Ratan Tata's solid belief in Indian startup: Invested in Ola, Paytm, and others

Ratan Tata passes away: Ratan Tata, the visionary chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has caught the headlines for his eternal love affair with startups. He has invested in more than 30 startups. He was known for razer-focused approach in identifying startups with huge growth potential and immense social impact value. Here are some of the startups in which Ratan Tata was one of the investors. 

Tata is also known for altering the fabric of entrepreneurship for the country. His latest investment in FirstCry- an online retailer that specialises in baby products, marks yet another instance of his efforts for innovative undertakings. He invested in mobility startup Ola in 2015, 5 years after the establishment of Ola. 

Tata's E-commerce Ventures

The country is witnessing an e-commerce growth spurt comparable with that of the US and China, and Tata has effectively positioned himself as one of the top angel investors. He had invested in eight e-commerce companies, including three of India's unicorns – Ola, Paytm, and Snapdeal. 

Investing for Impact

Investments by Ratan Tata go beyond profit margins. Apart from favoring businesses that add value to people's lives or upgrade them, he also funded startups with a social mission to them, such as Goodfellows and Swasth India. Goodfellows is a company founded by Shantanu Naidu with the objective of fighting loneliness in elders by matching them with younger befrienders. That would speak volumes of Tata's dedicated leadership towards society's betterment. For him, an investment in a venture is a deeply personal commitment, again motivated by admiration for its mission and vision.

Tata explained, "I have invested in companies that appealed to me from the founder's perspective of what the company is trying to do," with an overarching aspect being his belief in the strength of inter-generational relationships.

A guiding force for entrepreneurs

For startups, when Tata invests, he seems more of a mentor to them. Ola's CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has said: "Huge endorsement from one of the most respected business leaders." He was confident that Tata would take the responsibility to guide the vision for India for future mobility. Much more than just money, this is about mentorship.

Some of His Marquee Investments and Future Prospects

Invictus Oncology: Developing targeted anti-cancer drugs

Moglix: A platform revolutionizing the manufacturing tech space by offering an online platform for procurement of spare parts and materials

Teabox: Curating tea experiences from specific regions

FirstCry: An online baby care and maternity product store

CashKaro: The cashback and couponing platform that is currently making waves in consumer savings

Goodfellows: The gap between seniors and younger companions based to alleviate loneliness.

Ola: The cab aggregator that is an India pioneer and a key player in electric mobility space through Ola Electric

Paytm: A digital payments platform that has grown into a leading marketplace

Ratan Tata’s investments provide not just capital but also a vote of confidence for emerging entrepreneurs. As the time-bound legacy of Tata takes its shape in the startup ecosystem, his influence will surely imprint upon India's entrepreneurial.