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BUSINESS·3 min read·Jun 09, 2025

Ex-GVFL Boss Joins This Rising Investment Firm — And It Could Shake Up India’s Microcap Market

Subheadline: With over 25 years in venture capital and public markets, Kamal Bansal is now backing one of India’s boldest capital market plays. Steptrade Just Landed a VC Power Player — And Everyone in Finance Should Be Paying Attention In a move that’s turning heads across the Indian investment eco

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Cover image forthcoming · Plate 01 · Photographed for The Entrepreneur Story

Subheadline: With over 25 years in venture capital and public markets, Kamal Bansal is now backing one of India’s boldest capital market plays.


Steptrade Just Landed a VC Power Player — And Everyone in Finance Should Be Paying Attention

In a move that’s turning heads across the Indian investment ecosystem, former GVFL Managing Director Kamal Bansal has joined Steptrade Capital as an advisory board member — a move that could supercharge the firm’s ambitions in the fast-moving microcap and small-cap space.

And if you’ve followed India’s venture capital story over the last two decades, you already know Bansal isn’t just another finance veteran — he’s one of the architects behind it.


Who Is Kamal Bansal — and Why Is His Move So Big?

From launching one of India’s earliest tech-focused VC funds at SIDBI to shaping the National Fund of Funds initiative, Bansal has been at the center of India’s investment evolution for over 25 years.

His resume includes:

  • Venture capital and private equity leadership
  • Deep experience in public markets and investment banking
  • Transforming GVFL into a platform-led, innovation-first fund
  • Helping build institutional capital thinking from the ground up

Put simply: He doesn’t just manage capital — he builds ecosystems.


What Steptrade Is Really After With This High-Profile Appointment

This isn’t just a flashy board addition. It’s a strategic pivot toward deeper institutional credibility.

Here’s what Kresha Gupta, Director & Fund Manager at Steptrade Capital, had to say:

“Having someone like Bansal on our advisory board reflects Steptrade’s evolution toward strategic depth, long-term vision, and institutional scale.”

Translation? Steptrade is playing for the long game.

With Bansal’s guidance, the firm plans to refine its investment thesis, deepen its research-driven strategy, and scale operations across India’s under-tapped small and microcap segments — a space where disciplined investing can unlock massive value.


Why Microcaps Might Be the Next Big Thing — and How Bansal Fits In

The microcap space in India is heating up.

As institutional investors chase alpha in an increasingly saturated large-cap world, smart capital is flowing into:

  • Undervalued small businesses
  • Family-run companies with scale potential
  • Innovation-first SMEs in tech, manufacturing, and renewables

But it’s not for the faint-hearted — this is a space that demands:

  • Deep due diligence
  • Strategic patience
  • A strong governance mindset

That’s exactly where Bansal’s background fits in. He brings a rare blend of startup agility and institutional structure — the perfect mix for navigating high-potential, high-volatility markets.


Why This Move Is Getting Noticed

Bansal’s jump to Steptrade isn’t just about one firm’s growth — it reflects a broader trend:

Veteran investors are betting on boutique firms with bold, sector-specific strategies.
Microcaps are becoming a serious asset class — not just retail playgrounds.
Smaller funds are institutionalizing — and getting serious about governance and scale.

This is part of the next wave of capital market evolution in India — and Bansal is helping lead it.


Final Thoughts: Steptrade Just Went From Ambitious to Serious

Steptrade has already shown promise with its focused, research-first approach to capital markets.

But with Kamal Bansal joining the board, the message is clear: they’re no longer just playing to compete — they’re playing to lead.

If you’re tracking the next generation of fund managers, this is one to watch.



advisory board appointment

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