Orios Venture Partners Appoints Former Omidyar Executive Madhav Tandan as Senior Partner

In a significant development, Orios Venture Partners, a leading early-stage venture capital firm, has welcomed Madhav Tandan, a seasoned investor with over 11 years of experience, as its new senior partner. Tandan joins Orios after an eight-year stint with Omidyar Network India, where he rose to the position of investment director and played a crucial role in overseeing investments in several prominent startups.

Tandan’s impressive track record includes investments in companies such as DealShare, FarMart, CityMall, IDfy, IntrCity, Spyne, and Tazapay. Prior to his departure from Omidyar, he co-founded Escape Velocity, an early-stage investment firm, in 2022. The firm has already backed an online kidswear startup, Includ, this year.

In a statement, Tandan expressed his excitement about joining Orios, saying, “Orios is one of India’s earliest VC funds and has built a reputation for itself. I believe I can bring valuable insights and expertise to Indian founders and limited partners alongside them.” Tandan’s appointment comes at a time when Orios is poised to close its third fund, which was initially targeted to be closed in December 2023, but has been postponed to December 2024.

Orios Managing Partner Rehan Yar Khan praised Tandan’s addition to the team, stating, “He brings a decade of investment experience, which is essential to become an institutional-class venture investor. Madhav is also well-networked in our ecosystem and is widely recognized across the industry.” Tandan’s expertise will be a significant asset to Orios, given the firm’s focus on consumer-focussed early-stage startups.

Notably, Orios has faced some changes in its leadership recently. Last year, two of its managing partners, Anup Jain and Rajeev Suri, left the company to pursue other opportunities. Despite this, Orios remains committed to its mission of supporting innovative startups. The firm has a diverse portfolio, including ixigo, Mobikwik, Country Delight, CarDekho, and Vedantu, among others.

Orios’ Select Fund I, established for making follow-on investments in its portfolio startups, was closed at $30 million in June 2021. With Tandan on board, Orios is well-positioned to continue its growth and support the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs.

Historical Context:

Omidyar Network India, where Madhav Tandan previously worked, is a philanthropic investment firm founded by Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay. The firm focuses on investing in social entrepreneurship and impact investing in India. Omidyar Network India has made significant investments in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and financial inclusion.

Orios Venture Partners, on the other hand, is a leading early-stage venture capital firm in India, founded in 2009. The firm has a strong track record of investing in consumer-focused startups and has backed several successful companies, including ixigo, Mobikwik, and Vedantu.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Orios Venture Partners appoints Madhav Tandan, a former Omidyar Network India executive, as its new senior partner. • Tandan has over 11 years of experience in investing and has a track record of investing in companies such as DealShare, FarMart, and IDfy. • He joins Orios after co-founding Escape Velocity, an early-stage investment firm, in 2022. • Tandan’s appointment comes at a time when Orios is poised to close its third fund, which has been postponed to December 2024. • Orios Managing Partner Rehan Yar Khan praised Tandan’s addition, citing his decade of investment experience and industry connections. • Tandan’s expertise will be an asset to Orios, given the firm’s focus on consumer-focussed early-stage startups. • Orios has faced changes in its leadership recently, with two managing partners leaving the company last year. • Despite this, Orios remains committed to supporting innovative startups and has a diverse portfolio, including ixigo, Mobikwik, and Vedantu. • Orios’ Select Fund I, established for follow-on investments, was closed at $30 million in June 2021. • With Tandan on board, Orios is well-positioned to continue its growth and support the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs.