Amit Gupta’s Post

Thanks to #moneycontrol, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Startup Conclave yesterday at Bengaluru. It was a truly insightful day with pearls of wisdom flowing through the day. Having joined a startup in 2008, when it still wasn't fashionable to be in one, these nuggets were great reinforcements. My key takeaways... -- Your offering should be with the customer at the center, it's not about what you can do. -- Your offering should be different from what somebody else is already doing. -- Gen Z employees value work environment, CSR initiatives, sustainability... they want workplaces to reflect that. -- Never do shortcuts on governance, documentation, internal processes. Will help when a startup goes to investors or IPO in future. -- Building for INDIA can still be profitable. -- Listening to young and super successful founders (in person) was an inspiration and encouragement by itself. Despite all the Bangalore traffic jokes 😃, our articulate minister Priyank M Kharge gave the audience a ton of compelling stats and details of everything the Karnataka Govt is doing to encourage startups. 👏 👏 👏 For an aspiring Founder, it's almost like saying - if not now, then when! 😀 Gives me wings to soar into my new gig!

As a startup founder, nothing gets me more excited than diving into the world of startups and innovation. And here's something that caught my eye and I couldn't wait to share! PocketFM, Avanse Financial Services, and Ultrahuman just hit the jackpot with funding rounds - $103M, $120M, and $35M respectively. But here's the twist: startup funding in India took a bit of a dip from $25.7B in 2022 to $9.6B in 2023. Fingers crossed for a potential boost of $8-12B for 2024. What's next? Think traditional retail, banking, finance, insurance, AI, and electric vehicles - the potential to pump a trillion bucks into our economy and create 50 million jobs. Scaling up to unicorn status isn't easy, but it's part of the journey. The secret sauce? Make an awesome product, manage finances wisely, and build a rockstar team. Global players are eyeing India's tech scene, and Indian startups are making waves worldwide. Plus, AI is on fire, especially in Asia Pacific. What's your take on India's startup journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's chat! #startupculture #fundinground #startupnews #unicorn

If you want to understand more about the Indian startup and venture ecosystem, then the best place to start is the "Indus Valley Report" by Sajith Pai, Anurag Pagaria and Nachammai Savithiri R of Blume Ventures - https://lnkd.in/gj-7hjGq You can expect lots of insights about India's GDP, consumption by different types of customers in India, Digital Infra achievements, venture funding trends, Indian IPO market, and Indus Valley Playbook. My favorites in 2024 report 1. India123 - Slides 26-30 2. Storefront as a Service for Digital Native Brands - Slide 101 What do I expect in the 2025 report : How Indian startup and venture ecosystems are powering global Gen AI growth !!!

🥇 3 Lessons I Probably Learned a Little Too Late Building a VC Firm The Indian startup ecosystem is booming. Young, hungry founders are tackling massive problems with innovative solutions. As a VC, it's exhilarating to be a part of this revolution. But the journey hasn't been without its bumps. Here are 3 crucial lessons I probably learned a little too late: *1. Patience is a VC superpower (especially in India).* In the age of hyper-growth stories from the West, I initially chased explosive early-stage bets. But the Indian market often demands a different approach. Founders here might need more runway to build trust with users, navigate complex regulations, and establish strong unit economics. Patience allows us to identify these long-term bets and provide the support they need to thrive. *2. Local knowledge is king (or queen).* While global trends are important, a deep understanding of the Indian market is crucial. Consumer preferences, regulatory nuances, and even cultural contexts can differ vastly. Building a strong network of local advisors, industry experts, and even potential customers can provide invaluable insights and help us avoid blind spots. *3. Back the hustle, not just the tech.* Great technology is a must-have, but in a resource-constrained market like India, a resourceful and determined founding team is equally important. Grit, adaptability, and the ability to execute in challenging conditions are often the difference between success and failure. We've learned to value the "hustle factor" as much as the latest tech stack. These are just a few lessons learned the hard way. But the good news is, the Indian startup landscape is constantly evolving. By adapting and embracing these lessons, we can continue to support the incredible founders building the future of India.

Watching Shark Tank India, it's fascinating to see startups like Panoplia.io with products like AI Kavach get valuations that turn heads. AI Kavach, aiming to fight online fraud, secured ₹1 crore for 2.5% equity. But let's break down the math and the reality behind these numbers. Reflecting on the deal, AI Kavach received a valuation of 40 crores, which on the surface appears quite remarkable. However, delving into the practical aspects of managing a startup, several concerns emerge. After speaking with startup founders, including Gurpreet Singh, and hearing firsthand about the hurdles and real-world challenges they face, the perspective shifts. Typically, an experienced AI engineer might command a salary of 1-2 Crore per annum. Therefore, the ₹1 crore in exchange for 2.5% equity in AI Kavach seems insufficient to sustain the wages of even two engineers over several months, given these salary expectations. This scenario makes you wonder about the real intentions behind such pitches and deals. Is the show more about marketing for the entrepreneurs and the sharks than about the genuine support needed to scale a startup? The claim by AI Kavach of scraping 6 lakh websites and developing a commercialized app in just three months is another point of intrigue. It leaves us with two possibilities: either they have an exceptionally smart team, or there's an oversimplification of their capabilities for the audience. The essence of this discussion isn't to doubt the potential of startups but to shed light on the complexities and realities of funding, valuations, and the operational costs of running a tech-driven company. In the entrepreneurial ecosystem, where dreams meet hard numbers, it's crucial to keep conversations about these realities alive. Let's dive deeper into understanding what truly supports sustainable growth for startups beyond the glitz of television pitches. What are your thoughts on the balance between startup valuations and the practical costs of technology and talent? #StartupFunding #SharkTankIndia #Entrepreneurship #TechStartups

As an investor, I feel lucky to have witnessed firsthand the power of India's startup ecosystem. Investor confidence in Indian startups is at an all-time high. This access to capital fuels innovation and allows us to compete on a global scale. For a founder, this presents several opportunities. However, it's very important to learn from other people's mistakes. Here are 3 crucial mistakes most founders make in the initial stages of their journey: - Ignoring User Feedback: Build user testing into your development cycle from the beginning. Gather feedback early and often to ensure your product aligns with user needs. - Underestimating the Power of Community: Seeing competition as threats. Big mistake! Think about connecting with other founders for support, advice, and even collaborations. - Ignoring scalability: Think about scalability from day one. Choose tools and platforms that can grow with your business. Let's continue the conversation! Share your startup story. #IndiaStartups #VentureCapital #InvestorInsights #BuildingTheFuture

The rise in popularity of startup culture can be attributed to several factors, both globally and specifically in India: Globally: Disruption and Innovation: Startups are often seen as drivers of innovation and disruption in various industries. They have the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing market trends and develop new solutions that challenge established players. This resonates with individuals who are passionate about creating something new and making a positive impact. Potential for High Growth and Wealth Creation: Successful startups can experience rapid growth and generate significant wealth for founders and investors. This potential for financial reward attracts individuals seeking opportunities to build something meaningful and achieve financial success. Increased Access to Resources and Funding: The rise of angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding platforms has made it easier for startups to access funding and resources needed to launch and scale their businesses. This has lowered the barriers to entry and democratized entrepreneurship. Technological Advancements: The proliferation of technology has made it easier and more affordable to launch and operate a business. Cloud computing, online tools, and digital marketing platforms have empowered individuals to compete with larger companies on a more level playing field. Shifting Work Culture Preferences: Younger generations increasingly value flexibility, autonomy, and purpose in their work. Startup culture often offers a more collaborative, fast-paced environment with opportunities for ownership and personal growth, which appeals to these preferences. India-specific factors: Government Support: As mentioned earlier, initiatives like Startup India and "Make in India" have provided crucial support and infrastructure for startups, making it easier to navigate regulations, access funding, and build businesses. Success Stories: The emergence of successful Indian unicorns like Flipkart, Zomato, and Paytm has created a sense of inspiration and demonstrated the potential for achieving significant success through entrepreneurship. This has fueled the aspirations of many young Indians. Growing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: The rise of incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, and mentorship programs has created a supportive network for startups, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and access to valuable resources. Let's connect at Techsparks 2024 Mumbai. #startupfounders #startupfunding #startupindia

On Koo, Failures and Successes in India's Startup Ecosystem📣 The article discusses the closure of Koo, India's microblogging platform similar to Twitter (now X), reflecting on why India lacks tech giants like Google or Facebook. The Indian startups focusing on local languages, such as Koo and ShareChat, initially succeed but fail to scale in the long term. Despite initial efforts, numerous messaging services couldn't compete with global players like Google and WhatsApp. India's diverse linguistic landscape and preference for English script make it hard for desi versions to gain traction. Moreover, building successful local products is a long, resource-intensive journey, especially in social media where network effects and unique use cases are crucial. The article explains that India, unlike China, uses English widely, making it difficult for local platforms to compete with established global ones. Moreover, creating successful social media products requires significant funding, time, innovation, and a unique value proposition—elements that Koo struggled to muster in a mature market. Compliance costs and potential regulatory changes also pose challenges. Despite this, India's startup ecosystem has notable successes. Naukri.com outperformed Monster.com, IndiaMart resisted Alibaba's attempts, and Ola, Flipkart, Zomato, and Swiggy have all successfully battled global competitors. Founders who experience failures often reinvest in new ventures, contributing to the ecosystem's growth. Instead of lamenting startup failures, we should celebrate these successes and the resilience of our entrepreneurs. Companies may fail, but founders don't. Let's keep supporting and innovating!

Here’s why copying proven U.S. business models to India is genius: Lower Risk: Why reinvent the wheel? If it’s already successful in the U.S., you’re reducing the risk of launching something brand new. Tech & Innovation: You get to leverage U.S. innovations and bring them to the Indian market, which means a faster entry and a competitive edge. Huge Market: India’s middle class is growing, with more disposable income and a massive demand for global trends. Perfect timing! Healthy Competition: Bringing in these models improves product quality as more players jump in. Think Ola-Uber, Flipkart-Amazon, and Zomato-Doordash. Rapid Scaling: India has untapped market potential, and copying successful models helps you scale fast by filling in local market gaps. Want to know where to find these winning ideas? Start tracking these sites that reveal the best of U.S. startups: BetaList: See early-stage startups and brand-new ideas before anyone else. VentureBeat: Your go-to for tech innovation news, trends, and in-depth industry insights. Y Combinator: Find companies backed by one of the biggest startup accelerators in the world. 500 Startups Blog: Get insights on early-stage ventures from a top global venture capital firm. TechCrunch: Stay updated on the latest tech and startup news, events, and trends. Remember, copying isn’t just about following; it’s about adapting and reshaping these ideas for the Indian market. Which startup would you like to see in India next? Comment below!