Our team comprises of experienced individuals who have created immense value, as entrepreneurs and as investors.
Gaurav Saraf, Director
Gaurav launched his fund, Epiphany Ventures, focused on investing in early stage companies in late 2008.
He started his career working as a consultant at Diamond Technology Partners Inc. (DTPI), a strategy consulting company, headquartered in Chicago. At DTPI, Gaurav gained experience in a wide range of disciplines and sectors, including retail, e-commerce, knowledge management, merger integrations, etc.
After his return to India, in 2004, Gaurav founded a business in the mining sector. He exited the business through a trade sale in 2007. He also serves as the Vice-President, M&A for the Facor Group, which has a turnover of over $250 million. Most recently, he has been actively involved in guiding Epiphany's portfolio companies: iLevel Solutions, a software company catering to large financial institutions, in which he has co-invested with Blackstone - and MotorExchange - an online auto auction and content business, which has sold Rs. 1000 cr worth of automobiles in its first year of operations.
Gaurav is a Tie Charter Member, has a B.Sc in Electrical Engineering from University of Pennsylvania, and M.Sc in Finance from City University, London.
Rishi Khosla, Advisor
Rishi Khosla is the CEO and one of the Founders of Copal Partners, and a successful private equity investor. His 1999 tech vintage venture portfolio has realized two billion dollar enterprises: PayPal and IndiaBulls. Investments included the most successful Indian venture investment to date, with a 150x capital return. Previously, he was in the business development team at GE Capital, reporting to the President of GE Capital Europe. During his tenure, he attained approval from Jack Welch to establish an early stage venture fund for GE Capital, which he co-managed.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University College London, and a Masters in Accounting & Finance from London School of Economics, where he was awarded a scholarship by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Alpesh Patel, Advisor
Alpesh is founding Principal of Praefinium Partners, a UK FSA regulated asset management group, and a Chairman of the Sterling Group. He is a board member in the UK India Business Council, and served as the 'International Dealmaker' for the British Government in 2005. Patel was responsible for bringing high growth, innovative Indian companies, to the UK. He is also the Chairman of the UK India Business Angel Network, launched by the UK Prime Minister, in 2008. Patel is the author of 12 highly-renown investment books, published by the Financial Times, and has over 200 investment columns published in print. He presented the popular 'CEO in the Hot Seat' program on Bloomberg television, and also appears regularly on CNN, Sky Business News, CNBC and BBC Radio. Patel is qualified as a Barrister, specializing in company law and directors duties. He read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University and Law at King's College, London. He is a Former Visiting Fellow in Business and Industry at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University. He sits on the Council of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), and was appointed for a five-year term by the UK Foreign Secretary, to the UK India Roundtable.