Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata passes away

Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata, the former Chairman of Tata Sons, passed away at 86 on October 9 in Mumbai.

He was a key supporter of India’s startup ecosystem, making investments, providing mentorship, and guiding young entrepreneurs to build impactful ventures. Tata made his first notable startup investment in 2014 with Snapdeal.

Since then, he backed 46 startups across sectors such as e-commerce, technology, and fintech. Some notable startups he invested in include CarDekho, Xiaomi, Ola, Moglix, Lenskart, Urban Company, FirstCry, CureFit, and GOQII. Beyond financial investments, Tata offered invaluable mentorship to startup founders.

His business acumen, built over decades of experience, made his advice highly sought after. Founders often credited Tata for guiding them on business strategy, leadership, innovation, and scaling their ventures. Tata was a strong advocate of risk-taking and innovation in business.

His investments in tech-driven businesses showcased his belief in the power of technology to solve societal problems. In a 2019 interaction, Tata recalled that his role as a startup investor was partly accidental.

Ratan Tata’s impactful startup investments

“When I retired I was free from it and I started making small token investments from my own pocket in what I considered to be exciting companies,” Tata said. “So, what I did was to take some more risks than I might have taken under different circumstances.”

Tata encouraged founders to not only focus on profit but also on building companies that positively impact society. His personal values of integrity, responsibility, and social impact reflected in his support for businesses that aim to make a difference.

“The drive to start something new, the fire in the belly, a better way to do something that is being done or a good opportunity to undertake—all to make a difference… and above all the courage and tenacity to see it through, be it good or bad, and yet make it happen are the hallmarks I look for in entrepreneurs,” Tata had said. Tata’s involvement in the startup space provided a significant boost to India’s entrepreneurial landscape. His backing enhanced investor confidence and inspired many traditional investors to explore early-stage ventures.

His influence played a pivotal role in making startups a mainstream part of India’s economic fabric. Indian startup founders paid tribute to Tata on Twitter:

Kunal Bahl, Snapdeal: “India has lost one of its greatest titans, a true statesman. Mr. Ratan Tata was more than just a business leader—his compassion, humility, and kindness inspired millions.

His legacy will live on forever.”

Urban Company’s Abhiraj Singh Bhal: “Mr. Ratan Tata was an embodiment of all the values which India and Indians should strive for – Humility, Integrity, Service before Self, Trusteeship, Excellence, Grace, Conscious Capitalism, and Love for Nation.”

GOQII’s Vishal Gondal: “Deeply saddened by the passing of Ratan Tata, a visionary investor, mentor, and a great loss to the nation. During COVID, I had the honor of setting up his GOQii to track his vitals, and his curiosity and insights left a lasting impact.”

Ratan Tata’s legacy will continue to inspire and shape India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for generations to come.

Harper Johnson

Harper Johnson stands at the forefront of digital marketing, where she dissects and interprets the impact of online advertising trends, social media dynamics, and search engine algorithms on consumer behavior.

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