Rajat Khare on How AI, IoT, and Deep tech are Shaping the Future of Investor-Entrepreneur Collaboration
The growth of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Deep tech has led to an extraordinary transformation in multiple sectors, pulling investors toward direct funding in innovative companies. In this era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, we are witnessing AI, IoT, and Deep tech rise to prominence as game-changers in business and technology, with companies in these sectors attracting increasing attention from venture capitalists (VCs) globally.
As the international market expands, new opportunities arise for investors to partner with promising companies. However, despite the increasing interest, forming successful partnerships comes with its own set of challenges. For a partnership to work effectively, both investors and entrepreneurs must share a common vision, understanding, and approach to growth.
The Evolving Dynamics Between Entrepreneurs and Investors
A major dilemma that investors face is how to grow their funds, while entrepreneurs are focused on successfully implementing their vision. This dynamic has been evolving, and it’s clear that the relationship between entrepreneurs and investors cannot be confined to a single perspective. In today’s tech-driven world, the need for investors to understand and support long-term growth in AI, IoT, and Deeptech is critical.
Rajat Khare, CEO of Boundary Holding, a Luxembourg-based venture capital firm, highlights this shift in investor-entrepreneur relationships. “Entrepreneurs and investors both have realized the fact that to move in the right trajectory, one needs to have faith in one another. No business venture can be successful without equal rights or sharing common ideas,” Khare shares.
This understanding has led to a change in the common perception that investors are solely concerned with returns on investment. Increasingly, investors are showing more confidence in entrepreneurs and in the industries they are focused on, particularly those driving innovation in AI, IoT, and Deeptech.
Technology’s Role in Shaping Investor Decisions
The field of technology—particularly AI, IoT, machine learning, and Deeptech—requires a unique understanding. Rajat Khare, being an engineer himself, firmly believes that technology entrepreneurs need both recognition and financial support to bring their innovations to life. In the case of AI and IoT, the potential to solve global challenges is significant. However, for investors to confidently back these technologies, they must first develop an in-depth understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities they present.
In the words of Khare, “It’s not just about supporting technologies that make life easier; it’s about investing in solutions that tackle real-world problems like climate change, healthcare, and the future of sustainable energy. Our investments are focused on these areas—AI-driven healthcare, green-tech, and marine-tech are just a few examples.”
Khare’s firm, Boundary Holding, has been at the forefront of investing in technologies such as RanMarine Technology, which focuses on aquatic pollution cleaning using autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), and Smart Clean, a data-driven platform for on-demand cleaning operations. These investments demonstrate the growing importance of aligning technology and business with solving major global issues, rather than simply capitalizing on novelty.
The Importance of Knowledge and Trust in Partnerships
AI and IoT are not just about product development—they represent a fundamental shift in how industries and investors think about the future. For entrepreneurs and investors to be successful in these fields, they must balance trust with a shared understanding of the challenges ahead. Both must be willing to invest not just in technologies but also in each other’s expertise.
Khare emphasizes that, “When you bring in outside funding, you lose control over strategic decisions. Entrepreneurs must be prepared to make decisions with both their knowledge and their partners’ expertise in mind. This requires vision and the foresight to anticipate future trends rather than just reacting to current events.”
It’s this balance of knowledge, trust, and shared vision that forms the foundation of successful partnerships in today’s fast-paced tech world. Both investors and entrepreneurs must understand that no venture will succeed without mutual respect and commitment to growth.
The Role of Trust in Achieving Sustainable Growth
The changing role of investors has also led to a more collaborative approach. Rather than merely expecting returns, investors are now more confident in supporting entrepreneurs with the leadership and vision to guide their companies forward. Rajat Khare believes that, for the technology sectors of AI, IoT, and Deeptech to reach their full potential, investors must take a long-term approach.
This growing confidence between investors and entrepreneurs is critical for the sustainable growth of these technologies. As Khare points out, “Being open to new ideas and maintaining flexibility in the face of challenges allows entrepreneurs and investors to build stronger, more resilient partnerships. This is the key to success in sectors like AI and IoT, where innovation is the driving force.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI, IoT, and Deeptech
The future of AI, IoT, and Deeptech is poised for exponential growth, but it will require strong, transparent, and trusting collaborations between investors and entrepreneurs. The common goal is not just market valuation but creating meaningful, long-term solutions that will have a lasting impact on society and the environment.
Rajat Khare’s perspective highlights the importance of understanding the technology behind these innovations and the potential they hold. As the global tech ecosystem continues to expand, both investors and entrepreneurs must focus on solving real-world problems while maintaining a forward-looking vision and strong mutual trust. This is the future of investment in AI, IoT, and Deeptech—the next frontier of global innovation.