Team
Japan Vyas
Managing Partner
Two decades’ experience in financial services working with promoters in areas like public and private equity investing, venture capital, project & infrastructure financing, debt restructuring and credit
Established two alternative asset management businesses - raised and managed 3 funds
Youngest in the country to head an alternative asset management business, at the age of 31 when he took charge of IDFC Investment Advisors. Scaled the business to an AUM of INR 850 crores across two funds
Co-founder of Sixth Sense Ventures, consumer focused venture fund.
Demonstrated class beating returns across investment life cycle – early / growth / listed
Personal Portfolio of over 15 early stage investments across technology and consumption sectors identified by early bets on emerging trends
He is an MBA from NMIMS, and holds a bachelor’s in commerce from Mumbai University
Enjoys football while supporting his favorite club, Manchester United, reading and traveling
Established two alternative asset management businesses - raised and managed 3 funds
Youngest in the country to head an alternative asset management business, at the age of 31 when he took charge of IDFC Investment Advisors. Scaled the business to an AUM of INR 850 crores across two funds
Co-founder of Sixth Sense Ventures, consumer focused venture fund.
Demonstrated class beating returns across investment life cycle – early / growth / listed
Personal Portfolio of over 15 early stage investments across technology and consumption sectors identified by early bets on emerging trends
He is an MBA from NMIMS, and holds a bachelor’s in commerce from Mumbai University
Enjoys football while supporting his favorite club, Manchester United, reading and traveling
Ravinder Vashist
Partner
Over fourteen years’ experience across private and public equity investing, and project and infrastructure financing.
His last stint was with BanyanTree Finance, a mid-market private equity fund, managing assets of over INR 1,350 crores. At BanyanTree, managed the NBFC portfolio and worked closely with the Promoters to develop growth strategy, strengthen appraisal and credit analysis resulting in the growth of the Companies with lower delinquencies.
Prior to that, worked at IDFC Investment Advisors, where he managed INR 850 crore across two private equity funds with Japan. Both the funds had a significant outperformance over their respective benchmarks.
One of the few investment professionals in the country to have experienced multiple successful fund cycles.
Previously worked with IDFC Project Finance having strong understanding of equity and debt financing, structuring and navigating business cycles.
Holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow and graduated from NIT, Kurukshetra. He also obtained the CFA Charter in 2009.
His last stint was with BanyanTree Finance, a mid-market private equity fund, managing assets of over INR 1,350 crores. At BanyanTree, managed the NBFC portfolio and worked closely with the Promoters to develop growth strategy, strengthen appraisal and credit analysis resulting in the growth of the Companies with lower delinquencies.
Prior to that, worked at IDFC Investment Advisors, where he managed INR 850 crore across two private equity funds with Japan. Both the funds had a significant outperformance over their respective benchmarks.
One of the few investment professionals in the country to have experienced multiple successful fund cycles.
Previously worked with IDFC Project Finance having strong understanding of equity and debt financing, structuring and navigating business cycles.
Holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow and graduated from NIT, Kurukshetra. He also obtained the CFA Charter in 2009.
Bhavik Mehta
Principal
Over 10 years of experience across equity research, portfolio management and venture capital.
Previously managed $50mn Investments spread across listed equity, debt and real estate at Brescon Family Office
Prior to which he worked at Kstart, a $10 mn seed stage fund of Kalaari Capital where he looked at early stage tech companies.
Early part of his career he managed $20mn proprietary portfolio of listed Indian Equities with focus on small and mid cap companies at Sykes and Ray Equities Ltd.
Some of past investments include Uniply, GM Breweries, V2 Retail, Piramal Enterprises
He is a CA and holds the CFA and FRM degree and a visiting faculty at Edupristine over the past 5 years teaching students across topics like Economics, Financial reporting and Financial Market products
Previously managed $50mn Investments spread across listed equity, debt and real estate at Brescon Family Office
Prior to which he worked at Kstart, a $10 mn seed stage fund of Kalaari Capital where he looked at early stage tech companies.
Early part of his career he managed $20mn proprietary portfolio of listed Indian Equities with focus on small and mid cap companies at Sykes and Ray Equities Ltd.
Some of past investments include Uniply, GM Breweries, V2 Retail, Piramal Enterprises
He is a CA and holds the CFA and FRM degree and a visiting faculty at Edupristine over the past 5 years teaching students across topics like Economics, Financial reporting and Financial Market products
Gaurav Navani
Senior Associate
Over 6 years of experience across corporate finance, analytics, digitization and marketing.
His last stint was at NRB Bearings Ltd, a $125 mn auto ancillaries firm supplying to the world’s mobility brands such as Audi & Mercedes. At NRB, he worked directly with the CFO to evaluate companies for M&A, industry and competitor analysis for growth strategy etc.
Single handedly managed a loan book of $40 mn at NRB. Initiated and led process automation models resulting into major efficacies.
Prior to NRB, He interned with two startups at the seed stage, Porter & Talerang, assisting them in business development and finance. Porter went on to raise $10 mn from Sequoia & Mahindra.
Featured in the CIO Review magazine for an article on digital technologies.
He has completed his Masters in Finance from Mumbai University. In his past time, he likes to take online courses.
His last stint was at NRB Bearings Ltd, a $125 mn auto ancillaries firm supplying to the world’s mobility brands such as Audi & Mercedes. At NRB, he worked directly with the CFO to evaluate companies for M&A, industry and competitor analysis for growth strategy etc.
Single handedly managed a loan book of $40 mn at NRB. Initiated and led process automation models resulting into major efficacies.
Prior to NRB, He interned with two startups at the seed stage, Porter & Talerang, assisting them in business development and finance. Porter went on to raise $10 mn from Sequoia & Mahindra.
Featured in the CIO Review magazine for an article on digital technologies.
He has completed his Masters in Finance from Mumbai University. In his past time, he likes to take online courses.
Manish Valecha
Compliance Manager
Over 7 years of diverse experience across finance, private credit, venture capital operations.
Previously, he was part of the Investments team at SIDBI Venture Capital Limited —the venture capital arm of SIDBI. He played a pivotal role in investment evaluation, fund operations, compliance management, and investor relations across 8 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) with a combined corpus of over ₹3,500 crore.
Earlier, he served as Credit Operations Head at Spheeti Fintech Pvt. Ltd, an RBI-registered NBFC. He underwrote and disbursed loans to over 1,000 salaried clients and managed end-to-end credit operations, including RBI and credit bureau reporting.
He is a qualified lawyer from Mumbai University, holds an MBA in Finance from B.K. Birla College, and a B.Com from Mumbai University.
He is passionate about music and singing, and enjoys travelling.
Previously, he was part of the Investments team at SIDBI Venture Capital Limited —the venture capital arm of SIDBI. He played a pivotal role in investment evaluation, fund operations, compliance management, and investor relations across 8 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) with a combined corpus of over ₹3,500 crore.
Earlier, he served as Credit Operations Head at Spheeti Fintech Pvt. Ltd, an RBI-registered NBFC. He underwrote and disbursed loans to over 1,000 salaried clients and managed end-to-end credit operations, including RBI and credit bureau reporting.
He is a qualified lawyer from Mumbai University, holds an MBA in Finance from B.K. Birla College, and a B.Com from Mumbai University.
He is passionate about music and singing, and enjoys travelling.
Aasma Shaikh
Analyst
2 years of diverse experience in accelerator/incubator, angel network, and venture capital.
She interned as a Portfolio Management Analyst at 100X.VC, a sector-agnostic $18Mn early-stage VC fund. Assisted in due diligence and managed portfolios of 80+ startups.
She worked as a Financial Analyst at Lakhani Financial Services, an Investment boutique that helped in raising Rs 120Mn through equity & debt. Specialized in financial modeling, valuation, and fundraising process.
She worked as a Financial Analyst at StartupLanes, an accelerator & angel network raising $43Mn for startups via 4400+ angel network. Conducted demo days, prepared financial projections/pitch decks and managed Investor relations.
She holds a Bachelor's in Accounting & Finance from Mumbai University. She revels in playing musical instruments and photography.
She interned as a Portfolio Management Analyst at 100X.VC, a sector-agnostic $18Mn early-stage VC fund. Assisted in due diligence and managed portfolios of 80+ startups.
She worked as a Financial Analyst at Lakhani Financial Services, an Investment boutique that helped in raising Rs 120Mn through equity & debt. Specialized in financial modeling, valuation, and fundraising process.
She worked as a Financial Analyst at StartupLanes, an accelerator & angel network raising $43Mn for startups via 4400+ angel network. Conducted demo days, prepared financial projections/pitch decks and managed Investor relations.
She holds a Bachelor's in Accounting & Finance from Mumbai University. She revels in playing musical instruments and photography.
Samarth Handa
Analyst
Over 3 years of experience in the Investment Banking and Auditing field.
Previously worked at IDBI Capital in the investment Banking division - working on various public market mandates including working on pitch decks, valuation and financial analysis. Also worked in the structured finance domain with IDBI Capital for various private clients
Prior to this, He worked at Deloitte in the Audit & assurance department handling various statutory and tax audits of various Listed and private companies, handled various audits single handedly
He is a CA, CFA Level 1 cleared and BCom graduate from H.R College.
He is a state level chess player and enjoys travelling.
Previously worked at IDBI Capital in the investment Banking division - working on various public market mandates including working on pitch decks, valuation and financial analysis. Also worked in the structured finance domain with IDBI Capital for various private clients
Prior to this, He worked at Deloitte in the Audit & assurance department handling various statutory and tax audits of various Listed and private companies, handled various audits single handedly
He is a CA, CFA Level 1 cleared and BCom graduate from H.R College.
He is a state level chess player and enjoys travelling.
Lipi Panchmia
Senior Associate
Over 5 years of experience across auditing, finance and venture capital.
Previously, worked at 100X.VC, an $18Mn early-stage VC fund based in Mumbai where she helped execute 60+ early-stage deals from Term Sheet to closure. She closely worked with the Partners in evaluating startups and tracking 100+ Portfolio companies with a team of interns, and helped the companies grow and raise subsequent funding.
Built relationships with investors and ecosystem partners, actively attended and spoke at several events.
Prior to that, she worked at Bansi S. Mehta & Chartered Accountants, wherein she handled Statutory and Tax Audits of various listed and private companies, including Banks and NBFCs.
She is a CA and a BCom graduate from NM College.
Written articles for Chamber of Tax Consultants and Bombay Chartered Accountants Society.
She is an avid traveller, a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, and enjoys exploring other forms or art.
Previously, worked at 100X.VC, an $18Mn early-stage VC fund based in Mumbai where she helped execute 60+ early-stage deals from Term Sheet to closure. She closely worked with the Partners in evaluating startups and tracking 100+ Portfolio companies with a team of interns, and helped the companies grow and raise subsequent funding.
Built relationships with investors and ecosystem partners, actively attended and spoke at several events.
Prior to that, she worked at Bansi S. Mehta & Chartered Accountants, wherein she handled Statutory and Tax Audits of various listed and private companies, including Banks and NBFCs.
She is a CA and a BCom graduate from NM College.
Written articles for Chamber of Tax Consultants and Bombay Chartered Accountants Society.
She is an avid traveller, a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, and enjoys exploring other forms or art.
Advisors
Dr. Mani Agrawal
Advisor to leading organizations on operational & technology strategy, corporate transformation
COO, Spiritlake Holding Inc, in Denver, Colorado leading rollup of Plumbing & HVAC service sector
Head of business & technology consulting, Cognizant in Europe
Expert consultant for McKinsey Chicago for operational strategy & effectiveness of clients across the globe
COO, Spiritlake Holding Inc, in Denver, Colorado leading rollup of Plumbing & HVAC service sector
Head of business & technology consulting, Cognizant in Europe
Expert consultant for McKinsey Chicago for operational strategy & effectiveness of clients across the globe
Apurva Chamaria
Chief Revenue Officer of Rategain. Ex-Global Head Corporate Marketing, HCL Technologies
“Marketer of the Year” by World Leadership Forum, “Digital Marketer of the Year” by IAMAI & “B2B Marketer of the Year” by Paul Writer
Recognized by ET as the top 10 angel investors in 2018, Best selling author & thought leader on digital transformation
“Marketer of the Year” by World Leadership Forum, “Digital Marketer of the Year” by IAMAI & “B2B Marketer of the Year” by Paul Writer
Recognized by ET as the top 10 angel investors in 2018, Best selling author & thought leader on digital transformation
Investing Partners
- A collective of entrepreneurs led by Karanpal Singh, investing personal money, investing in people, partnerships and relationships. They invest to add value, looking for partners with core values of integrity and trust
- Current portfolio comprises of over a dozen companies in health, retail, hospitality, education, media and technology
- Owns a state-of-the art 200,000 sq.ft. collaborative work space, ‘The Circle’ in Gurgaon.
- Strategic Investor in LSE listed Mercantile Ports & Logistics Ltd
- Global connect and influence:
- Unity’s (known for licensed game engine) Center of Excellence for NCR located at The Circle
- CII and The Circle, have partnered in an accelerator platform in AI
- Collaboration with We+, a Helsinki based co-working space