There are some career pivots that feel performative. Then there are others—rare, resolute, and deeply intentional. Shivansh Sabharwal’s transition from managing a billion-dollar family office to co-founding a new-age investment platform, ILIOS72, belongs in the latter category.

It’s a story that begins in the pristine boardrooms of financial consulting firms, winds through the opaque hallways of private wealth management, and eventually finds its soul in the messy, high-stakes world of Indian startups. And along the way, Shivansh has done more than just change hats—he’s rewritten the blueprint of how modern capital can serve innovation, not just preserve wealth.

“Managing legacy capital gave me a front-row seat to how disconnected the investment world can be from the actual needs of the next generation of wealth creators,” Shivansh said. “I didn’t just want to manage money. I wanted to reimagine what that money could stand for.”

Rewriting the Rules of Private Banking

For someone who has seen wealth from the inside—really seen it—Shivansh doesn’t mince words. The private banking ecosystem, he believes, is deeply flawed. Not for lack of intelligence or intent, but because it’s structured around products, not people.

“Relationship managers are rarely incentivized to think long-term. Their KPIs are built around short-term AUM growth, not client outcomes,” he explained. “This creates a gap—a serious one—between strategy and execution, between advice and action.”

At ILIOS72, Shivansh and his team flipped the model. Here, analysts are rewarded based on the actual performance of client portfolios, not the volume of transactions. It’s a simple change—but one with seismic implications.

“We’re not here to sell dreams. We’re here to build portfolios that reflect reality—and resilience.”

The ILIOS72 Edge: Reimagining How Capital Works

At the heart of ILIOS72 lies a mission far beyond just deploying capital—it’s about reshaping how wealth is managed, advised, and grown. Drawing from his years managing a billion-dollar family office, Shivansh Sabharwal witnessed firsthand the systemic gaps in traditional private banking—where transactional KPIs often take precedence over true portfolio performance.

“At ILIOS72, we’ve built an advisory structure that rewards analytical depth and long-term results, not short-term AUM wins,” Shivansh explains.

This restructured model centers on aligning incentives—analysts are evaluated based on their ability to enhance client portfolios, not on how much they sell. It’s a conscious departure from conventional private wealth practices, placing clarity, conviction, and client outcomes at the core.

The firm’s investment thesis is driven by a top-down approach, evaluating not just sectors or valuations, but also the quality of founders, global market exposure, and alignment with evolving investor behaviors. ILIOS72 aims to bridge private and public market thinking—empowering even retail investors to access pre-IPO opportunities, thematic investments, and new-age capital strategies rooted in transparency and discipline.

For Shivansh, ILIOS72 is more than a fund—it’s a platform for democratizing intelligent capital and building trust-based communities where founders, investors, and mentors grow together.

Bringing Private Equity to the People

If there’s one idea that animates Shivansh’s vision, it’s democratization. In a country where financial literacy is still uneven, he believes the next big leap in wealth creation will come from opening up private markets to retail investors—but with responsibility.

“Retail investors today are curious, connected, and courageous. What they need is context, not just access.”

Through ILIOS72, Shivansh is actively building bridges—curated opportunities in pre-IPO spaces, thematic plays, and alternative capital vehicles that allow individuals to tap into long-term, non-linear wealth building.

“Capital shouldn’t be exclusive. It should be intelligent, transparent, and inclusive.”

More Than Money: The Power of Mentorship and Community

Ask Shivansh about what shaped his journey, and he doesn’t rattle off names of firms or balance sheets. He talks about mentors. Conversations. People who believed when ideas were still on paper. And he brings that same belief to every founder ILIOS72 backs.

“No investor alone builds a company. What we can offer—besides capital—is perspective, honesty, and presence,” he said.

Shivansh is also a big advocate of community in venture. Not the performative kind, but the organic networks of trust and knowledge-sharing that help entrepreneurs move faster, smarter, and stronger.

“Networking isn’t just for deal flow. It’s for building better instincts.”

The First Step is the Hardest—But the Most Sacred

Perhaps the most human part of the conversation came when Shivansh talked about entrepreneurship itself. About what it takes to leave the comfort of a stable career. About the loneliness of the early days. About finding the right co-founders—those who align not just with your vision, but your values.

“The hardest part of building isn’t the product. It’s people. Finding a team that’s all-in, when nothing is certain—that’s sacred.”

To founders just starting out, Shivansh offers advice that’s both grounded and generous:

“Spend more time sharpening your narrative. Know your numbers—but also know your ‘why.’ Investors don’t just back ideas—they back clarity.”

Redefining Capital for a New Generation

In a landscape dominated by noise, valuation hype, and hurried pitches, ILIOS72 feels like a quiet rebellion—a space where money is patient, conviction runs deep, and strategy is personal.

At the helm, Shivansh Sabharwal isn’t just managing funds—he’s designing a new investment culture. One that rewards thinking over trend-chasing. One that measures

success by impact, does not exist. One that sees capital not just as a means, but a multiplier of vision.

“At the end of the day, capital should do more than grow. It should elevate. It should empower. It should build legacies worth leaving.”

ILIOS72 isn’t just betting on companies. It’s betting on clarity, courage, and the builders of tomorrow. Shivansh Sabharwal is leading the way—with both intellect and integrity.

-By Muskan Dengra, Indian startup times