Shruti at 05:56, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T05:56:03Z

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{{resume-like|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Bala Deshpande
|image =
|caption =
|birth_place =
|alma_mater = [[Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies]],<br>[[University of Mumbai]]
|birth_date =
|occupation = Senior Managing Director, [[New Enterprise Associates]]
|spouse =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}

'''Bala Deshpande''' is the Senior Managing Director of the [[venture capital]] firm, [[New Enterprise Associates]] ([[India]]) since 2008.<ref name="icici">{{cite web|title=ICICI Venture's Bala Deshpande Quits; To Join NEA|url=http://www.vccircle.com/news/banking/2008/09/09/icici-ventures-bala-deshpande-quits-join-nea|publisher=vccircle.com|access-date=14 September 2014|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125042800/http://www.vccircle.com/news/banking/2008/09/09/icici-ventures-bala-deshpande-quits-join-nea|url-status=dead}}</ref> NEA is a venture capital firm with over US$13 billion in committed capital.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Enterprise Associates Closes $2.6 Billion In One Of Largest Venture Funds Ever|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2012/07/25/new-enterprise-associates-closes-2-6-billion-in-one-of-largest-venture-funds-ever/|work=forbes.com|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Q&A: Bala Deshpande, Senior MD, New Enterprise Associates (India)|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/q-a-bala-deshpande-senior-md-new-enterprise-associates-india-110071400013_1.html|publisher=business-standard.com|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref> NEA started direct investments in India during the downturn in 2008 and has since built a portfolio of 14 companies.<ref>{{cite web|title=E-commerce has become 'winner takes all' in terms of fundraising, share of wallet: Bala Deshpande, Senior MD, NEA India|date=9 August 2012 |url=http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2012/08/09/e-commerce-has-become-winner-takes-all-in-terms-of-fundraising-share-of-wallet-bala-deshpande-senior-md-nea-india/|publisher=vccircle.com|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref>

According to Fortune India (2016), she is the 49th most powerful women in [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Most Powerful Women
|url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/mpw/bala-deshpande?year=2016|publisher=Fortune India}}</ref>

==Education and personal life==
She has completed her post-graduation in Economics from the [[University of Mumbai]]. She also holds a master's degree in Management Studies from the [[Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Senior Managing Director NEA India |url=http://www.afaqs.com/events/tvnxt/2011/speaker-details.html?id=374 |publisher=afaqs.com |access-date=14 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726062206/http://www.afaqs.com/events/tvnxt/2011/speaker-details.html?id=374 |archive-date=26 July 2012 }}</ref>

She is married to Chaitanya Deshpande, who heads the [[Investor relations|Investor Relations]] and M&A functions at [[Marico Limited]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Seen great volume growth across different segments: Chaitanya Deshpande, Marico|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-08-03/news/33020178_1_coconut-oil-saffola-hair-oil|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019201736/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-08-03/news/33020178_1_coconut-oil-saffola-hair-oil|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 October 2015|publisher=economictimes.indiatimes.com|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref> The couple lives in [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bala Deshpande|url=http://www.sankalpforum.com/people-profile/bala-deshpande/|publisher=sankalpforum.com|access-date=14 September 2014|archive-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111193705/http://www.sankalpforum.com/people-profile/bala-deshpande/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==
She has over 23 years of professional experience, including 14 years<ref>{{cite web|title=I have great belief in India's entrepreneurial talent: Bala Deshpande |url=http://entrepreneurindia.in/people/inconversation/i-have-great-belief-in-indias-entrepreneurial-talent-bala-deshpande/17314/ |publisher=entrepreneurindia.in |access-date=14 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905100222/http://entrepreneurindia.in/people/inconversation/i-have-great-belief-in-indias-entrepreneurial-talent-bala-deshpande/17314/ |archive-date=5 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Soothing effect: Investors and their spiritual balm at workplaces|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/work/soothing-effect-investors-and-their-spiritual-balm-at-workplaces/38401/1|publisher=forbesindia.com|access-date=14 September 2014|archive-date=28 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828021528/http://forbesindia.com/article/work/soothing-effect-investors-and-their-spiritual-balm-at-workplaces/38401/1|url-status=dead}}</ref> of private equity experience. Her private equity experience has seen the full cycle from nurturing young companies to executing multiple exits, including IPO's, buybacks, strategic sales, and capital market divestments. Under her leadership, NEA India's [[assets under management]] (AUM) have grown from ~$100mn to over ~$350mn.<ref name="reuters">{{cite web|title=Info Edge India Ltd (INED.NS)|url=http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/officerProfile?symbol=INED.NS&officerId=800600|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115800/http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/officerProfile?symbol=INED.NS&officerId=800600|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|publisher=reuters.com|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CD Corporate Governance Seminar 2012: Transformation in India's Corporate Governance Scenario|date=12 October 2012 |url=http://www.indiacsr.in/en/cd-corporate-governance-seminar-2012-transformation-in-indias-corporate-governance-scenario/|publisher=indiacsr.in|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref> Bala's investment expertise includes sectors such as retail, media, IT&ITES, [[Telecommunication|telecom]], construction as also some manufacturing related industries.

Prior to joining the board of NEA (India), Bala was the Director of Investments at ICICI Ventures since 2000. At ICICI Venture, she used her operational experience to identify opportunities for investment and to play a strategic role in shaping the future of investee companies. She led teams in deals ranging from Rs 6 [[crore]] to Rs 300 crore at ICICI Venture.<ref>{{cite web|title=India's PE industry opts for new strategy to combat low growth|url=http://forbesindia.com/printcontent/38333|publisher=forbesindia.com|access-date=14 September 2014|archive-date=9 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809062045/http://forbesindia.com/printcontent/38333|url-status=dead}}</ref> She launched leading e-commerce ventures like Traveljini and BillJunction. Further, she was involved in executing over 10 exits during her tenure with ICICI Ventures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bala Deshpande, ICICI Venture |url=http://www.dare.co.in/people/featured-investor/investor-of-the-monthbala-deshpande.htm |publisher=dare.co.in |access-date=14 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918104056/http://www.dare.co.in/people/featured-investor/investor-of-the-monthbala-deshpande.htm |archive-date=18 September 2011 }}</ref>

Before ICICI Ventures, Bala had multi industry exposure and has worked across diverse functions such as sales, distribution and brand management with MNCs such as Bestfoods, Cadbury and ICI. At Bestfoods, she was also part of the strategic planning team.<ref name="reuters" />

==Recognition==
Bala has been nominated among India's top 50 most powerful women in business by Forbes consecutively in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|title=Fortune India|url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/fortune-india-releases-ranking-of-50-most-powerful-women-in-business-5284603709_1.html|publisher=indiainfoline.com|access-date=9 November 2011}}</ref> and 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fortune India Ranking |url=http://currentaffairs-businessnews.com/2012/11/16/fortune-india-ranking-of-50-most-powerful-business-women/ |publisher=businessnews.com |access-date=16 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319032612/http://currentaffairs-businessnews.com/2012/11/16/fortune-india-ranking-of-50-most-powerful-business-women/ |archive-date=19 March 2013 }}</ref> She was also nominated for the Women Leadership Forum held at [[Bestfoods|Bestfoods, New York]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The other 25|date=30 August 2011 |url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/strong-contenders-for-the-bt-top-25-list-this-year/1/18285.html|publisher=intoday.in|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref>

==Directorship==
Bala is associated with several leading organization in the capacity of a Director. She is currently on the board of:<ref>{{cite web|title=Bala Chaitanya Deshpande|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=2017904&privcapId=43223955&previousCapId=8209541&previousTitle=cMango%20Inc|publisher=businessweek.com|access-date=14 September 2014}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

* Air Works India Engineering Private Ltd
* Naaptol Online Shopping Pvt Ltd
* Financial Software & Systems Private Ltd.
* IndiaHomes
* inTarvo Technologies Ltd.
* VISHWA Infrastructures & Services Pvt. Ltd
* [[Pantaloons Fashion & Retail|Future Retail Limited]] (formerly, Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd)
* Nova Medical Centers Private Ltd
* Naukri Internet Services Pvt. Ltd
* [[Info Edge]] (India) Ltd

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.nea.com/team/bala-deshpande Bala Deshpande] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303061536/https://www.nea.com/team/bala-deshpande |date=3 March 2020 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deshpande, Bala}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian women chief executives]]
[[Category:Indian chief executives]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:University of Mumbai alumni]]

Bala Deshpande - Revision history

Shruti at 05:56, 6 February 2026