In an exclusive interview of Entrepreneur First Magazine with Tushar Kansal, CEO of Kansaltancy Ventures, reflects on his journey from startup supporter to global leader. In a concise interview, he shares insights on mentoring, startup opportunities, and the Indian entrepreneurial landscape. Kansal’s story is a beacon for aspiring ventures in the dynamic world of business. Don’t miss this compelling read!
About Mr. Tushar Kansal
Founder/CEO of Kansaltancy Ventures – Tushar is an accomplished professional, a “Thought Leader,” and a “Thought Influencer.”
Over the years, Tushar has supported startups and companies in various tech and non-tech sectors, as evidenced by over 80 recommendations on LinkedIn.
He received the “Best Startup Supporter” award at the “IndiaFirst Tech Startup Conclave” by the “All India Council for Robotics & Automation – AICRA,” presented by Dr. Kiran Bedi. Additionally, he was honored as the “Business Leader of the Year in Investment Management” by the “Asian African Chamber of Commerce & Industry.” Tushar was also named the “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Business Connect Magazine.
Tushar currently serves as a Venture Advisor at Loyal VC, the INSEAD-led Canadian VC Fund, with a portfolio of over 300 investments across 15 sectors in more than 60 countries.
He acts as a mentor and speaker at the entrepreneurship cells of prestigious institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and globally renowned establishments, specializing in financial and business advisory.
His expert insights are featured by prominent business news channels and publications, including CNN-News18, VCTV (Venture Capital TV), Business World, Business & Economy, Qrius, and Digital Market Asia. With over 300 talks, you can find more about him by searching on Google or checking YouTube.
His goal is to assist change-makers through venture capital and strategic services, utilizing his extensive network of over 450 investors and VC fund connections to engage in sector-agnostic global deals, with typical deal sizes ranging from USD 1-100 million.
Tushar possesses experience spanning various sectors, from Venture Capital (Brand Capital) and Big 4 consulting (Deloitte & Touche) to his role as CFO of MTS India, the LSE-listed Sistema’s India unit, and the USD 200 billion Guggenheim Partners-owned company (DLI). He successfully executed numerous venture capital deals during his tenure at Deloitte and Brand Cap, raising USD 2.5 billion for MTS India.
He completed executive education at Harvard Business School, holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Delhi, and earned a B.Tech degree from “The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences,” affiliated with the “Textile Institute Manchester, UK,” and a part of the renowned industrial and educational conglomerate in India, “The Birla Group.”
Q. Can you please share your professional background?
With Executive education from Harvard Business School, an MBA in Finance from the University of Delhi, and an Engineering background, I’ve held roles at Deloitte & Touche, Times of India’s Brand Capital, Sistema’s MTS India, and as CFO of Guggenheim Partners-owned Company DLI. In the last decade, I’ve been in leadership roles, driving business with large companies and as an entrepreneur.
At Deloitte, I contributed to Private Equity assignments/Valuations and Financial Advisory. At Brand Capital, I participated in investing approximately INR 600 crores across companies. As the head of the Debt division at MTS India, I raised almost $2.5 billion of debt in 3 years and handled financial goals as CFO of DLI.
As an adept strategic planner, I have a proven history of mentoring startups, identifying new growth avenues, developing innovative strategies, and building high-performing teams.
I am the Founder of Kansaltancy Ventures, an Investment Management firm, and Saffron First, a Startup Network/Fund. I also contribute articles to Business World, Business & Economy, Qrius, and Digital Market Asia. Currently, I host a series called “Business ki Pathshala” on the Tata Play channel “Har Ghar Startup,” (owned by Mr. Suniel Shetty), and my life story is airing on the same channel as “The Hustler – Tushar Kansal.”
I am a TedX Speaker – Readers can view more than 170 videos of my work over the years here -> https://www.youtube.com/@TusharKansal
Q. Can you provide information about ‘Kansaltancy Ventures’ and ‘Saffron First’?
Kansaltancy Ventures (http://www.Kansaltancy.com and https://www.linkedin.com/company/kansaltancyventures) is an investment management and advisory firm specializing in Equity fundraising, VC Fund fundraising, Debt, Mergers and acquisitions, Virtual CFO and consulting services. With years of experience, we assist Growth Companies in preparing for the unknown while meeting their needs. Our verticals include Funding (Equity and structured Debt), Mergers and acquisitions, Pitch Deck Preparations and presentations, Business Plans and Project Plans Preparations, Startups and growth Strategies and planning, Go-To-Market and Digital Marketing Strategies, Financial Strategic Planning and analysis, Strategic Planning & Execution Advisory, and Business Valuations Advisory.
Saffron First is a Global Angel Network and fund headquartered in Singapore, crafting investments in APAC/ India and providing domain specialists, capital, and an ecosystem of strategic partnerships.
Q. What does mentoring and investing in various Startups mean to you? What inspires you?
In today’s challenging times, being a Mentor involves being a leader, manager, negotiator, mediator, motivator, and influencer all rolled into one. And if you are an Investor in that Startup, by default your role becomes that of a Mentor as well!
Inspired by Krishna’s role in the battlefield at Kurukshetra, I believe a Mentor should:
- Show support in word and deed – building trust
- Provide constant support without interference – building self-confidence
- Maintain a relationship of fun and cheer – building openness and warmth
- Offer criticism without denigrating the protege – maintaining a non-judgmental attitude
- Support the protege in difficult tasks despite reservations – giving unconditional support
- Help the protege make decisions in times of personal crisis – offering personal counseling
- Search for ways to enable the protege to become aware of his limitations – encouraging self-awareness
Q. Can you share examples of spotting and identifying business opportunities?
- Organic Products company – Most of the beauty products being sold as “Organic” in India don’t meet international norms. This company had formulations that carried an ECOCERT COSMOS V2 Certification which was the highest certification available on the planet. Apart from that, it had experienced Founders who had already procured “Letters of Intent” from Indian and International Distributors, thereby validating the first-year revenue projections handsomely.
- Robotic Scavenging company – Municipal sewer lines are being cleaned manually by workers going inside and facing the brunt of toxic gases, dirt, feces, and whatnot! This Company created a Robot for robotic scavenging of sewer lines and the Indian Supreme Court is on record saying that “Manual Scavenging will be banned” being an inhumane practice.
- Cochlear Implants company – Cochlear implants are placed beneath the skin at the back of the ears to cure hearing disability. There are huge International monopolies that operate and offer very costly implants. This Company offered new Technology for these implants which was 50% better and 50% cheaper and hence was an ideal investment.
Q. How does the Startup environment in India compare to the Global Startup scenario today?
The US and China lead the number of unicorns in the Global Unicorn Index 2023. While the US leads in the number of unicorns per country, China, was, till some time back, home to four of the top five unicorns, and showcases significant Startup growth. But the recent actions of the Chinese Government of clamping down on huge home-grown Tech companies and their Founders, apart from subduing sectors like Education, Gaming, and the like, has resulted in a fall in market capitalization of these companies and Chinese companies have fallen off the top Tables.
India, with 109 Unicorns, is the third-largest ecosystem in terms of Technology Startups. Although India offers the freest FDI, concerns arise about foreign funds potentially “colonizing” successful Startups by transferring ownership overseas, bypassing Indian regulations and taxes. Addressing contract-enforcement issues in the Judiciary is also very crucial for the Startup environment in India.
The Startup environment in India is buzzing with excitement & energy. Entrepreneurship Development Cells have opened in a huge number of Educational Institutions. All types of support and investment are being offered by the Incubators and Accelerators. The country is also home to reputed Venture Capital Funds and Family Offices. Shark Tank, aired on TV, has made many people from all walks of Life, as Angel Investors.
Globally, the top Startup markets in the US and Europe are mired in an economic downturn but with robust policies of the Indian Government, India is one of the few countries which are growing fast and have the highest GDP growth rate in the world.
Q. How do you handle pressure and stress as an entrepreneur?
Sadhguru’s perspective guides me: Entrepreneurship is about doing what you want with your life, aligning with your purpose. Stress arises from the inability to manage one’s own system – body, mind, emotions, and energy.
I handle stress by practicing Yoga, and meditation, living with high values, ensuring fights are for the right cause, and connecting with nature.
I also live by the below principles learned from Life:
- True innovators are willing to start from scratch. Keep trying new pathways to your goal. If you’re scared of the pain of having to redo things in a different way, you’re not going ahead, you’re just getting old.
- Impatience with actions, patience with results; be quick with your actions but be accommodating with your results as they may take a long time to materialize.
- Do What looks like play to you but looks like work to others. When you work with such a frame of mind, it becomes monetizable. It’s everybody else’s vocation but just a hobby for you. No one can beat you when work becomes your avocation.
Q. What is the best moment in your professional journey so far?
The creation of “Kansaltancy Ventures” and “Saffron First” stands out as the best moment. Helping over 5000+ Startups globally and 500+ investors, creating platforms that sit at the intersection of technological know-how and mid-to-large-cap companies, and providing customized solutions across industries, has been the most fulfilling and exciting phase of my 23-year career.
The other best moment has been receiving an Award for our work in the STEM Field, from none other than, the hands of Dr Kiran Bedi, the first Female IPS Officer of India and current Hon. Governor of Puducherry!
Q. If there is one thing you could change in your professional journey, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change a thing. Every decision, including selling my Education business in 2006 and leaving roles at Deloitte & Touche and Sistema’s MTS India, has provided life-defining lessons and pearls of wisdom. Embracing the teachings of Bhagwad Geeta, I accept that what happened was good, what is happening is good, and what will happen, will also be good.
However, I made some mistakes when I founded a Startup in 2014, before Kansaltancy Ventures. In hindsight, I can say I shouldn’t have done those mistakes. But that is only because I have the benefit of hindsight.
Q. What is your message for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Reflecting the wisdom of Warren Buffet, Elon Musk, and Jack Ma, focus on doing what you love, understanding the business world, managing risks, and building a reputation. Entrepreneurship is challenging, so only pursue it if you are truly wired for it. Prioritize finding the full expression of who you are, your capabilities, and your competence for lasting success. Ultimately, balance your professional journey with a life of happiness, love, good health, great moments, and nature.
Some thoughts:
- Listen, absorb, and learn but don’t try to do things the way other people do. Do them your way. No one can beat you at being you.
- Find the people, the businesses, and the projects that need you and your specific skill sets the most because that is something exclusively just for you.
- Building a habit to read an hour a day puts you in the top 0.001%.
- What’s important is to show up every day and read whatever excites you to think.
