siliconindia | | April 201318The TeleSoft ApproachThese credentials tell the story of an organization which focuses on making a difference. Arjun describes the TeleSoft approach as an "ecosystem" which combines operating roles, technology backgrounds, commercialization strategy, corporate partnering and venture capital skills. Arjun believes in being held accountable for building value post-investment and focuses his team on six key parameters for each portfolio company:· product roadmaps· raising capital· recruiting the team, board, advisors· distribution channels· strategic partnerships· anchor customersTeleSoft is stage agnostic and focuses on special situations and invests in seven different segments:· early-stage pre-product· mid-stage initial market launch· late-stage ramping-up sales· PIPEs· corporate spinoffs· restructurings · control positionsTo extend their ecosystem, TeleSoft has established partnerships with Alltel, AON, Bechtel, Deutsche Telekom's T-Ventures, Intel Capital, Salesforce.com and Symphony Technology Group. "In my forty years in Silicon Valley," says Bill Coleman, Founder and former CEO of BEA Systems (the fastest software company to reach a billion dollars in sales which was acquired by Oracle for $8.5 billion in 2009), "I believe that Arjun's model of patient, smart money is unique and he has proven it to be highly successful. Even during 2000-2010, often referred to as `the lost decade' for venture capitalists, Arjun made significant returns for his investors. Having worked with Arjun on several investments, I have witnessed how his personal commitment and ecosystem-based model have made the difference between success versus failure for his companies and for his investors."On a lighter note," adds Coleman, "my frustration is that even though I have been a ski racer for most of my life and Arjun just started, he is already winning more ski races that I am!" Unknown to most people, Arjun's ski teams won The Directors Cup Pro-Am ski races in 2012 and 2013.Counting persistence as one of his key strengths, Arjun has embodied this into the core of TeleSoft's culture. "We are value added, long term investors who believe in sticking with the right companies through the ups and downs. We invested in Calient and Calix in 1999-03 and have supported them for 10+ years and through multiple downturns," says Arjun. TeleSoft's persistence paid off when Calix went public in 2010 with an IPO priced at a market capitalization of $500 million and Calient is doing well. "Arjun and TeleSoft have been an excellent co-investor for Intel Capital," says Arvind Sodhani, President of Intel Capital and EVP of Intel Corporation. "In the last few years we have co-invested in seven companies with TeleSoft, including Nexant, Validity, Ikanos, Aarohi, Baypackets/Genband, Jungo, and VxTel. I value his expertise as a VC to help our portfolio companies. Arjun is a trusted and valuable syndicate partner for Intel Capital, and has become a close friend." Since 1991, Intel Capital has invested approximately $11 billion in over 1,250 companies in over 50 countries with over 500 exits.Insights from the Great OutdoorsArjun's many expeditions and outdoor adventures enable him to step back from his business pursuits and evaluate both himself and the world. This allows him a rare perspective and creates a balance in his life, which is both healthy and productive. Whether on skis, on horseback, or in mountaineering boots, he follows his passions, recharges his batteries and clarifies his goals. Life is never dull with Arjun!Bandel Carano, General Partner of Oak Investment Partners says, "Besides working hard, Arjun lives life to the fullest. Arjun and I have done five companies together, The stage is set for TeleSoft -3 to be launched in 2013 and Arjun is gearing up to ensure success this time around as well""Horse treks in New Zealand, Morrocco and Tanzaniasiliconindia | | April 201319including TeleAtlas and Nexant. For example, TeleAtlas went public and was subsequently acquired for over $4+ billion, and Nexant is growing nicely. Arjun is a very savvy investor, and has built a solid firm in TeleSoft." Since 1978, Oak Investment Partners have invested $9 billion in over 500 companies around the world.The Next Waves of TechnologyApproximately every decade the world witnesses mega waves of innovation, when some breakthroughs fundamentally change the game. Arjun has experienced multiple waves including personal computers, the wireless wave, and more recently the internet. He is now focusing on next generation technologies such as power networks, next generation transportation and personalized digital medicine. As an example in the Power Sector, TeleSoft invested in and is the largest shareholder of Nexant Inc., a spinout from Bechtel Corporation."At the end of my very first breakfast with Arjun, he orally committed to the Nexant investment," reflects Basem Sarandah, CEO of Nexant. "Even though Arjun was new to the energy industry, he has one of the fastest learning curves. Thereafter, Arjun became Chairman of the board, and was the key proponent of Nexant's transformation from an energy services provider to an energy software and solutions provider, including raising $50 million in growth capital. Over the past four years Arjun has applied his unique experiences as a multi-industry investor in over 60 companies to help reshape Nexant's growth strategy and build a software team. He has been invaluable, and we are a terrific team." Over the last five years since TeleSoft invested, Arjun's Adventuring:In addition to building companies, Arjun is a passionate outdoorsman. Over the last 30 years, his key expeditions include: · Ski expeditions to the North Pole and the South Pole to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Peary and Amundsen respectively reaching the poles · A scuba expedition with National Geographic to the Millennium Atoll in the South Pacific · Six Himalayan expeditions to peaks over 20,000 feet · The Arctic and Antarctic Expeditions on Climate Change· Conservation and Human Well-being in Africa · Polar bear, Grizzly and Spirit bear tracking safaris in Alaska· Horse treks in New Zealand, Morrocco and Tanzania· Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and Cotopaxi and Chimborazo in Ecuador· New York and Chicago marathonsArjun also served as a Liaison Officer with four international Himalayan expeditions for the Indian Mountaineering Federation.Arjun Gupta in Antarctica
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