Manu Chandra wins ET Startup Awards 2026 Midas Touch honour

Manu Chandra, partner at early-stage venture firm Sauce, has been named the best investor at The Economic Times Startup Awards 2026. The Midas Touch honour, awarded by a jury of founders and investors, cites Chandra’s track record of backing companies at the seed stage and delivering exits.

The award comes as strategic acquisitions in India’s consumer sector continue to rise. Earlier this week, ITC completed a ₹645 Cr deal for a healthy snack brand, marking its first full acquisition in the direct-to-consumer health foods space. That deal followed other 2026 exits, including Mistral’s third AI startup buy and Databricks’ latest acquisition.

Chandra’s recognition aligns with broader investor focus on India’s consumer brands, which have seen a range of trade sales and strategic takeovers. While Bengaluru remains the leading hub for startup funding, its share of total capital raised has declined this year, according to Moneycontrol data.

Sauce, which has not disclosed its fund size, has backed brands across food, personal care, and retail. The firm’s portfolio includes companies that have either raised follow-on rounds or been acquired, though details on exit values are not public.

The Midas Touch award typically goes to investors who combine early conviction with later-stage outcomes. For Chandra, the honour suggests a shift in India’s exit environment—where patience may be paying off, but the path to large-scale returns is still uncertain.

Sources: economictimes.indiatimes.com