Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast How to make partner in less than three years: Cherry Ventures' Dinika Mahtani
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Apr 24, 2025 
Dinika Mahtani is a partner at Cherry Ventures, specializing in UK investments and formerly with Uber and Barclays. She discusses the resurgence of deeptech and why Europe is becoming a budding tech hub. Dinika shares her unique journey from a general manager to an investor, revealing her strategies for making partner in just three years. She also highlights the challenges faced by European entrepreneurs and the importance of mentorship in navigating her career. Plus, she opens up about her aspirations related to supporting IVF patients globally.
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Lowered Barriers and Market Dynamics
- The threshold for becoming an entrepreneur has lowered significantly, leading to more early-stage startup activity.
- Equity market challenges can cause capital to flow more heavily into seed-stage startups, increasing competition in early markets.
AI Focus and Underfunded Sectors
- AI startups in Europe currently focus on applications rather than foundational LLM tech.
- Women's health and climate tech remain underfunded and face significant challenges in venture capital.
Hardware Costs Drop, Risks Remain
- Hardware startup costs have dropped due to cheap components and assembly options.
- However, supply chain volatility, especially related to tariffs and dependence on China, creates ongoing risks for hardware builders.