Investing In Innovation

I invest small cheques ($4–5K) in very early-stage startups—typically at the pre-seed or seed stage. Since January 2022, I’ve backed 45 startups and plan to grow that number to 100 over the next three years.

If you're building something meaningful and looking for a quiet, hands-off investor with deep product experience and a strong founder-first lens, I’d be happy to hear from you.

I also maintain warm connections with several early-stage VCs and angel networks, and I’m always open to making intros if there’s a strong mutual fit.

Some portfolio companies, invested mostly through syndicates are:
Software/AI/SaaS: Hoytrabajas, Darwix AI, Redcar AI, Skillprint, Caspar AI, Equip, Realworld, Tablesprint, Typoapp, Reloy, Letterhead, Happied
Internet Platforms/Logistics: Eternz, Legend Of Toys, Getwork, Healofy, Coox, Night Inn, Chefslist, Hello Divorce, Relso, Blue Fever, Marrfa, Eight Networks, Zippee, Just Deliveries, Dusminute
Consumer/D2C: Troovy, Gladful, Superbottoms, Healthfab, Anveshan, Joy Milk Tea
Misc: Natrion, Edge Music Research, Groundfloor, Sust

 If you're curious about my approach or interested in connecting, visit: atulyadav.in/angel

Angel Investor

PenMentor

I draw on my experience as both an entrepreneur and intrapreneur to mentor early-stage startups and create content that helps founders think and operate like entrepreneurs.

I work selectively with founders to help them navigate product-market fit, refine their offerings, and prepare for early-stage fundraising. If you're building something and seeking grounded, practical mentorship, you can reach me via atulyadav.in/mentoring.

I am enlisted with several incubators, accelerators in past, and currently, including Founder Institute, IIT Chennai, IIT Mumbai, Institute Of Product Leadership, India Accelerator, Loyal VC etc. Some startups I have mentored are Ingenero, Yarnit, Ask Fundu, Syosys Infotech, Boombirds, Workstreets,DiabWellness. You can find more details, and testimonials at the link given above. 

In parallel, I publish content—books, articles, videos, and tools—to support the broader startup ecosystem. You’ll find this library of resources at penmentor.xyz.

You can engage with my work through:

My book: Reclaim Your Inner Entrepreneur

My newsletter: penmentor.xyz

Social: Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook @penmentor

Startup Mentor 

Reclayu

I’m a long-term, fundamentals-driven stock market investor with a track record of outperforming benchmark indices by 10+ percentage points. I do not offer portfolio advice or stock tips—please don’t reach out for personal investment guidance.

My focus is on helping individuals make rational, behaviorally sound financial decisions. I do this through books, articles, tools, and educational content that simplify the path to financial independence.

My book Reclaim Your Financial Freedom provides a practical roadmap for beginners—it has sold thousands of copies across 10+ countries and continues to resonate with readers seeking clarity and control over their finances.

You’ll find my work and resources at reclayu.com, including apps, videos, and frameworks for financial decision-making.

To follow my thinking and access content:

Visit: reclayu.com

Follow @reclayu on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Subscribe to the newsletter via the website

Stock Investor and Financial Literacy Advocate

Multiple

I create apps, content, and experiences for various vertical niches that I am passionate about. I am currently focusing on Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Midlife, Art Of Middle Path, and Indian Philosophy. If you have some synergies with these and want to collaborate, please reach out at atulyadav.in/collab

Solopreneur

Exploring Creative Thinking With Fiction

I write fiction under the pen name Manik Bal. The style is similar to Raymond Carver, Richard Ford, and other authors often classified under the genre of realism. You can check out my content at manikbal.com and follow me on instagram @authormanik. 

I have also written a book "Reclaim Your Creativity," based on my creative explorations that aims to help creative thinking.

Fiction Author and Creativity Coach

Multiple Startups and MNCs

- was a part of the executive teams as the India country head of two software product companies that exited at a multimillion-dollar valuation.
- lead product teams at large companies that built products with sales of over a billion dollars.
- lent money to corporates
- was the first blogger in India and creator of one of the first online games, and social networks in India
- built multiple startups in various software and internet areas

Accomplished Leader and Entrepreneur

📌 Angel Investor | Startup Mentor | Author | Solopreneur

On a mission to back 100 startups, mentor bold founders, and democratize financial and creative literacy.

Since 2020, I’ve pursued a portfolio life across 5 passions:

Investing in Innovation → Actively angel investing (USD 4-5K per deal) with a goal to back 100 startups by 2028 (currently at 45). Founders solving meaningful problems: Let’s talk.
Some portfolio companies, invested mostly through syndicates are:
Software/AI/SaaS: Hoytrabajas, Darwix AI, Redcar AI, Skillprint, Caspar AI, Equip, Realworld, Tablesprint, Typoapp, Reloy, Letterhead, Happied
Internet Platforms/Logistics: Eternz, Legend Of Toys, Getwork, Healofy, Coox, Night Inn, Chefslist, Hello Divorce, Relso, Blue Fever, Marrfa, Eight Networks, Zippee, Just Deliveries, Dusminute
Consumer/D2C: Troovy, Gladful, Superbottoms, Healthfab, Anveshan, Joy Milk Tea
Misc: Natrion, Edge Music Research, Groundfloor, Sust

Mentoring Entrepreneurs → Helping early-stage startups gain clarity, traction, and product-market fit. Explore 1:1 mentorship or group accelerators at atulyadav.in/mentoring. 
I am enlisted with several incubators, accelerators in past, and currently, including Founder Institute, IIT Chennai, IIT Mumbai, Institute Of Product Leadership, India Accelerator, Loyal VC etc. Some startups I have mentored are Ingenero, Yarnit, Ask Fundu, Syosys Infotech, Boombirds, Workstreets, DiabWellness. You can find more details, and testimonials at the link given above. 

Simplifying Money → Through books and frameworks that promote financial literacy and smart investing. Read my book Reclaim Your Financial Freedom.

Fueling Creative Mindsets → As a fiction author and creativity coach, I write to help people unlock originality and bold thinking. Explore my latest, Reclaim Your Creativity.

Building Indie Products → I build solo apps and content products that scale without teams. If you’re doing the same, we’re probably friends who haven’t met yet.


If you’re a founder, reader, or lifelong learner — I hope you leave my profile with something useful.

👉 Browse my Experience section to engage.
📚 Read one of my books.
🚀 Pitch a startup idea.
🧠 Or visit my websites at reclayu.con, penmentor.xyz, midlifejoy.in, artofmiddlepath.com, and manikbal.com

(PS: I don't respond to DMs — please use the links in Experience.)

Here’s the founder formula they don’t teach you:

Frugality × Hard Work × Innovation = Longevity.

 Frugality ÷ Ego = Profit.

 Hard Work + Innovation − Sleep = MVP.

The math isn’t pretty.

 But the results are.

#StartupLife #FrugalInnovation

Atul Yadav

On a mission to invest in 100 startups, mentor 100, and influence 10000 founders and creatives by 2030

💼 Friday Finance for Founders: The Eighth Wonder of Entrepreneurship

(Attaching a short illustrated booklet — “The Chessboard Story” — created with Gemini Storybook, that beautifully brings this principle to life.)

Albert Einstein once called compounding “the eighth wonder of the world.”
 He meant money.
 But every founder knows — the same principle governs everything that lasts.

There’s an old story about a king and an artist.
 After painting a masterpiece, the artist asked for what seemed like a modest reward:
 “Place one grain of rice on the first square of a chessboard, and double it on each next square.”

The king laughed — until the royal treasurer did the math.
 By the 64th square, the artist would own 18.5 quintillion grains of rice — more than all the rice in the kingdom.

That’s compounding.
 Invisible in the beginning, unstoppable at the end.

And in entrepreneurship, it works the same way.
Knowledge compounds. Every failed pitch sharpens the next one.
Reputation compounds. Every fulfilled promise builds quiet credibility.
Skill compounds. Every product iteration makes the next one faster, cleaner, better.
Momentum compounds. Every consistent day adds one more grain on your chessboard.

The real secret?
 Don’t interrupt the process.

Founders often reset too early — chasing new ideas, getting bored with slow progress, or quitting just before the curve bends.
 But compounding needs time, not genius.

As Charlie Munger said:
“The first rule of compounding: Never interrupt it unnecessarily.”

Because most great companies don’t explode into existence.
 They quietly compound into greatness.

The graph always looks the same —
 Flat. Flat. Flat.
 And then suddenly vertical.

Stay long enough to reach that bend in the curve.

📖 This story and its lessons are explored in Chapter 3: “Compounding — The Eighth Wonder” of my book, Reclaim Your Financial Freedom.
 But for founders — it’s not just about capital.
 It’s about compounding effort, trust, and curiosity over decades.

#FridayFinanceForFounders #Entrepreneurship #Compounding #FounderMindset #StartupWisdom #ReclaimYourFinancialFreedom

taplio

Atul Yadav's Linkedin Analytics

Atul Yadav

Performance ScoreAtul Yadav's LinkedIn Performance

Atul Yadav's Best Posts (last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

.css-6ytdur{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39, 43, 72, 1) 0%, rgba(33, 47, 183, 1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}Atul Yadav's Linkedin Analytics

Atul Yadav

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Atul Yadav's LinkedIn Performance

Atul Yadav's Best Posts .css-1emoo84{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:400;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);}(last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Atul Yadav's Linkedin Analytics

Performance ScoreAtul Yadav's LinkedIn Performance

Atul Yadav's Best Posts (last 30 days)