The Visions of Neil Mehta

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Salutations, Olio aficionados! 👋

Midweek greetings to all, as we unveil the 147th chapter of Weekly Olio—a delightful concoction of laughter, insight, and a sprinkle of mystery. Within these pages, you'll discover a handpicked selection of fascinating finds from the vast realms of the internet.

Keep your eyes peeled for this week’s Publisher’s Parmesan, arriving this Sunday!

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The Quote󠀢 💭

The Tweet 🐦

The field of law often throws up interesting situations. Here one such case where one of India’s top lawyers, once claimed the cost of heart surgery as a business expense! Read the full thread to know how the case went.

The Infographic 💹

According to Maslow’s hierarchy, self-actualization is the ultimate aim for mankind. This infographic is a framework for showing different routes people can take to reach the same goal.

The Short Read 📝

A brief history of quick commerce in China - by Momentum Works

India has taken to quick commerce like a fish takes to water. But how did quick commerce fare in China? One of the world’s largest e-commerce markets, China’s first dedicated quick commerce platform opened launched more than 11 years ago. Since, the model has undergone multiple iterations. In 2015, the big daddies - JD and Alibaba - fresh from their US IPOs, joined the quick commerce bandwagon.

While the major ecommerce players continued to battle each other, multiple smaller dedicated quick commerce players emerged between 2015 and 2019. Meituan’s grocery service began testing in 2019. Meituan’s rise and subsequent IPO made them a force to reckon with in this space. In 2024, quick commerce was a $57B industry in China that is expected to reach $75B in the next 2-3 years. Who are the movers and shakers in this fast growing space? Read the article to find out.

The Long Read 📜

The Visions of Neil Mehta - by Colossus Review

Neil Mehta is the founder of billion dollar investment firm Greenoaks Capital. The article highlights Neil Mehta's journey and his exceptional talent for recognizing and backing visionary founders. It begins with his early days at D.E. Shaw, where he cultivated a passion for investing in founders and made an early investment in Imagi. The article then discusses his departure from D.E. Shaw to establish Greenoaks, a firm focused on investing in internet companies. Greenoaks achieved significant success with investments in companies like Coupang, Figma, and Carvana. Mehta's investment philosophy centers on understanding and supporting founders' visions, as demonstrated by his support for Ernie Garcia during Carvana's challenges.

The article emphasizes Mehta's strong internal locus of control and his ability to see value in unusual places. It also touches on his personal life, including his upbringing and the influence of his parents and grandfather. The article portrays Mehta as a disciplined and empathetic investor with a remarkable track record of identifying and partnering with successful founders.

That’s all for this week. If you enjoyed this edition, we’d really appreciate if you shared it with a friend, family member or colleague.

We’ll be back in your inbox 2 PM IST next Wednesday. Till then, have a productive week!

Peeyush and Mohit

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.