Indian Startup Stories

Today’s guest:Dr.Vamsi Krishna Palukuru PhD, Founder & CEO (CoreIoT Technologies Ltd)Website: https://www.coreiot.fi/  You will learn:02:15Background - Schooling, early career days in different countries, how Nokia shutdown started the journey of entrepreneurship05:14CoreIoT - Custom designing Antenna solution for varying IoT, Wireless and various industrial needs06:45Microsoft closes Nokia, Finland. What happened next? How entrepreneurship was taught09:58Being in Finland, and handling business in Ongole, AP, India. How global customers are being handled13:11Entrepreneurship - What was the thought process and evaluation before the start. Forming core founding team16:51Different antennas covered - LTE, WIFi, Bluetooth, GPS, 5G low band, Ultra wide, ubiquitous, RFID. All custom design & solution18:56How different streams are focused together, and how challenges are solved with R&D focus and solution simulation20:56Funding, core founding team and experience in building & handling distributed team23:30Sales and marketing effort and generating leads24:46Networking matters a lot in doing business. Building trust brings value.26:41Moment of relief & Customer success stories - building pride 30:53Time spent on R&D, Technology, Team and customer needs should be the key focus for growth. Brining more products out is the formula for scaling the business.37:54What is expected from entrepreneurs? - Master your subject!40:57Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!! Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Ravindra Talwai, Founder & CEO (GradientM)Website: https://gradientm.com/ You will learn:02:27Background - Education, career days, handling multi million dollar businesses with global leadership during dot com boom06:35GradientM - Pillars of IT Strategy & Consulting, Services, Talent Management for enterprises and Software process for Startups. Gallup certified coach.13:22Starting of own: From senior leadership in Corporate to New track of Entrepreneurship16:42Team building strategy and how you should start small with consistent shaping up of the destiny of Company. Managing funding with a robust structure of strategic investment..20:29Thoughts on GDPR & data protection governance bringing rigour to process & compliant to customers27:05Marketing and sales formula which worked for GradientM, and leveraging network for pitching; Solving burning problem for clients29:52Early day challenges and instances of solving problem for customers in navigating digital transformation33:36Moment of relief in solving customer problem turning into success stories37:10Managing the time boxing and navigating cross functional and strategy in scaling Cloud services39:49New challenges fueling & neutralising the impact due to COVID to businesses42:04Business Scaling: Planning & strategy, a must to tap the untapped potential in Cloud journey44:50Course correction and learning to adapt according to the needs of the business ecosystem, focusing on SaaS platform, Cloud & Consulting.46:36There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Stay put and keep moving forward to achieve the milestone49:39Tips & Suggestion: If you have an idea to start a startup: Take a structured approach leveraging Incubator platforms to bring out the rigour with MVP. Vision in IoT with India and Global perspective53:54Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!! Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Gaurav Shrivastava, Founder & CEO (Pensieve)Website: https://www.pensieve.co.in/  You will learn:01:57Background - Schooling, early career days, stepping to entrepreneurship02:35Pensieve - Text analytics and linguistic company with more AI impacts. Spark moment to start07:20Starting from problem statement for opportunities in business08:45How big of manual work involved in bringing any automation in data analytics, machine learning products12:39Incubation platforms and moments which supported & pushed beyond the limits16:38Marketing and sales formula which worked18:05Networking in business, how it played a role in growing the business21:26Core founding team and experience in building within Pensieve24:12Moment of relief and daily long journey with high aspiration in crossing milestones28:10Bootstrapping, further friends and family funding, and Venture capital experience to grow steadily36:44Customer success stories building Alexa system & rewarding moments40:20Plans for scaling in multiple domains and subdomains in financial industries41:25Vision for Data & AI future and opportunities in India44:22Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Naveen Munjal (Hero Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd)Website: https://heroelectric.in/  You will learn:02:17Background - Schooling, early career days in the US, starting with the By-Cycle industry in India, Lithium-Ion battery research.09:49Origin and Evolution of Hero Electric; prime focus on business plan; and the ecosystem16:57Becoming a leader with high sales & hand holding dealers for growing together22:54Different Hero products targeting niche gaps for varied Indian EV Markets; cost comparison & benefits between IC Engine Vs EV 28:20The pillar team behind this success journey & the strategy in building a winning team, 34:01Moment of relief for Hero Electric, and the absolute clear vision on the path forward.37:25Vision for India in EV bike space for the next 5 years, and the exciting 10x opportunities for entrepreneurs ahead.40:43Passionate photographer - extreme importance of having hobby and passion while in high stress job44:21Managing and balancing work and personal life46:23Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!! Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Satendra Vir Singh (ValueShoppe)Website: https://www.valueshoppe.co.in/  You will learn:01:50Background, central Government job, IT work & start of entrepreneurship07:27Valueshoppe - Addressing the needs of Inventory liquidation09:52Founding the business all alone, and benefits of being the only founder12:47Considerations in pricing model for the business14:14Tech ecosystem to manage the business, and decision making challenges18:05Business opportunities and market availability in India for entrepreneurs in Liquidationspace.19:51The Team behind success, and hybrid model for personalized attention for customers.20:55Bootstrapping and handling the funding with profits21:47Sales & marketing principles, and what worked in handling the branded merchandise?24:42Tech platform readiness & time taken for initial moment of relief27:06Customer success & opportunities in pandemic28:46Scaling the business - Small & consistent steps matters30:18Learning from failure - Should a business rely on the sales team for success?31:51Managing work and personal life, and key pillars in support33:52Key qualities of entrepreneurs, what’s driving them?37:10Taking the USP of business to mass market37:41Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!Podcast hosted @ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/indian-startup-stories8 Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Vivan Puri, Co-Founder (WorkNetwork)Website: https://worknetwork.in/  You will learn:01:34Background, varied studies & business exposures at startup03:04What is WorkNetwork - Platform for professionals & students to start business06:44Customer adoption & retention - What & how to achieve it gradually10:41Processing the thoughts to change idea into reality, and bringing out the product16:16Starting with co-founders & how are the fundings managed? - Is raising capital at early a mistake?19:40Plan on revenue model - Free; freemium; premium?, and long term thoughts.24:12Customer success stories and pride moments in “Work Network” journey.26:33How much time you should give to your startup to start revenue generation?. Is there a formula to follow?29:26How WorkNetwork is finding the match? How & what AI algorithms plays the crucial role35:15What kind of data is tracked? And what makes sense? Metrics that are important for customers40:43Dynamics to adopt being a virtual platform, and challenges travelled through43:58Mistakes which gave learnings and valuable takeaways to move on quick48:53What qualities should young entrepreneurs posses to be on the entrepreneurial journey50:47Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!  Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Rajesh Badger, CEO & Chengappa Chottera, COO (Zopnote)Website: https://www.zopnote.com/  You will learn:02:01Background, studies, prior startups, experience abroad and R&D  04:02What is hyperlocal commerce? And how zopnote is helping local merchants and tapping opportunities07:27Spark moment and reason behind the Start09:56Increasing subscribers, formula adopted for customer adoption and retention; and statistics around13:11Association with Startup Incubation - How they helped & its benefits - Microsoft; Google & more16:43Sales & marketing - hunting on ground and understanding the problem 18:17Why networking is important in a business journey. “Let’s do it” attitude.21:19Transition from earlier company to Zopnote. Common goal is the key for consistency and improvements23:07Funding managed - Bootstrapped; idea of scaling & investment fund24:31Moment of relief; initial products for newspaper; general stores and more. Reaching first 50 customers28:54Customer success stories & pride moments in helping local community vendors30:54Impacts of COVID, and change in dynamics for business with local vendors35:18Young talents with great ideas in the market. Students & passion the industry37:39What could go wrong in an entrepreneurial journey? And things to focus41:31Staying calm and working with principles matters - Perseverance & clarity are key to business ideas44:39Instances of mistakes and learnings 39:22Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!  Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Sudheesh Narayanan, Founder & CEO (KnowledgeLens)Website: https://www.knowledgelens.com/  You will learn:02:04Background, studies & experience - interest and focus in green field projects & automation03:17KnowledgeLens focus & spark moments - G Lens (Environment and sustainability focus in India) & Industry 4.0 (connected industries and employees)05:44Managing transition from employee to entrepreneur; additional considerations and alternative revenue model09:33Focus on wide spectrum of Industry 4.0; and the challenges which taught the learning while journey13:10Team on the ground and bonding towards the goal and creativeness15:16Funding plan - Initial alternatives and innovative model for consistent fuel internally. Coming out of the Technology role and learning with sales & marketing by adding value to customers. 18:27Business is all about networking in an entrepreneurial journey and being customer focused.21:02First moment of relief and success stories. Convincing regulators and customers for deals & milestones22:29Rolling of national command center for National cleaner program and stable analytics for Indian Government - Proud moment25:27Moment of opportunities and realization during pandemic27:37Scaling the business - Plans and roadmaps in pipelines29:05Instances of young ideas and innovative apps in Agrotech, and potential larger impacts in long term30:26Learnings from the mistakes during early stages and takeaways31:48Work life balance33:23If you are going through failures; learning and opportunities are more - Just learn fastand keep moving ahead.34:13If you are starting your business afresh - You need to have these qualities and finding business model using them.35:14Handling the chaos situation and evolving with maturity36:06Innovation and launching certified hardware and establishing the brand37:00Vision on startups focusing on Industry 4.0 & ecosystem playing major role39:22Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!! Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Vasudevan Kidambi, MD, Data Storyteller, Business Transformation Coach  (NavoInc)Website: https://navoinc.com/  You will learn:01:58Background, studies & work - leadership; middle east focus; Data & AI05:30AI adoption in business ecosystem & startup mindset07:22Employee to entrepreneur transition phase & preparation09:20Sales & Marketing formula worked & leveraging existing network; and importance of saying “YES”11:05Early day challenges, conflicts, strengths & the journey taken to cross milestones16:21How the company is bootstrapped and the mindset17:56Preparation to promote customer’s business and the plan like never done before with customer & audience focus26:28Learnings from COVID challenges & business health check; moving towards business transformation, data storytelling32:51A watch on Millennials in the space of exposure & future jobs in global scale34:53Finding adjacencies - The prime way & recommendation to scale the business37:35 Things which could go wrong; are you going to be afraid? Or prepared to correct?; Celebrate failures and getting rid of fear 41:50Secret - Are you going through failure?  The prescription is “Inculcate fearlessness”47:14One important quality to be an entrepreneur - No Fear; and ability to imagine future50:15Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!  Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Rithika Baruah, Founder, Brand Strategy Advisor (Freebirds)Website: https://www.freebirds.co/  You will learn:02:09Background, studies & work - India & global leadership; and pursuit of entrepreneurship06:05Freebirds - Community of explorers & it’s platform for experiential learning in closed group & schools12:30It all started in College days; Facebook group & the idea evolution gradually17:54Global leadership & transitioning to entrepreneurship; leading farming industry; steel industry & more22:38Startup challenges & how the odds are challenged27:12Growing Women Entrepreneurship in India & its rich community - Dhriiti, HER & NOW36:08Moment of Joy - Exploring alone and community acknowledgement in remote areas; and the product reach beyond India44:09Bootstrapping and funding tips; don’t run after funding very early47:46Technology and the support for proprietary platform; getting hands dirty & MVP launch51:12 Leader always sees how the future look like - The mindset to handle & How are the days before revenue generation managed54:37 Heart warming customer success stories and the cultural immersion touching daily life62:43Success formula of sales & marketing which worked66:27Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!  Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Kaushik Mahapatra, Founder, Chairman, Author (Indian Leadership Academy)Website: https://indianleadershipacademy.com/  You will learn:01:47Personal Background & objective of the academy: individual, corporates & community leadership07:16Reason for the start - meaning & mindfulness10:09Formula for accomplishing aggressive growth & the team behind; Strong in addressing “WHY”14:14East meeting west; Global leadership with Indian knowledge & wisdom17:55Team & simplicity in the unconventional formation 20:16Time taken in realising the profits & the journey24:26Funding considered; first moment of relief; customer success stories27:30COVID dynamics & changes adopted28:53Sales & marketing challenges & what worked for conviction30:40When to consider & pursue entrepreneurship & giving back to society32:30 Learnings from failure; and constant question to one’s self; staying original34:56Thoughts & vision on Indian leadership in global forum36:29Failures - What is it? & how you should handle them38:06Staying Calm is a must to grow & lead; quality of an entrepreneur40:47Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!! Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Monica Kapadia Mehta, EVP, Advisor, Impact Investor (Wadhwani NEN)Website: https://nen.wfglobal.org/  You will learn:01:55Background - India & abroad; learning & pursuit to give back03:58Must know information about Wadhwani Foundation - Vision & mission to boost startups10:36What qualities investors look for, from startup founders14:22How investors manage time boxing16:52BYJUs & EdTech space; early days experience with them & qualities of Unicorn 20:25Tips on funding & managing Venture Capitalists; Types of funding; idea bank & incubation27:03Wadhwani’s team & strategy in building the same.27:42When companies go IPO. Conflicts between Entrepreneurs & Investors; Conflict management36:52Initial challenges & how teaching entrepreneurship was handled39:23Women entrepreneurs in developing economies; and it’s statistics42:58 Moment of opportunities in pandemic & dynamics45:22Learnings from mistakes & importance of failure - It’s a bend & not an end49:50Managing personal time with loads of responsibility on shoulder52:56If you are holding back your ideas - don’t afraid to begin & fail56:55Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!  Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Sasank Chilamkurthy, AI Scientist Founding member (Qure)Website: https://qure.ai/  You will learn:01:40Background - College, specialization & focus on AI04:05Qure - Mission to healthcare affordable, AI for radiology, and products for people09:52Regulations in healthcare, challenges faced in establishing & core founding team14:15Committed to vision of the company & serving 30 countries & heavy lifting in health diagnosis16:47Customer success story; exceeding WHO standards; AI helping humans 10X 19:33Customer acceptance; handling COVID & acceleration in telehealth platform25:49Initial challenges & narrowing down to radiology31:33Initial funding & incubation - Fractal.ai; Sequoia Capital35:55Failures & bad examples - AI algorithm learns and shapes better37:36Vision for India in healthcare space42:37 Rapid fire roundStay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!! Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Nitin Sisodia, Founder & CEO (Sohum Innovation labs)Website: https://sohumforall.com/  You will learn:01:40Background - Childhood, Academics & career with Innovation focus04:06Sohum Innovation lab - What it is, the team & focus on solving unmet clinical needs05:51Ideation & Strength - Stanford India Bio-design, AIIMS, Impact in society with Newborn screening 07:31Statistics in India - babies born with hearing loss & initial golden moments16:56Employee to Entrepreneur - Managing the transition with mindset20:38First moment of relief - Testing and solving challenges23:20Handling Clinical trials & crossing milestones in Ethics committee 25:27Geographies covered & growing presence27:37Influence of COVID & safety challenges overcome to screen newborn babies30:46Team on the ground & the pillars behind success; global awards & rewards36:51Funding & Incubation - Grand Channel Canada, Carl Zeiss44:35Sales & marketing strategies - Products & Services46:05Failures & learnings from mistakes48:04Vision - Self reliant India & supporting many other countries52:54 Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!  Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Today’s guest:Aravind S & Rohit Reddy, Founders (Docupilot)Website: https://docupilot.app/  You will learn:01:16Background - Academics & career days at Zoho02:00Docupilot - What it is, Ideation, what problem it solves? & evolution07:05Transition phase - Employees to Entrepreneurs08:07Learning in finding customers, marketing, SEO tips09:04Global customer demographics, & core team15:18Funding - Bootstrapped & growing slow and steady16:45Moment of relief & Customer success stories19:51Handling Marketing & promotion; formula which worked22:07When to start business - Recommendations25:02Things gone wrong & how it was handled27:30Customer support automated - Being small & ability to manage globally33:39Unique Innovations - addressing  specific problems33:59 Rapid fire round Stay tuned! Be motivated! Thank you!!  Social Media handles:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Startup-Stories-105427574797700LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/indian-startup-stories-b4b385202Twitter:https://twitter.com/IndianStartupS2Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38w7euU6JpLjyRb4Am7ugwInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theindianstartupstories/ Music credit: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com