Episode 69: The VC Who Helped Build Aadhaar | Sanjay Swamy
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Sanjay Swamy, Managing Partner at Prime Venture Partners, is one of the earliest believers in India’s startup ecosystem and someone who’s helped shape it from the ground up.
From helping build AADHAAR, co-founding ZipDial, and backing iconic startups through Prime Venture Partners, Sanjay’s journey is anything but conventional. His lens on trust, timing, and doing more with less has quietly influenced a generation of founders and investors.
In this masterclass episode of #DamaniTalks, Sanjay opens up about the principles, partnerships, and pivots that shaped India’s early venture capital landscape.
He breaks down:
-How EzeTap and ZipDial were built from a 4BHK in Koramangala
-Why backing smaller partners creates outsized opportunities
-The philosophy behind “Get Rich Slow” and Prime’s early-stage discipline
-How to choose the right co-founders and fund partners
-Why conviction, not FOMO, should lead your VC strategy
-And what it truly takes to stay relevant across downturns, pivots, and hype cycles
If you’re a founder, investor, or someone navigating the chaos of startups, this conversation is your reset button.
Chapters:
00:00:00 – Sanjay Swamy’s Early Influences
00:09:23 – Dot-com boom: What went wrong?
00:17:55 – Returning to India: A fresh start
00:23:00 – Building Ketera: Hiring the right minds
00:25:28 – Starting mChek: Why mobile payments?
00:32:51 – His contribution to UIDAI and the Aadhaar journey
00:46:04 – India’s rapid growth and spirit of innovation
01:01:12 – Lessons from his entrepreneurial journey
01:10:10 – Investing in startups: Making bold bets
01:20:18 – Launching Prime Venture Partners
01:27:31 – Early-stage investing: Principles and approach
01:35:45 – The role of executive coaching in leadership
01:39:50 – What makes a great founder? How he chooses partners?
01:46:45 – The broader impact of venture capital
01:52:10 – What’s next for Indian startups?
01:57:32 – Rapid Fire: One Word, Big Insights
About Our Guest:
Sanjay Swamy, Managing Partner – Prime Venture Partners (https://www.primevp.in/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theswamy/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/TheSwamy
DamaniTalks
Hosted by Anirudh A Damani, began as a live podcast during COVID-19 to motivate entrepreneurs and investors through tough times. It evolved into insightful conversations uncovering the ‘why’ behind entrepreneurship. From insightful conversations to actionable advice, DamaniTalks explores startup stories, venture capital trends, and the realities of building scalable businesses. Tune in for authentic discussions that inspire, educate, and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Subscribe now to stay ahead in the world of innovation and growth!
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