“From a BD operator to an Investor, how to bridge the gap and take the leap?”
After five transformative years at IIT Kharagpur (Dual Degree), my professional journey began as an operator role at Flipkart. As a business development manager within Flipkart, I managed the Appliances section portfolio, focusing on pricing strategies, demand planning and the growth of the concerned SKUs.
At my IIT Kharagpur Graduation
At Flipkart, I always used to hear the legendary story of how the e-commerce giant started as an idea in a small apartment and grew to the scale we see today. Which is servicing millions of Indians across all the pin codes. Throughout my time at Flipkart, I saw multiple brands within the company scale from pre-revenue to million-dollar revenue startups. It was astonishing to see the grit and passion these companies exhibited.
This experience planted the initial seed in my mind to immerse myself in the startup ecosystem. However, the path forward remained unclear as I grappled with whether to pursue a role on the founding side or delve into investing and mentoring.
As they say, when you manifest a change, destiny opens doors for you. Shortly after this idea took root, I discovered the Kalaari Fellowship program. It was the perfect opportunity to join the VC ecosystem, learn the industry, and develop my skills simultaneously. The best part is that the program welcomes applicants regardless of prior investment experience or educational background.
Intrigued by the opportunity, I applied despite the program’s acceptance rate of less than 0.5%. The screening and interview process was rigorous, extending over several months of intense effort. Kalaari Capital sought to gauge not only my motivation but also my ability to multitask, think innovatively, take ownership, and adapt quickly. At times, the process felt overwhelming, but in hindsight, it now makes sense why it was so detailed. The depth of the process ensured that only those with the intrinsic qualities needed for success in a dynamic environment were selected.
My first day at Kalaari
Fast forward to the present, the transition from operator to investor has been the challenge I have been seeking for a long time. It required shifting from crafting strategies for revenue growth to evaluating startup potential, often with limited information. It feels like learning a new language, but the fellowship has been designed to make this journey smooth while imparting a wealth of knowledge and industry insights. The program has supported me in several ways:
- Structured Learning: The defined structure and milestones for this cohort kept us on track and ensured individual progress.
- Mentorship Network: The ability to reach out to anyone in the firm and their eagerness to assist allowed me to refine my approach and accelerate my learning.
- Collaborative Environment: Engaging with peers on topics ranging from the latest developments in Gen-AI to Bumrah’s performance in the latest T20 match offers a great way to relax and build strong connections.
First week with the other fellows
The best part? Interacting with startup founders who are shaping India’s growth story for the coming decade. These individuals are no longer just names on a spreadsheet; they are passionate visionaries focused on solving future challenges.
I’ve had the privilege of engaging with experienced founders such as Bhavesh Agarwal (Ola), Arvind Sanka (Rapido), and Ritesh Reddy (Zluri), gaining invaluable insights into their industries and how we as VCs can make a meaningful impact. A standout moment was my discussion with Rapido co-founder Arvind Sanka, who detailed how UI/UX experiments—such as flexible pricing and static OTPs—affect consumer behavior. This conversation offered me a deeper understanding of how user behavior can be influenced and how startups can use feedback to rapidly iterate and refine their products.
Engaging with my peers at Kalaari
My journey in the venture world at Kalaari has been incredibly eventful. In a short span, I’ve experienced exponential learning, acquiring insights into venture capital and the startup landscape, and deepening my expertise in the AI SaaS and consumer sectors.
I look forward to bringing a unique perspective to the table and helping shape the future. I hope this blog sheds some light on my journey, and how an individual can transition from an operator side role to the VC world.
If you have more questions about life here, feel free to drop your questions in the comments or contact me at soumya@kalaari.com. I’d love to discuss more.
Soumya Yadav, Kalaari VC fellow
#KalaariFellowshipDiary #LifeAtKalaari
