Second generation industrialist Abhijeet Pai joins 9Unicorns as Partner

The Indian startup ecosystem is rising aggressively. Thus, it needs the support of a robust system of investors to back them financially as well as with business strategies. And what better than a generation backed industrialist. In a recent update, 9Unicorns has announced that Second generation industrialist Abhijeet Pai has joined them as a partner.

This is not the first instance where an "xx" generation industrialist has become a venture capitalist. In the last few years, several such entrepreneurs have either started their own family offices; funds or partnered with venture capital (VC) firm. They aim to engage with successful startups in the country. Plus, these investments act as an alternate asset class to create value and develop new products that could complement and increase offerings to end customers.

About Abhijeet Pai

Abhijeet Pai comes from the Puzzolana Group. Puzzolana is a 50-year-old business house with interests in Engineering, FMCG, Dairy Industry and special grade metals. He feels that the startup ecosystem is very attractive and the timing is opportune for strategic capital and funds to be allocated to startups and entrepreneurs with a zeal to develop and reimagine products and services. Pai has 15 years of experience who has handled a diversified conglomerate. In his personal capacity, he has backed over 25 startups and three funds since 2014.

He joins 9Unicorns to make it India’s answer to the world stage of accelerators backing early-stage ideas. He believes in the phrase “catch them young”. It also means a lot of focused engagement with entrepreneurs for investors like him; who have allocated certain capital to venture stage companies knowing the risk and rewards associated with the same. Further, he says embarking on new innovative journeys with entrepreneurs has meant he better understands new age trends which tend to be a source of rejuvenation and out of box thinking that is often useful with other businesses too.

He further adds, “I am a firm believer in India’s robust start-up ecosystem. I entered into the start-up world in 2014 with a start-up called WedMeGood. Ever since I have invested in multiple other startups as an investor, be it Logicmatter which is disrupting the data analytics space or VanLavino setting benchmarks in patisseries domain the journey has been one filled with hard work, joy and growing returns.”

He further added that it is also time to consolidate from being a limited partner and angel to a fund partner with more focused stakes in a segment, class or theme which is targeted for early-stage success.

Talking about 9Unicorns, he adds,

“I admire the aggressiveness, variety, brand, approach of sourcing and funding philosophy of 9Unicorns. It has become a preferred choice for many seed-stage startups. As a Partner at 9Unicorns, I bring the experience of growing, managing large businesses and turn arounds of businesses in stress at the most crucial times. To me, Indian startup’s have a mammoth opportunity to service the 1.3 billion strong market. Thus, I hope to back more market and product leaders with the 9Unicorn”.