The Ascent of Sarthak Misra: An Important Player in SoftBank’s Investment Environment

Sarthak Misra, previously serving as an investment director at SoftBank India, has ascended to the position of partner. SoftBank conveyed this development to its array of portfolio companies in India on Tuesday, as per insights from ET.

After leaving Matrix Partners India in 2019, Misra started working for SoftBank. He currently sits on the boards of several promising firms, including the B2B online retailer OfBusiness and the e-commerce giant Meesho. Furthermore, he collaborates closely with the food delivery titan Swiggy and eyewear vendor Lenskart.

Misra and Rathi Report to Sumer Juneja in New Roles with New Responsibilities

In his fresh role, Misra will continue to be under the purview of Sumer Juneja, SoftBank’s Managing Partner for India & EMEA, who supervises operations in both India and Europe.

Narendra Rathi, serving as an investment director at SoftBank Investment Advisors with a focus on transactions in SaaS and the B2B sector, will also operate under Juneja’s guidance, who has spearheaded SoftBank’s India investment team for over five years.

Vikas Agnihotri, an operating partner who played an instrumental role in the pre-IPO stage of Paytm in 2021, concluded his tenure with the investment fund in September.

SoftBank’s Reentry into Indian Startup Ecosystem: Strategic Moves Amidst Elevation of Leadership

This elevation arrives at a juncture when SoftBank is purportedly gearing up to reengage with Indian startups, following a hiatus of nearly 18 months. Juneja mentioned earlier in line with reports that SoftBank is on the brink of resuming investment pacts with Indian startups imminently.

SoftBank, renowned for its typical investments exceeding $100 Mn per round, remains resolute in continuing such initiatives, particularly in growth-stage endeavors.

According to disclosures made by the Japanese investor at its earnings announcement, SoftBank India’s investment portfolio, which includes vision funds I and II, is estimated to be valued at a fair market value of around $14 billion, representing a 9% increase as of December 2023.

SoftBank recorded profitability for the first time in five quarters, notching a net profit exceeding $6 Bn for the three months concluding in December, buoyed by a stock market surge in listed firms from vision fund I. The investor executed a complete divestment from Zomato and Policybazaar last year.