Ep #9 | WTF is Venture Capital? Ft. Nikhil, Nithin, Rajan A., Prashanth P. & Karthik R.

In this episode, we bring marquee investors, the OGs of the venture world. Learn what venture capital is, what works and what doesn't, and their learnings from many decades of funding the startup ecosystem in India. I am sure it will be as insightful as an entire college semester for many. So do feel free to grab your notepad to soak up all the knowledge. This is, by far, the most in-depth episode we have done and this will give you insights not only into funding but also into the ongoing macro view of the world of business, investments, and finance in general. #NikhilKamath: Co-founder of Zerodha, True Beacon and Gruhas Follow Nikhil here: Twitter https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/ Koo https://www.kooapp.com/profile/Nikhilkamath #NithinKamath: Founder & CEO of Zerodha Follow Nithin here: Twitter https://x.com/Nithin0dha Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nithinkamath Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nithin.kamath Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nithin-kamath-81136242 Blog https://nithinkamath.me #KarthikReddy: Co-Founder and Partner of Blume Ventures Follow Karthik here: Twitter https://x.com/bkartred?s=21 Linkedin https://in.linkedin.com/in/karthikreddyb #RajanAnandan: Managing Director of PeakXV Partners Follow Rajan here: Twitter https://x.com/rajananandan?s=21 Instagram https://instagram.com/rajan_anandan Facebook https://m.facebook.com/rajan.anandan.3/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajan-anandan-2481b814 #PrashanthPrakash: Founding Partner of Accel Partners Follow Prashanth here: Twitter https://x.com/prashanthp?s=21 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prashanth.prakash LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakashprashanth TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:09 - Nithin discusses the Rainmatter Fund 03:44 - Karthik’s Accidental VC Story 09:46 - Karthik's Double MBA Adventure 11:31 - Rajan recalls death-defying experience 15:05 - Rajan's Father: The Real-Life Adventurer 16:14 - Are Success & Trauma correlated? 19:04 - How Rajan ventured into VC World 20:41 - The Dynamic life of Prashant 24:03 - Prashanth’s Leap into the VC Career 28:28 - Rajan's Angel Investing Hacks 30:36 - VC Returns Revealed 32:16 - Hunt for Limited Partners (LPs) 33:27 - Indian Startup Scandals & FTX 35:33 - Peek into the LP's Vision 37:48 - The Tax Arbitrage Angle 38:44 - Angel Investing Unraveled 45:27 - Decoding Venture Capital 46:36 - AIF & its categories 52:14 - Dry Powder in Detail 53:04 - Breakdown of LPs 53:58 - Fund Cycle & Incentives 56:08 - Demystifying Private Equity 59:30 - Market size for Consumption discussed 01:03:20 - The Online vs. Offline Conundrum 01:08:04 - Platforms & Marketplaces 01:13:17 - Import Laws, PLI & Patriotism 01:21:00 - Digitsed Indian Supply Chains 01:24:07 - Role of VCs in the Economy 01:26:02 - Indian Tech Supremacy 01:27:38 - Industry Picks, Trends & Next Unicorn 01:35:23 - Picks for Disruptive Sectors 01:45:46 - The X-Factor in Successful Founders 01:52:18 - Is Hard Work Overrated? Let's Debate! 02:00:04 - Clash of Co-Founders 02:01:00 - Red Flags in Founders 02:03:33 - Unraveling the Trends in Startup Funding 02:04:45 - Public vs. Private Markets: High Return Opportunity 02:05:05 - LLP, Partnerships & Pvt. Ltd. Explained 02:06:04 - Tenure & Fees in the VC Universe 02:08:03 - SPACS Explained 02:08:49 - India vs. USA: The Battle of Fund Performance 02:09:20 - Secrets of IPOs & OFS 02:13:46 - Are the VCs sector restricted? 02:14:48 - Variables in the VC World 02:16:47 - Jobs in VC World 02:18:19 - Capitalism, Wealth Inequality & Gen-Z 02:24:00 - Third Edition: Vote for a Charity & create a change! 02:28:58 - Enjoy Some Bloopers 02:29:28 - Outro #Nikhilkamath #Podcast #WTFiswithNikhilKamath #WTFisVentureCapital #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #AngelInvesting #Funding #Finance #Investments #StockMarkets #IPO