- October 30, 2023
EPISODE #
#60 GV Ravishankar on growth investing in MENA
About this episode
I sat down with GV Ravishankar the Managing Director at Peak XV (previously Sequoia India) to discus the state of growth stage investing given the current macro environment. The team at Peak XV are managing US$10bn in assets and have recently raised 2 funds targeting India and South East Asia totaling US$2.85bn.
The global venture capital landscape has been depressed throughout 2023 and growth stage investing, in other words Series B and above have experienced declines in valuations and invested amounts. GV walks us through Peak XV’s investment strategy in MENA, what he looks for in target companies, the importance of founders as the startup matures, advice to founders in his portfolio companies as they weather the global downturn, and parallels between India, South East Asia and the MENA region.
This episode is supported by Capital.com, an award winning global investment platform. For seasoned as well as new traders, Capital.com provides competitive transparent pricing, 24 hour support, news, analysis and a knowledge hub with in-depth courses that help its customers make informed investment decisions.
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guest profile
GV Ravishankar
GV Ravishankar in one of the Managing Directors at Peak XV. GV advises on both technology as well as non-technology investments. He’s deeply interested in technology’s role in helping to drive efficiencies, reduce costs and improve access in consumer and healthcare markets.
He currently serves on the boards of companies in the Middle East such as Huspy, Lean Technologies, and Tabby. Others across India include axio, Eruditus Learning, Faces Cosmetics, Five Star finance, Finova Capital, HomeLane, India Shelter Finance Corporation, Indigo Paints, K12 Technoservices, Prataap Snacks (NSE: DIAMONDYD), Rebel Foods, Rupeek, Suburban Diagnostics and Turtlemint. I have also served as board member/observer of companies like Via (sold to NASDAQ: EBIX ), Manappuram (NSE: MANAPPURAM) and Equitas (NSE: EQUITAS).
Prior to this, GV worked at McKinsey & Company, where he advised senior management of top Indian companies on a variety of issues including business building, channel management and leadership development. He also had a prior stint with Wipro Technologies in their Embedded and Internet Access division.
GV is the recipient of the Midas Touch award by Economic Times Startup Awards 2020 and IIM Ahmedabad’s Young Alumni Achiever’s Award, 2019-20 in the Corporate Leadership category.
He has an MBA from IIM A and holds a BE in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT Trichy.