Shiv Kr Bansal
Co-Founder at Stealth AI
Building a stealth-mode consumer AI startup with focus on user retention, habit formation, and proving monetization capability early
Intro
I'm Shiv Kr Bansal, Co-Founder at Stealth AI, a stealth-mode consumer AI startup based in Bengaluru. My journey has taken me from investment banking and venture capital to founding my own ventures, and I'm now focused on building consumer AI applications from the ground up. I'm passionate about creating products that form user habits, proving monetization early in the AI space, and building better experiences that win. I believe in customer obsession over shiny features and making it easy for users to share their 'Aha moment.' I'm actively seeking insights on B2C growth, feedback on startup challenges, and connections within the global founder ecosystem, while offering shared learnings from my journey across finance and entrepreneurship.
Networking
What I can offer
- ›Shared learnings from investment banking, PE, and founding a consumer AI startup
- ›Early access to his product for interested parents
- ›Reflections on practical startup tactics
- ›Insights on B2C growth strategies
- ›Experience with deal execution and fundraising
What I'm looking for
- ›Insights on B2C growth
- ›Feedback on startup challenges
- ›Potential hires (e.g., Flutter developers)
- ›Connections within the Indian and global founder/investor ecosystem
Best fit for
Focus
Current interests
Core competencies
Background
Career
Started in investment banking at Spark Capital Advisors, moved to venture capital/private equity at Lighthouse Funds, founded Janta Delivery, and is now co-founding a stealth-mode consumer AI startup
Education
Bachelors of Commerce (Honours) from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Specialization in Accountancy and Finance (2015–2018); Cleared CFA Level 2 (2020); Higher Secondary from Don Bosco School, Siliguri, ICSE & ISC (2003–2015)
Achievements
- ›Executed multiple investments totaling over $200M at Lighthouse Funds
- ›Executed multiple fundraises totaling over $250M at Spark Capital
- ›Successfully launched streaks feature at Stealth AI achieving first user with 30-day streak
- ›Closed first angel investment round led by former Google Director
- ›Accepted into AWS Activate program securing $25K in AWS credits
- ›Achieved organic user growth in California via word-of-mouth
Opinions
- "In consumer apps, retention is everything." Believes habit formation is key to winning
- "In Consumer AI especially, you need to prove monetization capability early." Believes the startup playbook is changing with AI
- Strongly believes "Better experiences win. Always." Sees AI as a force rewriting rules
- Believes "Speed of response = Trust" in building customer relationships
- Values "customer obsession" over "shiny features"
- Advocates for making it easy for users to share their "'Aha moment'" and experience value before needing to download an app
Personality
Communication style
Reflective, driven, candid, and generally optimistic; often shares raw, in-the-trenches startup experiences
Formality — 5/10
Vocabulary