Venture capital pertains to funding provided to startups or emerging businesses demonstrating potential for sustained growth. Human resource management is important in yielding a direct and economically consequential impact on the quality of working life and enterprise performance. Also, they help to meticulously assess risk factors associated with human resource practices to enable a comprehensive financial investment decision. Matrix Partners India is an investment entity focusing on the Indian enterprise and consumer market, particularly during the seed, early, and early growth stages. Embracing a "founders first" philosophy, the firm engages in investments across diverse sectors, demonstrating a personal commitment to actively contribute to developing companies with the potential to make a global impact. Debleena Das in her role as Director – Human Capital at Matrix Partners, has exemplified unwavering support by offering robust human resource assistance to Matrix Partners India portfolio companies and employees, thereby enhancing the workplace environment.

In an intimate interview with us, Debleena shared with us the focus of the organization, how the industry works and her future aspirations.

Illuminate us on your academic history and the preceding professional expertise you bring to the discussion.

My academic background includes a master's degree in psychology, but I shifted my focus to a more impactful career, pursuing an MBA with a specialization in human resources. Joining Google post-MBA, I delved into talent acquisition, believing that building the right talent pool is foundational to any organization. Working on critical teams during Google's expansion in Hyderabad, I gained valuable experience. Transitioning to Flipkart during its early stages, I witnessed and contributed to its significant growth, particularly in shaping technology, product, data science, and business aspects of recruitment. As e-commerce reached saturation, I pivoted to the emerging SaaS industry, working at INMOBI, India's first unicorn SaaS company. Now, at Matrix, I view HR from a board's perspective, aligning HR activities with business growth and impact, completing a diverse journey across various domains and roles.

Introduce us to Matrix Partners and provide insights into the roles and responsibilities you undertake as the Director within the organization.

In my current role as Director of Human Capital at Matrix, we have established a robust and sustainable team capable of seamlessly handling daily operations. Our primary focus begins with talent acquisition, but it extends beyond the conventional scope. Understanding my role requires recognizing the expectations of startup founders from investors. We engage with them at the early stages, partnering in the ideation process, and play a pivotal role in finding the right leaders and talent for their endeavours. Additionally, I oversee the implementation of internal processes at Matrix, addressing employee-related functions.

Network and community development is a crucial aspect of my responsibilities, as building and nurturing connections are indispensable in the ever-evolving landscape of recruitment. This network development not only aids in the growth of our business but also establishes valuable partnerships with corporates. Facilitating partnerships with tech giants like GCP or AWS, I ensure that our startups have access to the necessary infrastructure and tools.

Furthermore, I contribute to internal learning and development, emphasizing individual success plans to ensure that every member feels integral to the system, both personally and professionally.

What challenges do HR leaders face in the current business environment, and how do you address them effectively?

In today's business landscape, a key challenge lies in striking a balance between talent acquisition and retention, with Matrix and other top companies facing this dilemma. Ensuring alignment between an individual’s aspirations and organizational offerings is crucial to avoid potential retention issues, as mismatches may hinder sustainability within the system. Proactive planning for individual success is essential to overcome challenges in retaining employees, especially in an environment where numerous opportunities are available. HR professionals must be mindful of their role in ensuring employee success amid increased candidate supply.

Additionally, the post-COVID era introduces the complexity of managing hybrid or remote work arrangements, adding another layer to the contemporary challenges faced by HR leaders. People inquire about remote work for comfort, requiring effective implementation for individual optimization. Investing in collaborative technologies and guidelines is crucial for consistent communication and engagement. As HR, the focus is on problem-solving, and addressing challenges like diversity in sectors and the goal is to foster diversity and inclusion, aiming for specific percentages in employee counts for certain business lines.

How do you perceive the agenda, particularly in terms of unicorn business, routines, and any specific industry trends that significantly impact HR responsibilities?

Reflecting on my 16-year career, the perception of HR has shifted from being viewed as a support function to an integral part of business success. Emphasizing the significance of a strong HR team, I highlighted the crucial role it plays in shaping a company.

In the evolving landscape, startup founders and Matrix Partners India recognize human capital as a core team rather than a supporting one. This mindset shift involves having a stake in the outcomes  profits and losses alike. By fostering a sense of ownership and allowing HR to drive initiatives, the aim is to maximize their contribution to business success and propel the company to the next stage.

Debleena Das, Director, Matrix Partners

Debleena Das has extensive experience in startups and fast-paced organizations, playing a key role in building and transforming these entities while scaling the people function. Her diverse skill set includes talent acquisition, leadership hiring, talent management, development, company culture establishment, change management, strategy, succession planning, and organization design. Committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces, Debleena Das brings valuable expertise to any professional environment.