Matrix Moments by Matrix Partners India

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Matrix Moments, by Matrix Partners India, is a podcast series dedicated to the founders, startups and all those within the ecosystem, through candid conversations on what we think it really takes to survive in this wild, wild startup world. In a world where we are endlessly engulfed with information…

Matrix Partners India


    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 219 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Matrix Moments by Matrix Partners India

    211: Beyond ISRO: India's SpaceTech Startups Are Firing Up

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 31:45


    The next 30 global SpaceTech giants will be built and 10 could come from India. But DeepTech is clunky, Series A is brutal & government still writes 70% of the cheques. So what makes a SpaceTech startup VC-backable and what makes one global? That's where the duo of Anurag Srivastava & Sudipto Sannigrahi from the Z47 team map out the government to private inflection point, opportunity, the reality, and the path forward for India's SpaceTech ecosystem. This episode of the #ZeroToInfinity podcast isn't about rockets but what comes after launch. ISRO gives us the talent & India gives us the cost advantage but enduring companies will be built by founders who design customer-backward, know how to navigate Series A, and solve with insight — not just technology. The conversation reframes spacetech as a build-now opportunity, backed by sovereign demand, frugal innovation DNA from ISRO, and a rare cost advantage in the global supply chain. Their top-down analysis covers application-specific payloads, downstream applications like earth observation as a go-to-market wedge to building full-stack solutions for vertical use cases, asking what it really means to build full-stack, export-ready, insight-led space businesses. Learn how India's frugal edge is powering global SpaceTech, only on the #ZeroToInfinity podcast.

    210: 4 P&L Secrets D2C / Consumer Brand Founders Use to MAXIMIZE Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 42:12


    How do India's top founders actually think through a P&L?  This special episode of #ZeroToInfinity podcast takes you inside Z47's experimental panel event with India's leading consumer founders, including voices from Mamaearth, Urban Company, and Mosaic Wellness.  From CAC to contribution margin, & retention to revenue models, Kishan Kashyap, Avnish Bajaj & Chandrasekhar Venugopal, share insights on what it really takes to build a durable consumer business in India today. Listen for a break down of the P&L as a series of strategic choices: It starts with revenue, where TAM is reframed as a lens on market creation vs. market share, and demand signals emerge from how India vs. Bharat actually spends.  Gross margin becomes a moat, shaped by what you build vs. buy. Contribution margin reveals the true cost of platforms, and why owning your channel matters. And finally at the bottomline, it's about cash, control, and building a business that lasts beyond funding cycles. Explore the full P&L rethink from an operator founder lens only on the #ZeroToInfinity podcast. 00:25 Introduction 02:32 Breaking Down the P&L of Building Consumer Brands 04:37 Reframing the P&L as Strategic Choices for Founders 04:58 The Revenue Rethink - What & Who are We Really Biulding for? 08:58 Market Creation or Market Share? 12:27 Revenue = Clear Articulation of the Opportunity You're Going After 12:39 Gross Margin Isn't Fixed - It's a Function of the Choices you make  18:43 Don't Just Hope COGS Will Fail - Design Margin from Day Zero 21:39 Contribution Margin: The True Cost of your Channels 25:13 Q-comm's Biggest Mistake: Chasing Scale, Not Sustainibility 28:44 Find the GTM Unlock: PLG, Word of Mouth & Retention 32:52 Bottom Line: Where your P&L becomes your Reality 34:14 RoCE Matters more than EBITDA 35:27 The ZIRP Era Skewed Founder Behaviour 41:20 Limit your Highs. Ground your Lows. Build with Zen Mode on Follow us on:  Website www.z47.com/ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/z47-vc/ Twitter https://x.com/z47_vc Instagram www.instagram.com/z47.vc/

    209: How B2B Companies Scale to Infinity | Zero to Infinity | Avnish Bajaj | Sudipto Sannigrahi

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 37:11


    What if the next great Indian startup isn't another consumer app — but a B2B company quietly owning a supply chain, exporting to 40 countries, and compounding capital without ever chasing a billion-dollar valuation? This #ZeroToInfinity podcast episode walks us through a decade-long arc of insight — from Z47's first B2B bets to the inflection points that changed everything: GST, UPI, COVID, and the rise of trust-based distribution models. Avnish Bajaj and Sudipto Sannigrahi lay out the real arc of India's B2B evolution - from ignored category to unstoppable force. From how horizontal and vertical marketplaces came to dominate post-2015, to why cheap capital created artificial winners in the ZERP era, the conversation is all about rewiring how you think about margins, moats, and manufacturing. This #ZeroToInfinity conversation isn't about B2B vs B2C — it's about what it really takes to build for India's core economy.

    208: The Last Software You Will Ever Shutdown - Meet the founder of WizCommerce

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 34:56


    Z47 invested in WizCommerce in 2022. Since then, Divyaanshu Makkar and team have scaled to $1mn in revenue from the B2B Commerce SaaS mid-market. In this episode of #ZeroToInfinity, Divyaanshu Makkar, Co-founder & CEO of B2B Commerce SaaS startup WizCommerce -, joins Sudipto Sannigrahi and Ashwin Pandian to unpack:

    207: Jobs, Startups, & Trillions: How AI Will Rewrite the Rules of Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 39:14


    The real revolution is not just AI building products - it's AI rewriting how we build them. In this episode of #ZeroToInfinity, Avnish Bajaj and Aakash Kumar cut through the noise to reveal why AI is far more than just another tech wave - it's a paradigm shift. This conversation offers a comprehensive, unfiltered exploration of AI's evolution, its current impact on industries and knowledge workers, and how it's reshaping the future of work. From drawing parallels with past tech bubbles like dot-com and crypto to decoding AI's leap from correlation to causation and the emergence of “Servitization of Software,” they break down why founders who wait will be left behind. Discover why the future isn't about AI replacing humans - but enhancing human capability. Only on the #ZeroToInfinity podcast. 

    206: Meet the Founders of Wootz.work: Reimagining Indian Manufacturing for the World | Zero to Infinity

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 46:56


    What if India transformed from outsourcing hub to global engineering powerhouse? In this episode of #ZeroToInfinity, Sudipto Sannigrahi, Z47's investor in B2B Commerce and Manufacturing, sits down with the visionaries making it happen—Karan Anand and Himanshu Uniyal, founders of Wootz.work. Their conversation unlocks the ambitious blueprint behind India's largest advanced engineering export company. Witness how they're breaking the "build to print" ceiling, catapulting Indian manufacturing into the elite "build to spec" territory—where cutting-edge solutions aren't just manufactured but conceptualized, engineered, and perfected on Indian soil. The founders reveal how they're harnessing India's untapped engineering brilliance to create precision systems that global industry giants now depend on. With candid insights and surprising revelations, Sudipto explores their unconventional journey and the high-stakes gamble that's quietly positioning India as the next engineering superpower. Can the ancient legacy of Wootz steel—once the most sought-after metal in the world—inspire a modern manufacturing renaissance? Find out for yourself in this episode of the #ZeroToInfinity podcast. 

    206: Consumer Unicorns in the Next Tech-Ade

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 31:04


    Consumer brands are being built differently and the next wave of unicorns won't just be about speed or scale - they'll be built on AI, hyper-personalization, and a global-first mindset. In this episode of #ZeroToInfinity, Rajinder Balaraman, Tarun Davda, and Rajat Agarwal demystify the rise of real-time commerce and how AI is no longer an add-on - it's the foundation for intelligent shopping.  Indian founders? The winners will be those who break past borders & build for the world.  The next consumer unicorns won't play by old rules - will you?

    205: The Next Tech-Ade of FinTech

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 18:15


    FinTech is transforming the economy at every level. India's financial ecosystem is at an inflection point, where technology isn't just enabling transactions but engineering entirely new economic structures. In this episode of the #ZeroToInfinity podcast, Avnish Bajaj, Pranay Desai, and Vikram Vaidyanathan bring the sharpest insights to the table, revealing the forces shaping FinTech's next decade. The businesses that will define the next decade are not where everyone is looking right now. This conversation reveals the contrarian bets, the high-stakes risks, and the market forces shaping the biggest opportunities ahead. If FinTech is the future, who's building it right? 00:00: Coming up 01:50: The Compounding of Value in Financial Services 02:42: The Opportunity Sets in FinTech 04:55: Vital Viewing: How to go Phygital for Growth 05:45: Is FinTech Phygital or Digital 08:30: What are the New Opportunities in FinTech for the 1%? 09:38: The Tight Credit at the right time can have a Multiplier Effect on the Economy 11:27: Opportunities for the Next 10% in FinTech 12:00: Will How India Saves Money Change with Tech? 13:20: The Future of FinTech is Infinite ROE Businesses 13:47: Untapped potential across Credit, Insurance, and Wealth Products Follow us on:  Website: www.z47.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/z47-vc/ Twitter: https://x.com/z47_vc Instagram: z47.vc

    204: The next tech-ade in Enterprise and AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 32:54


    In this episode of Zero to Infinity, Avnish, Vikram and Pranay dive into the latest trends shaping the future of AI and enterprise software. From the evolution of enterprise solutions to India's growing influence in the global AI landscape, this discussion unpacks the future of technology and its impact on businesses.

    203: Why Z47, Why Now: Developed Nation Building | Zero to Infinity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 24:50


    Welcome to 'Zero to Infinity,' the new face of the Z47 Podcast.  In this series premiere, tech veterans Avnish, Rajinder, Vikram, Tarun and Rajat chart the remarkable evolution of India's 25 year internet revolution. From the early dot-com pioneers to today's AI-innovators today, travel back in time to the moments that shaped India's digital transformation. Learn about Z47's mission: Developed Nation Building, as we work towards India's emergence as a global digital superpower by 2047. This is one of those rare, unfiltered chats about the future of Indian startups that you wouldn't want to miss.  Subscribe startup insights, founder stories and sector deep dives.

    202: How redBus CEO Drives Impact with Every Hire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 39:24


    What does it take to lead a 17-year-old legacy brand like redBus into international markets? In this episode of the #Z47podcast, CEO Prakash Sangam shares an unmissable journey—from his transition to the world of startups to selling 87 million tickets globally.  Discover how a passion for innovation, cultural alignment, and a relentless focus on customer-centricity propelled redBus to break records, such as selling 400,000 bus seats in a single day! What's in for you? Actionable insights, leadership hacks that built high-performing teams, the power of cultural alignment, and why embracing ambiguity is key to success in today's startup ecosystem.

    201: Founder Archetypes - The First Time Founder Edge Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 37:12


    Going deeper into their discussion on first-time and experienced founders, Avnish Bajaj and Chandrasekhar Venugopal dissect everything from failure zones founders should watch out for, to increasing one's chances of success and finding purpose. But the question remains: How first-time founders truly leverage this evolved ecosystem to outpace seasoned counterparts? Can there be just one winner? Watch the second and final part of the #Z47Podcast on Founder Archetypes and find out! And, if you haven't already, catch episode 1 here:   • Founder Archetypes: The First Time Fo...  ▶️Some more of our podcasts that came up in the conversation: Burn Rates: https://www.z47.com/podcast/whats-the... PMF: https://www.z47.com/podcast/finding-s... Org 3.0: https://www.z47.com/podcast/finding-s... Single VC Multiple VCs: https://www.z47.com/podcast/single-ve...

    198: Founder Archetypes: The First Time Founder's Edge | Avnish Bajaj | Chandrasekhar Venugopal

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 28:06


    60% of Indian unicorns are helmed by first-time founders, 29% by second-time founders, and 6% by those on their third attempt. Why is that? First-time founders bring audacity, fearlessness, and unencumbered first-principles thinking. Experienced founders solve deep problems with domain expertise and strong customer networks. But here's the big question: Are founders born or made? Join Avnish Bajaj and Chandrasekhar Venugopal as they dive into this age-old debate on the #z47podcast. Gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, startup journeys, and what it takes to build a unicorn.

    200: How Startups Can Supercharge India's Aerospace & Defence Sector

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 2:43


    The aerospace, space, and defence sector is pivotal to India's journey toward self-reliance and global leadership. Over the years, this industry has seen a growing startup ecosystem addressing challenges in supply chains, autonomous systems, indigenous manufacturing, and space technology. In this exclusive panel discussion, featuring industry stalwarts like Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, Lt Gen PJS Pannu, and Ashish Saraf, CEO, Thales India, we delve into: 1️⃣ Strategic Entry Points for Startups 2️⃣ Why Customer-Focused Innovation Matters 3️⃣ Leveraging Policies and Support Systems From understanding market dynamics to leveraging opportunities like iDEX, Aditi, and the Space Tech Fund, learn how startups can create a lasting impact in this high-stakes sector.

    199: dd-Matrix CEO Sid Sheth Shares His Blueprint for Chip Success | Seed to Silicon

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 41:42


    The DMII: Seed to Silicon edition in Bangalore brought together builders in India's semiconductor story. Z47's Sudipto Sannigrahi hosted d-Matrix CEO Sid Sheth on the panel about India's rising semiconductor potential and d-Matrix's growth. d-Matrix's commitment to lowering adoption barriers and hyper-interactive video solutions promises to reshape the industry. The riveting chat was a goldmine: Sid's insights about a vital space for India's tech-ade are a blueprint for how Indian founders can chart a path to success in semiconductors. 5 Key Takeaways: Breakthroughs Take Time: d-Matrix Took a Year Even though Sid's background at Intel and Aeluros gave him deep domain expertise, he took a year to explore ideas before launching d-Matrix. This reflects the importance of taking time for reflection and eliminating weak opportunities before venturing forward. Focusing on What's Overlooked in Chip Design to Disrupt Incumbents By developing a unique chip architecture that integrates compute and memory, d-Matrix carved out a niche in the semiconductor market where larger players couldn't compete. Energy & Cost Efficiency Drive d-Matrix's Semiconductor Success d-Matrix's focus on building energy-efficient, cost-effective chips addresses key pain points for customers, positioning them as a more practical solution for data centers. Betting on India as the Tech Hub is a Competitive Advantage Recognizing the immense talent pool and market potential, d-Matrix set up its largest tech hub in India, positioning the country as a critical player in the future of semiconductors. Building Trust with Proof-of-Concept Chips is the Way to Grow d-Matrix invested heavily in developing proof-of-concept chips in the first few years. This demonstrated real progress and minimized risk for investors and customers, enabling efficient innovation in their chip design.

    197: SaaS in the Era of AI: How to build an enduring SaaS AI company

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 46:17


    "If you are an AI founder, buy a .com domain and not .ai domain" says Pranay Desai (MD, Z47) as CIOs often restrict access to most .ai domains within their organisational networks.   In conversation with Ashwin Pandian, Pranay addresses the facets of AI in SaaS, talking about various dimensions of the trade and shares insightful nuggets on the subject: He engages with key topics, including: ▶️ The shift in role of CIOs - from enabling businesses and creativity to protecting them. ▶️ The future being consolidated stacks instead of point solutions, as clients are sceptical about giving away their data. ▶️ The founder's conundrum: to ship fast, or take time and build a full stack. ▶️ Focus on distribution innovation to win in a mature product market. ▶️ A good AI business could be measured on the basis of product usage, repeat usage, revenue, and talkability.  ▶️ Founders building in large markets need not build their own models, unlike players in smaller markets Globally, we are on the verge of a complete overhaul of the software stack, and India is positioned to capture a significant share of this emerging landscape due to its strong capabilities in data curation and labelling.   Tune into the full podcast if you are a founder interested in AI in SaaS and want to know about the markets to consider.

    196: Economic PMF is the ONLY PMF: App Economy 3.0.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 44:57


    How do you monetise your app business from 600 million connected smartphone users in India? This is the only question founders in India's App Economy 3.0 need to ask themselves. Vivek Ramachandran, Chandrasekhar Venugopal and Aakash Kumar from Z47's consumer team talk about the shifts in India's app economy over the years and how engagement, retention and monetisation became the key pillars for app-based businesses. They answer questions useful to any and every founder trying to succeed in India's app economy 3.0: ▶️ What is the core nature of the value exchange in the app economy? ▶️ What effect will AI have on production? ▶️ What are the exciting trendlines? ▶️ Where do founders make mistakes when measuring success? ▶️ What key vectors do founders need to focus on building in 2024? If you're someone looking to build in or understand India's app economy, this episode will give you years of insights in less than an hour.

    195: How this founder turned 1000 interviews into a potential Rs.1000 Cr brand?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 35:58


    Romita Mazumdar is channelling her love for skincare into a Rs. 1000 Cr Brand. She started with almost 1000 interviews over a course of six months to find a market gap. And now, inspired by the likes of P&G, she has her eyes set on the Rs. 1000 Cr mark for Foxtale. As a former VC, she closely observed consumer brands before shifting her focus to building in skincare, a category where she is a power user. In conversation with Z47's Rajat Agarwal, Romita recounts her journey from investment banking to founding Foxtale and answers gripping questions that all D2C founders can learn from : ▶ How consumer needs have changed in skincare ▶ How she thinks about channels for her business ▶ Where the 1000 Cr goal comes from ▶ Her thoughts on new ventures and diversification If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, building in skincare or branding, this episode will provide insights to help you get started on your journey.

    194: How Unsecured Lending Became More Viable in India | Vikram Vaidyanathan | Anish Patil

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 19:31


    If you're a founder working to solve for an underserved market in unsecured lending, this episode is required listening! Vikram Vaidyanathan and Anish Patil trade trendlines in unsecured credit landscape, and highlight four key insights that underpin the Z47 thesis for this sector.

    194: The Future of E-commerce is Kwik & Bright! | Chirag Taneja | Avnish Bajaj | Rajat Agarwal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 42:39


    HOW IS THE INDIAN E-COMMERCE TRANSFORMING?  With the adoption of quick commerce, the launch of the latest GenAI technology, and the increasing purchasing power of GenZ, the Indian e-commerce industry is poised for transformation. In this episode of Matrix Moments, we analyse it further with Chirag Taneja, founder of GoKwik, a rapidly expanding e-commerce enablement startup, our founder Avnish Bajaj, who also launched one of India's pioneering e-commerce ventures, Bazee, and Rajat Agarwal, MD at Matrix Partners India (aka Z47).

    194: Meet the Founders of Neysa Networks | Sharad Sanghi | Anindya Das | Avnish Bajaj | Pranay Desai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 39:32


    The Indian Internet Pioneer Starting Up AGAIN in AI  Sharad Sanghi is a pioneer of internet in India: from the early days of VSNL to rapid cloud adoption, when it comes to internet infrastructure, he's seen it all. He founded among India's earliest IT infra startups, NetMagic in 1998. In 2012, the IT Services company was acquired by NTT, where Sharad also served as CEO. Sharad Sanghi was an early partner to many Indian startups, and the NetMagic story is required reading in the evolution of the internet in India.  In 2022, Sharad & longtime NTT tech leader Anindya Das started Neysa Networks - spotting the opportunity in AI Cloud infrastructure early. Co-founded by experienced founders with deep domain expertise, Neysa is solving to democratise AI for enterprises, offering a suite of Generative AI platforms and services. Neysa's AI Cloud products help clients discover, plan, deploy, and manage their Generative AI projects cost-effectively, and secure their AI landscapes in the cloud and at the edge in a consumption-based model. Earlier this year, Matrix Partners AKA G47 led the investment in Neysa Network's $20mn seed round.  On this special episode of Matrix Moments, AI SaaS investor Pranay Desai is joined by Avnish Bajaj, to talk to the Neysa leadership, Sharad Sanghi, Founder & CEO, and Anindya Das, Co-founder & CTO. From evaluating the hype around artificial intelligence to discussing the future of Indian AI startups, they break down the AI landscape in India.  This one is unmissable, and covers: 

    194: Meet the Founder of SiftHub | Manisha Raisinghani | Pranay Desai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 26:20


    “Not just wealth… I think experience is all about compounding”  Says Manisha Raisinghani, founder of SiftHub.  After her stint as the CTPO at LogiNext, Manisha Raisinghani spent some time looking for the right problem to solve before starting up again. In her search, she found a sales enablement problem that could be solved through AI: enterprise sales teams have over 100 touch-points to tap into when collecting the data needed to make an effective sale. This sapped sales team effectiveness, since sales teams spent time doing non-sales tasks. This is the problem Manisha & the team at SiftHub are setting out to solve, with AI.  In this episode of Matrix Moments, she explains how SiftHub stands apart in a crowded space. Ultimately, just because a sector is ‘crowded', doesn't mean it has run out of problems to be solved. 

    193: The Park+ Playbook for Early Stage Hires

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 25:10


    193: Meet the Founders of GreyLabs AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 44:48


    IS GreyLabsAI PLAYING THE AI GAME BEFORE TIME?   The founders of a leading speech analytics platform for financial institutions, GreyLabsAI, Aman Goel and Harshita Srivastava, take us through the journey of identifying their market, building the product, and distributing it over the past few years. Setting up an AI business in India might seem a bit earlier than recommended, but is it? This episode of Matrix Moments unpacks the nitty-gritty of a young AI startup.  

    192: The Middle Journey of Fintech

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 25:43


    WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF FINTECH IN INDIA? The Indian Fintech ecosystem is entering its middle journey. With $100bn+ in market cap already created by these businesses, the twin engines of Compounding and market penetration project potential for large-scale growth. Anand Khetan and Vikram Vaidyanathan dissect the past, present, and future of the finance industry in this episode of Matrix Moments. On this Matrix Moments episode:  •⁠  ⁠What can FinTech learn from the success of Financial Services behemoths like HDFC & VISA? •⁠  ⁠What is the importance of TRUST while building a FinTech brand?  •⁠  ⁠How can FinTech businesses compound without growing user base?  •⁠  ⁠How should founders view regulation & the costs of compliance? Is it a feature or a bug?

    191: How to Go Phygital for Growth: Myths vs Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 25:16


    How should founders think about using offline channels for growth? Is phygital a real option or just a mirage? Rajinder Balaraman and Vikram Vaidyanathan double-click on the myths around phygital, bust them and share learnings for founders thinking of going phygital. 

    191: Where to incorporate SaaS Startups: US or India?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 30:37


    PICKING THE PERFECT SaaS LAUNCHPAD - US or INDIA? For SaaS founders, the incorporation decision hinges on factors like business outlook, end goals, and access to capital markets. The US has often been the default choice for incorporation, but this is changing in recent years - India is increasingly considered a viable choice to start a SaaS company.  So what should founders do? Watch this episode of Matrix Moments. Dig deep into the incorporation dilemma - Harish Sekar, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, talks to Pranay Desai and Ashwin Pandian and they've got tips on:  1. Shattering Location Myths: India's burgeoning startup ecosystem is challenging US dominance with lower costs, faster setup, and abundant domestic capital. 2. Choosing Your Target Market: The optimal incorporation location depends on the target market, IPO aspirations, and founder location. 3. IPO vs. Acquisition: Strategise for both scenarios, including the United States' stringent IPO standards and India's more accessible path to local listings. 4. Transitioning from the US to India: Navigating the complexities of restructuring and the potential opportunities in Indian capital markets.

    190: The Founder's Handbook - Internal vs External Funding Rounds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 30:05


    THE FOUNDER'S PLAYBOOK: INTERNAL FUNDING ROUNDS Internal or pre-emptive funding rounds are a major topic on founders' minds. Internal rounds refer to financing events where a company's existing investors, rather than external new investors, provide additional capital. They can signify confidence from current investors in the company's potential and can help maintain momentum without the complexities of bringing in new stakeholders.  If you're a founder, Internal rounds can be a complex decision to make with several variables to consider. To help, Vikram Vaidyanathan & Rajinder Balaraman weigh up the pros & cons of internal or pre-emptive funding rounds on Matrix Moments. 

    189: How Domain Alphas master success?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 21:16


    Domain Alphas are founders whose edge lies in their domain knowledge, and their market-tested experience of solving problems for customers. Watch Rajinder Balaram & Vikram Vaidyanathan share their views on Domain Alpha founders, and trade great examples of how Domain Alpha founders build great businesses.  1. Getting to PMF Faster: How the experience of building the ICICI cards business helped the founders of OneCard launch slow, but get it right faster 2. Choose the Right Problems: How the founders of Country Delight didn't rush, and spent a significant amount of time understanding the market problems before scaling  3. Know the Consumer Deeply: Why Ola Electric chose to build in two-wheeler EVs when everyone was betting on cars  Domain Alphas are able to turn their unfair advantage into real success. As a founder, you have it, or you have to acquire it. What do you do if you don't have domain expertise?

    188: How OTO Sold 1,00,000 Two-Wheelers online?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 39:52


    Sumit Chhazed is a serial entrepreneur, who figured out his first startup as soon as he graduated from IIT Bombay. OTO is the fourth company that he has founded, employing a business model that combined commerce and finance to disrupt the two-wheeler purchase landscape in India. OTO has already sold over 1lakh two-wheelers through their online marketplace and apps.  On this episode of Matrix Moments, Sumit delves into the levers behind the success of OTO, sharing his approach with Rajinder Balaraman and Anish Patil. Here are the key takeaways about building a disruptive business model:  1.⁠ ⁠OTO is betting big on India's 2-wheelers: with over 60% of new purchases coming from 18-25 year olds, living outside the metros.  2.⁠ ⁠Two-wheeler financing is a big opportunity: OTO has built a full-stack financing business that allows consumers to lower their 2-wheeler loan EMIs by 30%.  3.⁠ ⁠A phygital experience brings the buyers to the yard: This space is ripe for disruption as new-age audiences are not keen on going to multiple dealerships and scouring the market for financing. OTO's partnerships with payment apps and OEM partners is driving their reach with young consumers. 4.⁠ ⁠EVs are the future of 2-wheelers: the younger buyer is more keen on EV 2-wheelers than 4-wheelers. OTO is helping brands like Ola Electric penetrate deeper into India.  If you're a founder who is seeking to build a disruptive strategy and business model, watch the episode and gain insights into how OTO charted their road to 100000+ 2-wheelers sold, while changing the two-wheeler play in India.

    187: The Whole Truth about Brand Communities

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 48:05


    The Whole Truth Foods founder Shashank Mehta is a rare breed of a CEO who is also a creator.

    186: The Whole Truth about Company Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 41:34


    If you're a founder seeking advice on how to build great teams, this episode of Matrix Moments is for you. Vikram Vaidyanathan hosts The Whole Truth Foods Founder & CEO, Shashank Mehta and they share their wisdom around building great company cultures. 

    185: 0:03 / 23:04 • Introduction How INDMoney's Ashish Kashyap Builds Successful Teams AGAIN & AGAIN | People First with Rupali

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 23:04


    Ashish Kashyap needs no introduction. The first country head for Google in India, before he turned entrepreneur, Ashish is a serial founder. He's founded and scaled marquee Indian internet startups RedBus, PayU, GoIbibo, before starting his most recent FinTech venture, the super app, INDMoney.     Ashish was a guest on Matrix Moments People First with Rupali, where shared startup and team-building learnings from his journey across the companies he's built.

    184: Building the Organisation from Ground 0 with Revant Bhate

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 30:14


    Revant Bhate on #PeopleFirst by Matrix Moments! Passionate about building a people-centric culture, Revant takes on dual roles at Mosaic Wellness as both CEO and CHRO. In a conversation with Rupali Sharma on our latest episode, Revant delves into the intricacies of building his startup from scratch, emphasising the pivotal role of human capital. Key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Fundamental Team Building Principles: Revant shares insights on leveraging his network of seasoned operators who trust his vision, a crucial asset in the volatile startup landscape. His core team comprises individuals who have previously collaborated with him, highlighting the importance of building trust from the onset.

    183: Investing in Digital India - Trends for 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 39:21


    On the latest episode of Matrix Moments, catch Aakash Kumar, Sudipto Sannigrahi, Pranay Desai, and Anish Patil of Matrix Partners India as they discuss the India consumption and growth story, insights on investing in Digital India and their predictions for 2024. This episode covers:

    182: Leading the B2B frontier: People fueling profitability

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2023 29:05


    Join Asish Mohapatra, Co-founder and CEO of OfBusiness, and Rupali Sharma on the latest episode of "People First" by Matrix Moments. Explore OfBusiness's remarkable journey and unravel the intricacies of building a resilient organization. This episode covers:

    181: Matrix Moments: Investing in Human Capital; The VC Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 31:38


    The driving forces propelling the Indian startup ecosystem forward all share a common thread—they are all People. Founders, investors, employees—all united working towards growth and success.  At Matrix, we believe in putting our founders first, and now, we want to shine a spotlight on the talent and teams that move these visionaries forward. In the very first episode of "People First" by Matrix Moments, Avnish Bajaj and Rupali Sharma from Matrix Partners India, highlight the pivotal role of human capital teams in shaping successful ventures. The episode covers:

    180: Matrix Moments: Code to Commerce - The Mobile Gaming Evolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 50:15


    On the latest episode of Matrix Moments, Ashish Aggarwal, Co-Founder, AppBroda and Vivek Ramachandran, Matrix Partners India discuss the world of mobile apps and the growing segments in the gaming landscape in India. This episode covers - 

    179: Matrix Moments: Simplifying employee support with AI - Atomicwork

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 84:46


    Atomicwork leverages the power of AI to seamlessly bring together employees, IT systems, and HR operations. On the latest episode of Founder Moments, Vijay Rayapati, CEO and Co-Founder of Atomicwork, along with Vikram Vaidyanathan and Pranay Desai, discuss his phenomenal founder journey.   This episode covers -  

    179: Matrix Moments: Maximizing Return on Investment - The Key to Stable Money

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 50:22


    Amidst the lack of innovation & transparency in traditional fixed return assets, which constitute approximately 70% of Indian household savings (with around 45% in FDs), a significant opportunity arises to bridge the gap. On our latest episode of Matrix Moments, Saurabh Jain and Harish Reddy, join Anand Khetan to discuss their foray into wealth fintech with Stable Money, India's first of its kind fixed-return investment platform. This episode covers:

    178: Matrix Moments: Investing in India's B2B Potential

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2023 30:00


    In the latest episode of Matrix Moments, Sudipto Sannigrahi, and Anurag Srivastava, delve deeper into the existing B2B landscape and cover why Matrix Partners continues to be bullish on the segment and the fundamentals that make a good B2B business This episode covers: 1. Is B2B still an attractive segment to build in 2. Fundamentals of a good B2B business 3. Sustainable, defensible moats in a good B2B business 4. Pitfalls for B2B founders to be aware of in their 10 – infinity journey 5. Importance of good corporate governance Traditionally centered on distribution, B2B investments are now shifting toward core IP-led manufacturing. We consider ourselves fortunate to witness the inner workings of a diverse range of B2B businesses, spanning from well-established companies like OfBusiness, FarMart, Captain Fresh, and VEGROW to upcoming innovative product companies like ZippMat, XIMKART, and bijnis among others.

    177: Matrix Moments: Insights From Second Time SaaS Founders - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 42:57


    On the latest episode of Matrix Moments, we feature seasoned entrepreneurs including Arvind Parthiban, CEO & Co-Founder at SuperOps.ai; Rishi Kulkarni, Managing Director at LegalZoom; Vijay Rayapati, Co-founder and CEO of AtomicWork; along with Pranay Desai. These founders share valuable insights from their second innings building SaaS companies. This episode covers -  Strategically aligning go-to-market approach with market demand. Embracing market immersion and adapting to international markets. Fostering agility for success in the dynamic SaaS landscape.

    175: Insights from second time SaaS founders - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 30:02


    The Indian SaaS ecosystem has demonstrated greater resilience than its global counterparts. Revenues crossed $7 billion, formation of new SaaS companies expanded three-fold, and India now corners 2% of the global SaaS market, as per a report by SaasBoomi and McKinsey.   On this episode of Matrix Moments, Arvind Parthiban, CEO & Co-Founder at SuperOps.ai; Rishi Kulkarni, Managing Director at LegalZoom; Vijay Rayapati, Co-founder and CEO of AtomicWork, and Pranay Desai, delve into the journeys of second-time SaaS founders.   Explore the driving forces that led to embarking on a fresh journey, coupled with their approach across pivotal domains including market strategies, co-founder synergies, product innovation, customer exploration and much more.

    176: Matrix Moments: Gaming Reloaded - What is next?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 35:02


    On our latest episode of Founder Moments with Salone Sehgal, Founding Partner at Lumikai Fund, and Aakash Kumar, we shine a spotlight on why India stands at the cusp of revolutionizing gaming. This episode covers:

    174: Digital Industrialists with Avnish Bajaj and Rajinder Balaraman

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 29:15


    After building a large profitable digital company, what do such infinity founders do next?! Become “Digital Industrialists!” Up next on Matrix Moments, we discuss a counter narrative concept – that its okay for infinity founders to start multiple businesses as long as it is about value creation for all stakeholders and not value capture. As big a violation of first principles of company building as it sounds, we invite you to tune in to know more in our latest episode.

    173: Matrix Moments: India's First Lifestyle App For The Elderly, GenWise

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2023 28:21


    GenWise, founded by Geentanshu, Nehul, and Rajat, is driven by a collective vision to develop a lifestyle app that empowers the elderly and bridges the digital gap between generations.   GenWise leverages innovative features such as a personal digital assistant, streamlined digital passbook, medication reminders, scam education, and engaging social tools. They employ cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, for a seamless user experience, creating an elder-friendly digital environment.   Within two months of their launch, GenWise has hit ~100k installs     Hear the founders next on Matrix Moments, as they share their vision to empower and enrich the digital experiences of the elderly through India's first lifestyle app.

    172: Matrix Moments: The AI revolution in Media & Social - Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2023 31:45


    The tailwinds in the Media Social and Gaming space are building up to a perfect storm. At a high level Media, Social and Gaming seems to be converging especially for GenZ. Marry this with the fact that AI is going to disrupt Media Social and Gaming by significantly altering the Quality/Quantity isoquant as well as allowing for personalization at scale. High velocity of content will also lead to innovations in content management in general.   At the core of this lies content, catering to ever-changing attention spans. With its multi-modal capabilities encompassing text, image, video, audio and more, AI acts as a catalyst, igniting revolutionary experiences, sparking creativity and fostering meaningful connections between content creators and their audiences. It's why we're calling this piece ‘Feel good inc.' internally. If you thought you are binging today, wait for AI to be properly integrated into your content.   Up next on Matrix Moments, Tarun, Aakash and Chandrasekhar Venugopal, delve deep into the AI Revolution in Media and Social, where they uncover the potential, challenges and countless opportunities that lie ahead in this evolving landscape.

    172: Matrix Moments: Anil Goteti, Founder of Scapia on building a travel fintech company

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 39:50


    Scapia has made a remarkable entry into the market with the launch of its co-branded credit card in collaboration with Federal Bank. The response has been overwhelming, with massive growth in customer sign-ups. Tailor-made for travel lovers, the card turns a customer's everyday expenses into exciting travel rewards. And the perks are unparalleled! From zero-forex markup to unlimited domestic lounge access, zero joining and annual fees, it is the ultimate travel companion. Founder Anil Goteti's passion for travel and understanding of the younger generation's needs, has been the driving force behind Scapia.   Brace yourselves for our latest episode of Founder Moments, as Vikram uncovers Anil's approach to building Scapia and his vision for the future. With less than 5% of the population currently possessing credit cards and India projected to have 200 million credit cards in circulation by 2030, the opportunities are vast.

    171: Why now, for the India Semiconductor opportunity? Seed to Silicon part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 27:57


    To unlock India's immense potential in the semiconductor industry, Sudipto and Nivedith deep dive into the possibilities that lie ahead on our latest episode of Reflections.   1. The Complex Semiconductor Supply Chain: Dive deep into the intricacies of the semiconductor supply chain and its pivotal role in shaping the industry. 2. India's Role in the Global Semiconductor Value Chain: Explore India's limited participation and the golden opportunities arising from recent changes. 3. The Semiconductor Opportunity in India and its Subsets: Uncover the vast potential of the semiconductor market in India, along with the most promising subsets. 4. The "Right to Win" for Indian Companies: Discover winning factors that can drive Indian companies to make a mark in the global semiconductor value chain. 5. Commercial Implications of Moore's Law: Explore how Moore's Law evolution impacts the semiconductor landscape and the commercial implications of advanced technologies like 3D architecture. 6. Notable Players in RISC-V Adoption: Learn about leading global and Indian companies driving the adoption of RISC-V. 7. The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and India's Role: Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing semiconductors and the potential role of India in this transformative trend. 8. Where will the Next Set of Indian Founders Emerge: Uncover potential sources of the next wave of Indian founders and valuable insights for those building in India.

    170: Unravelling Fintech Infra and Banktech Opportunities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 37:48


    On our latest episode of Reflections, join us as we unravel opportunities in Fintech infrastructure and Banktech. We will explore the changing landscape of BaaS and delve into how it has revolutionized the delivery and accessibility of financial services. The episode covers:

    169: The GenAI Revolution in Fintech

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 41:16


    In our latest episode of Reflections, we explore the use cases of generative AI in fintech with Aakash Kumar, Anish Patil, and Anand Khetan. Hear them as they discuss AI's disruptive impact, emerging patterns in technology development, future trends, as well as risks and opportunities in financial services. Tune in!

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