Hemant Mohapatra

Hemant Mohapatra is a Partner at Lightspeed India Partners Advisors, where he focuses on investing in various sectors including SaaS, enterprise infrastructure, and deep tech areas such as crypto and AR/VR. He has a notable investment range, typically between $1 million and $10 million, with a sweet spot around $4 million. Mohapatra has been involved in 24 recorded investments, demonstrating a strong interest in supporting early-stage startups across different industries.12

Professional Background

Mohapatra's career path has been diverse. He began his journey at IIT Bombay, where he developed a passion for computer science. His early professional experience includes roles as a hardware and software engineer, product manager, and later as a deal-maker at Google. At Google, he led a significant growth investment in Avere Systems, which was later acquired by Microsoft. This experience ignited his interest in venture capital, leading him to join Andreessen Horowitz in Silicon Valley, focusing on software infrastructure technology.24

In 2018, Mohapatra returned to India and has since witnessed the maturation of the Indian startup ecosystem. He emphasizes the need for VCs who can offer experiential insights rather than theoretical advice, reflecting his belief in the importance of understanding the entrepreneurial journey.24

Personal Interests

In addition to his professional pursuits, Hemant Mohapatra is also a poet and has received several awards for his literary work, including the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award and the Harper Collins Poetry Prize. He enjoys hiking, playing the piano, and photography, showcasing a well-rounded personality that balances his analytical and creative sides.23

Overall, Hemant Mohapatra is recognized not only for his investment acumen but also for his empathy towards entrepreneurs, understanding the risks they take in building their companies.24