Q2.Describe your workday and leisure day, how does it look like?

A

- I am a typical 24x7 hands-on operator and hence don’t have a typical workday but I start my day by reviewing emails and checking in with my team. I spend a good amount of time researching potential investment opportunities and meeting with founders to discuss how they are building . I also spend significant time working with my portfolio companies, providing strategic guidance and helping them to navigate challenges, this is mostly over the weekends when they are not fighting the daily battle . In my leisure time, I enjoy staying active and spending time with my family. I enjoy taking a walk , go for a swim , hear a few podcasts and drive around to try new cuisine.

Q3 What is your view on the future of India as a market?

A-

I am incredibly bullish on the future of India as a market and this is the best time to build a business in India. India has a large and growing middle class, a highly skilled workforce, and a strong entrepreneurial culture. Additionally, the government has been taking steps to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, which bodes well for the future. I believe that India will continue to be a key player in the global economy and that there will be many exciting investment opportunities in the years to come.

Q4.Help describe your investment thesis and ideas you would like to back.

A-

My investment thesis is focused on backing innovative tech first startups that have the potential to disrupt traditional industries and create new markets. I am particularly interested in companies that leverage technology to solve complex problems and improve people's lives. Some of the specific areas that I am currently interested in include Tech infra , mobility & Lending fintech.

Q5. What are your 5 key learnings from your experience as a venture investor?

A-

My key learnings from my experience as a venture investor are:

-The importance of building strong relationships with founders and helping them to succeed. Being available to them when they need you .

-The need to be patient and take a long-term view when it comes to investing in early-stage startups.

-The importance of being open-minded and willing to pivot when necessary.

-The need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in order to identify the most promising investment opportunities.

-Ability to assess the risk / return and plan exits accordingly 

Q6. Top 5 advice you would give to startup founder.

A-

My top 5 advice to startup founders are:

-Focus on creating a product or service that is large enough for a country like India

-Build a strong team with complementary skills

-Validate your assumptions through customer feedback and strong advisory ecosystem

-Be flexible and willing to pivot if necessary

-Have a clear understanding of your financials and runway

Q7. How do you support your portfolio companies?

A-

I am a hands-on operator investor and hence I spend significant time with my portfolio companies in many ways, including providing strategic guidance, hiring , connecting them with potential customers and partners and helping them raise additional capital. Most of the requirements are met with-in the offering from a portfolio companies.

Q8. Which of your portfolio company you are very excited about and why?

A-

I believe that any company with a strong product, a clear understanding of its target market, and a committed team has the potential to be successful. So far the overall portfolio has been performing better than expected as per peer performance . A few key investments I'm particularly excited about are FidyPay, Coffeee.io , Klub, Karmalife , Fundly , Transbnk Pumpumpum and Siply to name a few.

Q9. What inspires you in life and what keeps you awake at night?

A-

God has been very kind and I have had a great professional career and relationships along with some very deep learnings and impact . These learnings , opportunities and improvising oneself inspires me each day and give back to the ecosystem in way of advising and investing in some awesome people around me and making them successful. As for what keeps people awake at night, it could be anything from stress about work or personal issues to excitement about upcoming opportunities.

About Pratekk Agarwaal:

Meet Pratekk Agarwaal, an accomplished entrepreneur, start-up advisor, and early-stage investor with a proven track record of success. With his extensive experience in building organizations at scale, including at Bajaj Finserv, Fullerton, IndoStar Capital, and ftcash, Pratekk has become a sought-after advisor and investor in the startup ecosystem.

 As a former Chief Business Officer at BharatPe and an alumnus of IIM-Kozhikode, Pratekk brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role as operator investor. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build successful and scalable businesses, providing them with business advisory services, access to his network, and capital raise support.

 Pratekk has invested in over 40 companies and serves as an advisor to numerous startups, NBFCs, large fintech companies, and venture capital firms. He strongly believes that now is the perfect time to invest in the right founders and products to make a positive impact on the world. With Pratekk's guidance, startups and entrepreneurs can achieve their full potential and make a significant impact in their industries.