-Pravin Gandhi, Founding Partner, Seed Fund
Team 100X interviewed some of the top investors across the globe about their venture investing journeys, startups, and India. Here, Pravin Gandhi, Founding Partner at Seed Fund shares his responses.
Q1. What is your motivation to be in the venture investing business
My motivation is to mentor young talent to build sustainable companies.
Q2. What is your view on the future of India as a market
India has ample growth opportunities. So we will grow. Speed will depend on the global environment & reforms in India.
Q3. Help describe your investment thesis and ideas you would like to back
I like to invest in companies that solve real problems with technologies that make the business cost efficient.
Q4. What are your 5 key learnings from your experience as a venture investor
- Don't get carried away with momentum.
- Pick teams that are complementary.
- Focus on execution & bottom line.
- Engage with entrepreneurs during good times & especially in bad times.
- Make sure compliance is a key deliverable for the CEO.
Q5. Mention top 5 consumer/industry/technology trends in India and globally
Currently, I am interested in climate change, Alternate Proteins, Social impact ventures especially companies that have IP.
Q6. Top 5 advice you would give to startup founder
Don't follow anyone else blindly. Learn & be nimble. Know when something is not working & solve it.
Your investor is your friend not an adversary. And it's a two way relationship. So stay engaged and communicate.
Q7. How do you support your portfolio companies
I am available for any interaction they need. Review business bi weekly or monthly as possible.
Q8. Which of your portfolio company you are very excited about and why
I am excited about all my investments. But currently Goqii, Chalo, BECO.
Q9. When you started your career what were your ambitions
I started in the VC business in year 2000, After being an entrepreneur, have learnt and am learning the VC business still.
Ambition was to help part my learnings as an entrepreneur to young founders to build sustainable, profitable companies & hopefully make some money.
About Pravin :
Pravin Gandhi has over 50 years of entrepreneurial, operational and investing experience in the IT industry in India. He was a founding partner of the first early stage fund India – INFINITY. Subsequently a founding partner in Seedfund I & II. With over 18 years of investing experience, he is extensively networked in the investment and entrepreneurial scene and is an active early stage angel investor in tech & impact space.
Pravin holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University, and serves on the board of several private corporations in India. He is a Past President of TiE Mumbai as well as an Ex-Global Trustee of The Indus Entrepreneurs. Currently on board of TiE Mumbai. He is on the board of SINE, IIT Mumbai Incubator. He serves on Investment Committee of Aavishkaar, Bharat Fund & Ankur Capital.
