LASTAKI - Key Persons
Amit is an AVP at Lastaki Advisors and looks at fundraising and M&A opportunities across various sectors including Consumer, Energy, Financials, Healthcare, and Industrials. Before Lastaki, Amit worked in KPMG's deal advisory team where he worked on comprehensive business valuations of PE-backed businesses.
Amit is a CFA Level-3 Candidate (CFA Institute, USA) and has completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Delhi University.
Outside of work, Amit enjoys outdoor sports activities such as long spin cycling, running, travelling and exploring new destinations.
Dev is the Founder & Managing Partner at Lastaki Advisors. Dev along with LVN founded Lastaki in 2009 with a vision to advise and partner with entrepreneurs & founders, especially in new-age industries and technology space. Ever since then, Dev has led Lastaki from the front and advised over 100+ sector-agnostic Fundraise, M&A and Management Advisory transactions.
Dev has been a pioneer in the Enterprise-SaaS-Technology investing space and firmly believes in the power of new-age technologies in transforming and disrupting businesses globally. Unlike a ‘consultant', Dev leads Lastaki's Advisory practice works as a partner to the founders and helps to implement recommended strategy with detailed analysis and consultation.
Throughout his professional journey, Dev has represented successful mandates for several Indian corporates in the capacity of an Investment Banking and Institutional Finance Professional. Dev is also the Founder, Director and Member of the Investment Committee at Triton, an early-stage fund focused on investing in B2B tech and services companies in India.
2004 was when Dev turned an entrepreneur as the Founder and CIO of Tricolor Advisory Services, advisor to an India-dedicated hedge fund (AUM US$190 million) and also advised Fortress Investment Group, a global hedge fund (AUM US$20 billion) on its India investments (In 2006 Tricolor India Fund was nominated as the Best Performing India Hedge Fund by Eurekahedge).
Dev has over 30+ years of experience across domestic & global financial institutions including his prior stints at Credit Suisse and HSBC where he held Director-level and senior leadership positions. Dev is an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Dev likes to run long distances and has participated in over 10 ultra-marathons & other marathons across different locations and terrains. He is also a voracious reader across genres and an avid follower of classical music.
Eshan is a VP at Lastaki Advisors and focuses on growth, origination, alliances, client & investor relationship management and investment opportunities across all sectors. In his previous stints, Eshan has worked in investment banking, technology, corporate development and consulting across APAC and EMEA regions with organizations such as Nomura, MG Technologies, IIFL (India Infoline), CorpFin Associates, School of Investment Banking, IIIR PLC, among others.
Eshan gained his education in business management and finance from the Yale School of Management, XLRI Jamshedpur - Xavier School of Management and the University of Mumbai.
Apart from work, Eshan is a fitness enthusiast and a trained yoga practitioner who likes swimming and trekking. He enjoys reading about global geopolitics & history, watching biographical & documentary films, and exploring different cafés, cuisines & restaurants.
Gautam is an AVP at Lastaki Advisors and looks at investment opportunities across Technology and Media verticals. Prior to Lastaki, Gautam worked at TresVista in Mumbai and London where he focused on natural resources mid-market-oriented fundraising and M&A transactions. Before this, he worked in Deloitte's risk consulting division.
Gautam is a CFA Level-3 Charterholder (CFA Institute, USA) and has graduated in Bachelor of Management Studies (with distinction) specializing in Finance from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai.
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Gautam enjoys learning about new business models and understanding how they scale. In his free time, Gautam is always dabbling around trying to learn some new skill. He is a dance & drama enthusiast and enjoys watching investigative web series during his downtime.
Imisha is an Associate at Lastaki Advisors and looks at investment opportunities across tech and traditional economy verticals. Prior to Lastaki, Imisha worked as a Senior Analyst in the investment banking and private equity teams of SG Analytics and TresVista Financial Services, respectively.
Imisha completed her Bachelor of Finance degree from the Christ University, Bangalore and is a CFA Level-3 Candidate (CFA Institute, US).
Imisha is passionate about combating social inequality strives to make an impact by performing street plays on LGBTQIA rights. She also works towards rural women empowerment by helping initiatives raise funds via microfinancing. Outside of work, Imisha likes to read self-development books and follow spirituality by practicing meditation and yoga.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Managing Partner
- Banker
LVN Muralidhar is the Founder & Managing Partner at Lastaki Advisors. LVN has over 40+ years of experience in investment banking, equity fund management and corporate banking in India. He along with Dev founded Lastaki in 2009, and since then has advised a number of startups, small and medium-scale companies that are now leaders in their respective sectors.
LVN is a career banker who started his career journey in 1986 with Canara Bank and went on to become a fund manager for Canbank Mutual Fund where he managed an equity portfolio of more than US$270 million for over a decade. He enjoyed an excellent track record as mutual fund manager and was awarded as the Best Performing Domestic Fund Manager for two consecutive years in 1998 and 1999.
LVN is also an angel/ seed investor in several promising startups. He has issued several termsheets and has invested in more than 200+ businesses in his personal capacity. He is extremely passionate about interacting and brainstorming with young entrepreneurs & founders and actively mentors select few of them. LVN is also a mentor & guest faculty at certain educational universities & B-schools where he speaks on investment management and institutional finance.
He has advised a number of startups, small and medium-scale organizations on business restructuring, performance optimization, process optimization and value optimization. LVN is a Law graduate, Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and a Member of the Indian Institute of Bankers.
Neha is an Executive Director and leads the Technology practice at Lastaki Advisors. As a young student, Neha was passionate about decoding businesses, formulating strategy and had a flair for storytelling. Investment banking was a perfect professional choice for her to combine her strengths and serve her purpose of putting Indian businesses on the global map. She started her journey as an investment banking analyst with Credit Suisse, followed by Barclays (US/ New York offices supported by Adventity/ Sutherland).
Since joining Lastaki in 2011, Neha has been instrumental in building the technology practice at the firm. Her areas of expertise lie in business strategy, financial analysis & modelling and deal making.
She has successfully helped several tech start-ups across SaaS/ EnterpriseTech, Consumer, Healthcare and B2B Platform businesses, raise funds and advised on M&A deals. She actively advises several large Indian conglomerates and Triton (a B2B-focused fund) in their tech investments and inorganic growth strategies. Neha also assists several early-stage businesses, especially focused on health and wellness, strategize business and ideate, on a pro-bono basis.
In her breaks, Neha is often planning her next travel escapade, favoring the country-side and mountain treks. She also loves baking/ stirring-up her favorite treats and kicking back with a good read or a period film.
Nikita is a Senior Associate at Lastaki Advisors and looks at fundraising, M&A and advisory activities across tech and traditional business verticals. Before Lastaki, Nikita worked in TSW Capital Services' investment banking team where she helped South Asia and Southeast Asia based clients in raising equity and debt capital.
Nikita is a CFA Level-3 Candidate (CFA Institute, US) and has completed her Masters in Management Studies (Finance) from the Mumbai University.
Outside of work, Nikita enjoys travelling and trying different adventure sports. Additionally, she likes to cook, watch action movies, and play carrom & badminton.
Job Titles:
- Accounts & Admin. Executive
Parameshwaran Iyer is an AVP at Lastaki Advisors and looks at deal execution, management advisory and PE/ VC operations and compliances. Prior to Lastaki, Paramesh led the tax function for the Indian OpCos of Endo International Plc, a US listed pharma company. He has also worked in statutory audit, management audit and design and review of internal financial control for ACC Ltd./ Ambuja Ltd. and listed Indian cement manufacturing MNCs.
Paramesh has completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree and LLB (General) from the Mumbai University and is also an Associate Member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (CA, ICAI) and Licentiate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (CS, ICSI).
In his free time, Paramesh enjoys exploring Web 3.0, collecting & creating NFT content and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Puneet is a Senior Advisor at Lastaki Advisors and primarily looks at the SME IPO space. He has 20+ years of rich experience across various finance functions. Puneet's last stint was with IndiaMART InterMESH for 8+ years where he handled diverse roles ranging from business strategy, process structuring, investor relations, corporate development and was instrumental in shaping the company's growth path. He has also worked with British Telecom, FIITJEE, Religare Enterprises, SMC Global Securities and Pagepoint Services.
Academically, Puneet is a Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and has completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Delhi University.
Outside of work, Puneet is fond of playing outdoor sports, travelling, watching Bollywood movies and enjoys writing at times.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- CEO
- Consultant
- Senior Advisor
- Expert
Purvi Sheth is CEO of Shilputsi Consultants and Senior Advisor to Lastaki Advisors. Purvi is an expert consultant and advisor to some of the most prestigious companies, Boards and CEOs. Her offerings have proven valuable in strategic engagements, executing in complexity and repeatedly contributing to intellectual capital. She is known as a strategic mentor with a successful background in elevating organizational performance through skillful leadership management and talent processes.
Her expertise lies in HR strategy, talent management & transition, aligning ESG & HR goals, diversity & inclusion advisory and POSH practices. Her vast network in India and abroad allow her to provide appropriate benchmarks and solutions to clients. Purvi is a pioneer in bringing ‘Management Due Diligence' in M&A processes in India. She is the brain behind the two highly renowned flagship programs of Shilputsi Consultants: License to Lead (Mentoring for Women Leaders) and Ascendency (Mentoring for High-Potential Leaders).
She is an Independent Director, NRC Chair & CSR Committee member at Deepak Nitrite Ltd. as well as of the Warburg Pincus investee company Imagine Marketing Ltd. (boAt). She is an Independent Director & NRC member at Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. (KOEL) and Independent Director at Kirloskar Industries Ltd. (KIL), the holding company of the Kirloskar Group.
Apart from this, Purvi is Advisor & Member of Family Business Council - an Indian Family-owned Business House; POSH advisor, ICC Member India - Asia's Sovereign Wealth Fund & Singapore's Largest Private Investment Company; Executive Council Member - Bombay Management Association Mentor, ASCENT Foundation (A Harsh Mariwala initiative).
In addition to her professional life, Purvi is an art & music enthusiast and passionate about exotic & gourmet cooking. Purvi is an ardent supporter of St. Jude India Child Care Centres (for children undergoing cancer treatment) and works on weekends on her micro social-impact venture The Happy Kitchen.
Job Titles:
- CFO
- Partner
- Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Reena is the CFO & Partner at Lastaki Advisors and has been with Lastaki since 2009. She has over 20+ years of post-qualification extensive experience in leadership finance positions with companies in India and abroad across investment banking, private equity and financial advisory including financial restructuring and due diligence functions.
She has expert experience in managing M&A & fundraise transactions, financial operations, restructurings, setting-up investment vehicles, fund accounting, internal audit, due diligence and designing & implementing MIS & risk control structures. She was CFO of Tricolor Advisory Services, India (a hedge fund) for 3 years, where she managed financial operations and accounting functions of the advisory company (India), investment management company (Mauritius) and hedge fund (Mauritius). She has also been in-charge of the fund accounting function of Alliance Capital Asset Management, a large domestic mutual fund in India. Prior to that, she was based in California as the financial controller of vMoksha Technologies, a US-based software consulting company.
Reena is a Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (CA, ICAI) and is a Commerce graduate from the Mumbai University. She has also completed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examinations from the US.
Outside of work, Reena looks for opportunities to give-back to the society whether it is by organizing fundraises for social causes, community service activities, organizing social & cultural events or helping-out in the activities of the Advait-Vedanta study group which she is a part of. She enjoys swimming, reading, travelling and watching movies in her spare time.
Rushabh is an AVP at Lastaki Advisors and looks at opportunities across AgriTech, Consumer, EnterpriseTech, HealthTech and SaaS businesses. Prior to Lastaki, Rushabh worked at Malabar Capital Advisors' IB team in Mumbai, where he helped establish their Consumer sector practice. He also worked at Capital Fortune's equity deal team in Hyderabad.
Rushabh has completed his Master of Finance degree from KJ Somaiya Institute of Management (KJ SIMSR), Mumbai.
Outside of work, Rushabh enjoys travelling, playing football & cricket and is fond of different coffees & desserts.
Sandeep has been associated with Lastaki Advisors since 2012. He started his career with ICICI Bank as a part of its Project Finance division based in Mumbai and Delhi. He then worked for BNP Paribas, initially in Delhi and then for 7 years in Singapore, where he was Managing Director in the Media & Telecom Finance group and Leveraged Finance group, APAC. He also spent a year working for Motorola Singapore, as Head of Structured Finance, Indian sub-continent. Sandeep returned to India in 2007 to set up the Leveraged & Sponsor Finance business for GE Capital.
In all, Sandeep has more than 30+ years of financial services experience in India and APAC. He is currently an Independent Financial Advisor and a Sr. Advisor at Lastaki.
Sandeep is a Commerce graduate from SRCC Delhi, a Cost Accountant and has done MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Outside of work, Sandeep is a passionate global traveler & trekker and an aspiring drummer.
Sarat is an Executive Director at Lastaki Advisors and primarily looks at traditional economy industries and works mostly with promoters of matured companies in formulating strategy for growth capital raise. He has a wide range of experience in investment banking across M&A, private equity fundraising, structured debt fundraising and equity capital markets.
Sarat has worked across multiple sectors and key transactions including the acquisition of the Melgain brand by Zydus Cadila, PE investment in the NBFC Kanakadurga Finance (KFL), strategic investment by Thermax in ExactSpace, Apollo Micro Systems' pre-IPO/ IPO institutional fundraise, Granules' investor relationship strategy and business strategy, structured debt funding for the NSL Group, devised buyside inorganic growth strategy for the GVK family, Thermax, Lucas TVS, among others.
Sarat is an MBA from the Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad and has graduated in Bachelor of Commerce from the Berhampur University, Odisha.
Outside of work, Sarat is an avid automobile enthusiast and likes to go for spontaneous long weekend drives to different regions of the country. For exploring destinations at shorter distances, Sarat prefers cycling/ riding a bike. He also enjoys watching regional movies and OTT content.
Shivam is a Senior Analyst at Lastaki Advisors and looks at investment opportunities across tech and traditional business verticals. Prior to Lastaki, Shivam worked with Arcesium India in its treasury department focusing on collateral management processes for various hedge funds.
Shivam completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad and is a CFA Level-2 Candidate (CFA Institute, US).
Shivam loves to read on the Indian economy, capital markets, personal finance and is fond of singing. In his free time, Shivam likes to watch cricket, football, and thriller movies.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Associate
Taran is a Sr. Associate at Lastaki Advisors and looks at businesses across the traditional economy and modern tech areas. Prior to this, Taran was an Associate at MergerDomo where he worked on Pharma, Auto, Consumer, Renewables, and Mobility mandates. He also interned at Yes Bank's Treasury Department and NITI Aayog's Economics & Finance cell.
Taran completed his Master of Finance and Management degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia and is a CFA Level-3 Candidate (CFA Institute, US).
In his free time, Taran enjoys playing cricket & football, exploring new cuisines and is a first-degree black belt in Karate.
Vinamra is a Sr. Manager at Lastaki Advisors and looks at transaction support and business advisory functions across all sectors. Prior to Lastaki, Vinamra worked at Grant Thornton where he was responsible for statutory audit and reviews of various Indian and US listed and unlisted companies from the BPM, Consumer and Pharma sectors.
Vinamra completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Mumbai University and is a Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He has been an expert panel member at various B-School and CA Association events.
In his free time, Vinamra is a big foodie and enjoys dancing, socializing & travelling.
Vishal is a Senior Analyst at Lastaki Advisors. He primarily looks at fundraising & M&A across new-age & traditional economy business verticals. In his previous stints in Operational VC & IB domains, he was instrumental in collaborating with founders in strategic business execution and fundraising.
Academically, Vishal has cleared CFA Level-1 Candidate (CFA Institute, US) and holds a Bachelor in Commerce from NEHU. Also, he has completed the FinExpert Certification from Finnacle Investment Academy.
Outside of work, Vishal enjoys going on spontaneous drives, cafe hopping and is particular about his coffee routine. Moreover, he likes to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle.