Arpit Agarwal

VC with a heart @BlumeVentures. Love how new tech can change industries and behavior. Always puts founders first.

Rookie birder. Co-founder @Headstarters

[pj @BeingPractical]

31 May 2020:
I was on the road, staring at failure at the start of my 40s.

1 June 2020:
6 years back, on this day I started my journey of building Raise (@RaiseTheBarHQ) from zero.

The day before, I held a fancy title of Founder, Managing Director and CEO of a financial services company, was an industry pioneer and a leader, built and scaled a product that redefined how India invested online, that made mutual funds popular, and introduced direct mutual funds to the masses. Built a venture that managed few billions dollars and was possibly valued as much as.

Next day, I had nothing. No titles, No power. No team. No salary, No stocks. Practically made no money from the venture I gave everything to for 3 years to make it a grand success. Founders like me are emotional fools & immature beings who trust easily and take a word as a word, only to realise one day - the world doesn't work the way one thinks it works.

Tried to raise money from venture capital, which I thought would be a easy thing to do but it was not. Almost every VC out there rejected me. Few influential people made raising capital a bit difficult. Many VC & partners who promised term-sheets, stopped responding to emails / chats or just backed out.

All of this happened during peak COVID times. I was staring at failure at the start of my 40s. I had no idea what the future would hold for me. Job was never an option, I am too practical and also much of a straight-talker to survive in a corporate life. I had started up 3 times earlier, and was more or less a failure. Somehow gathered courage to start-up again just because giving up again was never an option.

Times have changed since then!

Today we are a team of ~650+ builders and believers at Raise.

Only thing we care about is building the best consumer experiences across all the products we are building - @DhanHQ @ask_fuzz @Upsurge_club @Stratzy_HQ @FilterCoffeeHQ and few more ventures in insurance, wealth and investing that we are building.

5 years back value of everything was Zero. Today for whatever it means, Raise is a unicorn valued at USD 1.2 Bn. At some point, I was offered good money as some sort of settlement which of course I never took. This is why I say that as founders, some of us are emotional fools who keep taking chances even after losing it all!

Looking back, even after this crazy journey and tons of luck by my side, I am still more of an emotional & introvert founder fool. We are still in our early days of building and are far from where we want to be.

Once again, there's no inspiration or gyan here for anyone. Tu tera dekh le bhai, yahaan mein khud bhagwan ke bharose pe hoon..

I post this just as a reminder to myself - never forget where & how we started from.

More importantly to express my gratitude to all those who stood by me and supported us in my tough times - as co-founders, team members, colleagues, believers, supporters, cheerleaders, well wishers, investors, friends and most importantly as our customers.

Thank you, I wouldn't have made it till here without you 🙏

[Arpit Agarwal @arpiit]

@helloanand @Netra Thank you so much, Anand

[Arpit Agarwal @arpiit]

Thank you Netra for being a constant in my life for last two decades, like an elder sister. 🤗 😍

[Netra Parikh @Netra]

Lastly, let’s raise a glass - many congratulations to you, my dear friend @arpiit and Smriti. I am so happy for you. 🤗❤️

[Netra Parikh @Netra]

Lastly, let’s raise a glass - many congratulations to you, my dear friend @arpiit and Smriti. I am so happy for you. 🤗❤️

[Netra Parikh @Netra]

With fabulous @BlumeVentures team, investing in their partner's @arpiit personal life partnership ❤️ @AshishFafadia @sajithpai @saritaraichu #blumevibes #TeamLove

[Netra Parikh @Netra]

किसी के सपनों के सोलह सिंगार की शादी है...
आज मेरे यार @arpiit कि शादी है
लगता है जैसे सारे संसार की शादी है आज मेरे यार कि शादी है ...😍 @KesavaReddy @saritaraichu

[Netra Parikh @Netra]

phoolo wali haldi, @arpiit ki dastaan-e-ishq ka rang 🤩
@SparklinGuy @KesavaReddy.
@AbeOye @annkur @adityamishra @SakshiChowdhry_

[Dr Jitendra Singh @DrJitendraSingh]

Exhibition at the “North Tech Symposium 2026” #Prayagraj depicts contributions by around 280 industry partners and #StartUps from all over India, with 284 stalls showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies.

A strong assertion of India’s indigenous capabilities, sending across the world a message of not only India’s self-reliant prowess, but also the credibility of India’s defence equipment including Brahmos missiles and radar systems which have, in recent years, attracted buyers from over 100 countries including USA, France, Indonesia,Italy, Armenia, Philippines etc.

[Saaquib Dawoodani @saaquibx]

Engineers looking to break into the VC world 👋🏼

@arpiit is hiring a DeepTech Associate!

Link below 👇🏼

[Dhawal Jain @thatssodhawal]

Introducing Maverick #1

Max "Pain" Griffin, UFC fighter

- started using Mave headset 100 days ago
- for stress regulation and performance

Brain score: 71 (day 0) -> 83.4 (day 30)

Grab your headset: https://t.co/B6LhpMmsfA

[ASSOCHAM @ASSOCHAM4India]

ASSOCHAM was at the GENESIS Next Gen Startup Summit 2026 | Mandi Edition

Manveen Chadha, Additional Director (Startups & Innovation) spoke at the panel “Industry–Startup Synergy: Driving Innovation & Impact”, emphasizing the need to strengthen early-stage funding at lower TRLs, as industry engagement often begins only post-validation, leaving a critical gap in the innovation lifecycle. Addressing this gap can significantly accelerate the journey from idea to scalable impact.

We extend our sincere appreciation to MeitY Startup Hub and IIT Mandi Catalyst for curating a high-impact platform that brought together key stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem. ASSOCHAM is committed to supporting the startup ecosystem by fostering industry & investor connect, enabling access to capital, and driving policy advocacy, empowering startups to grow, scale, and create meaningful impact.

#GENESISSummit2026 #NextGenStartups #StartupIndia #IndustryStartupSynergy #Innovation #StartupEcosystem

@meitystartuphub @iitmndicatalyst @arpiit @ambishhh @ManveenCh

[Arpit Agarwal @arpiit]

@YashMore108 Thanks for writing in, requesting @apurvavc to take a look. She's the in-house expert

[Arpit Agarwal @arpiit]

20 years inside India’s startup ecosystem.
From @Headstarters to @BlumeVentures

One thing is clear: Founders don’t just build companies - they reshape how India lives, works, and grows.

Today, I’m taking on a new role as Chair of @ASSOCHAM4India's National Startup Council.

Focus:
• Stronger startup - industry linkages
• A sharper, more credible investor + mentor network
• Helping founders go 0 to 1 and scale with fewer blind spots
If we get this right, we accelerate India’s path to Viksit Bharat 2047.

Founders and early-stage investors: What’s one gap in the ecosystem that’s still holding you back?

[ASSOCHAM @ASSOCHAM4India]

ASSOCHAM successfully concluded the Investor Connect - Online Edition, a curated platform designed to enable 1:1 engagement between high-potential startups and leading investors across India.

🚀 140 startup applications received from across the country
🚀 60+ startups shortlisted to pitch across deeptech and high-growth sectors
🚀 18 investors participated in 160+ 1:1 sessions

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Chief Guest, Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil (IAS), Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. The Guest of Honour, Dr. Priyanka Shukla (IAS), CEO, MY Bharat, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India for their
inspiring address and continued support towards strengthening India’s youth-driven innovation ecosystem.

ASSOCHAM remains committed to building stronger industry-startup linkages and enabling pathways for the next generation of entrepreneurs to scale and succeed.

#ASSOCHAM #InvestorConnect #StartupIndia #Innovation #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #StartupEcosystem #YouthInnovation #DeepTech #MYBharat

@DoC_GoI @IndiaSports @mybharatgov @pallavigovil @PriyankaJShukla @arpiit @BlumeVentures @PiperSerica @ianetwork @ankurcapital @SpecialeInvest @INaccelerator @piventures @SeafundVenture @chd_angels @8xventures @pontaq_vc @ipventures_in @ambishhh @Manveench

[Suyash Singh @thesuyashsingh]

World's First #OptoSAR Satellite & India's largest Privately Built Satellite is on its way to the launchpad 🚀
For 4.5 years, we lived in the gap between a "world’s first" vision and a thousand "it’s not possible" warnings. Building deep-tech IP led startup with limited funds isn't just a challenge; it’s a daily war against gravity and doubt. We were questioned at every turn.
Every milestone was met with a "why?" or a "how?" or a or a "someone would have done it already if it were possible."
There were days when the weight of being first felt like it might break us. But we stayed. We fought. And we built it. Today, as I look at our satellite—tested, finished, and ready to ship—the emotion is hard to put into words. It’s more than hardware; it’s 1,642 days of pure grit and unshakable belief.
To the team @GalaxEye that bled for this: we did the impossible.
To the skeptics: thank you for the fuel.
To the investors, users and our supporters: cant be more thankful
The satellite is ready. And we are just getting started. 🚀

[Rohit Kaul @SeekingN0rth]

🚨 We're hiring at Blume Ventures — read on.

For the longest time, content in venture capital was an afterthought. A press release when a round happened. A generic LinkedIn post. Maybe a blog.

@BlumeVentures was one of the first out of the gate to see it differently.

Over the past few years, we've built one of the most ambitious content operations in Indian VC — India's most-watched VC podcast, newsletters with 60k+ subscribers, books that thousands of people read, video IPs, playbooks, and a website that founders actually come back to.

Not because we had to. Because we believe that in a world where relationships and reputation are the only things that matter, content is how you earn trust at scale.

And here's the thing we've learned: volume doesn't win alone. Depth does.

Every piece we put out — whether it's a 60-minute podcast episode or a single tweet — has to carry weight. It has to say something worth saying. It has to be nuanced.

And now we need someone to help us raise that bar even higher.

We're hiring a Marketing & Content Manager to join the team.

I'll be upfront: this role isn't for someone who wants to "manage social media." It's for someone who wants to understand how content compounds, how distribution actually works, and how a small, super-intense team can consistently punch above its weight. (Please read this carefully 🙂 )

You'll work across every format: social, newsletters, video, events, and website, with a front-row seat to how India's startup ecosystem actually operates. You'll sit in rooms with some of the sharpest investors and founders in the country. And you'll ship.

A lot!

What we're looking for:
→ 3+ years in content/digital marketing
→ Someone who's genuinely curious about startups and technology
→ Strong instincts for what makes people stop scrolling
→ Comfort with ambiguity and a highly intense pace of work
→ Willingness to unlearn what "marketing" means in most places

Based out of Delhi NCR.

If you think you're ready to do the best work of your career so far — or know someone who is — share your details here: https://t.co/8LydzkBcsP

@BKartRed @sajithpai @riashroff

[Spinny @myspinny]

Honored to be ranked #1 in India’s fastest-growing companies 2026 by @TIME & @StatistaCharts ✨

Just in time as we celebrate 10 years with #TheMaster campaign.

We’ve focused on making car buying & selling simple and delightful, built on trust, transparency & integrity.

Grateful to our customers, partners & #squadspinny 🚗

#10years #spinny #gofar
https://t.co/M4SyuuEqne

[General Autonomy @GeneralAutonomy]

Enough of this nonsense!
Presenting PARAM: India's most powerful indigenous robot dog. Not assembled, not bought, BUILT IN INDIA, built by INDIANS. For our nation, for our century, for our world!
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
@narendramodi @adgpi @AshwiniVaishnaw @GoI_MeitY @startupindia

[Sanjay Nath @sanjaynath]

15 years of Blume !

Grateful to our LPs, co investors, ecosystem friends and most importantly, our Founders who choose to partner with Blume.

Five funds, five locations, a team of more than 50, more than a 100 portfolio companies (Blumiers) who we've proudly backed... yet, that early stage dna always makes us feel like we're just getting started !

Its been an incredible journey with @BKartRed and @AshishFafadia @sajithpai @arpiit and our stellar Blume crew

This year's theme - 'Orbit Shifting' is apt, as we see our best & brighest Founders transforming themselves from building category leaders to go beyond and build aspirational IPO-able, generational companies.

The fireside with @PhonePe ‘s @_sameernigam and our own @dhirendranm @helloturtlemint
showcased the scale of vision and ambition of today’s founders

More power to them and their Orbit Shifts! 🚀

@BlumeVentures #BlumeDay15

[Blume Ventures @BlumeVentures]

🚀 Fueling India's Used Car Revolution: Spinny Raises $170M (~₹1,400Cr)

@myspinny (Fund II) has raised $170M in a round led by @Fidelity and Accel Leaders Fund. The round includes $90M of primary capital into the company, alongside $80M in secondary transactions where early investors including us and @FundamentumVC achieved liquidity by offering partial stake sales to incoming investors Fidelity and @WestBridge_Cap.

Founded by @niraj001s (Niraj), @ramanshumahaur (Ramanshu), and Mohit Gupta, Spinny is India's leading full-stack online used car platform. They acquire, refurbish, certify, and sell high-quality vehicles at a fixed price with a 5-day money-back guarantee.

The fresh capital will power Spinny's continued push toward profitability and market leadership. The company’s revenue in FY25 rose 25% to ₹4,657Cr while losses narrowed to ₹424Cr. This was primarily driven by tighter cost controls, improved sourcing efficiencies, and growing contribution from higher-margin add-ons like financing, insurance, and warranties.

@arpiit (Arpit), Partner at Blume, says, "The genius of Niraj and team has been staying true to their original mission to provide a 100x better car buying experience, reinventing every single thing about the business from first principles. We continue to remain invested and look forward to the journey to public markets and beyond.”

As used car volumes outpace new car sales in India, Spinny is building the trust infrastructure the market needs, making pre-owned car buying transparent, convenient, and reliable for millions of Indian consumers.

📰 Read the full press release here: https://t.co/T9ExPO24tN

@BKartRed @AshishFafadia @sajithpai @sanjaynath
@arpiit @riashroff @saritaraichu @mehtaalok @mitul_am @SeekingN0rth @DeepikaDakuda @gauthamsiv @ray_elton99 @vikramg05