The platform aims to deploy $100M in India in the next 4 years

January 21, 2021: Antler, one of the world’s fastest growing early-stage VC platforms, welcomes Nitin Sharma, who is joining as a Partner and co-lead for all India efforts. To help accelerate the tremendous innovation and value creation in the Indian tech ecosystem, Antler aims to invest over US$100M in India across funds in the next 4 years. These funds will  support exceptional founders from the idea stage, all the way to Series A/B. Nitin will co-lead the India efforts with Rajiv Srivatsa, co-founder of Urban Ladder.

Nitin Sharma brings over a decade of experience in global venture capital, having invested in 50+ tech startups in multiple geographies. Most recently, he was the founder of FirstPrinciples VC, a thesis-driven syndicate and portfolio of 35+ startups, including Fynd, (acq. by Reliance), OnJuno, Niki, Kutumb, SharesPost (acq. By Forge), XOKind and many others backed by marquee investors. Nitin’s investing journey has previously spanned US venture capital at NEA and being a founding team principal at Lightbox Ventures in India. 

Previously, Nitin was a founding team principal at Lightbox Ventures, one of India’s leading consumer-focused VCs , where he supported the first two funds since inception. Earlier in his career, Nitin learnt the ropes of venture investing in the US while at NEA, one of the world’s preeminent venture funds, where he invested in multiple companies with successful IPO and M&A outcomes, and also co-led the firm’s first Edtech investment. 

“ We look forward to continuing the “first principles” approach to investing with a focus on emerging themes, a global mindset and hands-on help.  While opportunities in India are boundless, what has also become clear from my extensive work with founders is that a few key gaps persist especially at the seed and pre-seed stage.These strengths become even more important as we enter an era of “build from India, for the world”, something I am extremely excited about. I am particularly enthused about the opportunity to co-lead this with someone as inspiring as Rajiv. In addition, all FirstPrinciples portfolio startups will now have access to Antler’s vast global network, capital and resources.”

“India is a priority market in Antler’s objective to create a world-changing impact. India is a hotbed of innovation and we are thrilled to double-down on the market with this leadership team. Nitin is a unique investor who has invested not just across multiple stages and economic cycles, but also ventured early in exciting areas like blockchain and digital assets. We look forward to his continuing impact in enabling exceptional founders from India’s digital economy, and also with new initiatives at the global level” says Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO, Antler.

Nitin was also an early executive at EverFi, one of the world's largest education networks, reaching 41 million learners, with $250M raised. He started his career as a technology investment banker at UBS in San Francisco.