Maloka

Have A New Startup Idea?

You’ve come up with the next big and brilliant startup idea. Excitement’s bubbling, and you’re all set to assemble your dream team. But here’s the classic entrepreneurial puzzle—how do you secure the funding and resources needed to turn your concept into reality?

This is where a Venture Studio comes into the picture.

For early-stage ideas that need more thought before becoming businesses, Venture Studios provides the right guidance, handholding, resources, and support needed to think in terms of scale.

 

The Structure of a Venture Studio

The core components of a venture studio include-

     

      • A team of experienced specialists needed to scale an idea. These in-house experts help conceive, build, and launch new companies, or work with idea generators to help think in terms of scale and product-market fit.

      • A shared workspace where the venture studio team collaborates. This collaborative environment facilitates creativity and the cross-pollination of ideas.

      • An incubator program where new startup ideas are developed and tested. The studio provides funding, resources, and support to determine if an idea has potential before officially launching a new company.

      • Operational infrastructure that new startups can leverage. Things like office space, admin support, and technical resources are shared.

    • A network of mentors and advisors. The venture studio taps into a network of experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts to provide guidance to new startups.

     

    How Does A Venture Studio Work?

    Venture studios, also known as startup studios, are a new model for launching startups. They provide funding, resources, and operational support to help entrepreneurs build and scale new companies. 

    The studio model is ideal for first-time founders or those with big ideas but limited resources. Studios help de-risk the startup process by providing a network of expertise and a platform to test and validate your idea before going out for funding.

    Venture studios assemble teams of entrepreneurs, coders, designers, specialists, and industry pros to bring their visions to life. Some might have a niche, like focusing on a specific industry or business model, while others are all about that versatile approach to carve the perfect kickstart.

    At MALOKA, we focus on community and creator-led startup ideas.

    Rather than pitching ideas to investors, venture studios develop ideas internally and provide the resources to turn those ideas into companies. This distinctive “company building” model grants venture studios better oversight, and greater support for their startups.

    The Perks of Collaborating with a Venture Studio 

    When you step foot into your entrepreneurial journey with a venture studio, you unlock a myriad of advantages that can set you up for a successful ride. Here are some key benefits you can expect: 

       

        • Avoid Mistakes

          Venture studios act as your seasoned navigators in the startup terrain. They’ve been there, done that, and are ready to guide you around common pitfalls and challenges. With their expertise, you get to steer clear of costly errors.

        • Plug-and-Play Approach

          Think of it as being handed an aptly-stocked toolbox, eliminating the need to reinvent the wheel or painstakingly build infrastructure. Instead, you dive right into action. The studio provides a solid foundation crafted with resources, expertise, and all the support you need.

        • Work with Seasoned Founders and Experts

          These are individuals who have been through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Whether it’s strategic decision-making, market insights, or overcoming challenges, having experienced hands by your side is always a bonus. 

        • No Need to Reinvent the Wheel

          Instead of starting from scratch, venture studios provide you with a head start. You’ll have access to operational infrastructure, shared workspaces, and administrative support. This means you can focus on refining your idea and executing it effectively.

        • Idea Validation

          Before you take the plunge, venture studios offer a platform to test and validate your idea. They also assist in developing product prototypes and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). This means you can assess its feasibility, potential, and market fit without making significant financial commitments.

        •  

      While building a startup is never easy, venture studios give their companies the best possible chance to thrive in an ocean of bustling innovators.

      So there you have it, Venture Studios like MALOKA are poised to shake up the Indian startup ecosystem. If you’re an entrepreneur with an idea but lack the means or experience to get it off the ground, partnering with a venture studio could be the rocket fuel you need.

      If you have a community-led product concept, or run a creator ecosystem, please reach out to us to discuss your product idea.

      Natasha Fernandes

      Entrepreneur in Residence

      Natasha Fernandes is a dynamic storyteller with a flair for watches, luxury, fashion, and all things digital media. From curating chic watch content at WRISTCHECK to crafting buzzworthy social strategies for #legend (Legend Publishing), HYPEBAE, and China Daily Hong Kong, Nat knows how to turn heads and spark conversations. With her creative spark and knack for blending high-end aesthetics with relatable vibes, she’s all about making brands shine in the digital spotlight. Nat excels in innovative storytelling and strategic content management, elevating brand presence within the luxury and fashion sectors.

      Yashasvi Mehta

      Senior Content & Community Creator

      Yashasvi Mehta is the Senior Content and Community Creator at Maloka. She is a passionate storyteller with 2.5 years of experience who craves to uncover and share the narratives behind everything she encounters. As a psychology graduate, She is fascinated by how marketing campaigns and social media strategies impact the human mind, striving to create content that resonates deeply and evokes intended emotions in everyone.

      Yashasvi excels in both written and video storytelling, ensuring that every piece of content she creates is engaging and relatable. She is deeply interested in personal development and the wellness space, thriving on the process of creating things from scratch and building them into something impactful. A creative person and nature lover, she finds inspiration and clarity in nature, with walks in the woods or watching the waves being her go-to activities for overcoming creative blocks. She lives by the motto, “one story at a time,” dedicated to putting on a great show that connects and engages with everyone.

      Aradhika Parasher

      Social Media and Content Executive

      A dynamic individual who wears multiple hats with finesse. As a Social Media and Content Executive, she brings creativity and strategic vision to the forefront of digital marketing.

      Beyond the corporate realm, she is a notable fashion influencer, seamlessly blending style and substance in every post. With a keen eye for trends and a knack for engaging storytelling, she brings the latest insights into the creator and digital world to Maloka and our portfolio companies.

      Natasha Singh

      Head Community & Content

      Natasha is the Head of Content & Community at Maloka. She comes with more than a decade of enriching experience in various capacities.

      She entered the industry as a fashion and lifestyle PR professional building a bridge between brands and individuals and the media with many designers, lifestyle and apparel brands in her kitty. She went on to become a sports management professional managing and representing Olympic champions and athletes. As she puts it, this has been the best learning phase of her career understanding peak performance mindset, discipline and bouncing from failures from the Olympians themselves.

      A post graduate in Integrated Marketing Communications, she has also had a tryst with content strategy and went on to curate development-driven experiences for hundreds of entrepreneurs pan-India to bridge the urban and rural business landscape. The purpose was to upskill the purpose-driven entrepreneurs and provide them with a structure to perform at their peak. She is a Purpose & Transformation Coach herself and has a deep understanding of the personal development and growth space and is obsessed with the idea that every individual must have a purposeful living.

      Rachit Agarwal

      Entrepreneur in residence

      Meet Rachit Agarwal, our Entrepreneur in Residence at Maloka, who also serves as the Business Head & Co-Creator of NeoYug.

      With an rich entrepreneurial journey spanning 7 years, has walked the path of entrepreneurship, successfully steering a bootstrapped venture in the creative domain. Rachit holds a postgraduate degree in business management, which laid the foundation for his career in the development sector. In this unique role, he immersed himself at the grassroots level, travelled extensively into the deep pockets of rural India, acquiring invaluable insights that honed his skills in business operations, strategy, and innovation.

      Beyond the corporate realm, Rachit is a multi-faceted individual. He is also an accomplished artist, whose creations come to life on canvas. He sees his artistic endeavors as offering a distinct perspective on creativity and growth, enriching his approach to both business and life. One of Rachit’s standout skills is his ability to manage businesses end to end, from strategic planning to execution.

      Moreover, he firmly believes in the transformative power of a supportive and engaged community in nurturing business growth. His role extends beyond leadership; it encompasses the art of community building and building meaningful connections, creating an ecosystem where businesses thrive. His diverse expertise and commitment to community-building make him an integral part of the NeoYug journey towards redefining personal and business growth in Bharat and beyond.

      Nathasha Kumar

      Founder & Managing Partner

      Nathasha Kumar is the founder and managing partner at MALOKA.
      Where she is building and investing in community and creator-driven companies. A serial entrepreneur with over 12 years of entrepreneurial experience, she has founded, built, and scaled multiple businesses in diverse domains, such as community commerce, D2C, fashion, and lifestyle.

      A first-generation entrepreneur, Nathasha brings the capability of building from the ground up.
      Be it finding the right idea, building a proof of concept and finding talented folks to build with. Her core thesis in life revolves around co-creation. Hence, the central thesis at Maloka is leveraging the power of communities and creators to co-build the companies that fit the future of humanity and creation.

      Nathasha plays an active role in the startup ecosystem. She works with many young startups and invests in early-stage companies. An avid traveller and seeker of experiences, she likes to push the boundaries of norms and concepts in society. Her mission in life is to empower, connect people and creatives to pursue their dreams and turn them into sustainable businesses.

      Sapna Kumar

      Head Buying & Sourcing

      Sakshi Malpani

      Social Media & Content Executive

      Sakshi is our in-house Social Media and Content Executive. She excels in creating engaging content and crafting effective social media strategies. Alongside her role, she is a proficient Kathak dancer having represented India across various states and nations and a content creator in her own right with a keen understanding of digital platforms.
      Driven by a natural curiosity, she is constantly seeking opportunities for growth and learning.

      She is acutely attuned to the pulse of Gen-Z and the burgeoning creator economy which gives her an advantage over the landscape of digital content creation. This perspective remains at the forefront of engaging, relevant, and authentic content in an era defined by Gen-Z.

      She finds inspiration in her travels, which she approaches with a keen sense of wonder. These experiences not only provide her with a broader perspective but also serve as a wellspring of ideas that enrich her professional endeavors.

      John Doe 4

      Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

      A marketer on weekdays and a runner on weekends, Gundeep seamlessly toggles between his two passions.

      With an experience of over 10 years, Gundeep has been a driving force behind the growth and success of the brands he has worked with. Throughout his journey, he has had the privilege of working with renowned brands, including Matrimony.com, Vistara, Pizza Express, Chili’s, LinkedIn, and Paytm etc.

      Gundeep is results driven and excels in strategy and creativity, always evolving in the dynamic digital marketing world to keep clients ahead. When he’s not busy transforming businesses, Gundeep also likes to prepare the next generation of marketers. He is an active guest lecturer at Hansraj College and is an SME with UpGrad.

      Sahil Kumar

      Entrepreneur in residence

      Sahil Kumar is passionate about transforming Brands and is an Entrepreneur with over 7+ years of dedicated experience.

      As a seasoned creator, Sahil has worked with various brands, helping them evolve, innovate, and thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace. His entrepreneurial spirit has driven him to create and lead ventures that challenge the status quo and explore new horizons. Him being committed to harnessing experiences and insights to drive positive change and growth for brands and businesses.

      With a background in marketing, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Over the years, he’s worked on diverse marketing campaigns, from strategic planning to execution. His experiences span across various industries, allowing him to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments. He is passionate about crafting innovative marketing strategies that drive brand visibility, engage audiences, and deliver measurable results.

      His abilities help leverage skills and insights to help businesses or problem statements. In addition to a wealth of international sourcing experience spanning over a decade, where he has overseen categories such as lifestyle products and merchandise, his added advantages with fluency in Chinese and several other languages bring ease of communication with Vendor partners & clients.

      Gundeep Singh

      Partner - Digital Initiatives

      A marketer on weekdays and a runner on weekends, Gundeep seamlessly toggles between his two passions.

      With an experience of over 10 years, Gundeep has been a driving force behind the growth and success of the brands he has worked with. Throughout his journey, he has had the privilege of working with renowned brands, including Matrimony.com, Vistara, Pizza Express, Chili’s, LinkedIn, and Paytm etc.

      Gundeep is results driven and excels in strategy and creativity, always evolving in the dynamic digital marketing world to keep clients ahead. When he’s not busy transforming businesses, Gundeep also likes to prepare the next generation of marketers. He is an active guest lecturer at Hansraj College and is an SME with UpGrad.

      In his free time, Gundeep finds solace and rejuvenation through long-distance runs. He has completed a full marathon and numerous half marathons and 10ks. For Gundeep, these extended runs are not just physical challenges but also opportunities to find clarity in both his personal and professional life.