Finance careers in venture debt rarely move fast. Rajit Uboweja is an exception. At 29, he is a partner at Stride Ventures, making him one of the youngest partners in the global venture debt industry.

Uboweja joined Stride Ventures in 2020 as an associate, shortly after completing the Post Graduate Programme in Management from the Indian School of Business. Over four years, he moved through the firm as the venture debt market in India expanded and matured.

Today, he plays a central role in investments, fundraising and portfolio support.

Building a Venture Debt Platform

Stride Ventures focuses on venture debt for growth-stage startups. Unlike equity, venture debt requires close attention to cash flows, risk and timing. Uboweja says the work demands discipline and clarity.

Since joining the firm, he has worked across sourcing, deal execution and exits. He has also been part of the core team that raised $400 million across Stride’s first three India-based venture debt funds.

Uboweja says fundraising shaped his understanding of capital cycles and investor expectations. It also increased responsibility early in his career.

Deploying Capital Across Sectors

Over the past four years, Uboweja has led investments in more than 50 of Stride Ventures’ 160 portfolio companies. He has deployed close to $170 million across early-stage and late-stage startups.

The portfolio spans consumer brands and B2B businesses. Companies backed through venture debt include Sugar Cosmetics, Zepto, The Whole Truth, Vahdam Teas and Nat Habit.

Uboweja works closely with founders to structure debt that supports stability rather than short-term expansion. He says venture debt works best when it extends runway without forcing aggressive growth.

Supporting Founders During Downturns

Founders describe Uboweja as measured and accessible. Gaurav Agarwal, co-founder of Nat Habit, recalls working with him during a difficult phase.

Nat Habit needed capital to extend runway, not push scale. Agarwal says Uboweja understood the situation and structured terms that were uncommon in the market. The focus stayed on sustainability rather than pressure.

This approach reflects Uboweja’s view of venture debt as a tool for control, not leverage.

Learning Under a Founder-Led Firm

Stride Ventures was founded in 2018 by Ishpreet Singh Gandhi. Gandhi says Uboweja grew beyond sourcing deals and developed skill sets across portfolio evaluation, structuring and exits.

He believes Uboweja will help lead the firm through its next growth phase. According to Gandhi, Uboweja combines numerical strength with relationship-building, a balance that matters in long-term investing.

The next phase, he says, will involve deeper sector understanding and broader responsibility.

Early Interest in Finance

Uboweja studied at Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies before moving into finance roles. He also spent a short period at an investment bank.

These early roles gave him exposure to deal mechanics before he entered venture debt. He says the shift to Stride Ventures offered more ownership and faster learning.

A Growing Role in the Ecosystem

Venture debt has gained importance in India as startups look for alternatives to equity dilution. Uboweja’s work sits at this intersection of caution and growth.

He says the role requires listening more than selling. Each business has different needs. Capital must fit the company’s stage and market.

While proud of his progress, Uboweja remains focused on execution. He sees his current role as part of a longer path in finance.

Looking Ahead

Uboweja says being named to the Forbes India 30 Under 30 list was a milestone. He had seen many founders from Stride’s portfolio receive the recognition over the years.

Now part of the Class of 2025, he says the focus remains on impact. He wants to continue supporting startups through responsible capital and steady partnership.

At 29, Rajit Uboweja stands out not for speed alone, but for consistency. In a field that rewards patience, his rise reflects preparation and timing.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Rajit Uboweja?
Rajit Uboweja is an Indian finance professional and a partner at Stride Ventures.

Q2. What does Stride Ventures do?
Stride Ventures is a venture debt firm that provides non-dilutive capital to startups.

Q3. How much capital has Rajit Uboweja deployed?
He has led deployments of around $170 million across more than 50 startups.

Q4. Which startups has Rajit Uboweja backed through venture debt?
Companies include Sugar Cosmetics, Zepto, Nat Habit, Vahdam Teas and The Whole Truth.