In the past 3 to 4 years, General Catalyst has invested an estimated $250 million in about 25 to 30 startups located in India.
Anand Chandrasekaran, who served as a Partner at General Catalyst for over three years, has decided to step down from his role. According to sources from Moneycontrol, Chandrasekaran will transition into a new position as a Venture Advisor for the US-based investment firm. His decision stems from a desire to dedicate more time to building his own AI startup, Crescendo.
Prior to his tenure at General Catalyst, Chandrasekaran held executive positions at notable companies such as Airtel, Meta, and Snapdeal. During his time at General Catalyst, he led investments in both the United States and India, recognizing the growing significance of the Indian market for venture investors worldwide.
Chandrasekaran was officially appointed to oversee investments in India in January 2022, coinciding with a period of heightened funding activity. Leveraging his expertise, General Catalyst expressed its commitment to further expanding its presence in India, which boasts the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem.
In an interview with Moneycontrol in April 2023, General Catalyst CEO Hemant Taneja indicated that a significant portion, approximately 10-20 percent, of the firm’s $4.6 billion fund would be allocated to supporting Indian startups.