Pankaj Saraf

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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A few weeks back, we at SkillsOn, set sail with India's first venture capital (VC) school - with fresh, engaging & 100% practical sessions backed by 10+ years of investing experience & conducted by executives from India's leading investment funds. The last module of the VC masterclass set the ground running with a thorough overview of the deal flow - stages, steps, skills & a real-world case. And as with every module, a signature offering - this time it was the "Alpha Doc" - a one-stop guide to set valuation multiples for companies. More on the Alpha Doc in the upcoming module, “The Venture Capital Engine” this Saturday, 10th August @ 5pm. This module will discuss how India’s leading funds evaluate sectors and companies, conducting research beyond Google, getting high-quality inputs, drawing razor-sharp conclusions and deciphering hidden stories in company financials. All with the backdrop of a real-world case to build 100% practical understanding. This will be the heart of the VC masterclass series. And you do not want to miss this! If you’re eager to explore the world of start-ups, looking to build a career in investments, planning to raise funds for your venture or simply enthusiastic about this space, this is the session for you. More in comments. #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #innovation

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Should be a fun panel today with Deep Bajaj and Sandeep Jethwani on all things "Founder Wealth"

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It is often said that Impact investing does not deliver financial returns. At C4D Partners, we are proving this wrong. Our Fund 1 has already achieved a 51% DPI on the India portfolio within 6 years of fund life, delivering a robust IRR. We’re not just about investing for impact, but also prioritizing strong, sustainable financial returns. We carefully select companies that are cash flow positive and demonstrate a clear path to profitability within a couple of years of our investment. This has enabled us to keep our mortality rate under 20%, lower than the industry average. Our approach - We invest in early-growth stage companies that are well-governed and on a clear path to positive cash flows, and be there for the long haul. Our approach comprises not just capital infusion, but active involvement in fostering a culture of transparency, operational excellence and sustainable value creation. We position our investments for sustainability and success in an ever-evolving market. If you’re a startup or investor interested in partnering with us, or just curious to learn more, let’s connect. Mirakle Couriers, Ecotasar, LabourNet, Saahas Zero Waste, Aarohan , 1BRIDGE, Ananya Finance, Freyr Energy Services Pvt Ltd #VentureCapital #Startups #SMEs #GrowthCapital #InvestmentStrategy #C4DPartners

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With so much excitement and speculation on what an AI-first world might look like, one thing I'm increasingly convinced of is that in order for AI to achieve ubiquity, its adoption will need to transcend the confines of our screens and have a demonstrable impact on our physical world. With $33 million in fresh capital and an incredibly robust corpus of video data they've been amassing for years, Rish and the Spot AI team are well-positioned to catalyze and lead this transition. Today's launch of their Video AI Agents is one of my favorite examples of AI bridging the gap to the built environment, and the profound impact that will have on our daily lives. David Prosser of Forbes sums this up really well, saying "In a factory setting, for example, that might mean deciding that a fork-lift truck driver is getting too close to another worker – and braking the truck automatically. In retail, it might mean realizing that a customer is approaching a counter in order to pay but that there isn’t a sales assistant ready and waiting, and mobilizing help accordingly. Elsewhere, it might mean noting that an unauthorized individual is trying to access a site or property; that might trigger action such as turning on lights, waning the intruder off via a loudspeaker, or alerting the police." Congrats to the Spot AI team on building the future -- can't wait to see what the future holds for Video AI Agents! Check out video below and Forbes piece here: https://lnkd.in/ek-VR96a

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Having been at the forefront of consumer investing for almost 2 years as Vice-President, Investments at India's largest domestic consumer venture fund, Sixth Sense Ventures, I have engaged deeply with the evergreen Indian VC ecosystem – founders, investors, bankers. It’s been an absolute delight listening to new ideas each day and witnessing the magic founders are creating by the day. Every new interaction lent a new perspective yet underpinned a common belief – there’s no better place to be than India for the next 10 years – the next decade is India’s decade – as it stands at the intersection of opportunities, vibrant young professionals, new industries shaping up (talk green energy) and enhanced global recognition. This is evident with more and more institutional capital, domestic and overseas, now being directed to India. Circling back, this makes VC a very sought after career in the years to come. Understanding the limitations of entering this space, I have since long wanted to pass on my learnings. More so, having been a faculty in the past, I believe that knowledge when shared gets sharper and more robust. With an endeavour to create an impact in my own small way, I have launched India’s first Venture School – a set of 7 live VC modules followed by 1 live VC internship with access to job and networking opportunities throughout. Idea is simple: Learn. Teach. Learn. <Registration link in comments> #venturecapital #careers #management

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🌟 India’s Real Estate Boom: A Game-Changer for Allied Sectors! 🌟 Congratulations to Aditya Joshi and the team at Brookfield Asset Management for the successful sale of IndoStar Home Finance Private Limited to EQT Group 🚀 This achievement underscores a broader reality. India’s real estate and housing finance sectors are booming, with every allied sector from housing finance to construction—minting money 💰 and driving India's economic engine. 📈 Take, for example, the recent Bajaj Housing Finance Limited IPO as beautifully posted by Manish Kejriwal, a testament to the unprecedented investor interest in the sector. But it’s not just about housing finance. As housing demand hits new highs, especially in fast-growing hubs like Gurugram, we’re witnessing significant growth across the entire ecosystem—real estate investors, cement, steel, construction companies, and more. 🔹 $1 trillion of annual investments in the housing sector 🏘️ is expected by 2030, with cities like Gurugram leading the charge.   🔹 The cement industry alone is seeing a surge, with consumption crossing 300 million tons, fueled by new housing and infrastructure.   🔹 Companies like ours, ProperT, have thrived by aligning with this momentum, with upcoming marquee real estate projects valued at over Rs 2000 crores and ongoing construction worth 1000 crores. At SSVG and Millennium Engineers, we’ve fast-tracked the acquisition of construction projects  🏗️ valued at over 1000 crores from marquee clients. This growth, alongside the demand for housing finance, is creating a robust cycle where every segment is flourishing. As Keki Mistry, Vice Chairman of HDFC Limited, has rightly said: _"India's housing sector is on the brink of a massive transformation."_   Indeed, we’re witnessing not just a boom in housing but a multiplier effect across industries supporting this growth.  #RealEstate #HousingBoom #Gurugram #Finance #Construction #ProperT #SSVG #MillenniumEngineers #EconomicGrowth

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Tech of today was at some point of time considered as DeepTech. This evolution happens gradually, powered by visionary innovators and supportive investors who pave the way forward. Today, India stands in a unique position—not only to drive groundbreaking innovation and attract top talent but to do so at a significantly lower cost than in other markets. At Aeravti Ventures, we are continuously inspired by the innovation potential of the Indian founders and are thrilled to be at the forefront of it. Below is the link of the The Economic Times article in collaboration with Ankit K. of Capital-A https://lnkd.in/gPhJ3pyk

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The boom in exits in India stands in stark contrast to the rest of the world. The best news is that the exits are broad-based coming from half from IPOs, and a quarter each from secondaries and IPOs. "The big picture: The Indian exit boom is thanks to a few factors, namely favorable macro conditions and investor-friendly government policies, GPCA says. Plus, the rise of retail investors has boosted the public markets, Indian corporate acquirers have been active, asset managers have adopted continuation funds, and the rupee has been stable." Thank you, Axios and Global Private Capital Association, for highlighting this good news! https://lnkd.in/gsGWQ7-t

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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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Venture Capital: Secondary Exits Trending! Engaging convo with Anand Lunia Ashish Fafadia Pankaj Naik on exit options for VC and themes emerging on my show Big Deal on CNBC-TV18. #venturecapital #startups #digital #acquisitions #fundraise #exit #merger #ipo #listing #cnbctv18

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At Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, we used to do a Wealth Creation Study every year under the guidance of Raamdeo Agrawal. In 2021, we did one on "Atoms to Bits" (https://lnkd.in/gdyic6Ny). Key insight when we were researching was Digital Business Design is about business first, design second and digital third. A simple framework that comes from this (Think of it like a 2x2) 1. Quality of Business Design and 2. Degree of Digitization When we started interacting with Namma Yatri, it struck us that this is one of the rare teams which not only has the most simple and innovative use of a protocol but also innovated on business design. The enduring moat of the business actually comes from their frugal DNA which supports this innovation. It is invisible like the best moats are :) Their data is transparent on https://lnkd.in/gARxQEsA which is also a window into one of their other key facets of culture - Collaboration and Transparency I have no doubt in my mind that this is one of the most exciting population scale companies being built and it is a privilege to be a yatri with Magizhan Selvan Shan M S. More details from Nitin Sharma https://lnkd.in/gbgzTPdp

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From #CIO-s to #analysts, the demand for skilled professionals is escalating in tandem with the swelling ranks of #billionaires in #India 🇮🇳. #FamilyOffices, the financial nerve centres of ultra-wealthy individuals, are on a hiring spree to manage their clients’ burgeoning fortunes. The hiring boom coincides with a shift in #investment strategies. Family offices are now venturing beyond traditional #investments, with a growing appetite for #startups, #VentureCapital, and specialized asset classes like #RealEstate and #cryptocurrencies.

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed easing angel fund regulations and opening up these funds to more diverse investor groups. In a major step, the regulatory body will soon allow family trusts and sole proprietorships to invest in angel funds.   These measures are likely to boost opportunities for startup funding and supply young ventures with essential capital for growth, highlighting SEBI’s commitment to cultivating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g3aGwgJP #StartupFunding #AngelInvestors #SEBINorms #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #IndiaStartups #BusinessGrowth #StartupEcosystem

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Thanks Arth Vritt Capital for empowering smes in the Business Leadership League ecosystem We bring you Sunil K Pandey and Sumit Sharma your CFOs who help enable your growth to next level

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Consumer tech businesses will continue to get built in India as we go deeper and deeper in the market. Micro transactions have enabled new business models for content consumption /digital entertainment/ Gaming. B2C businesses in Healthcare and Edtech, still have a large untapped opportunity in India. Govind Lohia from our team at Gemba Capital captures some of his thoughts in this article published by ET. Do give it a read, if you are interested in the early stage consumer tech space in India and reach out to us, if you are building one. #consumer #tech #Venture #earlystage #seed Vipul Rawal ↗️ Sujoy Chakravarty Kamini Shivalkar Shashank Gupta

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