In the latest episode of the @IronPillar Big Picture Podcast, I had the pleasure of having a fascinating in-depth conversation with @AnkurShah, a prolific investor, startup advisor, company builder, former CFO at @careem and @weee, and esteemed member of the Iron Pillar Network.

 

Ankur and I focus on his philosophy of engaging with entrepreneurs and the role that impact plays in his decision making. While he is not a prototypical impact investor, his belief that every company can indeed “do good and do well” is insightful. Do have a listen.

In the second part of this conversation, Ankur and I focus more on his role and journey at @careem from the early days as a new generation taxi company to eventually a super app with a global presence and the @Uber acquisition.

 

To build an institution like Careem in the Middle East was a non-trivial exercise on multiple levels – disrupting the status quo, dealing with governments and taxi unions, and of course constantly raising capital. Ironically, in a part of the world that has ample capital (think all the sovereign wealth funds), there simply wasn’t the appetite or comfort to invest in companies like Careem. As a result, each subsequent series of financing was just as difficult as the previous.

 This is a fascinating, in the trenches, “play by play” of creation, challenges, eventual scale and exit of one of the most iconiq companies in the Middle East. Told, of course, from the vantage point of someone who was there spearheading much of the strategy and financing.

I hope you all enjoy this interaction as much as I did.

We, at Iron Pillar, are eternally grateful to Ankur for his mentorship and guidance. Thank you!

#grit #persistence #leadership #thinkbig #innovation #growthcapital #venturecapital #VC

#mentorship #community #Indiarising