Archive · 1 Oct 2025
Zerodha's Dinesh Pai on Startup Investing Risks
Dinesh Pai, an investor, shared his thoughts on how to invest in startups.
He thinks it is more important to find founders that have the passion and determination to build, instead of simply following trends.
He cautions people that the chance of losing money in startup investing is very high, like angel investors.
He also stated that it is crucial to understand the market deeply before investing and that failure can be a lesson.
He suggests for young founders to find tough problems they are passionate about.
Dinesh Pai emphasizes execution over ideas in startups.
Failure is not disqualifying for founders, what matters is why it happened.
Angel investing has a higher probability of losing money.
Pai recommends caution for retail investors considering startup investments.
Pai learned from a failed investment in a lending enabler.
- Who
- Dinesh Pai, Head of Investments at Rainmatter and VP at Zerodha
- What
- Discussed startup investing and related advice.
- When
- During a fireside chat at the Mint Money Festival.
- Where
- At the Mint Money Festival.
- Why
- To share insights on startup investing, risk management, and advice for founders and investors.
- Key Figure
- Dinesh Pai, Head of Investments at Rainmatter, VP at Zerodha
- Focus
- Startup Investing
- Investment Philosophy
- Backing founders who solve real problems
- Advice to Retail Investors
- Be cautious, odds of loss are high
- Lesson Learned
- Be careful with valuations and markets not deeply understood
- Failed Investment Example
- Lending enabler for NBFCs, ₹30-40 lakh loss