Position : Principal, Investments
Experience : 6 – 10 yrs
Location : Hyderabad
Reporting To: Partner, Investments
About Sathguru Catalysers:
Sathguru Catalysers Advisors Pvt. Ltd. is a Deep tech investment fund manager headquartered in Hyderabad, committed to transforming agriculture, food, and health sectors by backing deep tech innovations that are commercially viable and globally relevant. Registered with SEBI as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (IN/AIF2/16-17/0270), Sathguru Catalysers currently manages two funds: the Innovation in Food & Agriculture (IFA) Fund and the Inclusive Life Sciences (ILS) Fund.
The firm draws its unique competitive advantage from its sponsor, Sathguru Management Consultants (SMC) — a globally respected strategy and innovation advisory firm with over four decades of deep domain expertise in life sciences, agriculture, food, and healthcare. SMC has shaped government policies, guided Indian ventures from ideation to market leadership, and helped multinational corporations navigate complex emerging markets. This institutional depth is embedded into every investment Sathguru Catalysers makes.
The firm invests in pioneering technopreneurs who leverage contemporary, proven technologies to deliver globally relevant and locally impactful solutions. With India emerging as a hub for innovation and translational research in life sciences, Sathguru Catalysers is positioned to scale these technologies not only across India but also into other Lower-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) across Asia and Africa.
The Inclusive Life Sciences (Ils) Fund:
The ILS Fund is Sathguru Catalysers’ second and currently active investment fund, focused on innovative solutions at the intersection of life sciences, health, and agri-food. The Fund’s investment thesis is anchored in the belief that innovation and technology must enable both commercial growth and sustainable environmental and social impact — ensuring every dollar deployed accelerates a more equitable and inclusive future. The Fund invests across three primary verticals:
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Med-Tech & Digital Health
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Biotech & Specialty Care
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Animal Health & Nutrition
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Food Tech
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Agri Biotech
Role Overview :
Sathguru Catalysers is seeking a high-calibre Principal to join the investment team of the ILS Fund in Hyderabad. The Principal will be a central member of the deal team — driving origination, executing rigorous technical and commercial due diligence, structuring transactions, and working closely with portfolio companies to maximise value. The role combines the scientific depth required to evaluate cutting-edge biotech, med-tech, food-tech and animal health innovations with the financial acumen to structure and close complex investment transactions.
Given Sathguru Catalysers’ unique positioning at the intersection of impact investing, deep domain consulting, and venture capital, the ideal candidate will share the firm’s conviction that transformative technologies, designed for affordability and resilience, can serve both Indian and global markets. The Principal will work directly with the Partners and is expected to exercise independent investment judgment while contributing to the firm’s growing reputation as the preferred capital partner for life sciences innovators in India.
Key Responsibilities :
Deal Origination & Pipeline Development
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Proactively source investment opportunities in med-tech, digital health, biotech, specialty care, animal health, and nutrition, aligned with the ILS Fund’s thesis
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Cultivate proprietary relationships with innovators, research institutions, academic technology transfer offices, bioincubators, BIRAC/DST/DBT-funded ventures, and co-investors
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Represent Sathguru Catalysers at key industry forums, healthcare and agri-biotech conferences and SEBI/IVCA events.
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Develop conviction-based sector theses in partnership with the firm’s operating partners and domain experts
Technical & Commercial Due Diligence
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Lead scientific due diligence across mechanism of action, pre-clinical and clinical data, regulatory strategy, IP landscape, and technology readiness levels
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Build detailed financial models including risk-adjusted NPV (rNPV) for pipeline assets, DCF, comparable transaction analyses, and scenario-weighted return projections
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Coordinate and synthesise assessments from the firm’s operating partners and external KOLs covering crop science, food technology, animal health, med-tech, and IP domains
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Evaluate competitive moats, TAM/SAM/SOM, route-to-market strategies, and global scalability of portfolio candidates — including pathways to LMICs in Asia and Africa
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Prepare Investment Memoranda and present IC-ready recommendations to the Partners
Transaction Execution
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Lead or co-lead term sheet negotiation, deal structuring, and investment documentation in coordination with legal advisors
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Manage multi-workstream due diligence (technical, regulatory, financial, legal) to deliver timely closure
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Interface with co-investors, strategic partners, SEBI-registered intermediaries, and domestic/international family offices and institutional LPs
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Oversee post-signing conditions precedent, completion mechanics, and regulatory filings
Portfolio Management & Value Creation
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Serve as a board observer or investor representative for designated portfolio companies, engaging actively with management on strategy, business development, and governance
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Leverage Sathguru Catalysers’ network — the SMC advisory ecosystem, operating partners, and global partnerships — to create value for investee companies
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Identify and facilitate follow-on rounds, out-licensing, co-development partnerships, technology transfer, and M&A opportunities
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Monitor milestones, financial KPIs, clinical/regulatory progress, and ESG metrics; contribute to LP reporting and annual portfolio reviews
Academic Qualifications
The following academic credentials are required:
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A postgraduate professional qualification in Finance – Chartered Accountancy (CA) OR a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Finance, Strategy, or Healthcare specialisation from a premier institution (IIMs, ISB, or globally ranked programme)
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Preferably an undergraduate degree in a technical or scientific discipline — Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science, Medicine (MBBS/MD), or a closely related field — from a recognised university
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Additional credentials such as CFA, CAIA, or a postgraduate degree in life sciences (M.Sc. / Ph.D.) are valued but not mandatory
Prior Work Experience
Required:
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6 to 10 years of progressive professional experience, with a minimum of 4 to 5 years in Investment Banking with direct coverage of Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Med-Tech, or Life Sciences sectors
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Demonstrated track record in executing M&A, capital raise, structured finance transactions within the healthcare and life sciences space
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Advanced financial modelling and valuation skills specifically applied to biotech, pharma, diagnostics, or medical technology businesses
Preferred & Highly Desirable:
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Prior venture capital, private equity, or growth equity experience with direct sourcing, diligence, or portfolio management responsibilities in life sciences or health-tech
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Experience with SEBI AIF regulatory framework, Category II fund operations, and Indian venture ecosystem dynamics
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Direct experience working with innovator / biotech management teams, strategic acquirers, or institutional investors in a transactional context
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Familiarity with regulatory pathways for therapeutics, medical devices, and in-vitro diagnostics; working knowledge of USFDA and EMA frameworks
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Exposure to animal health, veterinary pharma, or agri-biotech investment or advisory contexts — aligned with the ILS Fund’s cross-sector mandate
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Experience reviewing clinical trial data, understanding trial endpoints, protocol design, and biostatistical outputs in an investment context
Competencies & Personal Attributes
Technical & Analytical- Scientific literacy in biotech, med-tech & pharma
- Advanced financial modelling
- IP, regulatory & technology readiness assessment
- ESG / impact metrics integration in investment analysis
- Knowledge of SEBI AIF regulations and compliance
Interpersonal & Leadership- Mission alignment — sustainability-first, impact-oriented
- Executive presence and boardroom confidence
- Entrepreneurial mindset and intellectual curiosity
- Collaborative, team-first orientation
- High integrity, discretion, and professional rigour
Compensation & Benefits
Sathguru Catalysers offers a competitive, performance-linked compensation package designed to attract exceptional talent who share the firm’s mission:
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Fixed Base Salary: Competitive, benchmarked against Indian venture capital and impact investing peers
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Performance Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus tied to individual and fund performance
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Carried Interest: Meaningful participation in the ILS Fund’s carry, commensurate with seniority and contribution
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Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance (self and family), professional development support, and access to Sathguru Group’s global advisory network
