Gupta’s interview highlighted the organization's commitment to nurturing startups and strengthening educational institutions
At ET Edge Insights, we had the privilege of hosting Vikram Gupta, Founder and Managing Partner of IvyCap Ventures for an exclusive interview conducted by Nehal S Dua – Sr Manager at ET Edge. The discussion focussed on various aspects of the Indian startup ecosystem and the role of venture capital. IvyCap Ventures has been instrumental in supporting and shaping India’s startup landscape, and Gupta shared insights into the organization’s vision and mission.
IvyCap Ventures focuses on early to growth-stage investments in startups, with a vision to build large, successful companies in its portfolio. However, what sets IvyCap apart is its commitment to using the profits generated from these investments to strengthen India’s education system. The organization believes in ploughing back profits into education to foster entrepreneurship and research in educational institutions across the country.
Gupta highlighted the growth of the Indian startup ecosystem over the past decade. He acknowledged that while there is talk of a funding winter in recent times, the ecosystem has come a long way since IvyCap’s inception in 2010. Back then, there were only a handful of domestic capital funds, whereas today, there are over 1,200 registered venture capital funds in India. This growth has provided more opportunities for entrepreneurs to access capital.
He pointed out that the funding winter primarily affects startups seeking later-stage capital, while the early-stage ecosystem remains robust. Gupta also mentioned the positive changes in regulations, government policies, and taxation, making India a more favourable environment for venture capital investments.
One significant aspect of the discussion was the proportion of Indian capital in the venture capital landscape, which currently stands at around 10-15%. Gupta expressed his hope that this percentage would grow over the next few years, given the increasing confidence in venture capital investments and the positive returns seen in recent years.
Gupta also delved into IvyCap’s commitment to giving back to educational institutions. He outlined IvyCap’s “Giveback Program,” which allocates a portion of the fund’s profits to endowments of alumni associations. The program encourages alumni to contribute to their respective alma maters and creates an enabling structure for capital flow. He stressed that this initiative not only generates funds for educational institutions but also instils a sense of connection and giving back among alumni. IvyCap Ventures has already partnered with 17 educational institutions, with more collaborations in progress.
Gupta’s interview highlighted the organization’s commitment to nurturing startups and strengthening educational institutions. For a deeper understanding of IvyCap Venture’s distinctive approach and insights into India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, we encourage you to watch this enlightening interview.
