Suggestions
Manav Garg
CEO & Co Founder at Eka Software Solutions
Manav Garg is the Founder and CEO of Eka Software Solutions, a global leader in providing innovative solutions for digitizing and improving direct materials business functions across various industries.12
Background and Early Career
Manav grew up in a middle-class family in Moga, Punjab. After earning an engineering degree from NIT Jalandhar and an MBA from IIFT Delhi, he worked as a coffee trader for G Premjee Trading in Singapore for three years.1
Founding Eka Software Solutions
In 2004, at the age of 30, Manav left his well-paying job in Singapore to start Eka Software Solutions in Bengaluru, India.1 He identified a gap in the market for systems to manage trading and risks in commodities businesses. Despite having limited knowledge of software development initially, Manav pursued his vision and launched Eka's first product within nine months.1
Company Growth and Achievements
Under Manav's leadership, Eka Software Solutions has experienced significant growth:
- The company grew by 60% in the 12 months leading up to early 2021.2
- Eka is on track to surpass $100 million in revenue.2
- The firm has raised approximately $56 million in funding from investors like Nexus Venture Partners and Silver Lake.2
Innovation and Industry Impact
Manav has led Eka's transformation from a client-server model to a cloud-native platform, investing $25 million to create a comprehensive solution for commodities and direct materials management.2 The company's technology helps businesses across agriculture, energy, metals, mining, and manufacturing industries to digitize their operations.1
Personal Interests and Community Involvement
Outside of his role at Eka, Manav:
- Is passionate about cooking and has set up a small kitchen garden at home.2
- Actively supports the Indian SaaS startup community through mentoring and investments.2
- Is a founding member of SaaSBOOMi, a community shaping India's SaaS industry.3
- Has invested in over 30 startups as an angel investor.3
Manav Garg's journey from a small town in Punjab to leading a global software company exemplifies his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation in the enterprise software and SaaS sectors.
Highlights
🌟 Big Announcement! 🌟
We are beyond excited to welcome Lakshmi Shankar as the new General Partner at Together Fund! 🚀
Lakshmi’s illustrious career and visionary leadership have been instrumental in the growth of some of the most iconic tech giants, including Google and Twitter (now 'X'). His role in launching the Search Generative Experience and strategic contributions at Google and Twitter have set new benchmarks in the tech industry.
Lakshmi’s expertise and connections in Silicon Valley will be a game-changer for Together Fund as we continue to lead in SaaS and AI, and build a powerful US-India bridge. His passion for innovation and transformative technology perfectly aligns with our mission to support and scale startups across these key markets.
Join us in welcoming Lakshmi Shankar to the Together Fund family!
We are excited about the incredible journey ahead and the groundbreaking impact we will achieve together. 🌍✨ Girish Mathrubootham Shubham Gupta Lakshmi Shankar Pratyush Choudhury ☁️Shivam Rajvanshi Arushi Jindal Kaushik Srinivasan Together #AI #SaaS
I'm truly excited to share the second episode of First Principles podcast by Rohin Dharmakumar at The Ken, where I open up about my transition from founder of Eka Software to venture capitalist and co-founder of Together Fund.
In this episode, we explore: 🔹 My journey from building a company to raising $150 million for Together Fund's Fund II. 🔹 The unique "founder and operator-led" approach that sets Together Fund apart. 🔹 Our belief in "reputation over returns" and the importance of supporting founders with genuine empathy.
Being a founder has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs that come with building something from the ground up. Now, as a VC, I'm committed to helping other founders navigate their journeys with the same passion and dedication. I hope this conversation provides valuable insights and resonates with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. 🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/gufws4Vy Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Girish Mathrubootham Shubham Gupta Pratyush Choudhury Shivam Kant Rajvanshi Arushi Jindal Kaushik Srinivasan
#SaaS #TechEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #IndiaTech #GlobalGrowth #TogetherFund #Eka
