V3F mentors guiding founders at VNIT Nagpur

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Founders Guided by
Those Who’ve Built.

V3F pairs every incubated startup with dedicated mentors - founders, investors, and technologists who work directly with your team through every critical phase.

groups17 Active Mentors
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calendar_monthMonthly Sessions

A structured mentorship journey.

A documented mentorship process designed to deliver real impact - not just introductions.

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Onboarding & Profiling

On joining V3F, each startup completes a profiling session covering their sector, stage, key challenges, and mentorship needs.

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Tailored Matching

You’re sector-matched with mentors whose domain, network, and experience align best with your product and market.

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Logged Sessions

All sessions are logged and documented for record keeping and impact assessment. Both parties submit brief post-session feedback.

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Annual Review

Mentors are onboarded for one year, with extensions based on performance and feedback from startups and V3F management.

Domain experts for every startup.

V3F's mentor pool spans entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and domain specialists - each formally onboarded and sector-matched to your startup's exact needs. V3F matches startups with mentors from the pool based on sector alignment, stage of development, and specific support requirements.

Tap for info Ajay Kamalvanshi

Mr. Ajay Kamalvanshi

AI Infrastructure, NVIDIA

AI & DEEP TECH

Mr. Ajay Kamalvanshi

Drives next-generation AI infrastructure at NVIDIA, optimizing GPU systems for hyperscale data centers and real-world AI workloads. Brings 25+ years across HPC, system software, and large-scale computing, with leadership experience at Nokia, Novell, and Phoenix Technologies. Expert in GPU performance, power optimization, and Linux systems, helping V3F build efficient, scalable AI and deep-tech products.

AINVIDIAHPC
Tap for info Anand Kamat

Mr. Anand Kamat

Co-Founder & CEO, PostQode

AI & DEEP TECH

Mr. Anand Kamat

The co-founder and CEO of PostQode, an Agentic AI startup, building AI SDLC agents in Insurance and Automobile. With 30+ years of experience in enterprise products, technology transformation, his career includes business leadership and engineering roles at major firms such as Microsoft, Adobe and Bell Labs. He specializes in AI products and platforms, helping V3F to accelerate AI initiatives.

AIMicrosoft AlumniBell Labs
Tap for info Hemant Chaudhary

Mr. Hemant Chaudhary

Founder, CEA Australia

ESG & SUSTAINABILITY

Mr. Hemant Chaudhary

Brings global expertise in circular economy, ESG, and climate change, helping V3F startups build sustainable and future-ready business models. Leverages collaborations with the United Nations and World Bank to enable policy alignment, global exposure, and impact-driven scaling. Founder of Circular Economy Alliance Australia, building a 15,000+ global community and driving innovation, incubation, and sustainability-led transformation.

ESGCircular EconomyUN · World Bank
Tap for info Mihirr Sose

Mr. Mihirr Sose

Founder & Growth Operator

GTM & GROWTH

Mr. Mihirr Sose

Founder, growth operator, and startup mentor helping 0–1 stage founders move fast from idea to MVP and early traction. Enables growth through operator-led learning, community building, and practical GTM systems for early-stage startups. For V3F he mentors AI, automation, and no-code training, helping teams accelerate product development and go-to-market execution.

GTM0→1 Growth
Tap for info Mithun Shrivastava

Mr. Mithun Shrivastava

Founder, Blowhorn · MBA Cambridge

LOGISTICS & OPERATIONS

Mr. Mithun Shrivastava

An MBA from the University of Cambridge. He is the founder of a logistics startup — Blowhorn. Prior to starting up, he was a part of the fast track management cohort at AP Moller Maersk.

LogisticsCambridge MBA
Tap for info Naveen Kumar Gonga

Mr. Naveen Kumar Gonga

CEO & Co-Founder, Studio Carbon

DESIGN & PRODUCT

Mr. Naveen Kumar Gonga

CEO & Co-Founder of Studio Carbon, leading a 40+ member global team across industrial design, branding, and UI/UX. Helping V3F startups turn ideas into market-ready products and scalable brands through design-led strategy and systems thinking. Expert on product strategy, design thinking, and building globally competitive offerings.

Industrial DesignUI/UX
Tap for info Parag Deoras

Mr. Parag Deoras

Global Supply Chain Leader

MANUFACTURING & SUPPLY CHAIN

Mr. Parag Deoras

Global supply chain leader with 25+ years across Royal Philips, ArcelorMittal, and Flowserve Corporation, driving large-scale transformation and efficiency programs. Led a $2B supply chain transformation delivering 10% operating improvement, with deep expertise in procurement, cost optimization, and industrial engineering.

Supply Chain$2B Programme
Tap for info Pravin Kamble

Mr. Pravin Kamble

Founder & CEO, 99minds

SAAS & FINTECH

Mr. Pravin Kamble

Founder & CEO of 99minds, building global infrastructure for loyalty, branded currency, and digital wallet ecosystems. Expert in scaling SaaS and fintech products that drive customer engagement and revenue for modern retailers. Actively mentors founders in Vidarbha, supporting startups in building scalable commerce and fintech solutions.

SaaSFintech
Tap for info Rohit Srivastava

Mr. Rohit Srivastava

Chair Professor, IIT Bombay

HEALTHCARE & DEEP TECH

Mr. Rohit Srivastava

A distinguished Chair Professor at IIT Bombay and healthcare innovator, he brings deep expertise in translational research and affordable medical technologies. He is Co-Founder of several healthcare startups from Nanobios Lab helping V3F in converting ideas into impactful products, scaling innovations, and navigating patents and commercialization.

HealthcareIIT Bombay
Tap for info Sandip Chintawar

Mr. Sandip Chintawar

Co-Founder, Cymetrix Software

AI & SAAS

Mr. Sandip Chintawar

Co-Founder of Cymetrix Software, he brings 20+ years of experience building, scaling, and exiting global technology ventures. 3 successful exits and active involvement in the startup ecosystem. Creator of the world's first commercial Java product, with OEM deals with Cisco, IBM, and Exodus. Scaled companies across Silicon Valley and India, raising capital from top VCs and angel investors.

3 ExitsSilicon Valley
Tap for info Sharad Bairathi

Mr. Sharad Bairathi

Founder, Embitel → Volkswagen Group

DEEP TECH & MANUFACTURING

Mr. Sharad Bairathi

Founder of Embitel, built a 1,500+ member global tech firm recognized among Deloitte Fast 50. Successfully scaled and exited to Volkswagen Group, now leading Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) development. Proven global leader who built and expanded tech businesses across Europe and the US, driving strategy, operations, and high-growth execution.

Deloitte Fast 50VW Group Exit
Tap for info Sharad Heda

Mr. Sharad Heda

Angel Investor & CEO Coach

FUNDING & VC

Mr. Sharad Heda

Technology industry veteran and former leader at Microland, who helped scale it into a global technology services organization. Mentors founders across 1→10 and 10→100 growth stages, guiding strategy, GTM, organizational design, and fundraising readiness. Angel investor and CEO coach with hands-on experience scaling businesses across global markets.

CEO CoachMicroland Alumni
Tap for info Shirish Purohit

Mr. Shirish Purohit

Emerging Markets Strategy, Tejas Networks

DEEP TECH & TELECOM

Mr. Shirish Purohit

Seasoned telecom leader with 35+ years at Tejas Networks and as Co-founder & CEO of Midas Communication Technologies, scaling it into a global exporter across 20+ countries. Brings deep expertise in technology commercialization, deep-tech entrepreneurship, and global market expansion.

35+ YearsTelecom
Tap for info Suneel Voditel

Mr. Suneel Voditel

Civil & Structural Engineering Expert

INFRASTRUCTURE & ENGINEERING

Mr. Suneel Voditel

IIT Roorkee alumnus and Civil & Structural Engineering consultant with 40+ years across industrial, commercial, and institutional projects in India and abroad. Specializes in large-span steel and complex engineering structures, with recognition from ACCE India and the Institution of Engineers (India). Guides V3F startups in infrastructure, construction technologies, and engineering execution excellence.

40+ YearsIIT RoorkeeInfrastructure
Tap for info Swapna Gupta

Ms. Swapna Gupta

Partner, Avaana Capital

FUNDING & VC

Ms. Swapna Gupta

Partner at Avaana Capital, investing in deep-tech and frontier innovation startups building globally competitive solutions. Former investor at Qualcomm Ventures, backing high-growth startups like Shadowfax and Ninjacart across mobility, agri-tech, and Industry 4.0. Brings 15+ years in investing and finance, mentoring V3F founders on fundraising, scaling, and building venture-backable businesses.

VCQualcomm Ventures
Tap for info Upendra Mardikar

Mr. Upendra Mardikar

Cybersecurity Leader · 100+ Patents

CYBERSECURITY & SAAS

Mr. Upendra Mardikar

Expertise in cybersecurity strategy, fraud prevention, and secure product architecture. Led security strategy at TIAA, Snap Finance, American Express, Visa, and PayPal. Holder of 100+ patents and contributor to foundational technologies like PCI DSS, Google Pay, and Apple Pay security. At V3F he guides startups on data security, compliance, and trust-building for global markets.

CybersecurityVisa · PayPalPCI DSS
Tap for info Vikas Sunkad

Mr. Vikas Sunkad

Founder, SunJosho Ventures

SAAS & GROWTH

Mr. Vikas Sunkad

Founder of SunJosho Ventures, brings nearly three decades of experience in scaling startups and large enterprises. With leadership roles including COO at 10Club and Vice President at Coca-Cola India, he specializes in growth, strategy, and execution. Mentors startups on product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, and building execution-driven, scalable ventures.

30 YearsCoca-ColaCOO · 10Club

Potential Mentoring Areas

Key domains where our mentors actively guide V3F founders — from deep-tech strategy to navigating the Indian startup ecosystem.

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Scaling Deep-Tech Ventures

From lab to market — building defensible deep-tech companies.

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Telecom Industry Economics & Strategy

Market dynamics and business models across the telecom sector.

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Globalization of Technology Companies

Taking Indian tech companies to global markets with confidence.

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Product Management for Technology Firms

Roadmapping, prioritisation, and shipping products that win.

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Venture Capital & Technology Commercialization

Fundraising strategy, investor relations, and commercialising IP.

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Indian Telecom Ecosystem & Policy

Navigating regulations, policy shifts, and ecosystem players in India.

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Dos & Don’ts of Running a Tech Enterprise in India

Hard-earned lessons on building, operating, and scaling ventures in India.

Expand the network.

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AI & Deep Tech

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Funding & VC

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Manufacturing

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Healthcare / MedTech

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Clean Energy

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Legal & IP

Become a V3F Mentor.

Share your domain expertise, expand your network, and help shape the next generation of deep-tech founders emerging from VNIT’s ecosystem.

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Sector-matched with startups best aligned to your expertise.

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Formal onboarding letter issued by V3F Nagpur.

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Logged sessions with structured post-session feedback.

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Access to V3F network events, panels, and demo days.

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VNIT faculty mentors recognised in performance appraisals.

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Annual extension based on performance & mutual interest.

Mentor Application