it started. Bira’s valuation has remained flat for 2 years. Brands in other categories like Zudio and Forest Essentials, have exploded at the same time. Pandemic almost killed Bira. Far from being innovative, it looks like an expensive mistake. But opening bottles reveals a 1,000 Cr resilient brand attempting to win India’s toughest market Ankur Jain was a Delhi kid who studied in the US in 2002. An engineer, he started up in healthcare. Visiting NYC’s Brooklyn Brewery, he developed a taste for craft beer. He sold his startup to return to India, briefly working for Reliance. But the taste of beer lingered. Deciding to become a beerpreneur, his Dad refused to speak to him for 5 yrs. Beyond the “taboo,” the market was hard Ankur started Cerena Beverages in 2009 by importing EU craft beer By 2010, Cerena was an instant success with sales growing 25x. By 2014, Ankur realized India market needed Indian and new. Deciding to move from distributor to producer, Ankur looked for a name. Coming up with what meant brother, beer and evoked India, a new brand was born. Bira 91 launched in 2015 Bira focused on craft beer rather than regular/strong. Leaders like Kingfisher ruled to keep pygmies like Bira out. Yet Bira was ambitious. Growing from 1.5L cases in 2015 to 7L cases in 2016, it reached modest 4 Cr. Yet, Bira’s eye-catching branding, crazy monkey, and hip vibe had premium consumers turning Bira was soon scratching a 20,000 Cr market, hard both literally and figuratively Opposite to global trends, beer’s 30% lagged spirits’ 70% in market share. Craft was a mere 2%. But younger, higher-income flocked to craft. Craft’s higher 30% margin helped. Demonetization and GST hit Bira hard, escalating losses. Yet, by 2018 Bira grew to 1M cases, taking 1% beer share, raising 300 Cr. New brands imitated Bira. By 2019, Bira moved to Tier 2. 55% of beer’s margin went in taxes, pushing newcomers out But by FY20, Bira exploded to 480 Cr of revenue As Bira exploded, the pandemic closed everything. By ’21, restaurants caved, beverage makers struggled. Yet Bira kept innovating. Launched new products, quietly built its brand, expanded internationally. By 22, it emerged almost unscathed. B91 acquired Beer Cafe to own distribution, Chattisgarh distilleries for supply. B91 reached a valuation of 4,000 Cr By FY23, revenue ramped to 824 Cr 100-year-old Japanese Beer maker Kirin Holdings built a 20% stake. Unbelievably, B91 was now India’s fourth-largest beer company. Present in 1000+ towns across India, it was in 20+ countries. Building a startup in a competitive, tough, hard-to-market category was hard; winning was inspiring. By 2024, it was a deep brand leading in a 62,000 Cr market With its story here (https://bit.ly/4cS3JZe), Bira could transform a buzzy brand into big business

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I recently had the privilege of joining the GoVenture Podcast for an in-depth discussion on the intricacies of the IVF industry and the delicate subject of surrogacy. It was an opportunity to shed light on the challenges many couples face and the misconceptions surrounding infertility. Infertility is not a journey walked alone or a burden borne by one gender. It’s a shared path where both partners need support and understanding. Early medical intervention can make a significant difference, and it’s crucial to seek help without hesitation. We also ventured into the ethical landscape of gene editing and its implications for human evolution. While the science holds promise, it’s our responsibility to navigate these waters with the utmost ethical consideration. The cost of IVF, the legalities of gender selection, and the burgeoning sector of medical tourism in India were also key points of our conversation. Despite the malpractices that occasionally surface, I firmly believe that the core of our industry is driven by integrity and the desire to bring joy to families. Moreover, we delved into the societal pressures that influence the decision to have children and the psychological journey of surrogate mothers. These are not just medical or legal issues; they are deeply human stories that deserve our empathy and respect. Excited to join Pritesh Kumar on his podcast GoVenture for an enriching conversation! Grateful for the opportunity to share insights and learn together. Podcast Link : https://lnkd.in/gbuvj-wj #IVF #Surrogacy #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalEthics #podcast

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Disruption: The Key to Building Consumer Brands in India A founder's journey is akin to navigating uncharted waters, where every decision is a delicate balance between probabilities and possibilities. Sometimes, the founders are at the right place at the right time when disruptive waves are manifesting primarily in three formidable forms: regulatory, technological, and demographic. 1. Regulatory Disruption: Regulatory changes often appear as a vast blue ocean, promising untapped opportunities. Yet, one must tread carefully. The very nature of regulation implies that what is granted can be swiftly taken away. And many times, what is generally not specified also treads towards an eventual "No." 2. Technological Disruption: Technological advancements offer a compass for our voyage. Leveraging emerging technology platforms to create breakthroughs can unlock tremendous growth. 3. Demographic Disruption: India, a nation teeming with youth, stands at the precipice of never before seen disposable income that can be monetised digitally at scale. By meticulously segmenting markets, one can craft products and services that not only sell but seamlessly integrate into the lifestyle narratives of the emerging consuming class. At Endurance Capital, we work with early stage founders to be leaders in India's consumer revolution. As founders, the opportunity is immense. It's time to disrupt the old guard and innovate with an India-first approach. Let's craft consumer brands that aren't just loved but become a legacy for the generations to come. 🚀🇮🇳

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Expecting many more $100M+ revenue brands to emerge out of India, owing to the rise in discretionary spends. Emergence of quick commerce has been a great enabler for small brands. Great panel with fellow investors from the community investing in consumer brands. #venturecapital #brands #consumer #d2c #RAI #investing

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We fund (via W Health Ventures) and found (via 2070 Health) healthcare ventures and often ask ourselves what does it take to forge a successful healthcare startup. Pankaj and I share some (rather unfiltered) thoughts in this op-ed around:   ➙ Identifying the right patient problems [by conducting empathetic patient interviews and understanding clinical workflows better by having doctor conversations] ➙ Crafting innovative solutions [by looking at global innovation, contextualizing them for India, and mapping the solution with a multi-stakeholder patient journey] ➙ Building the right 0 to 1 team [assembling a complementary team, with co-founders and early team members whose skills align like a piece of jigsaw]   In short, establishing and sustaining a healthcare startup in India demands strategic acumen, and also involves navigating mental, emotional, and financial challenges. Cheers to all founders and builders out there! Thank you YourStory Media for the coverage. #healthcare #VC #investing #digitalhealth Tushar | Vedika | Shailja

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Dive into the investment SECRETS to learn from Blume Ventures! Discover how this VC firm reimagined startup financing in India, backed 100+ transformative startups, and continues to empower revolutionary founders. From their unique evaluation criteria to the secrets behind their portfolio's success, there's a lot to learn! Read my full article on Medium to uncover their game-changing insights and actionable advice. Karthik B. Reddy | Sanjay Nath - After going through your story, you guys have become a whole another level of inspiration for me. Thank you so very much for starting Blume Ventures and revolutionizing the Indian VC landscape. #VentureCapital #StartupInvestment #BlumeVentures #IndianStartups #Entrepreneurship #InvestmentStrategies #VCInsights #TechInnovation #StartupSuccess #FounderEmpathy

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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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