Why I Stopped Wearing My Socks

by Alok Kejriwal

I always thought of VCs to be financial investors, but the partnership, funding and active participation by Softbank to set up our China business showed me how truly supportive, hands-on and valuable a VC relationship could be if they had the ability to incubate and launch startup businesses. In the event that startup entrepreneurs have a choice to choose between multiple VCs, they should consider giving extra points to those VCs who could help in executing their business as opposed to those who are only interested in funding the business. The success of Ranga in China and his flawless execution in kickstarting a difficult, new-age business in a hostile country taught me that an entrepreneur must strive to hire people better than himself to be his partners. I learned that nothing was impossible if you have an innovative and disruptive business idea—not even going to a super-competitive market like China and competing with the Chinese!