VC Corner Q&A: Atin Batra of Twenty Seven Ventures
By: The Startup Grind Team
Tags: Vc Corner, Edtech, Funding, VC, Startup

Atin Batra is the Founder & General Partner at Twenty Seven Ventures, a VC firm investing in early-stage EdTech and Future of Work startups across the world. 27V looks for entrepreneurs with an overwhelming drive to build a business that not only creates shareholder value but also leave a positive impact on our fragile world. The firm has invested in 6 companies operating in 6 countries.

Most recently, he was a Principal at the global VC firm Q Venture Partners, where he helped invest in Deep Tech & connected Hardware startups in North America. Prior to that, he led the Swire Properties’ B2B accelerator ‘blueprint’. Originally from India, Atin spends his weekends trail running Hong Kong’s beautiful country parks.

— What is your Twenty Seven Venture’s mission?

Twenty Seven Ventures (27V) is curating a group of thoughtful founders building the foundations of human learning and productivity; entrepreneurs with an overwhelming drive to build a business that not only creates shareholder value but also leave a positive impact on our fragile world.

The Fund invests in global EdTech and Future of Work startups at the pre-Seed and Seed stages. We invest globally because we believe there is untapped value in founders, across the world, learning from each other facing problems, both similar and dissimilar.

— What was your very first investment? And what struck you about them?

Toggle was my first investment out of this Fund. Toggle is a NY-based company building a full-stack robotics solution for rebar cage fabrication and assembly.

I was struck by the how humble the Founding team was. Both Dan and Ian had been successful in their careers before starting the company, and yet they came to work every single day looking to learn more about the construction business.

— What’s one thing you’re excited about right now?

Investing in Founder operating outside of the traditional venture capital hotspots. In today’s time and age of software technology pervading all industries, I truly believe there are amazing companies being built by teams not within the bubble that is the Bay Area or Tel Aviv or London.

— Who is one founder we should watch?

Keep an eye out for Amanda DoAmaral, founder of Fiveable. She is the most customer-focused entrepreneur I’ve come across.

I came across Amanda because of a video where she rails against the injustices being wrought by a particular educational curriculum provider. Knew it right then that the best interests of her students was always going to be top of mind for her. That’s been the secret to her success so far! And will be crucial going forward.

— What are the 3 top qualities of every great leader?

Innately curious, always open to learning. Appreciates the value of relationships and teams. Recognizes that allocation of resources (time, capital, human) is their primary job.

— What’s one question you ask yourself before investing in a company?

Would the smartest people I know want to work for this Founder? Would I?

IMHO, being able to build a stellar team around oneself is a Founder’s most under-appreciated quality.

— What’s one thing every founder should ask themselves before walking into a meeting with a potential investor?

What will the company and founding team learn/gain from this individual/firm?

— What do you think should be in a CEO’s top 3 company priorities?

Be customer-focused from day one. Build a diverse team that is committed to the company vision. Efficiently allocate the company’s resources — time, human, capital.

— Favorite business book, blog or podcast?

Really like “Invest Like the Best” podcast by Patrick O’Shaughnessy. It’s a constant presence in my Overcast queue.

— What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?

I’m an ultra-marathon trail runner. Running long distances in the mountains keeps me sane.

— Who is one leader you admire?

Given my hobby of long distance running, I’m a sucker for endurance athletes and their stories. 2 in particular that I follow closely are Scott Jurek and Alex Honnold — both of them are at the pinnacle of their respective fields, ultra-running and mountain climbing.

I’m always finding parallels between endurance sports and entrepreneurship; the ups and downs, hitting walls, building a crew +more. Keep reminding the portfolio founders and myself that this journey is an ultra-marathon, not a marathon, certainly not a sprint.

— What is one interesting thing most people won’t know about you?

I’m a thespian at heart — and was a theatre actor/director for the first 20 years of my life. Still deeply love theatre, so much so that my wife and I saw 5 broadway shows in 7 nights during our last trip to NY.

— What is one piece of advice you’d give every founder?

Strictly curate your group of mentors, advisors and investors — they could be as instrumental to your success/failure as the team (employees) you build.