UVC: Chirag Gupta from 8X Ventures on investing in deep-tech startups in India and beyond, what Industry 4.0 could mean for the developed and the developing world, and why a ‘Founder-CEO’ is not the best option for a deep-tech startup
Understanding VC is a deep dive on how venture capitalists work. In this episode, I speak to Chirag Gupta, managing partner at 8X Ventures, a VC fund based in Dubai and investing in deep-tech startups globally. The podcast begins with Chirag talking about his decision of quitting 500 Global to start 8X Ventures to capitalise on the opportunity of investing in deep-tech startups in India and beyond. He talks about the process of his fund's operation throughout the globe and the way it works with the funds that are geographically closer to the deep-tech startups in Europe and the US. Chirag also gives his perspective on why VC funds that were initially making investments in only deep-tech startups, have since expanded into other sectors, which brings him to an insightful discussion about ‘Industry 4.0’ and its possible impact on industries and the workforce worldwide. At the end of the episode, Chirag elaborates why a ‘Founder-CEO’ is not the best option for a deep-tech startup in the long term.
In this episode you will learn:
- Why did Chirag start 8X Ventures instead of staying as a VC at 500 Global?
- Why is 8X Ventures based in Dubai?
- How does 8X Ventures compete with VC funds that are geographically closer to the deep-tech startups in Europe and US?
- Why does 8X Ventures invest in only deep-tech startups?
- According to Chirag, why have VC firms (which initially started with deep-tech investments) now diversified into other sectors?
- Why should deep-tech startups choose 8X Ventures over other VC funds?
- What does Industry 4.0 mean for the developed and developing world?
- Why does Chirag think that Founder-CEOs aren't always the best option for a deep-tech startup in the long term?
About
Chirag Gupta is the Managing Partner at 8X Ventures, a Deeptech-themed venture capital firm. He invests in startups that will lead disruptive technological innovation and create sustainable value for industries and economies. Before 8X Ventures, he held various positions at 500 Global, Careem, McKinsey, PwC/Strategy& and Korn Ferry. Chirag holds an MBA from the University of Chicago: Booth and Nanyang Business School. He studied Business Analytics at Harvard University (with Harvard scholarship).
Chirag Gupta
Managing Partner at 8X Ventures
Chirag Gupta is the Managing Partner at 8X Ventures, a Deeptech-themed venture capital firm. He invests in startups that will lead disruptive technological innovation and create sustainable value for industries and economies. Before 8X Ventures, he held various positions at 500 Global, Careem, McKinsey, PwC/Strategy& and Korn Ferry. Chirag holds an MBA from the University of Chicago: Booth and Nanyang Business School. He studied Business Analytics at Harvard University (with Harvard scholarship).
Listen:
