BACKING THE AUDACIOUS ENTREPRENEUR
Businessworld India|30 July 2022
After nurturing icons like Flipkart, Myntra, FirstCry, Poilcybazaar and Lenskart in the first wave of India's startup revolution, veteran early-stage investor Chiratae Ventures is looking to replicate its success in e-commerce 2.0 as well
Rohit Chintapali
BACKING THE AUDACIOUS ENTREPRENEUR

IN THE LAST two decades, as entrepreneurs made a beeline to solve the world's most pertinent problems by leveraging technology, they were lauded, recognised widely and adored by the masses. While some achieved notoriety and perished during the market downturns, others chipped away at the mountain of issues that plagued humanity. Their sheer audacity to take on massive problems despite being a blip in the grand scheme of things needed support. And that's where VC firms like Chiratae Ventures stepped in to give the entrepreneurial spirit the much-needed wings.

In its 16 years of existence, Chiratae Ventures has funded a wide range of early-stage startups and seen them scale massive heights over time. With big names like Flipkart, Myntra, FirstCry, and Poilcybazaar in its portfolio, Chiratae Ventures has been there and done that' through the multiple market dips. "This is my fifth so-called 'down cycle. And every time, we've just put our heads together on the ground, worked hard with our companies. We always found our entrepreneurs to be very mature," says Sudhir Sethi, Founder and Chairman, Chiratae Ventures.

With the current slowdown affecting the global markets, VC firms have tightened the funding tap all of a sudden, and startups that were riding on ample funding in the last two years have had to think about their runways all of a sudden. But Chiratae likes to keep its outlook positive.

"We don't foresee startups having major troubles. But companies have to work on making their businesses profitable and prudently burn their cash now," says TCM Sundaram, Founder and Vice Chairman, Chiratae Ventures. "These cycles keep happening in terms of funding."

Lenskart, the eponymous eyewear behemoth, received Chiratae's support when it needed the most in its early stages. Twelve years have passed since then, and Chiratae continues to repose its faith in the company which has today grown to boast a valuation of $4.5 billion.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 30 July 2022 من Businessworld India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 30 July 2022 من Businessworld India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من BUSINESSWORLD INDIA مشاهدة الكل
'Committed to helping India achieve carbon neutrality'
BW Businessworld

'Committed to helping India achieve carbon neutrality'

R. Purushothaman on how Danfoss India, part of Danish MNC, is supporting the nation's carbon neutrality goals with innovative products

time-read
2 mins  |
December 14, 2024
INTELLECTUAL DEPTH & ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
BW Businessworld

INTELLECTUAL DEPTH & ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS

Anil K. Khandelwal is a transformational leader, who invites readers to rethink leadership as a journey rather than a destination. In The Gym of Leadership, he emphasises that helmsmanship is not a badge of authority but a commitment to creating a positive impact, says Srinath Sridharan

time-read
3 mins  |
December 14, 2024
AN INDUSTR BENCHMAR
BW Businessworld

AN INDUSTR BENCHMAR

The MacBook Pro M4 doesn't just set the bar for laptops-it becomes the bar. With unmatched performance, breath-taking design and incredible endurance, Apple's latest offering redefines what a laptop can achieve, says Sahil Mohan Gupta

time-read
3 mins  |
December 14, 2024
The drip of good health
BW Businessworld

The drip of good health

IV therapy seems to be a popular procedure with people in pursuit of good health and glowing skin. We spoke to medical experts about aspects to keep in mind before walking into a wellness centre to get that drip.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 14, 2024
"MACARONS FOR THE MASSES"
BW Businessworld

"MACARONS FOR THE MASSES"

CHANDNI NATH ISRANI, the driving force behind Ladurée's India expansion, redefines luxury in the F&B sector. With four flourishing Ladurée outlets established since 2021, Israni is making iconic French pastries and delicacies accessible to the Indian market. BW Businessworld sits down with the visionary entrepreneur to discuss her journey in building the luxury brand and her strategy for democratising gourmet experiences

time-read
4 mins  |
December 14, 2024
NAVIGATING THE PATH TO PROFITABILITY: A STARTUP'S BALANCING ACT
BW Businessworld

NAVIGATING THE PATH TO PROFITABILITY: A STARTUP'S BALANCING ACT

WHEN EVALUATING startup profitability, it’s crucial to break it down into two main components: unit economics and fixed costs. Unit economics refers to the profitability of delivering each singular order, which involves analysing transaction margins against costs incurred, such as delivery and payment gateway fees. This assessment helps gauge whether a business model is sustainable at a micro level.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 14, 2024
THE HOLY GRAIL OF PROFITABILITY
BW Businessworld

THE HOLY GRAIL OF PROFITABILITY

Profitability for startups is elusive, often overshadowed by growth and investor expectations. Achieving profitability requires a delicate balance between revenue generation and cost management, with factors like market dynamics and competition playing significant roles

time-read
6 mins  |
December 14, 2024
"WE ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING A RESILIENT AND SELF-SUSTAINING SEMICONDUCTOR ECOSYSTEM"
BW Businessworld

"WE ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING A RESILIENT AND SELF-SUSTAINING SEMICONDUCTOR ECOSYSTEM"

S.KRISHNAN, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, outlines India's ambitious plan to build a resilient and globally competitive semiconductor industry through the India Semiconductor Mission

time-read
5 mins  |
December 14, 2024
Shaping the Future of Cyber Risk Management
BW Businessworld

Shaping the Future of Cyber Risk Management

With its mission to advance cyber risk quantification through the FAIR (Factor Analysis of Information Risk) model, the institute empowers businesses to align cybersecurity with broader objectives using structured, data-driven insights. Managing Director TODD TUCKER discusses how the institute’s methodologies and community-driven approach are reshaping industry standards worldwide, including growing interest in India and Asia Pacific

time-read
2 mins  |
December 14, 2024
THE PILLAR OF A RESILIENT DIGITAL FUTURE
BW Businessworld

THE PILLAR OF A RESILIENT DIGITAL FUTURE

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has transformed the world, driving unprecedented connectivity and innovation. Yet, as the digital realm expands, so do vulnerabilities, with cyber threats emerging as critical challenges for businesses, governments and individuals

time-read
6 mins  |
December 14, 2024