Nitin Sharma

Overview

Nitin Sharma is a seasoned angel investor and venture capitalist with over 12 years of experience in both the United States and India. He is the founder of First Principles, a thesis-driven portfolio of over 40 angel investments, and Incrypt Blockchain, an initiative aimed at fostering India's blockchain ecosystem. Previously, Nitin was a founding principal at Lightbox Ventures, a $400 million AUM fund in India, where he managed investments in sectors such as automotive marketplaces, fashion jewelry, and B2B payments platforms. He also served as a venture investor at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), a $20 billion fund, where he co-led the firm's first education technology investment and worked on multiple successful IPOs and acquisitions. Additionally, Nitin was part of the early management team at EverFi, one of the world's largest education networks, and began his career as a technology investment banker at UBS in San Francisco. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School and two degrees from the University of Southern California. Nitin serves on the India Advisory Boards of AngelList, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and TheBetterIndia, and is actively engaged with the Indian government's policy think tank, NITI Aayog, on frontier tech policy making. He has been a frequent speaker and guest faculty at institutions such as Wharton, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the World Economic Forum (WEF), and MIT Enterprise Forum. As an angel investor, Nitin has invested in over 30 high-growth startups across various sectors, including blockchain and deep tech. His portfolio includes companies like Alchemyst AI, Bookee, and Clinikk. Through Incrypt Blockchain, he has been instrumental in shaping India's emerging blockchain ecosystem by investing in leading blockchain startups, building a strong developer community, and engaging with the national government on policy matters. Nitin's investment strategy focuses on identifying and supporting founders who demonstrate clarity on their first principles and are committed to building impactful businesses. Nitin's extensive experience in venture capital and his active involvement in India's startup ecosystem have established him as a prominent figure in the investment community. His hands-on approach and international perspective have been recognized by numerous founders and industry leaders. He continues to mentor and support entrepreneurs, contributing to the growth and development of innovative startups in India and beyond.

Investment Focus

• Strong founding team
• Scalable business model
• Innovative technology
• Clear market differentiation
• Potential for significant impact

Portfolio Companies