Dr. Vinish Kathuria

Co-lead a workshop (with Sumathi my business partner and Komal lath of Tute Consult) on branding and communication and why/how its' strategic & important for the portfolio companies of an early stage growth focused PE fund in Mumbai this noon. very interactive session. lots of takeaways. one of the biggest benefits of doing such workshops with founders and CXOs of growth companies is that you get to first hand understand their pain points and priorities. which makes you realize there is a long road ahead laden with great opportunity for those in PR & comms if we take off our hats and look at it from their perspective.

21

3 Comments

Very glad to see this! We have travelled down the path of Swadeshi and import substitution with disastrous results. Re-inventing wheel never makes sense. The main genius behind the telecom revolution was to adopt cheap and easily available technology to provide the service to masses, rather than develop our own that Sam Pitroda championed and wasted $10 billions on. The name of the game is to innovate and build on available technology. Encourage manufacturing in India to employ masses. Assert comparative advantage where we have it, as we have shown in IT services. We should have a huge comparative advantage in agricultural sector. Turn loose our entrepreneurs to take the world on in all emerging fields. They are already starting to prove their mettle in spacetech. The goal of Atmanirbhar should be limited to defense and armament industry. Everywhere else we ought to go for most economic way of providing goods and services for the masses.

114

41 Comments

Great interview of Shaunak Roy, founder and CEO of Yellowdig. "However, education is not only about efficiency; it is also about connecting with other humans, communicating, and solving problems effectively." Important words to remember as we seek more efficient solutions.

5

1 Comment

I had a fascinating discussion with Ashutosh Pratihast on strategy to build a 1000 Cr Online Business! We dived deep into the dynamics of e-commerce, digital trends, and the power of innovation in today's market. Ashutosh brought some brilliant perspectives to the table, and I'm thrilled to share our conversation with you all! Listen to the full podcast on "The Rich" here: https://lnkd.in/gvF-bnxV I'd love to hear your thoughts! Let me know what resonated with you and how you see the future of online businesses shaping up. 💡💼 #OnlineBusiness #Ecommerce #Innovation #DigitalTrends #BOULT #Entrepreneurship #TheRich

90

2 Comments

Establishing a deep-tech focused VC fund would greatly benefit entrepreneurs at the idea, seed, pre-Series A, and Series A stages. Moreover, startups also require grants, joint investment opportunities with deep-tech vendors (both public and private), mentorship, orders, timely payment of invoices, prompt approvals, and access to a global knowledge-sharing platform. These supports enable them to build upon existing foundations rather than starting from scratch. Indian entrepreneurs are currently emphasizing the development of consumer-centric products such as food brands and cosmetics, rather than investing to build deep-tech assets that could enhance production capabilities. We anticipate that this will change with the backing of all stakeholders. Startup India | Invest India | Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India | MeitY Startup Hub | SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd | SiriusOne Capital | Angel Scions | O2 VC Fund (fund under process)| o2 Angels Network https://lnkd.in/dtfBpWUF?

9

1 Comment

🌿✨ Embracing AYUSH: Empowering Health Naturally! 🌟 Did you know? Recent data from the survey on AYUSH conducted by National Sample Survey Office, India reveals that 50% of Indians used AYUSH healthcare system in the last year! 🔹 AYUSH system of medicines refers to the use of one or more of the system(s) of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy 🔹 95% of rural and 96% of urban folks are aware of AYUSH traditions. 🔹 85% of rural and 86% of urban households practice Medicinal Plants/Home Remedies/Local Health Traditions. 🔹 Nearly half of rural (46%) and over half of urban (53%) individuals used AYUSH in the last year for health benefits. We at SaveIN work with several leading alternate medicine providers like Dr Batra’s Healthcare Jiva Ayurveda Madhavbaug Homeocare International among others, and are witnessing tremendous demand for alternate therapies, especially for chronic diseases and lifestyle disorders. Let's continue to explore the power of traditional wisdom in promoting holistic wellness alongside adopting the latest in healthcare! 🌱💪 #AYUSH #HolisticHealth #WellnessJourney #TraditionalMedicine #Healthcare #Lifestyle

22

From Startup Vision to National Impact: Lessons from Aravind Sanka, Co-founder of Rapido I recently had the privilege of speaking with Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido, India's leading bike taxi platform. Aravind shared profound insights into their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting key milestones and challenges that shaped Rapido into what it is today. It was impressive to see after all the success Rapido has achieved, Aravind had arrived in Rapido Auto, reinforcing the need for their product to save time and money in transit. Here are a few takeaways from the conversation. Navigating Early Challenges with Strategic Focus Starting in Bangalore, Rapido faced the typical hurdles of a nascent startup: proving market viability and securing initial funding. What set them apart was their strategic focus on perfecting consumer metrics and fostering organic growth. By concentrating efforts in Bangalore for the first few years, they demonstrated significant consumer adoption and operational efficiency, paving the way for future expansions. Overcoming Investor Skepticism through Results Aravind candidly discussed the challenges of fundraising, especially when the concept of bike taxis was still nascent in India. Despite initial rejections, Rapido's commitment to showing tangible results and strategic timing paid off. They secured investments globally from places like Taiwan and Hong Kong before gaining local traction with investments from Nexus Venture Partners and WestBridge Capital. Addressing investor concerns, such as market size and demographic reach, was crucial. Timing also played a role; as other ride-hailing giants faced diversification challenges around 2019, Rapido emerged as a focused alternative in India's market. Adapting and Innovating in Times of Crisis The resilience of Rapido was further tested during the COVID-19 pandemic when their business temporarily plummeted. However, instead of retreating, they pivoted swiftly, launching auto-rickshaw services and leveraging their technology to meet evolving customer needs. This agility not only sustained them through the crisis but also strengthened their reputation as innovators in the mobility sector. Today, Rapido continues to innovate, focusing on enhancing user experience and expanding their footprint in tier 2 and tier 3 cities where their services are transforming local transportation dynamics. Aravind's journey with Rapido underscores the power of resilience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to solving real-world challenges. #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #MobilityInnovation #ImpactfulLeadership #StartupIndia #Kalaari #Rapido

24

There is no perfect product-market fit. I know it’s counterintuitive, but it’s the truth I've learned on my entrepreneurship journey. PMF is a continuous journey. Because every time you think you've nailed it, the market shifts. And that's the thrill - it's like playing an endless game where the rules keep changing. Our products need to constantly evolve because tech is changing, consumer behavior is shifting, new competition in the market is cropping up, ⁠you are coming with new innovations yourself .. Remember, it’s not just about finding the perfect fit; it’s about solving the consumer’s problem and doing so in the most efficient way Had a recent chat with Ranjani Raghavan LiveMint to talk about the nuances of staying ahead in an ever-evolving market and shared some anecdotes that I think might help others in their journey. Click on to know more 👇 Tech Entrepreneurs Association of Mumbai (TEAM)

228

3 Comments

Another notable thing from the new Budget: Space sector gets 1000 cr ($120M) VC Fund allocation. This is a very important signal, even though the numbers are small in the context of capital requirement by the sector. I am a big believer of India owning the space sector worldwide over time in a manner similar to how we have owned the Technology services market. The talent pool and infrastructure (thanks to ISRO), emerging technologies around miniaturization, and evolving supply chain makes it one of the few spaces where India has a ‘right to win’. Strongly recommend more Entrepreneurs to participate in this area. Given the high capital requirements in the initial days (before monetization), it is a hard place for VCs to play but we will see innovation in capital structure over time (the Government allocation being one such evolution). And I am not only saying this, I actually brought a company to our Investment Committee (where I am also a member) making a case for Investment. We continue to look at the space and hope to cross the line sometime. https://lnkd.in/gzB9UUb8

101

13 Comments

Managing a VC fund is not as easy or glamorous as it might seem. While there are opportunities, there are also many challenges. Here's a candid conversation with Dr. Srikanth Sundararajan general partner at VenturEast Investing since 1997! Dr. Sundararajan has experience in both the US and Indian startup ecosystems and has witnessed the evolution of the venture capital industry. He shares valuable insights on how to improve the investment landscape, focusing on policy and regulatory changes. Link to the video in the first comment. #venturecapital Excluto

5

1 Comment

"Raaz" to Success: The Heart of Customer Centricity. Inspired by my recent experience at F5 AppWorld 2024 in Mumbai, I share insights on how businesses, especially banks, can unlock success by embracing customer-centric technology. A simple yet powerful conversation between Ashutosh Rana and Dhananjay Ganjoo left me with a profound takeaway: To win in today's digital world, we must see through our customers' eyes. Check out the blog for a glimpse into creating seamless experiences that put the customer first. Let's discuss how you can apply these principles to your bank. https://lnkd.in/drt9unTr Kuna Nallappan Lisa Goh Yanhan Tan Vaishali B.Shivshankar Manoj Menon

45

1 Comment

{New pod 🎤} "𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬?" Was super-fun to jam with Thiyagarajan Maruthavanan (Rajan) - Managing Partner at Upekkha. We discussed how Indian startups should look at AI, including real addressable opportunities, how to differentiate and compete against global competitors, what pre-AI SaaS startups should do to stay relevant, the India domestic AI opportunity, and finally, operating learnings for US go-to-market. Some thought-provoking insights and learnings for Indian AI and SaaS startups in here. Let us know what you think! YouTube - https://lnkd.in/g8d7rSe5 Spotify - https://lnkd.in/gpzkM8Jw Apple Podcasts - https://lnkd.in/gEf_zvKM An Operator's Blog - https://lnkd.in/gRzK2nTb

14

1 Comment

https://lnkd.in/gWECySVN Wonderful analysis of how #Omnichannel is going to playout. Now look forward to the larger " India Digital Playbook for Retail" which provides toolkits for Brands to exponentially grow their business by enabling visibility to product availability at their Pan India network of stores #Omnichannel is the future that drives people to #PickupinStore or #BuyatStore Prashanth Prakash Kanwaljit Singh

2

In a recent discussion with Arjun Vaidya on our platform Startup Samvad, he shared invaluable insights drawn from his startup journey and his current role as an investor. His perspectives on what he seeks before investing in any startup were truly remarkable. Here are some key takeaways from our engaging conversation which will really help entrepreneurs. ✅ Nearly every entrepreneurial journey encounter setback, particularly during the initial stages of struggle where self-doubt is common among early-stage startups. Interactions with fellow co-founders enable founders to realize that many share similar challenges. However, the crucial characteristic every founder must possess during such times is the ability to confront failure with determination, perseverance, grit, and resilience.    ✅ Maintaining a strong sense of purpose is vital in entrepreneurship. While facing challenges like limited traction and customer acquisition, it's crucial to stay committed to the to the deeper purpose behind one’s ventures. Monetary gain is a by-product; it's one's conviction that sustains through initial hardships. A clear purpose behind what one’s doing and selling is indispensable. ✅ Dr. Vaidya's go-to market strategy shifted from offline to online distribution as their initial approach proved unsuccessful. This change revealed that their customer base primarily resided in smaller towns and villages, where there was a significant demand for high-quality ayurvedic products. Despite competition, Dr. Vaidya's stood out in meeting this demand. This underscores the importance for early-stage founders to begin testing their products with a real customer base rather than just theorising. ✅ As a leading investor in the startup ecosystem, Mr.Vaidya emphasizes the key factors he considers in a startup founder. Fifty percent of the decision rests on who the founder is, and their ability to persevere in times of adversity, as well as their competitive advantage in their field. Twenty percent is allocated to market analysis and the potential reception of the product. Post-investment, the focus shifts to the business's scalability. The remaining thirty percent is dedicated to business metrics such as economics, gross margin, repeat rate, and lifetime value. The final ingredient is the importance of a team, as a business cannot thrive in isolation. ✅ The importance of focused networking in a founder’s life is immense. Founders, akin to horses with blinders, are deeply immersed in their work and business. Nonetheless, initiatives like Startup Samvad facilitate dialogue among entrepreneurs, enabling them to learn from each other's mistakes and address shared challenges. Focused networking acts as a valuable support system, aiding startup founders in their learning and growth. #startups #founders #mentors #investors #networking

74

Reflections on Day 2 at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Yesterday was a journey into what we really mean by the over used term #organisationalculture. When asked what company culture is, we spout off so many innocuous values and ideals but the reality is that Culture is simply common behavioural patterns. So when asking an organisation about its culture, ask how decision making and confrontations are handled, what is the appetite for risk, the levels of openness, trust and authenticity and from an innovation perspective, how proactive is the organisation in responding to changing market forces? It’s also important to remember to be clear on the boundary we are referring to; be it the team, geography, function, region or global organisation. The days case study was that of Richer Sounds, an organisation I’m aware of but had no idea of the leadership lessons within: - the focus on socialisation - the inverted organisation chart with customers at the top - the focus on fun, customer satisfaction and profitability, resulting in a constrained growth model but with its core culture in tact - a focus on “Doer” motivation resulting in less “watchers” being required. Want to know what is really important to a leader, be it your CEO, Chairperson or President? See where they spend the majority of their time and doing what! The lessons from Richer Sounds are a masterclass in putting your money where your mouth is. Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad is doing likewise and in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship drives these into wider impact with IIMA Ventures of which we had the pleasure to visit. Do check out their startup guides, open source resources and materials. https://iimaventures.com I was then taken back to my psychology roots with and afternoon focused on how we challenge system 2 thinking using Anchoring, Bias, Decoys and #NUDGE. And if you’ve not come across it (like I hadn’t) check out stickK. A company entirely driven by our own inability to change deep routed behaviours. Customers actually pledge real hard earned $$ to trick their system 2 based behaviours into change. Absolutely Genuius!!!

8

1 Comment

The abolition of the Angel tax marks a significant change for India's startup ecosystem, reducing excessive scrutiny, paperwork, and compliance challenges for startups. This decision will boost investment in startups, bring in more investors, and help create jobs and advance technology in India. Give a read to the article here: https://lnkd.in/gTYjbfCV #angeltax #startup

22

1 Comment

It was great to host this in-person discussion on AI SaaS & Services, India angle with Prasanna Krishnamoorthy and Manu Rekhi

27

India's deeptech landscape is at a crucial point. Nasscom’s latest report shows that 70% of deeptech startups are worried about not having enough capital for computing operations. On the flip side, over 70% of investment firms are hesitant because these high-potential ventures need patient capital due to their long gestation periods. It's a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation! To really support our deeptech startups and their groundbreaking innovations, we need to rethink our funding approach. This is where we hope the government can step in with some help. Co-investment programs, grants, and tax credits for R&D could make a huge difference. By working together, we can ensure our deeptech startups have the support they need to push boundaries and lead the way in technological innovation. #Deeptech #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #Funding #VentureCapital #GovernmentSupport #IndiaTech #RnD

26