Brendan Rogers From Founding WAG (NASDAQ: PET) to Investing in India
From co-founding the pet-care giant Wag (NASDAQ: PET) to becoming a venture capitalist, Brendan Rogers shares his unique journey into the Indian startup ecosystem.
5 Things You'll Learn from This Episode
- Identify a massive pain point to build a successful marketplace like Wag.
- Leverage curiosity and macro-diligence to pivot from founder to investor in a new market.
- Recognize the power of India's Gen Z population and digital stack for exponential growth.
- Prioritize local expertise by ensuring an Indian angel or fund is on the cap table before investing.
- Focus on key emerging sectors in India like food tech, fast fashion, logistics, and manufacturing.
About the Episode
Brendan Rogers, co-founder of the publicly-traded company Wag, details his transition from a successful US founder to an early-stage investor focused exclusively on India. He shares the origin story of Wag, what drew him to the Indian market's energy and potential, and the investment thesis that guides his fund, focusing on sectors like DTC brands, logistics, and manufacturing.
Timestamps
- 0:00 — Introduction: Connecting Through the VC World
- 2:15 — From College Athlete to Serial Founder
- 4:20 — The Origin Story of Wag: Solving a Pet Parent's Pain Point
- 7:01 — Leaving Wag and Discovering India
- 9:30 — First Impressions of Mumbai's Startup Energy
- 11:45 — How Sourcing the Ultrahuman Deal Unlocked Access
- 15:45 — Fund Dynamics: Check Size, Ownership, and LPs
- 18:30 — Bullish Sectors: Food Tech, Fast Fashion, and Logistics
- 22:10 — The Untapped Opportunity in Indian Consumer Brands
- 25:45 — Key Learnings and Strategy for Fund Two
- 27:40 — Current State of the Indian Venture Ecosystem
- 31:50 — Admired Investors and Mentors in India
- 34:55 — How to Follow Brendan's Journey
About the Host
Nataraj Sindam is the creator of The Startup Project, a podcast featuring founders, investors, and operators building the future.
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