In this week’s interview with Yashwanth Hemaraj, Founder and GP at Arka Venture Labs, we explore how the firm is enabling a new wave of India-born enterprise startups to scale globally, starting with the U.S. and Western Europe. Yash shares how Arka’s cross-border strategy is designed specifically for B2B companies building with AI, automation, and data at their core, what he terms “Enterprise 5.0.” With a footprint spanning India and Silicon Valley, Arka combines deep operational experience with curated networks and structured go-to-market playbooks to help early-stage founders gain early traction and achieve product-market fit in global enterprise markets.

Yash walks us through Arka’s origins, backed by BGV, and explains how the team leverages a unique India–U.S. model to guide founders from MVP to scalable businesses. He highlights the firm’s impressive debut fund results - 32 investments, 9 exits, and approximately 40% of capital already distributed back to LPs - and outlines the current progress of Fund II. The conversation also delves into Arka’s differentiated approach to deal sourcing, built on longstanding relationships with Indian VCs, operators, and advisors within the U.S. tech ecosystem.

We also hear insights into Arka’s ideal LP profile, ranging from family offices to corporates seeking exposure to India’s growing enterprise tech sector, and how their use of platforms like AngelList keeps fund operations lean and LP-friendly. This interview offers a compelling look at the intersection of Indian innovation and global enterprise demand, showcasing why Arka Venture Labs is uniquely positioned to back the next generation of cross-border B2B winners.