Sudarshan Ravi Jha

Challenging the Traditional "Right to Win" Narrative in Startups 🤔 The startup world often talks about a founding team's "right to win" - typically measured by domain expertise in the industry. But I wonder if this is a narrow view. Consider these examples: 🏨 Ritesh Agarwal built OYO without any hospitality experience - just a deep understanding of budget travelers' pain points as one himself 💄 Falguni Nayar created Nykaa at 50 with no direct experience in beauty/retail - but she understood the Indian woman consumer deeply 🍲 Deepinder Goyal Kalra built Zomato after noticing long lines for food services while working at Bain. The "right to win" can come from multiple sources: - Deep personal experience as a consumer - Pure passion to solve a problem - Obsession with product excellence - Fresh perspectives unburdened by industry assumptions This hits close to home for me. As I build Elfina Health, I often get asked on my "right to win". But my personal mental health journey has given me something equally valuable - authentic user perspective and an unwavering commitment to solving this problem. Sometimes, being too entrenched in an industry can blind you to innovation. The most disruptive ideas often come from outsiders who see problems with fresh eyes and aren't constrained by "how things have always been done." Yes, there are domains like deep tech where technical expertise is crucial. But for many problems, especially in B2C, understanding your users' pain points intimately and being relentlessly focused on solving them can be your strongest "right to win." What's your take on this? Does every founder need domain expertise to win? #Startups #Entrepreneurship #RightToWin #Innovation #StartupIndia

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🚀 Swiggy Set to Make Waves with ₹11,300 Crore IPO: Key Details and Market Implications 🌐 Swiggy, India's food delivery giant, is set to go public with an IPO launching on November 6, 2024, aiming to raise around ₹11,327 crore (~$1.35B). Shares will be priced at ₹371-₹390 each (around $4.64), with trading expected to start on November 13, 2024. IPO Highlights: Price Range: ₹371-₹390 per share Funds Allocation: Expanding logistics and quick commerce operations This IPO is launching amidst rising tech-driven competition in India’s market. By securing capital, Swiggy plans to advance its quick commerce capabilities, aiming to gain a strategic edge over competitors like Zomato. Market Impact: Swiggy’s IPO offers a unique investment opportunity with strong growth potential, balancing between established dominance in food delivery and quick commerce expansion. Investor Insight: With a grey market premium around ₹25, sentiment is optimistic. As Swiggy steps into the public sphere, it's poised to redefine India's fast-paced delivery ecosystem. #IPO #SwiggyIPO #Investment https://lnkd.in/eyHRRPXh

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Last couple of years lot of startup founders have reached out to seek some help in terms of insights sharing, some internal operations to be sorted, connects to be established for hiring, angel investing, connections to angel investors and VCs. My usual recommendations have been as follows and this view hasn’t changed in the past 7 years - Maintain majority control of the business with founders if you are building long term - Vet your investors more than you vet your customers - completely one way door, you cannot change your share holding easily once anyone enters - Build skills for your team ; you need to be their guide ; if as a leader you can’t build skills for yourself there will be no respect on the ground - Preserve reputation of the brand ; that’s all that matters - Stop comparing your journey with another company and do not get any success into your head - If you can’t push on distribution and you are not restless around it, company will fail - Keep all costs absolutely low - Always be creating or closing demand and diversify the business as long as it’s your core domain - Stop going to networking events not relevant for you - Hire only if your P&L allows you, else do the work yourself I’m a big believer that we need founders with deep conviction about what they build and stand on their own feet and on their own terms even if that’s the hard path..

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Indian venture market has exploded. Someone reported that there are 800+ funds/networks/syndicates/ accelerators active in Indian venture market now. Not sure, if that number is correct but if you are an early stage tech founder on your fundraise journey, chances are, you would meet hundreds of people. While majority of the fund houses are doing incredible work and shaping the ecosystem. There are certain kinds of investors you need to identify & avoid to save time and stay focused: Sharing from my personal experience, top 5 such cohorts to avoid and the takeaways for the founders: 1. Data collectors: At early stage, you don't have historical data to present. Your projections are just that, Projections. I wasted one whole week discussing with a prospective angel investor on why the CLTV to CAC ratio is x, and not y. Takeaway: Discuss high level strategic numbers only without going into the details. None of the projections would be accurate anyway when rubber hits the road. 2. Document collectors: Met few folks, who would watch from the fences and ask for n number of documents, data rooms, statements without sharing the purpose of the ask or even revealing their investment intent. Takeaway: It is supposed to be a bi-directional conversation. Say 'no' often, till the time, an official relationship is established. 3. Valuer (! investor): At early stage, valuation is a function of multiple parameters, the opportunity itself, the team, or anything else except steady cash flows, because you don't have much. I wasted another week with a prospective investor trying to justify valuation, had to shut down that conversation, after both of us started quoting Aswath Damodaran and his valuation principles. Takeaway: Too much content on the internet for both parties anyway. Shouldn't be a bone of contention at early stages. 4. Facilitators posing as investors: Met numerous people, who would go to any lengths to pose themselves as serious investors, even buying paid media articles. Only to reveal at the last: The success fee. Takeaway: Avoid facilitators until Series A 5. Brokers posing as market makers: People posing as market makers sharing tons of gyaan on LinkedIn but are actually deal brokers looking to make quick %. Personal experience: Two rounds of conversation happened and then out of blue, they added a third party in the mail trail, someone who facilitates mergers & acquisitions. There wasn't even a single instance in the past conversations where we indicated any such intent. Takeaway: Avoid name & shame in public but at least share within founder communities. #venture #fundraise #startups #investing

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So the new PG essay is the talk of startup world right now - and rightly so. One thing that stands out - Many of the things mentioned in the essay, founders already knew deep within their hearts. But they didn't have the words to put their thoughts into. The Airbnb and Apple examples give reference points to founders trying to figure out scaling up on their own. Also, the point about "skip level meetings" - Sachin Bhatia spoke about this at an Sgx retreat last year and can vouch for the kind of power booster this acts as in an org's efficiency. Doing great work is what all of us in startup world enjoy. Thanks PG for the inspiration your essays are! #startups #mondaymotivation

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I’m a startup founder, and I’ve been fighting battles I shouldn’t have to—thanks to people like Yogesh Dhingra, the founder of Smartr Logistics, Ex CFO Bluedart whose actions (or lack thereof) have pushed me to the edge. Back in March 2024, I delivered my work with full dedication and raised an invoice of ₹23 lakh—an amount he acknowledged without hesitation. But 10 months later, I’m still waiting. Waiting through false promises like “Bas kar dunga,” unanswered calls, and blatant silence. Meanwhile, Yogesh’s own company has shut down, leaving not just me but dozens of vendors unpaid. And here I am, left to wonder if I should keep fighting or just give up. 👉 ₹23 lakh isn’t just a number. It’s my entire month’s revenue.  It could: Pay my team, who’ve been sacrificing along with me. Fund critical projects to keep my business alive. Be the lifeline that startups like mine desperately need. Instead, I’m forced to beg for what I’ve rightfully earned while juggling bills, mental exhaustion, and the fear of losing everything I’ve built. To the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, fellow vendors, and the startup community: This isn’t just my fight. It’s a reflection of a system that lets people like this destroy dreams without consequence. We’re not losing to competition—we’re being crushed by broken promises and unpaid dues. To those reading this: If you’ve been through something similar, let’s stand together and demand accountability. No founder, no business, should ever have to beg for what they rightfully earned. Please share this post it can reach to Yogesh and his people taaki kuch sharam aaye. Smartr Logistics Girish Mirchandani360 ONE WealthGeeta Mathur Nirmal Jain Indian Transport & Logistics NewsYourStory Media Balfour ManuelStartup Story®Startup Pedia GOVERMENT OF INDIAMSME Business Forum India

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STARTING THE YEAR WITH A ROCKING NEWS!! Faad Capital is on the list of India's top startup investors of 2024 by Inc42 Media . 🙌 With 42 investments and over 50 CR deployed last year, we have continued our journey to support many notable companies and entrepreneurs.✅ Also, the year saw eight successful exits, strengthening our quest to create high-value capital for our LPs and stakeholders. 💰 All this would not have been possible without the support of rockstar partners, investors and stakeholders. 🙏 At 110+ portfolio companies now, we are all set. 2025, here we come! 💪 #startups #india #investors Karan Verma Dr.Dinesh Singh Neha Mourya Sanyam Jain Vatsal Lunawat Shivani Khare Abhilash Gupta Vansh Mittal

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Thanks Bismah and Inc42 Media for the insightful coverage and deep dive into the vital role of operator VCs! Bismah's thoughtful analysis underscores the growing need for operator VCs in today's startup landscape. As an operator VC , I've witnessed firsthand how founders increasingly value more than just capital. They seek partners who bring operational expertise, strategic guidance, and an extensive network to the table. These elements are crucial for driving sustainable growth and navigating the complexities of scaling a business. At GrowthCap Ventures , we understand the unique challenges faced by early-stage startups, which is why we prioritize offering not just funding, but also hands-on support and access to our extensive network. Together, we're empowering founders to realize their vision and build transformative businesses. #OperatorVC #StartupEcosystem #Gratitude

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Next steps in India Mobility are continuing to show progress - one of the top investments that continues to show IndiaFirst #ProudInvestor #ProudVC #IndiaFirst #BestLPs

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Investors are becoming extremely conscious of seeking companies with high CAGR and strong potential for exits in today's funding climate. Urban Company's recent $50 Mn fundraising leading to Snapdeal, and Titan Capital's successful exit with 195X returns from the hyperlocal services startup exemplify such opportunities. As investors are prioritizing governance and compliance along with betting on founders and industry nowadays, stories like these offer motivation for strategic investments. I hope 🤞.

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In startup space, “scale FAST” is the mantra But building ZEVO taught me something different: Growth needs a strong foundation And sometimes— scaling slowly is the best way to get there. We didn’t rush into expanding our operations across India. Instead, we focused on refining our processes, ensuring our EV logistics and supply chain met the quality and reliability we wanted to deliver. Taking time to build trust Fine-tune our operations And get every piece right laid the groundwork for sustainable growth—growth that lasts. Fast growth is great, but thoughtful, steady progress? That’s how you build something that endures. For others in the trenches of growth, how do you balance the pressure to scale quickly with the need to build a solid foundation?

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🎙️ Introducing Scoop with Zoop! - This podcast is our way of sharing the inspiring journeys of small businesses, spreading awareness about unique markets, and encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs. In our very first episode, we sat down with Boseys, a thrift store that’s redefining pre-loved fashion in India. We talked about: ✨ The rise of thrifting culture in India 🌍 Why sustainable shopping matters more than ever 💡 Tips for budding entrepreneurs in the preloved market 🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gw8XJvdX 💬 What are your thoughts on thrifting? Let us know in the comments! #ZoopPodcast #SustainableFashion #ThriftingIndia #ScoopWithZoop #SmallBusinessStories #startup #ecommerce #socialcommerce

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Consumer is the King. Be it our recent Lok Sabha elections or the two recent strategic changes made by the startup founders basis the market feedback : 1. #Zomato - Reversing decision of its ONLY Veg delivery guy's green attire. 2. #OYO Hotel - Ritesh Agarwal found a strong reason to include family in OYO's hotel fun. Based on Ritesh's twitter post, assuming the script is written by Tanmay Bhat. He never fails to touch the obvious issue in the most authentic & contextual way. I believe his understanding of consumer psychic matches with the era of ad guru #PiyushPandey. Interesting : https://cl.gy/IPMiL #startup #oyo #zomato #consumerism #brandpositioning #riteshagarwal #tanmaybhat Tanmay Bhat

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At ProRider (Delivery Jobwala), we're on a mission to revolutionize the delivery job market by connecting skilled riders with top companies. Today, we're thrilled to announce our latest milestone: an association with Delhivery, India's largest fully integrated logistics provider, as we expand our reach across major metros and beyond. A Partnership Built on Vision 👉 Delhivery isn't just any logistics company. Since its inception in 2011, the team has fulfilled over 2 billion orders, established a nationwide presence, and built a network that services over 18,600 pin codes. With 24 automated sort centers, 94 gateways, and a robust team of over 57,000 people, Delhivery is truly the backbone of commerce in India. And now, ProRider is proud to be a part of this journey. Our collaboration with Delhivery underscores a shared commitment: to create opportunities for riders across India while supporting the quick commerce sector's growing needs. By joining forces, we aim to bring forth the best talent, ensuring that every delivery is seamless, every rider is empowered, and every journey is a step towards growth. What This Means for Our Riders 👉 For the riders associated with ProRider, this partnership opens up new doors. Delhivery's extensive operations across every state in India mean that our riders will now have access to opportunities in even the most remote corners of the country. Whether it's in bustling metros or emerging markets, ProRider's network will ensure that skilled riders are mobilized where they are needed the most. But this partnership isn't just about numbers; it's about making a difference. It's about offering riders a chance to be part of a system that values quality, innovation, and growth. With ProRider (Delivery Jobwala)'s commitment to optimizing rider income, career advancement, and providing ancillary services like microloans, our collaboration with Delhivery will further strengthen our rider community. Stay tuned as ProRider continues to break new ground, connect skilled riders with leading companies, and redefine what it means to be part of the delivery ecosystem in India. For those seeking services or more details, feel free to reach out to Neehar R or Aishaa K. We're here to help you navigate the future of delivery, one rider at a time... #Delhivery #logistic #lastmiledelivery #rider #ProRider

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🚀 From Washing Machines to Runways: A New Perspective on Expansion! ✈️ Back in 2018, while driving Swiggy's food marketplace expansion, we had a simple yet powerful benchmark: launch cities where washing machines were common household items. Why? It symbolized modern infrastructure and readiness for convenience-led services. Fast forward to 2024, the world has changed rapidly, and so have the parameters for growth. Here's an intriguing thought: what if the number of operational airports could guide the next wave of quick commerce expansion? Consider this: 1️⃣ In 2014, India had 74 operational airports. 2️⃣ Today, that number has more than doubled to 157. This incredible growth isn’t just about infrastructure—it's about people movement and connectivity. Airports connect smaller cities to larger ones, fostering exposure to brands and lifestyles. Travelers become brand ambassadors, carrying awareness and demand to regions that were once off the radar. With airports transforming regional economies and facilitating faster logistics, they could be the perfect gateways for introducing quick commerce to Tier 2, Tier 3, and beyond. As India flies higher, so does the potential to bring convenience closer to millions. Here's to expanding horizons, one city—and one runway—at a time. What are your thoughts on unconventional indicators for growth? Swiggy Blinkit Zepto bigbasket.com Flipkart #quickcommerce #expansion

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🚀 Excited to Build the Next Big Venture? 🚀 I am looking to fill the following core leadership roles for my upcoming startup: CEO CTO CFO COO CSO 💡 No Interviews. No Shortlisting. Qualifications 1. Unmatched energy and drive to build a startup from scratch. 2. The ability to invest ₹20 lakh. Benefits 15% equity in the venture for each role. Flexible salary—mutually decided and transferred monthly, including mine. Full autonomy to strategize, execute, and grow. I’ll step aside with my remaining equity while you build something amazing. How to Apply If you're ready to take on this challenge and revolutionize the market, DM me with your profile. Inspired by Zomato ’s legendary approach, I’m searching for co-creators, not employees. Let’s build something remarkable! #StartupLeadership #BuildYourDream #Entrepreneurship #StartupHiring #LeadershipOpportunities #Innovation #EquitySharing #NextBigThing #StartupIndia #VentureBuilding #Funpost

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So, Hindustan Composites decided to dive into the food delivery game by betting on Swiggy, huh? Because nothing says "auto ancillary expertise" like a solid stake in delivering pizzas and groceries! 🚀 The Reasons Behind Institutional Investors' Large Bets on Companies Before IPOs An important trend in the industry is that institutional investors are placing large bets on firms just before their initial public offerings (IPOs). This is demonstrated by Hindustan Composites and other major players' recent strategic investments in Swiggy. However, what motivates this trend? 1️⃣ Early Access to Growth Potential: Purchasing stock in a business like Swiggy prior to its initial public offering (IPO) enables investors to capitalise on growth at a point when post-IPO valuations may still increase significantly. 2️⃣ Strategic Alliances: These investments frequently yield benefits beyond monetary gains. It can entail creating long-term strategic collaborations or synergies that benefit both Hindustan Composites and other companies. 3️⃣ Market Confidence Boost: Investments from reputable organisations convey a sense of assurance about the company's prospects. Stronger demand and possibly higher IPO valuations can result from this. 4️⃣ Risk Mitigation: Buying before an initial public offering (IPO) allows investors to often negotiate terms that reduce risk, as opposed to purchasing after an IPO when market volatility may be higher. It is understandable why major players are acting now as Swiggy prepares for its much awaited first public offering. It all comes down to how they set themselves up to get the most out of an increasingly cutthroat industry. #Financial_Markets #Institutional_Investment #Swiggy #IPO #Investment_Strategy

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There's a shift happening in the Indian startup ecosystem, and it's impacting late-stage funding. Here's a quick breakdown of the data points: - Late stage funding slump: Investments in Series C rounds and beyond dropped to their lowest level in seven years for the first half of 2024. Deal negotiations seem to be taking longer to close. - Shrinking deal sizes: The average amount invested in late-stage startups has dipped to $47 million so far this year, compared to over $57 million in the same period of 2023. - Focus on profitability: Investors are prioritizing metrics that demonstrate a clear path to profitability, like EBITDA multiples, over headline numbers like revenue or GMV. What does this mean? The easy money days might be over for late-stage startups in India. Investors are taking a more cautious approach, prioritizing companies with strong fundamentals and a clear path to profitability. #venturecapital #startups #funding #India

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