Alok Kumar

Highlights from the last few months 1. Recorded a podcast in Dubai 2. Started working on some side projects apart from the podcast Gotten some good feedback on this from a few folks Trying to understand now how to build it and what direction to take 3. Approved to attend an event hosted by some folks in startups and VC’s here Still looking to meet ambitious folks here who talk about side hustles and ideas 4. Focused on releasing episodes from the backlog

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How do you innovate in highly regulated industries? 💡 Can startups really thrive under strict compliance? Dubai has an answer: regulatory sandboxes. Dubai and the UAE are leading the way with regulatory sandboxes—providing startups with a controlled environment to innovate while navigating strict regulations. Here’s how they’re making it work: 1️⃣ Central Bank Sandbox Initiatives ↳ Allows fintech startups to test financial models without a full licence for a limited period. ↳ Introduced in partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) for banking and insurance sectors. 2️⃣ Gig Economy Sandbox ↳ Led by Dubai Future Foundation, engaging major companies like Emirates, Amazon, and Careem. ↳ Creates flexible regulations to support gig and seasonal work in sectors like retail, hospitality, and tourism. 3️⃣ Benefits for Startups and Innovation ↳ Efficient testing and roll-out of new compliance rules. ↳ Helps startups meet regulatory standards while adapting to market demands in fintech, insurance, and gig economy sectors. Dubai’s sandbox model has already seen success in fintech, healthcare, and AI. As more cities adopt this approach, it’s clear that regulatory sandboxes could be the key to unlocking innovation in regulated industries. 🔔 Follow Ryan Dsouza for insights on navigating regulations, innovation, and growth in emerging industries. ♻️ Repost this to share Dubai’s pioneering model for regulatory innovation. #Innovation #RegulatorySandboxes #Startups #Dubai #Fintech #DigitalEconomy #FutureOfWork #Compliance

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🚀 Ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship and investing? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive live Zoom session on May 29th with Iron Key Capital and Ramana Capital to discuss capital raising strategies for founders. This event is designed for individuals eager to dive into the world of startups and venture investing. Our session will cover essential topics such as: - Understanding your options when raising capital as a founder - The inside scoop on what VCs won’t tell you - Techniques for bootstrapping a business - The importance of angel investors and syndicates Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from industry leaders about fundraising best practices and connect with a community of like-minded founders and investors. 📅 Date: May 29th ⏲ Time: 5:00 PM EST 🔗 Registration Link: [https://lu.ma/u7blq5e9] Secure your spot today and take the first step towards becoming a versatile and adaptable founder. #VentureCapital #StartupInvestment #Networking #IronKeyCapital #RamanaCapital #Fundraising #Investment We look forward to seeing you there!

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Zomato through the years...🍕 2010-2013: Expanded in India and internationally, reaching UAE, UK, and more. 2014-2015: Acquired startups and faced profitability challenges. 2017: Launched Zomato Gold, a subscription dining service. 2020: Pivoted to grocery delivery during the pandemic. 2021: Successful IPO, valuing Zomato at $12 billion. 2022: Acquired Blinkit and Hyperpure by Zomato, enhancing grocery and restaurant supplies. 2023-2024: Share price tripled; Goyal became a billionaire on July 14, 2024, with a net worth of ₹8,400 crore ($1.02 billion)​ Moral of the story: a simple problem🗣️ → billion dollar venture💸 --if and only if-- >> a strong vision >> adaptability >> innovation >> resilience are maintained... #zomato #blinkit #hyperpure #quickcommerce #D2C #ecommerce #qcommerce #fooddelivery #uniteconomics #economics #billionaire #deepindergoyal #indianmarket #trading #stocks #business #startup #unicorn

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Starting a business in Dubai may take months just to open a bank account, but India is rapidly transforming its landscape with initiatives like GIFT City!" Nikhil Kamath, founder of Zerodha, highlights the stark differences in startup environments between Dubai and India. GIFT City is leading the charge with its strategically designed zones: International Financial Services Centre (IFSC): Bringing offshore services to India, allowing for seamless international transactions and attracting foreign investments. Special Economic Zone (SEZ): A hub for export-oriented growth, offering tax benefits and regulatory relaxations to boost innovation and economic activity. Domestic Tariff Area (DTA): Supporting businesses catering to the domestic market, ensuring vital trade and commerce within India. Together, these zones create a robust ecosystem that fosters growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. GIFT City is not just a planned city; it’s a vision for a dynamic future in Indian entrepreneurship! Follow Impactful Pitch® for more information! -----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----* I support founders' fundraising journeys and provide VCs with real-time insights into the startup ecosystem. If you're looking to expedite your fundraising process, feel free to contact me. I can help you fast-track your path to securing funds. #impactful #startup #swiggy #india #startups #investments #funding #fundraising #venturecapitalist #venturecapital #impact #global #pitchdeck #business #ai #generativeai #entrepreneures #entrepreneurship #scalingbusinesses #impactfulpitch #angelinvestors #angelinvesting #fund

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I had the incredible opportunity to dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship and startups with the incredible Mahmoud Bartawi . 🚀 This conversation is packed with value for anyone curious about building and scaling a startup. Tune in, and let me know your favorite takeaway in the comments! 👇 🎧 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gEQK3v6z #PodcastGuest #Entrepreneurship #AlternativeInvestments #startups #entrepreneurship

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Led a workshop on 'What VCs Look for When Evaluating and Building High-Performing Startup Teams.' Thanks Superteam UAE for the invitation. We dove into: •How VCs assess startup founders •Evaluating the dynamics of founding teams •What defines a 'Dream Team' What do YOU think makes a startup team truly stand out? Is it skills, mindset, diversity, or something else?

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A world of opportunities, divided by Capital. Looking at the global VC landscape, it’s hard to ignore the disparities in funding across regions. The US and Europe are brimming with VC hotspots, where startups have both the market & ecosystem they need to scale and thrive. The Middle East is catching up, while Pakistan—despite its enormous potential and talent—remains underserved. Just like Mark Zuckerberg said: 'Talent is everywhere, opportunities are not'. Image credits: OpenVC

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Sharing with The Times Of India about expansion strategy to Dubai, for startups considering the option. Dubai is immune to global economic conditions, and its dynamics differ. The bottom line: Startups need to be clear about their objective: Are you coming to Dubai to fundraise or expand? Or both? On the fundraising side, the capital market here is (still) heavily driven by family offices that don’t function like VCs who take high risk for high returns. They like profitable businesses and most likely will not fund loss-making companies. On the expansion side, contrary to the "bling" perception, there's nothing shallow about Dubai when it comes to consuming, it's a sophisticated consumer market that demands the best and beyond customer experience. Expanding to Dubai and the wider Gulf requires at least a year of presence to build relationships. You need to come to visit, build your network and have conversations with many different stakeholders including, and especially potential customers. To create a clear strategy, you need to focus on customers. Copy and paste your existing commercial strategy elsewhere will likely backfire. --- Explore Unicorn Roadmap to scale revenue from $3-5m to $50m: https://lnkd.in/dW69nFnA Sustainable and hyper-growth: You can HAVE IT ALL

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We PMs love to tear products apart. Prove me wrong hahaha! Yesterday, I completed a comprehensive SaaS product teardown and audit for a very promising edutech startup based in Bahrain, founded by two talented founders. Here is what I learned (very random reflections): 1) Every founder, regardless of how smart and experienced they are, must get their product ideas challenged. 2) Fixing small frictions can lead to huge results, don't underestimate your small quick wins. 3) Different contexts and market experiences can lead to more innovative ideas and solutions. Want your digital product torn down and audited thoroughly using the best Product-led growth practices? I don't bite, DM me. ------------------------ 🔔 Hey, this is Shehab Beram, a product leader, PLG, and product discovery advisor, and the founder of VisionX®, the first personal branding studio for product leaders in the world. I share product insights every week. #technology #startups #ProductManagement #ProductManager #product

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Did you miss out first CTO/CPO event in Dubai last week? Don't worry we managed to capture some of it on video 📹 We brought together 70+ Product & Engineering Leaders, Founders too for an evening to discuss growth in uncertain times. We covered: 👉 Adapting to Market Uncertainties 👉 Innovation and Risk Appetite 👉 Strategic Investments and RO 👉 Balancing Headcount and Budget Constraints 👉 Navigating Board-Level Scrutiny and Security Concerns 🤝 Oh and we just had fun networking, making new connections and building a community together. If you are interested in our future events, being a part of leadership community or any questions around building companies and scaling teams then reach out. https://lnkd.in/eZQxUmPv

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𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐢𝐓𝐀𝐋 - 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 ! Optimal and efficient capital allocation stands as the cornerstone skill for today's founders embarking on the journey of building a successful enterprise. In navigating the current market landscape, young founders must meticulously strategize their fundraising efforts and adopt a disciplined approach to managing finances. Gone are the abundant capital days of 20-21, where entrepreneurs could afford to be lax in their financial management. In today's market, characterized by high interest rates, founders must embrace the ethos of doing “More with Less.” Embracing constraints, whether it's a lean budget or a small yet dedicated team, compels founders to prioritize ruthlessly and pursue their core objectives. When contemplating the next fundraising round, it's imperative for founders to articulate a clear vision of how the proceeds will be utilized. They should scrutinize every aspect of their financial model to ensure alignment with their overarching goals. Above all, founders must embody the role of prudent stewards of capital, possessing a crystal-clear understanding of their capital requirements and deploying resources judiciously. By mastering the art of financial acumen alongside cultivating robust financial processes, founders can chart a course towards sustainable growth and long-term success." If you liked this, follow me on Eklavya Chandra for more & repost if you feel this content deserves a larger audience. 🙏 #success #leadership #motivation #mindset #startup #startuplife #business #inspiration #saathi #abhongekamyaab #startupindia #impact #india #entrepreneur #founders #esg

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The greatest business paradox of 2024: Quick commerce is taking the investment world by storm. Zepto’s valuation surged by +257%, and Zomato (Blinkit) saw a jump of +120%, all driven by urban consumers who crave instant delivery. However, the irony lies in the performance of FMCG giants like HUL (-12%) and Nestle (-21%), which suffered their worst stock declines in years, citing weak urban demand for their products. Here’s the twist: We’re pouring capital into a fast-growing channel while simultaneously expressing concerns about the demand for the very products that this channel delivers. Does this suggest that quick commerce is merely a shift in the way we shop, without actually stimulating greater consumption? Can channel expansion and overall market demand grow in opposing directions? #qcommerce #onlinebusiness #FMCG #D2C #growth #expansion

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Winning Against Incumbents: The '10X Difference' Startups can win against large incumbents in a market by being '10X different'. This can be achieved through a unique positioning that is poles apart from the competition, or by having a product that is 10 steps ahead technologically. Apply for Class 12 online at www.100X.vc/class12 #startups #positioning

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Dubai promised $100M to 100,000 startups. Does Silicon Valley have a growing competitor? As someone who's built two successful startups and spent 20 years in tech, I can tell you that this is bigger than the money. We shifted our office to Dubai around 6 months ago, and I know that Dubai's Ignyte platform isn't just another startup initiative - it's a masterclass in ecosystem building. Here's why every founder should pay attention: Let's look at the global startup landscape first: • Silicon Valley: $100B+ in startup funding (2023) • Singapore: $7.2B in startup funding • India: $24B in startup funding But Dubai's doing something different. They're not just throwing money at startups. They're building a complete support system: • 5,000 VCs and investors • 5,000 vetted mentors • 500+ corporate partners • $100M in practical perks Having built companies in both the US and India, I can tell you that these aren't just numbers. They're ecosystem accelerants. ⚡ Why does this matter? 1. Market Access: Dubai sits between East and West 2. Tax Benefits: 0% corporate tax for startups 3. Global Talent Pool: 200+ nationalities 4. Infrastructure: World-class digital backbone But here's what really excites me as a founder: Dubai ranked 2nd for ecosystem value in MENA and 5th among the top emerging ecosystems globally. That's not just progress—that's a revolution in the making. The best time to enter a market is just before everyone realises its potential. Dubai's moment might be now. Here's the million-dollar question: With Silicon Valley's dominance wavering and Dubai rising, where would you build your next startup? #startuplife #dubaibusiness #entrepreneurship #globalstartups

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Ever heard of 'finding a gem in a haystack'? Well, meet PK, my client and the founder of a food-tech startup, who knows this feeling too well. With his passion for food and innovation, he was diving headfirst into the startup world. But there was a problem: PK wanted a tech-savvy partner to bring his vision to life. He was looking to hire a CTO. He had tried all avenues he could afford, to find the right person. One day, he was out at a friend’s birthday in Bangalore and that’s where he found his “gem”. Rohan was the perfect candidate for the CTO position. Currently working remotely for a European company, he was looking for new challenges. If this guy takes over, he will change the entire game, thought PK. Unfortunately, gems are expensive. This guy was being paid in Euros. With the startup unfunded and PK already pouring his own money into the venture, he was strapped for cash, aur aisa bhi nahi tha ki CTOs ki line lagi hui thi.......... Ab kya kare? Itni mushkil se mile huye gem ko jaane de? 🤔 If you are a founder, kahin na kahin yeh aapke saath bhi hua hai.. ..right?????? Finally, he found a way to work this out. Want to know what he did? Stay tuned for our next post to learn more about PK's journey. Have you encountered a similar situation? Share your experiences in the comments below, especially if you've navigated the challenges of launching a startup and hiring essential team members!!!

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Saw a reel on Instagram about speed-networking this weekend. With "one" angel investor 😇 At a cafe in JLT, Dubai. 100 bucks for that! What are the chances of you acing an investment?? ZERO! ❎ What you might get is probably a driven founder friend (maybe). No disrespect or hate, but there are just too many investor summits and too little investments, specially when it comes to technology innovation on the infrastructure level. There are so many of them, they end up looking like a scam. Why do I say this? 👇 "Investors" are given free access and founders seeking investment are charged anywhere between $750-$2000. And I am not even talking about the prominent ones. These are fresh out of the box kind-of summits, with almost zero credibility or track record. On another note, where will all the innovative apps sit if there is no support for innovation in infrastructure, connectivity, middleware, etc.? I would rather use all SALIK gates for speed "business" meetings, have a nice cup of coffee with a client on a Sunday afternoon. Probably somewhere that I can park hassle free and avoid traffic. Do you agree with me? 💬 #foundersjourney #investorsummits #investments #fundraising #uaebusinesses #smartbuildings #smartcities #infrastructure #networkmanagement #middleware #deeptech #deeplearning #iotconnectivity #datamanagement

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🇮🇳 🇦🇪 - A Thriving Partnership in the Global Start-up Ecosystem The start-up ecosystem in India and the UAE is booming—and it’s not by chance. With India’s reputation as a powerhouse for tech innovation, a massive talent pool, and the UAE’s rapidly expanding market and pro-business environment, it’s no wonder both countries are attracting global attention. The UAE has been innovative. Its favourable policies—from tax breaks to streamlined business setups—draw startups worldwide, creating a launchpad for entrepreneurs who want to scale fast. Conversely, India remains a hub for cutting-edge solutions, backed by a rich base of skilled professionals and a vast consumer market. As India and the UAE deepen their partnership, they can learn from each other’s strengths. India can benefit from the UAE’s ease of doing business and access to global investors, while the UAE can tap into India’s tech talent and innovative mindset. 🌏 The future of entrepreneurship lies in collaboration, and India and the UAE are showing the world how to do it right. #Startups #Entrepreneurship #IndiaUAE #GlobalGrowth #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #StartupEcosystem

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⚡How Milos Tanasic launched his Fitness Brand in the UAE in 72 Hours⚡ Milos used doYou to launch Fortius in the UAE – and we got it done in just 72 hours. A personal trainer turned entrepreneur, Milos had validated market demand for his fitness brand. His transition from charging by the hour to building a scalable online brand needed to be fast and seamless. His priority? “I need to hit the market ASAP – I can’t afford to wait for weeks.” He needed a business license, bank account, and payment systems ready immediately to capitalize on demand. 🚅 So we made it happen in 3 days. Most consultants will tell you it takes weeks to launch in the UAE. And while government approval timelines can vary based on: Industry regulations 📋 KYC processes 🛂 Bank account clearance 💳 🔻 Traditional service providers add to delays through inefficiencies: 📝 Manual paperwork and slow document handling 🤷🏽‍♂️ Inefficient structuring advice from under-informed sales reps 📞 Outdated communication and slow response times ❌ Overstretched staff managing too many incorporations, leading to errors These bottlenecks can stretch your launch timeline from weeks to months. At doYou, we’re fixing that – with automation and precision. Here’s how we streamlined Milos’ launch: 1) Discovery Call – We identified the cleanest entity structure for his needs within 30 minutes. 2) Digital Submission – Milos submitted all required info via our web app on https://app.doyou.ae/ 3) Automated Processing – Our backend handled the submission and approvals directly with authorities. 👉 We automate where possible and remove unnecessary human touch points. The result? A faster, smoother path to launch – without reinventing the wheel. If you’re looking to start your business in the UAE and want to avoid unnecessary delays, let’s chat. Btw my brother Zahan Backer and I are personally handling the discovery calls for our first 500 users, book a call with us here - https://lnkd.in/dMzzCDBb

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