Fundraising FoxShashank Deshpande
InvestorFounding Partner at Pentathlon Ventures
Pune, India
Writes $25K – $100K checks · typically $50K
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About
Shashank Deshpande is a co-founder of Pentathlon Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Pune, India, that backs seed and pre-Series A B2B SaaS and AI-enabled startups. He was one of a group of entrepreneurs and industry veterans — with prior experience at companies including Globant, Clarice, and Veritas — who launched the firm in 2020. Pentathlon focuses on founders solving B2B problems in areas such as Enterprise AI Transformation, HealthTech, FinTech, Cybersecurity, and Logistics/Manufacturing, typically investing $500k to $1 million in companies with early customer validation and at least $200k in ARR. The firm launched a Rs 450 Crore Fund II in 2023 after backing 23 startups through its first fund.
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Co-founded Pentathlon Ventures in 2020 as part of a group of entrepreneurs and industry veterans.
- More
- Has prior work experience at Globant, Clarice, and Veritas.
Mentioned above: the Globant mafia → · the Pentathlon Ventures mafia →
From Shashank's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Experience
- CubytsCo-Founder & Chief Business Officercurrent2022 — presentPune, Maharashtra, India
- Pentathlon VenturesManaging Partnercurrent2020 — presentPune, India
- GlobantChief Design Officer - Asia2015 — 2019Pune Area, India
- GlobantCo-Founder & President2008 — 2015
- Human Factors InternationalChief of Technical Staff2007 — 2008Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Symantec CorpSr. Manager - User Centered Design1998 — 2007
- Quipus DesignFounder/Partner1992 — 1998
- Crompton GreavesCAD Engineer1988 — 1989Nashik, Maharashtra
Skills & more
+12 more
Usability TestingExperience DesignMobile ApplicationsUser Experience DesignInformation ArchitectureUsabilityProduct DesignUser ResearchRapid PrototypingEthnographyWire FramingHuman Computer InteractionFrom Shashank's professional profile.
Investments
Per curated public sources.
Colleagues at Pentathlon Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Shashank Deshpande?
- Shashank Deshpande is a co-founder of Pentathlon Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Pune, India, that backs seed and pre-Series A B2B SaaS and AI-enabled startups. He was one of a group of entrepreneurs and industry veterans — with prior experience at companies including Globant, Clarice, and Veritas — who launched the firm in 2020. Pentathlon focuses on founders solving B2B problems in areas such as Enterprise AI Transformation, HealthTech, FinTech, Cybersecurity, and Logistics/Manufacturing, typically investing $500k to $1 million in companies with early customer validation and at least $200k in ARR. The firm launched a Rs 450 Crore Fund II in 2023 after backing 23 startups through its first fund.
- Where does Shashank Deshpande work?
- Shashank Deshpande is Founding Partner at Pentathlon Ventures.
- What check size does Shashank Deshpande write?
- Shashank Deshpande typically writes checks of $25K – $100K.
- What companies has Shashank Deshpande invested in?
- Investments tracked here include Bombay Shaving Company, Deciml, Dista, Fudr, GigIndia, ImaginXP, Manch, Rimigo, The Legal Capsule.
- Where did Shashank Deshpande go to school?
- Shashank Deshpande studied at National Institute of Design (PG Diploma in Industrial Design, Industrial Design); Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering).
Founder mafias
Globant mafia13
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Pentathlon Ventures mafia6
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
National Institute of Design mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended National Institute of Design3
Also attended Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University2
Shared employers
Also worked at Cubyts1
Also worked at Globant44
+ 38 more
Also worked at Human Factors International1
Also worked at Symantec Corp216
+ 210 more