Ankush Kumar Jain

With 18+ years of experience in portfolio management, investment research, and due diligence, I specialize in identifying high-growth opportunities and building risk-optimized investment strategies across public and private markets.

I currently serve as Director at StepTrade Capital, where I oversee investment decisions across SEBI-registered CAT II & CAT III AIFs and a registered Fund Management Entity (FME) at GIFT City. I am responsible for portfolio construction, risk management, and performance assessment, with a consistent focus on sustainable wealth creation and capital preservation.

📊 Current Responsibilities & Scale

Managing ~₹400 Crore AUM across multiple AIF strategies

Raised ₹225 Crore of pre-IPO capital for 9 companies in the last 18 months, supporting SMEs and emerging businesses in their growth and listing journeys

🏦 Fund Management Roles

Chanakya Opportunities Fund I (CAT II AIF)
India’s first SME-Exchange-focused SEBI-registered CAT II AIF, successfully closed in December 2024, including full utilization of the green shoe option.

StepTrade Revolution Fund (CAT III AIF)
Focused on high-growth SMEs and microcaps, with a strategy designed to capture emerging opportunities and generate strong risk-adjusted returns.

StepTrade India Fund (CAT III AIF | CAT I FPI)
An open-ended structure designed for NRIs and FIIs under IFSCA regulations, providing access to Indian growth opportunities via GIFT City.

At StepTrade Capital, I lead due diligence, risk management, and investment performance evaluation, with a strong track record of identifying businesses with sound fundamentals, scalable models, and long-term growth potential. My role also includes refining fund strategies to adapt to evolving market cycles and maximize investor outcomes.

🧠 Prior Experience

Before StepTrade Capital, I spent nearly a decade (2007–2017) in commodity and currency research, working with firms such as Kunwarji, Religare, and other leading institutions. I was also part of the Edelweiss Group, where I managed NDPMS portfolios and developed deep expertise in equity research and portfolio strategy.

Over the last 18 years, my professional journey has been defined by continuous learning, adaptability, and disciplined investing, contributing to business growth, investor confidence, and long-term value creation.