The Neon Show

Hunter Somerville is a partner at StepStone, one of the largest fund investors globally with over $600 billion in capital responsibility and $100 billion in AUM.Hunter shares deep insights into the factors that make StepStone different, their extensive global coverage, and the strategies that drive their success.You'll also discover what it takes to succeed as an emerging manager, the importance of building long-term relationships, and how StepStone navigates the complexities of fund investing, direct investments, and secondary markets. Plus, Hunter provides a candid look at the challenges and opportunities in the venture capital landscape, particularly in emerging markets like India.Join us for an enlightening conversation filled with valuable lessons on venture capital, fund management, and the nuances of building a successful investment platform.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:15 - Hunter Somerville's background and history with Greenspring Associates05:40 - The evolution and strategy of StepStone09:20 - Differences between StepStone and other fund investors13:45 - Global coverage and geographic focus of StepStone17:10 - Insights on venture capital management20:50 - Strategies for emerging managers25:30 - Building long-term relationships in venture capital30:15 - Navigating fund investing, direct investments, and secondary markets35:40 - Challenges and opportunities in the venture capital landscape40:00 - StepStone's approach to investing in emerging markets, particularly India45:20 - Importance of relationship building and pattern recognition50:10 - Characteristics of successful fund managers55:30 - Advice for new fund managers1:00:00 - Closing remarks and final thoughts----------------------------------Sponsor Shout OutLooking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high conviction, high support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/Send us a text

Listen to this episode to learn about:0:00 - Intro1:22 - The Life and Challenges of an IAS Officer3:34 - Distinguishing Roles: Finance Secretary vs. RBI Governor6:57 - Populism vs. Fiscal Responsibility: A Balancing Act15:01 - Rethinking IAS Recruitment: Criteria and Challenges17:38 - The Judicial Process: Why It Feels Like Punishment19:24 - Civil Servants and Their Respect Tied to Power21:47 - The Effectiveness of British Administrative Systems24:08 - IAS Officers and the Legacy of Colonial Policies26:08 - Exemplary Duty and Loyalty of District-Level Staff28:44 - Contrasting Worlds: Scarcity in India vs. Plenty in the US35:04 - Has the IAS Failed the Nation? An Introspective Look39:10 - Andhra Pradesh’s Growth: A Tribute to Visionary Leadership41:15 - Tribal Development and the Impact of Land Transfer Bills48:34 - Key Decisions and Reflections as RBI Governor-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our Website: https://neon.fund/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheNeonShowwFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sponsor Shout OutLooking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high-conviction, high-support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/Send us a text

Listen to this episode to learn about:01:14 - Neon’s Journey From Podcasting to Investing11:00 - Important Factors When Building a VC firm20:34 - Exciting Portfolio companies: Atomic Work, SpotDraft, Gallabox & Infeedo25:30 - Working with Ambitious & Humble Founders 30:12 - Key Questions and Important Metrics For Founders & Investors36:08 - Key People who helped in Neon's journey39:22 - Changes in the investing world40:42 - What makes Neon the best place for founders?42:28 - Fun question: If not an investor, who would Siddhartha be?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our Website: https://neon.fund/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheNeonShowwFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sponsor Shout OutLooking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high-conviction, high-support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/Send us a text

This week is in conversation with Arjun Sethi, co-founder of Tribe Capital, about Chamath Palihapitiya, FTX Failure, B2B Saas And how it is India’s Century!What Makes India An Exciting Prospect For Investments?Is Enterprise SaaS Crowded?Will US Companies Engage In M&A With Indian Companies?First Time Founders vs Second Time FoundersWatch this fascinatingly insightful conversation about where India’s SaaS ecosystem is headed and why venture capital in India will soon face a boom… Tune in NOW!*Sponsor Shout Out*Looking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high conviction, high support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/Send us a text

Delve into the intricate world of India's public policy with discussions on UPSC disillusionment, Mumbai mafia origins, and the role of government in everyday life. Explore state capacity, elite influence, unintended consequences, historical interventions, and economic policies impacting sectors like agriculture and electronics manufacturing. Unravel the complexities of India's public policy landscape, covering topics from cold wave management to liberal social science education.

This week is in conversation with A.K. Bhattacharya, the Editorial Director of the Business Standard, about India’s economic reforms of the 90s through a close-up view of the many disruptions that took place in that decade!Most Iconic Finance Minister Of India?How Can Government Incentivize Billionaires To Stay?Why Couldn’t India Match Singapore/China’s trajectory?Banking System Scam Of 1992 EXPLAINEDWatch this fascinatingly insightful conversation about the role that the finance ministry plays in India's economic growth and how they have shaped up the lives of crores of people in India… Tune in NOW!Sponsor Shout OutLooking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high-conviction, high-support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/__________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTERS00:00 - Precap01:04 - Introducing A.K. Bhattacharya To The Neon Show!02:02 - The Role Of The Finance Ministry In India04:48 - Most Iconic Finance Minister Of India? 10:05 - Banking System Scam Of 1992 EXPLAINED16:48 - Why Demonetization In India Happened in 1978!24:29 - Balance Of Payments Crisis in The 80s!27:12 - Sanjay Gandhi’s Role In Indian Political History30:59 - Was The 1991 Finance Team The Best?33:24 - Why Couldn’t India Match Singapore/China’s trajectory?40:05 - The History Of Taxation In India42:51 - How Can Government Incentivize Billionaires To Stay?45:17 - The Role Of The RBI52:21 - Sanjay Gandhi’s Role In Maruti’s Inception!1:00:03 - P. Chidambaram & Pranab Mukherjee As Finance Ministers1:04:01 - Issues Of Duopoly In The Telecom Industry 1:10:15 - How Aspirations Have Changed India’s Rate Of GrowthSend us a text

This week’s episode is about the UPSC, Working With PM Modi, Incredible India & Amrit Kaal as we welcome G20’s Sherpa, Amitabh Kant to the Neon Show! Will Next 25 Years Be India’s Amrit Kaal?Heterogeneity In India: Challenge or Opportunity?What Are The Biggest Inequalities That India Currently Faces?His Message To The Youth Of India!All these juicy topics and more in this COMPELLINGLY DETAILED conversation about how much India has grown over the last 60 years and what the country’s future plans are to become the world’s largest superpower… Tune in NOW!Sponsor Shout OutLooking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high-conviction, high-support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/__________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTERS00:00 - Precap00:59 - Introducing Amitabh Kant To The Neon Show!02:05 - Will Next 25 Years Be India’s Amrit Kaal?04:28 - What Did India Look Like In The 60s? 06:15 - How Digital Infrastructure Has Changed India!08:51 - Is Public Infrastructure Catching Up?14:00 - What Was P.C. Mahalanobis’s Impact on India?17:07 - Is The UPSC A Waste Of Time?22:24 - India’s Evolution From Doordarshan Era to Cable TV!25:13 - India’s 10 Year Plan Explained29:20 - Why Are Bihar & Jharkhand Lagging Behind?33:01 - Amitabh Kant’s Journey From IAS To Thought Leader39:39 - His Secret On Staying Mentally & Physically “Young”41:28 - Biggest Inequalities That India Currently Faces43:39 - Why Indian Thought leaders Are Data Driven!47:29 - Heterogeneity In India: Challenge or Opportunity?48:41 - Inefficient Allocation Of Resources In India50:28 - Experience Working With Narendra Modi?53:12 - Institutions’ Role In Economic Growth Of India?55:55 - Can India Create Its Own Microsoft/Apple?1:01:10 - His Message To The Youth Of India!1:02:10 - Concluding RemarksSend us a text

This week’s episode is about whether quick Commerce could eat Amazon, Flipkart’s business as we welcome Rainmaker Group founder, Kashyap Chanchani to the Neon Show! Why Quick Commerce Is Future Of Retail In India!Will An Indian Company Be Top 3 In International Markets?Why Are Public Markets Punishing PayTM?What Are The Future IPOs In India?All these juicy topics and more in this DATA-ORIENTED conversation about where Indian companies stand in regards to the International public markets and whether quick commerce is the future of retail in India… Tune in NOW!Sponsor Shout OutLooking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high-conviction, high-support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/__________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTERS00:00 - Precap01:04 - Introducing Kashyap Chanchani To The Neon Show!02:00 - How Many Startups Are Listed In India Today?04:31 - % Of Startups That Occupy Public Markets In US & China? 06:09 - Will Startups Reach 10% Public Market Space In India?08:48 - Decoding 2021/22 Startup IPOs In India14:57 - Why Has Public Sentiment Changed Around Zomato?20:26 - Why Quick Commerce Is Future Of Retail In India!25:22 - Will An Indian Company Be Top 3 In International Markets?28:16 - Why Are Public Markets Punishing PayTM?31:53 - Public Market Investors’ Biggest Concerns!33:50 - How Does The Public Market View Mamaearth?41:37 - Future IPOs In India46:53 - How Can Startups Help Unlock Wealth For Indian Masses?50:52 - Concluding RemarksSend us a text

This week’s episode is in discussion with one of India’s most promising AI content creators who talks about India Vs America, AI Creators, Job Loss, & Life Post Acquisition as we welcome Varun Mayya to the Neon Show! Why Is The U.S. Culturally Declining?Why Capitalism Should Be Celebrated In India!Will India Ever Produce An Apple or Microsoft?How Much Do You Need To Retire In India?All these juicy topics and more in this CHARISMATIC conversation about why capitalism should be celebrated in India. A dive into the inner workings of the current Indian mentality and what the future of AI will be in India… Tune in NOW!Sponsor Shout OutLooking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high-conviction, high-support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/__________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTERS00:00 - Precap01:12 - Welcoming Varun Mayya To The Neon Show!01:51 - Why The U.S. Is Culturally Declining04:04 - India vs America: Growth Story 08:34 - Why You Shouldn’t Leave India!10:25 - Truth Behind Unemployment Rates In India16:06 - Decoding Sanjeev Sanyal’s UPSC Comments21:50 - Why Capitalism Should Be Celebrated In India!27:58 - How Much Do You Need To Retire In India?31:45 - Will AI Replace Creators?36:23 - Is Sora AI A Gamechanger In Content Creation?39:47 - What Sectors Will Be Most Affected By AI?48:03 - Will India Ever Produce An Apple or Microsoft?54:53 - Which AI Stocks Does Varun Invest In?57:00 - Unreliability of AI: Gemini’s Racial Profiling Case In India1:02:21 - Apple vs The U.S. Justice Department1:05:12 - Is EdTech Dead In India?1:10:30 - Varun’s Advice About Following His Career Path!Send us a text

This week’s episode is in discussion with Bihar’s First Lady IPS officer who talks about Bihar’s Decline, Working With Lalu Prasad, & The 1984 Bokaro Riots Tragedy as we welcome Manjari Jaruhar to the Neon Show! UNTOLD 1984 Bokaro Riots Story!What Was Bihar Like In the 1960s?Is The Indian Police Force Corrupt?Do IPS Officers Get Influenced By Politicians?All these juicy topics and more in this EYE-OPENING conversation about the lives of India’s civil servants. A dive into the inner workings of the Indian police force, from the perspective of a woman & how much Bihar as a state has changed since the 60s… Tune in NOW!___________________________________________________________________________________________________Siddhartha Ahluwalia, Founder, Neon Fund & Host, The Neon ShowTwitter: https://twitter.com/siddharthaa7LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siddhartha_a/___________________________________________________________________________________________________*Sponsor Shout Out*Looking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high-conviction, high-support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.To know more, visit https://primevp.in/!__________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTERS00:00 - Precap01:04 - Welcoming Bihar’s First Lady IPS, Manjari Jaruhar!01:45 - What Was Bihar Like In the 1960s?05:13 - Life As A Lady IPS In Bihar! 09:24 - Was The System Pulling Down Lady officers?11:23 - UNTOLD 1984 Bokaro Riots Story!17:37 - How Did Manjari Ma’am Deal With Emotional Trauma?22:05 - Is The Indian Police Force Corrupt?26:36 - Why Bokaro Was Her Most Challenging Posting!31:54 - Do IPS Officers Get Influenced By Politicians?34:31 - UNTOLD Operation Gangajal Story!40:54 - Reality Of 1990s Bihar Kidnappings!45:12 - Downfall Of Bihar’s Education System DECODED!49:35 - Experience Working During Lalu Prasad’s Reign!55:13 - Why Was The Central Government Posting Life-Changing?1:03:39 - Current Government vs 90s Government1:09:35 - The Importance Of Giving Your Daughters “Freedom”!1:13:37 - Concluding RemarksSend us a text