Get ready to be inspired by one of the brightest minds in the world of international finance and consulting – Akshaya Naronikar, the founder of Iridium Global Ventures. Her journey is an incredible story of innovation, strategic mastery and breaking barriers in business. From the USA to Europe, the UAE, India, and Australia, she has left her mark on the global business landscape and continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Imagine a world where businesses are seamlessly connected across different markets, with access to unmatched expertise and fresh ideas. Well, that’s exactly what the Global Capital Accelerator Program has achieved through Akshaya. And one of the shining stars of this program is Iridium – a true symbol of excellence in investment banking and consulting.
With their incredible ability to steer through complex transactions and bring innovative ideas to the table, Iridium is now gearing up to handle over $850 million in transactions for 2024. But that’s just the beginning of their success story.
Want to know more about the global strategies driving Iridium to new heights and how they’re changing the game in their industry? Then join us and let’s dive into the fascinating story behind their success.
- What sparked your interest in international finance and consulting, leading you to create Iridium Global Ventures?
I have always been fascinated by the world of money which is what led me to a career in finance and Investment Banking. Through my time at ABN AMRO Van Gogh and RBS in Dubai as well as Investec Bank in Australia I have been able to connect with some amazing people who continue to inspire me. Working with UHNW clients over my entire career I began to see the person behind the money and learnt from them to shape my own career. I have been behind the scenes and news before they become headlines and in the trenches with founders in their most trying times. I have a deep sense of appreciation for entrepreneurs and my mission is to enable more successful entrepreneurs to scale global heights
2. Tell us about the challenges you faced in building a global network through the Global Capital Accelerator Program. How did these challenges shape your journey?
My time at Investec Private Bank in Australia was my first step into Australia. It was a wonderful entrepreneurial experience which ingrained in me deeply the need for a world-class culture that is customer-centric as well as deeply caring of its own people. I was eager to learn more about how I can add value to the Bank and several opportunities were available to me to do so. I still treasure the friendships from those days when I was new to the country and I am fortunate to still have close ties to the friends from Investec.
Working in Australia has opened my eyes to the amazing opportunities and technologies that are available in Oz. However, given my global experience and network, I realized I can make the biggest difference by being the bridge that connects international capital and distribution that can potentially 10X a company in just 2 years. All you need is the right strategic capital and a receptive management team. Today we work across all major counties and we are country and industry-agnostic. We love good globally scalable businesses wherever they may be. We understand and work closely with founders to enable successful outcomes.
3. In the world of investment banking and consulting, how do you and your team stay ahead, especially when dealing with complex cross-border transactions?
We are very fortunate to have an amazing family of advisors across the world. This has been built over time and we know we are always stronger as a team. We have our specialists that we draw upon as per the need of the transaction and after executing many successfully we now know the formula and continue to apply it with successful outcomes each time.
Over the last year, we have been fortunate to begin working with representatives from the Government level of various countries across Asia and the Middle East who enable more powerful access and opportunity for us and our portfolio companies.
5. With over $850 million in transactions on the horizon for 2024, what strategies have you put in place for sustained growth? Any specific sectors or regions you’re excited about?
We have a capital pipeline that is ready and willing and our focus is to make strategic but carefully evaluated investments into companies and sectors that can add exponential value to capital.
We also have a focus on companies that are adding value to their communities and are keeping up with the changing consumer trends.
We are very bullish on India, UAE and Africa but remain open-minded about opportunities anywhere in the world. This year we will be drilling deeper into our Private Equity Model that leverages our global connections to add value to our founders.
6. As a leader, what values guide your decisions, and how do you foster a culture of excellence and innovation within your team at Iridium Global Ventures?
Our Culture is one non-negotiable aspect of bringing someone else into the team. We value the opinion of the team in making decisions related to employment as well as the direction the company can take. A lot of our new opportunities have been client-led as we delve deeper into how we can assist founders in a broader manner.
Incorporating a set of core values to guide decision-making is essential for creating a culture of excellence and innovation. Upholding integrity by committing to honesty and ethical behaviour builds trust among team members, clients, and partners. Encouraging a mindset of continuous improvement and embracing change fosters innovation. A culture that values diverse perspectives and promotes open communication and teamwork across all levels supports collaboration. Prioritizing delivering value to clients and basing decisions on understanding and meeting their needs embodies customer-centricity. Being flexible and agile in response to market trends and challenges and promoting a culture that embraces change and adapts quickly embodies adaptability.
To foster a culture of excellence and innovation, it is necessary to have a clear vision and set ambitious yet achievable goals, aligning team members with the organization’s long-term objectives. Supporting professional development and encouraging employees to explore new skills and technologies ensures continuous learning. Acknowledging and celebrating individual and team achievements and establishing a reward system that incentivizes excellence and innovation helps in recognizing and rewarding.
Creating an environment where calculated risks are encouraged, celebrating and learning from both successes and failures promotes risk-taking and experimentation. Maintaining transparent communication channels, encouraging feedback and ideas from all team members regardless of their position, and providing autonomy to employees to make decisions within their areas of responsibility empowers them. Recognizing the importance of employee well-being, promoting a healthy work-life balance, and investing in technology to facilitate innovation and efficiency also help in fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
7. Looking forward, what’s your vision for the future of Iridium Global Ventures? Are there trends or changes in the international business landscape that you think will shape the company’s path?
The Global Entrepreneurship Program aims to unlock the full potential of entrepreneurs both personally and professionally. Through the implementation of strategies for personal development, mindset mastery, and peak performance, the program will center around unleashing human potential.
One of the key elements of the program will be forging strategic partnerships with private equity firms that share a vision for empowering entrepreneurs. Financial experts will collaborate to provide valuable insights and mentorship, resulting in sustainable success and measurable results-oriented coaching. Mindset mastery will also be a priority, as entrepreneurs are often limited by their beliefs and need to cultivate a growth mindset. By integrating neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) techniques for mindset transformation, entrepreneurs can overcome these limiting beliefs.
To foster a well-rounded entrepreneurial journey, the program will offer a holistic approach addressing both business and personal aspects. This will include teachings on health, relationships, and fulfillment, providing entrepreneurs with a more comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial experience. Facilitating a global network where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and share experiences will be a crucial element of the program. This approach will leverage Tony Robbins’ emphasis on the power of networking and relationships in achieving success.
Financial education will be a central focus of the program, providing comprehensive coverage of investment strategies, risk management, and wealth creation. Financial experts within the private equity network will collaborate to deliver valuable insights. To establish a culture of continuous learning, the program will offer access to resources, workshops, and industry experts. This approach will implement Tony Robbins’ “CANI” philosophy, ensuring a constant and never-ending improvement for entrepreneurs.
Impactful live events and retreats will also be organized, providing entrepreneurs with transformational experiences that encourage networking, collaboration, and breakthrough moments. Community support will be cultivated to enable entrepreneurs to share challenges, seek advice, and celebrate successes. Peer mastermind groups will be implemented to encourage collaboration and accountability. A system for tracking and measuring the progress of entrepreneurs will be developed, with accountability coaching to ensure commitment to goals and objectives.
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