The Vanguard Award – Trailblazers in Venture Capital Marketing & Communications

In today’s crowded startup ecosystem, venture capital firms are realizing that capital alone isn’t enough — brand, storytelling, and strategic communications have become essential to winning founders’ trust and influencing markets. The Vanguard Award recognizes the marketing and communications leaders driving this shift, from CMOs and brand strategists to heads of communications who craft powerful narratives, build communities, create thought-leadership platforms and mentor founders on their own marketing journeys. These trailblazers are redefining how VC firms present their vision, amplify portfolio companies, and build lasting credibility, setting a new benchmark for venture capital branding and engagement.

 

Deepa Sapatnekar (Director of Marketing, Inflexor Ventures): Deepa Sapatnekar, Director of Marketing at Inflexor Ventures, is redefining how venture capital brands tell their stories. With leadership stints at LinkedIn and IBM, she brings deep expertise in scaling communications from startup to IPO. Her work spans APAC and MENA markets, shaping brand, PR and fund marketing strategies for leading VC firms and startups alike. At Inflexor, she drives brand positioning, multi-channel messaging and media relations to spotlight the fund’s vision and portfolio.

 

Ravpreet Ganesh (Chief Marketing Officer, Rukam Capital): Ravpreet Ganesh, Chief Marketing Officer at Rukam Capital, brings over 25 years of experience shaping growth stories across telecom, FMCG, healthcare, aviation, tech, and venture capital. From Airtel’s launch team to driving Samsung’s rise at Leo Burnett, she has built ecosystems, IPs, and partnerships that scale brands and influence industries. At Rukam, she partners with founders, investors, and policymakers to shape the startup ecosystem and guide young companies on their go-to-market journeys.

 

Deepa Balji (Director Marketing Communications – Asia, B Capital Group): Deepa Balji, Director of Marketing Communications – Asia at B Capital Group, is a former financial journalist who now drives data-led storytelling for the firm across Asia and the Middle East. With over 15 years in PR and communications, she blends content, SEO, high-profile media, and targeted events to shape B Capital’s brand. A vocal advocate for women’s advancement, she mentors and supports grassroots initiatives alongside her corporate role.

 

Sreya Rakshit (Director, Brand & Communications, Merak Ventures): Sreya Rakshit, Director of Brand & Communications at Merak Ventures, brings over two decades of experience shaping narratives across global PR firms, corporates and startups. A master at blending strategy with storytelling, she has steered brands through milestone announcements and sharpened their messaging for lasting impact. Known for building empathetic teams and crafting campaigns that resonate, she embodies the evolving face of VC branding.

 

Manav Verma (Chief Marketing Officer, IIFL): Manav Verma, CMO at IIFL, brings over two decades of multi-sector expertise spanning NBFC, securities, logistics, and telecom. Known for blending data-driven insights with cutting-edge technology, he has consistently shaped innovative strategies to propel leading brands. His focus on customer-centricity and cross-functional collaboration has delivered impactful growth stories.

 

Diya Nayar (Head of Communications & Marketing, India, Eight Roads): Diya Nayar, Head of Communications & Marketing at Eight Roads India, has been shaping the firm’s brand since 2018. With 18+ years of experience across financial services, publishing and events, she blends storytelling with strategy to amplify entrepreneurs’ voices. Known as an “invisible brand facilitator,” she helps portfolio companies gain visibility through impactful narratives. A Nike pacer, her passion for sport fuels her bold, community-driven approach to marketing.

 

Rishi Dogra (Partner & CMO, Accel): Rishi Dogra, Partner & CMO at Accel India, sits at the crossroads of marketing, storytelling and technology. With stints at Disney Star, PepsiCo, Nestaway and his own media venture, he brings a rare blend of brand-building expertise and creative vision to venture capital. At Accel since 2022, he drives brand, content, platforms and portfolio impact while mentoring founders to sharpen their narratives. A former actor and director, Rishi channels his performing-arts roots into shaping VC branding for the next era.

 

Rohit Kaul (Vice President Marketing, Blume Ventures): Rohit Kaul, Vice President – Marketing at Blume Ventures, is shaping how one of India’s most active VCs tells its story. With 15+ years across CPG, music, education and non-profits, he brings a sharp focus on why customers – and founders – choose a brand. At Blume, he’s elevating the firm’s voice through thought leadership and standout IPs.

 

Isha Khanolkar (Marketing Communications and Community Lead, Capital-A): Isha Khanolkar, Marketing Communications and Community Lead at Capital A, brings over 12 years of growth marketing expertise across FMCG, retail, and VC-backed startups. She spearheads Capital A’s brand positioning and PR strategy, amplifying its portfolio stories to drive credibility and investor interest. Isha also leads thought leadership and content initiatives to cement the firm’s reputation as a market influencer. Beyond marketing, she nurtures a vibrant founder–investor community, strengthening partnerships and deal flow within India’s venture ecosystem.

 

Khatija Lokhandwala (Head of Marketing, Fireside Ventures): Khatija Lokhandwala, Head of Marketing at Fireside Ventures, brings over 16 years of brand-building expertise across consumer categories. Known for transforming Zivame into India’s leading women’s D2C intimate wear brand, she excels at blending consumer insights with creative strategy to drive impactful narratives. At Fireside Ventures, she is shaping the firm’s brand voice and storytelling to resonate with the next generation of founders.

 

 

Snehul Singh (Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Avendus): Snehul Singh, Director – Marketing & Corporate Communications at Avendus, brings over 18 years of expertise in crafting powerful, insight-driven brand strategies across B2B and B2C domains. She has led integrated campaigns, digital initiatives, and CSR programs that align brand purpose with measurable business impact. Known for her strategic mindset, Snehul blends creativity with data to drive brand engagement and stakeholder trust.

 

Swati Arora (Marketing Director, Basis Vectors Capital): Swati Arora, Marketing Director at Basis Vectors Capital, is a seasoned marketing strategist with 17+ years of experience driving growth for global B2B tech firms. She has built high-impact demand generation engines and led GTM initiatives across Cloud, Analytics, AI/ML, and SaaS. Known for her data-driven, omni-channel approach, she blends brand storytelling with measurable outcomes. Arora is shaping how venture capital brands amplify visibility, thought leadership, and market influence.

 

Vineet Kanabar (Vice President – Marketing, Z47): Vineet Kanabar is where old-school marketing principles meet new-media thinking, bridging legacy brand wisdom with disruptive storytelling. As Vice President of Marketing at Z47, he champions “brand programming” as the future of brand building — not just what you say, but what you produce. In his podcast Story Tellers & Story Sellers, he surfaces insider insights from India’s creative and entertainment leaders, decoding strategy with flair.

 

Chandreyee Bhaumik (Vice President – Brand and Marketing, IvyCap Ventures): Chandreyee Bhaumik, Vice President – Brand & Marketing at IvyCap Ventures, blends over a decade of journalism and PR expertise to shape compelling narratives for the VC firm. With a keen eye for news and deep roots in healthcare and pharma reporting, she brings editorial precision to brand building. Her experience spans media strategy, pitch curation, and stakeholder engagement, making her a standout voice in venture capital communications.

 

Naheed Contractor (SVP & Group Head – Marketing & Communications, Everstone Group): Naheed Contractor, SVP & Group Head – Marketing & Communications at Everstone Group, brings over 17 years of expertise in PR, brand marketing and corporate communications across BFSI and consulting. She has built and led communications functions at marquee institutions like Ambit, DBS Bank India and Edelweiss Financial Services. From crisis management to change communications and high-stakes stakeholder engagement, she has steered impactful narratives for global investment banks, private equity and blue-chip clients.

 

Divya Sharma (AVP – Marketing & Communications, Stride Ventures): Divya Sharma, AVP – Marketing & Communications at Stride Ventures, is shaping the firm’s brand narrative and outreach in India’s fast-growing venture debt space. With over a decade of experience across marketing, partnerships and strategy, she has steered communications at leading consumer platforms like POPxo (Good Glamm Group) and WedMeGood. A founding team member at WedMeGood, she built key vendor relations and business development initiatives.

 

Mansi Chugh (VP – Marketing & Communication, Lightspeed India): Mansi Chugh is VP – Marketing & Communication at Lightspeed India, bringing over 16 years of rich cross-industry experience across PR, brand strategy, and integrated communications. She’s driven narratives for startups and established players alike, unifying communication strategy with purpose to amplify trust and market impact.

 

Naushi Ahmed (Head of Communications & Public Relations, WestBridge Capital): Naushi Ahmed, Head of Communications & Public Relations at WestBridge Capital, is a seasoned storyteller with over 15 years of shaping reputations for global brands across tech, consumer, auto and telecom sectors. At WestBridge, she leads strategic visibility, brand positioning and media engagement while advising portfolio companies on narrative building. Previously with Amazon, she honed expertise in creating compelling consumer communications.

 

Saborni Poddar (VP – Special Projects, Omnivore): Saborni Poddar brings a rare blend of journalism, rural management, and on-ground policy work to venture capital branding. As VP–Special Projects at Omnivore, she’s evolved from building its communications strategy to steering marquee initiatives like BioWave and investor relations. Her approach translates grassroots realities into compelling narratives that resonate with investors and ecosystem partners alike. With over a decade of experience, she exemplifies the new wave of VC leaders shaping authentic, impact-driven brand stories.

 

Raveena Joseph (Director of Communications, Capria Ventures): Raveena Joseph, Director of Communications at Capria Ventures, is shaping how Global South brands tell their stories and build enduring legacies. A multidisciplinary communication specialist with nine years across journalism, microfinance and sustainability, she blends storytelling with strategic advocacy. Armed with a Master’s in Public Policy from Oxford and a Mass Media degree from St. Xavier’s, Mumbai, she crafts narratives that inspire action. Joseph is one of the sharp voices redefining branding in venture capital’s next era.

 

Vaani Malik (Marketing Communications Lead, Bertelsmann India Investments): Vaani Malik leads Marketing & Communications at Bertelsmann India Investments, shaping the brand narrative of one of India’s prominent growth-stage VC funds. With over a decade of experience across Pernod Ricard, Welspun and Zee Entertainment, she brings a rich cross-industry perspective to venture capital. Adept at building thought leadership and digital presence for CXOs, she champions sustainability and inclusion in storytelling.

 

Viswanathan V (Head of Marketing, Elevation Capital): Viswanathan  V, Head of Marketing at Elevation Capital, brings nearly 15 years of leadership across Unilever and Disney+ Hotstar to the venture capital space. At Elevation, he partners closely with early-stage founders to craft distinctive, enduring brands and sharpen marketing strategies. He also spearheads the fund’s branding, PR and community initiatives, blending strategic insight with hands-on execution.

 

Priya Kale (Vice President of Marketing, Bessemer Venture Partners): Priya Kale, Vice President of Marketing at Bessemer Venture Partners in India, is redefining how global VC brands resonate locally. With a track record of leading Elevation Capital’s rebranding and marketing efforts, she brings a rare blend of strategic insight and creative storytelling. Her diverse background across Thomson Reuters, Credit Suisse, and BCG informs a global perspective on venture branding.

 

Divyansh Meena (Head of Marketing, LVX): Divyansh Meena, Head of Marketing at LVX, is shaping the way venture capital brands connect with founders and investors. With a proven track record in growth marketing, demand generation, and GTM strategy, he has spearheaded high-impact campaigns and thought leadership initiatives across tech-driven firms. Known for blending data-driven insights with creative storytelling, Divyansh is redefining how VCs build trust and visibility in a crowded market.

 

Narendran Sivakumar (Head of marketing & Partnerships, Mela Ventures): Narendran Sivakumar, Head of Marketing & Partnerships at Mela Ventures, is a seasoned generalist with hands-on expertise in driving growth through business strategy and marketing. With experience spanning financial services, healthcare, and wealth management, he brings a multidisciplinary lens to venture capital. At Mela Ventures, he shapes brand narratives and partnerships that amplify portfolio impact.

 

Paromita Gupta (VP- Marketing and Communications, 3one4 Capital): Paromita Gupta, VP of Marketing and Communications at 3one4 Capital, is shaping how Indian venture capital tells its story. She leads brand strategy, original content, and media outreach for the firm while advising portfolio startups on marketing and PR. Previously at The CoWrks Foundry, she built partnerships with Ivy League universities and crafted distinctive accelerator brands.

 

Shagun Ohri (Marketing Director, Together Fund): Shagun Ohri, Marketing Director at Together Fund, brings over 13 years of experience shaping brands and products for 100+ startups across India and the US. A creative strategist turned AI product builder, she excels in guiding founders through the 0-to-1 phase—crafting user-centric experiences and lasting brand equity. As founder of The Satori Studio, she bootstrapped and scaled the boutique agency to ₹2.5 crore, leading a 20+ member team.

 

Kartik Kala (VP of Marketing, Arkam Ventures): Kartik Kala, VP of Marketing at Arkam Ventures, is an award-winning marketing leader shaping the next era of VC branding. With 6+ years of experience across D2C, tech, and venture ecosystems, he crafts integrated brand strategies and founder-first initiatives. Known for storytelling and community-building, Kartik has built marketing engines from the ground up. At Arkam Ventures, he drives brand and ecosystem engagement, amplifying the voice of India’s emerging startups.

 

Conclusion:
As venture capital continues to evolve, these marketing and communications leaders stand out not just for amplifying their firms’ voices but for shaping how the entire ecosystem perceives and engages with innovation. Their ability to blend strategy, creativity and authenticity is setting new standards for VC branding and founder support. By championing powerful narratives and building meaningful communities, they’re ensuring that the next era of venture capital is not only about funding ideas but also about telling the stories that make them thrive.

 

–Authored and edited by Sandhya Bharti

Disclaimer

The selection process involves rigorous evaluation but is based on subjective criteria, which may lead to variations. Parameters include industry influence, reputation, experience, contributions, education, accolades, and followership. While comprehensive assessments may not capture every aspect of a candidate’s profile. Selection does not imply endorsement or guarantee future performance. Feedback is welcome for improvement.