In today’s episode, I sit down with Rajesh Sehgal, venture capitalist and Managing Partner at Equanimity Investments. Rajesh has spent decades across investing, including a long stint at Franklin Templeton where he worked across emerging markets through multiple cycles with Dr. Mark Mobius, before moving deeper into early-stage venture capital. Through Equanimity, he backs founders building across categories from consumer brands like Renee Cosmetics to EV battery manufacturer Neuron Energy.
Today we’re unpacking the real, behind-the-scenes world of venture capital and startup investing in India.
In this conversation, we explore:
• Rajesh’s remarkable journey from stock markets to global investing and early-stage VC
• What venture capital really is and how VC funds actually work
• The ideal funding path for first-time founders (Friends & Family → Angels → VCs)
• What VCs look for in founders vs. business ideas + 3 major red flags
• How to build a strong, investor-ready pitch deck and common mistakes to avoid
• Real case study: Why he invested in Renee Cosmetics in a crowded beauty market
• How early-stage startup valuations actually work
• Biggest opportunities for the next decade: Defense, Infrastructure, Space, EV/Batteries and more
• The gender funding gap in Indian startups and why it exists
• Sectors at risk of disruption due to AI and technology
• The rise of the 10-minute convenience economy and its long-term impact
• Top 3 book recommendations every founder should read
If you’re a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about how venture capital works in India, this episode is packed with practical, unfiltered insights you won’t want to miss.
IP Created & Produced by CinePixel Studios
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About Adhunika
Adhunika Singh is a serial entrepreneur, branding expert, and motivational speaker. She’s the founder of Look What Happened, a design-led lifestyle brand known for its bold storytelling and creative innovation. Through her podcast One Little Secret, Adhunika dives into unfiltered conversations around mindset, business, and self-growth - uncovering the raw, often unheard truths that shape extraordinary journeys.
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What is One Little Secret with Adhunika Singh?
Welcome to One Little Secret with Adhunika Singh — the podcast where untold truths, personal breakthroughs, and behind-the-scenes moments come to light. Each week, Adhunika sits down with fascinating guests from all walks of life — creators, founders, changemakers, artists, and everyday heroes — to uncover that one little secret that changed everything for them.
Whether it’s a moment of vulnerability, a hidden mindset shift, or a story that never made it to social media, this show is raw, real, and deeply inspiring. Expect honest conversations, a few laughs, and takeaways that make you think, “I needed to hear this.”
Because sometimes, all it takes is one little secret to change your life.