Entrepreneurs
3one4 Capital: Nurturing Ethical Investing and Founder-First Philosophy in the Venture Capital Landscape
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In the intricate landscape of venture capital, where deals are scrutinized, negotiated, and structured, Bengaluru-based early-stage venture capital firm 3one4 Capital stands out for more than just its investments. Founded by brothers Siddarth Pai and Pranav Pai in 2016, 3one4 Capital is not merely a player in the funding game—it is an advocate for ethical investing and a staunch proponent of a ‘founder-first philosophy.’
One incident highlights 3one4 Capital’s commitment to ethical practices. In the midst of structuring a deal for a potential portfolio company, a misinterpretation by the firm’s lawyers could have resulted in an unintended windfall for investors. Rather than staying silent and benefiting from the error, Siddarth Pai, the founding partner, pointed out the mistake. This exemplifies the ethical standpoint that 3one4 Capital upholds—ensuring that contracts align with the agreed spirit and protecting founders’ interests.
Siddarth emphasizes, “If we had gone ahead with the contract in its original form, it would have left a bitter taste for all, deprived the founders of their hard-won gains, and possibly even jeopardized our exit.” This incident reflects the ethical compass guiding 3one4 Capital in its dealings within the competitive and sometimes opaque world of venture capital.
At the core of 3one4 Capital’s approach is the ‘founder-first philosophy.’ This goes beyond mere rhetoric; it is a commitment to minimizing dilutions and ensuring that founders receive an outsized reward when investors exit. The Pai brothers, sons of TV Mohandas Pai, the former CFO of Infosys, have imbibed qualities of ethics, perseverance, and laser focus on long-term commitment from their father.
Mohandas Pai, an investor in 3one4, emphasizes the critical qualities of integrity and responsibility in VC investing. He advises his sons to be patient and flexible during negotiations. The ‘founder-first philosophy’ is not just a tagline but a guiding principle that shapes 3one4 Capital’s decisions and interactions with entrepreneurs.
In a landscape where the sustainability of business models is not always clear, 3one4 Capital has chosen a non-mainstream path. Rather than investing in popular sectors like food delivery, payment wallets, or horizontal e-commerce ventures, the firm has curated a diverse portfolio of non-mainstream companies. Investments include Licious, an online meat and seafood ordering platform; Darwinbox, an HR software as a service (SaaS) startup; Yulu, a micro-mobility platform; and Habbit Health, a nutrition-focused FMCG startup.
The brothers consciously avoided the beaten path, relying on a bottom-up approach based on primary research to predict trends that would emerge in the coming years. By investing in non-traditional sectors, 3one4 Capital positions itself ahead of industry shifts, ensuring that when the focus on a particular industry or business model intensifies, they already have strategic investments in place.
As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global business, 3one4 Capital’s foresight in ensuring its portfolio companies were well-capitalized and had strong balance sheets proved invaluable. While some startups struggled to maintain revenues, 3one4 Capital claims to have not lost a single company or faced any existential threats during the pandemic.
One standout performer in its portfolio is Licious, an online farm-to-fork company that experienced a 300 percent growth over the past six months. Despite challenges posed by the lockdown, Licious sustained its growth rate, emphasizing the resilience of well-capitalized businesses in uncertain times.
3one4 Capital recently announced the first close of its Fund III, bringing its assets under management to ₹1,550 crore. The firm has raised capital every year since its inception and now boasts 55 active companies in its portfolio. The Pai brothers, with their commitment to learning from the micro and the macro, envision evolving 3one4 Capital into a multi-stage investment firm, expanding beyond its early-stage focus.
Venture capitalists globally are cautiously returning to investing, and deals are beginning to close remotely as economies recover. For 3one4 Capital, these developments signal exciting times ahead. As the brothers pivot towards developments in healthcare and SaaS technologies, the legacy of ethical investing and the ‘founder-first philosophy’ will undoubtedly continue to define their journey in the dynamic world of venture capital.
BUSINESS
Empowering Women in Dubai’s Real Estate Market: The Vision and Journey of Leedwells Real Estate and Boon Stay
In the dynamic and competitive real estate market of Dubai, where male dominance has traditionally been the norm, a new wave of female empowerment is making significant strides. Among the frontrunners of this movement is Leedwells Real Estate, a company established in 2021 with a mission to revolutionize the property market. Recently, in 2024, they expanded their vision with the launch of Boon Stay, a company dedicated to the holiday home concept. Together, these sister companies are committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse industry.
Leedwells Real Estate: A Clear Vision for Real Estate
Founded in 2021, Leedwells Real Estate has consistently demonstrated excellence in the property market, leveraging over 12 years of industry experience. Led by CEO Aman Kaur and Managing Director Arshe Noor, Leedwells Real Estate has solidified its reputation as a reliable and innovative real estate agency in Dubai. Their dedication to client satisfaction and market expertise ensures that clients receive personalized services tailored to their unique needs.
Championing Women Empowerment
In an industry largely dominated by male professionals, Leedwells Real Estate stands out for its commitment to empowering women. Aman Kaur and Arshe Noor recognize the success and contributions of numerous female professionals in the real estate sector. By promoting diversity and inclusion, they aim to pave the way for more women to achieve remarkable milestones in their careers.
Expanding Horizons: Boon Stay
Building on the success of Leedwells Real Estate, Aman Kaur and Arshe Noor launched Boon Stay in 2024 to address the growing demand for holiday homes in Dubai. Recognizing the city as a global travel hub, Boon Stay offers a comprehensive platform where travelers can find luxurious accommodations and curated experiences. The company’s approach mirrors popular services like Airbnb, but with a distinctive focus on luxury and personalized service.
Boon Stay’s unique business model not only caters to holidaymakers but also serves investors looking to capitalize on Dubai’s lucrative real estate market. The company offers comprehensive investment opportunities, enabling clients to generate substantial revenue through strategic property investments. This dual approach of catering to both travelers and investors sets Boon Stay apart in the competitive landscape.
A Holistic Experience
For visitors to Dubai, Boon Stay promises a seamless and luxurious experience. From arranging premium accommodations to organizing bespoke luxury trips, the company ensures that every aspect of the client’s stay is meticulously handled. This all-encompassing service guarantees a memorable and stress-free holiday, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and opulence of Dubai.
Future Prospects
As Leedwells Real Estate and Boon Stay continue to expand, their vision remains clear: to create a more diverse, inclusive, and successful real estate market in Dubai. By empowering women and providing unparalleled services to both travelers and investors, these companies are set to redefine industry standards and contribute to Dubai’s reputation as a premier destination for real estate and luxury living.
In conclusion, Leedwells Real Estate and Boon Stay exemplify the transformative power of diversity and innovation in Dubai’s real estate market. Through the unwavering commitment of Aman Kaur and Arshe Noor to excellence and empowerment, they are not only achieving remarkable growth but also inspiring a new generation of female leaders in the industry.
Entrepreneurs
The WittyFeed Triumph: Vinay Singhal, Parveen Singhal, and Shashank Vaishnav’s Journey to Content Dominance
Vinay Singhal, Parveen Singhal, and Shashank Vaishnav have created a stunning success story with WittyFeed in the digital world, where content is king. Rising from the ashes of failed businesses, these computer experts changed course and built the second-largest content platform globally, only surpassed by BuzzFeed. This piece explores the story of these visionary founders and how WittyFeed rose to prominence in the content industry.
In 2013, faced with the setbacks of two unsuccessful ventures, Vinay, Parveen, and Shashank decided to stay the course. Ditching Evrystry.com and FollowMe247, they envisioned a content platform that catered to the needs of content creators, distributors, and consumers. This vision materialized in September 2014 with the launch of WittyFeed—a platform that rapidly ascended the ranks to become the third-most visited website in the Indian entertainment category.
For Vinay Singhal, WittyFeed is not just a content platform; it’s a technology play. Leveraging robust technology and analytics, WittyFeed ensures its content goes viral by intricately guiding content selection, creation, distribution, and monetization. Real-time data analysis and insights into user behavior empower thousands of influencers to disseminate content, making WittyFeed a formidable player in the global content arena.
WittyFeed’s strategic foresight extends to its strong network of influencers, positioning the platform years ahead of its competitors. Recognizing influencers as the distributors in the digital world, WittyFeed created Viral9.com—an influencer platform with around 15,000 influencers. These influencers, with millions of followers, redirect traffic to WittyFeed, creating a symbiotic relationship that propels the platform’s reach.
WittyFeed’s impact transcends borders, with a presence in Spain, the US, and the UK, while rapidly gaining traction in India. The platform boasts over 100 million sessions and 60 million unique visitors monthly, generating revenues of ₹30 crore in FY17. Programmatic advertising forms a significant revenue stream, complemented by sponsored content collaborations with around 70 brands, including Uber, Coca-Cola, and Zee Studios. By endearing itself to brands, WittyFeed aims to derive 40 percent of its revenues from brand partnerships.
While WittyFeed has thrived, the platform remains vigilant about potential challenges, especially as Facebook’s algorithms evolve. Vinay emphasizes the importance of steering clear of click-bait and focusing on quality content to maintain a symbiotic relationship with Facebook. Future strategies include the integration of video content, fostering collaborations with mobile apps, and seeking a series A funding round for expansion.
The success of WittyFeed lies in the synergy of its founders—Parveen Singhal, Vinay Singhal, and Shashank Vaishnav. Parveen, the Chief Content Officer, envisions video content as the next growth frontier. Vinay, with a knack for building solutions, steers the technology-driven aspects, while Shashank, the Chief Technology Officer, brings real-time data analytics to the forefront.
As WittyFeed charts a course toward greater heights, its founders remain attuned to the evolving nature of digital consumption. Vinay Singhal encapsulates the essence of their journey, emphasizing the imperative of staying at the forefront of change. The triumvirate’s journey from the brink of failure to commanding one of the world’s largest content platforms is not just a success story; it’s a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of strategic vision. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, WittyFeed and its founders stand poised for continued impact and influence.
Entrepreneurs
Rahul Narang and Saurabh Arora: Architects of Healthcare Transformation at Lybrate
Rahul Narang and Saurabh Arora‘s combined genius is evident in the rapidly changing field of healthcare innovation as they lead Lybrate, a ground-breaking online platform for medical consultations. The story takes place against the backdrop of Saurabh Arora, who attended Columbia Business School and IIT Delhi before purposefully changing his course. 2014 saw Arora leave his position as a data scientist at Facebook in Silicon Valley in order to pursue his homegrown business goals. This crucial choice launched Lybrate in 2015, a platform that has the potential to completely transform patient-doctor relations.
Arora’s vision for Lybrate germinated during a visit to India, where he keenly observed the challenges posed by self-medication in rural areas and the inconveniences faced by urban denizens. Fueled by a determination to bridge these gaps, Arora enlisted the expertise of his former colleague and friend, Rahul Narang, who assumed the role of co-founder and chief technology officer at Lybrate.
The platform, operating as an online out-patient department (OPD), strategically deploys technology to enhance the accessibility of quality healthcare across India. Arora’s mission was to seamlessly connect patients and doctors, transcending geographical constraints. In less than three years, Lybrate has garnered over 1 lakh registered doctors, facilitating upwards of 6 million interactions monthly. These interactions span doctor searches, health queries, and appointments for consultations and lab tests.
The triumph of Lybrate can be attributed to its innovative approach and meticulous planning. Arora underscores the critical importance of aligning the product with the workflow of doctors, fostering positive word-of-mouth recommendations. The nascent stages involved securing funding, with Gokul Rajaram, a luminary in developing Google’s AdSense network, playing a pivotal role. Lybrate secured a seed round of $1.23 million from Nexus Venture Partners, Rajaram, and independent investor Vispi Daver in August 2014. A subsequent funding round in July 2015 saw a commitment of $10.2 million from Tiger Global, Nexus Venture Partners, and Ratan Tata, propelling Lybrate’s mission to new heights.
The healthcare landscape in India presents a formidable challenge, marked by a concerning doctor-patient ratio of 1:1,700, as highlighted by a joint report from KPMG and Ficci. What sets Lybrate apart is its unwavering focus on alleviating the doctor shortage. The platform’s workflow begins with anonymous health-related queries from patients, evolving into online or offline consultations as comfort levels with the doctors on the platform grow.
Lybrate’s distinctive patient engagement model places the patient at the center, offering access to a comprehensive spectrum of healthcare services. This strategic differentiator positions Lybrate favorably against Practo, its major competitor, which primarily functions as a doctor discovery platform. While Practo concentrates on appointment scheduling, Lybrate is committed to transforming the patient-doctor interaction and propelling it into the digital realm.
Despite the myriad challenges, Lybrate has achieved a commendable turnover of over ₹22.45 crore in FY15-16, with aspirations to reach ₹25 crore in the current fiscal year. The platform boasts various revenue streams, including ‘Lybrate Consult,’ allowing users to consult preferred doctors for a fee. ‘Lybrate Lab+’ and ‘Lybrate Cube’ contribute significantly to the company’s revenue by facilitating lab tests and providing tools for doctors to enhance their online presence.
As the health tech industry witnesses an influx of competitors, Lybrate’s early entry into the fray positions it as a frontrunner. However, challenges persist, and success in this dynamic landscape hinges on delivering a substantial value proposition for both patients and doctors. The journey of Rahul Narang and Saurabh Arora with Lybrate symbolizes a commitment to quality and innovation, marking the advent of a new era in online healthcare solutions.
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