Ratan Tata’s investments in Indian shopper web corporations, beginning over a decade in the past, considerably boosted the credibility and validation of growing startups. As one of many first outstanding leaders of India Inc to again the rising ecosystem, Tata’s involvement has been a robust help for rising ventures. Snapdeal was among the many first Indian startups that Ratan Tata made private funding in.Snapdeal obtained funding from Ratan Tata in 2014, at a time when India’s startup ecosystem was nonetheless nascent. In 2019, Tata described himself as an “unintentional” investor in startups, expressing his perception within the sector’s vital development potential.
Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal, shared a video of his interplay with Ratan Tata that he wrote was a ‘particular second for him’. Paying tribute to Ratan Tata in a submit on X (previously Twitter) Bahl wrote, “So much is deservedly mentioned and will likely be mentioned about Mr. Tata’s greatness. What should even be spoken about is his unbelievable sense of humour. This second will at all times be particular for me 🙏” He shared a video with the submit from a occasion in Mumbai some years in the past.
Within the video, Bahl remembered his first assembly with Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus Tata Sons. He mentioned that was so nervous as he didn’t know what to anticipate. “It’s like assembly somebody who you’ve gotten seen through the years on TV, newspapers.. by no means thought would meet in flesh and blood. I used to be extraordinarily nervous. I walked into Tata’s workplace and he truly pulled a chair and sat subsequent to me and mentioned, “your development story is superb, how do you do your logistics?,” recalled Bahl within the video shared with the submit.
Bahl mentioned that when he requested Tata what bought him even enthusiastic about investing in younger startups like his or others, Ratan Tata mentioned that he was as nervous sitting six inches away from him as he was.
When Ratan Tata instructed Kunal Bahl: I keep in mind I nonetheless owe you that journey
In a column in Financial Instances, Bahl has shared one other anecdote that he wrote struck him about his private contact. “On the finish of my first assembly with him when he determined to spend money on Snapdeal, I requested that he come and communicate with our staff, a gesture that will have meant the world to everybody on the firm. Whereas logistics in the end prevented that go to from occurring, he didn’t neglect the promise. A few years in the past, practically 8 years after the primary assembly, I met him at a marriage. He smiled, and the very first thing he mentioned was: “I keep in mind I nonetheless owe you that journey.” That second encapsulated who Mr. Tata was: a person of his phrase, deeply linked with individuals in any respect ranges, and by no means too distant to acknowledge even the smallest of interactions.”
Ratan Tata’s funding in Indian startups
Ratan Tata reportedly invested in over 50 startups, each in India and internationally. The names embrace Ola, Upstox, Lenskart, CarDekho, FirstCry, Paytm, and Bluestone. Most of his investments had been channeled by his private funding agency, RNT Associates, in addition to UC-RNT, a fund established in collaboration with the College of California. Earlier than his demise, Tata exited from some ventures, together with Lenskart and FirstCry, as effectively.
