First, Learning the Rules of the Game
My professional journey began with a fundamental curiosity about what truly separates successful businesses from the rest. This question guided me to read eagerly about capital market, learn value investing and to begin investing with my very first articleship stipend. The CA journey was demanding, instilling a deep sense of rigor, discipline, and the value of hard work. More than just a qualification, it provided a strong foundation in decoding business models, financial statements, and corporate strategy. This analytical mindset, combined with the focus learned as a state basketball player, shapes my approach to every business challenge today- grounded in fundamentals, but always focused on the winning mindset.
From Advising Giants to Building with Future Leaders
In my next stint as a strategy consultant at PwC, I worked with C-suite executives on large-scale strategic transformation projects. I moved from designing cost-reduction blueprints for India’s largest retailer to crafting the market entry strategy for India’s fastest growing fast fashion retailer and establishing the Global Capability Center for the world’s largest bank.
My most defining moment, however came not from these large-scale projects, but in the trenches with a fast-growing B2B commerce startup. We weren’t just advising; we were building. I led a full-scale transformation that involved defining a new channel strategy, enhancing on-ground sales efficiency, and implementing a complete organizational redesign to align talent with strategic goals. The most visible result was a new digital collections system that cut cash usage by 50%. That experience was a revelation: the adrenaline of rapid execution and tangible impact is a feeling unlike any other. I saw firsthand the ‘bias for action’ and the relentless pace of the startup world. I knew I didn’t want to just advise growth anymore; I wanted to fuel it. And thus, my journey began from the world of established incumbents to the frontlines of venture capital, where I could help build the disruptors of tomorrow.
In Pursuit of Disruptors
In Kalaari, I discovered a firm that wasn’t looking for a specific archetype but for a founder’s mindset. They valued the unique blend of financial acumen from my CA background and the strategic, execution-oriented mindset I’d honed in consulting. I found a team that pairs first-principles thinking with a hands-on, “get things done” ethos, creating a steep and exhilarating learning curve. One day, I’m modelling the unit economics for a B2B commerce platform, and the next, I’m deep-diving into the tech architecture of an AI-powered robotics company. We are trusted from day one to contribute meaningfully across the entire investment lifecycle and portfolio support.
I found joy in navigating my way through the intricacies of the investment world, right from developing reliable and focused sourcing channels to developing a strong network. Over the past 18 months, I have collaborated with some of the best minds in the start-up world. Developing deeper relationships with investment professionals, top operators, angels, university professors, incubators has further sharpened my perspective. The past year and half has been full of hustle, consistent learning and striving for the market disruptors.
The Thesis and The Craft
This brings me to what I’m passionate about. Today, I spend my time at the intersection of deep technology and enterprise transformation. I’m actively seeking founders who are building the future of AI, pioneering breakthroughs in DeepTech- especially in AI, robotics and semiconductors- and reimagining commerce.
My ambition extends beyond just identifying promising startups. I am here to hone the craft of venture capital- from the nuances of a successful fundraise, to providing meaningful, active portfolio support and value creation. My goal is to be the partner I would have wanted in the trenches- someone who understands both the numbers on a spreadsheet and the challenges of execution.
The journey from being a CA to Consulting to a VC has been one of shifting perspectives, but the core driver remains the same: a relentless desire to create value. Every day, I have the privilege of meeting exceptional founders who are turning audacious visions into reality.
If you are a founder building a category-defining company in AI, DeepTech, or redifing commerce, I would love to hear from you. Let’s connect at venil@kalaari.com
