In the ever-evolving world of venture capital, few leaders embody the builder’s mindset as distinctly as Anush Prem, Principal at Inflexor Ventures. With a journey that traverses freelancing, entrepreneurship, consulting, and now venture investing, Anush brings a unique lens to evaluating startups, one shaped by firsthand experience in building products and scaling technology ventures.
In this conversation with Indian Startup Times, Anush shares insights into deep tech investing, the evolving landscape of AI-driven innovation, and his philosophy on identifying high-potential founders who balance technology with market readiness.
Indian Startup Times: The Journey of a Builder-Turned-Investor
Anush’s career trajectory is a testament to resilience and curiosity. After an accident left him bedridden, he began freelancing – a move that opened doors to entrepreneurship. He went on to co-found a software company and work across multiple startups before realizing his true passion lay in early-stage problem-solving.
His collaboration with Venkat on the Parampara Fund eventually led him to join Inflexor Ventures, where he now focuses on identifying and nurturing startups at the intersection of technology and market opportunity. “My background as a technologist helps me connect deeply with founders,” Anush shared. “It allows me to assess feasibility and execution, not just numbers – and that empathy is invaluable when working with early-stage teams.”
Evaluating Early-Stage Startups: The Role of a Builder Mindset
According to Anush, the investors who have built before often have an unique perspective. “When you’ve faced the challenges of product development yourself, you view startups differently,” he said. “You focus less on spreadsheets and more on whether the founders can actually execute their vision.”
He emphasized that in early-stage investing, the team composition often makes or breaks success. “A balanced founding team, one that brings together strong technical capability and an equally strong go-to-market skill set, is crucial,” he explained.
Emerging Tech: Where Conviction is Key
When it comes to deep tech, Anush believes conviction is the critical factor. “Emerging tech investments often demand a long-term view. The timelines are longer, the risks are higher, but so are the potential rewards,” he noted. “You need conviction — not just in the product, but in the founders’ ability to navigate the unknowns and bring their innovation to market.”
He highlighted that conviction is built on three pillars: technical viability, founder capability, and market timing. “It’s not just about how advanced the technology is, but whether the team can convert that innovation into scalable, commercial outcomes,” Anush added.
This philosophy is deeply embedded in Inflexor Ventures’ investment approach, which has earned the firm a strong reputation in India’s venture ecosystem. “Inflexor was recently described as a top-decile fund in emerging tech,” Anush shared proudly, “which is a reflection of our disciplined thesis and the quality of founders we back.”
Building Viability in Science-Engineering-Tech
Emerging tech investing, as Anush describes, requires conviction rooted in both science and strategy. “Technical depth is important, but the ability to commercialize innovation quickly is equally vital,” he said. The long gestation period typical of deep tech ventures makes timing and team critical factors.
At Inflexor, this philosophy is anchored in Science, Engineering & Technology (S.E.T) – backing IP-led innovation that can create durable value. The firm’s strength lies in identifying startups at pivotal commercialization stages – when technology is ready to meet real-world demand.
“Deep tech founders are problem-solvers at heart,” Anush explained. “Our job as investors is to match that passion with guidance, capital, and conviction.”
Avoiding the Over-Engineering Trap
For first-time founders, particularly in emerging tech, Anush cautioned against the tendency to over-engineer. “You don’t need a perfect product; you need a product that talks to customers,” he said. He advocates for rapid prototyping, iterative development, and consistent feedback loops.
“The biggest mistake early founders make is spending too much time on features that don’t solve core customer problems,” he added. “An MVP that gathers feedback will take you much further than a product perfected in isolation.”
Going Global: A Mindset from Day One
Anush believes that Indian startups with global ambitions must think global from day one. “It’s harder to retrofit a product for global markets later – it has to be built with that perspective,” he said.
He highlighted key differences in customer expectations: “While Indian customers often focus on price, international buyers prioritize quality and reliability. Understanding that distinction changes how you build and sell.” For software and AI products, the leap to global markets is smoother, but for hardware and advanced tech ventures, a strong technical differentiation is essential.
AI Investing: Beyond the Hype
Inflexor Ventures has been investing in AI since 2008, long before it became the buzzword it is today. The firm’s portfolio now spans both AI-first and AI-embedded companies.
Anush observed that AI investment trends are shifting from generalized models to verticalized AI solutions — tools that deeply optimize specific use cases. “Startups today must be able to clearly articulate ROI, especially to non-technical decision-makers like procurement heads or sales VPs,” he explained. “That clarity is what converts interest into investment.”
Advice for First-Time Founders
When asked about his advice for first-time tech founders, Anush emphasized speed and storytelling. “Validate your idea quickly and focus on customer adoption before chasing funding,” he said. “Capital follows traction.”
He also underscored the role of narrative in success: “Customers often buy into your story before they buy your product. Storytelling isn’t fluff – it’s strategy.”
Closing Thoughts
Anush Prem’s journey from builder to venture capitalist offers a compelling narrative for India’s next generation of entrepreneurs. His belief in conviction-driven investing, pragmatic execution, and global ambition reflects the ethos of a modern investor — one who sees beyond capital to nurture creators of lasting impact.
As India cements its position as a global innovation hub, voices like Anush’s remind us that the future of venture capital isn’t just about identifying the next unicorn — it’s about empowering those who dare to build it.
-Interview conducted by Sandhya Bharti