Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Kotak AMC Chief Warns Investors Against Chasing Once-in-a-Lifetime Bets
Nilesh Shah told investors not to rush into investments because they fear missing out.
Some salespeople describe certain opportunities as chances that will never return.
Shah said this is not a good reason to invest.
He compared investments to trains, explaining that another opportunity will eventually arrive.
He also said large listed companies may create small teams that work like startups.
This could make it harder to separate startups from established businesses.
Shah believes family and community funding in India could become more organized.
These funds might eventually be managed by professionals.
His main advice was to wait for investments that suit an investor’s goals.
Nilesh Shah urged investors not to chase investments promoted as once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
He said missing one investment opportunity should not be treated as an irreversible loss.
Shah said established listed companies may increasingly create startup-style innovation units.
He argued that India’s informal family-based private-equity culture could become more professionally managed.
His broader message was to remain patient and selective across public and private markets.
- Who
- Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Asset Management Company, addressed investors.
- What
- He warned investors against chasing supposedly once-in-a-lifetime investments and discussed changes in startups, listed companies and private equity.
- When
- At Kotak Private’s Take and Counter Take discussion; the articles do not provide a date.
- Where
- At a Kotak Private TACT event; the specific location is not stated.
- Why
- Shah said investors should avoid fear-of-missing-out decisions and remain patient and selective when choosing investments.
- Speaker
- Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Asset Management Company
- Event
- Kotak Private’s Take and Counter Take, or TACT
- Main warning
- Investors should not chase opportunities described as once in a lifetime.
- Investment principle
- Missing one opportunity is not necessarily an irreversible loss.
- Business trend
- Listed companies may create startup-style units with separate cultures and mandates.
- Private equity trend
- Informal family and community funding could develop into professionally managed community capital.
- Core message
- Patience and investment discipline should take priority over urgency and market narratives.