Professional Background: Archana Jahagirdar is at the forefront of transforming the entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem in India. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Rukam Capital, an early-stage consumer-focused VC fund, she stands out as one of the few women general partners in venture capital both in India and globally. Archana’s sharp intuition and deep understanding of the Indian markets define her illustrious journey. Achievements • National Recognition: Nominated to the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC), chaired by Honorable Cabinet Minister Shri Piyush Goyal. • Awards: Featured in Mint's "100 Women Entrepreneurs Building and Shaping India" list (2022) and named among the "41 Women Torchbearers of India’s Startup Investment Space" by Inc42 (2023). Early Career and Contributions: Before founding Rukam Capital, Archana excelled in deal sourcing, setting up accelerators, and collaborating with the Indian Angel Network. Her early-stage investing expertise is demonstrated in brands like Burger Singh. Her transactional acumen is matched by her ability to scale portfolio companies and foster relationships with tier-1 funds. Rukam Capital: Founded in 2019, Rukam Capital has invested in 18 companies across various sectors, including Sleepy Owl, GoDesi, BECO, Pilgrim, Curefoods, and Yoho. Archana believes in the economic impact of catalyzing entrepreneurial spirit, which inspired her to launch Rukam Capital. Rukam Sitara: A tech fund launched to capture value in India's dynamic tech landscape. Startup Ecosystem Events: Key organizer of New Delhi Slush’d, India’s licensed avatar of Slush Helsinki, and Startup Makakumbh. Co-led the Indian startup delegation at Latitude 59, Estonia. Bootstrap Incubation and Advisory Foundation: Founded a non-profit organization aimed at creating a community for early-stage startup founders, investors, business enthusiasts, industry experts, and other stakeholders. Education: Archana holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in literature from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University.