AMA: Sandeep, VP Sales for Vestd India

From scaling startups to steering an acquisition, Sandeep Mohapatra’s journey has been anything but boring.

Now part of the Vestd team in India, he’s on a mission to bring clarity, education, and real ownership to the startup ecosystem.

We asked him a few quick-fire questions for a mini series shining a light on our team.

So, Sandeep, how did you get into this line of work?

I've always been passionate about scaling businesses, whether working with startups or working for them. Both give me immense pleasure. 

Sales doesn’t come naturally to me, but the thrill of solving a problem keeps me going. 

Stepping into a sales role in equity management was a natural progression of my passion for working with founders to solve growth-related challenges. 

What's the best piece of career advice you've ever received?

The best advice I’ve received is that learning and upskilling should never stop. No matter what stage you’re at in your career, staying curious and adaptable is what keeps you relevant and growing.

Who inspires you? 

Cricketer MS Dhoni has always been a big source of inspiration for me. His ability to stay calm under pressure, put the team first, and always believing in a process is what I try to emulate in my career. 

MS Dhoni (pictured). Photo credit: Rigi

What does your typical work day look like?

My day usually starts with catching up on startup and funding news - it helps me stay sharp and relevant when speaking with founders.

I then review our outreach plans for the day, refine messaging if needed, and get into focussed outbound efforts. After that, the day is a mix of internal syncs, product or strategy calls, demo sessions with prospects, and follow-ups with existing leads.

How do you find working from home? Easy? Challenging?

Working from home comes with its own set of challenges to manage between family and work. But the best part is the amount of time you save on travel. Also, the fact that you get to spend most of your time with family is a great perk in itself. 

Trica Equity recently joined Vestd. What excites you the most about the road ahead? 

Equity management in India has long been fragmented, manual, and misunderstood, especially among early-stage startups and their employees. 

Now, with Trica Equity joining forces with Vestd, we’ll not just be offering a product, we’ll be bringing a proven recipe for education and global best practices to a market that needs significant clarity and efficiency. 

The idea of helping Indian founders build real ownership cultures where everyone has a skin in the game is incredibly exciting.

What was your proudest moment at Trica Equity?

One of my proudest moments was leading the Trica Equity brand forward with a strong sense of honesty and long-term business thinking, even during uncertain times.

I had the opportunity to lead parts of the Vestd acquisition effort and represent what we had built with conviction. Seeing that resulting in Trica joining forces with Vestd, and knowing I played a critical part in that journey, was incredibly fulfilling.

What skills are you hoping to build upon at Vestd?

I’m looking to deepen my leadership and team-building skills. As we grow Vestd’s presence in India, I want to build a high-performing, customer-focussed team that understands both the product and the nuances of the Indian startup ecosystem. 

I’m also excited about playing a bigger role in educating founders and early-stage teams about equity. There’s a huge awareness gap here, and I see this as a chance to not just sell a product, but also shape a culture of ownership and transparency.

What’s one fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?

I’m bad at remembering names, but I can also be the funniest person in the room when you least expect it!

Favourite way to spend a weekend?

I love spending time on a hill station with my family.

Curious? Book a chat with Sandeep and see how easy ESOPs can be with Vestd India.