Podcast Hard Truths by Vertex Series 2 Episode 5- Unlocking the trillion dollar Indian startup ecosystem with Nikhil Marwaha

Nikhil MARWAHA | 09 Jan 2024

Thank you for your strong support for Hard Truths by Vertex podcast Series - We are now One!

In this episode, Nikhil Marwaha, Senior Executive Director, shares his extensive investment journey spanning early and later-stage companies in sectors like consumer, B2B enterprise, and healthcare. Learn about his experiences with growth equity funds, insights into venture investing, and the exciting trends in the Indian startup ecosystem. Based in Gurgaon, he sees a different set but nevertheless, exciting venture opportunities.

Stay tuned for discussions on emerging themes, including enterprise B2B SaaS, manufacturing in India, and the rise of electric vehicles in India. Discover the unique stories of Vertex's portfolio companies, such as Ace Turtle, Certa and Pilgrim, and gain valuable advice for early-stage entrepreneurs navigating the dynamic Indian market!

Tune in here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xnfEYKcSi0M4IPyijrgcW?si=Fj6GKMe5Q4GDkqngXhIYxw

Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/hard-truths-by-vertex/id1659392336?i=1000640992941

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MErOVHvXYqQ

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00) Introduction and Background

(01:28) Investment Experience and Transition to Venture Capital

(06:27) Overview of the Indian Startup Ecosystem

(10:11) Key Investment Trends in India

(14:45) Metrics and Assessments for Venture Capital Investing

(20:54) Vertex Portfolio Companies in India

(23:14) Ace Turtle and Progress in Consumer Segment

(25:21) Advice for Early Stage Entrepreneurs in India

(30:21) Market Sizing and Challenges in India

(32:00) Exciting Areas in Venture Capital for 2024

Tune in here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xnfEYKcSi0M4IPyijrgcW?si=Fj6GKMe5Q4GDkqngXhIYxw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MErOVHvXYqQ

For the full transcript, click here:

Full Transcript for Series 2 Episode 5

Our Guest

Nikhil Marwaha joined Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India team in 2023 and is based in Gurgaon, India. Nikhil brings with him a wealth of experience in investing at later stage companies, across consumer, digital businesses, b2b and healthcare. Prior to Vertex, he was Director for Investments for a US$200M growth equity fund sponsored by Avendus, a leading Indian investment bank. He also worked at MegaDelta and New Enterprise Associates Inc. (NEA) India.

Links

Full Transcript for Series 2 Episode 4

Listen on Spotify, Apple, and Google.

Tune in here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xnfEYKcSi0M4IPyijrgcW?si=Fj6GKMe5Q4GDkqngXhIYxw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MErOVHvXYqQ

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Your Host

Elise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups, and mentoring programs.

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Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.

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