Creativeland's Sajan Raj Kurup launches Ventureland Asia

The firm will fund, partner and guide the marketing efforts of budding entrepreneurs.

Sajan Raj Kurup, founder and creative chairman of Creativeland Asia (CLA), is launching Ventureland Asia, his new venture. Ventureland Asia will fund, partner and guide the marketing efforts of budding entrepreneurs and businesses to make sure that they capture and create maximum economic value for their ideas.

The firm has already invested 40 per cent stake in New York based kids clothing company Masala Baby Inc, which is one of Hollywood's new emerging favourites after celebrity kids have been spotted in their Masala clothing.

Speaking about his new venture, Kurup says in a press statement, "There's been a huge churn in the business of funding in the last few years. Most PEs, VCs follow a herd mentality. Most businesses that seem to get a good valuation are the ones which have mastered the art of fabricating a good story on paper. There are a whole lot of entrepreneurs who get sacrificed at the altar of this cultural gap between the investors and the investees. The issue is everyone involved seems to be playing a game, existing from round to round basis and not looking at value creation."

Continuing on the inception of Ventureland Asia, he adds, "10 years back I saw a business gap in the marketing communications business and out of nowhere created the buzziest advertising agency in the country which today is still one of the most sought after name in advertising. Now, I am ready to enter the next level of brand building with a legacy of successful brand launches, brand refreshes and path breaking creative solutions."

Leading this venture for Kurup is his old hand at Creativeland Asia and chief operating officer Srijib Mallik."(Srijib) Mallik is a mathematician at heart. His instinct for creative solutions and thorough understanding of complex business models makes him the right choice to lead. He has put a great team of financial analysts, fund managers and advisors at Ventureland Asia," says Kurup.

Mallik adds, "Among other investments, we are extremely proud to announce our first major investment with New York based Masala Baby Inc which is already emerging as Hollywood parent's new favourite brand. We will aim to support and grow their business exponentially."

Dipali Patwa, CEO & founder, Masala Baby, says, "After having spoken to a few traditional VCs, what attracted me to Ventureland Asia was the fact that they are charting out a new way forward to invest in consumer brands. It was meeting of the minds about how we wanted to take our brand forward. To Masala Baby, that was a lot more attractive to have a partner that is in it for the long haul and is able to bring in finance as well as the expertise to work with us hand in hand to get to the next growth stage."