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August 22, 2023
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When we talk about trailblazers in India’s startup ecosystem, one name that stands tall is Vani Kola. Often hailed as the “Mother of Venture Capitalism in India,” Vani’s journey from a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur to one of India’s most respected venture capitalists is a story of bold moves, strategic insight, and relentless drive.
Before returning to India in 2006, Vani Kola built a stellar entrepreneurial career in the heart of tech innovation—Silicon Valley. Over the span of two decades, she founded and led two companies—Rightwork and Certus Software—both of which carved a niche in the enterprise software space. Her experience in building startups from scratch, raising funds, and navigating acquisitions gave her a unique lens through which to view entrepreneurship.
In 2006, driven by a desire to give back to India and support the country’s budding entrepreneurial ecosystem, Vani returned home. She joined forces with another Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Vinod Dham, to co-found Indo-US Venture Partners (IUVP). This venture was backed by the renowned US-based New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and aimed to bridge India’s growing tech landscape with global venture capital expertise.
By 2011, Vani was ready to take full ownership of her vision. She rebranded IUVP as Kalaari Capital, establishing it as an independent, India-focused venture capital firm. The name “Kalaari” comes from Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial art—symbolizing discipline, agility, and the power to fight battles with grace.
Under her leadership, Kalaari Capital quickly emerged as a powerhouse in India’s VC landscape. With a sharp focus on early-stage investments, Vani built a team that could identify potential unicorns while they were still in their infancy.
Kalaari Capital has invested in over 110 startups, with a total of USD 740 million raised across its funds. The firm has backed some of India’s most well-known and transformative companies across sectors like:
With over 200 assets under its belt, Kalaari continues to influence India’s evolving business landscape by empowering bold entrepreneurs.
Vani Kola is not only an icon in the investment world but also a role model for women in business. Her journey inspires countless aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, to break barriers, pursue their ambitions, and lead with purpose.
Through her work, she’s also ensured that Kalaari promotes diversity in entrepreneurship. Many of the firm’s portfolio companies are led by first-time founders and women entrepreneurs, a rarity in the traditional VC space.
Vani’s work has been recognized globally. She’s consistently featured in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women in Business and has earned respect not just as a successful investor, but as a mentor, speaker, and advocate for India’s startup ecosystem.
She remains vocal about the challenges faced by Indian entrepreneurs—from regulatory hurdles to funding gaps—and believes in “patient capital”, a model where investors support entrepreneurs through thick and thin.
What sets Vani Kola apart is her deep empathy for founders, a trait that stems from her own entrepreneurial roots. She’s not just investing in companies—she’s investing in people, visions, and the future of Indian innovation.
With Kalaari Capital continuing to scale new heights, Vani’s story serves as a testament to what’s possible when passion, purpose, and perseverance meet.
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