Howzat Partners

Howzat Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm that invests in early-stage technology startups in India and Southeast Asia. The firm's mission is to identify and back game-changing entrepreneurs who are building innovative companies that create value and have a positive impact on society.

Howzat Partners' investment criteria include backing companies that have a strong product-market fit, a scalable business model, and a clear path to profitability. The firm is also focused on investing in entrepreneurs who have a deep understanding of their industry, a track record of success, and a strong vision for the future.

The firm's core values of integrity, innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility guide its approach to investing and building successful companies. Howzat Partners is committed to providing its portfolio companies with not just funding, but also strategic guidance, mentorship, and support. The firm seeks to help its entrepreneurs overcome challenges and achieve their goals by providing them with the resources they need to succeed.

Howzat Partners is a private investment firm that specializes in venture capital and private equity investments in the technology sector. The firm was founded in 2012 by three experienced entrepreneurs: Bhavin Turakhia, Ramki Gaddipati, and Sridhar Vembu.

Bhavin Turakhia is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Directi, a technology and web products company that he sold to Endurance International Group for $160 million in 2014. Ramki Gaddipati is also a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Zoho, a cloud-based business software company. Sridhar Vembu is the founder and CEO of Zoho.

Howzat Partners was founded with the aim of investing in disruptive technology startups that have the potential to transform their respective industries. The firm's investment strategy focuses on backing early-stage startups with innovative business models, cutting-edge technology, and strong management teams.

Since its inception, Howzat Partners has invested in a number of successful startups, including online travel agency Cleartrip, cloud communications platform Knowlarity, and customer engagement platform WebEngage, among others. The firm has also made successful exits from several of its portfolio companies, including the sale of Indian online marketplace redBus to Ibibo Group for $135 million in 2013.

Today, Howzat Partners continues to actively seek out and invest in early-stage technology startups with a focus on India and Southeast Asia. The firm is headquartered in Mumbai, India, and has a team of experienced investment professionals with a track record of identifying and backing successful startups in the technology sector.

Howzat Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm that invests in early-stage technology startups in India and Southeast Asia. The firm has a specific set of investment criteria that it uses to identify potential investments.

First and foremost, Howzat Partners looks for companies that have the potential to disrupt their respective industries through innovative products, services, or business models. The firm is particularly interested in companies that are leveraging technology to solve real-world problems and create value for customers.

Second, Howzat Partners looks for companies that have a strong and experienced management team. The firm believes that the success of a startup is closely tied to the capabilities and vision of its leadership team, and it looks for entrepreneurs who have a proven track record of success in their field.

Third, Howzat Partners evaluates the market opportunity for a potential investment. The firm looks for companies that are targeting large and growing markets with significant potential for expansion. It also looks for companies that are operating in fragmented markets that are ripe for consolidation.

Fourth, Howzat Partners evaluates the financial viability of a potential investment. The firm looks for companies that have a clear path to profitability and a sustainable business model. It also evaluates the potential returns for its investors, looking for companies that have the potential to generate significant returns on investment.

Finally, Howzat Partners looks for companies that share its values of integrity, transparency, and social responsibility. The firm believes that a strong ethical foundation is essential for building successful and sustainable companies, and it looks for entrepreneurs who share its commitment to these values.

• Integrity is one of the key values that Howzat Partners holds dear. The firm believes in maintaining the highest standards of ethical behaviour in all of its dealings, both internally and with its portfolio companies. Howzat Partners understands that trust is essential in building lasting relationships with its investors, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders, and it strives to act with honesty, transparency, and fairness in all of its interactions.
• Innovation is another core value of Howzat Partners. The firm is focused on backing startups that are using technology to solve real-world problems and create value for customers. Howzat Partners understands that innovation is key to building successful companies, and it seeks out entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and creating new markets and opportunities.
• Collaboration is also a fundamental value of Howzat Partners. The firm believes that building successful companies requires a team effort, and it works closely with its portfolio companies to help them achieve their goals. Howzat Partners understands that successful investing is not just about providing capital, but also about providing strategic guidance, mentorship, and support to its entrepreneurs.
• Social responsibility is another key value of Howzat Partners. The firm believes that successful businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the greater good, and it seeks out entrepreneurs who share this commitment. Howzat Partners is committed to investing in companies that have a positive impact on society and the environment, and it works to promote sustainable and socially responsible business practices.

The firm's mission statement is to "invest in game-changing technology startups that create value and have a positive impact on society." Howzat Partners is committed to investing in companies that are using technology to solve real-world problems and create value for customers. The firm believes that startups have the power to disrupt established industries and create new markets and opportunities.

In pursuing its mission, Howzat Partners is focused on providing capital, strategic guidance, mentorship, and support to its portfolio companies. The firm understands that successful investing is not just about providing funding, but also about providing the resources and expertise that entrepreneurs need to build successful and sustainable businesses.

The firm has a diverse portfolio of companies across various industries, including e-commerce, fintech, healthcare, and software. Some of the notable companies in Howzat Partners' portfolio include:

• Dream11 - a fantasy sports platform that allows users to create and manage their own virtual teams and compete against other players.
• Open - a neobank that provides banking services for small businesses and startups in India.
• The Ken - a digital media platform that provides in-depth coverage of business and technology news in India.
• Chalo - a mobility platform that provides end-to-end public transportation solutions for commuters in India.
• Shuttl - a bus aggregator that provides daily commute services for working professionals in India.
• Trax - a computer vision and machine learning platform that provides real-time retail analytics for brick-and-mortar stores.
• Whatfix - a digital adoption platform that provides interactive guides and walkthroughs to help users learn and use software applications.
• Testbook - an online learning platform that provides test preparation materials and courses for government job exams in India.