In a broad-ranging discussion, venture capitalist Tushar Kansal explores how private capital can support India’s growing defence sector amid policy ambitions, market dynamics, and global trends, highlighting the evolving intersection of finance, industry, and national strategy.
A recent conversation featuring venture capitalist and entrepreneur Tushar Kansal went well beyond the usual startup themes of fundraising and growth, folding in defence manufacturing, the rupee, global markets and India’s wider economic direction. Presented as a broad discussion rather than a standard interview, the episode reflected a growing appetite for analysis that links capital with policy, industry and national strategy.
Kansal’s professional background helps explain that breadth. He is the founder and chief executive of Kansaltancy Ventures, a boutique cross-border advisory firm with a network spanning the UAE, North America, south-east Asia and Europe. According to the material provided, his career began at Deloitte & Touche and later included roles with the Times of India Group’s Brand Capital and as chief financial officer of DLI, a company owned by Guggenheim Partners. He has also worked on transactions and fundraisings involving institutional capital.
The episode and Kansal’s wider public commentary lean heavily into India’s defence manufacturing push, a sector that has become a policy priority as the country seeks greater self-reliance. India Brand Equity Foundation says defence production reached ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2024-25, up sharply over the past decade, while KPMG has noted that output has more than tripled since 2014-15. The government is also aiming for ₹3 lakh crore in annual defence production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029, underscoring the scale of ambition in the sector.
That backdrop gives context to Kansal’s focus on how private capital can support defence startups and related manufacturing. The discussion also connects with a broader debate in India about whether venture investors should back sectors that are typically slower, more regulated and more capital-intensive than consumer technology. Niti Aayog member V.K. Saraswat has separately urged venture capitalists to step up support for defence startups, arguing that the sector needs sustained funding as it scales.
Kansal’s recent market experience has also become part of the story. He joined the board of GP Eco Solutions India Ltd. as an independent director before its 2024 SME initial public offering, which the company said was valued at about ₹31 crore. The issue drew extraordinary demand, with subscriptions reportedly exceeding 850 times. That episode is now used in his talks as an example of how investor sentiment, business fundamentals and market positioning can converge in a public offering.
His digital footprint is substantial as well. The article says his podcasts, including “Right!” and “Aradhya”, and his guest appearances have passed 100 million views and include more than 1,000 videos online. The formats have covered subjects ranging from stock markets and venture capital to tariffs, global debt and India’s economic outlook, while his speaking engagements have included IIT Hyderabad, Bharat Expo, the University of Delhi and TEDx platforms. Together, they show a style of commentary aimed at making capital markets, entrepreneurship and strategic policy feel part of the same conversation.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
