VC | E379 | Prosus Ventures' Sandeep Bakshi on the evolution of the European marketplace landscape

In this episode of the EUVC podcast, Andreas talks with Sandeep Bakshi, Head of European Investments at Prosus Ventures.

Andreas and Sandeep discuss the evolving dynamics of early-stage investing across Europe and beyond, sharing insights into how Prosus Ventures identifies opportunities in a global landscape. Sandeep offers his perspective on navigating the European VC scene, reflecting on the unique challenges and opportunities facing founders today. The conversation also covers the role of strategic capital in scaling startups, with a focus on the sectors and trends shaping the next decade.

At Prosus Ventures, Sandeep oversees a diverse portfolio targeting early-stage companies around the world. With notable investments such as Delivery Hero, iFood, OLX, Bilt Rewards, Corti, Superside, Avant Arte, and Oxford Ionics, Prosus Ventures continues to drive innovation by backing transformative startups across various sectors and geographies.

Go to eu.vc to read the core take-aways.

Chapters:

02:56 Understanding Prosus Ventures
04:03 Investment Strategies and Market Cap
07:29 Focus on AI for Marketplaces
14:22 Operational Efficiencies in Marketplaces
18:04 Generative AI in Creative Services
23:20 AI in Search and Discovery
24:37 Challenges in Deep Tech Talent
25:22 The Axis of Talent
26:37 Europe vs. Other Regions in AI Marketplaces
28:02 Innovations in India and Southeast Asia
29:55 Social Commerce and Conversational Tools
31:23 AI Tools for Marketplaces
32:50 AI Reshaping Shopping Habits
36:07 The Role of Agents in AI
38:08 Investment Opportunities in Europe's AI Marketplaces
43:29 Sandeep's Personal Journey and Insights
45:32 Controversial Beliefs and Market Trends