In this episode of #DamaniTalks, we sit down with Kshitij Saxena, founder of AutoNinja and now General Partner at Relentless VC, a venture fund specializing in SaaS and B2B marketplace startups. Kshitij’s journey is packed with insights, from starting his entrepreneurial journey with a gaming startup to creating AutoNinja—a CRM tool for car dealerships, which was later acquired by ICICI Lombard.

🚀 We dive into how Kshitij’s early fascination with coding set the stage for his ventures, the lessons learned from building a successful SaaS company in India, and his transition into the world of venture capital.

With over a decade of experience as both an entrepreneur and investor, Kshitij shares why he believes SaaS is the most promising software opportunity, how AI and large language models (LLMs) are reshaping the landscape, and the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship. He also offers a clear thesis on building and investing in early-stage companies, while reflecting on his own evolution from being a software founder to becoming a first-check investor in ambitious startups.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Kshitij’s entrepreneurial journey from building small arcade games at 11 years old to creating India’s leading CRM tool for car dealerships.
• How understanding revenue models and the market helped him build Auto Ninja into a profitable business.
• The process of evaluating founders and startups at Relentless VC.
• The impact of large language models on SaaS and the future of software.

Why you should watch:
Kshitij Saxena’s journey is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and vision. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an established founder, or someone interested in the mechanics of venture capital, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Learn how Kshitij built successful companies, navigated a strategic acquisition, and is now supporting other founders on their own startup journeys.