Jungle Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm, has announced a significant leadership expansion by appointing Amrit Raj as its first-ever Partner and Chief Marketing Officer. Raj, formerly a senior executive at the manufacturing unicorn Zetwerk, brings a wealth of operational experience to the firm. This strategic move underscores Jungle Ventures' commitment to enhancing its platform and providing deeper support to its portfolio companies across the region.
A Strategic Role for Portfolio Growth
In his new dual capacity, Amrit Raj is tasked with shaping Jungle Ventures' global platform strategy, a critical function for the firm's international ambitions. He will work intimately with portfolio founders, offering guidance during crucial moments of scaling, transition, and market inflection. This hands-on partnership model aims to help emerging companies navigate complex growth phases and build enduring, iconic brands on a global scale.
A Legacy of Hyper-Growth at Zetwerk
Raj's appointment is backed by a formidable track record from his five-year tenure as Chief Marketing Officer at Zetwerk. During his leadership, the manufacturing unicorn experienced exponential growth, with its valuation soaring from approximately USD 600 million to over USD 3.1 billion. This period also saw the company's gross merchandise value scale impressively from around USD 100 million to more than USD 2 billion.
This experience in steering a B2B brand through rapid expansion and complexity provides Raj with unique insights into the challenges faced by high-growth startups. His direct involvement in building a global brand from the ground up is a valuable asset that Jungle Ventures intends to leverage across its portfolio. The success at Zetwerk demonstrates his ability to combine strategic marketing with rigorous operational execution to achieve remarkable business outcomes.
An Endorsement of Operator-Led Expertise
Amit Anand, Founding Partner at Jungle Ventures, expressed strong confidence in the new appointment, highlighting Raj's unique qualifications for the role. Anand noted that Raj brings a rare combination of "operator rigour and narrative depth," which was honed while building a global B2B brand. This lived experience, according to Anand, makes him a natural fit as a partner within the firm's culture.
The endorsement emphasizes the value Jungle Ventures places on practical, hands-on experience in its leadership and advisory functions. By bringing in a seasoned operator like Raj, the firm signals a move towards providing more than just capital to its founders. It reinforces a commitment to offering true partnership and strategic counsel rooted in real-world business-building challenges and successes.
Bolstering the Firm's Platform and Community
Alongside Raj's appointment, Jungle Ventures also announced the hiring of Shruti Malhotra as Director of Content and Community. This move further strengthens the firm's platform team, which is dedicated to providing resources and support to its network of startups. The dual appointments indicate a concerted effort to build a robust ecosystem that fosters collaboration and shared learning among its portfolio companies.
Founded in 2012, Jungle Ventures has established itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape with a diverse portfolio. The firm has backed several successful startups that have achieved significant scale, including industry leaders like Moglix, Livspace, and Turtlemint. These new hires are poised to enhance the value proposition for both current and future companies backed by the firm.
The strategic appointments of Amrit Raj and Shruti Malhotra mark a pivotal moment for Jungle Ventures as it deepens its operational expertise. By integrating a leader with a proven record of scaling a unicorn, the firm is enhancing its ability to guide portfolio companies through their most critical growth stages. This deliberate focus on operator-led mentorship reinforces Jungle Ventures' commitment to being a long-term, value-added partner to the next generation of iconic companies.