Biography of Ankita Vashistha: Founder of Saha Fund, Arise Ventures & StrongHer-Entrepreneur
Story of Ankita Vashistha: Leading StrongHer Ventures and Saha Fund
Ankita Vashistha is the visionary Founder and Managing
Partner at StrongHer Ventures, a platform dedicated to supporting and promoting
women-led businesses. She is also the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and
Managing Partner at Saha Fund, India's—and Asia’s—first venture capital fund
focused on women-led ventures. Saha Fund invests in innovative and
technology-driven companies across India, Asia, the UK, and the US, supporting
the growth of women entrepreneurs in these regions.
Early Education
Ankita Vashistha's educational journey began at Mallya Aditi
International School, where she completed her high school education. Following
this, she pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication
from Ramaiah Institute of Technology, which laid the foundation for her technical
and analytical skills.
Educational Background and Recognition
Ankita Vashistha holds an MSc in Finance from Cranfield
School of Management in the UK and a Bachelor's degree in English from VTU,
India. She is recognized as one of the top businesswomen in India,
collaborating with industry leaders and domain experts to drive the growth of
ventures and provide strategic advice.
Early Career and Founding Ventures
Before her current roles, Ankita gained valuable experience
as a business analyst and investment professional. Her career began at Athena
Global Technologies and Tholons, where she honed her skills in investment
analysis and business development. These foundational experiences laid the
groundwork for her later success in venture capital and her dedication to
supporting women entrepreneurs.
Biography of Ankita Vashistha: Founder of Saha Fund, Arise Ventures & StrongHer-Entrepreneur/Angel Investor/Success story of Ankita Vashistha
Advanced Business Acumen
To further enhance her business acumen, Ankita earned a
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Management from
Cranfield School of Management in the UK. This advanced degree equipped her
with comprehensive knowledge in finance and strategic management, crucial for
her future ventures.
Leading the Saha Fund
In addition to her role at Arise Ventures, Ankita is the
founder and CEO of the Saha Fund, established in January 2015. This pioneering
fund focuses on investing in women entrepreneurship and technology, addressing
the gap in venture capital for female-led startups. Under her leadership, the
Saha Fund has become a critical player in promoting gender diversity within the
venture capital landscape.
Board Roles and Angel Investing
In addition to her leadership roles, Ankita serves as a
Board Member at various organizations, including GoCoop, Velmeni, and formerly
Gingercrush. Her expertise and influence extend into angel investing, where she
supports emerging startups and entrepreneurs.
Founding and Early Investments
In her earlier career, Ankita co-founded Wavemaker Labs, an
investment and advisory firm, where she worked from 2011 to 2014. Prior to
this, she was with Aureos Capital in London from January 2009 to 2012, where
she honed her skills in investments and investor relations.
Angel Network and Advisory Roles
Ankita has been part of the Indian Angel Network (IAN) since
January 2012, where she has contributed her expertise to emerging ventures. Her
advisory role extends to Zumata, a company she invested in from June 2013 to
May 2019, and Insta Health Solutions Pvt Ltd., where she was involved from
April 2009 to September 2015.
Investment Ventures
Ankita Vashistha has been actively investing in innovative
startups across various sectors. Since April 2014, she has been an investor at
Uniphore, a company specializing in conversational AI. She also has investments
in Licious, a prominent meat delivery service, since August 2015, and
Fitternity, a fitness platform, since January 2016. Additionally, she has been
involved with JoulestoWatts Business Solutions and LoveLocal, showcasing her
commitment to diverse sectors.
Raising Capital and Gaining Support
The Saha Fund is in the process of raising an initial corpus
of ₹100 crore. Its mission has attracted notable investors, including former
Infosys CFO and serial angel investor Mohandas Pai, Biocon chairperson Kiran
Mazumdar-Shaw, and former Accenture India chairman Avinash Vashistha. Their
support underscores the growing recognition of the need to foster female entrepreneurship
in the country.
Specialized Venture Capital Training
In 2020, Ankita expanded her expertise in venture capital by
completing a specialized program at Stanford University. This experience
provided her with advanced insights into venture capital practices and
investments, complementing her extensive background in finance and technology.
Founding Arise Ventures and StrongHer
Ankita Vashistha is a trailblazing venture capitalist who
founded Arise Ventures in July 2020, a global venture capital fund aimed at
investing in the next generation of market-leading early-stage founders across
various sectors including enterprise, climate, and consumer industries. As part
of Arise Ventures, she also launched StrongHer by Arise Ventures, the first
global platform dedicated to women entrepreneurs and leaders, further cementing
her commitment to supporting female founders.
Shaping the Future of Female-Led Startups
Ankita’s initiative with the Saha Fund is a significant step
toward balancing the gender scales in the venture capital world. By
specifically targeting and nurturing female entrepreneurs, the fund aims to
create a more inclusive and diverse startup landscape. This focus on women-led
businesses not only helps in addressing the existing gaps but also in driving
innovation and growth within the industry.
The Vision Behind Saha Fund
Ankita's vision for the Saha Fund extends beyond mere
financial support. She is committed to creating an ecosystem where women
entrepreneurs can thrive and take charge of their ventures. Her efforts reflect
a broader movement towards greater gender equity in entrepreneurship,
highlighting the importance of having women in leadership roles within the
startup community.
Identifying the Gap in Female Representation
Ankita Vashistha, a managing partner at Tholons Capital,
often found herself as one of the few women investors at venture capital
meetings. During these meetings, she observed a troubling trend: even though
some startups were co-founded by women, these women rarely stepped forward to
pitch their ideas. This realization motivated her to address the imbalance and
create opportunities specifically for women in the startup ecosystem.
Board Member Roles and Investments
Ankita’s expertise extends to various board member roles,
including her position at Tholons Capital, where she contributes to global
investment strategies. She also serves on the board of VELMENI and is involved
with the NASSCOM Product Council, reflecting her broad influence in the
investment and technology sectors. Her investment portfolio includes notable companies
such as Uniphore, Licious, Fitternity, and LoveLocal.
Advocating for Women’s Empowerment
Ankita is also the Chief Dreamer at MyStepUp
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Foundation, where she focuses on advancing
women’s engagement, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. The foundation equips
women with essential skills like digital fluency, innovation, and leadership,
aiming to bridge the wage-wealth gap and enhance women’s power and influence in
various fields.
Establishing a Platform for Women Entrepreneurs
Determined to make a difference, Ankita founded the Saha
Fund, a pioneering venture capital fund designed to support and promote women
entrepreneurs. The fund's primary goal is to empower women to take on leading
roles rather than just supporting positions. By focusing on female-led
startups, the Saha Fund aims to provide women with the platform and resources
needed to advance their ventures.
Timeline for Ankita Vashistha story
Early Education: Attended Mallya Aditi International School
and Ramaiah Institute of Technology for a Bachelor of Engineering.
Educational Background: MSc in Finance from Cranfield School
of Management, UK, and a Bachelor's degree in English from VTU, India.
January 2015: Founded Saha Fund, Asia’s first venture
capital fund focused on women-led ventures.
2012: Co-founded Wavemaker Labs and began involvement with
the Indian Angel Network.
April 2014: Invested in Uniphore, specializing in
conversational AI.
August 2015: Became an investor in Licious, a meat delivery
service.
January 2016: Invested in Fitternity, a fitness platform.
July 2020: Founded Arise Ventures and StrongHer by Arise
Ventures to support early-stage founders and women entrepreneurs.
2020: Completed a specialized venture capital training
program at Stanford University.
