September 2020 In pursuing an occupation (what startup should you start, or what career path should you pursue), the bounds of your problem statements have a disproportionate impact on how much joy you may derive from its pursuit — something most of us are unable to imagine at the outset. This lack of being able to … Continue reading unbounded pursuit
Category: startups
imparting urgency
August 2020 one of the tougher challenges in being an entrepreneur/manager is imparting an appropriate sense of urgency to colleagues & collaborators. what is urgent, what is important, and what's the right sequence of priorities at any given point changes from context to context (for individuals, teams, counterparts). Yes, there are umpteen tools & frameworks … Continue reading imparting urgency
2019, an exponential year
when I entered 2019, it seemed like it would be like any other year, but boy its been a rollercoaster like never before. here is a short list of stuff that got done (where i've been involved) ...in no-particular order. Haptik acquisition by Reliance Jio (exit)MPL series-A (new start)Upraised - a new beginning for my … Continue reading 2019, an exponential year
private boom v/s public gloom
how startups need to adapt in such a capital cycle (India) August 2019 the India market is in a unique spot for early stage tech entrepreneurs, at least in recent history. with this post, I've attempted to explain the disconnects in the market, and a shared a few pointers for founders on how to navigate … Continue reading private boom v/s public gloom
being awesome at Corp Dev
abridged thoughts on how to excel at Corporate Development did a podcast with my friends at IVM Podcasts on this a few months ago. cheers!
How to think about Corporate VC investors
Couple of friends asked me this question recently, so I thought it may be useful for a wider audience. Often during a fundraise process at startups, you come across the investment arm of an Operating Company (unlike VC’s who only invest and don’t run companies). Let’s call them OpCo’s. OpCo’s typically invest from their balance … Continue reading How to think about Corporate VC investors
BSE Sensex validates that Food Tech revolution in India is no bubble
Consumers have more choice, and Pizza is no longer the only preferred home delivery option I read this article in the Economic Times yesterday, and realized that the food-tech sector has just demonstrated its real impact and latent demand on two public stocks (Jubilant Foodworks & Speciality Restaurants) Performance of Jubilant Foodworks & Speciality Foods … Continue reading BSE Sensex validates that Food Tech revolution in India is no bubble
tech media isn’t reporting the truly interesting stuff
there’s more to tech than fund raises & the next big social app Too much of the tech media is obsessed with reporting the financial events around companies, rather than the products/services and innovation that occurs at these firms. Sure there is a need to report fund raises, M&A, companies going bust etc, as they … Continue reading tech media isn’t reporting the truly interesting stuff
talk to your skeptics
their feedback helps you hone you message & your work startups and innovators encounter skeptics on a daily basis. most of them like to point at the umpteen shortcomings of your concept (or solution) and how the status-quo or the 800-pound gorilla in your field is better. i am certain you are thinking “trying to create … Continue reading talk to your skeptics
Annual Reviews
so what did you do all last year? Every year in January, many of us sit down with our bosses, supervisors, and mentors to review the year past. Often these reviews are institutionalized (read:required) by our organizations, and closely tied to financial incentives (bonuses). Through the years, I have found these reviews to be a great … Continue reading Annual Reviews
miten sampat 