Praveen Gupta
Founder, Internet Treasures
Bangalore
Praveen Gupta is a member of:
- Expert
Investment Strategy
In terms of investment strategy I tend to invest via the consortium-based approach and am also active on Angellist. I prefer to invest in the consumer internet domain, where I have relevant experience. Agri-based startups are another interest area.
Attributes I Look for in an Entrepreneur
Why do they want to become an entrepreneur
Does the person have the toughness to take a lot of rejection and still keep moving forward
Is his ambition constrained by the resources available
Common Mistakes Startups Make
The most common problem is the entrepreneur believing that concept arbitration guarantees success.
Most Indian startups think small/local.
A lot of the startups don’t think beyond their initial idea.
How to Avoid Making Such Mistakes
Entrepreneurs need to know that ideas and businesses evolve and they should have a simple roadmap which should be visited regularly to keep (re)defining the goal and the path. Think BIG.
Portfolio Companies
Some of my recent investments are:
- Milk Mantra – provides dairy products via innovative delivery mechanisms, with a stated mission to sustainably enhance rural lives. The company is solving a big problem as almost all milk sold in Eastern India is adulterated.
- Exclusively In – world’s leading online retailer of Indian fashion and Indian-inspired luxury lifestyle.
- Efarm - a young social enterprise firm providing India's first end-to-end agri supply chain platform enabling farmers reach end markets in an effective manner. Very committed founders and a longterm play.
- Level10 - India’s leading creator of comic book content. The category is just beginning to evolve in India and Level10 is a pioneer.
- Wild East - develops new business opportunities for celebrity, media, fashion and corporate brands. The category is nascent in India and the founder is an experienced professional in the domain.
- ezCater – US-based online catering marketplace. They help people find caterers by bringing together critic reviews, customer ratings, photos, and detailed menus. An efficient business model with a great founding team.
My Criteria for Investing in Startups
My first filter is the simplicity and potential of the idea.
Most Popular Types of Businesses in India at the Moment
There are opportunities everywhere. There’s no need to be a sheep and follow the herd.
Thoughts on First Angel, Follow-on Investments and Offerings to an Angel Investor
I am not particular about being the first or a later angel in a project.
Follow-on round participation is dependent on a number of factors on the basis of which one makes investment decisions. A follow-on is sometimes also an opportunity to exit.
The entrepreneur should not give away a massive amount of equity at the angel stage. Knowingly they are setting up their company for failure in trying to raise future rounds.
Instruments such as convertible notes are beginning to find takers and reducing the dilemma of priced rounds.
Message for Entrepreneurs
The entrepreneur should take slightly less money than he really need. And conserve equity.