Sandeep Singhal

Thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Harbinder !! We are at an inflection point in India on Consumer health !! Bio science + Data/AI will massively disrupt this space !! Do write to me if you are an entrepreneur disrupting this space !! #consumerhealth #innovation

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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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As someone who is privileged to be closely involved in the journey of several startups including Mygate, the ability to write such a blog, let alone publish it to the public shows an extraordinary longterm thinking and maturity for founders. First of all, kudos to the team on stellar execution and is the input to this blog. Secondly kudos on the courage to publish such information, for a second time now. Last but not least, I encourage all founders to write such a blog and a similar plan for the year ahead. Publishing this can be at your own discretion - private, management team, board, investors, public. Use your best judgement but write you must! It’s a great discipline to have - ideally once a quarter! Yes the first two times will be difficult, but it will soon become a “liberating” habit.

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IAN Alpha Fund, the 2nd fund from Indian Angel Network, recently proudly announced our investment in Dhruva Space. Its the company that is at the forefront of Spacetech startup frenzy within India and the world. They are the only ones at TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 9, having deployed their product commercially as multiple satellites successfully put in orbit. I have high hopes from the team and company, because they have understood a market vacancy and really made it their own. They provide a satellite platform with built-in solar panels suitable for space, a Real-Time OS, a launch enclosure for the satellite and Ground Operations infrastructure for communicating with the satellite. Anyone can use their platform, available at Nano, Micro or Mini scale and put their own payload to much more rapidly build their own satellite. The analogy that comes to my mind is when in the 80s and early 90s, we used to get assembled PCs. They would come with a motherboard, a power supply, an enclosure, an OS and interfaces (like floppies, printers, keyboard, monitor). Given this assembled PC, one could add their own additional capabilities which could be graphics cards, network cards, joystick controllers, audio cards etc and service their use case. Dhruva Space gives you a similar platform for satellites. This enables a vast market of corporates, governments, universities, researchers, hobbyists etc to more rapidly and at lower cost get their payload space ready, it democratizes the satellite industry. This also makes Dhruva Space resilient to satellite applications and hence in our opinion a great investment. I also personally feel, this is a surer way to play the space market because in some crude sense, all launch vehicles are basically transport for the final use case, the actual payload deployed. While the innovations in the Indian startups AgniKul Cosmos, Skyroot Aerospace are amazing and mind-bogglingly audacious, they are competing against SpaceX, ISRO and other providers in a limited launch market, where a behemoth like SpaceX is still to make significant profits (considering launch alone, excluding Starlink). Each of these relatively few launches though can deploy dozens and scores of satellites. Dhruva Space is less at risk of obsolescence than a company providing a specific payload capability. These are some of the reasons, IAN Alpha Fund has backed Dhruva Space. I wish Sanjay Nekkanti, Chaitanya Dora, Krishna Teja Penamakuru and Abhay Egoor the best in their journey ahead. #IAN #IANInvestments #DhruvaSpace #Spacetech

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Senior Care Reforms in India - Reimagining the Senior Care Paradigm I recently summarized a 140-page report by the Government of India on senior care reforms. This detailed paper proposes crucial changes to improve care and support for our aging population. In this post, I’ll share key insights and takeaways. Whether you're in healthcare, policy, or simply care about elder support, these findings are essential for understanding the future of senior care in India. #SeniorCare #ElderlyCare #HealthcareReforms #India #Finance #Research

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Discover why AI's future is Indian! 🇮🇳 I recently spoke to The Economic Times about SenseAI Ventures' latest WhitePaper, which reveals how India is poised to lead in AI adoption. From SaaS dominance to untapped AI tooling potential, find out what the future holds for Indian AI startups. Explore the full WhitePaper: https://lnkd.in/dC8jQU6j Check out the Economic Times article to learn more about these recent developments. SenseAI Ventures #ai #indiaai

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Shashank Bijapur co-founder and CEO of SpotDraft, our portfolio company, ran a terrific panel at the Arkam Innovation Summit. He covered a lot of ground with Manish Jethani Co-founder and CEO of Hevo Data Data, and Gaurav Sharma Founder, and CEO of SaaSLabs .    Here are some key takeaways that stayed with me: Initial journey of identifying the problem statement and figuring out the solution during the early days at SaaS Labs and Hevo Data After selling his first company in the US, Gaurav returned to India. All he wanted to do was make $4-5 K living in India, so he started out by building tools for Shopify users. But when those tools rapidly grew to half a million in recurring revenue, Gaurav realized that he could build anything, be anywhere in the world, and sell it worldwide. Manish believes that your product has to solve a personal problem in addition to an industrial one. Once you start the journey as an entrepreneur, financial success will not satisfy you. “What one problem can you solve even if the financial outcome is not that great?” Deciding whether to validate the product in India and move to the US versus taking a US market-first approach Selling in India is hard, especially in the early days. As Gaurav said, "if you sell a $10 product, you must create an invoice, and then they’ll make the payment in 60 days. So, it became very hard to make a profit. From this, I realized that India is not ready to buy software yet, so the best model would be to build it in India and sell it across the world" Manish believes customer needs and expectations are completely different across India and the US. It's quite challenging to build a product for India and expect it to succeed in the US. So, from day one, he focused on the US market-first approach. Establishing product differentiation during the early days of growing in the US market? Initially, the number one challenge for Manish was to sell a product that their target audience could build themselves. Hevo Data needed needed financial and operational data from companies, which nobody shares easily. Most companies prefer to build a product in-house and work with that tool. So, Manish decided to find initial customers who meet three criteria: they should not want to build a product in-house, they should be fine with sharing the data, and they should be from the US. Aspects of the business that changed from 0-1 to 1-10 journey and beyond To get initial customers, Gaurav decided to integrate his product into larger companies to get more eyes on it. To sustain this growth, Gaurav bet on excellent customer service, which is “an unfair advantage for Indian SaaS,” as he says. His customer service and fast responses became the talk of the town amongst his customers. Here’s the full video video. Well worth your time to listen to three $10M+ ARR SaaS founders at the top of their game.   Arkam Ventures https://lnkd.in/gP_YT-gV

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🔥 Ep07 out now with Piyush Goenka from Prath Ventures! We talk about building great consumer brands in India 🔥 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gaPcCTqF We talk about: > Piyush's journey across all stages of investing > How he and Harmanpreet Singh defined Prath's sector and stage focus > The journey of Safari from a 200 Crore company to a 10,000+ Crore company > Prath's recent investments in Jimmy's Cocktails, Assembly and Aukera > Consumer trends in India and opportunities in the Indian market > His experience of fundraising for Prath (not something you get to hear very often and that too so candidly and vulnerably!) > How Vipassana changed his life   Prath ideally wants to be the first institutional investor when founders are raising their seed or series A rounds and the first cheque for them is usually between 3-15 Crores which is roughly 500K-2M USD. Excited to deep dive with Piyush into the consumer landscape in India today, and his plans for Prath in the future. Founders who are building consumer businesses, you will gain a lot of rich insights from Piyush’s experience about business building as well as fundraising.

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"Welcome to Startups For Breakfast! Join me, Ravi Venkatraman, as I dive deep into the world of healthcare disruption with Rajiv Sikka, the CIO of #MedantaHospitals. In this second part of our episode, we explore how technology is reshaping the startup ecosystem, especially in healthcare, where there's zero room for error. Rajiv shares insights on why startups can't afford to experiment in healthcare and the urgent need to embrace technology amidst the fast-paced changes in the industry. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion! Subscribe now and tune in every Thursday at 6 PM for new episodes." #StartupsForBreakfast #Podcast #HealthcareInnovation #MedantaHospitals #TechnologyDisruption #HealthcareStartups #HealthTech #DigitalTransformation #RajivSikka #CIO #HealthcareIT #StartupEcosystem #HealthcareTech #HealthcareIT #MedicalInnovation #TechInHealthcare #DigitalHealth #FutureOfHealthcare #HealthcareIndustry #InnovativeHealthcare #HealthcareTrends #HealthcareLeadership #HealthcareManagement #TechLeaders #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #TechAdoption #HealthcareAdaptation #MedicalTechnology #DigitalHealthcare #HealthcareEvolution #HealthcareInsights #MedTech #HealthcareDiscussion #HealthcarePodcast #TechPodcast #StartupPodcast #ThursdayThoughts #DigitalDisruption #TechInnovation #HealthcareSystems #HealthcareSolutions #HealthcareDelivery #HealthcareInformatics #HealthcareConsulting #HealthcareProfessionals #HealthcareServices #TechIntegration #PodcastLife #SubscribeNow #StayTuned

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Discretionary consumer spending in India will continue to rise with time. We believe several new consumer brands & businesses will be built in India. We look forward to partnering with teams looking to capitalize on these tailwinds! Sorin Investments #sorin #d2c #consumer

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Eye care chains are turning to be pall bearers in healthcare service delivery industry in India. PE funded players grew by 46% ( median) YoY, along with profitability. And with current acquisitions spree, the next phase of scaling up is to penetrate the Tier -2/3 cities. #healthcareIndia #eyecarechains

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Reflecting on 'One Veranda: Big Picture Strategy Meet' in Hyderabad It was an incredible experience to speak with our dynamic team at the 'One Veranda: Big Picture Strategy Meet' held in Hyderabad on June 19 and 20. This gathering was more than just a meeting; it was a confluence of ideas, aspirations, and our collective vision for the future. Our primary goal was to bring everyone together and align on the broader recognition of what Veranda Learning stands for. It’s crucial to acknowledge that in every business endeavor we undertake, we must aim to make a significant difference in that sector. I have always believed that we should never settle for being an "also-ran" but strive to achieve a position of pre-eminence. During our discussions, we emphasized the importance of understanding what we are building collectively. This understanding is key to breaking down barriers and fostering a culture where the big picture is always in focus. It's about recognizing that each of us plays a vital role in the larger scheme of things, and our combined efforts are what drive us forward. My role is to inspire and drive our team towards excellence. I believe in leading by example and providing the guidance and support needed to unlock our full potential. Together, we are not just building a company, but shaping the future of education in ways that will have a lasting impact. I am proud of the enthusiasm and dedication that each team member brings to the table. Your commitment to our mission is what makes Veranda Learning a formidable force in the educational landscape. Let's continue to innovate, inspire, and make a difference. Thank you for your unwavering support and passion. Together, we will achieve great things and continue to set the benchmark in the industry. #Leadership #Teamwork #BigPicture #StrategyMeet #VerandaLearning #Innovation #Education #Inspiration

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#HYPEWOMAN -- More profiles of female VCs performing at the top of THE game please. Shruti Gandhi of Array Ventures is killing it, with her Fund I heading toward 10x returns. What makes her successful as a solo GP? ⚡ She doesn't take a meeting with a founder unless she knows she will invest. (decisive, saving valuable time & energy on both sides) ⚡ She comes to every founder meeting well-researched & prepared. (focusing the call on getting the answers to build conviction quickly) ⚡ She backs founders in the 'agitated workforce', who are so fed up that they build a better solution themselves. #womeninventure #sologp https://lnkd.in/gyGvMEHZ

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Exciting Times Ahead in Indian IT: Midcaps Elevate M&A Game 🌟 Indian IT is witnessing a surge in M&A activities, particularly among midsize firms, signaling a resurgence in tech spending and innovation partnerships. Key highlights include a focus on tech prowess, niche innovation partnerships, and preparation for IPOs. As M&A leaders, capitalize on these opportunities. Discover more insights. And how does GrowthPal contribute? Leveraging advanced AI/ML algorithms, it streamlines target identification and accelerates deal sourcing. Elevate your M&A strategies. #M&A #TechRevival #IndianIT #GrowthOpportunities

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Thanks Ajay Gollapalli and Pradeep Anandapu! Great conversation, amazing insights and a deep dive demo by Andrew Crider. Dont forget to see the recording if you missed it. Reach out to learn about LumenData #genai enabled migration approach to #databricks and leveraging #informatica #idmc #clairegpt #clairecopilot to enable your #ai usecases.

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Imagine a world where technology meets healthcare at every corner, enhancing every aspect of medical care. Yet, in India's bustling #startup ecosystem—a realm that celebrates billion-dollar valuations in fintech and e-commerce—health-tech lingers in the shadows, underfunded and undervalued. In 2023, out of the impressive $10 billion funnelled into Indian startups, a mere 4% made its way into #healthtech. This stark disparity not only highlights a significant oversight but also underscores a critical gap in a sector that impacts the very essence of human well-being. Investing in health-tech is not merely a financial decision; it's a commitment to securing a healthier future. Enhanced #healthcare technologies can lead to improved diagnosis, treatment efficiencies, and overall public health management. Globally, nations like the USA and Germany are pouring significant investments into health-tech, recognising its profound impact on health outcomes and economic stability. Contrastingly, India’s conservative investment patterns could lead to long-term challenges in the healthcare system’s capacity to manage emerging health issues. In this under-explored frontier, Flabs is making a difference. Our mission is clear: enable every individual to access quality healthcare, beginning with the diagnostic labs that form the backbone of medical diagnosis. Our innovative SaaS platform is revolutionising how these labs operate, significantly boosting their accuracy and efficiency. This enhancement in lab operations directly translates into improved healthcare services for the end consumer. "The image below illustrates the stark contrast between India's rapid tech advancements and its outdated healthcare practices—time for change."

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Exciting News in the AI and BFSI Space! Metis Intellisystems Pvt. Ltd., a leader in AI and machine learning solutions for the BFSI sector, has secured Rs 1.3 crore in funding led by Inflection Point Ventures. This funding round underscores Metis' commitment to innovation and growth in financial technology. According to Metis, the funds will drive the development of pioneering solutions and expand their strategic partnerships globally. Their AI and ML technologies, including the advanced decision-making platform QANAT, are set to revolutionize how financial institutions operate and serve their customers. The digital lending sector, where Metis operates, is poised for significant growth, projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2030. This funding from Inflection Point Ventures, known for its strategic investments and successful exits, further validates Metis' potential in the industry. Stay tuned as Metis continues to lead the way in AI-driven solutions for BFSI, transforming the future of financial technology! Read More: https://lnkd.in/gGP2gqhS #AI #BFSI #FinancialTechnology #MetisIntellisystems #FundingNews #Innovation

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Startup Central | ThinKuvate: Bolstering tech-enabled startups Addison Appu, Partner at ThinKuvate, sheds light on the latest ₹100 cr fund, 'glocal' approach, key sectors in focus and more Avanne Dubash Addison Appu

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