INVESTMENT
INVESTMENT
RAHUL CHANDRA
RAHUL CHANDRA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
What part of the venture capital process—from the first meeting to a successful exit—gives you the most personal energy and satisfaction?
The first meeting with a founder gives me a window to potential and possibilities—after twenty years, this energy hasn't diminished. The venture business is a long game, and my heart breaks when founders do everything right but the world fails to recognize it. I get a lot of satisfaction from a succesful exit. It is an event where the interests of our LPs and founders align. It is validation for all the work, bringing some sense to the otherwise random order of the startup universe.
Ten years from now, what kind of impact do you hope the companies you've backed will have on their respective industries or the world at large?
When I drive down Hosur Road in Bangalore, I see the buildings of companies I've backed—Gupshup, MoEngage, IntrCity, Equitas with thousands working in them and millions of users globally. Arkam backs founders solving meaningful problems, defined by how many lives they impact or their ability to create new industries. Ten years from now, I'd like Arkam portfolio companies to illuminate the lives of millions of Indians and the world at large.
Where do you go for inspiration when you're feeling stuck?
Nowhere. I appreciate feeling stuck because it's essential for growth. I let myself feel miserable, then remind myself that life is bigger than this, being stuck is temporary, not permanent. I used to seek distractions, but now I practice not letting negativity take over. Whatever is making me feel stuck, I let it lie in a corner until it sorts itself out while I focus on other things.
What part of the venture capital process—from the first meeting to a successful exit—gives you the most personal energy and satisfaction?
The first meeting with a founder gives me a window to potential and possibilities—after twenty years, this energy hasn't diminished. The venture business is a long game, and my heart breaks when founders do everything right but the world fails to recognize it. I get a lot of satisfaction from a succesful exit. It is an event where the interests of our LPs and founders align. It is validation for all the work, bringing some sense to the otherwise random order of the startup universe.
Ten years from now, what kind of impact do you hope the companies you've backed will have on their respective industries or the world at large?
When I drive down Hosur Road in Bangalore, I see the buildings of companies I've backed—Gupshup, MoEngage, IntrCity, Equitas with thousands working in them and millions of users globally. Arkam backs founders solving meaningful problems, defined by how many lives they impact or their ability to create new industries. Ten years from now, I'd like Arkam portfolio companies to illuminate the lives of millions of Indians and the world at large.
Where do you go for inspiration when you're feeling stuck?
Nowhere. I appreciate feeling stuck because it's essential for growth. I let myself feel miserable, then remind myself that life is bigger than this, being stuck is temporary, not permanent. I used to seek distractions, but now I practice not letting negativity take over. Whatever is making me feel stuck, I let it lie in a corner until it sorts itself out while I focus on other things.
What part of the venture capital process—from the first meeting to a successful exit—gives you the most personal energy and satisfaction?
The first meeting with a founder gives me a window to potential and possibilities—after twenty years, this energy hasn't diminished. The venture business is a long game, and my heart breaks when founders do everything right but the world fails to recognize it. I get a lot of satisfaction from a succesful exit. It is an event where the interests of our LPs and founders align. It is validation for all the work, bringing some sense to the otherwise random order of the startup universe.
Ten years from now, what kind of impact do you hope the companies you've backed will have on their respective industries or the world at large?
When I drive down Hosur Road in Bangalore, I see the buildings of companies I've backed—Gupshup, MoEngage, IntrCity, Equitas with thousands working in them and millions of users globally. Arkam backs founders solving meaningful problems, defined by how many lives they impact or their ability to create new industries. Ten years from now, I'd like Arkam portfolio companies to illuminate the lives of millions of Indians and the world at large.
Where do you go for inspiration when you're feeling stuck?
Nowhere. I appreciate feeling stuck because it's essential for growth. I let myself feel miserable, then remind myself that life is bigger than this, being stuck is temporary, not permanent. I used to seek distractions, but now I practice not letting negativity take over. Whatever is making me feel stuck, I let it lie in a corner until it sorts itself out while I focus on other things.
What part of the venture capital process—from the first meeting to a successful exit—gives you the most personal energy and satisfaction?
The first meeting with a founder gives me a window to potential and possibilities—after twenty years, this energy hasn't diminished. The venture business is a long game, and my heart breaks when founders do everything right but the world fails to recognize it. I get a lot of satisfaction from a succesful exit. It is an event where the interests of our LPs and founders align. It is validation for all the work, bringing some sense to the otherwise random order of the startup universe.
Ten years from now, what kind of impact do you hope the companies you've backed will have on their respective industries or the world at large?
When I drive down Hosur Road in Bangalore, I see the buildings of companies I've backed—Gupshup, MoEngage, IntrCity, Equitas with thousands working in them and millions of users globally. Arkam backs founders solving meaningful problems, defined by how many lives they impact or their ability to create new industries. Ten years from now, I'd like Arkam portfolio companies to illuminate the lives of millions of Indians and the world at large.
Where do you go for inspiration when you're feeling stuck?
Nowhere. I appreciate feeling stuck because it's essential for growth. I let myself feel miserable, then remind myself that life is bigger than this, being stuck is temporary, not permanent. I used to seek distractions, but now I practice not letting negativity take over. Whatever is making me feel stuck, I let it lie in a corner until it sorts itself out while I focus on other things.