Motivation in Venture investing business, personal motivation flexibility to play different roles as a woman and at core level allows me to tap into different trends and crystal gaze into futuristic opportunities that keep unfolding in the world. To be somehow synchronized with the larger collective and keep the curiosity and learning an ongoing journey.

Q2. Describe your workday and leisure day, how does it look like

My work and leisure are pretty well blended. Sometimes work gives more joy than the responsibilities and burdens you carry as a woman in society. Self-discovery, endurance training, travelling inward or outwardly to learn and grow or simple time spending with family gives immense peace and satisfaction. 

Q3. What is your view on the future of India as a market 

India, as a country seems most promising with so many passionate young or old entrepreneurs who are following their calling and willing to take the risk. I see rural, tier 2 cities are going to do just fantastic as well and might be the biggest growth driver for India as a market in various categories. Jio and now the 15k laptops recently being introduced is going to bring a big digital shift in India and create demands that were never heard of before. 

Q4. Help describe your investment thesis and ideas you would like to back

I have a clear investment philosophy. I bet on the founder and his courage and willingness to go that extra mile as there are plenty of ideas out there but what are you willing to risk and most importantly your idea should bring some societal change or be part of a larger cause or purpose. Deep tech in agri, retail, defence logistics, are some of my favourite categories. 

Q5. What are your 5 key learnings from your experience as a venture investor

Key learning’s -

• It’s ok to make mistakes but same mistakes cannot repeat twice so learn what  are your pattern biases.
• Intuition and logic should be weighed in and understanding the entrepreneur’s deepest passion/motivation and fears are important parameters of how he functions as a leader.
• Keeping eye on company’s cash burn and bottom line
• Hit or miss go back to the companies that you missed investing and find the why !
• Seek advice before investing to keep yourself in check. 

Q6. Which of your portfolio company you are very excited about and why

I am excited about two companies Porter as we were one of the initial investors  and QualSights US based marketing company both are of course doing very well. 

Q7. What inspires you in life and what keeps you awake at night

What inspires me is that there is so much out there in life to yet learn, grow and experience. What keeps me awake at night: My mind it’s my biggest strength and can be my biggest weakness.

About Krishna : 

Krishna Handa is a graduate in Bio-technology and Bio-chemistry, Law, and an MBA from Suffolk University, Boston, USA. She is a serial ideator and entrepreneur, and a mother. She is also the wife of Arjun Handa, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Claris Group.

In 2005, she founded Dorizoe Lifesciences Limited, an Ahmedabad, India-based global Contract Research and Development Organization. As Dorizoe achieved scale and profitability, she handed it over to a professional team to manage and went on to start ‘ello’, a kids apparel and lifestyle products company but then had to shift her focus onto her daughter, Vanshika, when she was born.Post motherhood, she started Claris Capital - a venture capital and angel investing arm of Claris Group. She drives the Group’s CSR activities through Brihati Foundation. 

Krishna likes to focus on future ideas and sustainability as her topics of interest and excellence. She has to her credit, partnering with Gujarat University to do one of Gujarat’s first start-up conferences for university students. She is also actively involved in restoring the old city of Ahmedabad. 

As Arjun’s wife, she is his pillar and helps take key strategic decisions in his life. She also likes reading books on the future, while focusing on fitness and travel.