The Desi VC with Akash Bhat E145 - Built & Sold 2 Companies & Now Manages $350M AUM Fintech Fund | Sheel Mohnot
In this episode, we sit down with Sheel Mohnot, co-founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures (BTV), a San Francisco-based $350M AUM fund that leads pre-seed and seed rounds in fintech companies globally, typically writing first checks ranging from $500K to $4M.
BTV also runs The Mint Accelerator, a program providing mentorship, resources, and community support for fintech founders. At its core, BTV invests for a better future, driven by the belief that fintech can genuinely improve people’s lives.
Sheel is an operator-turned-investor. He built and sold FeeFighters, a Stripe-like payment gateway and processor product called Samurai, which was acquired by Groupon pre-launch in 2012, as well as Innovative Auctions. He also co-founded Thistle, a healthy meal delivery company that raised minimal VC funding and now employs over 500 people.
In this episode, we dive deep with Sheel to uncover the lessons he’s learned from building and exiting two businesses, the profound influence of family on his journey as both a founder and now an investor, and why he believes seed-stage investing allows BTV to have the greatest impact.
He shares candid insights about what it means to be the first call for his founders, the perks and challenges of being an operator-turned-investor, and the importance of portfolio diversification.
Sheel also reflects on traits of an ideal investor, finding life’s purpose, and even tells a story about the time he smoked a cigarette just to close a deal as a founder.
Whether you’re an aspiring investor, an entrepreneur, or just someone looking to grow as an individual, this episode is packed with stories, lessons, and actionable insights. It’s the perfect way to kick off the year—leaving you inspired and introspective!
⌛ Timestamps:
- Episode trailer | 00:00
- Family's influence on Sheel | 02:15
- First encounter with Fintech | 04:44
- Lessons from working in India | 05:43
- Impression of India while growing up | 09:05
- Correlation between family, values and investing | 11:57
- Why VCs seek billion-dollar outcomes | 15:28
- Importance of discipline in venture investing | 17:53
- How does Sheel view himself? | 20:40
- Value of approachability | 22:21
- Importance of putting oneself ‘out there’ | 27:30
- Hard problems, emerging markets & power of writing | 28:57
- Dealing with imposter syndrome | 30:35
- The hidden role of a VC | 34:10
- Benefits of portfolio diversification | 38:09
- Advantages Operator-turned-VCs hold over pure investors | 39:06
- Traits of the ideal investor | 40:15
- Finding life’s purpose | 45:17
- Advice for indecisive founders | 47:12
- Angel investing as a precursor to VC | 52:38
- Key Learnings as a second time founder | 53:43
- Story of smoking a cigarette to make a sale | 54:52
- Insights from successful leaders & why startups fail | 57:09
- Sheel’s fashion & style | 59:07
🎥 Subscribe to see watch more unfiltered, unscripted conversations that will inspire, educate, and entertain!
🔗 SUBSCRIBE on YouTube🎧 Follow us on Spotify📸 Follow us on Instagram🐦 Follow us on Twitter/X💼 Follow us on LinkedIn 🎵 Follow us on TikTok💌 BTS content on Substack