Ex-group chairman at Dentsu India, Sandeep Goyal to back up startups

BENGALURU: Sandeep Goyal, the former group chairman at Dentsu India who sold his 26% stake in the company in 2011 for Rs 100 crore, plans to back startups that have built brands but are struggling to raise funds.

Goyal aims to make late-stage investments in two to three servicesector startups, specifically scouting for players within the food, logistics and ecommerce space with mobile-enabled platforms that have built brands and are raising funds to “relaunch the company”.

“I am looking for companies who have built a solid brand but have burnt too much cash and need reengineering, basically a last chance at survival,” said Goyal.

“I am in talks with other high net-worth friends, including Harvard Business school alumni who will partner in these investments.” With plans of playing a strong role in mentorship and improving the unit economics of existing business models in the service sector, Goyal is also interested in the cab pickup services segment.

“You have the Olas and the Ubers that have captured a large market, but I think there is some interesting entrepreneurial activity taking place in the space that can be looked into.”

After his stint at Densu India, Goyal, along with wife Tanya, launched Mogae Media in 2012. Mogae Media provides integrated mobile marketing services to improve brands’ target audience reach. It works with companies such as Yes Bank, Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Unilever and Procter & Gamble.

By Shashwati Shankar