Dhruv · Polaris
Palo Alto, California

DHRUV

W  A  S  H  I  S  H  T  H

Founder. Investor. True north.

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About

In Sanskrit, Dhruv (pronounced 'Droov') means the North Star — Polaris — In a world with rapid change, the Polaris is a reliable source of direction.

ध्रुव · The North Star in Indian Mythology

I'm a founder-turned-VC in the Bay Area. I back frontier tech startups and help high-agency builders spot and seize outsized opportunities. I've worked across 3 continents — Bangalore, London, and San Francisco.

Founder & GP of Polaris Capital, a VC fund which serves as true north for extraordinary founders.

Dhruv Washishth

Dhruv Washishth · PSC

Investing
Polaris Capital · 2026

My second VC fund, backing the best founders around the world. Anchored by some of the best LPs in Silicon Valley.

Paradigm Shift Capital · 2020

India's first global VC fund.

India-US corridor focus. Invested in 25 startups. 1 exit.

25
Startups
1
Exit
First / Early Cheques
Ixana
Landeed
Rise
Praan
Past Work

Before starting my VC firm, I was a 2X Founder.
One bootstrapped profitable lifestyle company. One failed VR/Ed-Tech venture.

Worked with Segment's co-founder on international growth (Acquired by Twilio $3.2B).

Media & Speaking
London School of Economics Fireside Chat
Founder to Fund: The Journey from Building Companies to Backing Them
25 February 2026
Fireside chat at Orrick HQ, San Francisco. Interview as 2X Founder & Founding Partner of Paradigm Shift Capital.
Talk Highlights ↗ LSE Generate Fireside Chat
New York University
Talk at NYU
2023
Invited to speak at NYU Stern about building my VC firm and lessons learnt navigating the startup ecosystems across India, US, UK.
Talk at NYU
Education
London School of Economics
MSc Philosophy & Management of Information Systems
Dropped out in the final term to attend my EB1A interview and move to the US.
LSE
Draper University
Scholarship recipient. Team won the overall championship.
2016
Christ University
Christ Junior College · Christ University, Bangalore
Bangalore
Recognition
✦
EB1A — Extraordinary Ability
Permanent Resident / Green Card granted by the US Government in 2018.
Themes
·
Always think 10X — don't be afraid to make the ambitious move.
·
Question everything. Most constraints are imaginary or can be easily overcome.
·
1% better every day.
·
Our time on earth is limited. Develop agency and urgency to do great things that make the future more prosperous.
Connect
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/dhruvwashishth ↗ Twitter @dhruvwashishth ↗ Substack substack.com/@dhruvwashishth ↗ Fund polariscapital.vc ↗