Entrepreneur's Live Interviews 🎙️

In this video, Nirav and Ram talk about their journey to build a fintech platform that is disrupting supply chain financing in Asia.   Check out their:  Website: https://www.credable.in/​ LinkedIn Ram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-kewal...​ LinkedIn Nirav: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niravchoksi/

In this video, Yash talks about building a product for the next billion users.   Check out his:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yash-desa...​ Website: http://onecode.in/​

In this video, Dr. Soumalya talks about his vision to change to the Indian cold-storage supply chain.   Check out his:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-soumal... Website: https://www.tan90.in/

In this episode, we sit down with Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director and CEO of Lumina Datamatics, to discuss the evolution of content services, the impact of AI on the industry, and his journey as a second-generation entrepreneur.Lumina Datamatics is a leading global provider of content, data, and technology solutions, serving top-tier publishers and international retailers. Sameer breaks down how the company manages massive scale, ensures data security, and leverages automation to stay ahead of the curve. He also shares candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on taking calculated risks and why human validation remains crucial in the age of Artificial Intelligence.Topics Discussed: 🚀 The genesis and growth of Lumina Datamatics 🤖 How AI is disrupting (and enabling) content workflows 📉 Managing data consistency for global e-commerce giants 💼 Entrepreneurship advice: Corporate experience vs. Starting up 🔮 The future of jobs and technology in 2025 and beyond-----------------------------------Chapters00:00 Introduction 00:27 Who is Sameer Kanodia? 01:21 What is Lumina Datamatics? (Scale & Reach) 02:04 The Genesis: Spinoff and Mergers 03:19 Solutions for Publishers & E-Commerce 04:36 How AI is Disrupting Content Services 06:38 Challenges in Managing Large-Scale Data 09:53 Automation & Data-Driven Workflows 11:17 Future Plans: Innovation & Acquisitions 12:00 Ensuring Data Security & Compliance 13:08 Advice for Emerging Tech Entrepreneurs 14:40 Will AI Eliminate Jobs? (The Uber Analogy) 17:20 Calculated Risks & The Value of Experience 18:50 The Changing Landscape of Entrepreneurship 20:11 Closing Thoughts: AI as an Enabler#LuminaDatamatics #SameerKanodia #Entrepreneurship #AI #ContentMarketing #Ecommerce #BusinessPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Abhinav Singh, the Founder of Techugo, a leading mobile app development company known for building highly scalable applications for startups and Fortune 500 clients like Airtel, Godfrey Phillips, and Byju’s.Abhinav shares his rollercoaster entrepreneurial journey—from early success and a failed acquisition that led to bankruptcy, to rebuilding his life and company from scratch. We dive deep into the technical side of the business, discussing what makes an app truly scalable, the importance of documentation, and why enterprises still struggle with legacy tech.We also explore the future of the industry: Will AI agents replace traditional app UIs? Are Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) a threat to native development? And is the role of the app developer at risk due to AI coding tools?Topics Discussed:Building scalable apps with 200k+ downloads.Why enterprises outsource mobile development.Abhinav’s personal story of bankruptcy and redemption.The shift from traditional UI to AI-driven conversational interfaces.Native Apps vs. Progressive Web Apps (PWA).The impact of AI on the future of software development jobs.Chapters(00:00) Introduction: Meet Abhinav Singh of Techugo (00:49) What makes a mobile app scalable? (01:46) Custom Solutions vs. Readymade Templates (03:02) Startups vs. Enterprise Clients (Fortune 500s) (04:45) Why big enterprises struggle to build mobile apps in-house (06:51) Go-To-Market Strategy and App Marketing (07:59) Abhinav’s Journey: From $2B Exit Deal to Bankruptcy (10:33) Rebuilding from rock bottom to 1400+ Apps delivered (11:30) Technical Scalability: Why documentation is critical (14:34) Success Stories: TrueFan, Byju's, Gyan Fresh & Pickleball (16:50) The future of UI: AI Agents and Conversational Interfaces (20:56) Native Apps vs. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) (23:24) Will AI replace App Developers? (26:09) Conclusion

In this episode of ELI Podcast, we host Nikita Baliarsingh, the co-founder of Nexus Power, a startup revolutionizing the energy industry by building rechargeable, bio-organic, and biodegradable batteries from crop residue.Nikita shares the incredible journey of how she and her twin sister, Nishita, pivoted from wanting to build electric cars to solving the biggest bottleneck in the EV industry: the battery. We dive deep into how they utilized crop waste (stubble) to create a sustainable alternative to Lithium-ion batteries, effectively tackling both the E-waste crisis and air pollution caused by stubble burning.In this conversation, we discuss:The transition from management graduates to biotech entrepreneurs.The technical specs: Energy density vs. Lithium-ion.The focus on Stationary Energy Storage (BESS) and 2-Wheeler EVs.Government grants, patents, and the roadmap to commercialization.If you are interested in CleanTech, Sustainability, and the future of Electric Vehicles in India, this episode is for you!00:00 - Introduction: Nikita Baliarsingh & Nexus Power 01:01 - Background: From Business Family to Bio-Tech \02:10 - The Origin Story: Why Pivot from Cars to Batteries? 03:24 - The Problem with Lithium & The Bio-Material Solution 04:40 - Tackling Stubble Burning: Batteries from Crop Waste 05:20 - The First Experiment: Building a Battery at Home during COVID 06:55 - Scaling Up: From 2 Sisters to a Team of 40 08:14 - Applications: 2-Wheelers vs. Stationary Energy Storage 11:14 - Tech Deep Dive: Energy Density vs. Lithium-ion 14:04 - Market Strategy: Filling the Supply-Demand Gap 15:35 - Government Support, Grants & Validation 18:35 - Intellectual Property: Patents on Material & Process 20:11 - Funding Journey: Bootstrapping to VCs 21:47 - Future Vision: Commercialization & Going Global 22:58 - Can India Beat China in Battery Technology?

Yuma Energy is a joint venture between Yulu, India’s largest shared electric mobility provider, and Magna, one of the world’s leading automotive technology suppliers. Formed with the vision to accelerate EV adoption in India, Yuma Energy is building the country’s most extensive and reliable Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) network. With over 35 million battery swaps completed and more than 2,000 stations across 17 cities, Yuma Energy is redefining urban mobility by making it cleaner, smarter and more accessible.

In this episode of the ELI Podcast, we sit down with Senthil Kumar Hariram, the Founder of FTA (Fire the Agency). With over 18 years of experience in the digital marketing landscape—including co-founding Neil Patel Digital India and scaling it to $5M ARR—Senthil is disrupting the traditional agency model.We discuss why the traditional agency model is broken, why he named his new venture "Fire The Agency," and the massive shift from "Search Engine Optimization" to "Search Engineering" in the age of AI and ChatGPT. Senthil also drops a truth bomb for early-stage founders: why you probably shouldn't be spending money on SEO yet.In this episode, we cover:Senthil’s journey from selling cars to leading marketing at HCL and NPD.The evolution of Google algorithms (Panda, Penguin, Hummingbird).Why clients fire agencies and why talent leaves them.The impact of AI and scraping on Google Search results.Actionable advice on when startups should actually invest in SEO.Subscribe to ELI Podcast for more founder stories!#SEO #DigitalMarketing #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #FireTheAgency #AI #BusinessGrowth

What's the biggest legal mistake you can make in your first 12 months as a founder?In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Saket Bisani, a technology lawyer and the founder of Bisani Legal. As a founder himself, Saket shares a unique perspective on the entrepreneurial journey, from the challenges of running a law firm like a startup to the common legal pitfalls he sees founders fall into every day.Saket breaks down the fundamentals every founder needs: from why your Founder's Agreement is a critical roadmap, to the exact day you should file for your trademark. We also dive into government grants for startups, the 3 criteria for filing a patent, strategies for employee disputes, and a step-by-step playbook for recovering money from clients.Finally, we explore the future, debating whether AI will ever replace lawyers and judges.Learn more about Saket and his firm: https://www.bisanilegal.com/Timestamps / Chapters:(00:00) Why a Lawyer Became a Founder (01:43) Specializing in Startups & Tech (02:43) Running a Law Firm Like a Business (03:48) A Client-Centered Strategy: Empathy & Clarity (05:12) The Single Biggest Legal Mistake Founders Make (06:42) The Founder's Agreement: Your Business Roadmap (07:41) Secret Government Grants for Startups & Trademarks (09:31) The Real Cause of Founder Disputes (And How to Fix Them) (12:33) IP Strategy: File Your Trademark on Day 1 (14:20) How to File a Patent: The 3 Essential Criteria (19:13) Handling Employee Contracts & Disputes (22:00) A Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Unpaid Invoices (25:56) The True Power of a Legal Notice (28:29) The Future: Will AI Replace Lawyers? (31:43) Conclusion

In this insightful episode of the ELI Podcast, we sit down with Shradha Agarwal, the dynamic Co-founder of Grapes Worldwide, a rapidly growing marketing agency. Shradha shares her captivating journey, from an engineering background and an MBA from MICA to leading a global integrated communications agency.Discover:- Her unconventional path into digital marketing and how she transformed Grapes from a software company into a digital powerhouse.- The strategic decisions that led Grapes to become an integrated agency and expand into international markets like London and Dubai.- The "superpower" of Grapes: a strategy-first approach that focuses on client's long-term goals and builds lasting relationships.- Shradha's candid views on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is disrupting the marketing agency model, from content creation to client conversations, and how Grapes is embracing it.- Her perspective on distribution challenges in an age of content overload and the "survival of the fittest" mentality in the industry.- The future vision for Grapes: focusing on business objectives, brand fame, riding market waves, and the importance of networking.Chapters[00:00] Introduction to Shradha Agarwal & Grapes Worldwide[01:19] Shradha's Journey to Grapes: From Engineer to Co-founder[03:18] Transforming Grapes: From Software to Digital to Integrated Agency[06:15] The Evolution of Grapes & International Expansion[07:39] Profitability: India vs. International Clients[08:07] The Superpower of Grapes: Strategy & Client Relationships[09:30] AI's Disruption in the Marketing Agency Model[11:57] AI Not Firing Jobs: A Parallel to Computers & Internet[13:38] Identity AI & Genetic AI: The Next Frontier[16:06] Client Conversations: Addressing AI's Impact on Costing[17:04] Threesync: Grapes' AI-Driven Content Creation Tool[19:03] The Nuances of AI Production: Managing Client Expectations[21:17] Navigating AI's Impact on Content Distribution & Attention Spans[24:32] The Vision for Grapes: Money, Fame, and Riding the Wave

In this episode of the ELI Podcast, we sit down with Swati Nathani, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Team Pumpkin, an independent marketing agency. Swati shares her unique entrepreneurial journey, from her diverse background in merchandising, analytics, and operations to co-founding a leading agency. We dive deep into how AI is disrupting the marketing and advertising industry, exploring its current impact on content creation, performance marketing, and client expectations. Swati also offers her perspective on how agencies can reposition themselves to thrive in the AI revolution and what young professionals should learn to stay relevant.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to ELI Podcast and Swati Nathani00:24 - Swati Nathani's Journey Before Team Pumpkin03:02 - The Story Behind "Team Pumpkin"03:56 - Team Pumpkin's Growth, Services, and Key Clients06:33 - AI's Disruption in the Marketing Industry10:07 - Brands Embracing AI in Marketing Campaigns12:18 - Client Objections and the Value of Marketing Agencies in the AI Era14:39 - Impact of AI on Pricing and Performance Marketing18:39 - Upskilling and Adapting to AI in the Workforce20:52 - Entrepreneurship Lessons and Advice23:23 - Concluding Remarks

Is AI coming for your job? According to Rahul Gupta, the bootstrapped founder of BlackNGreen and the new Agentic AI venture Nexiva, the answer is a definitive yes—especially for the customer support industry.In this episode of Entrepreneur's Live Interviews, Priya sits down with Rahul for a candid conversation about his incredible journey from a telecom engineer to a global entrepreneur. He shares the story of bootstrapping BlackNGreen to 80 countries without funding and reveals the "ChatGPT moment" that made him pivot his entire company towards AI.Rahul gives a brutally honest prediction about the future of work, the reality of the AI valuation bubble, and why he believes this is the single biggest opportunity of our lifetime for those willing to adapt.In this episode, we discuss:- The journey of bootstrapping a global tech company from India.- How a simple phone loan service grew into a massive success.- Why most AI implementations fail (and it's not the AI's fault).- The prediction that 80% of customer support jobs will be gone in 3 years.- How individuals can 4x their value by upskilling with AI.- Whether Agentic AI is a dangerous tool or a massive opportunity.- How AI is fundamentally changing the definition of entrepreneurship.#AI #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #AgenticAI #TechInterview #Startups #EliPodcastChapters00:00 - Intro: Meet Rahul Gupta, Founder of BlackNGreen & Nexiva01:00 - The Early Days: From Telecom Engineer to Bootstrapped Founder03:18 - The First Hit Products: Solving Problems for Global Telcos05:35 - The "ChatGPT Moment": Pivoting a Global Company to AI07:16 - Why Traditional Customer Care is Broken (and How AI Fixes It)08:22 - Launching Nexiva: The Vision for an Agentic AI Platform10:16 - Game Changer: How Human-Like AI Voices Change Everything12:55 - The Real Cost Savings for Businesses Using AI Agents14:06 - The Challenge of Making AI Speak Human in 100+ Languages16:27 - A Brutal Warning: "Customer Support Jobs Won't Exist in 3 Years"20:06 - Beyond Customer Care: Will AI Like Sora Replace Creative Jobs?21:38 - The 4x Opportunity: Upskill with AI or Be Left Behind25:47 - Will AI Force Everyone to Become an Entrepreneur?28:11 - The AI Bubble: Why 95% of AI Implementations are Failing33:40 - Agentic AI is Not Just a Buzzword: The Real Evolution37:40 - Is Agentic AI Dangerous? Who's to Blame When AI Makes Mistakes43:21 - Redefining Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI46:07 - Outro

Join us for an insightful conversation with Tuhina Anand, founder of Koda Integrated Marketing Services, a content-first digital marketing agency for B2B Tech and SaaS companies globally. In this episode, Tuhina shares her unique entrepreneurial journey, from a journalist covering page three to becoming a "reluctant founder" who built Koda with a mission to question the status quo in marketing.Discover how Koda pivoted from a content-only agency to a full-funnel marketing powerhouse, embracing technology and human intelligence to deliver outcome-led campaigns. Tuhina also delves into the impact of AI on content strategy and SEO, the evolution of Account-Based Marketing (ABM), and her projections for the future of digital marketing, emphasizing the need for agencies to adopt technology and integrate diverse expertise.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a marketing professional, or simply curious about the future of B2B tech marketing, Tuhina's journey and insights offer valuable lessons and inspiration.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Tuhina Anand and Koda Integrated Marketing Services00:26 Tuhina's Career Genesis: From Journalism to Entrepreneurship01:06 The Passion for Words: A Constant Through Her Journey02:50 The Entrepreneurial Itch: Deciding to Start Koda in 201903:24 The Trigger for Entrepreneurship: If Not Now, When?04:33 Taking Baby Steps: Consulting Roles Before Full Entrepreneurship05:56 Koda's Evolution: From Content Agency to Full-Funnel Marketing07:39 AI's Disruption in Content Workflow: Acknowledging the Shift09:31 Human Expertise vs. AI: Where Uniqueness and Research Prevail11:06 AI-Handled vs. Agency-Outsourced Content: Examples12:04 The Role of Human Expertise in Research-Oriented Content13:14 AI as an Enabler: Creating Options and Scaling Efforts14:47 Koda's Pricing Model: Beyond Per-Word Rates16:17 The Complete Marketing Operation: Koda's Full-Funnel Approach16:44 Pitching to Clients: Overcoming AI Content Objections17:19 What AI Cannot Disrupt: The Intelligence Layer18:24 AI as a Collaborator: Human Intelligence with AI Tools20:46 Forecast for the Future of Marketing and Agencies22:03 Closing Remarks and Best Wishes

Join us as Swarup Bose, Founder and CEO of Celcius Logistics Solutions, shares his incredible journey of digitizing India's cold supply chain. From his two decades of experience in the traditional cold chain sector to founding Celcius during the COVID-19 lockdown, Swarup discusses how his company is tackling critical issues like food and medicine wastage through innovative technology.Highlights:- The fundamental role of cold chain logistics in our daily lives, from ice cream to life-saving medicines.- How Celcius evolved from a pure marketplace to a 3PL partner, serving major brands like Parag Dairy, Godrej, Dr. Reddy's, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto.- The staggering 1.3 trillion rupees worth of perishables India loses annually and how Celcius is fighting this wastage.- The technological backbone of Celcius, including IoT devices, real-time tracking, and in-house management solutions.- His personal entrepreneurial path, from his father's influence to overcoming challenges in fundraising and market adoption.- The grand vision for Celcius: to create an unbroken, tech-enabled cold chain network that supports farmers, expands market access to Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities, and contributes to food security.Chapters[00:00] Introduction to Swarup Bose & Celcius Logistics[00:30] Celcius's Evolution: From Marketplace to 3PL Partner[01:02] The Crucial Role of Cold Chain in Logistics[03:25] Innovation & Modernization in Traditional Cold Chains[05:17] Combating 1.3 Trillion Rupees in Perishable Wastage & COVID's Impact[06:58] Understanding Current Market Problems: Supply Shortage & Mindset Shift[09:31] The Technology Powering Celcius: IoT, Tracking & In-House Solutions[10:53] Celcius's Customer Base and Asset-Light Model[13:05] Swarup Bose's Entrepreneurial Journey: From Family Business to Startup[19:00] Navigating the Zero-to-One Journey & Fundraising Success[23:27] The Grand Vision for Celcius Logistics & Industry Impact[29:25] Swarup's Key Learnings on Entrepreneurship: Perseverance & Belief[31:52] Closing Remarks

In this episode of our podcast, Nitin Mahajan, founder of Quickads.ai and BrandBooster.ai, unpacks how AI is transforming the advertising landscape, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). He discusses the challenges faced by SMBs in traditional marketing, the innovative solutions his platforms offer, and his unique "skin in the game" business model. Nitin also shares his entrepreneurial journey and his vision for India's role in the global AI story.Chapters:00:03 - Introduction to Nitin Mahajan, Quickads.ai & BrandBooster.ai00:30 - Why AI for Advertising? Serving SMBs01:51 - The Challenges of Traditional Ad Creation & How Quickads.ai Solves Them04:36 - The "Controversial" Synergy: Quickads.ai (AI) + BrandBooster.ai (Human Touch)05:59 - Addressing Meta/Google's Struggles with SMB Ads & The "Uber of Ads" Model08:32 - The "Skin in the Game" Business Model: Making Software Free11:20 - Why "Ugly Ads" Win on Meta: The Liquid Death Example12:24 - The Future of Marketing: Speed, Taste, and Technology15:01 - Are Marketing Agencies Becoming Tech Agencies? The Evolution of a Marketer17:29 - Nitin's Entrepreneurial Journey: From McKinsey to AI Founder18:57 - Why AI? Expertise, Opportunity, and the Intersecting Skills20:07 - AI as a Bubble: A Realistic Perspective on Exponential Growth21:17 - India's AI Story: Consumer AI, Services, and Employing the Youth24:15 - Advice for Aspiring AI Entrepreneurs: Resilience is Key

In this episode, we sit down with Pawan Gupta, the visionary Cofounder & CEO of The Wedding Company. This marks Pawan's second appearance on our podcast, where he dives deep into his entrepreneurial evolution from Betterhalf.ai to building India's largest wedding planning company.Pawan shares the compelling story behind The Wedding Company, revealing how a long-held vision transformed into a thriving enterprise focused on standardizing and enhancing the wedding planning experience. He discusses the critical shift from matchmaking to end-to-end wedding services, driven by the core premise of providing reliability, affordability, and accessibility in a traditionally unorganized sector.Join us as Pawan unpacks:- The Genesis of The Wedding Company: How years of planning and market observation led to identifying and addressing the complexities of Indian weddings.- Innovating a Traditional Market: The strategic development of a "lightweight managed marketplace" model that balances technology with high-touch operational excellence to solve for reliability.- The Power of Scale: Insights into building a network of 28,000+ venue partners, completing over 1,000 weddings, and achieving operational profitability across eight cities.- Technology as a Backbone: How The Wedding Company leverages its robust platform for customers, suppliers, and internal teams, from personalized proposals to real-time venue availability.- Disrupting with AI: A sneak peek into their innovative AI applications, including automated decor designs from Pinterest photos and future plans for generative AI in wedding planning and financing.- The Future of Weddings: Pawan's long-term vision to transform The Wedding Company into the "Uber for weddings," empowering independent event planners and standardizing services across India.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Manish Godha, CEO and Founder of Advaiya, a technology consulting and implementation services company. In this episode, Manish shares his two-decade entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in Udaipur and experience at ICICI Bank to founding Advaiya and its evolution.Manish introduces the concept of Peripheral Automation, explaining how businesses can integrate diverse applications and technologies without disrupting core systems, enabling faster innovation and maximizing existing tech investments. He provides real-world examples of successful Peripheral Automation implementations in sectors like AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction).We also delve into the current landscape of AI and its business value, discussing the hype vs. reality of AI adoption, its impact on data and automation, and crucial security considerations like prompt injection attacks. Manish offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on navigating technological waves, emphasizing the importance of bottom-line impact for sustained growth. Discover how AI is reshaping the future of work and empowering entrepreneurs.Key Discussion Points:- Manish Godha's entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Advaiya.- Understanding "Peripheral Automation" and its strategic advantages.- Real-world applications of Peripheral Automation in various industries, including AEC.- The true business value of AI and navigating its current hype.- Security challenges in AI implementations, particularly prompt injection attacks.- Future of work and entrepreneurship in a technologically advanced world.- Advice for entrepreneurs on technology adoption and creating impact.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Manish Godha & Advaiya[00:26] Manish Godha's Entrepreneurial Journey & Background[01:18] Early Career & Enterprise IT Exposure at ICICI Bank[02:14] Exploring Entrepreneurship & The Birth of Advaiya[03:41] Working with Microsoft Technologies & Advaiya's Evolution[05:55] Advaiya's Shift to Solutions & IT Initiatives[06:22] Understanding Peripheral Automation[08:02] Why Traditional Enterprise Architecture is No Longer Adequate[09:02] The Layered Approach of Peripheral Automation[11:35] Benefits of Peripheral Automation: Flexibility & Cost-Effectiveness[13:00] Differential Innovation & Maximizing Existing Investments[14:46] Learning from Past Mistakes & The Peripheral Automation Framework[16:52] Real-Life Examples of Peripheral Automation Success (AEC Sector)[17:56] Bid Management & Project Risk Management in Construction[20:35] Optimizing ERP Implementations in Real Estate with Peripheral Automation[22:52] Broader Applications: Purchase, Inspection, Quality Management[24:32] AI: Hype vs. Reality & Business Value[26:19] Early AI/ML Use Cases & The Generative AI Hype[28:02] The Role of AI Evangelists & Influencers[29:54] Disillusionment with AI & The Importance of Tangible Results[31:27] Treating AI as Another Technology: Cost, Benefit, Decision[32:00] AI Security Concerns: Data Exposure & Prompt Injection Attacks[33:37] The Unsolved Challenge of Prompt Injection Attacks[35:22] AI's Impact on Entrepreneurship: Leveraging Resources[36:26] Navigating Technology Waves: Lessons from Cloud & Blockchain[38:25] Identifying True Impact: Growth, Efficiency, and Effectiveness[39:19] Why Blockchain's Enterprise Adoption Stalled[39:44] AI's Transformative Effect on the Entrepreneurial Process[40:43] AI as an Assistant: Augmenting Entrepreneurial Capabilities[42:16] Scaling Faster & Experimenting Quicker with AI Assistance

In this insightful episode of the ELI Podcast, we sit down with Nitin Kochhar, the Chief Operating Officer & Chief Business Officer at Brick & Bolt. Nitin, a seasoned "Unicorn Builder" with a remarkable background in e-commerce (Flipkart, Shopclues), logistics (Rivigo), and EdTech (White Hat Jr., Embibe), shares his journey of venturing into the massive tech-enabled construction market.Discover how Brick & Bolt is transforming the residential and commercial construction landscape in India by addressing critical customer pain points:- Delays: Eliminating project delays with penalty-backed timelines.- Cost Overruns: Ensuring transparent pricing and no unexpected cost increases.- Money Security: Implementing an industry-changing EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) system for contractor accountability.- Transparency & Quality: Utilizing 16 proprietary apps and a "digital twin" concept for real-time monitoring and over 470 quality checks through QASCON, even for NRI customers abroad.Chapters[00:00] Introduction[00:46] Nitin Kochhar's Journey to Brick & Bolt (Flipkart, Shopclues, Rivigo, Hero Group, White Hat Jr., Embibe)[01:50] The "Unicorn" Success & Startup Mindset[02:29] Brick & Bolt: On Track to Become a Unicorn in India's $600 Billion Construction Market[03:35] The Core Problems Brick & Bolt is Solving in Construction (Delays, Cost Overruns, Money Security, Transparency)[05:59] Monitoring Experience: The 16 Apps & Digital Twin for Customers[09:03] Solving Financial Insecurity & Inconsistent Deliveries with EMD and Vetting Contractors[12:45] Penalty System for Delays & High On-Time Delivery Rates[13:52] Brick & Bolt's Pricing vs. Local Contractors: Transparent BOQ & Value Proposition[15:46] Nitin Kochhar's Day-to-Day Role as COO & CBO[17:30] Handling Volatilities in Construction (Material Costs, Weather) with Tech-Driven Scheduling[18:32] Customer Acquisition & Growth Strategy (Digital, Offline, Commercial)[20:58] Scaling to Different Cities: Addressing Regional Challenges & Bylaws[23:23] Future Expansion Plans for Brick & Bolt[24:14] Future Innovations: AI in Quality Control & 3D Printing in Construction[27:30] Entrepreneurial Learnings: Mental Strength, Learning Mindset & People Skills[29:15] Closing Remarks & Best Wishes

Pavan Kavad is the Managing Director of Prithvi Exchange, a publicly traded, RBI-authorized foreign exchange company in India. As a second-generation entrepreneur, he has scaled his family business from 15 to 31 branches, growing its turnover by over 4x to 4,100 crores.In this conversation, Priya and Pavan discuss the intricacies of the foreign exchange market, the challenges of navigating a regulated industry, and the digital transformation shaping the future of finance. Pavan shares his journey from making deliveries on day one to leading the company, offering profound insights on leadership, innovation, and the entrepreneurial mindset required to build a lasting legacy.Chapters:0:00 - Introduction0:48 - Pavan's Background & Prithvi Exchange's Growth2:58 - RBI's Foreign Exchange Categories Explained4:10 - Core Products: Currencies, Forex Cards, and Remittances6:05 - Pioneering Home Delivery in the Forex Industry8:15 - The Founder's Story: From CA to Forex Visionary12:45 - The Transition to a Digital-First Approach15:45 - How Fintech is Transforming Indian Finance19:15 - Adapting to a Rapidly Changing Global Market21:35 - Pavan’s 10-Year Training: Learning Every Facet of the Business25:08 - Challenges of a Second-Generation Entrepreneur27:30 - Vision for the Future: Tech, UPI, and Virtual Cards31:00 - Advice for Entrepreneurs: "Don't Take Baby Steps, Go Global"32:15 - The Golden Decade for India33:30 - A Walk Down Memory Lane

In this episode, we sit down with Vineet Agrawal, Co-founder of Jiraaf, to discuss his incredible journey from a small town in Orissa to the forefront of India's fintech revolution.Vineet shares his experiences working in corporate banking and private equity, the key insights that led him to identify a massive gap in the fixed-income market, and the story of how he built Jiraaf from the ground up during the COVID-19 pandemic.Tune in to learn about the structural barriers that kept retail investors out of the bond market, how Jiraaf is making high-yield, fixed-income opportunities accessible to everyone, and Vineet's hard-won lessons on resilience, building relationships, and long-term thinking in the world of entrepreneurship.Chapters(00:00) - Intro(00:27) - Vineet's Journey: From a Small Town to XIMB and Corporate Finance(03:43) - The "Aha!" Moment: Uncovering a Gap in the Investment Market(08:27) - The Leap of Faith: Starting Jiraaf During the Pandemic(11:10) - Why Were High-Yield Bonds Inaccessible to Regular Investors?(14:52) - Building a New Category: How Jiraaf Developed its Platform(18:53) - How Jiraaf Breaks Down Large Bonds for Retail Investors(21:34) - The Challenge of Educating a New Market(26:21) - Why Competition is a Good Thing for a New Industry(29:29) - Overcoming the Challenges of Building a Fintech Company(31:21) - The Story Behind the Name "Jiraaf"(34:15) - Key Lessons Learned on the Entrepreneurial Journey(36:48) - Outro