Ash Lilani

Founder & Managing Partner of @SaamaOfficial, wine and whisky enthusiast and die hard @eagles fan. Per my kids, Dad and Chief Lame Joke Officer.

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

Congrats @vsikka! Looking forward to you scaling new heights with the next phase of your journey. @NavinChaddha great to see you back the ultimate AI guru. You have a knack of picking winners.

[Madhav Chanchani @madhavchanchani]

Former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka has raised $32 mn in funding from Mayfield and Saudi Aramco Ventures for his AI startup.

The startup helps large enterprises adopt AI - clients already include multi billion dollar corporations like Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Fresenius.

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

Congratulations to @nimishgl1 and the TrueFan team. @SaamaOfficial had been a proud investor since the beginning and delighted to participate in this funding.

[Nimish Goel @nimishgl1]

TrueFan AI has raised $10M Series A.
Led by Baring PE India and Z3Partners. With IAN Alpha Fund and 3Lines VC participating.
A thread on what we've built and what's next.

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

@banglani 360 at Oberoi for the best brunch and ambiance.

[DraftKings Predictions @DKPredictions]

In-game trading 🏀 Predict nowIn-game trading 🏀 Predict now!

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

Congratulation ⁦⁦@Supertails_IND⁩ team. Petcare startup Supertails raises $30 million. ⁦@SaamaOfficial⁩ is proud to have backed you since the very beginning. Excited to see what the next phase brings.

https://t.co/586sJUFrPj

[Arjun @arjuns__]

Hey everyone - we’ve raised a ₹30 Cr Series A for @GullyLabs.

We’re grateful for the belief and backing from @SaamaOfficial (@AshLilani + Amrita) and @Zeropearlvc (@bipin_28 ), along with founders we’ve long admired - @gauravmunjal, @iRadhikaGupta, @RomanSaini, Sangeet Agrawal, @VirajBahl, and Sanjay Kapoor.

This capital helps us push forward on what matters most to us: building better products, strengthening our physical retail presence, and building Gully Labs into a long-term brand from India.

If building with craft, culture, and high standards excites you - we’re hiring. Roles in the comments below.

with @AnimeshM_GL

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

Congratulations to @GullyLabs team! Arjun and Animesh welcome to @SaamaOfficial family. Delighted to coinvestors with our friends at @Zeropearlvc and three stellar founders backed by Saama in @VirajBahl @sangeet89 and Sanjay Kapoor

[Inc42 @Inc42]

Sneaker brand @GullyLabs has secured INR 30 Cr (about $3.3 Mn) in its Series A funding round led by Saama Capital, with participation from existing investor Zeropearl VC.👇

A host of angel investors, including Mokobara founder Sangeet Agrawal, Veeba founder Viraj Bahl, Genesis Luxury founder Sanjay Kapoor, Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO and MD Radhika Gupta, and Unacademy cofounders Roman Saini and Gaurav Munjal, also participated in the round.

Gully Labs said it plans to use the capital to expand its product portfolio and scale its offline retail presence across key Indian markets. A part of the fresh funds will also go into strengthening its brand visibility in international markets, including the US and the UK.

Founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Gully Labs is a D2C sneaker brand that aims to reimagine premium sneakers through the lens of Indian culture. Its products blend traditional art and storytelling with contemporary design, offering everything from Phulkari-inspired designs to Onam-inspired silhouettes.

Read the full article here- https://t.co/0sx3pxPKuE

#news #Inc42 #GullyLabs #D2C #retail #VC #funding #investment #growth #India #Indianstartups #startupnews

[Inc42 @Inc42]

Sneaker brand @GullyLabs has secured INR 30 Cr (about $3.3 Mn) in its Series A funding round led by Saama Capital, with participation from existing investor Zeropearl VC.👇

A host of angel investors, including Mokobara founder Sangeet Agrawal, Veeba founder Viraj Bahl, Genesis Luxury founder Sanjay Kapoor, Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO and MD Radhika Gupta, and Unacademy cofounders Roman Saini and Gaurav Munjal, also participated in the round.

Gully Labs said it plans to use the capital to expand its product portfolio and scale its offline retail presence across key Indian markets. A part of the fresh funds will also go into strengthening its brand visibility in international markets, including the US and the UK.

Founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Gully Labs is a D2C sneaker brand that aims to reimagine premium sneakers through the lens of Indian culture. Its products blend traditional art and storytelling with contemporary design, offering everything from Phulkari-inspired designs to Onam-inspired silhouettes.

Read the full article here- https://t.co/0sx3pxPKuE

#news #Inc42 #GullyLabs #D2C #retail #VC #funding #investment #growth #India #Indianstartups #startupnews

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

Congratulations @KapilChopra72 and @PostcardHotel team. Well deserved recognition.

[Kapil Chopra @KapilChopra72]

Celebration parties across all Postcard Hotels and our central office today! The celebration reaches from Hong King to India ⁦@PostcardHotel⁩

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

@iyashrathor @Swiggy @harshamjty @rohitisb Still no response or acknowledgement from anyone at Swiggy after 24 hours. Very very poor and disappointing customer service @Swiggy @harshamjty @rohitisb

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

@Swiggy @harshamjty @rohitisb been a long time customer of Swiggy. Ordered chai in morning and after a hour order had not been picked up. Customer service even could not reach him. If you can't deliver a simple order of chai hot even after a hour, you have a problem.

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

Part 3 of my conversation with @VJSambamurthi of @lexygeb talking about the @SaamaOfficial philosophy

[Lexygen @LexygenGlobal]

In Part 3 of Episode 4 of #TheUnclutteredView, Vijay Sambamurthi and Ash Lilani, Managing Partner of Saama Capital, discuss India’s evolving regulatory environment what is needed to support startups and attract global capital. In an exclusive insight into Saama Capital’s anti-portfolio, from missing opportunities like Licious and iD Fresh to eventually backing Supertails, Ash also shares candid lessons on timing, trust, and why the right team matters more than being first.

📌 If you missed Part 2, catch up here ➔ https://t.co/dVbtYvAedR

🎧 Stay tuned for Part 4, where we discuss the role of India’s startup ecosystem in achieving a GDP of US$10 trillion by 2032 and, in particular, what Indian AI startups should focus on to become world-class disruptors.

📺 Watch more episodes of The Uncluttered View ➔ https://t.co/z8jpO44c6Z

✅ Subscribe to our channel ➔ https://t.co/7TMMZJFR1s

#Lexygen #TheUnclutteredView #VentureCapital #StartupIndia #RegulatoryReform #AntiPortfolio #Licious #iDFresh #Supertails

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only, and contains personal views and opinions of the speaker(s) which do not necessarily represent the views of Lexygen or any other organisation that the speaker(s) may be associated with. Nothing herein may be construed as legal advice, solicitation, or advertisement by Lexygen. No attorney-client relationship is deemed to be created between Lexygen and any person. Lexygen accepts no liability with respect to the contents herein.

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

Part 2 of my conversation with @VJSambamurthi of @lexygen. Shared the @SaamaOfficial investment philosophy

[Vijay Sambamurthi @VJSambamurthi]

Here's PART 2 OF Episode 4 of The Uncluttered View with Vijay Sambamurthi, featuring me in conversation with @AshLilani , Founder and Managing Partner of @SaamaOfficial . In this Part 2, we talk about the importance of VCs building strong relationships with founders starting even prior to the funding - an approach that has clearly reaped RICH DIVIDENDS for Saama over the years! @VirajBahl (@veeba_in ) @RajeevSula (@SulaVineyards ) and so on!

Similarly, I also steer Ash to talk about another important aspect of venture investing - being ready to support pivots by their portfolio companies, where again, Saama have hugely benefited from being supportive of MAJOR PIVOTS by companies like @Paytm (@vijayshekhar ) @Snapdeal (@1kunalbahl @rohitkbansal ) and Mezi (@swapnil_shinde @snehal ), with STELLAR OUTCOMES!

Watch, like, comment and share for wider reach - I'm sure you all will agree that this is INSIGHTS-GOLD that many can and should benefit from, so please help spread the word by sharing widely 😊

And, SUBSCRIBE to @LexygenGlobal 's YouTube channel for lots more great content!

#TheUnclutteredView #Lexygen #VentureCapital #VCFunds #Startups #Founders #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #India #SiliconValley

[Vijay Sambamurthi @VJSambamurthi]

And here is the BIG TRAILER for Episode 4 of The Uncluttered View with Vijay Sambamurthi, where I speak to one of the true blue OGs of the Indian VC space, and my dear friend and valued @LexygenGlobal client, @AshLilani , Founder & Managing Partner of @SaamaOfficial

In this Episode 4, Ash and I talk about The Journey of Venture Capital in India over the past 25 years, and of course, about Saama's meaningful role in that journey!

Like and share this TRAILER so that more people are aware of and benefit from this amazing conversation. Watch this space for Parts 1 and 2 of Episode 4 which will drop next Monday and Thursday, respectively, and Parts 3 and 4 the following week!

And of course, subscribe to Lexygen 's YouTube channel for more content like this :-)

#Lexygen #TheUnclutteredView #Saama #VentureCapital #India #SiliconValley #Startups #Founders #VC

[Dr Ritesh Malik @drriteshmalik]

A lot of founders I’m talking to have bizarre valuation expectations. I’m meeting founders who casually say we’ll get acquired at a 10X revenue multiple. I’m like, are you high? 🤒
1 thing I learnt early: DONT CHASE VALUATIONS, CHASE VALUE CREATION FOR ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS

[City of Palo Alto Utilities @PAUtilities]

We have received reports of scammers calling customers claiming to represent the City of Palo Alto Utilities. Callers may try to advertise solicit personal information or demand payment for a utilities bill.

Learn more about recognizing scammers at https://t.co/Qj1xbe5aTw

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

@ftittp I completed all my biometrics at BLR Airport while back. I also got approval letter from your offices.

On my last three trips, tried to use egates. It gives me a passport reading error. The airport staff has also tried and it doesn't work.

Can you please help? Thank you

AshLilani

[Ash Lilani @AshLilani]

India runs on chai. @Chai_Point has done an amazing job fueling millions at Mahakumbh. @amuleekbijral @SaamaOfficial @dishahdadpuri @KiranbirNag https://t.co/oRGKjkUcmu

[anand mahindra @anandmahindra]

Professor Tarun Khanna of the Harvard Business School @TarunKhannaHBS is at the Maha Kumbh

His daily observations provide a fascinating view into the happenings there….

This blog edition was particularly interesting and worth sharing with you all…

“Hot Chai, Robotics at the Maha Kumbh Mela, World’s largest Gathering of Humanity

Mahakumbh 2025 is underway in India, the largest gathering of humanity in a single location, collectively visited by 250 million people over a few weeks, probably peak daily attendance of 50 million in a pop-up megacity. The ‘city’ is itself a marvel, built on the banks of a regularly receding holy river, to be dismantled ecologically efficiently at the end.  The picture shows India’s paracommandos, deployed for security at the holy gathering. They are backed by a space-age monitoring infrastructure – NASA style control room plus reconnaissance and surveillance drones plus distributed sensors - for problem resolution primarily and, of course, security if and as needed.  Marriage of the traditional holy event and modern techniques.   And the fun part is the soldiers holding hot cups of steaming chai, India’s daily drink of choice.  Chaipoint is the entrepreneurial venture selected by the Government to deliver perhaps 20 odd million cups of tea at the Kumbh. The stores are also pop-up stores, the chai is made by state-of-the-art robots, best in class globally, delivered to consistency and high quality, at very low prices. Eat your heart out, Starbucks. Again, traditional chai married with modern technology.”