VC firm Lightspeed appoints Vivek Gambhir, Kevin Aluwi as venture partners; Know about them

In a strategic move, Lightspeed, the venture capital firm known for supporting startups like Udaan, Oyo, ShareChat, and Razorpay, has announced the appointment of Vivek Gambhir and Kevin Aluwi as venture partners.

The decision, according to the firm, aims to bolster their presence in India and Southeast Asia (SEA).

Who are the two venture partners?

Vivek Gambhir brings with him over three decades of executive experience across various sectors. He previously served as the Chief Executive of Godrej Consumer Products, where he led the home and personal care company.

Gambhir's recent role was as the CEO of boAt, a company specializing in audio products and wearables. Notably, he also serves on the boards of other consumer startups like Mamaearth and Magicpin.

Kevin Aluwi is a well-known figure in the tech communities of Indonesia and SEA. 

He is recognized as the co-founder of Gojek, a pioneering tech company in Indonesia. Gojek gained further prominence after merging with the local e-commerce giant Tokopedia to create GoTo, which went public in 2022.

Collaborating with founders

Bejul Somaia, Partner at Lightspeed, expressed excitement about these appointments. He stated, "At Lightspeed, the strength of our team and partnerships acts as a force multiplier for the founders we serve. We are thrilled to welcome Vivek and Kevin into our growing teams in India and SEA." 

Further stating, “In their roles as Venture Partners, they will collaborate closely with founders, play pivotal roles in shaping their journeys, and contribute significantly to the growth and development of portfolio companies in the region.”

A valuable addition to the team

These appointments hold strategic importance for Lightspeed, given the substantial available capital they have earmarked for investments.

Currently managing a portfolio of $25 billion in assets globally, Lightspeed's primary focus areas include enterprise software, fintech, consumer and commerce, as well as emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, climate technology, and space technology. 

The firm's commitment to the region is evident as they raised $275 million for their third India-focused fund in 2020 and secured an additional $500 million in 2022, specifically to support emerging companies in India and Southeast Asia.

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