Over past few years, angel investments have picked up in India, but the wide gap between quantum of angel investments and later stage investments remains. Some sense of where we need to head – For US, The data from the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Venture Research show angels invested $8.5 billion in the […]
VC Market Dynamics
Interesting article on some of the market dynamics in the global venture capital industry. The author points to some of the corrections that these long term dynamics are making to the model (such as super angels, survival of funds, founder liquidity etc). Central point – venture investing is a competitive market, and the model adapts […]
Early stage technology investing – analysis
Interesting discussion here on issues around early stage technology investing in India. Many valid issues that have been discussed there. I particularly like the perspective around “distribution” being a killer app in India – but more on that sometime later. Earlier this year, we analyzed the investments made by 11 early/growth funds in India (across […]
Microfinance — about Social and Profit Agenda
There has been a swelling debate around the original intent of microfinance organizations centered around social good, and the recent “commercialization” of the model as evident in private fund raising, and promoters and PE funds making windfall gains in public markets. The article here by Elisabeth Rhyne seems to advance a great argument for the […]
Fifteen steps to an Innovation Economy
Developed by New York Academy of Sciences, The Yaroslavl Roadmap 10-15-20 describes the innovation policies, successes, and challenges of four countries—Israel, Finland, India, and the U.S.—and Taiwan Province, China. Based on analyses of how those regions developed innovation economies, and on a study of the current state of Russia’s economy compared to the priorities of […]
Navigating through M&A
Interesting account of how Backblaze navigated through an M&A discussion, and what to watch out for, read here.
Early stage entrepreneurs will see huge opportunities
Peerzada has done a great job of reflecting our thoughts on early stage entrepreneurship, and what excites us about the Indian market. Its interesting that while we pride ourselves in being able to leverage our operating experience and help build companies, the best entrepreneurs know enough to run their businesses, and tend to involve us […]
Mobile services for agriculture
Seems like there is growing interest in mobile information services for farmers. TCS has mKrishi, Intuit had another application to get mandi prices etc, and IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Ltd has a mobile information business with Airtel… Looks like a great application area given the number of farmers out there. The notion also extends to other […]
Canaan invests in Equitas and Naaptol
Pleased to announce our investment in Equitas, the fastest growing top-10 micro finance company in India; and Naaptol, a leading home shopping business. We are very excited to participate in high-growth consumer services opportunities, with high-caliber entrepreneurial teams.
Journalistic over reach – why are we surprised?
Finally we were able to come out and share our perspectives on our investment in Naaptol. Over past few weeks, as the news leaked first in ET, then picked by various blogs; and then a second round in VCCircle, we received several enquiries on the same. I would like to thank media persons who resorted […]
Startup talks from TED
Read write web has a good compilation of startup talks from TED – enjoy! On the topic, who do you think are the best presenters in startup space in India – on the big stage, not workshops…
Startup Leadership Program – Inviting applications
We are bringing the startup leadership program to India, starting with delhi. Admission Deadline – July 31, 2010 74 Fellows and counting…in Boston, Silicon Valley and now in Delhi. The Leadership Program is an initiative to groom startup CEOs in their mid-20s to 30s who have demonstrated outstanding potential and achievement, in life sciences, tech, […]