In a deeply insightful episode of The Journey With Simarpreet Singh, hosted by podcaster Simarpreet Singh, we meet the visionary leader Ankit Kedia, founder of the venture capital firm Capital A and former promoter director of Manjuri Technopack. This conversation is a powerful masterclass in entrepreneurship, a deep dive into the journey of scaling a family business, making a strategic exit, and investing in the next generation of nation-builders.
Mr. Kedia reflects on his beginnings, joining his family’s plastic packaging business not with a fancy title, but on the factory floor. He speaks about the humbling yet crucial lessons learned from the ground up, an experience that shaped his entire leadership philosophy. His story is a powerful reminder that the most effective leaders earn respect, not demand it, and that an authentic understanding of your business provides a foundation that no MBA can teach.
The conversation then shifts to his role in scaling Manjuri Technopack into South Asia’s largest plastic packaging company. He emphasizes that the right investor is a strategic partner, not just a financier, and details how partnerships with private equity firms helped professionalize the business for exponential growth. This journey of scaling and executing a successful exit offers an invaluable and rarely heard perspective for any entrepreneur.
One of the most profound segments of the episode is Mr. Kedia’s new mission as a venture capitalist. He stresses the importance of financial discipline and building a business with a clear path to profitability, a refreshing counter-narrative to the modern startup world’s obsession with valuations. He believes that founder-market fit is as crucial as product-market fit, backing founders who have the passion and clarity to build sustainable, impactful businesses.
Ultimately, Mr. Kedia’s story is about a transition from building an industrial empire to shaping India’s startup ecosystem. He shares a vision for a new generation of entrepreneurs who build businesses that last, rooted in profitability and respect. His journey is a testament to the power of hands-on experience, strategic partnership, and a clear, sustainable vision for the future.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation:
- True leadership is earned on the shop floor.
- Choose investors who are strategic partners, not just financiers.
- Build your business for profitability, not just for valuation.
- Founder-market fit is as important as product-market fit.
- Humility and clarity are your greatest pitching tools.
Listen now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ev60ZSYIhHE?si=lHSDTTwTklzyQuIU
