In the latest episode of the Understanding VC podcast, Rahul speaks with Shwetank Verma, Co-Founder, and General Partner at Leo Capital. Shwetank explains that he ended up in venture due to a natural progression of his experiences in building and selling companies, working as an investor at a family office, and working in innovation at a large corporation. Shwetank advises startups not to treat fundraising as a competition, emphasizing that the volume of dollars raised does not determine the outcome. Instead, startups should focus on building something that people want with the least amount of money and time.
Shwetank discusses the importance of trust-building for new insurers and how InsureTech can reduce costs and increase convenience. He also highlights the significance of standardized data provided by the India’s health stack, which can help insurers create better products and outcomes.
Regarding the current state of venture in India, Shwetank is optimistic, citing the many positive changes that have occurred in the ecosystem in recent years. However, he also notes that there is still a need for more capital and a better understanding of venture capital among entrepreneurs.
Lastly, Shwetank shares insights into the most challenging situation a VC can help a startup with, explaining that it is often around hiring and team building. He also advises founders to seek the truth about VCs from multiple sources, including their portfolio companies and other founders in the ecosystem. Additionally, he recommends reading what VCs write on LinkedIn and other platforms to gain a better understanding of their perspectives and investment strategies.
