One97 Mobility Fund

One97 Communications represents the young entrepreneurial India one that believes in the potential that lies ahead, one that envisions things before they become a reality and one that leads by innovating.

However, it all started small but with a lot of energy and vision to foresee like most great ideas. Today One97 Communications is a leading full service, multi-range VAS firm in India with the best teams of employees, investors and customers behind it.

Today One97’s learning’s in the Mobile Value Added Services space are immense and ready to be shared with the next generation of entrepreneurs. The dynamics of the sector have ensured that there are enormous opportunities. Support from highly distinguished VC team - SAIF Partners makes the proposition uniquely compelling.

The vision of One97 Mobility Fund (OMF) is to provide meaningful access for mobile-eco-system entrepreneurs capital, mentorship, industry relationships besides significant industry experience and wisdom

OMF is a step towards fortifying the entrepreneurial mobile space with requisite sharing of insight, investment and ingenuity.

OMF is a commitment to translate opportunities in the mobile VAS and allied sectors into relevant, scalable business by working closely with entrepreneurial teams and industry stakeholders.

OMF is a movement, which says we all are good to go to great.

One97 Mobility Fund (OMF) strengthens the mobile entrepreneurial eco-system by leveraging capital, resources, experience and business wisdom at disposal of One97 Communications Ltd and SAIF Partners. The Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS) space provides unprecedented opportunities to entrepreneurs who want to create unique products and services, buoyed by recent business trends and consumption patterns

OMF is a USD 100 million fund which invests across seed & early stages to growth stage companies with average deal size ranging from USD 500k to USD 5 million. OMF supports companies that are focused on serving the Indian markets and leverage mobile as a key delivery medium for customers and enterprises. This includes - device apps, location based services, m-Commerce, MMA , Video, content aggregation among others.

OMF looks for entrepreneurs with game changing, scalable companies in the mobile ecosystem. OMF extends capital along with operating experience, mentorship, resources and relationships to portfolio companies.

OMF is an initiative ably supported by complementary and collaborative strengths of the founding partners One97 and SAIF Partners.

One97 Communications Ltd., as a business leader in the Indian telecom applications and mobile services space, has a vision for the sector that derives out of its own growth and success and the rapidly changing landscape. It spans the length and the breadth of the telecom landscape in India and overseas, servicing across segments, customers, technologies and geographies.

SAIF Partners brings an institutional vision with its experience in investing and supporting innovative and scalable businesses. SAIF Partners is a leading Asian Private Equity firm that focuses on early stage and growth oriented investments in financial services, IT, telecom, Internet, media and consumer services sectors.

One97 Communications Limited is India’s leading Mobile Value Added Service Company. One97’s Innovative mobile content, messaging, commerce services and made-to-order network applications offer new revenue streams to telecom operators. Working closely with service providers and enterprises, it offers customer lifecycle management and mobile marketing to enhance their profitability.

Championing speed of delivery, One97 thrives on its widely deployed telecom applications service platform to deliver scalable, flexible and customized services. Funded by Intel Capital, SoftBank Asia Infrastructure Fund Partners and Silicon Valley Bank, One97 also invests and incubates new mobile technologies start-ups. (www.one97world.com).

SAIF Partners is a leading Asian Private Equity firm that focuses on early stage and growth oriented investments in financial services, IT, telecom, internet, media and consumer services sectors. Established in 2001, SAIF currently manages over $4B in assets and has over 100 investments in the region.

The firm’s portfolio companies benefit from access to SAIF’s international network of business relationships, as well as strategic and corporate development support. SAIF’s key investments in India include the National Stock Exchange, MakeMyTrip.com, JustDial.com, Sify, IL&FS Investsmart, HomeShop18, Network18, One97, and CSS SlashSupport. Further details on SAIF Partners can be accessed at www.sbaif.com.

The OMF team is a great blend of acumen, experience, energy and access. OMF gains wonderfully from One97 Communications Ltd as well as SAIF Partners. Entrepreneurial, collaborative and future savvy define the value system that drives team OMF.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma
Chairman and Managing Director, One97

Vijay is currently the Chairman and Managing Director of One97 Communications Ltd. He is the Founder and Promoter of One97 and has been on the Board since the incorporation. He is currently responsible for the strategy and direction for the Company and leads in all areas relating to business expansion as well as product road map.

Vijay has more than a decade of experience in the telecom and new media industries, having founded his first venture XS Corps while he was at college, which he later sold to Lotus Interworks LLC, New Jersey in 1999. Prior to founding One97 in 2000, Vijay played key roles in a number of organisations such as Riverrun Softwares Services Group Limited, Inter Solutions Software Private Limited, Startec Global Communications Limited, focusing on the design and development of various products and applications for the technology, media and telecom industries.

Vijay holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering.

Reach out: vijay@one97mf.com

Ishan Gupta
GM, One97

Ishan is currently working as a General Manager at One97 and responsible for new business creation at One97.

Ishan was leading the growth and marketing efforts of Facebook in India as its sole representative in the country, before joining One97. Ishan had earlier founded Appin Knowledge Solutions, an education services company in India. He has also worked at Helion Venture Partners, an India focused venture fund.

Ishan has a MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Engineering from University of Delhi.

Reach out: ishan@one97mf.com

Ravi C Adusumalli
Partner and Head of India office, SAIF

Ravi joined SAIF in early 2002 and is currently a Partner and Head of the India office.

Prior to joining SAIF, Ravi was an Associate Partner with Mobius Venture Capital, a $1.25 billion early stage venture capital firm in Silicon Valley. He previously worked at Credit Suisse First Boston and with Wasatch Funds. His primary areas of interest include technology enabled consumer services, financial services, and business services.

Ravi graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics and Government.

Reach out: ravi@one97mf.com

Deepak Gaur
VP, SAIF

Deepak is presently Vice President with SAIF based out of Delhi. He is especially passionate about growth opportunities in Health care, retail and consumer products/services space apart from other areas witnessing structural changes.

Deepak was a consultant with McKinsey & Co., Delhi prior to joining SAIF in 2006 and advised senior management of companies in Consumer products/services, IT, telecom and automotive on issues of growth strategy, organization and operational transformation. He also worked with IBM Global services in their Telecom and Media services division.

Deepak is a MBA and a Chairman’s Gold medal holder from Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow and holds a B.Tech. in mechanical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

Reach out: deepak@one97mf.com

OMF entrepreneurs are highly energetic, deeply committed, grounded and know their stuff. The mobile companies that they are building are game changing and stand to do well with requisite support in form on capital, resources, networks, relationships among others.

So if you understand the value that OMF could bring, whether you are an early stage entrepreneur or a fast growth business, with hunger to leapfrog to the next level, we should be talking!

OMF is committed to companies in mobile space. We support companies using mobile as a key medium to deliver products and services to consumers and enterprises. These range from 3G, Video, Content, device applications, Mobile Marketing & Advertising, Location based services, among others

If mobile is your first screen too? You could share with us a 5-10 slide ppt, a concept note, financial model and loads of enthusiasm.

Oorja Mobile Services Private Limited

Oorja provides focused marketing solutions to telecom service providers. It has developed an analytics driven comprehensive customer communications platform. These solutions enable telecom service providers to target customers with particular services, products and promotions based on profiling of customers using network footprints and voluntary customer profiles. This platform enables telecom service providers to offer targeted mobile advertising services to enterprises wishing to place advertisements through their respective networks. www.discoveroorja.com

Tencube Pte Ltd

Tencube is in the business of development and supply of mobile security solutions. WaveSecure, the flagship product of Tencube, is an innovative security product that provides users with complete mobile device and data protection. It enables users to remotely lock down and track down lost phones, get a copy of their data securely backed up, and remotely wipe data of the phone to protect user privacy. WaveSecure has been selected by leading Global brands such as Nokia as their preferred choice of mobile security service for premium S60 users in India and is one of the highest revenue generating Value-Added-Service (VAS) with the lowest churn in SingTel. www.wavesecure.com

1. About the Fund

a. Why have One97 and SAIF started the OMF?

The fund has been started by One97 and SAIF to accelerate entrepreneurial action in the mobile eco-system space. India has led the innovation and product development in telecom space from the front. Now with the launch of 3G spectrum, we expect the next wave of innovation to come again from India in the telecom sector. We have been part of this eco system for more than a decade now and with the launch of the fund, we want to encourage and support young vibrant companies who will create game changing products, services and business models.

b. What does One97 bring to the OMF?

One97 is a leading full service multi-range VAS firm in India with the best teams of employees, investors and customers behind it. With the growth journey the company has experienced, we are in a critical position to understand the various stages and challenges an entrepreneur faces in building the business. Naturally, we have a keen and hands-on understanding the telecom sector and the environment surrounding it. The fund and its portfolio companies are enriched by One97’s guidance and mentorship, the relationships it has built and the support and assistance at every stage.

c. What does SAIF bring to the OMF?

SAIF Partners brings many years of investing experience and a mature investor mindset that is required to make OMF a successful fund. SAIF also brings key relationships across sectors such as telecom, consumer products & services, technology, media, financial services, healthcare, travel and tourism, and manufacturing.

d. Which areas of the telecom sector will the fund focus on?

We are looking at young and growing companies with services and products that leverage mobile as a key delivery medium for customers and enterprises. This includes 3G products, social applications, content aggregation, m-commerce, location based services, mobile media advertising and more.

e. Is OMF only open to Indian companies located in India ?

OMF will initially be an India focused fund, which means that we will look at companies that are delivering services or products aimed at the Indian market. The fund is not constrained by the physical location of the company or the team.

f. Will the entrepreneur get any mentorship or be able to leverage the relationships that One97 has in the telecom sector?

Yes, that is one of the key benefits from being an OMF portfolio company. One97 is very uniquely positioned to guide and mentor companies in the mobile VAS space, having grown through the various stages to establish as a leading player within a decade. You will receive support throughout and a chance to leverage the relationships that One97 and SAIF have in the telecom sector and outside.

g. Can an entrepreneur apply without even having a team?

Yes. If you have an idea and the passion to execute it, then we want to hear from you. Send us your business plan for evaluation. If we decide to invest, then we will help you to form your team and provide you space to turn your idea into reality

2. Control and Ownership

a. One97 is a company in telecom space. In that case, should an entrepreneur be worried about One97 taking full control or ownership of the company?

The OMF has been set up to accelerate the dynamic growth of the mobile ecosystem and encourage new and young businesses who will add value to the sector and be the next wave of innovation. A thriving and healthy telecom sector is essential for success and growth. Taking full control or ownership would run contrary to this objective, This need not be a concern for entrepreneurs. So, no, you need not worry about One97 objectives in this direction. Expect fair play and great terms.

b. Would the entrepreneur be at a disadvantage in the industry if One97 is backing his/her company?

We believe that One97 enjoys a special position in the Indian telecom sector as one of the biggest VAS players in the country. We enjoy great reputation in the market and believe that our portfolio companies will be able to leverage the relationships and status we have gathered over the years in the Indian telecom sector.

c. Will OMF prohibit the company from working with competitors of One97?

Not at all! The company, product and service are yours and you will be free to decide whom to work with. You will find our full support as you take decisions of working with different players in the industry, be it our clients, strategic partners or our competitors.

3. Business Plan Submission

a. What do I need to submit to apply to the OMF?

You need to submit a short power-point presentation (5-6 slides) with a clear outline of your business, vision, go-to-market strategy, team members profiles; a detailed financial plan with current revenues, if any; and lots of passion and determined energy!

b. Will OMF sign a non-disclosure agreement before the entrepreneur submits a business plan?

No, we do not sign an NDA when you submit the plan. This slows down the process and creates unwanted delays and unnecessary paperwork for the entrepreneur and OMF. However, we understand your concerns about a business that you might be wanting to protect. Therefore we only expect you to send in a non-confidential presentation at the beginning of the process.

c. What is the process after the business plan is submitted? How long will it take for me to hear from OMF?

We know what shoes you are wearing. We understand your opportunity and understand that time is crucial for you.

Once your plan is submitted, OMF will do a quick interim review of your application and get back to you in three working days and let you know of our interest in your proposal. At this stage, if we are interested, we will send you more questions and set up a meeting to take the conversation further.

One97 Communications Ltd

B121, Sector 5, Noida 201301, India
P: +91-120-4770770

SAIF Partners

Unit 511, 5th Floor,
Time Tower, MG Road, Gurgaon - 122002
Haryana, India

To submit business plans - ishan@one97mf.com
For general and press enquiries - info@one97mf.com