Leadership
Rishi Bhansali
Managing Director
Bhansali SFO DMCC
“There is no force in the universe more powerful than compound interest.”
Albert Einstein (apocryphal)
Rishikumar (Rishi) Bhansali is the founder and CEO of Bhansali Equities and Bhansali SFO. He has been managing financial assets, private equity investments and real estate projects since 2007.
He started his journey working with various companies, from interning at Real Estate funds to operating in several family businesses. After setting up his own company, he proceeded to invest in businesses where he personally could add value. He has often consulted on finance and was asked to come in as a financial comptroller to manage the cashflow for various portfolio companies.
Through these portfolio companies, he’s had the privilege of learning about many industries, either being on the board of the company or consulting on the finances, sales and growth of the company. He’s been involved in biotech, fintech, gem and jewelry, oil and gas and other industries, and been invited to be part of investment committees of private equity and VC funds. He has assisted in debt restructuring, equity raises and successful exits through takeover or IPO. Although he is involved in VC and PE investing, a large part of the focus is on public markets.
Rishi is an active person, and prefers to be spending time learning, reading about various companies and industries. Otherwise, he is found either cooking or doing an activity like hiking, biking or playing a sport. But one of his true passions is playing Polo, where he has devoted countless hours over the last 6 years and founded a team called Bhansali Polo, competing in tournaments when he can. He has been vegan for many years and is very passionate about animal welfare and supports various organizations to fight for those unable to speak out for themselves.
“Over the span of my career, I have come to believe that successful investing is about simplification and most importantly, fully understanding and managing investment related risks.”
Rishi Bhansali
Shai Manor
Chief Operating Officer
Bhansali SFO DMCC
“Compete with yourself and root for everybody else.”
Candice Millard
Shai joined Bhansali SFO in 2021 as our Chief Operating Officer, driving Change Management, Financial Performance Management, Research, and Investment Strategy across our Venture, Private Equity, and Capital Markets investments. He is always keen to discuss visions for the world of tomorrow.
His previous experiences as management consultant and entrepreneur span various geographies, including Belgium, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Most recently before joining BSFO, he was involved in corporate restructuring of a hospitality business based out of Cape Town, where he took the company through the legal process of business rescue, renovation, operations management, and eventual lease to the Touch Down Group.
Shai holds a MSc in Investment Management from Bayes Business School, a MSc in Management from Imperial College Business School, and a BEng Hons. in Electrical Engineering from the City University of London.
“Innovation comes in several flavors (technological, experiential, business model) and winners tend to innovate in all three realms. Focusing on any less than all three creates short-lived hype, or companies that can’t make it big on their own. Focus on companies that are most likely to be equipped with enough escape velocity to make it even in the most difficult times.”
Shai Manor
Dewang Panchal
General Manager
Head of Accounts & Finance
Bhansali SFO DMCC
Dewang has been a part of Bhansali SFO since its inception and presently manages Bhansali SFO DMCC as General Manager and Head of Accounts & Finance.
Dewang has more than 2 decades of broad experience in industries including Real Estate, Automobiles, Oil & Gas, Diamond & Jewellery, Investment, and Single Family Offices. He is based in Dubai, UAE having worked in 4 countries and traveled extensively. His area of expertise includes Management & Financial Accounting, UAE and International Banking, Auditing and Tax Filings, Treasury Operations, Internal Controls, and Budgeting.
Dewang Panchal was raised and educated in Mumbai, India, He holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a major in Finance, and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with a major in Accounting and Economics from Mumbai University.
Dewang is always open to learn, and it is with this kind of open mindedness that he displays his leadership qualities. He is goal oriented, result driven, and always focused on the details.
Advisory Roles
Michael Bacon
