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April 17, 2023/
How Singapore remains resilient in the face of the global VC funding slowdown
Press Releases
How Singapore remains resilient in the face of the global VC funding slowdown
Kapil AhujaHead of Business – India Operations for GIFT City Fund
Mr. Kapil brings a wealth of experience in investor relations and Investment engagement having demonstrated a strong track record with both listed and Private Equity/VC Funds. He also previously contributed his expertise at Fireside Ventures & S-Ancial Global. Mr. Kapil holds a Postgraduate degree in Securities Markets.
In TCG, Mr. Kapil will be responsible for overseeing business development and P&L management for our operations in GIFT City.
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Mr. Kamlesh GandhiAdvisor
Mr. Kamlesh Gandhi brings over 42 years of extensive experience in investment banking and capital markets in India. As a former member of the Bombay Stock Exchange for 14 years, he has been associated with prestigious financial institutions such as Centrum Capital Ltd and CIFCO Ltd. He has held board positions in companies like Kirloskar Electric Company, Sundaram-Clayton, and NCL Industries, as well as serving as a director for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and The Bombay Store.
Throughout his career, Mr. Gandhi has successfully raised funds for over 320 capital issues, including greenfield projects that later became blue-chip stocks and large business houses in India. His expertise in merchant banking has been vital in advising TCG on investment strategies, consistently demonstrating sound judgment across various market conditions and sectors. His guidance has significantly contributed to the fund’s portfolio strategy, driving long-term success and delivering superior alpha returns for investors.
Mr. Gandhi has also shared his insights as a frequent speaker at the Bankers Training College and has participated in investment seminars in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, enhancing his influence in the financial community.
Sheikh Essam Khalaf Al-EneziAdvisor
Sheikh Essam Khalaf Al-Enezi, a devout scholar deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Islamic jurisprudence. With a strong academic background and a lifelong dedication to the study and interpretation of Islamic law, he has committed himself to fostering religious understanding and promoting the principles of justice and compassion inherent in the Islamic tradition.
Academic Achievements
Sheikh Mohamed Ali ElgariAdvisor
Sheikh Mohamed Ali Elgari, a distinguished economist known for his profound contributions to the field of economics and his unwavering commitment to global economic development. With a strong educational foundation and decades of experience, he has made it his life’s mission to promote economic understanding and foster positive change on a global scale.
Academic Achievements
Aznan Bin HasanAdvisor
Aznan Bin Hasan, a distinguished scholar in the field of Shariah and Islamic jurisprudence. With a rich academic background and a lifelong commitment to deepening his understanding of Islamic principles, he dedicated his career to the study, teaching, and application of Shariah law in contemporary contexts.
Academic Achievements:
Jicku JacobDirector & Business Head – Middle East & North Africa
Mr. Jicku Jacob is a seasoned professional with more than 2 decades of experience in the financial sector which includes Channel Sales, Distribution & Team Management. He worked with renowned organizations like ICICI Prudential, Allianz, Takaful International etc. His expertise lies in sales, product development, business strategy & execution. His strong leadership skills have helped him build efficient teams and excellent performance. He is a highly result-oriented team player who always goes beyond supporting and strengthening the team.
In TCG, his role encompasses distribution & fundraising, tie up of new alliances etc. in the Middle east, and North Africa regions.
Devi V SSenior Chief Manager – Investor Relations & Operations
Ms. Devi brings over 14 years of extensive expertise in the banking and financial services sector, showcased through her role as Senior Chief Manager at TCG. With a comprehensive skill set spanning branch management, retail banking, credit and risk management, banking operations, trade finance, and compliance, Devi is a seasoned professional adept at navigating various facets of the industry.
In her capacity in TCG, Devi oversees crucial aspects such as client onboarding, investor relations, and operational management, ensuring seamless experiences for all stakeholders involved. Her proficiency in liaising with network partners contributes to facilitating smooth investor onboarding processes, underscoring her dedication to operational excellence and client satisfaction.
Devi’s meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to compliance play a pivotal role in upholding TCG’s standards of service delivery and operational efficiency when it comes to client onboarding and providing service excellence to the investors.
Ashish RaythathaDirector & Business Head – UK
Ashish comes with nearly two decades of experience in regulated capital markets, having built and scaled digital channels for large institutions in the financial services sector. He has worked with FTSE 100 institutions such as Prudential, M&G Asset Management, BP and the London Stock Exchange in leadership roles. He has developed and executed on business strategies by implementing innovative and transformative initiatives to ensure growth within these businesses.
He is an outcome focussed team player who is motivated to grow people and has successfully led large cross functional teams. He has a clear practical approach to work and has a good understanding of financial markets. He has done his MBA from Warwick Business School and is an alumnus of Singularity University.
In TCG, his role encompasses expansion of distribution, forming alliances with network partners, fundraising and portfolio management in the UK.
Rajeemol GRSr. VP – Corporate Communication & HR
Ms. Rajeemol GR has cross-functional experience of nearly two decades in corporate communication, human resources, investor relations, business support, functions, and sales effectiveness. She has worked in various industries like real estate, insurance & FMCG and has been a part of renowned organizations such as Muthoot Group, Max New York Life Insurance, Coca- Coca. During her career, she has demonstrated excellence in the incubation and implementation of various company-wide processes and policies to drive organizational efficiency. She is highly skilled in managing and effectively communicating with cross-cultural teams in a structured manner. Her expertise in HR functions has led organizations to build a strong workforce which has played a pivotal role in their growth trajectory.
A methodical and diligent professional who is adept at working with complex business scenarios and her expertise lies in finding creative solutions. She has worked with senior stakeholders on strategic formulation, planning, and execution at an organization and business unit level. She has also partnered with business leaders on improving sales effectiveness, driving large recruitment initiatives, key leadership hiring, and execution of critical HR projects. Her role entails consulting TCG’s portfolio companies to streamline their Hire-to-retire process, which includes implementing TCG’s strategic appraisal system, and other key HR policies. As head of Corporate Communication, she ensures consistency in communications and creates the right public perception about the organization. She also leads Investor/ Network Partner Relations across geographies and is a part of the fund-raising team. She has a very strong acumen for building distribution networks and plays a significant role in coordinating fundraising operations.
Core Competencies/ Skills
Corporate Communication / Human Resources/ Investor & Network Partner, Relations/ Sales Effectiveness/ Performance Management/ Fund Raising/Project Management / Team Management/ Operations/ Organization, Restructuring / Change Management/ Leadership/ Policies & Compliances/ Business Analysis/ Strategic Planning/Finance & Accounting / HR Governance/Retention Strategy
Mr. Shubham GuptaJoint Manager – Investor Relations & Operations
Mr. Shubham Gupta is an Investor Relations professional who has previously worked with Tata Consultancy Services and Royal bank of Scotland where he was looking into end to end Client on boarding process, KYC Operations, Client Query management for New and existing investors. also worked on Trade Settlement, Trade Confirmation, and Reconciliation of funds for Fixed income securities. Shubham is an MBA from Pune University.
Mr. Ranjith Kumar GSenior Director & Business Head
APAC, Middle East and Africa
Mr. Ranjith Kumar comes with nearly two decades of experience in sales and distribution, having built and scaled distribution for large institutions in the financial services space. He has worked with marquee financial services institutions such as ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and Muthoot Group in leadership roles. He has conceptualized and executed complex distribution channels by strategizing innovative business development initiatives to ensure growth in companies. He serves on the Board of consumer and education sector companies. A thought leader and strategist who has the ability to ideate and execute initiatives while working in an unstructured start-up environment.
Highly result-oriented team player who goes beyond his call of duty to support and strengthen the team. He is adept at managing large teams while ensuring that they reach their maximum potential by utilizing his excellent man management skills. He has a clear practical approach to work and has a profound understanding of international and local financial markets. In TCG, his role encompasses fundraising, expansion of distribution, alliances with network partners, and portfolio management. He has an extensive distribution network across India, the Middle East, South-East Asia, and African markets. He is an expert in developing and maintaining investor/ network partner relationships. He has formulated and executed various innovative strategies to start and build new business structures for portfolio companies.
Core Competencies /Skills
Business Development / Sales & Distribution/ Investor & Network Partner Relations/ Fund – Raising / Alliances & Partnerships/ Portfolio Management/Team Management/Operations/Organization Restructuring & Turnaround /Change Management / Strategy/Leadership
Julia WangAdvisor
Julia Wang, a seasoned investment professional with a passion for navigating the complexities of equity markets, particularly within the dynamic Chinese landscape. With a diverse background and a proven track record in investment management, she has dedicated her career to delivering strategic insights, fostering growth, and creating value for investors and organizations alike.
Professional Expertise
Career Highlights
Monal GuptaAssistant Manager – Legal and Secretarial
Monal Gupta has over 10 years of experience and specializes in areas of Secretarial matters, legal, and compliances. She is an associate member of ICSI and has done Masters in Economics and Economics Hons from Daulatram College, Delhi University. She also possesses experience in mutual funds, equity, insurance, and the stock market.
Ms. Lavanya Devi A MSr. Executive – Corporate Communications & Operation
Ms. Lavanya Devi is handling Corporate Communication, IR and Operations for the fund. She holds a B.Com (Hons.) degree from Delhi University and a master’s degree in Commerce, specializing in International Business. She has significant expertise in HR, Admin, Operations and International Client Management and was previously exposed to different sectors like IT, Education and Healthcare.
Mr. Siddhant MinochaLegal and Secretarial
Mr. Siddhant Minocha is an Associate Member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India. He is part of the legal team handling the legal and Secretarial Compliances of the fund. Siddhant has previously worked with in the Corporate Secretarial team of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Tapasya Group and as Company Secretary of Quatrro Global Services Private Limited.
Mr. Uday UddantiVice President- Operating Pool
Mr. Uday Uddanti has a rich experience of over 9 years with an exposure to sectors like Real Estate, Technology, Material Testing, and Telecom. He is an operating professional at TCG in their Real Estate vertical. He has previously been associated with Accenture and CAMS Systems. His expertise lies in Real Estate Investments, Operations, and Strategy. He is responsible for the acquisition and development of new properties, property selling, and P&L/Cash Flow Management. He is also responsible for sourcing and executing deals.
His strong in-depth knowledge in the real estate sector in Hyderabad has helped strengthen TCG’s real estate portfolio. Uday is a master in implementing TCG’s strategy in the real estate portfolio during the lifecycle of the property. His role entails Sourcing deals, conducting market research, Building financial models, analyzing deals, handling necessary regulatory compliances, and giving recommendations to the fund management on investment. He is closely working with real estate portfolio management for real estate development and sales effectiveness.
Core Competencies / Skills
Business Development/Strategic Partnerships/ Portfolio/Management /Team Management /Operations/Organization/Turnaround/ Sales Effectiveness/ Strategy/ Leadership/ Product Management / Digital Marketing/IT Strategy/ Problem Solving/Program Management / Negotiation / Communication / Analytics/ Real Estate Regulatory Compliance
Mr. Ashwin KumarChief Operating Officer
Mr. Ashwin is a highly qualified professional who is the Chief Operating Officer stationed at TCG’s Bahrain desk. He is a high end banker with across-the-board proficiency of 18 years with Standard Chartered Bank, Kingdom of Bahrain, handling only HNI and UHNI’s relationships in the Priority Banking Division. He holds an MBA from the University of Bangalore. He began his career with Standard Chartered Bank, the Kingdom of Bahrain in Investment, Wealth Management, and Cash Management (Corporate Bank) sector.
He has vast expertise in investment yields, such as CASA, TD, Fixed Income Securities, Structured Investments, Mutual Funds, Equities, Wrap Products, Structured Deposits, Insurance and Derivatives. His knowledge of bestowing Leverage, Overdraft, Mortgages, and Personal Assets are one of a kind. He also has experience in handling UHNI’s relationships and mining valet shares.
Ms. Wanhsi YeongTechnical Partner
Ms. WanHsi Yeong is experienced and knowledgeable in deal origination, execution, and closing, and is skilled in negotiating the regulatory, legal, and compliance intricacies inherent in transactional structuring. With 15 years in cross-border work in the ASEAN and greater Asia area, she understands the complexities of constantly developing market practices, and has deep knowledge of execution processes. She is a family office practitioner and registered as a member of the Global-Asia Family Office Circle (GFO Circle supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Her expertise lies in private wealth, financial services, fund management structuring, family office work (including soft management skills for Family Office clients), Corporate, Securities and Capital Markets, and Fintech work. She also has over a decade-of-.experience in social responsibility work. Her role in TCG involves identifying suitable deals in the private equity, family office, and funds space, assisting high net worth individuals and families in the creation and structuring of fund structures, succession, legacy and wealth planning, and business growth
Core Competencies / Skills
Deal Structuring and sourcing /ASEAN, Asia Network/ Corporate Finance/Securities/ Family Office/ Compliance, Regulation, & Advisory SG centric incentives and tax schemes Alliance and Partnerships/ Legacy and Succession Planning
V C VinodPartner – Governance Services
Mr. V C. Vinod brings to TCG decades of experience as a counselor and advisor to family-run, businesses and HNIs on the important subject of ‘Inter-generational Wealth Transfer’. It has been his experience that the challenges are almost always of ‘human’ nature as opposed to legal or operational ones. Vinod’s unique expertise lies in helping clients address the ‘philosophical questions’ as a first step. Once that is done, he actively supports them to form ‘family councils’ and then establish the ‘rules of engagement’ of the council. He also acts as a respected ‘mentor’ to the younger members of the family.
This helps him in minimizing conflicts and better resolve them when they occur. Vinod has extensive experience working with families from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Being of Indian origin and having lived in London, the US, and the Middle East, Vinod is uniquely placed to assist clients of the Indian diaspora.
Ms. Elizabeth TayDirector – Investment Services
Ms. Elizabeth Tay Poh Suan is a seasoned Private Banker. She has rich banking and financial services experience with Bank of America private banking in the ’90s, UBS from 2000 to 2008, Deutsche Bank from 2008 to 2013, and Royal Bank of Canada from 2013. She built and managed portfolios of wealth management clients who were mainly Asians, known them for many years, and are the first and second generation. Her expertise lies in close banking relationships with her clients.
Based on her assessment of their needs and risks profile, Elizabeth worked closely with the bank’s Investment Team to create and enforce investment ideas hence initiating an appropriate portfolio according to their risk appetite. She also worked in partnership with the sales team on new sales and cross-selling opportunities for prospective clients.
Being a MAS-regulated private banker, Elizabeth has attended and participated in various relevant courses organized by the Institute of Banking financial institutions (IBF), as well as all the in-house mandatory banking programs in financial institutions she had worked previously. Her role in TCG as a member of the Investment Team for the Singapore Fund structure is to support the management of the organization when the need arises; to keep abreast of TCG’s product offerings and be aligned to the organization’s value as a representative.
Core Competencies/Skills
Private Banking / Wealth Management/ ASEAN, Asia Networks/ Portfolio Management/ Sales Operations/ Investment Judgement/Investor Relations Leadership/ Business Development/ Risk Management
Mr. Sherroy OngTechnical Partner
Mr. Sherroy Ong is a well-seasoned structured, and successful advisor and closed many deals in his career in the financial world for the last 20+ years. He is also well-versed in the regulatory landscape and able to maneuver every step of a transaction (especially in liaising with the regulators in Singapore). He is also a family office practitioner and registered as a member of the Global-Asia Family Office Circle (GFO Circle), supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
He is also focused on ASEAN and greater Asia cross-border work and familiar with the “rig morrows” /”nuances” of a particular transaction in a particular country. His expertise lies in Private Wealth, Financial Services, Fund Management structuring, Family Office work (including soft management skills for Family Office clients), and Corporate and IP services work. His role in TCG involves identifying suitable deals in the private equity, family office, high net worth individuals, creation and structuring of funds, and using Singapore as a springboard for wealthy clients to set up their global operations and “connect the dots” on the myriad of FTAs that Singapore has to offer to global family office businesses to the world.
Core Competencies / Skills
Deal Sourcing/Deal Structuring/ASEAN, Asia Network/SG centric incentives and tax schemes/ Corporate Finance / Regulation and Advisory/ Alliance Partnerships/Family office/Succession Planning /Trust Planning/ “Connect the dots” /Value Creation
Mr. Chandan KumarPartner
Mr. Chandan Kumar is an experienced Investment Professional, having worked for more than twelve years in Private Equity and Venture Capital. He previously worked With Baring Private Equity Partners India. He has handled multiple investments and exit processes including deal sourcing, deal evaluation, due diligence, and legal agreements across sectors such as Technology, Financial Services, Real Estate, Media, Chemicals, Automotive, Agriculture, Logistics, and Infrastructure.
He has also played a critical role in the operating management of portfolio companies and has significant experience in managing various functional areas including strategy, merger, and acquisitions, P&L management of specific business units, corporate finance, alliance management, and sales & marketing. He serves on the board of several companies in real estate and wealth management sectors.
His expertise lies in Deal Sourcing, Deal Evaluation, and Investment Judgement. An analytical mindset combined with strategic thinking, his strength lies in devising and implementing creative investment strategies. Meticulous attention to detail, ability to think critically, resourcefulness, and an execution-oriented, positive attitude are key attributes that he possesses.
His role in TCG involves ideation and identification of new investment opportunities in key strategic sectors/investment themes, investment evaluation, and execution of investments and exits, While also playing a value creation role with portfolio companies steering them toward maximizing profitability and margin expansion. His extensive experience in the Private Equity and Venture Capital sector has been instrumental in developing differentiated investment strategies for the firm across multiple asset classes. He is also involved in business development and hiring for leadership roles for the firm.
Core Competencies/Skills
Deal Sourcing/Deal Evaluation / Due Diligence/ Investment Judgement/ M&A /Investment Negotiation & Structuring/ Corporate Finance/ Business Valuation / Financial Modelling/ Business Development/ Portfolio Management/ Margin Expansion/ Strategy/Corporate Governance/ Sales Operations/ Alliances & Partnerships/Buyside Expertise
Mr. Punyashlok BhaktaPartner
Mr. Punyashlok Bhakta is a seasoned private equity investment and operations professional with more than 22 years of experience in strategic roles across investing, building and scaling consumption-based businesses in various industries. He has served blue-chip companies such as Asian paints and L’Oreal in leadership roles. He has held various roles spanning across marketing, product development, and business strategy & execution. He serves on the Board of several companies in the consumer goods, value chain, and digital sectors. His strong leadership skills have helped build strong teams and ensure projects/ initiatives are always performed successfully.
He is highly skilled in Portfolio Management and Business Strategy. Excellent communicator, capable of translating complex business objectives into actionable KRA/KPIs across verticals. His operational strength lies in new strategy execution, production in the consumer space, and networking. His expertise in valuation, due diligence, integration, driving corporate change, and sales excellence, enables creating and maximizing value.
His role in TCG involves identifying acquisitions and devising turnaround/ margin expansion strategies for portfolio companies. His deep understanding of marketing and product development has been critical in driving innovative product offerings across portfolio companies, especially in the FMCG sector. He is also driving business expansion across multiple asset classes and a key member of the hiring committee for leadership roles and developing winning strategies for portfolio companies.
Core Competencies/Skills
Brand Management/ Product Design & Development/ Digital Media/Online & Offline Marketing / Business Development/ Fund Raising/ Investor Relations/ Buy Side Expertise/ Investment Judgement/ Portfolio Management / Innovation / Strategy/ Leadership / Margin Expansion /Organization Restructuring & Turnaround/ Buyout/ Sales Operations/ Process Excellence
Mr. Stephen WeilAdvisor
Mr. Stephen Well has a strong international corporate finance background, over 30 years, focused on delivering growth and good business across the globe for clients, employers, and colleagues; and structuring international partnership and joint venture deals for clients. He set up his own business in 1990 to provide specialist advice and expertise to grow businesses seeking to develop new markets in Britain, Europe, and North America. His business has grown into one of Europe’s top business practices focused uniquely on supporting clients’ growth internationally through partnerships, joint ventures, alliance management, and new market entry services.
He is a Non-Executive Chairman in an e-commerce marketplace. He has specialized in winning and delivering advisory mandates, particularly in cross-border technology, real estate sectors, media, and financial services. His expertise covers M&A, New Issues on the Stock Exchange, and Private Equity Funding. He has extensive experience in opening new markets while retaining the openness of a team from diverse national and professional backgrounds.
His expertise includes SEIS Investment/ EIS Investment, Crowdfunding, Angel investing, Start-ups, Market entry strategy, Partnering, and specialist in corporate finance advice. His extensive industry and governance experience along with a strong network enables TCG to significantly expand its global reach and outlook. His advice helps the team in building a strong global ecosystem encompassing areas of fund management, investments, operations, and consulting.
Mr. Moyez AlibhaiAdvisor
Mr. Moyez Alibhai who is based out of Nairobi has extensive experience of over 35 years in starting, acquiring, and building businesses and corporate governance. He is the Chairman of the Aga Khan University Council Kenya, Aga Khan Health Service Kenya, PDM (a long-established property manager and developer), and Capital Club East Africa.
Mr. S. SathyamoorthyAdvisor
Mr. Sathyamoorthy’s career trajectory of 54 years has expanded his extramural horizons. Qualified as an Arbitrator, Elected as Honorary Executive Director of Anti-Corruption Academy of India, Appointed Director in Pasupati Acrylon Ltd, Chaired APS Management Consultants (P) Ltd, became Management Trustee of Chennai Age Care. He has specialized in Banking, Economics, Auditing, and Accounting. A qualified civil service professional having served in prestigious roles in the Indian Government. He has served in the ministries of Government of India and in the offices of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
During his tenure, he gained exposure and experience, particularly in the Ministry of Shipping, and Ministry of Human Resources. Mr. Sathyamoorthy led the Indian Delegations to Singapore, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Turkmenistan, and Peru. His creative writing blossomed into 17 books and a weekly column for ten years. He has delivered several professional lectures, participated in international conferences, and acted as a Brand Ambassador, in addition to the many roles he has held during his professional journey.
Mr. Sathyamoorthy’s rich experience in SEBI regulations, Alternative Investment route, Company Law Prescriptions, and CSO’s has helped TCG to strengthen their fund and portfolio compliance regulations. He has addressed potential investors in Kenya, Dubai, and Australia to name a few, and met with, Judiciary High Ups, IPO experts, International Bankers, and Medium Sized Entrepreneurs in the private sector
Mr. Vikas TalwarLegal and Secretarial
Mr. Vikas Talwar true to his last name is as assertive as the sword when it comes to leadership. He is TIW’s legal & secretarial head. He holds a LAW degree under his belt, a BCOM graduate, and A CS certification by the Institute of Company Secretaries. His skills are wrapped around secretarial work, corporate governance, joint ventures, corporate law, legal compliance, intellectual property, auditing, and mergers & acquisition. He has several years of experience working in leadership roles as general manager or secretary head for NIIT Smart Serve, Escosoft Technologies Limited, Quatrro Global Services, and Quatrro Mortgage solutions. Vikas continues to play an important role handling all legal affairs and compliance with TIW.
Dr. Rabi BastiaAdvisor – Investments
Dr. Rabi Narayan Bastia needs no curtain-raiser in India and is also recognized globally for his contribution as a scientist. He has been celebrated and cited by the Indian Geoscientist and Padmashree awardee for his discovery of Natural Gas at the Krishna Godavari Basin, in the Bay of Bengal in 2002. He got his degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, with his thesis validated by Alberta University and the University of Oklahoma. He received the Gold Medal of the Association of Exploration Geophysicists. He has also been featured in who’s who in the American program and still holds several awards and recognitions for his discovery and advancement in petroleum. TCG is honored to have him on the advisory committee member to impart valuable advice and assessments on business strategies and investment plans to increase investors’ wealth.
