UVC: Swapna Gupta from Qualcomm Ventures India on the fund's consistent success in India, their QWEIN initiative to overcome gender disparities, and changing trends in the Indian startup ecosystem
Understanding VC is a deep dive on how Venture Capitalists work. In this episode, I talk to Swapna Gupta, Director at Qualcomm Ventures India, about her fascinating journey from investment banking to becoming a VC. She shares with us a decade worth of her experience as a VC, punctuated by passion projects, and moments of serendipity. She explains Qualcomm's portfolio thesis which targets technological diversification and transformational progress. She also obliges to discuss QWEIN, a project directing the growth of emerging women entrepreneurs, with a goal to bridge the gender gap that pervades the Indian startup ecosystem.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Swapna's journey towards becoming a VC, and how her culture, upbringing, and work experience influenced the process
- How is Qualcomm any different from other corporate VCs in the industry? How does their portfolio thesis set them apart?
- Qualcomm's fulfilling journey with MapMyIndia, culminating in its stellar IPO performance
- How should founders practice prudence while utilizing capital, and intangible resources? An illustration of Shadowfax
- Why is Qualcomm particularly interested in logistics and supply chain startups? How can better infrastructure fully tap this sector's potential in India?
- What is Qualcomm Women Entrepreneurs India Network? How does it aspire to motivate women entrepreneurs in Deeptech?
- What are some inequalities and prejudices miring the Indian startup ecosystem?
- What are the changing trends in the Indian startup industry? What composes its potential as a global investment market?
About
Swapna Gupta is a Director at Qualcomm Ventures India, based out of the Bangalore office. She manages investments across all sectors in the technology related ecosystem. She spends a significant amount of time building a high-quality deal pipeline, executing deals and portfolio management. She has led and manages investments in companies such as Locus, Zuddl, Shadowfax, Ninjacart, Stellapps, Moveinsync and Reverie (Acquired by Reliance) among others. Prior to joining Qualcomm, she was part of the Investment Banking team at EY, India where she concentrated on Private Equity and M&A of Technology/Telecom companies. She is also part of class 25 of the prestigious Kauffman fellow program.
Swapna Gupta
Director at Qualcomm Ventures India
Swapna Gupta is a Director at Qualcomm Ventures India, based out of the Bangalore office. She manages investments across all sectors in the technology related ecosystem. She spends a significant amount of time building a high-quality deal pipeline, executing deals, and portfolio management. She has led and manages investments in companies such as Locus, Zuddl, Shadowfax, Ninjacart, Stellapps, Moveinsync, and Reverie (Acquired by Reliance) among others. Prior to joining Qualcomm, she was part of the Investment Banking team at EY, India where she concentrated on Private Equity and M&A of Technology/Telecom companies. She is also part of class 25 of the prestigious Kauffman fellow program.
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