Fireside Ventures' Kanwaljit Singh on the decade at Hindustan Lever that gave him consumer, raising half the fund he could have, and keeping a coach in his sixties
Summary
In this interview with Fireside Ventures’ Kamal Singh, he details his career from Hindustan Unilever to Intel, shaping his consumer-focused investing philosophy. He discusses Fireside’s “Value of Good” principles, emphasizing founder support and sustainability. Singh shares insights on evaluating talent through family support systems and the importance of executive coaching for leadership transitions.
Topics discussed
Introduction and Kamal Singh's background
Early career at Hindustan Lever and Intel
Investing in consumer brands like Paperboat
Fireside Ventures' core values and ESG
Kamal's evolving role as Managing Partner
Building a legacy and thought leadership
Disciplined fund sizing and growth strategy
Assessing founders and the importance of support systems
Building for longevity and family history
Daily routine and managing time
Executive coaching and personal growth
Learning methods and consumer insights
Views on quick commerce and AI in retail
Personal life, hobbies, and closing thoughts
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