Starting from humble beginnings as a door-to-door salesman in the USA, Anirudh A Damani has journeyed through the realms of entrepreneurship and venture capital for over 15 years. This path has taught him the value of resilience and innovation and the importance of nurturing relationships within the venture community. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur from the Damani family, Anirudh’s roots in business have always been intertwined with a commitment to excellence and ethical practice.

At Artha, Anirudh and the team have built what is now India’s most extensive micro VC fund house, managing assets of over ₹1,000 crore. Our portfolio of over 120 companies, including transformative ventures like Purplle and Rapido, reflects our commitment to driving innovation and fostering sustainable growth across India’s startup ecosystem.

Our investment philosophy at Artha has always been about balancing risk with the potential for transformative impact. Significant exits and pioneering investments in technologies like India’s first 3D-printed rocket (Agnikul) underscores the efficacy of our approach. Yet, our role in advocating for the venture capital community is most rewarding, especially in dialogues with regulatory bodies like SEBI. Through these efforts, we aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all venture capital players, particularly micro VC firms.

As I seek to join the IVCA Executive Committee, my goal is to bring this ethos of collaborative growth, innovation, and advocacy to the forefront. My journey from the grassroots to the venture capital industry emphasises on the belief in the power of perseverance, strategic foresight, and the collective upliftment of the ecosystem. I invite my fellow VCs to support this vision, aiming to contribute further to our shared mission of nurturing India’s entrepreneurial spirit.