Investor Quotient: Sanjay Mehta’s Journey from Entrepreneur to Angel Investor

Jam With Sam - Sanjay Mehta

In this episode of Jam With Sam, we sit down with Sanjay Mehta, one of India’s most prominent angel investors, to explore his transition from entrepreneur to investor. A first-generation entrepreneur, Sanjay built and exited multiple businesses before stepping into the world of angel investing. With over 70 startup investments, including OYO, Block.one, and PrettySecrets, he shares insights on spotting winning startups, investment philosophies, and the future of blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Building an Entrepreneurial Foundation

Born and raised in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar, Sanjay Mehta’s journey started with engineering and entrepreneurship straight out of college. Instead of taking the traditional job route, he founded Globalware Systems in 1993, a bespoke software company. His early business challenges—from securing a loan for his first PC to understanding the importance of timing in business—shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.

His biggest lesson? Timing is everything. While he had great ideas, his dot-com venture collapsed due to market conditions, reinforcing the importance of launching at the right moment.

Major Business Successes & Exits

Sanjay’s most notable entrepreneurial ventures include:

  • Udyog Software – A leading tax solutions company, which he scaled to 12,000+ customers before selling it to a U.S.-based company.
  • MAIA Intelligence – A business intelligence company acquired by Datamatics, establishing him as a pioneer in India’s BI space.
  • Multiple Real Estate Investments – These early investments provided the financial stability to transition into angel investing.

Each business exit provided him with the capital and expertise to start funding startups and mentoring new entrepreneurs.

The Angel Investor Mindset: How Sanjay Picks Winning Startups

Today, Sanjay Mehta is a key player in India’s startup ecosystem, having backed 71+ startups across multiple sectors. His investment framework focuses on three key questions:

  • Is there money to be made? – Does the startup solve a real problem in a scalable market?
  • Are the founders capable of making money? – Do they have the vision, execution skills, and resilience?
  • How much money can this investment generate? – What’s the potential for growth and exit?

Who does he avoid investing in?

  • Superman founders – Entrepreneurs who think they can do everything alone.
  • Paranoid founders – Those who refuse to share ideas without an NDA.
  • Perfectionists – Startups that never launch because they keep refining their product.
  • Gold diggers – Companies that add buzzwords like “blockchain” or “AI” just to attract funding.

According to Sanjay, the best founders are visionaries who can see the future before anyone else does.

Top Investments & Exits

  • OYO Rooms – One of his best investments, with an incredible 280X return.
  • Block.one – A blockchain startup that has raised $700 million+ in funding.
  • Mech Mocha – A gaming company that started with just screenshots and is now thriving.

His diverse portfolio also includes PrettySecrets, one of India’s leading lingerie brands, where he invested in two funding rounds, backing founder Karan Behal’s vision to disrupt the market.

The Future of Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

As a strong believer in blockchain technology, Sanjay predicts that corporations—not governments—will drive the future of money. According to him:

  • Corporations will issue their own currencies, replacing traditional government-backed money.
  • Bitcoin is digital gold – Unlike fiat money, it cannot be printed or duplicated, making it a powerful store of value.
  • Blockchain will enable decentralized organizations, eliminating the need for middlemen in industries like social media, finance, and governance.

His investment in Block.one, a blockchain company, aligns with his vision of a decentralized future.

Lessons from Sanjay Mehta’s Journey

Sanjay’s transition from entrepreneur to angel investor highlights key lessons in risk-taking, resilience, and adaptability. His success is built on:

  • Making data-driven decisions – From business intelligence to investing, he relies on insights and trends.
  • Building strong networks – Whether through TiE, NASSCOM, or ISB, relationships are key to success.
  • Spotting the right founders – A startup’s potential is only as strong as its founding team.

For entrepreneurs and investors alike, Sanjay Mehta’s career proves that timing, vision, and execution are the pillars of success in both business and investing.


About Sanjay Mehta:

Sanjay Mehta is a serial entrepreneur turned angel investor with over 71 startup investments across technology, finance, gaming, and blockchain. Known for his data-driven investment approach, he has backed some of India’s most successful startups, including OYO Rooms, Block.one, and PrettySecrets. His deep industry insights and hands-on mentorship continue to shape India’s startup landscape.