EP#66 Vishesh Rajaram – Opportunities & challenges in climate-tech and unpacking the iterative process to master deep-tech investing

In this episode, Vishesh Rajaram, Founder & Managing Partner @Speciale Invest, joins our host Digjay, to talk about Speciale Invest’s journey with fund I, added advantages of a larger fund II, whether climate tech is at its inflection point today, challenges faced by founders building in this space, Vishesh’s approach to building a thesis in frontier-tech, his portfolio construction strategy at Speciale Invest, overcoming valleys of death as a deep tech startup, and the promise of the Indian frontier-tech story.

Speciale Invest is an early-stage investment firm that invests in deeptech startups - both hardware & software - across domains like Space tech, Robotics, micro-mobility, and clean energy transportation. The firm which recently launched a larger Fund II, has invested in ~25 startups so far. Some of its marquee portfolio startups include the likes of Agnikul, Utlraviolett, Cynlr, Rocketlane, Uravu Labs, Eka Care and Bluecopa among others.

Vishesh started his venture capital journey with Venture East back in 2007. After spending almost a decade at Venture East, Vishesh founded Speciale Invest in 2016. Vishesh is a Chartered Accountant and an alum of the Indian School of Business. You can connect with him here on Linkedin / Twitter

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Show notes –

1. (02:06) Reflecting on Speciale Invest’s journey so far; The added advantages of a larger fund II
2. (08:17) Is climate tech finally at its inflection point?
3. (11:49) Areas within climate tech that Speciale Invest is keen to invest in
4. (16:03) The challenge of building partnerships and securing access to material-intensive supply chains
5. (20:07) What should founders over-index on, to solve these challenges?
6. (22:33) Vishesh’s approach to building a thesis in frontier-tech; Importance of the outbound approach to finding stellar startups
7. (27:49) Portfolio construction strategy; Investing along the S-curve
8. (33:14) Overcoming valleys of death as a deep tech startup
9. (37:44) The promise of the Indian frontier-tech story
10. (40:01) How has being an investor influenced Vishesh over the years?

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