Talking Billions with Bogumil Baranowski “Ram" PV Ramanathan: From Oil Rigs to Fund Management: An Unlikely Journey: How a Chartered Accountant Built Wealth Through Patient Capital and Zero Leverage
Sep 15, 2025
PV Ramanathan, a Dubai-based entrepreneur, chartered accountant, and fund-of-funds manager, shares his inspiring journey from a middle-class upbringing in India to founding Neeti Fund. He discusses his hands-on experience on oil rigs and the importance of patient capital and zero leverage in building his business. Ramanathan advocates a four-bucket investment strategy and emphasizes the need for long-term thinking over short-term gains. He also highlights undervalued markets and the significance of building community among investors.
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Win Contracts By Reading The Fine Print
- Read tender documents carefully and avoid promising everything; execution wins margins.
- Control semi-variable costs, invoice on time, and collect debts to keep contracting profitable.
Vet Managers With Checklists And Face Time
- Use a checklist to evaluate fund managers and always meet them before investing.
- Start with a small allocation and build only if qualitative traits like humility and alignment pass the test.
Passing On An Arrogant Manager
- Ram met a talented but arrogant US manager and chose not to invest after repeated encounters.
- The manager later got into trouble for public comments, validating Ram's caution about ego.
