Veteran Banker Naina Lal Kidwai Joins Lightspeed as Venture Advisor

New Delhi, Feb 28 – Renowned banker Naina Lal Kidwai has been appointed as a venture advisor at investment firm Lightspeed, further strengthening the firm’s strategic leadership, Lightspeed announced on Friday.

Lightspeed, a multi-stage venture capital firm with assets under management totaling $25 billion, has a strong presence in India’s startup ecosystem. The firm has backed several high-growth companies, including Epic Games, Physics Wallah, Rubrik, Sharechat, Snap, OYO, and Zepto.

Welcoming Kidwai to the team, Bejul Somaia, Partner at Lightspeed, stated, "Naina's conviction for the startup ecosystem deeply aligns with Lightspeed’s vision. Her unparalleled experience in banking and finance, coupled with a visionary approach, will be invaluable as we continue to back category-defining companies in India and beyond."

As a venture advisor, Kidwai will play a pivotal role in shaping Lightspeed’s investment strategy and guiding its portfolio companies through her extensive experience in finance and business leadership.

A Distinguished Career in Banking and Advisory​

Kidwai’s banking career spans several decades, during which she served as Group General Manager and Country Head of HSBC India. She retired in 2015 as the Chairperson of HSBC India and a board director for HSBC Asia Pacific.

Currently, she holds prominent advisory roles, including:

• Chairperson at Rothschild India
• Senior Advisor at Advent Private Equity and TPG Rise Climate
• Member of the Mission Board of EQT Future Fund

Her extensive experience also includes serving as President of FICCI and holding positions on influential advisory councils, such as Nestlé Global, the Prime Minister’s Trade and Industry Council, and SEBI’s Primary Markets Advisory Committee.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Kidwai stated, "Lightspeed has long been committed to helping founders build transformative businesses, and I look forward to working with the team to support the next generation of entrepreneurs."

With Kidwai’s expertise, Lightspeed aims to further bolster its mission of empowering startups and fostering innovation in India’s entrepreneurial landscape.