Profile: Vani Kola
Current Role
Managing Director and Founder, Kalaari Capital
Professional Background
- Silicon Valley Career (22 years)
- Founded and served as CEO of RightWorks, an e-procurement company. Sold to ICG for $657 million after four years.
- Founded and served as CEO of Certus Software.
- Venture Capital in India
- Co-founded Indo-US Venture Partners (IUVP) in 2006, which was later rebranded to Kalaari Capital in 2012.
- Under her leadership, Kalaari Capital has grown to manage $650 million in assets (as of 2017).
Education
- B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
- M.Eng. from Arizona State University, USA
Achievements and Recognitions
- Recognized as one of the most powerful women in Indian business by Fortune India in 2014.
- Awarded the Midas Touch Award for Best Investor by The Economic Times in 2015.
- Recognized in LinkedIn’s Top Voices (2016).
- Listed among Fortune India's 'Most Powerful Women in Business' in 2018 and 2019.
- Recipient of TiE Delhi-NCR Women Entrepreneurship Summit Award (2018).
Investments and Notable Ventures
- Dream11
- Urban Ladder
- Snapdeal
- Myntra
Kola has effectively demonstrated significant returns for her investors and has been instrumental in establishing new paradigms for Indian consumers.
Philanthropy
- Active role in ACT Grants, supporting health-centric ventures during the COVID-19 pandemic with a corpus of ₹100 crores.
- Heartfulness Institute: Actively involved in fostering human transformation through yoga and meditation.
Professional Philosophy and Contributions
- Kola's investment philosophy revolves around recognizing and mentoring young, ambitious entrepreneurs, particularly first-time founders.
- She is passionate about creating a substantial impact through innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Known for setting high standards in organizational building and being an accessible and trusted advisor to her founders.
Personal Interests and Involvement
- Practices heartfulness meditation and yoga.
- Committed to advancing entrepreneurship and women in leadership roles.
- Family-oriented, married to Srinivas Kola, with two daughters.
Public Presence
- Frequently shares insights and motivational posts on platforms like LinkedIn, offering thought leadership on topics like entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development.
- Influential presence as an author and speaker on various platforms, emphasizing her views on innovation and digital opportunities in India.
Contact Information
- LinkedIn: [Vani Kola LinkedIn Profile](https://in.linkedin.com/in/vanikola)
- Website: [Kalaari Capital](https://kalaari.com/kalaari_team/vani-kola/)
- Company Headquarters Contact: +91-80-6715-9600
This report encompasses all critical aspects of Vani Kola's professional journey, highlighting her significant contributions to the venture capital landscape in India, her investment successes, and her dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship.