Key Takeaways
- • Navya Naveli Nanda, 28, announced Naveli Ventures on Instagram, described as the strategic venture arm of the Nanda Family Office, backing startups in deep tech, space, clean energy, AI, advanced manufacturing and health.
- • The venture pitches itself on "capital, capacity, and conviction," positioning its role as active partnership beyond funding, according to Navya's post.
- • Navya's entry into venture investing comes as she seeks an identity separate from the Nanda family's Rs 31,000 crore legacy, while her father Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Kubota Limited, has said she must earn her position in the company.
- • Navya has previously co-founded Aara Health, Project Naveli and the foundation Nimaya.
Summary
Navya Naveli Nanda, 28, has announced Naveli Ventures, the strategic venture arm of the Nanda Family Office, according to a post on Instagram. The venture will back early-stage and growth companies across deep tech, space, clean energy, AI, advanced manufacturing and health, with the stated aim of supporting emerging technologies and founders building solutions for India's future.
In her post, Navya argued that transformative ideas require more than capital. She said Naveli Ventures will offer relationships, expertise and patience to help companies expand, describing the approach as "capital, capacity, and conviction." Public reactions from Shweta Bachchan, Karan Johar and Suhana Khan were supportive, though the announcement itself is the primary development.
The launch sits against the backdrop of the family's Rs 31,000 crore business interests. Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Kubota Limited, said in a podcast appearance a few months earlier that his children would eventually become the family's shareholder voice but that the surname does not guarantee a board or management position. He said Navya "has to earn her position" and described her as smart and ambitious; she recently graduated from IIM Ahmedabad.
Navya has spoken about wanting an identity beyond her last name, while acknowledging the legacy passed on to her. She credited her grandmother Ritu Nanda's influence on her path. Her previous ventures include Aara Health, Project Naveli, which was established in 2020 to address gender inequality, and the foundation Nimaya, which recently extended its GenAI Ready Naari programme to Assam.
In her post, Navya argued that transformative ideas require more than capital. She said Naveli Ventures will offer relationships, expertise and patience to help companies expand, describing the approach as "capital, capacity, and conviction." Public reactions from Shweta Bachchan, Karan Johar and Suhana Khan were supportive, though the announcement itself is the primary development.
The launch sits against the backdrop of the family's Rs 31,000 crore business interests. Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Kubota Limited, said in a podcast appearance a few months earlier that his children would eventually become the family's shareholder voice but that the surname does not guarantee a board or management position. He said Navya "has to earn her position" and described her as smart and ambitious; she recently graduated from IIM Ahmedabad.
Navya has spoken about wanting an identity beyond her last name, while acknowledging the legacy passed on to her. She credited her grandmother Ritu Nanda's influence on her path. Her previous ventures include Aara Health, Project Naveli, which was established in 2020 to address gender inequality, and the foundation Nimaya, which recently extended its GenAI Ready Naari programme to Assam.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.