Spices to ceiling fans: The non-tech pursuit of A91 Partners
The three-year-old venture capital firm has a very different idea of what constitutes “tech” and what makes for a good investment. We take a look at where it is headed.
13 January, 2022•12 min
0
13 January, 2022•12 min
0
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Why read this story?
Editor's note: The two men seem amused, one even laughs out loud. And this writer, for what isn’t more than a couple of seconds but definitely seems longer, wonders if the question is really that absurd. In the age of everything tech, how does a venture capital fund invest in a company that makes fans? But chuckles follow. And then finally, the two men practically talking over each other, echo the same answer: “It was the easiest decision.” VT Bharadwaj, sitting across the room with his classic chirpy temperament, says it first. His colleague Gautam Mago doesn’t even have to look up from his phone to concur. The two men, general partners at venture capital firm A91 Partners and long-time friends, are as much in sync today as they say they were when they started the firm a little over three years ago. *** In one of the many meeting rooms on the tenth floor of a high-rise building in South Mumbai, there are three cups of coffee and chatter. It is the last working week of 2021, a Thursday, and Bharadwaj …
More in Internet
Internet
ShareChat and the mirage of microdramas
The homegrown social startup is betting big on India’s latest content obsession—minute-long episodes of high-stakes dramas. Cut through the noise and the microdrama hype itself doesn’t add up.
You may also like
Business
The Gulf Report: IMF slashes growth projections for Mideast amid Iran war
The regional economy is expected to take a big hit in 2026, venture capital activity is starting to show signs of strain, and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund has a new investment strategy.
Business
Epigamia’s Greek yogurt bet is finally paying off
A little over a decade after it was founded, the company that introduced India to Greek yogurt has pulled off a turnaround. But competition is rising fast and Epigamia can’t afford to simply rest on its laurels.
Internet
boAt’s best days are behind it
The consumer electronics startup jumped through the ranks to become India’s top audio and smartwatch brand. Just as quickly, the IPO-bound company appears to be losing steam and its comeback looks uncertain.