Ratan Tata (Credit: @RNTata2000)4 min read Last Updated : Oct 10 2024 | 1:13 AM ISTTata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata was known as much for his business acumen as for his philanthropy.
However, a lesser-known fact was his stellar track record when it came to startup investment.Tata had, over the years, invested in several successful startups, having famously said that he viewed these investments as a learning experience.Click here to connect with us on WhatsAppOver the last decade, the silver-haired tycoon backed the likes of Paytm, Ola and Snapdeal.Starting out as a mobile recharge platform, Paytm went on to lead a digital revolution in the country and became the fintech major that it is today.Ola the homegrown competitor to global ride-hailing major Uber has today evolved into a company with three subsidiaries, namely Krutrim, its AI offshoot, Ola Electric, its electric vehicle business, and the original Ola Cabs.Tata had an eye for talent and the conviction to invest in it, whatever the age of that talent be.An avid dog lover, he once received a letter from a design engineer at Tata Elxsi with a proposal to start a venture that would create collars for street dogs to prevent fatalities among them.The engineer was Shantanu Naidu, who would go on to become one of Tata's closest aides and the youngest general manager at Tata Trust.
The friendship eventually led to Ratan Tata investing in Naidu's startup, Goodfellows, which is aimed at assisting senior citizens.Tata invested in as many as 40 new-age Indian startups across sectors.
These include eyewear brand Lenskart, baby products brand Firstcry, services platform Urban Company, and business-to-business marketplace Moglix.Indian startups Ratan Tata invested inCompanySectorLenskartInternet first brand offering eyewear for men, women and kidsUrban CompanyApp-based platform for multiple local servicesFirstCryOnline retailer offering multi-category baby productsOlaApp-based platform for booking ride-hailing servicesOla ElectricDeveloper of electric scootersMoglixB2B marketplace platform offering industrial goodsSnapdealOnline marketplace platform offering multi-category consumer productsCurefitOnline platform offering multiple fitness and wellness servicesUpstoxApp-based trading platform for stocksNestAwayOnline marketplace to book rental propertiesCashKaroWeb-based platform offering cashback and coupon offers from eCommerce portalsTracxnOnline market intelligence platform offering private market dataLybrateOnline multispecialty telemedicine platformZivameInternet-first brand offering women's apparel and inner-warePaytm MallApp-based marketplace offering multi-category consumer productsYourStoryOnline publisher of content for the promotion of entrepreneurial ecosystemsTork MotorsManufacturer of electric motorcyclesAmpere VehiclesManufacturer of multi-category electric-vehiclesSnapBizzTech-based POS solutions for offline retailersLetsVentureFundraising platform focused on startupsQikPodLocker network provider for e-commerce deliveriesInvictus OncologyDeveloper of chemotherapeutics conjugated with antibodies for the treatment of cancerAxioDeveloper of biomaterials-based medical devices for wound careTeaboxOnline platform offering teaNikiProvider of an AI-based automated order-taking app for concierge servicesThePrintOnline platform offering multi category newsBOHECOProvider of cannabis-derived nutritional and wellness productsTeam IndusDeveloping and building space roversMapMyGenomeProvider of personal genetic testing and diagnostics providerDogSpot.inOnline shopping platform offering multi-category food products for dogsBollant IndustriesManufacturer of biodegradable and disposable packaging productsMadRat GamesPrivate label manufacturer of activity-based learning games for kidsGoodfellowsProvider of companionship platform for senior citizensKaaryahOnline private label brand for women's formal wearBlueStoneInternet first brand offering subscription-based precious jewelryKarkinos HealthcareProvider of a comprehensive cancer care platform for various oncology servicesHolaChefOnline curated marketplace for chef prepared mealsReposApp-based platform offering fuel delivery solutionsiKureProvider of a population health management platform for primary healthcareMailitProvider of integrated logistics - mailroom management solutionsSource: TracxnFirst Published: Oct 10 2024 | 12:11 AMIST