Q1. Can you tell us a bit about your journey in the financial sector and how you became a seasoned CFO and investment banker with over 20 years of experience?

My journey towards becoming a seasoned CFO and a leading investment banker was far from linear; it was marked by challenges, setbacks, and a commitment to continuous growth. Starting as an introverted student with low scores, I transformed adversity into resilience and personal development.

Despite language barriers and a Hindi medium background, I excelled in both Engineering and management, driven by my affinity for numbers. This passion led me to embrace the rigorous CFA program with guidance from a mentor.

My time at top firms like Grant Thornton exposed me to significant deals, bolstering my determination to excel in investment banking. Working with a wide range of clients, from startups to corporations, I’ve provided valuable insights in investment banking and capital markets. My expertise spans technology, healthcare, and energy sectors, where I’ve played a pivotal role as a CFO in driving growth and strategic objectives.

Wearing the hats of both CFO and investment banker has endowed me with a comprehensive perspective, enabling me to offer effective guidance to clients. I firmly believe that challenges can be surmounted through dedication, and success in any field hinges on a commitment to continual excellence.

Q2. Throughout your career, you’ve held various leadership positions at notable organizations. Could you elaborate on some of the key milestones and experiences that have shaped your financial leadership approach?

My journey began as a Senior Consultant at Grant Thornton in 2009, where I immersed myself in the world of transaction advisorry. I gained hands-on experience and knowledge in financial analysis, deal structuring, and strategic decision-making. Through hard work and dedication, small failures and colossal triumphs, I quickly progressed through the ranks, eventually becoming the Director of Transaction Advisory at the firm by 2015. 

One of my key milestones was successfully completing the Oman Railway and Ethiopian Airport Project development for China Development Bank fund raise along with attracting well known higher education providers to expand wings in GCC. These projects allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of different industries, business models, and financial complexities. It also gave me the opportunity to connect with Middle East-based sovereign wealth funds, private equities, and venture capitalists based out of Dubai, Bangalore, and Mumbai. 

These connections pushed me to pick up my escape velocity and land in the transactional sphere of the investment banking world. I took on the challenge of leading a team of investment bankers, providing strategic advice to companies on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPO), and other critical transactions. 

Through my experiences, I have developed a financial leadership approach that is grounded in lifelong learning, dedication, and hard work. I have learned that success is within reach for those who dare to dream big and remain steadfast in the face of challenges. I hope that my journey will inspire and motivate aspiring finance professionals worldwide to chart their own paths from underdog to unicorn in the world of investment banking.

Q3. Your book “Underdog to Unicorn” sounds intriguing. Could you give us a glimpse into the themes and insights you cover in the book?

The book “From Underdog to Unicorn: Mastering Investment Banking, Valuations, and Startup Success” presents a captivating journey of individuals who transform from underdogs to unicorns, defying odds and societal expectations. It’s a testament to resilience, knowledge, and the potential within investment banking, valuations, and startups.

Divided into three parts, the book delves into Investment Banking Fundamentals, unraveling company valuations, financial modeling, and informed investment decisions. It navigates Startup Ecosystems and Success Strategies, offering insights into identifying opportunities, building networks, and navigating the challenges of financing startups. Personal Insights and Expert Advice provide strategies for growth, overcoming startup challenges, and exploring emerging trends.

Themes covered include:

• Overcoming Challenges: The book emphasises resilience, determination, and hard work in surmounting challenges. It inspires readers to push past setbacks and pursue excellence.

• Investment Banking: The book provides a comprehensive understanding of investment banking roles, transactions, and future industry trends. It demystifies mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs.

• Company Valuations: Readers gain insights into methods of valuing companies and the factors influencing valuations, essential for making informed financial decisions.

• Startup Success: Strategies for scaling startups and achieving unicorn status are explored, along with techniques to navigate risks and challenges unique to startups.
• Personal Growth: The book emphasises personal development and seizing opportunities for growth. It encourages readers to embrace change, pushing beyond limits for success.

“From Underdog to Unicorn” is an invaluable resource for professionals, entrepreneurs and students of investment banking, aspiring to excel in investment banking and startups. It equips readers with knowledge, tools, and a mindset needed to thrive in competitive landscapes just in 300 pages. The journey from underdog to unicorn is about embracing possibilities, pursuing excellence, and transforming challenges into triumphs. This book sets the stage for that transformative journey.

Q4. One of your accomplishments includes orchestrating a 5-year growth strategy that significantly increased the company’s valuation. What were some of the pivotal strategies you implemented during this transformational period?

During my transformational period at my last organisation, several pivotal strategies were implemented, contributing to the remarkable growth of the company’s valuation from $50 million to $0.5 billion proposed over five years:

• Strategic Growth Planning: A comprehensive 5-year strategy was devised, achieving an impressive 10x growth rate within the designated timeline with specific focus on area of operation (product), value add services (vas) and optimisation of cost centers. This strategy laid the foundation for all subsequent initiatives.

• Fundraising Success: Capital raising efforts exceeded expectations, securing approximately $5 million through banking channels to leverage the company balance sheet. This surpassed the initial funding target by 150%, attracting significant interest from key investors and lenders.

• Investor Engagement: Conducted over 50 investor roadshows and presentations, resulting in the engagement of five prominent investors and financial institutions. This engagement fortified the company’s financial foundation.

• JV Contracts and Partnerships: Negotiated and established joint venture contracts with legacy automakers, fostering collaboration with an EV platform company and contributing to the resurgence of localComputers. These partnerships provided access to new markets and opportunities.

• Financial Modelling: Developed accurate financial models in collaboration with a dedicated team. These models streamlined stakeholder and investor relations, maintaining a deviation rate of less than 5% from actual financial outcomes.

• Risk Management Implementation: Implemented robust financial controls and risk management frameworks, reducing financial irregularities by 15% and enhancing overall compliance.

• Operational Efficiency Enhancement: Executed cost optimization initiatives resulting in a 20% reduction in operational expenses. This included measures such as regularizing GST for the Mobile refurbishment business and establishing a new fab unit.

• M&A Evaluation and Execution: Inorganic growth along with inorganic growth remained key to exponential growth, adding confidence to stakeholder target valuation. Conducted meticulous due diligence for potential mergers and acquisitions, evaluating opportunities based on strategic alignment and financial viability, particularly within the Car and laptop manufacturing sectors.
• Financial Performance Monitoring: Established and monitored key financial and operational KPIs, enhancing visibility into performance and facilitating well-informed decision-making across the organization.

These strategies collectively drove the company’s exceptional growth trajectory, showcasing the successful orchestration of various initiatives to achieve significant valuation expansion.

Q5. Startups often struggle with securing the necessary funding for their growth. What advice would you give to early-stage entrepreneurs when it comes to attracting investment and managing their finances effectively?

Absolutely, attracting investment and managing finances effectively are crucial for early-stage entrepreneurs. Here are succinct pieces of advice to guide them:

• Diversify Funding Sources: Explore various funding avenues like venture capital, angel investors, accelerators, and grants. Diversification increases your chances of success and reduces dependency on a single source.

• Craft a Compelling Narrative: Create a clear and compelling pitch that outlines your business’s value proposition, target market, and growth potential. Highlight your unique selling points and the problem you’re solving.

• Build Relationships: Networking is key. Build genuine relationships with potential investors, mentors, and industry peers. These connections can lead to valuable insights and funding opportunities.

• Validate and Iterate: Before seeking significant funding, validate your business concept through a minimum viable product (MVP) and gather user feedback. Iterate based on insights to show potential investors your adaptability.

• Focus on Traction: Investors are more likely to invest if you can demonstrate traction. Showcase user adoption, revenue generation, or partnerships to prove your business’s viability.

• Financial Prudence: Maintain rigorous financial discipline. Create a detailed budget, closely monitor expenses, and prioritize allocation of funds to critical growth areas.

• Investor Fit: Look for investors who align with your business vision and bring value beyond capital. A strategic investor can provide industry insights, mentorship, and valuable connections.

• Transparency and Communication: Build trust with investors through transparent communication. Keep them informed about milestones, challenges, and pivots. Address concerns openly.

• Scalable Business Model: Develop a scalable business model that shows potential for substantial growth. Clearly outline your plan for scaling operations, reaching new markets, and increasing revenue.

• Adaptability: Be prepared to pivot if needed. The ability to recognize market shifts and adjust your strategy demonstrates agility and enhances your chances of success.

Incorporating these strategies will empower early-stage entrepreneurs to secure funding and manage their finances effectively, setting a strong foundation for growth and success. For more in-depth insights, “From Underdog to Unicorn” provides detailed tactics and strategic moves in the realm of funding and finance for startups.

Q6. Effective leadership plays a significant role in driving teams toward success. Can you share your approach to mentoring and guiding high-performing teams, particularly in the financial sector where precision and adaptability are crucial?

Effective leadership is crucial in driving teams toward success. In the financial sector, precision and adaptability are crucial, and leaders must be able to guide high-performing teams to achieve their goals. The book suggests that effective leaders should focus on the following approaches to mentoring and guiding high-performing teams:

1. Set clear goals: Leaders should set clear goals that align with the company’s vision and mission. They should communicate these goals to their teams and provide regular feedback on progress.

2. Foster a culture of collaboration: Leaders should foster a culture of collaboration where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together to achieve common goals.

3. Provide ongoing training and development: Leaders should provide ongoing training and development opportunities to help team members build their skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends.

4. Encourage innovation: Leaders should encourage innovation and creativity by providing a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things.

By following these approaches, leaders can mentor and guide high-performing teams to achieve success in the financial sector, where precision and adaptability are crucial.

Q7. Could you shed light on any emerging trends or shifts in the startup advisory and investment banking landscape that entrepreneurs and financial professionals should be aware of?

The book “From Underdog to Unicorn” meticulously delves into future trends and recent phenomena in investment banking. This is extensively explored through dedicated chapters, providing invaluable insights into the changing landscape of startup advisory and investment banking.

In one chapter I have meticulously outlined pivotal trends shaping the investment banking sector:

• Digital Transformation: Traditional practices are redefined as digital transformation introduces efficiency and innovation into the industry.
• Fintech Disruption: Fintech startups disrupt banking with agile, cost-effective, and convenient solutions.
• Regulatory Evolution: Regulatory shifts drive transparency and risk management in investment banking.
• ESG Focus: Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments gain momentum as companies emphasise sustainability and social responsibility.

In another chapter I shifted the focus to emerging trends in the startup advisory domain:

• Specialised Advisory Growth: Tailored guidance gains significance as specialized advisory firms cater to distinct industries and growth stages.
• Diversity and Inclusion Emphasis: Advisory entities champion diversity, recognizing its enriching impact on the startup landscape.
• Data Analytics Importance: Data analytics becomes pivotal in startup advisory, facilitating trend identification, performance assessment, and informed decision-making.
• Remote Work Transition: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates remote work adoption, compelling advisory firms to innovate client collaboration.

Acquainting yourself with these dynamic trends equips entrepreneurs and financial experts to flourish in the competitive startup ecosystem. This awareness positions them for success amid the evolving terrains of the business world.

Q8. For those looking to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give to aspiring finance professionals who aspire to achieve a significant impact in the financial sector?

For those aspiring to follow in the author’s footsteps and achieve a notable impact in the financial sector, here are some valuable pieces of advice:

• Embrace a Growth Mindset: Cultivate a growth mindset that welcomes challenges and treats failures as learning opportunities. Continuous learning and improvement are essential traits for success.
• Build a Strong Network: Establish a robust network of mentors, industry experts, and peers. Networking provides insights, career prospects, and valuable support along the journey.
• Pursue Diverse Experiences: Seek diverse experiences, including roles in various industries or functions. This helps in developing a versatile skill set and a holistic understanding of the business landscape.
• Cultivate Adaptability: The financial industry evolves rapidly. Successful professionals need to adapt to changes swiftly, adjusting strategies and approaches to remain relevant.
• Champion Diversity and Inclusion: Contributing to diversity and inclusion is vital for a fair and sustainable finance industry. Seek opportunities to advocate for diversity within workplaces and communities.

By adhering to these pieces of advice, aspiring finance professionals can position themselves for triumph in the competitive financial domain, enabling them to leave a significant mark on their careers and the industry as a whole.

Q9. Lastly, you’ve accomplished a remarkable journey in the financial world, with a focus on driving growth and transformation. What legacy do you hope to leave behind as a financial leader and mentor?

My aspiration is to leave behind a profound legacy as a financial leader and mentor, one that reverberates through time. This vision is realized by means of writing books, facilitating startups in achieving unicorn status, and assisting major corporations in realizing their growth aspirations, thereby becoming leaders in their respective domains and enhancing customer experiences.

At the core of this legacy is the dedication to inspire and empower the upcoming generation of finance professionals. This is accomplished through the sharing of wisdom, personal experiences, and insights. Recognizing the pivotal significance of mentorship and the cultivation of diversity and inclusivity, these endeavors are deemed foundational for the ongoing evolution and innovation within the financial industry.

Integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct constitute the fundamental principles of this legacy. These values guide every interaction, recognizing that trust and credibility form the bedrock of the finance sector. With an unwavering commitment to these principles, the aim is to nurture an environment that fosters equitable and sustainable progress.

Furthermore, the legacy envisions an imprint of innovation and transformation. The potential for disruption within the financial sphere is acknowledged, driven by emerging technologies and fresh business models that can catalyze growth and deliver value to all stakeholders. By embracing change and calculated risk, the intention is to spark creative thinking in others, motivating them to explore unconventional avenues and seize novel opportunities.

Ultimately, the desired legacy is one of positive influence, both within the finance industry and in the lives of those who have been mentored and collaborated with. Through empowerment and the advocacy of constructive change, the aspiration is to craft an enduring legacy that shapes the trajectory of the financial sector for generations to come.