Ronnie Screwvala’s entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of remarkable, spanning across media, entertainment, and the Indian startup ecosystem.

Media Mogul to Startup Investor

After establishing UTV Motion Pictures, which he later sold to Disney for a staggering ₹2000 crore, Screwvala founded another production house, RSVP Movies, in 2014. RSVP has since produced hit movies like The Sky is Pink, Kedarnath, and Ghost Stories, showcasing Screwvala’s continued influence in Bollywood.

However, his entrepreneurial ventures extend beyond the realm of cinema. Alongside co-founding the edtech firm upGrad, Screwvala has been an active investor in the startup ecosystem through his investment firm, Unilazer Ventures.

Unilazer Ventures: Nurturing Early-Stage Startups

Established in 2012 after selling his stake in UTV, Unilazer Ventures has invested in over 30 Indian startups, focusing primarily on early-stage ventures across various sectors.

Recent Investments

Screwvala’s latest investment venture includes backing the celebrity fan engagement platform TrueFan, which raised $4.3 million in seed funding. TrueFan’s innovative blend of technology, gamification, and media content aligns with Screwvala’s vision of transformative ideas that resonate with a broad Indian user base.

Building upGrad: A Leader in Edtech

upGrad, founded five years ago, has emerged as a prominent player in the edtech sector. Collaborating with esteemed universities and institutions globally, including IIT Madras and IIIT Bangalore, upGrad has impacted over half a million individuals worldwide.

Growth Amidst the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for online learning, propelling upGrad’s growth trajectory. With expectations of achieving a ₹1,200 crore annual run rate and witnessing a 100% increase in repeat enrollments, upGrad is poised for significant expansion.

Future Outlook

Screwvala’s strategic investments and entrepreneurial endeavors continue to shape India’s media and startup landscape. With a keen eye for innovative ideas and transformative ventures, Screwvala remains a pivotal figure in driving growth and innovation across diverse sectors.