Indian Silicon Valley with Jivraj Singh Sachar

How do you build a ₹1500 crore food empire — with no restaurants, no chefs, and no legacy playbook?In this episode, we sit down with Jaydeep Barman, co-founder and CEO of Rebel Foods, to decode how one of India's most ambitious startups is reimagining the entire food industry — from the cloud kitchen up.This isn't a story about biryani and wraps. It's about systems, second-order thinking, and why Rebel is closer to AWS than McDonald's.We break down the flywheel that powers 45+ brands across 10 countries — from Beiruz to Faasos, from Oven Story to 500 Calorie Project. Jaydeep shares how they kill bad ideas early, how their chefs became "Chief Delight Officers", and how a supply chain obsession turned into global expansion.We also go deep into founder psychology — from how Jaydeep uses mountaineering to think clearly, to how he recruits, writes, and leads on an infinite canvas.This episode isn't startup hype. It's a masterclass in operational leverage, cultural scale, and building enduring businesses in the world's most complex food market.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction01:50 – What are the key learnings from the food business?08:58 – How large is the entire group to begin with?14:35 – How has food in India evolved in the ecosystem?21:53 – How does Jaydeep respond to trends vs being forward-looking?29:15 – How does he want to shape a particular sector?33:02 – What does it mean to start a brand?40:20 – What does it mean to replicate success across brands?45:28 – What are the innovations happening in kitchens?56:40 – How does Jaydeep plan to take his business outside India?1:03:40 – Why are team members important for long-term success?1:20:07 – What surprises has Jaydeep encountered in his journey?1:25:28 – What would Jaydeep be doing if he weren't at Rebel?1:27:35 – What motivates Jaydeep to keep building Rebel?1:33:40 – What are the key things Jaydeep has learned on his journey?1:38:11 – Outro

How do you deliver 100 crore orders a year — without bloating, breaking, or burning out?In this episode, we sit down with Rohit Kapoor, CEO of Food Marketplaces at Swiggy, to break down what it really takes to scale India's most complex consumer business — and still operate like a startup.From McKinsey to Max Healthcare, from OYO to Swiggy — Rohit has led high-stakes transitions across industries. But this isn't a story about titles. It's a deep dive into how relevance, clarity, and culture drive execution at scale.We talk about the real systems behind Swiggy's growth — from how they keep a startup mindset inside a massive org, to how they reset internal bloat every year. Rohit shares his hiring philosophy, his obsession with field-level insight, and how AI is quietly reshaping how he leads.This episode isn't startup theory. It's the operating manual behind one of India's most used apps — and a masterclass in staying sharp while the company, the industry, and the consumer keep evolving.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction01:10 – How Rohit challenges himself for personal and professional growth04:20 – His journey towards launching multiple startups08:30 – Rohit's role in Swiggy's growth and expansion15:50 – His approach to hiring the right people for business growth20:55 – How Indians adapted to online food services and Swiggy's role in that shift27:15 – The first thing Rohit observes when he walks into a kitchen28:35 – Insights into regional food consumption trends across India33:30 – Rohit's most frequently ordered food on Swiggy34:35 – How Rohit became a part of Swiggy's journey37:55 – The moments when Rohit had to do things he didn't want to39:38 – The role of institutions in shaping Rohit's career45:20 – Rohit's perspective on young entrepreneurs in India49:10 – How Rohit finds greatness even when it's not immediately visible51:38 – What he would be pursuing if he hadn't chosen this path52:13 – Where Rohit sees himself in the next five years (theoretically)52:50 – How Rohit is leveraging AI to scale Swiggy55:50 – What Rohit enjoys doing when he's not working on Swiggy56:12 – What advice he would give to his younger self58:12 – Outro

What does it take to challenge China in energy, batteries, and manufacturing—without being a tech founder? And how is one Indian group quietly building a ₹1.5 lakh crore empire across India's most strategic industries?In this episode, we sit down with Devansh Jain, Executive Director of the InoxGFL Group, one of India's most ambitious conglomerates operating at the intersection of chemicals, renewables, and infrastructure.From building India's largest battery chemical plant outside China to manufacturing wind turbines, solar modules, and fluoropolymers, Devansh is not chasing valuation — he's building real industrial power. This is a rare deep dive into the mindset, systems, and scale thinking behind one of India's most important (and under-discussed) business empires.We explore how Inox is playing the long game on energy transition, how Devansh allocates capital across 5+ companies, and why the group is allergic to debt but addicted to scale.This episode isn't startup hype. It's what it looks like to build India's future energy backbone.We explore:•⁠ ⁠Why India needs 75 GW of renewable energy added every year•⁠ ⁠How Devansh is building a battery chemicals empire to challenge China•⁠ ⁠Why he believes manufacturing should stop crying about subsidies•⁠ ⁠How he allocates ₹1000s of crores across solar, wind, and EV chemicals•⁠ ⁠What it takes to build multiple companies with multiple CEOs at once•⁠ ⁠Why he doesn't care about “startup metrics” and bets on capex instead•⁠ ⁠How he hires leadership, retains control, and stays paranoid•⁠ ⁠The untold economics behind EVs, grid storage, and industrial dominance•⁠ ⁠How he rebuilt Inox Wind after losing ₹500 Cr/year for 5 years•⁠ ⁠The real psychology of building at scale without losing your edgeWhether you're a founder thinking about India's energy future, an operator learning how to build at scale, or a policy nerd trying to understand what's really powering India's economy — this episode will challenge what you think success looks like.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 — Intro02:27 — What have you done in business over the past 15 years?04:01 — What is the Inox GFL Group and what industries do they operate in?10:22 — How has his father influenced his life?14:13 — What's your inspiration?18:14 — Energy trends and key opportunities20:00 — What is the government targeting?23:49 — India vs China: Ecosystem growth and efficiency26:55 — How much is being invested in solar, and what powers it at scale?32:22 — How do you manage it all?35:15 — How do you spend your time daily?42:22 — Where do new opportunities lie for entrepreneurs?47:06 — What does it take to close a B2B deal at scale?50:00 — What does it take to close deals with capital allocators at scale?55:44 — Lessons learned building business at scale01:00:04 — What's happening beyond the daily work?01:02:14 — How would his friends describe him?01:03:26 — If GFL didn't exist, what would you be doing?01:04:00 — What advice would he give his younger self at graduation?01:07:05 — Outro

Why do most Indian beverage startups die in Tier 1 cities? And how did a bootstrapped brand from Chandigarh crack ₹500 crore selling ₹10 drinks across India?In this episode, we sit down with Saurabh Munjal, co-founder and CEO of Lahori Zeera—one of India's most remarkable mass-market brand stories.What started as a kitchen recipe is now a household name, with 50 lakh bottles sold every day, 3 lakh+ retail touchpoints, and a product lineup built entirely for Indian taste buds. And all of it—manufacturing, distribution, brand recall—was built from the ground up, without celebrity endorsements or early VC money.We explore the exact systems Saurabh used to win in kirana stores, beat incumbents on taste and trust, and build a truly scalable consumer brand—not for South Bombay, but for Bharat.This episode isn't startup theory. It's the real story of building a ₹500 Cr business from scratch.We explore:•⁠ ⁠Why mass India is the most under-served (and profitable) audience•⁠ ⁠How Lahori Zeera won on taste, price, and distribution•⁠ ⁠Why Saurav refused to raise funding for years•⁠ ⁠How he convinced retailers, distributors, and his first 50 employees•⁠ ⁠The pricing framework that makes ₹10 profitable•⁠ ⁠How Lahori creates viral recall without ads or influencers•⁠ ⁠What health-focused brands get wrong about Indian consumers•⁠ ⁠Why most D2C founders don't understand general trade•⁠ ⁠The moment he knew Lahori had product-market fit•⁠ ⁠What he would do differently—now that he's scaled past ₹500 CrWhether you're a D2C founder trying to break into kiranas, a brand operator wondering how to scale in India, or just someone curious about what it takes to build a mass cult product—this episode will shift how you think about brand-building.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introduction2:00 – How Saurabh views his customer base4:55 – How he serves diverse consumers across India11:40 – His long-term vision for the brand14:50 – What sets his business apart from local competitors17:35 – What Day 0 looked like for him21:25 – What makes Lahori Zeera truly unique24:35 – His approach to new product development31:17 – How he navigated the early days of building the business37:40 – How he figured out the right pricing strategy43:15 – How he built strong brand recall49:30 – Key learnings on scaling in the wholesale market53:40 – Why distributors choose to stay loyal to him55:50 – His journey as a bootstrapped founder1:01:01 – How he convinced his first 50 hires1:05:00 – Did he ever imagine this scale of success?1:09:10 – How he reflects on his life today1:12:05 – His perspective on setbacks and failures1:17:26 – Why he believes in building for mass India1:22:02 – The moment he knew he was on the right path1:25:49 – His views on health-focused beverages1:29:16 – Skills he developed along the way1:33:00 – Who would Saurabh be without Lahori Zeera?1:35:26 – What he would tell his Day 1 self1:40:59 – Outro

What if India leads the next computing revolution?Suraj Aiar, founder of QWR, is betting on it—by building XR headsets from the ground up. No VCs. No shortcuts. Just a relentless pursuit of redefining how India builds hardware. In this episode, we sit down with Suraj Aiar, Founder & CEO of QWR—one of India's only companies building XR (Extended Reality) hardware from scratch. He walks us through the 7-year grind: from cracking precision manufacturing and disrupting supply chains, to scaling a profitable enterprise XR business—all without chasing the D2C hype.A blueprint for what it actually takes to build deeptech in India.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introduction1:58 – What is Extended Reality, and where are we today?6:48 – What can't mobile devices do yet, that headsets can?10:28 – Where does Suraj fit in the XR ecosystem?15:07 – What does Suraj's ideal customer look like?19:21 – Does Suraj own the software they build?20:14 – How does Suraj approach the hardware challenge?26:05 – Suraj's advice for newcomers in the field.28:28 – Is the stereotype true that India lacks deep tech companies?30:48 – What's Suraj doing to ensure timely delivery?35:40 – What's proprietary in Suraj's manufacturing chain?38:09 – A breakdown of the company's journey so far.41:18 – Are tech skills and creativity mutually exclusive?45:22 – What skills does Suraj value when hiring?53:38 – Why did Suraj choose to bootstrap?59:26 – What does the next 5 years look like?1:02:28 – What might Jivraj do with a headset in 2030?1:05:53 – How would Suraj's friends describe him?1:07:21 – How did becoming a father change Suraj?1:09:01 – Key lessons Suraj learned from life and business.1:12:53 – Is Suraj guided by any philosophy or principle?1:14:37 – What would Suraj do in an alternate world?1:15:38 – Advice Suraj would give his younger self.1:19:37 – Outro

Why do 90% of Indian brands never cross ₹100 crore? And what separates the few that do?In this episode, we sit down with Vivek Gambhir—former CEO of Godrej Consumer Products, boAt, and board member at Mamaearth—to decode what it really takes to build a high-scale brand in India.This isn't theory. It's the actual playbook behind India's biggest consumer breakouts.Vivek has been at the helm of ₹1000+ crore brands, worked with founders like Aman Gupta and Varun Alagh, and now advises startups as a Venture Partner at Lightspeed. From quick commerce to omni-channel to ATL strategy—he's seen what works, what stalls, and what silently kills scale.We explore:•⁠ ⁠Why most brands in India plateau below ₹100 crore•⁠ ⁠How boAt scaled to ₹1500 crore without going offline for years•⁠ ⁠What Mamaearth got right about trust, quality, and pricing•⁠ ⁠The brutal economics of brand-building in India•⁠ ⁠Why performance marketing alone will never get you scale•⁠ ⁠How to think about quick commerce (and who actually wins on it)•⁠ ⁠What founders get wrong about ATL, retail, and celebrity endorsements•⁠ ⁠The difference between CM1, CM2, and EBITDA—and when each matters•⁠ ⁠Why the next big brands will come from India's premium and sachet markets•⁠ ⁠How Vivek made high-stakes career transitions across consulting, CEO roles, and VCWhether you're a D2C founder stuck at ₹30 crore, an operator figuring out omni-channel strategy, or an investor betting on India's consumer story—this episode is your blueprint for scale.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introduction2:29 – What does scaling a brand really mean?5:16 – Why are so many new brands emerging?9:47 – Evolution of Indian e-commerce15:24 – Key retail knowledge you must have22:54 – How to build a brand with long-term thinking28:38 – Why quick commerce thrives in India38:04 – How can brands enter quick commerce?44:27 – Lessons from quick commerce players47:44 – How customer channels have evolved57:24 – How Vivek thinks about long-term bets at scale1:00:44 – Understanding unit economics for brands1:06:54 – How Vivek approached his career1:14:29 – How Vivek keeps learning on his journey1:18:34 – What sets Mamaearth & boAt founders apart1:22:37 – Indian consumer landscape in the next 5 years1:25:58 – Outro

India's startup playbook worships speed, scale, and funding. But what if you rejected all of it—and still won?In this episode, we sit down with Gautam Sinha, founder and creative director of Nappa Dori, who built a global luxury brand from India by going against every startup norm.No VC. No MBA. No blitz-scaling.Just instinct, craftsmanship, and relentless belief in design.Gautam didn't just build a brand—he built a market that didn't exist. He priced products on taste, not cost. He opened stores in London and Dubai while staying bootstrapped. And he turned a scooter garage into one of India's most admired design-first businesses.We explore:•⁠ ⁠Why most Indian brands stay stuck in the “supplier mindset”•⁠ ⁠How Gautam built trust and pricing power in a discount-driven market•⁠ ⁠What startup myths he broke by staying bootstrapped for 15+ years•⁠ ⁠Why Indian factories refused to work with Indian brands•⁠ ⁠The playbook behind international expansion—without funding•⁠ ⁠How to scale creative taste without losing soul•⁠ ⁠What Gautam believes MBAs and B-schools get completely wrong•⁠ ⁠How Cafédori, Dori Living, and in-store design became strategic brand extensions•⁠ ⁠What founders should know about instinct, doubt, and long-term thinkingWhether you're a founder tired of chasing funding, a creative fighting to retain your voice, or someone curious about how global Indian brands are actually built—this episode is a refreshing rebellion against the system.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Introduction02:49 – What's your approach to building luxury products from India?04:38 – After 15 years, how does it feel looking back?07:20 – How did you shape your brand's foundation and aesthetic?12:43 – How did you grow while staying bootstrapped?16:10 – How did you learn business on the go? Any advice?19:35 – How does a creative mindset help in business?23:03 – How did you scale your creative vision across the team?25:41 – How are you handling the challenge of scaling?26:31 – What do you want customers to feel in a Nappa Dori store?31:57 – How do you decide which products to launch?35:45 – In moments of doubt, what keeps you going?41:16 – What's the reality of launching internationally?46:38 – What's the product creation process and team size?51:37 – How do you balance growth and quality?01:04:35 – What would you tell your younger self?01:06:37 - Outro

India's lending ecosystem is crowded with banks, NBFCs, and fintechs—but very few have managed to build institutions with scale, discipline, and long-term trust.In this episode, we sit down with Sandeep Menon, Founder & CEO of Vastu Housing Finance, one of India's largest and most respected affordable housing finance companies. With a ₹11,000 Cr+ loan book and a customer base most banks wouldn't touch, Sandeep has quietly built a lending giant by playing the long game—and doing things very differently from the typical startup playbook.We explore:•⁠ ⁠What most people misunderstand about the Indian housing finance landscape•⁠ ⁠How Sandeep bet on self-employed customers that banks refused to serve•⁠ ⁠The distribution engine Vastu built—without relying on ads or CAC•⁠ ⁠Why they've rebuilt their tech stack multiple times over the last decade•⁠ ⁠How they scaled without shortcuts, hype, or valuation games•⁠ ⁠Sandeep's unconventional hiring and leadership philosophies•⁠ ⁠What governance really looks like when you treat your company like it's already public•⁠ ⁠Deep reflections on trust, reinvention, institutional thinking, and building a financial machine that lastsWhether you're building a lending company, scaling operations, or just curious about how to win in the most ignored markets—this is an unfiltered masterclass in how real institutions get built in India.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introduction2:22 – What a housing finance company does8:32 – Broad role of Vastu12:28 – Sandeep's customer journey16:49 – The overall process18:22 – How Sandeep builds trust20:38 – How on-ground touchpoints are defined23:24 – External factors impacting internal operations26:58 – Policy change or initiative that impacted business30:06 – What feels counterintuitive to Sandeep32:56 – Sandeep's view on talent36:24 – His ownership mindset41:35 – How he built and executed it44:57 – What good governance means to him53:22 – Evolution of his leadership style55:40 – How friends describe Sandeep57:40 – How he stays tuned to people1:03:43 – Advice to his younger self1:06:30 – Outro

India's startup ecosystem has reached escape velocity — but how do you actually build a breakout company in this market?In this episode, we sit down with Mohit Bhatnagar, Managing Director at Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India & SEA), and one of the earliest backers of Zomato, Meesho, Freshworks, CARS24, and more. This conversation unpacks what it really takes to win in India—across sectors, cycles, and consumer shifts.We explore:- How India's startup landscape has evolved over the past two decades- The surprising bets behind Zomato, Meesho & Freshworks—and why they worked- What most founders misunderstand about Indian consumers and markets- How to build cost-efficient, scale-ready companies from Day 1- Why India's next wave of unicorns will look very different from the last- Mohit's take on quick commerce, AI, and the real future of Indian SaaS- The culture of conviction at Peak XV—and how they pick outliers before others see them- Deep reflections on founder psychology, investing mistakes, and building institutions that lastWhether you're a founder, investor, operator, or just deeply curious about the India startup story—this is a rare, behind-the-scenes lens into how category-defining companies are really built.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction2:02 - How Mohit has witnessed the evolution of the ecosystem4:22 - The types of companies Mohit was scouting in 2006 vs. today7:24 - Behind the scenes of investing in Zomato, Meesho, and more12:58 - Mohit's thought process when meeting Vidit and Sanjeev17:15 - Was there ever a moment Mohit felt things were overhyped?18:50 - How Mohit has seen the evolution of software in India25:39 - What India's startup ecosystem can do better to compete with the US28:26 - Mohit's perspective on choosing not to partner with a company31:20 - Mohit's take on the rise of quick commerce36:55 - Key insights Mohit has gained about Indian consumers from 2006 to 202538:23 - Mohit's experience in building an institution within the venture space43:24 - How the journey of starting the firm compares to where it stands today51:27 - The role of culture and reputation in Mohit's investment approach54:17 - Mohit's strengths as an investor1:02:08 - If not investing, what alternative path would Mohit have pursued?1:04:03 - What would Mohit's friends say about him?1:05:16 - If Mohit could ask himself one question, what would it be?1:06:45 - How Mohit envisions India over the next five years1:09:05 - Moments of doubt in Mohit's journey1:11:55 - Advice Mohit would give to his younger self1:14:00 - Outro

India's biggest success stories weren't built overnight. What does it really take to build institutions, scale businesses, and create a lasting legacy?In this rare business legends' roundtable, we sit down with Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge), Ashish Dhawan (ChrysCapital), and Pramath Raj Sinha (ISB & Ashoka University) to break down the mindset, risk-taking, and long-term vision behind billion-dollar success.We explore: • The biggest mistake founders make—and how to fix it • What they never teach you in college (but actually shapes your career) • Why most people fail at risk-taking—you're not taking risks, you're making mistakes • The truth about MBAs—is it still worth it in 2024? • How to think in decades, not years—the 10-Year Rule for success • How to contribute beyond yourself—why wealth alone isn't enough • Powerful career advice from India's top business mindsIf you're a founder, operator, or ambitious professional, this episode is packed with rare insights on building businesses and careers that stand the test of time.⸻⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction9:36 – The Conceptualization of Ashoka21:45 – Maximizing Outcomes While Still in College26:17 – Where a 19-Year-Old Should Focus Their Time31:20 – The Relevance of an MBA in Today's World36:20 – Embracing Risk and Taking Bold Steps43:40 – Contributing Beyond Oneself52:00 – Developing a Long-Term Mindset at 2057:20 – Advice They Would Give Their Younger Selves1:03:55 – Closing Reflections1:04:57 – Outro⸻

India is at a once-in-a-lifetime inflection point—Can we replace China as the world's manufacturing powerhouse?In this episode, we sit down with Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar, to break down India's China+1 moment and why manufacturing is the next trillion-dollar startup opportunity.We explore:- Why the next Indian unicorns won't be SaaS—they'll be manufacturers- The brutal truth about India's EV industry, supply chains, and deep-tech potential- What's stopping India from competing with China—and how we can fix it- Why investors are finally betting big on Indian manufacturing- Sunjay also shares powerful insights on scaling businesses, making acquisitions, and attracting global customers, along with his mental model for decision-making, hiring, and wealth creation.If you're a founder, operator, or investor, this episode is packed with game-changing insights on India's next big business wave.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:44 - The history and journey of Sona Comstar9:56 - Major shifts and developments after 201514:05 - Sunjay's perspective on the evolution of the auto component industry17:55 - His thoughts on the current and future state of the EV ecosystem20:44 - How he approaches partnerships for inorganic growth25:39 - Key lessons India can adopt to strengthen its manufacturing sector29:12 - Insights from Sunjay's experience in driving export growth31:41 - What he looks for when hiring and building a strong team35:55 - His mental model for prioritization and decision-making36:55 - The reasoning behind Sona Comstar's decision to bring in investors43:54 - How one should think about wealth creation and deployment48:24 - Sunjay's evolving relationship with wealth over time50:59 - The core values that define him and his leadership52:39 - A look into his daily routine and how he structures his time54:58 - His roles and responsibilities beyond Sona Comstar56:40 - How his friends would describe him in a few words57:18 - The advice he would give to his younger self based on his journey59:11 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with top founders to tackle one of India's biggest startup debates—Is Mumbai the next startup capital, or does Bangalore still dominate?We dive deep into why Mumbai is underrated as a tech hub, how founders are secretly choosing Mumbai over Bangalore, and what's driving the rise of Mumbai's startup ecosystem—from stronger talent retention to massive AI investments from the Maharashtra government.The founders also break down the brutal truth about India's AI talent gap, why most Indian AI startups will fail, and how startups can win in global markets instead of blindly copying the West. If you're building in tech, AI, or startups, this episode is a must-watch.We also reveal:- How Mumbai is quietly beating Bangalore in talent retention & ecosystem building- The biggest AI funding & hiring mistakes Indian startups are making- Why global startup success starts with local market immersion—NOT remote scalingIf you're a founder, operator, or investor in India's startup ecosystem, you can't afford to miss this conversation.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction3:17 - The entrepreneurial journey7:39 - The city's role in building companies13:08 - How teams come together in Bombay19:34 - The main objective of large-scale events25:48 - What attendees do at large-scale events33:24 - Challenges in building AI45:22 - Competing with foreign AI in India50:18 - First steps to building a globally defining company1:00:18 - Key lessons from the founder's journey1:08:59 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Gaurav Rathod, Joint MD of Cello World, to uncover the brutal reality of why most D2C brands fail—and how Cello scaled to ₹2000 Cr without chasing VC funding. Gaurav shares deep insights on manufacturing-led brand-building, why factories are the real profit centers, and how to dominate India's complex distribution landscape.We break down how Cello built a retail empire, the psychology behind premiumization, and why Indian consumers are shifting away from low-cost, no-brand products. Gaurav also shares lessons from scaling a multi-category business, the role of Amitabh Bachchan in brand trust, and how Cello stays ahead of D2C-first competitors.From mastering offline distribution to hacking e-commerce growth, this episode is packed with game-changing insights for founders, operators, and brand builders who want to scale profitably in India's evolving consumer market.If you're building a product brand in India, you don't want to miss this.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction2:19 - How business evolved today5:00 - Company structure8:47 - Fundamentals Gaurav carried forward in business12:28 - Consumer insights to understand the business16:15 - What Gaurav saw that caught on with customers18:30 - Customer feedback on desired products21:45 - Who is Cello's customer25:46 - How Cello's distributor network works32:38 - Relations with retailers34:03 - Building trust & having Amitabh Bachchan as ambassador37:51 - Is Cello's e-commerce acquisition cost lower?38:51 - Psychology behind working with Amitabh Bachchan41:34 - Setting up manufacturing51:56 - Future plans for Cello56:53 - New designs to match trends1:01:33 - Staying ahead of the curve1:03:21 - Acting like a new company in talent approach1:10:01 - When to take a company public1:12:03 - Gaurav's early influences before business1:16:06 - What Gaurav would do if not in business1:19:24 - How fatherhood changed Gaurav1:21:31 - Advice to his younger self1:22:58 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Raul Rai, co-founder of Nicobar, to uncover the hidden challenges of scaling Indian brands and why so many fail to reach their full potential. Raul shares his contrarian approach to brand-building, balancing premium positioning vs. mass-market appeal, and why growth at all costs can kill a brand.We dive deep into how Nicobar built a premium Indian lifestyle brand, the importance of design & brand pull, and why retail still matters in a digital-first world. Raul also shares his personal philosophy on leadership, business longevity, and building an enduring culture—lessons every founder and entrepreneur can apply.From understanding consumer psychology to mastering retail expansion and supply chains, this episode is packed with game-changing insights for anyone looking to build a brand that lasts.Whether you're a startup founder, brand builder, or aspiring entrepreneur, Raul's journey will challenge conventional wisdom and offer a new way to think about scaling in India.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:59 - Meaning of Nicobar10:04 - Raul Rai's journey to entrepreneurship14:34 - Does Raul Rai rely on math?19:21 - Thoughtful strategies for new founders25:01 - Key insights for selling luxury33:59 - Nicobar's business landscape39:09 - Inside Nicobar's supply chain42:29 - The essence of Nicobar's designs48:26 - The story behind Nicobark campaign50:19 - Raul Rai's perspective on business53:27 - Retail success lessons learned59:52 - Raul Rai's core life values1:05:29 - How Raul stays ahead1:20:32 - Advice to his younger self1:26:29 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Saurabh Mukherjea, a billion-dollar investor and Chief Investment Officer at Marcellus Investment Managers, to decode India's unique growth model, its divergence from China, and the evolving landscape of Indian public markets.Saurabh unpacks why India's economic trajectory is unlike any other, how the next decade will reshape Indian startups, and why most investors misunderstand the Indian consumer. He shares deep insights into new-age IPOs, the rise of challenger companies, and why 2021 was a tipping point for India's markets.We also explore:- How India's consumer behavior is evolving- The real opportunity in Indian tech and startups- Why global investors miss key nuances in India's markets- Lessons from India's most successful companies- What founders and investors must understand about public marketsSaurabh also reveals insights he's never shared in his books, the questions that keep him up at night, and why South India is reshaping India's economic landscape.Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or someone curious about India's financial future, this episode is packed with insights you won't find anywhere else.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction2:12 - New-age IPOs and India's public market scenario5:42 - Market cap of tech companies in the next 10 years8:27 - Public vs. private markets11:57 - Zomato's IPO14:07 - Opportunities in India19:27 - How Indian consumers are evolving26:37 - Global comparisons31:57 - Nuances most investors miss34:12 - Lessons from successful companies39:57 - His secret sauce (not in the book)43:42 - Short-term fluctuations affecting decisions44:57 - Key insights from his books47:57 - Questions that keep him up at night52:07 - Observations on South India54:49 - Female labor force participation57:57 - Where he spends his time59:27 - India in the next 10 years1:01:57 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Shashwat Goenka, a leader at the helm of the ₹80,000 Crore RPSG Group, to uncover his journey of steering one of India's largest conglomerates toward innovation and growth. Shashwat shares his unique approach to managing legacy businesses, adapting to India's rapidly evolving consumer landscape, and building future-ready ventures.We delve into how Shashwat prepared himself over the last decade to take on leadership, his experience owning an IPL team, and the bold decisions that have shaped the group's diversified portfolio—from FMCG and retail to chemicals and quick commerce. Shashwat breaks down how IPL teams make money, the evolution of Indian consumers, and the balance between leveraging data and staying true to core business values.He also reflects on navigating challenges like failed ventures, the power of acquisitions, and why strategic decisions must focus on long-term impact. Shashwat gives us a glimpse into his leadership style, conversations with his father and grandfather, and how studying in the US influenced his mindset. From the behind-the-scenes of IPL auctions to RPSG's thesis on venture capital, this episode is packed with insights for founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone fascinated by business at scale.Whether you're building a startup, managing a family business, or scaling an empire, Shashwat's experiences offer practical lessons on leadership, adaptability, and strategic growth.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:44 - How Shashwat prepared himself in the last decade3:08 - Scale of Shashwat's business group4:45 - Businesses Shashwat is closely involved with6:40 - Owning an IPL team8:40 - How IPL teams make money and the sports business works11:51 - How Indian consumers evolved in 10-12 years16:50 - Shashwat's thoughts on new ventures18:40 - Shashwat's strategic decisions20:10 - Shashwat's internal team21:22 - Setting up a large plant and strategic contributions23:16 - Shashwat's decision-making in the group26:08 - Shashwat's thoughts on Nature's Basket and acquisition29:05 - Shashwat's focus on future opportunities and growth31:00 - Shashwat on old media vs. new media34:53 - Shashwat's view on social media evolution37:25 - Shashwat's take on quick commerce40:41 - Shashwat's pace of adapting to trends45:45 - Leading large-scale infrastructure and chemical business projects48:40 - Shashwat's thesis on venture firms and vision51:50 - How Shashwat spends his time53:20 - Challenges in maintaining business culture59:38 - Conversations with his grandfather and father growing up1:05:40 - Skills Shashwat brought to the business1:07:26 - Navigating uphill challenges1:11:45 - How studying in the US shaped Shashwat's approach1:16:31 - Businesses Shashwat focuses on1:18:04 - Behind the scenes of the IPL auction1:21:55 - Shashwat's life as a dad1:24:42 - What Shashwat asks himself1:25:48 - Shashwat's advice to his younger self1:27:14 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Ganesh Prasad, the visionary co-founder of Think School, a platform revolutionizing education and content creation in India. Ganesh takes us through his incredible journey—from his days as an engineering student to building Think School into a movement that merges education, storytelling, and business.We explore his bold ideas on the creator economy, the three essentials for education, and why he believes great content is an art form, not just a business. Ganesh shares his unique approach to storytelling, his perspective on building impactful businesses without chasing funding, and how creators can balance authenticity with sustainability.Dive into his framework for effective communication, insights on why Indian media often gets it wrong, and the role of responsibility in shaping meaningful narratives. Ganesh also opens up about handling hate, the importance of human relationships, and his reflections on what brings him the most joy.Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about education and business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring stories that will leave you thinking differently about content and impact.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Trailer2:39 - How Think School was founded4:39 - Ganesh on engineering college8:49 - Three essentials for education11:09 - His view on the creator economy13:19 - Content as an art form16:19 - Story of Jamshedji Tata17:49 - What pushed him to move forward21:34 - Traits of a great teacher23:34 - What's wrong with Indian media29:59 - Meaning of responsibility32:49 - Think School's business model34:19 - Why people struggle with communication35:54 - His effort to improve communication skills38:19 - Elements of a great story43:19 - Key business lessons he learned51:19 - Business opportunities today1:05:19 - A better way to build a company1:16:19 - Why Think School isn't raising funds1:21:19 - Defining great creators1:35:47 - Handling hate comments1:41:19 - Artist or capitalist?1:47:19 - Thoughts on human relationships1:53:49 - What brings him the most joy1:54:59 - Advice to his younger self1:56:49 - His advice for everyone1:58:59 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Niren Shah, Managing Director at Norwest Venture Partners, a seasoned VC investor with 17+ years of experience shaping India's startup ecosystem. Niren takes us behind the scenes of iconic investments in companies like Swiggy and OffBusiness, revealing what it takes to identify and build billion-dollar businesses in India.We dive into his framework for evaluating startups, lessons from his anti-portfolio, and the unique challenges and opportunities in India's venture capital landscape. Niren shares actionable advice for founders preparing for IPOs, balancing short-term pressures with long-term vision, and navigating the journey from zero to IPO.From unpacking Norwest's multi-sector, multi-stage investment strategy to exploring the future of India's $10 trillion economy, this episode is packed with rare insights into the venture world. Niren also opens up about his personal journey, passions, and the importance of leaving a lasting legacy.Whether you're a founder, aspiring VC, or simply curious about the forces driving India's startup boom, this is an episode you don't want to miss.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction3:00 - IPO scenario and 2024's impact on exits in India6:35 - Advice for young founders preparing for IPO11:18 - Balancing quarterly results with long-term growth15:00 - Norwest's investment strategy and ideology21:04 - Multi-sector, multi-stage investing approach24:36 - Building a flat and diverse investment team33:01 - Identifying great investors and founders40:04 - Contextualizing success stories and early bets45:02 - Preference for experienced vs. young founders49:27 - Framework for great venture investors58:40 - Lessons from the anti-portfolio1:06:41 - Story behind Swiggy's success1:12:34 - Non-obvious investment examples1:19:24 - Future trends and opportunities in India1:28:38 - Niren's personal principles and career journey1:42:27 - Beyond investing: Passions and interests1:44:37 - Finding depth in passions1:47:54 - Introspective questions and worldly thoughts1:50:29 - Unique insights people often disagree on1:54:43 - Advice Niren would give his younger self2:02:48 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Suhail Sameer, founder and managing partner at OTP Ventures, and former CEO of BharatPe. Suhail unpacks his incredible 400x return on Mamaearth, turning a ₹15 lakh investment into ₹60 crore. We dive deep into the world of angel investing, spotting high-growth startups, and the future of consumer brands in India.Suhail shares how he transitioned from leading BharatPe to managing a ₹50 million fund focused on consumer tech and brands, offering rare insights into what makes startups succeed at scale and why many fail at Series C.From betting on founders who are willing to break and rebuild their businesses to navigating fund economics and predicting market shifts, Suhail reveals the principles that drive his investment strategy. We also explore his personal journey as an operator, CEO, and investor, shedding light on the mental frameworks and risk appetite that have defined his career.This episode is packed with valuable lessons on investing, scaling, and thriving in India's startup ecosystem. Whether you're an aspiring investor, a founder, or simply curious about what goes into building billion-dollar companies, this is a must-watch.⏱️Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction2:33 - What 60 crore in 15 lakhs means to Suhail5:44 - How Suhail started in angel investing7:53 - How Suhail sees the repeatable now12:23 - How Suhail views the market17:33 - Nuances of fund economics23:11 - How Suhail predicts the future and spots greatness28:33 - A surprising company in Suhail's portfolio36:43 - Cracking success as a young investor42:28 - Suhail's personal IRR50:58 - Life as a fund manager vs daily operations57:13 - Suhail's decision-making process1:08:43 - How to become CEO of a young business1:13:28 - Suhail on transforming himself1:16:38 - How Suhail navigates his life1:20:27 - Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Nikhil Taneja, co-founder and CEO of Yuvaa, a leading youth media organization creating impactful and empathetic content for India's Gen Z. Nikhil shares the powerful story behind Yuvaa's inception, shedding light on the loneliness epidemic affecting young people and how media can be a force for positive change.From producing some of India's first web series to shaping authentic youth narratives, Nikhil opens up about the evolution of Indian media, the challenges of representing young voices, and how Yuvaa crafts "conscious content" that speaks directly to issues often overlooked by mainstream platforms.We delve into Nikhil's bold perspectives on AI in media, the future of human interaction, and why empathetic leadership is non-negotiable in building impactful organizations. He also narrates deeply personal stories from his mental health journey and how it shaped his mission to address positive masculinity through his show Be a Man Yaar.This episode is a masterclass on leadership, storytelling, and creating media with heart. Whether you're a founder, creator, or media enthusiast, you'll walk away with valuable insights on purpose-driven work, reaching niche audiences, and leading with empathy.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction3:05 - Nikhil Taneja's purpose behind his work11:20 - Why they started Yuvaa18:37 - The biggest issue with content in the media ecosystem25:32 - How youth are feeling lonely in the country27:45 - How media has evolved41:24 - The art of reaching a larger audience52:10 - Nikhil talks about AI58:12 - How AI helps create an efficient media company1:03:10 - How human interaction might evolve in the future1:19:30 - The Gen Z narrative1:30:45 - An appeal to the youth of the country1:43:50 - A story of a bisexual individual at Yuvaa1:49:00 - How to figure out the purpose of life1:58:00 - Nikhil talks about the behind-the-scenes of his show2:02:40 - Nikhil's leadership learnings2:11:50 - Outro

In this milestone episode, we sit down with Nithin Kamath, the founder and CEO of Zerodha, to uncover the untold secrets behind building India's largest broking platform. Nithin shares his incredible journey of scaling Zerodha into a billion-dollar empire while remaining bootstrapped, customer-first, and uncompromising on values. From navigating personal challenges like a health scare earlier this year to reflecting on wealth, freedom, and long-term thinking, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of India's most visionary entrepreneurs. Nithin opens up about his philosophy of "growth at what cost?", the role of luck in success, and how Zerodha disrupted the financial services industry with transparency and simplicity. We delve deep into how Nithin approaches: - Building a resilient team and culture without hiring from competitors. - Aligning incentives between customers and stakeholders. - Marketing through authenticity instead of flashy ads. - Betting on future trends, like climate change and health tech, through his Rainmatter fund. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or someone passionate about personal and professional growth, this episode is packed with timeless lessons and actionable insights that will leave you inspired and reflective. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:40 - Personal challenges Nithin Kamath faced this year 6:16 - Advice to his younger self 8:12 - Thoughts on the role of luck 12:35 - How to think long-term effectively 17:25 - Nithin's key mental models 21:00 - Shifts in investing behavior 26:55 - Zerodha's approach to understanding customers 31:30 - Aligning investor and customer incentives 41:15 - Insights on hiring and building a strong team 44:30 - Lessons learned from hiring experiences 47:00 - Thoughts on marketing and brand building 52:12 - Breaking down customer personas 55:45 - How he approaches social media 58:25 - What freedom means to him 1:02:35 - Wealth distribution in India and its impact 1:07:35 - Advice for those working on self-improvement 1:11:12 - Reflection, mental models, and decision-making 1:20:35 - Balancing ambition and personal freedom 1:23:55 - Predictions for climate-focused businesses in five years 1:26:15 - Companies that inspire Nithin Kamath 1:32:41 - Outro Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends, subscribe to the channel, and leave a comment. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories to light. Follow JIvraj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #IndianSiliconValley #Zerodha #NithinKamath #Bootstrapped #Entrepreneurship #Startups #FinancialFreedom #Rainmatter #Leadership #LongTermThinking #InvestingInIndia

In this episode, we sit down with Sumit Joria, the co-founder and CEO of NewMe, one of India's fastest-growing fashion brands redefining how young Indian women shop. Sumit shares the untold story behind NewMe's success, revealing the bold decisions, innovative strategies, and consumer-first philosophy that have made the brand a household name among Gen Z shoppers. From humble beginnings to launching nine stores across seven cities, this conversation is a deep dive into what it takes to build a globally aspirational fashion brand out of India. We explore how NewMe disrupted the cluttered fashion market by prioritizing freshness, data-driven design, and an inventory-light supply chain. Sumit reflects on NewMe's foundational values, including the brand's unique approach to retail expansion, creating Instagram-worthy in-store experiences, and ensuring its DNA resonates with every customer interaction. He also sheds light on navigating funding challenges, building a resilient team, and the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. This episode is packed with practical insights and authentic reflections for anyone interested in fashion, entrepreneurship, or consumer brands. Whether you're a budding founder, a business leader, or a fashion enthusiast, you'll find immense value in Sumit's transparent storytelling. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:20 - How did they build NewMe? 4:12 - What observations did they make while building NewMe? 8:00 - What is the branding and marketing strategy of NewMe? 12:50 - What foundational aspects were they clear about? 17:10 - What should you know about the supply chain in the fashion industry? 22:58 - How does NewMe approach design? 28:35 - Key learnings from the pop-up in Guwahati 33:45 - What did NewMe founders observe in pop-ups? 39:55 - How do they view retail expansion? 47:10 - What is the customer experience like within the store? 52:00 - Where is consumption happening in India? 1:09:00 - How do they build confidence with investors? 1:16:50 - When things weren't working out for NewMe 1:26:20 - Sumit's life beyond NewMe 1:36:10 - How do Sumit's friends describe him? 1:38:40 - How does Sumit view life? 1:48:56 - Outro Follow JIvraj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with friends, subscribe to the channel, and leave a comment. Your support helps us bring more such incredible stories to light. #IndianSiliconValley #NewMe #FashionEntrepreneurship #SumitJoria #GenZFashion #Startups #RetailExpansion #IndiaFashion #ConsumerBrands #Leadership

In this episode, we sit down with Prashant Desai, a seasoned business leader, investor, and health influencer, to uncover why Indians are sicker than ever before and how to fix it. With over three decades of experience in business and investing—including his role as Managing Director at Everstone—Prashant brings a unique perspective to the health challenges facing India today. Beyond his corporate journey, he has become a prominent voice in health and wellness, creating content that educates millions on fitness, sleep, and lifestyle changes. We delve deep into the systemic issues plaguing India's healthcare system, including the alarming rise in diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Prashant shares his personal motivation behind his mission to make India healthier, reflecting on his own family's experiences with health challenges. He debunks common health misconceptions, discusses the impact of quick commerce on eating habits, and offers practical solutions for individuals to take control of their health. Additionally, Prashant combines his business acumen with his passion for wellness to explore opportunities within India's health and fitness market. He provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs on building trust, scaling, and distribution in their brands, and shares his views on the future of organic and health-focused products in India. This episode is packed with actionable advice and profound reflections, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in health, entrepreneurship, and the socio-economic factors affecting well-being in India. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:31 - What matters most to Prashant Desai? 5:59 - What's wrong with India's healthcare system? 19:59 - How can we prevent diabetes, obesity, and being overweight? 26:55 - What are some common health misconceptions? 47:29 - Opportunities in India's health and fitness market 54:49 - What have nutrition companies achieved in India? 1:02:17 - How is India's protein market evolving? 1:07:39 - What should you check when buying groceries? 1:11:59 - If Prashant built a health company, what would it look like? 1:15:19 - What's Prashant's view on organic brands? 1:18:23 - Tips for building trust, scaling, and distribution in a brand 1:20:49 - How does quick commerce affect eating habits? 1:25:18 - Is longevity only for the privileged? 1:31:09 - What does Prashant think about Kolkata? 1:46:41 - How does Prashant excel in everything he does? 1:49:32 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #ISV #PrashantDesai #HealthInIndia #Wellness #Entrepreneurship #Startups #HealthTech #Fitness #Longevity

In this monumental 100K episode of the Indian Silicon Valley podcast, we welcome back Pratham Mittal, Co-founder of Masters' Union and TETR, to explore his vision for the future of education. Pratham shares the incredible journey of launching TETR, a groundbreaking undergraduate program that blends global travel with experiential learning. (Watch here: YouTube Link) We dive into how Pratham is rethinking education with a focus on real-world problem-solving, interdisciplinary, and the transformative power of AI in the classroom. The conversation explores his unique approach to scaling institutions without sacrificing quality, building a global-first mindset from India, and his bold ambition to challenge the world's top universities. Pratham also discusses the practical challenges of education in India, such as the mismatch between job creation and college graduates, and how MSMEs, not startups, hold the key to bridging this gap. From hiring strategies to insights on process-building and work-life balance, Pratham offers candid reflections on what it takes to build world-class institutions in a rapidly evolving landscape. This episode is a must-watch for anyone curious about the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and technology—and how India is poised to lead the way. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:10 - What is TETR? 6:38 - What did Pratham get right the first time? 16:18 - How is ambition scaling for Pratham? 19:19 - How is Pratham expanding? 22:58 - Pratham's 5-10 year plan 26:18 - What's missing in education? 38:08 - How does Pratham bridge education access? 45:08 - How does Pratham hire? 50:48 - How does Pratham manage his days? 53:19 - How far ahead is India? 59:33 - What is Pratham predicting for the future? 1:01:33 - Outro Follow us for updates: Instagram: www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #IndianSiliconValley #ISV #PrathamMittal #MastersUnion #TETR #EducationInnovation #EdTech #Entrepreneurship #India

In this episode, we sit down with Rohit Gupta, Co-founder and COO of College Vidya, to discuss how he is tackling India's broken education market. Rohit shares the journey of building College Vidya, an ed-tech platform that simplifies and democratizes access to online education, catering to millions of students from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. (College Vidya Website link - https://cvadm.com/HaXvQo) We dive deep into the foundational phase of College Vidya, exploring how they built trust in a market filled with skepticism, the role of data-driven consumer patterns, and how they are utilising AI to scale. Rohit discusses the challenges of marketing in the education sector, his vision for the future of College Vidya, and the importance of being adaptable in a rapidly changing landscape. Rohit also reflects on the personal side of his entrepreneurial journey, sharing the toughest moments of building the company and the lessons he would impart to his younger self. This episode is packed with insights for aspiring founders, educators, and anyone interested in the future of education in India. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:27 - Problem of education and access 6:57 - What was the 0-1 phase of College Vidya 10:57 - How much usage is driven by consumer patterns 13:52 - How Rohit plans to build additional features 16:42 - How College Vidya built trust 18:17 - Education marketing/brand building 22:22 - How to move from B to C to D 24:26 - Usage data split in education 29:52 - Positive aspects in education 34:27 - How College Vidya used AI 37:32 - Daily priorities for College Vidya 41:07 - College Vidya's goal setting 43:07 - How Rohit's friends would describe him 43:57 - Challenges in building College Vidya 46:47 - What Rohit would tell his younger self 48:53 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #ISV #RohitGupta #CollegeVidya #EducationReform #EdTech #Startups #Entrepreneurship

In this episode, we sit down with Azeez Gupta, Co-founder of Rocket Learning, an ed-tech nonprofit dedicated to revolutionizing early childhood education in India. Azeez shares his journey of building Rocket Learning, an organization that partners with government schools and anganwadi centers to create digital communities that empower educators, parents, and children alike. With an emphasis on the bottom 40% of India's income pyramid, Rocket Learning is on a mission to bridge educational inequalities and give every child a chance to thrive. We explore the operational intricacies of scaling an impact-driven nonprofit, including how Azeez and his team manage challenges from policy engagement to community building. Azeez discusses the lessons learned from testing new approaches, the role of technology and data in influencing behavior change, and the hard-won insights that come from experimenting with new methodologies at scale. Reflecting on the personal aspects of his journey, Azeez dives into the trade-offs, motivations, and the unique mindset required for impact-driven work. He also shares his philosophy of “additionality” — the belief that one's work should add unique value to the world — and the power of clarity and boldness in making high-impact decisions. This conversation is packed with insights for aspiring social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and anyone passionate about educational equity in India. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:24 - Rocket Learning Coverage 6:34 - Transformational Change 11:34 - Rocket Learning Mindset 16:07 - Reality of Nonprofit Work 21:44 - Success Factors at Rocket Learning 28:19 - Impact-Driven Mindset 31:24 - Rocket Learning Backend Process 44:04 - Gaining Empathy 50:04 - Depth of Efforts 57:29 - Unique Experiences 1:04:11 - Nonprofit Economics 1:10:54 - Life-Changing Stories 1:17:29 - Progress in Education 1:22:20 - Azeez's Role Models 1:27:04 - Azeez's Morning Motivation 1:31:54 - Friends' Description of Azeez 1:33:46 - Life Without Rocket Learning 1:40:04 - Advice to Younger Self 1:42:55 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #IndianSiliconValley #ISV #AzeezGupta #RocketLearning #EdTech #EducationReform #NonProfit #SocialImpact #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfEducation

In this episode, we sit down with Suyash Saraf, the co-founder of Dot & Key, a leading D2C beauty and personal care brand in India. Starting from scratch, Suyash and his team scaled Dot & Key to an impressive ₹700 crore business, which was recently acquired by Nykaa, a market leader in the beauty space. In this candid conversation, Suyash shares the strategies behind Dot & Key's explosive growth and the hard-earned lessons from his bootstrapped journey. We dive deep into Suyash's insights on building a successful D2C brand, from navigating the challenges of early-stage product development, leveraging data to stay ahead of the competition, and developing a powerful marketing strategy. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Dot & Key landed a major acquisition offer, and what founders need to know about scaling profitably without external funding. Suyash also reflects on what it was like to bootstrap a business in a highly competitive industry, the highs and lows of running a business with his life partner, and his advice to new founders on navigating the entrepreneurial journey, including the critical decision of bootstrapping vs. raising funds. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring D2C founders, entrepreneurs seeking growth strategies, and anyone interested in learning how to build a brand from the ground up without relying on VC money. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:22 - Dot & Key's story 7:20 - Early successes 10:10 - Dot & Key's scale 13:00 - Scaling channels 17:50 - Staying ahead of the curve 21:21 - Dot & Key's marketing strategy 30:00 - What kept Suyash on track 31:55 - Behind-the-scenes of product development 34:17 - Using data to their advantage 36:45 - Early hiring strategies 38:45 - Getting an acquisition offer as a bootstrap company 41:16 - Key points to consider during acquisitions 42:20 - Feeling of having ₹50 Cr in the account 45:05 - Suyash's advice for young founders 47:30 - Thoughts on raising funds vs. bootstrapping 51:40 - How Suyash's team describes him 52:15 - How Suyash's friends describe him 53:00 - Challenges in the Dot & Key journey 55:07 - Running a business with a life partner 56:45 - What Suyash would do if they hadn't built Dot & Key 57:49 - Advice to his younger self 58:40 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #dotandkey #suyashsaraf #d2c #entrepreneurship #startups #founderjourney

In this episode, we sit down with Umang Dua, the co-founder of Handy, one of the world's largest home services marketplaces, which was acquired by Angi, a billion-dollar public company. Now building his second startup, Keychain, Umang shares the untold secrets behind scaling a marketplace business and the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. We dive deep into Umang's insights on building a billion-dollar company, from navigating the early days of Handy, scaling through intense competition, and the emotional rollercoaster of startup life. Umang sheds light on how to build successful marketplaces, his approach to overcoming near-death moments, and the foundational lessons that shaped his approach as a founder. Umang also reflects on his experience on both sides of the founder's table, offering advice to new entrepreneurs, and discussing the differences between building startups in India and the US. He shares key insights into raising capital, dealing with investors, and the mindset required to build a high-growth company. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring founders, marketplace entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in learning from a founder who has scaled businesses to billions. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:52 - How the last 10-12 years shaped Umang as a founder 4:15 - Early memories of starting a company 6:35 - Foundational lessons Umang learned 12:45 - Advice for new founders in marketplaces 20:05 - Differences in the entrepreneurial journey between the US and India 26:15 - Umang's thoughts on the other side of the founder's table 30:55 - Things not shown or glorified in entrepreneurship 35:19 - Umang's near-death or biggest doubts moment 40:40 - Key insights from the 0-1 journey of Handy 47:30 - How Umang built empathy to solve for supply 51:15 - The acquisition phase and how it happened 59:35 - The importance of energy around Umang 1:05:12 - Standout lessons from Umang's journey 1:09:06 - Umang's angel investing journey 1:12:19 - How Umang's friends would describe him 1:15:25 - Umang's superpower and fear 1:18:10 - Defining a life of success 1:21:45 - What Umang would tell his younger self 1:25:29 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley​ #isv​ #indiansiliconvalleypodcast​ #isvpodcast​ #umangdua​ #entrepreneurship​ #startups​ #marketplaces​ #founderjourney

In this episode, we sit down with Vedant Modi, Chief Revenue Officer of Manyavar, to uncover the secrets behind building one of India's most iconic ethnic wear brands. Manyavar has become synonymous with Indian weddings and celebrations, and Vedant shares his journey of taking the brand from its early days to a ₹30,000 crore empire. We dive deep into how Manyavar started, the brand's massive scale in the Indian fashion market, and how Vedant and his team stay on trend and innovative while preserving tradition. Vedant sheds light on the business strategies behind working with top celebrities, running large-scale actor campaigns, and justifying ROI in a competitive fashion landscape. Vedant also reflects on his leadership journey, balancing the challenges of running a public company, managing retail expansion, and staying ahead in the fast-changing fashion industry. He offers advice for younger entrepreneurs and shares valuable insights on privilege, luck, and the true meaning of success. This episode is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone looking to learn from the story of a homegrown brand that conquered the Indian market. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:49 - When Vedant joined the business 6:39 - What the early days were like 9:19 - How Manyavar started 13:39 - How big Manyavar is in the market 15:39 - How Manyavar brings joy to customers 17:29 - What matters most for Manyavar 19:24 - How Manyavar stays on trend 22:39 - Vedant's observations from a customer POV 26:09 - How large-scale actor campaigns work 27:49 - How ROI is justified 30:50 - Vedant's story of working with celebrities 31:54 - How Vedant views expansion strategy 37:14 - How Vedant prioritizes what's important 39:04 - How Manyavar stays innovative as an old company 42:09 - How Vedant evolved the business 44:59 - How Vedant's team manages scale 47:39 - Vedant's learnings from retail expansion 54:19 - How Vedant gets store-level data 55:39 - Vedant's focus for the next 10 years 58:09 - International focus of Manyavar 59:39 - The mindset behind raising capital 1:01:09 - What it means to lead a public company 1:03:14 - Vedant's advice to younger people 1:04:39 - Vedant's tips for new founders 1:08:12 - How larger brands can help younger companies 1:09:39 - What Vedant sacrifices to run the business 1:11:49 - How Vedant's friends describe him 1:12:52 - How Vedant views privilege vs luck 1:13:51 - What success means to Vedant 1:15:29 - What's not so great about the business 1:17:15 - Business lessons from Vedant's father 1:20:39 - What advice Vedant would give himself on day one 1:24:05 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley​ #isv​ #indiansiliconvalleypodcast​ #isvpodcast​ #jivrajsinghsachar​ #entrepreneurship​ #startups​ #finance​ #leadership

In this episode, we sit down with Amarjit Singh Batra, Managing Director of Spotify India (and General Manager of 59 Countries), a visionary leader shaping the future of music streaming in one of the world's largest music markets. Amarjit shares his fascinating journey, from being at the forefront of the Indian internet economy to leading Spotify's expansion across India, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. We explore the key shifts in music consumption in India, Spotify's unique “last-mover advantage,” and how Amarjit and his team have built a thriving business by leveraging personalized experiences and supporting local artists through initiatives like playlist curation and artist masterclasses. Amarjit also reflects on his role as a corporate leader with a founder's mindset, the evolution of the Indian internet economy over the past two decades, and his thoughts on why it's crucial to adopt a long-term approach in a dynamic market like India. He candidly shares his thoughts on retaining customers in a competitive space, the booming independent music scene in India, and how Spotify is empowering creators to build global audiences. This episode offers a deep dive into the business strategies, leadership insights, and the future of India's music industry, making it a must-watch for entrepreneurs, music lovers, and anyone navigating the fast-changing consumer landscape. 0:00 - Introduction 1:26 - Amarjit's thoughts on changes in the Indian economy 6:31 - Amarjit's view on his roles in companies 11:01 - Differences when Amarjit joined Spotify 22:41 - How Amarjit found the Spotify opportunity 31:11 - How India consumes music 46:21 - Split for a company to focus on music in India 52:20 - How an artist can become successful 1:00:00 - Establishing yourself meaningfully 1:09:23 - How Amarjit learns from international markets 1:16:20 - Amarjit's learning from Danial 1:19:05 - What Amarjit's friends would say about him 1:21:45 - Amarjit's strengths and fears 1:23:57 - How Amarjit has stayed at the top for decades 1:34:40 - What Amarjit would say to his younger self 01:39:48 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley​ #isv​ #indiansiliconvalleypodcast​ #isvpodcast​ #jivrajsinghsachar​ #entrepreneurship​ #startups​ #finance​ #leadership

In this episode, we sit down with Rohit Chawla, the visionary founder behind Innovist and The Man Company, to explore his journey as a serial entrepreneur in the competitive direct-to-consumer (D2C) space. Rohit shares invaluable insights into product development, customer acquisition, and the critical decisions that shaped his brands' growth. We begin by discussing Rohit's thoughts on the structure of Innovist and the vision he has for the company in the current market landscape. He offers a glimpse into the foundational decisions that guided his entrepreneurial journey, including early trade-offs in customer prioritization and how these shaped his approach to hyper-personalization for the Indian market. Rohit delves deep into the essential elements of building great products and his internal theories on product-market fit. From launching in crowded markets to managing customer acquisition costs (CAC), Rohit's practical advice offers listeners a clear roadmap for navigating challenges in today's D2C ecosystem. We also dive into his core learnings from The Man Company journey, and Rohit shares his personal strategies for capital utilization and building efficient teams. For budding entrepreneurs, Rohit reflects on what drives him, the hidden trade-offs in a founder's journey, and key lessons learned from industry leaders like Falguni Nayar. Whether you're a D2C founder, a product innovator, or simply interested in the story of one of India's prominent entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with insights on product building, market entry strategies, and managing business growth. 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Rohit's thoughts on Innovist and company structure 4:30 - Rohit's vision for the market and current state 8:25 - Key decisions made on day one by Rohit 11:30 - Early trade-offs in customer prioritization 14:55 - Reception of hyper-personalization in India 17:40 - Insights that led Rohit to product choices 21:50 - Essentials for building a good product 23:50 - Internal theory for product-market fit 26:13 - How Rohit decides which products to launch 27:25 - Rohit's take on a crowded market and CAC as a founder 29:20 - Rohit's theory on CAC 31:50 - Importance of quick commerce 35:20 - Core learnings from the MAN Company journey 38:00 - Rohit's strategies as a founder 42:20 - Rohit's approach to capital utilization 46:22 - What drives Rohit to build Innovist 48:10 - Rohit's geographical focus 51:55 - Story behind the bottle design 54:17 - Rohit's framework for company prioritization 56:02 - Story behind the brand's name 58:30 - Rohit's entrepreneurship journey 1:05:26 - How Rohit's friends describe him 1:06:06 - What strengthens Rohit and his fears 1:08:24 - Rohit's favorite brands 1:09:30 - Hidden trade-offs in a founder's journey 1:13:22 - Rohit's learnings from Falguni Nayar 1:16:00 - Rohit's advice for new D2C founders 1:18:45 - Rohit's advice to his younger entrepreneurial self 1:21:09 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley​ #isv​ #indiansiliconvalleypodcast​ #isvpodcast​ #jivrajsinghsachar​ #entrepreneurship​ #startups​ #finance​ #leadership

In this episode, we sit down with Pankaj Vermani, founder and CEO of Clovia, one of India's most successful lingerie brands. From building the business from scratch to selling a majority stake to Reliance, Pankaj opens up about the journey and the lessons learned along the way. We dive into how Clovia stood out by balancing premium quality with affordability, a strategy that has resonated deeply with consumers across India. Pankaj shares how controlling the supply chain was a game-changer, helping Clovia maintain quality and keep prices accessible, even as the brand scaled rapidly. He also explains why the word "jugaad" doesn't fit with Clovia's approach and how real innovation comes from sustainable processes. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Pankaj reflects on the challenges of moving from online to offline retail, how the pandemic impacted their business, and the importance of understanding the evolving needs of Indian consumers. He shares fascinating stories of navigating supply chain obstacles and unexpected customer insights that shaped the company's product development. Pankaj also gives a glimpse into his personal life, talking about what it's like to build a business alongside his wife and co-founder, and how the support of his team carried the company through difficult times. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a marketer, or simply interested in the inner workings of one of India's top brands, this episode is full of valuable takeaways. 0:00 - Introduction 2:24 - Starting Clovia and advice for future founders 5:52 - How product passion drives founders 10:12 - Unique things Pankaj did in 2015 14:02 - Why Pankaj dislikes the word “JUGAAD” 15:13 - Insight and action taken 18:59 - Indian consumers want value for money 20:52 - Early customer communication 21:35 - Delivering premium quality at affordable prices 25:52 - New product development process 29:31 - Balancing quality vs data 31:32 - Managing inventory at Clovia 33:57 - Insights that changed Pankaj's views 36:52 - Why customers choose Clovia 41:45 - Clovia's retail strategy 45:27 - Retail footprint advice for founders 49:27 - Clovia's market distribution 55:02 - Lessons from Reliance 57:26 - How friends describe Pankaj 1:01:52 - Help Pankaj received on his journey 1:04:12 - Core values and challenges in Pankaj's journey 1:09:00 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley​ #isv​ #indiansiliconvalleypodcast​ #isvpodcast​ #jivrajsinghsachar​ #entrepreneurship​ #startups​ #finance​ #leadership​

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ritesh, a finance expert and entrepreneur who has carved out a unique path in the Indian financial landscape. Dr. Ritesh takes us through his journey to financial freedom, sharing his self-realization about the true priorities in life and how he maintains discipline to stay ahead of the curve. We delve deep into Dr. Ritesh's disciplined approach to mastering problem-solving and his predictions for the future of Indian finance. He opens up about the often-overlooked negative impacts of over-glorifying certain aspects of entrepreneurship and the misunderstandings surrounding raising investment for companies. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Ritesh offers candid insights into whether investors should have the right to advise founders on key decisions and shares his thoughts on what systemic changes are needed in the Indian startup ecosystem. We also explore his experiences engaging with the youth in India, the guiding principles that shape his life, and the advice he would give to his younger self as a medical graduate. This episode provides a comprehensive look at Dr. Ritesh's philosophy on entrepreneurship, finance, and life, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating the complexities of the Indian startup ecosystem. 0:00 - Introduction 2:28 - What matters to Dr. Ritesh and why 5:23 - Dr. Ritesh's journey to financial freedom 11:18 - Dr. Ritesh's self-realization about life's important aspects 26:41 - How Dr. Ritesh stays ahead of the curve with discipline 34:58 - How Dr. Ritesh approaches and masters problem-solving 45:14 - Dr. Ritesh's prediction for the future of Indian finance 53:48 - Humanizing the entrepreneurship journey 1:02:48 - Negative impacts of over-glorifying certain aspects 1:07:58 - Misunderstandings about raising investment for companies 1:13:33 - Do investors have the right to advise founders on key decisions? 1:16:28 - Dr. Ritesh's perspective on exits 1:20:48 - Dr. Ritesh's experience engaging with youth in India 1:24:48 - Dr. Ritesh's view on systemic change 1:29:33 - Dr. Ritesh's guiding principles in life 1:33:48 - Dr. Ritesh's advice to his younger self as a medical graduate 1:39:32 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar #entrepreneurship #startups #finance #leadership

In this episode, we talk to Gaurav Gupta, co-founder of Gabit and former COO at Zomato. Gaurav shares what initially attracted him to Zomato and the deeper reasons behind his decision. He provides an inside look at Zomato during its hyper-scaling years and discusses what it meant to be elevated to a founder role in a company he didn't start. Gaurav reflects on the journey leading up to Zomato's IPO and offers insights into building a company ready for such a milestone. He also discusses his experience during COVID, the market opportunity that led to Gabit, and the core principles guiding his new venture. We explore Gaurav's non-negotiables, his vision for Gabit, and how he ensures products meet customer expectations. Gaurav also touches on India's health consciousness, stakeholder alignment, and key learnings from his consulting days. The conversation wraps up with Gaurav's thoughts on the future, his habits, and how his friends would describe him. This episode provides a comprehensive look at Gaurav's journey, offering valuable insights for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, and the Indian startup ecosystem. 0:00 - Introduction 1:59 - What caught Gaurav's attention to join Zomato? 3:14 - Deeper reasons for joining Zomato. 5:29 - What was happening within Zomato during the hyper-scale years? 7:59 - What did Gaurav witness during the hyper-scaling period? 9:24 - Key factors that shaped Gaurav's mindset as a founder. 11:39 - What does it mean to be elevated to founder in a company you didn't start? 14:19 - Tactical insights on being elevated to founder. 16:29 - What was leading up to the IPO like internally? 19:39 - Gaurav's insights on building a company ready for an IPO. 22:00 - Gaurav's journey during COVID. 24:43 - How did Gaurav identify a market opportunity? 25:54 - Core learnings that fueled Gaurav's passion for the core objective. 28:06 - Principles Gaurav established for guiding Gabit forward. 29:29 - Things Gaurav won't compromise on. 31:43 - Gaurav's vision for Gabit's future. 34:24 - How does Gaurav ensure products don't fail customers? 35:59 - How much does India care about health? 38:49 - How did Gaurav align stakeholders? 41:19 - Gaurav's thoughts on raising capital. 42:34 - Surprising learnings that shaped Gaurav's mindset. 44:19 - Thoughts on few people paying for health products. 46:29 - How to break through market clutter. 48:44 - Core habits for health. 50:29 - Valuable lessons from Gaurav's consulting days. 51:41 - Key learnings from Gaurav's foundational days. 53:14 - How would Gaurav's friends describe him? 53:43 - What would Gaurav do if not Gabit? 55:24 - What would Gaurav do better? 57:29 - What else is Zomato doing beyond deliveries? 58:46 - Gaurav's thoughts on founders thinking about the future. 1:01:49 - When does Gaurav spend time alone? 1:03:47 - Framework for engaging stakeholders. 1:07:00 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar #entrepreneurship #startups #leadership

In this episode, we talk to Pramath Raj Sinha, a visionary entrepreneur and academic leader who has revolutionized Indian education through founding institutions like ISB, Ashoka University, and Harappa Education. Pramath shares how his multidisciplinary background shaped his approach to building educational institutions. He offers insights into the K12 segment and reflects on the crucial decisions that led him down an unconventional path in his career. The conversation explores Pramath's learnings from his experiences, his approach to managing stakeholders, and his thoughts on navigating complex problem statements. We delve into how Pramath's initial vision for his projects compared to how they actually played out, and his observations on people throughout his journey. He discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by the transformation from offline to online education, and how he navigated various tradeoffs in his career. Pramath also shares his perspective on the India story for aspiring students and entrepreneurs, offering valuable insights for the next generation. The episode touches on his learnings from mentors like Rajat Gupta and Chandra Babu Naidu, as well as his thoughts on education centers. Finally, Pramath reflects on the role of people in his life and how he's managed to successfully wear multiple hats throughout his career. This episode offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in education, leadership, and personal growth, providing a unique perspective from one of India's most influential figures in the field. 0:00 - Introduction 2:25 - Multidisciplinary background's impact on educational institutions 8:42 - Insights on K12 education 14:34 - Key decisions and outcomes in unconventional paths 19:58 - Valuable lessons learned over time 31:37 - Stakeholder management strategies 39:47 - Tackling complex problems 46:45 - Vision vs. reality 52:57 - Observations on human behavior 1:01:30 - Transition from offline to online education 1:12:05 - Handling trade-offs in decision-making 1:15:12 - Vision of India for students and entrepreneurs 1:17:53 - Lessons from mentor Rajat Gupta 1:19:05 - Insights from working with Chandra Babu Naidu 1:20:58 - Future of education centres 1:22:15 - Significance of relationships 1:25:15 - Balancing multiple roles 1:28:00 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar #education #leadership #entrepreneurship

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of private equity and India's economic future with Sanjay Kukreja, Chief Investment Officer and Partner at ChrysCapital, India's largest PE firm. Sanjay shares invaluable insights from his 25-year journey in the industry, discussing how ChrysCapital grew from a $60 million fund to managing $9 billion in assets. He offers a candid look at the evolution of private equity in India, from the early days of venture capital to the current focus on growth and control investments. Sanjay explores the art of generating alpha in the market, emphasizing the importance of backing quality businesses and entrepreneurs over chasing valuations. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the intricacies of supporting portfolio companies to navigating IPOs in the Indian market. Sanjay shares his thoughts on new-age companies and the differences between emerging founders and established businesses. Throughout the interview, Sanjay offers key lessons learned from both successes and mistakes, providing a masterclass in long-term investing and institution building. He also discusses the challenges of building a world-class investment firm in India and identifying young talent in the industry. His unique perspective on India's economic potential and the role of private equity in shaping its future offers valuable insights for investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders alike. 0:00 - Introduction 1:47 - Sanjay's broad investing journey 4:25 - How Sanjay generates alpha in the market 22:57 - The LP side of the narrative 28:14 - Different investment styles 34:07 - Support provided to companies 48:19 - Experiences with IPOs 50:08 - Impact of primary capital on Sanjay's business model 54:02 - Sanjay's thoughts on new age companies 56:45 - Backing new age companies in the portfolio 1:08:08 - Sanjay's leadership and franchise-building efforts 1:13:24 - How Sanjay identifies young investors 1:19:02 - Lessons Sanjay has learned from mistakes 1:24:22 - Differences between new age founders and established businesses 1:27:49 - How Sanjay's friends and partners would describe him Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar #privatequity #chryscapital #indianeconomy #investing #venturecapital

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Kavin Bharti Mittal, founder and CEO of Hike, as he shares insights on building India's first unicorn messaging app and its evolution into a Web3 gaming platform. From Hike's meteoric rise to a $1.4 billion valuation to its pivot in the face of changing market dynamics, Kavin offers a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of tech entrepreneurship in India. He discusses the importance of self-reflection and clarity in decision-making, sharing a pivotal moment when he took three days of solitude to reassess his company's direction. Kavin explores the intersection of Eastern philosophy and modern business practices, drawing from concepts in Zen Buddhism and Vedanta to inform his leadership style and company culture. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the intricacies of building and scaling a tech startup to the future of gaming and crypto in India. Kavin's unique perspective on personal growth, adaptive thinking, and the evolution of digital platforms offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders. 0:00 - Preview 2:22 - Kavin Bharti Mittal's 12-Year Journey as Hike Founder 9:14 - Decision-Making Factors in Building Hike 10:57 - Does the Mindset of Not Complicating Things Help as a Founder? 12:54 - Scaling to 100M Customers: How He Did It 17:48 - Unknown Factors Founders Can't Predict 22:54 - His Outlier Success 25:08 - His Decision- Making Ability 46:43 - How He Made His Hardest Decisions 52:38- His Core Learnings from Life 1:00:04 - How He Developed His Traits 1:07:40 - His Curiosity Behind Building His First Company 1:14:34 - How One Should Consume Content 1:26:16 - His Thoughts on the Gaming Ecosystem 1:35:08 - What Makes His Journey Worthwhile Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of Suhasini Sampath, Co-Founder of Yoga Bar, a trailblazing health food brand that has disrupted India's junk food landscape. Yoga Bar has revolutionized the way Indians snack, offering healthy alternatives in a market dominated by less nutritious options. From its humble beginnings in 2015 to its recent ₹500 crore acquisition by ITC, Yoga Bar's story is one of perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to improving India's eating habits. Suhasini shares invaluable insights on building a brand in the challenging food industry, the evolution of consumer behavior, and the intricacies of navigating an acquisition by a major conglomerate. She discusses the importance of product quality, brand consistency, and the power of founder-led marketing in creating a successful health food empire. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the challenges of creating a new category in the Indian market to balancing entrepreneurship with personal life. Suhasini's perspective on company culture, investor relationships, and the future of health food in India offers a comprehensive look at what it takes to build a disruptive brand in today's competitive landscape. Timestamps: 0:00 - Preview 0:53 - Introduction 2:45 - Building a Brand: 2015 vs. 2024 7:20 - Challenges in Building a Food Brand 11:55 - The Importance of Category Share 12:46 - Day 0 Learnings 15:48 - Key Lessons from Childhood and Family 23:55 - Passing Wisdom to the Next Generation 25:54 - Can Entrepreneurs Have It All? 28:12 - Great Product, No Market: What Next? 30:53 - Consumer Evolution: 2015 to 2024 33:58 - Thoughts on Founder-Led Marketing 37:20 - Performance Marketing for New Brands 38:34 - Building Company Culture 40:41 - Navigating Acquisition by ITC 46:25 - Distribution Strategies: Pre vs. Post ITC 47:14 - Lessons from Deal Negotiation 51:34 - What Makes ITC Stand Out? 53:30 - Founder's Vision vs. Consumer Needs 57:15 - Suhasini's Next Journey 58:17 - Traits of an Exceptional Founder 1:00:11 - Intuition vs. Data 1:03:16 - Insights on Investors and Exits 1:06:17 - Investor Experiences 1:08:50 - New Age Brands That Fascinate Her 1:10:18 - Core Personal Values 1:13:43 - Relationship with Money 1:17:19 - Importance of Personal Relationships 1:19:02 - How Friends Describe Her 1:20:37 - Thoughts on Overcoming Challenges 1:21:30 - Message to Her Younger Self 1:22:29 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj - https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar/ #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar

In this episode, we speak with Himanshu Kohli, Co-Founder of Client Associates. Client Associates is a leading private wealth management firm dedicated to providing personalized financial solutions to high-net-worth individuals and families. With a strong presence in the Indian financial landscape, Client Associates has built a reputation for trust and excellence, guiding their clients through complex wealth management processes. Himanshu Kohli's journey is one of vision, innovation, and a deep understanding of wealth dynamics. Since its inception, Client Associates has evolved to address the growing needs of India's affluent, adapting to changing market conditions and client expectations. Himanshu's commitment to building a firm that not only manages wealth but also plans for succession and legacy is truly inspiring. His insights into building capabilities, fostering trust, and understanding the mindset of the wealthy in India offer valuable lessons for anyone interested in wealth management. In our conversation, we delve into the origins of Client Associates, the challenges and successes faced along the way, and the future of private wealth management in India. Himanshu shares his personal experiences, life learnings, and advice for the younger generation aspiring to enter this field. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the intricacies of managing wealth and the importance of adapting to a rapidly changing environment. We're also very delighted to share that we are now a part of the Zerodha Collective Network! Grateful to be a part of and have the support. Here's what we talked about: 0:00 - Preview 0:48 - Introduction 1:38 - Emerging Indian Wealth 4:22 - Starting Private Wealth Management 11:56 - Entering the Market 19:26 - Evolution of Client Associates 22:36 - Planning Succession Wealth 28:32 - Building Capabilities 33:04 - Building Trust 36:48 - How the Rich in India Think 41:56 - Adapting to Change 49:43 - Managing Risk 52:59 - Learning from Clients 53:42 - Himanshu's Life Lessons 56:11 - Leading Client Associates 1:03:48 - Life Beyond Client Associates 1:08:48 - His Biggest Superpower 1:09:48 - Advice for the Younger Generation 1:12:45 - Outro Tune in to gain insights from one of the leading minds in private wealth management and learn how to navigate the complexities of wealth creation and preservation Instagram of Jivraj - https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar/ #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar

In this episode, we chat with Deep Kalra, the former CEO of MakeMyTrip. Deep opens up about his amazing 24-year journey as an entrepreneur, sharing his experiences and the lessons he's learned along the way. We discuss how he navigated the pandemic, his thoughts on reinventing oneself, and the exciting impact of AI. Deep also talks about the skills he's picked up, his approach to building and hiring great teams and the unique challenges in the tourism industry. Tune in for an inspiring conversation where Deep shares his formula for better business and the significant learnings from different phases of his life. Instagram of Jivraj - https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar/ 00:00 - Preview 01:01 - Introduction 01:49 - Deep Kalra's 24-Year Entrepreneurial Journey 09:16 - Pandemic Learnings 14:37 - His Entrepreneurial Journey So Far 16:35 - What Reinventing Means 22:08 - The Impact of AI 27:30 - Skills Mastered Along the Way 31:56 - Mastering Team Building and Hiring 38:08 - Fascination with His Business 48:45 - Tourism Industry Challenges 55:31 - Leveraging AI 1:00:46 - Formula for Better Business 1:06:24 - Key Learnings from Life Phases 1:11:06 - Outro #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar

In this episode, we chat with Vishal Jindal, the co-founder of Biryani By Kilo (BBK), a leading food delivery service revolutionizing how India enjoys biryani. Vishal, who ventured into entrepreneurship at 40, shares his journey of turning a passion for biryani into a thriving business. We explore why biryani is so beloved, the consumer trends driving its popularity, and the foundational principles behind BBK's success. Vishal discusses the challenges of maintaining quality while scaling, the importance of innovation, and BBK's unique marketing strategies. He also offers insights into managing a team, ensuring sustainability, and balancing quality with growth. Join us for an inspiring discussion packed with valuable lessons from Vishal's entrepreneurial journey and his vision for the future of food delivery Biryani By Kilo: https://biryanibykilo.com/ Instagram of Jivraj - https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar/ 00:00 - Preview 00:33 - Introduction 00:53 - Why is Biryani So Popular? 04:09 - Consumer Trends in Biryani Consumption 06:33 - Building a Food Company at 40 10:42 - Importance of Passion in Building a Company 13:51 - Meeting His Co-Founder 15:01 - Foundational Principles of Biryani by Kilo 19:41 - Maintaining Quality Across India 22:47 - Scale of Biryani by Kilo 27:56 - Thoughts on Dining and Offline Channels 31:05 - Growth Rate of Food Delivery 33:45 - Revenue Split of BBK 34:29 - Behind the Scenes of BBK Operations 39:41 - Balancing Quality and Growth 41:16 - Learning the Food Business 42:06 - Managing Team Attrition 45:18 - BBK Marketing Strategy 48:33 - Attracting Consumers 51:40 - Healthy Food Branding 53:42 - Sustainability Insights 54:57 - Thoughts on Premium Pricing 56:45 - Lessons from Large Food Businesses 1:00:00 - Vishal's Strengths 1:01:47 - Vishal's Fears 1:02:14 - How Friends Describe Vishal 1:03:11 - Message to Younger Self 1:04:26 - Outro #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar

In this episode, we speak with Neel Ghose of Robin Hood Army. Robin Hood Army is a volunteer-based organization that works to get surplus food from restaurants and communities to serve less fortunate people. They have a presence in multiple countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many others. They have successfully fed over 14 crore people worldwide, making a massive impact on hunger and food wastage. Neel Ghose, the co-founder, started this noble initiative with a simple mission: to fight food waste and hunger on a large scale. Neel's journey is one of dedication, innovation, and relentless pursuit of social change. He has leveraged technology and community power to address one of the most pressing issues in society. Using social media extensively, Robin Hood Army has engaged thousands of volunteers and partnered with numerous restaurants to expand its reach and effectiveness. This conversation dives deep into the challenges, successes, and future plans of Robin Hood Army, showcasing the incredible impact that can be made through collective effort. We're also very delighted to share that we are now a part of the Zerodha Collective Network! Grateful to be a part and have the support. Instagram of Robin Hood Army - https://www.instagram.com/rha_india/ Instagram of Jivraj - https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar/ 00:00 - Preview 01:08 - Introduction 02:31 - How He Got Started 05:08 - Secrets Behind Insane Numbers 09:08 - What Drives People to Join Robinhood Army 13:08 - Why He Started the Robinhood Army 17:58 - Strong Fundamentals of Robinhood 29:26 - How They Ensure Quality Control 38:10 - Sources of Meals 43:55 - Early Days & Initial Drive 52:55 - Robinhood Army Beyond Food 1:04:03 - Thoughts on the Robinhood Team 1:15:44 - Growing the Mission 1:24:26 - Insights After Serving 114 Million Meals 1:28:26 - Neel's Biggest Fear 1:28:41 - Neel's Superhero 1:29:05 - Lessons from the Zomato Journey 1:32:21 - Life Beyond Google and RHA 1:34:49 - Neel's Experience Working at Google 1:36:48 - Learnings from Harvard 1:41:23 - Neel's Personal Values 1:45:34 - Jivraj's Personal Values 1:47:00 - Message to Younger Self #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #jivrajsinghsachar

In this episode, we speak with Ayush Wadhwa of OWLED Media. OWLED is a leading marketing solutions company that works with the best companies in India, including the likes of Groww, Unacademy, PhonePe, Dezerv, Flipkart, Meesho and many others. They're the folks behind the Nikhil Kamath Podcast, Indian Business Podcast by Think School, Unacademy's Next Level Podcast and many leading productions in the country. Ayush is the 26-year old founder who started creating content at the age of 13 and self-learnt the craft of production. He has been working since the last 13 years and has built a business as a solo-founder which does multiple crores of revenue in a year, bootstrapped. He is deeply entrenched in the startup ecosystem and has a strong marketing worldview, alongside being a creator with 340K+ followers on Instagram. He was recently listed in the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia List and has over the years been awarded at multiple forums for his great work. This was a phenomenal conversation, hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Instagram of Ayush - https://www.instagram.com/ayushwadhwa/ Instagram of Jivraj - https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar/ 0:00 - Introduction 01:30 - Why Companies do not understand Marketing? 04:10 - What Drives Ayush 07:12 - Why Ayush works like he does? 10:16 - Content & Money at the age of 13!!! 16:43 - From Freelancer to Agency Founders 29:36 - What does OWLED Stand for? 36:50 - Behind the Scenes of a Solo Founder 46:22 - Importance of Human Relationships in any Business 51:15 - How to Build Strong Relationships? 53:23 - What does being a creator mean to him? 1:01:04 - Why Someone Should Not Be Creator for Life? 1:05:40 - Storytelling on day to day basis 1:12:44 - Biggest Fear 1:14:44 - Superpower? 1:16:27 - How to Balance Personal & Professional Life as a 26 year-old Solo Founder 1:20:00 - Angel Investing 1:29:30 - Marketing Learnings 1:36:21 - Life Principles 1:40:00 - Message to his Younger Self

In this episode, we speak with Rishabh Mariwala - Managing Partner, Sharrp Ventures. He is a director at Marico and Kaya, alongside leading Sharrp Ventures into the premier consumer investing arm in the country. Rishabh's insights on consumer brands, his personal entrepreneurial experience and the past track record that he exhibits are all beyond phenomenal. We are absolutely glad to have had him on the show. Hope you enjoy the episode! Rishabh's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishabhmariwala/ 00:00 - Preview 00:45 - Introduction 01:25 - Rishabh's Journey Begins 03:35 - First Startup Experience 08:00 - Starting as an Investor 13:50 - Criteria for Investing in Fund Managers 18:10 - Traits of Successful Founders 20:50 - The Mamaearth Investment Story 24:47 - Lessons from His Father & Marico 30:35 - Rishabh's Favorite Consumer Brand 35:54 - Building a Consumer Brand 41:16 - Understanding Indian Consumers 45:05 - Thoughts on Offline Distribution Channels 47:28 - Key Insights for Starting a Brand 49:56 - Friends' Perspective on Rishabh 52:29 - Staying Grounded 54:10 - Advice to His Younger Self 55:34 - Outro

In this episode of the Indian Silicon Valley Podcast, we host the Founder & Managing Partner of Veeba - India's most loved sauce brand. All of us find Veeba sauces in our kitchen and sachets in our deliveries. Veeba in the last 10 years has become all incumbent brands in its category and become the market leader, crossing a revenue mark of INR 1,000 CR!! Veeba is India's leading brand story and we are incredibly glad to feature its journey in the most candid way on the podcast. Check out one of the best episodes on the Pod. https://veeba.in/ Viraj Bahl on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viraj-bahl-82a595aa/ Jivraj Singh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jivrajsinghsachar/ 00:00 - Introduction 01:03 - Meet Viraj Bahl, Founder of Veeba 02:03 - How to build a Consumer Brand 03:58 - All about Distribution 08:27 - Learnings from the Family Business 11:27 - Beginning of his Founder Journey 14:15 - Running a Food Business 22:24 - Vision for Veeba 27:07 - Setting up Manufacturing since Day 0 38:04 - The Dominoes Order that saved it all 40:59 - Strategy is Everything 50:52 - Early Days at Veeba 1:01:29 - Establishing the Brand 1:04:44 - Mastering Marketing 1:05:36 - Innovation in Product 1:07:48 - All about Retail 1:08:20 - All about Scale 1:25:19 - Motivation to build Veeba 1:30:00 - Conclusion

In this episode, we speak to Aditya Ghosh - the legendary Indian Business Figure. He has Co-Founded Akasa Air and he previously built INDIGO as its President. He is also the Founding Trustee of Ashoka University and is the Founder of Homage, his investing arm that invests across new-age companies, philanthropy and other noble initiatives. Watch an incredible conversation with the legend. 00:00 - Introduction 01:02 - Meet Aditya Ghosh: Co-founder of Akasa Air 02:11 - How India Travels 14:00 - Life as a Leader of a Listed Company 19:45 - Early Signs of Institutional Builders 29:49 - Aditya on Risk-Taking and Curiosity 39:40 - Opportunities for Youngsters in Large Organizations 44:23 - Highlights of Aditya's Leadership 50:30 - Managing an Organization: Aditya's Approach 55:00 - Vision and Achievements: Aditya's Path to New Possibilities 58:35 - Aditya's Biggest Strength and Fear 59:20 - Friends' Perspectives on Aditya 01:00:30 - Aditya's Childhood Memory of Responsibility 01:02:00 - What Excellence Means to Aditya 01:05:30 - Lessons from Akasa Air 01:09:00 - Advice to His Younger Self 01:09:30 - Outro

In this episode, we speak with Vijay Subramanian - the leading man in the Artists Management space, building Collective Artists Network. They manage some of the best actors and creators in the country, championing the creator wave. They are also building a group company, as they have many underlying initiatives including the Gruhas Collective Fund to invest in new-age consumer companies, Under 25 for events and many more aspects that solidify their positioning as the Google for the Creator Economy. Check out the most thrilling 50 minutes on the Creator Economy. IG Profile of Vijay - https://www.instagram.com/vijaysubramaniam84/ 00:00 - Introduction 01:03 - Meet Vijay: Scaling Collective 03:28 - Key Learnings for Scaling Services Companies 09:00 - Early Career and Academic Insights 13:00 - Engaging Audiences and Receiving Applause 16:00 - Evolution in Media and Adaptation Over Time 18:30 - Transitioning from Creator to Entrepreneur 22:00 - Sustainable Creator Business Models 27:35 - Challenges Faced by Creator Companies 30:50 - Secrets to Success for Creators and Celebrities 33:10 - Choosing Collaborators and Team Members 35:35 - Qualities of a Great Talent Manager 39:00 - Managing Large-Scale Creators at Collective 43:30 - Collective's Vision for the Future 48:25 - Frameworks and Strategies Used by Vijay 50:39 - Conclusion

Ankur Warikoo is the legendary entrepreneur and content creator having more than 10Mn followers across social media. He is a celebrated entrepreneur who built Nearbuy in India and is now building a profitable, bootstrapped venture doing 27Cr+ in revenues every year. He is a content creator with more than 100Mn impressions with his posts every year, impacting lives at scale. He is also a bestselling author having written 3 books that have been widely read across the world. He is currently building an Education venture that we are all very excited about and cannot wait to see the success of! It was lovely chatting with him on all things money, life, business, content creation and much more. Stick around till the end for a great conversation!! 0:00 : Preview: 0:58 : Introduction 02:28 : On balance & Life 07:47 : How to take control of your time 12:10 : Risk-Taking Ability 20:17 : Making Decisions 24:03 : Entrepreneurship in 2009 33:23 : Celebrating Funding 34:48 : Indian Business Evolution 43:58 : Why Ankur isn't building a VC Backed Company 51:58 : Dark sides of Business 58:49 : The Content Creation Journey 01:05:28 : Selling via Content 01:09:24 : Content Creation or Business 01:12:09 : How he Deals with Negativity 01:19:54 : ONE Thing to Appeal to Audience 01:23:51 : Journey as an AUTHOR 01:28:52 : Building Education Empire 01:30:36 : How He Built an Educational Business 01:38:56 : Rapid Q&A 01:40:55 : Thoughts on Conventional Path 01:43:20 : 3 Things to Avoid in the Entrepreneurial journey 01:45:04 : Message to Ankur's Older Self 01:46:38 : Outro

In this episode, we speak to the Millionaire Ashish Dhawan, who is the CEO of Convergence. He is an institutional builder at its core, the best India has ever seen. He has built Chrys Capital, India's largest PE Firm (backed companies like Infosys, Axis Bank, YES Bank). He then exited the PE world at the age of 43 to pursue philanthropy and started the Central Square Foundation (CSF) - transforming the world of Indian philanthropy. He has now started the Convergence where he is the CEO - building the 2nd phase of his philanthropy career. He has also started Ashoka University along with 160 phenomenal trustees, being at the centre of raising 2000Cr for premier education in the country. He is also the only Indian on the Gates Foundation' Board. Through this episode we discuss how Indian philanthropy will rise and how youngsters can participate, while understanding how to build long-term successful institutions. 0:00 - Teaser 01:35 - Introduction 02:00 - Building Institutions 04:56 - Phenomenal Career Decisions 11:48 - From Capitalism to Philanthropy 17:35 - Unlearning & Growth 19:28 - Transitioning to Philanthropy 24:05 - Building Ashoka University 29:37 - Evolution of Philanthropy 32:49 - Global Philanthropy Perspective 36:22 - Driving Forces 37:28 - Aspirations 38:47 - Advice to Younger Self by Ashish 41:45 - Conclusion

In today's episode, we speak to Sahiba Bali, the well renowned Marketer - the person who established Zomato's phenomenal presence on YouTube, alongside which she has continued her acting career and established a strong name in the acting ecosystem of India. She has also led Marketing for Unacademy, post Zomato. It was lovely to understand how a Marketer thinks from Sahiba, tune in for a great conversation. 00:00 - Preface 01:07 - Introduction 01:46 - What drives Sahiba? 04:00 - Depth vs Breadth in life 05:55 - How did Marketing happen to Sahiba? 07:56 - Early Career 09:25 - Landing up at Zomato 10:35 - Major Stints at Zomato 13:28 - How to use Marketing Channels well as a Startup? 15:56 - Role of Data in Marketing 17:58 - Behind the Scenes of the Marketing Screen 20:10 - Collaboration in Marketing 21:40 - What makes a Great Marketer? 23:40 - You may NOT be creative yet you can be a Marketer 25:11 - Pace of Change in Marketing 27:20 - Culture at Indian Startups vs Corporates 30:45 - Generation of AND Careers 32:50 - Sahiba as an Educator 35:55 - Learnings in Teaching 37:20 - Authenticity as a Strength 40:40 - Business of Acting 43:25 - From Creators to Actors 44:24 - How do you navigate Acting? 47:07 - How India consumes Food? 49:35 - Superpowers for Sahiba 51:00 - Role of Travelling 52:44 - Playing the Algorithm as a Creator 55:00 - Learnings in Hindsight 58:15 - Final Learnings for Marketing

In this episode, we speak to Prashant Sachan who is the Co-Founder of AppsForBharat - with its flagship product Sri Mandir (https://www.srimandir.com/). They are disrupting the entire space of religious tech in India. Prashant is a serial entrepreneur with great frameworks of building in social. I absolutely loved this conversation, I am sure you would too! Prashant Sachan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashantsachan/ Jivraj Singh Sachar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jivrajsinghsachar/ Time Stamps 00:00 - Preface 00:48 - Introduction 02:05 - How did Sri Mandir get started? 13:31 - How to build in Social? 25:35 - Build Empathy to serve Religious Customers 36:55 - IIT Bombay 40:30 - 2nd Time Founder Learnings 47:00 - How does India look at religion? 56:40 - Prioritisation as a Founder 1:03:35 - Business Model 1:08:30 - Hustle as a Founder 1:16:10 - How do you celebrate as a Team? 1:17:25 - Final Learnings