"Behind the scenes, it's a Climate AI. It's a very deep Climate AI engine that we have built, which drives all of these workflows."  

Rohit Toshniwal pulls back the curtain on the sophisticated technology needed to tackle complex environmental challenges, highlighting how Artificial Intelligence is becoming essential for managing sustainability data and driving climate action.  Rohit Toshniwal is a serial tech entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Sprih, which builds a Carbon Intelligence and Management platform using Climate AI to help organizations catalyze climate action. An IIT Kanpur graduate, Rohit previously co-founded Arkin Net, acquired by VMware for over $100 million, and helped scale that business within VMware to ~$250 million in revenue.  

Key Insights from the Conversation:  

👉Why tracking environmental and social impact is becoming critical for businesses, driven by regulations, investors, and customers. 

👉 Understanding Carbon Dioxide Equivalence (CO2e) as a key metric for environmental performance. 

👉 How strong performance on sustainability metrics can unlock preferential financing and attract talent. 

👉 The role of technology, particularly Climate AI, in simplifying complex data collection, analysis, and reporting for climate action. 

👉 Lessons from building and selling Arkin Net, and scaling it post-acquisition. 

👉 The importance of long-term vision and the right partners for building sustainable businesses.  

Chapters: 

👉 00:00:51 - Intro: Rohit's Journey into Green Tech & Sustainability 

👉 00:04:30 - Understanding Corporate Impact: Beyond Finance 

👉 00:09:39 - Why All Companies Should Track Climate Impact 

👉 00:15:07 - Deep Dive: Understanding Carbon Reporting & CO2e 

👉 00:20:13 - Climate Performance, Capital Access & Business Advantage 

👉 00:26:05 - Introducing Sprih: Climate AI for Carbon Management 

👉 00:39:50 - The Market Opportunity in Climate Tech & Carbon Intelligence 

👉 00:57:25 - Rohit's Early Career: From Cisco to Startups & VMware 

👉 01:02:42 - The Arkin Net Story: Building & Selling for more than $100 Million 

👉 01:06:30 - Scaling Post-Acquisition: Growing to $250M within VMware 

👉 01:11:31 - Engineer's Take: How to Build a $250M Business 

👉 01:18:29 - Building Philosophy: Focus on Roots, Not Flowers  

#Sustainability #ClimateTech #CarbonReporting #ClimateAI #CarbonIntelligence #Sprih #FounderThesis #StartupIndia #Entrepreneurship #TechFounder #FounderJourney #BusinessStrategy #VMware #IITKanpur #NetZero #ImpactInvesting #ClimateAction #IndianStartups

The Future is Climate AI Solutions | Rohit Toshniwal (Sprih)

"The customer is the CEO of the company; he can fire everyone."  

This core belief drove Harshvardhan Lunia's journey in building Lendingkart. He emphasizes that obsessively solving the customer's problem—be it the need for speed, transparency, or convenience—is the ultimate key to building trust and a successful financial services business.  

Harshvardhan Lunia is the Founder & CEO of Lendingkart, a fintech platform transforming SME lending in India. An ISB graduate and Chartered Accountant, he leveraged his background in banking and SME credit advisory to launch Lendingkart in 2014. Lendingkart has since disbursed over ₹20,000 crores to more than 3 lakh customers across 4,500+ towns and cities in India, achieving a total AUM of ₹7,500 crores (with ₹5,500 crores via co-lending) by FY24.  

Key Insights from the Conversation: 

✅SME Lending Pain Points: Traditional lending for SMEs suffered from slow processes (3-4 months) and lack of transparency, creating a market gap. Lendingkart focused on speed (hours/days) and transparency from day one. 

✅Data Over Tradition: Realizing traditional financial statements were often adjusted for tax purposes, Lendingkart pioneered using bank statement analysis and cash flow data for underwriting. 

✅Tech-Driven Underwriting: The platform evolved from rule-based systems to sophisticated algorithms trained on billions of data points to assess risk and determine loan terms, achieving high predictive accuracy (97.5%). 

✅The Rise of Co-Lending: Partnering with banks and larger institutions (co-lending) became crucial post-COVID, allowing Lendingkart to scale distribution while sharing risk and capital. By March 2022, 80% of business was co-lending, reaching a 25/75 (own books/co-lending) AUM split in FY24. 

✅Distribution is Key: While underwriting and collections tech are vital, building trust and reaching customers across India (distribution) is the ultimate differentiator in the absence of a large legacy brand or branch network. 

✅Fundraising Conviction: Raising capital involves storytelling and unwavering conviction in your vision, especially when building something new. It's an exam where you must clearly articulate why your approach will work. Harshvardhan even shared his unique approach of pitching using a whiteboard instead of presentations.  

#Lendingkart [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lendingkart] #HarshvardhanLunia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/harshvardhanlunia] #FintechIndia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/fintechindia] #DigitalLending [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/digitallending] #SMEFinance [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/smefinance] #MSME [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/msme] #NBFC [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nbfc] #StartupIndia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupindia] #Entrepreneurship [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurship] #IndianStartups [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/indianstartups] #FounderThesis [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/founderthesis] #BusinessPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/businesspodcast] #VCFunding [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/vcfunding] #CoLending [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/colending] #DataAnalytics [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dataanalytics] #Underwriting [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/underwriting] #FinancialInclusion [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/financialinclusion]

Building a ₹7500 Cr AUM Fintech | Harshvardhan Lunia (Lendingkart)

"You cannot grow the country's GDP if a third of your population is not a part of the financial inclusion piece."  

Sameer Mathur highlights the critical link between financial inclusion and national economic growth, emphasizing the vast untapped potential of serving the underserved in India. This isn't just about business; it's about societal impact.  

Sameer Mathur, Managing Director of ROINet Solutions, is a former Country Manager at HP who transitioned to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to make a difference. He co-founded FIA Technology before starting ROINet, which has scaled to 70,000 Customer Service Points (CSPs), generating ₹350Cr in revenue, and employing 500 people. His story is about resilience, strategic pivots, and building a sustainable business in the challenging but rewarding fintech space. 

Key Insights from the Conversation:  

👉The "Assisted Model" Endures: Digital adoption in rural India is growing, but the need for human assistance at physical CSPs remains strong, driven by trust and familiarity. 

👉Founder-Investor Synergy is Vital: Sameer's experience underscores the importance of having investors who are aligned with the company's long-term vision and provide support during challenging times. 

👉Bootstrapping is Viable: ROINet's initial growth was fueled by internal resources and leveraging existing relationships, demonstrating the power of bootstrapping. 

👉Product Diversification Fuels Growth: Expanding beyond basic banking services to include travel, investments, and lending is crucial for scaling in the financial inclusion space. 

👉Hyperlocal approach wins: Creating a large business is about winning multiple, smaller battles. Having a hyperlocal strategy helps. 

👉Social impact is a business advantage: ROINet's focus extends to the triple bottom line.  

Chapters:  

0:00:00 - Introduction: Sameer Mathur's Journey from Corporate to Startup 

0:03:44 - The Pivotal MBA and the Financial Inclusion Opportunity 

0:07:52 - Founding and Scaling FIA Technology: The BC Model 

0:18:08 - Strategic Differences and the Decision to Leave FIA 

0:20:28 - ROINet: Building a Diversified Fintech Platform 

0:27:10 - The Technology Behind 70,000 Banking Points 

0:32:52 - Scaling Sales and Reaching Rural India 

0:41:44 - Key Leadership Lessons for Aspiring Founders 

0:47:06 - Weathering the Storms: Downturns and Resilience 

0:53:54 - Validating the Customer: Biometrics and Trust 0:56:27 - The Future of Fintech and ROINet's Expansion Plans 

0:59:37 - Expanding Access to Credit: ROINet's Lending Strategy 

#Fintech #India #FinancialInclusion #RuralIndia #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Bootstrapping #VentureCapital #Banking #ScaleUp #Leadership #DigitalIndia #Innovation #ImpactInvesting #SocialImpact #MSME #Lending #Insurance #Investment  #BusinessGrowth

Surviving Downturns and Bootstrapping a Fintech Giant | Sameer Mathur (ROINet)

"ESOPs aren't lottery tickets; they're a calculated risk with a potential for real wealth creation."  

This seemingly simple statement from Satish Mugulavalli, Founder and Managing Partner of Hissa, encapsulates the core message of this episode: shifting the perception of ESOPs from "paper money" to a strategic tool for both companies and employees. We unpack the often-confusing world of ESOPs, going beyond the jargon to reveal the real-world mechanics and benefits. 

Satish Mugulavalli is the Founder and Managing Partner of Hissa, a platform revolutionizing private market transactions in India. Hissa facilitates ESOP liquidity for employees and provides access to growth-stage private companies for investors. Satish is building a 150Cr fund with a 150 Cr greenshoe option. They have already closed 30 crores in their first round. The platform has generated over 5Cr in revenue till date.  

Key Insights from the Conversation:  

✅Discounts are Normal: Understand why ESOP transactions often happen at a discount to the last valuation, and why it's not necessarily a red flag. 

✅Tax Implications: Learn the crucial difference between perquisite tax and long-term capital gains, and how it impacts your decision to exercise. 

✅The Founder's Perspective: Discover why companies offer ESOPs in the first place, and how they view them as a strategic tool. 

✅The Employee's Perspective: Get practical advice on evaluating an ESOP offer and understanding your potential upside. 

✅Building the Future: Hear Satish's ambitious vision for creating a transparent and efficient private market exchange in India. 

✅The right questions to ask as an employee. 

Chapters:

 * 0:00:00 - Introduction: Demystifying ESOPs and the Rise of Hissa
 * 0:03:15 - Satish's Journey: From Startup Ecosystem to Private Markets
 * 0:05:36 - Hissa's Dual Approach: SaaS Platform and Investment Fund
 * 0:11:05 - Target Market: Identifying the Right Companies for ESOP Liquidity
 * 0:20:30 - The Hissa Fund: Investment Strategy and Fundraising
 * 0:39:23 - Understanding Valuation Discounts in Secondary ESOP Transactions
 * 0:58:11 - ESOP 101: Grant, Vesting, Exercise, and Tax Implications
 * 1:02:37 - The "Why Exercise?" Question: Balancing Risk and Reward
 * 1:07:38 - Employee friendly ESOPs
 * 1:11:51 - Building the "NSE/BSE of Private Markets": Hissa's Long-Term Vision
 * 1:18:00 - Hissa's Go-To-Market Strategy: Reaching Founders and Companies
 * 1:25:00- Future of ESOPs

#ESOPs #StartupIndia #PrivateMarkets #Hissa #SatishMugulavalli #FounderThesis #Equity #Compensation #Vesting #StockOptions #Startups #Investing #Finance #India #Liquidity #TaxPlanning 

ESOPs Aren't Monopoly Money, Here's Why | Satish Mugulavalli (Hissa)

"You have to be good at collections if you want to be a good lender."  

This was just one of Shruti Aggarwal's amazing insights in this episode: lending profitability relies on responsible repayment, not just customer acquisition.  Shruti Aggarwal is the Co-Founder of Stashfin, a digital lending platform in India. She has built a profitable fintech with a loan book of ₹2000 crores and monthly disbursements of ₹300-400 crores. Stashfin operates with remarkable efficiency, generating ₹800 crores in revenue with only 170 employees. Shruti is a CA, holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, and has experience at Merrill Lynch.  

Key Insights from the Conversation: 

✅Underserved Market: Stashfin focuses on the Indian middle class, often underserved by traditional banks, with small-ticket, unsecured personal loans. 

✅RBI Regulations: The evolving regulatory landscape has impacted growth and capital requirements but ultimately promotes a more sustainable lending environment. 

✅Technological Efficiency: Stashfin leverages technology for extreme operational efficiency, automating processes to minimize costs. 

✅Customer Retention: 90% repeat business demonstrates the success of Stashfin's customer-centric approach and product convenience. 

✅Leverage Control: Understanding and managing leverage is crucial for NBFCs, and recent RBI guidelines aim to limit risk.  

Chapters:  

0:00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ] - Introduction: Shruti Aggarwal's Entrepreneurial Journey 

0:05:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=351s] - Returning to India & Identifying the Credit Gap 

0:11:18 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=678s] - Choosing the NBFC Model: Control and Responsibility 

0:17:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=1021s] - Stashfin's Profitability and Unit Economics 

0:23:43 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=1423s] - Impact of RBI's PPI Guidelines on Credit Line Cards 

0:28:58 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=1738s] - Overview of RBI's Fintech Regulations (2016-2024) 

0:41:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=2477s] - The Chinese Loan Apps Issue and Regulatory Response 

0:48:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=2916s] - The Importance of Leverage in Lending 

0:53:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=3234s] - Stashfin's Funding Strategy: Diverse Sources 

01:15:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=4504s] - Technology-Driven Efficiency at Stashfin 

01:27:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=5240s] - Stashfin's Underwriting and Fraud Prevention 

01:33:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKat1I96rQ&t=5616s] - Future Opportunities in Indian Fintech

#FintechIndia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/fintechindia] #DigitalLending [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/digitallending] #NBFC [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nbfc] #RBI [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/rbi] #PersonalLoans [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/personalloans] #IndianEconomy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/indianeconomy] #StartupIndia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupindia] #Entrepreneurship [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurship] #FinancialLiteracy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/financialliteracy] #LendingRegulations [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lendingregulations]

Shruti Aggarwal (Stashfin) on Building a ₹2000 Cr Profitable Lending Business

"The solution to every problem lies in the market, not the boardroom."   

Ashok Vashist shares a powerful lesson on the importance of staying grounded and understanding customer needs directly, rather than relying solely on theoretical discussions in boardrooms. This principle has guided WTI's success.  

Ashok Vashist is the Founder of WTI Cabs (Wise Travel India), one of India's leading B2B mobility solutions providers. He built WTI from scratch, starting with ad-hoc services in 2009, to a 400Cr revenue company which had an IPO in 2024, and is now expanding globally. Ashok's story is a testament to resourcefulness, customer-centricity, and the power of a "hungry" team.  

Key Insights from the Conversation:  

👉Niche to Scale: WTI started by dominating a neglected niche (ad-hoc corporate transport) before expanding into broader mobility services. 

👉DCO Model Evolution: The interview provides a unique perspective on the rise and fall of the Driver-Cum-Owner model in the Indian mobility landscape. 

👉Customer-Centricity is King: WTI prioritizes long-term relationships and bespoke solutions for its corporate clients. 

👉Building Internal Strength: Ashok champions financial prudence and building internal liquidity over reliance on external funding. 

👉Org Structure by Capability: Organizational design should be based on the capabilities of the team, not just abstract process frameworks. 

👉Global expansion: A strong B2B focussed expansion strategy to grow into a global mobility major.  

Chapters:  

0:00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac] - Introduction: Ashok Vashist's Journey Building WTI 

0:03:43 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=223s] - The Origin of WTI and the Early Days 

0:05:41 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=341s] - Finding Opportunity in the Ad Hoc Market 

0:08:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=530s] - Scaling Up: From Ad Hoc to Process-Oriented 

0:17:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=1054s] - The DCO Model: Origins, Benefits, and Drawbacks 

0:29:28 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=1768s] - The Future of Fleet Aggregation: Beyond DCO 

0:35:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=2156s] - Expanding into Car Rentals and MSP Services 

0:40:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=2439s] - The Commonwealth Games: A Defining Moment 

0:45:08 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=2708s] - Organizational Structure: People Over Process 

0:50:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=3037s] - Going Public: The SME Board and Beyond 

0:58:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=3525s] - Global Expansion: The Dubai Strategy 

01:03:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=3831s] - Culture, Hunger, and the Importance of Staying Grounded 

01:09:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSivLre1ac&t=4156s] - Building sales culture, and the power of honesty

#IndianStartups [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/indianstartups] #FounderJourney [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/founderjourney] #Entrepreneurship [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurship] #BusinessStrategy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/businessstrategy]  #CustomerCentricity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/customercentricity] #OrganizationalCulture [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/organizationalculture] #CompanyCulture [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/companyculture]

Ashok Vashist (WTI Cabs): The Anti-Unicorn Founder, Bootstrapped to IPO!

"We were not building a short term new age brand, we were building a very disruptive new age product. But we wanted to build a legacy brand."

Priyanka Salot shares a powerful insight: The Sleep Company isn't just chasing trends; they're building a lasting brand with a revolutionary product, focusing on long-term impact and customer loyalty over quick wins.

Priyanka Salot is the Founder of The Sleep Company, India's leading comfort-tech company revolutionizing sleep and sitting experiences. Before founding the sleep company, Priyanka has worked with P&G, handling legacy brands like Ariel, Tide and Pampers. A marketing expert, Priyanka did her engineering and MBA, post which she spent almost a decade in consumer marketing. With their patented Smart Grid technology, The Sleep Company has grown to a ₹450 Cr+ ARR business, opening experience stores across India, and securing patents globally. Priyanka's vision is to make India, and eventually the world, sleep and sit better.

Key Insights from the Conversation:

 * Product-Market Fit: Prioritizing a truly differentiated product (Smart Grid) over a quick launch, spending 2 years in R&D.
 * Customer-Centricity: Deeply listening to customers through multiple channels (reviews, surveys, direct conversations) and using feedback to pivot (e.g., launching Ergo Smart chairs).
 * Omnichannel Excellence: Combining online discovery with offline experience centers for a seamless customer journey.
 * Brand Building as a Science: A disciplined approach to branding, emphasizing consistent assets and a clear brand persona (science-backed).
 * Sustainable Growth: Focusing on profitability and efficient marketing spend to build a long-term, financially healthy business.
 * Controlling the Supply chain: In-house manufacturing, enabling quality control, customisation, and faster delivery.

Chapters:

 * Priyanka's Origin Story \[00:18 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=18]]
 * Early Career and Inspiration \[01:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=83]]
 * Identifying the Need for The Sleep Company \[02:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=131]]
 * The Mattress Industry Before The Sleep Company \[03:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=218]]
 * Extensive Product Development \[05:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=314]]
 * Building a Brand vs. Selling Products \[06:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=398]]
 * The Importance of Solving Consumer Problems \[07:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=425]]
 * Books that Inspired Priyanka \[01:19:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=4763]]
 * The Vision for The Sleep Company \[01:20:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=4811]]
 * Taking the Plunge \[01:21:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_28rtcqRfM&t=4873]]

Hashtags:

#TheSleepCompany #PriyankaSalot #FounderThesis #StartupIndia #Entrepreneurship #MattressIndustry #ComfortTech #SmartGrid #DirectToConsumer #D2C #Omnichannel #BrandBuilding #MarketingStrategy #CustomerExperience #Innovation #MadeInIndia #BusinessGrowth #VentureCapital #StartupJourney #FounderStories #ErgoSmart #SleepBetter #SitBetter #BusinessPodcast #IndianStartups #PriyankaSalotInterview

Priyanka Salot (The Sleep Company) on Customer Obsession & Brand Building

"We realized that just lending is not the answer. You need to solve a problem for the small business owner." 

This quote from Tashwinder Singh encapsulates the core philosophy driving Niyogin's approach. It's not just about providing capital; it's about understanding and addressing the holistic needs of small businesses in India, moving beyond simple transactions to genuine problem-solving. This sets the stage for a discussion about a more nuanced and impactful approach to fintech. 

About Tashwinder Singh: Tashwinder Singh, CEO of Niyogin, is a financial services veteran with a track record of building and scaling businesses. He spent 18 years at Citibank, culminating in leadership roles before transitioning to the world of private credit at KKR, where he managed ~$1 billion in annual disbursements in India. Now, he's leading Niyogin's ambitious journey to revolutionize lending for small businesses, growing their loan book from ₹100 crores to a targeted ₹800 crores in the near future. His experience spans corporate finance, consumer banking, and the complexities of the Indian credit market.  

Key Insights from the Conversation: 

👉The Power of Partnerships: Niyogin's model heavily relies on strategic partnerships with a wide range of institutions, enabling them to reach a vast network of MSMEs and leverage existing distribution channels. 

👉Beyond UPI: While UPI is a success story, Niyogin recognizes its limitations in rural India and focuses on addressing the unique challenges of cash-based economies and integrating cooperative banks. 

👉Technology as an Enabler: The acquisition of iServeU and its technology platform (including soundbox technology) is central to Niyogin's strategy, providing both financial inclusion solutions and SaaS revenue streams. 

👉Risk Management: Niyogin's approach to partner-originated loans, including risk cover, showcases a focus on sustainable growth and minimizing NPAs. 

👉The Importance of Distribution: Niyogin's direct selling agents combined with strategic partnerships with institutions, gives them a wider and deeper reach.  

Chapter Headings with Timestamps   

00:00:00 - Introduction: Tashwinder Singh's Journey from Citibank to Niyogin 

00:03:15 - The IL&FS Crisis and its Impact on Indian Credit 

00:07:40 - Joining Niyogin: Identifying the Opportunity in MSME Lending 

00:12:25 - Niyogin's Business Model: Lending, Distribution, and Technology 

00:18:50 - Building the Loan Book: Targets and Strategies 

00:24:30 - iServeU Acquisition: The Technology Backbone 

00:31:10 - The Soundbox Strategy and Bank Partnerships 

00:38:00 - Addressing the Challenges of Rural India: Beyond UPI 

00:44:45 - Risk Management and the Zero NPA Approach 

00:51:20 - The Future of Niyogin: Monetization and Growth Plans 

00:57:00 - Competition and the Evolving Landscape 

01:01:05 Key Learnings and Advice for Entrepreneurs  

#Fintech #India #MSME #Lending #SmallBusiness #RuralIndia #UPI #FinancialInclusion #Credit #iServeU #Niyogin #TashwinderSingh #Investment #Banking #Technology #SaaS #Soundbox #DigitalPayments #Entrepreneurship #Startup #BusinessPodcast #FinancePodcast #KKR #Citibank #LoanBook #NPA #CooperativeBanks

 Tashwinder Singh (Niyogin) on Building India's Next Fintech Giant, Beyond UPI

From a $10,000 first customer to multi-million dollar contracts, hear the incredible growth story of Locus!

In this episode of the Founder Thesis podcast, Founder and CEO Nishith Rastogi shares key strategies on how a shift from B2C to B2B helped fuel its success in the on-demand economy. Gain key insights into their go-to-market strategy, AI integration, and the importance of building strong customer relationships. Get actionable insights for your own entrepreneurial journey!

Akshay Datt, a serial entrepreneur who has run ventures in employability training and hiring, hosts the Founder Thesis podcast. He has interviewed 500+ founders to date.

Connect:

Nishith Rastogi: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2g3Z2tvd0xZektDVEF5SzNaQzczMjFNUHBTQXxBQ3Jtc0tuaGk0U3JTWW45ejdlaU1MN2JYZ2k2bFhGSURvWl9SYUdqcjZ2VXJvRmZjVTZiYXIwWHpQbEhmeTFzOFRidzhxUTM4MmxCSkYxcVRKd0ctMC03RU90QnNXM0tiVjBDSGxWWFppc1UyTks5bk5jZUF0UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fyamininatti%2F&v=cHEnzoSv4zQhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nishithrastogi/

Akshay Datt: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa01Ka283blRudFNFdjdFMTJlSVBOaGpELXhmZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRUtxSXhxbXZLbFB0dzQybVFKdzJoOENFQ0tmZC1XdndRR3dBTTAzR0RCRnpZYVFDcEZwUm5SN0pURUtVX042WGNzZ1JlUktha1NxQk80bDZlUGU3M2lEZEU0ck9UVC1BMG5Oa1RRTXloYnI3cTNuZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fakshay-datt%2F&v=cHEnzoSv4zQhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/akshay-datt/

Founder Thesis: www.founderthesis.com

Nishith Rastogi (Locus) shares the engineer's guide to SaaS scale up

From losing their biggest client to building a ₹3500 Cr manufacturing powerhouse, hear the inspiring journey of Ajay Singhania, MD & CEO of Epack Durable!

In this episode of "The Spotlight", presented by the Founder Thesis podcast, learn how resilience, strategic pivots, and a commitment to "Make in India" fueled Epack's rise from near collapse to industry leadership. Discover actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs on building, adapting, and scaling a successful business.

Akshay Datt, a serial entrepreneur having run ventures in Employability Training and hiring, is the host of "The Spotlight", presented by the Founder Thesis podcast. He has interviewed 500+ founders to date.

Connect:

Ajay Singhania: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajay-dd-singhania-a492258/

Akshay Datt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshay-datt/

Founder Thesis: www.founderthesis.com

Ajay Singhania (Epack Durable) on building a Rs 3500Cr empire from near bankruptcy

Dickens said, it was the best of the times, it was the worst of the times. The words have never been truer.  Best because there’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur.  Worst because the clutter is mind-numbing. Founder Thesis breaks through the noise to bring you stories of success & failure, grit & struggle, bouquets & brickbats from some of the most brilliant entrepreneurs in India. 

Founder Thesis

Saurabh Garg talks to investors and venture capitalists about what it takes  and
how start-ups to get the funding that they need

Investor Thesis

India Booked is a podcast that uses literature as a lever to bring multiple
facets of India alive. A perfect podcast for bibliophiles, trivia junkies and
people interested in learning more about India. Every episode focuses on a
different theme and takes place via a conversation between the host with
celebrated authors.

India Booked

किस्से कहानियाँ हमारी ज़िंदगी का उतना ही अहम हिस्सा हैं, जितना शायद खाना और पीना
। कहानियाँ हमें हँसाती हैं, रुलाती हैं, सिखाती हैं। वो बचपन में सुलाती हैं,
बड़प्पन में रुलाती हैं। कहानियाँ हमें वहाँ ले जाती हैं, जहां हमें गाड़ी या जहाज़ भी
शायद न ले जा पाएँ । तो चलिए हम भी चलते हैं दूर कहीं, कुछ कहानियों के साथ । आप का
तहे दिल से स्वागत है इस पॉडकास्ट पर, जिसका नाम है ‘कहानियों का गुच्छा’। इसमें आप
सुनेंगे हिन्दुस्तानी ज़बान के प्रसिद्ध लेखकों की कहानियों की कई शृंखलाओं को,
जिनको चुना गया है किसी न किसी विषय वस्तु के आधार पर। तो सुनते रहिए ‘कहानियों का
गुच्छा’। We are the stories we tell! Stories are as important in our lives as
probably food and shelter. Stories make us laugh, cry, and learn. They carry us
to the mysterious worlds of our imagination. So here we are, ready to take you
along with us on a ride with some great stories by some great writers. We invite
you to this podcast ‘Kahaniyon ka Guccha’ where you will hear carefully curated
series of stories written by some of the greatest writers in Hindustani
language. Stay tuned to some of the greatest stories with us in ‘Kahaniyon ka
Guccha’.

Kahaniyon ka Guccha

At The Spotlight, we go behind the scenes and identify and highlight the upcoming disruptors from the startup space!

The Spotlight

Welcome to the podcast where all stories are welcome. This is a podcast with no
agenda. Hidden or otherwise. In a freewheeling conversation over coffee, Sheba
gently nudges people to shake off their masks and share their real selves. Hear
what keeps people ticking, what helps them make sense of the world, and what is
the inner, most private conversation people have with themselves. Hear people
being, well….human. Expect to hear from the quiet introverts, because Sheba has
a soft corner for them.

SoulBrews with Sheba

Marketing is often considered a nice to have, not a must have. “Let’s get business first”, is what one has often heard. However, MARKETING WHEN DONE RIGHT, GETS BUSINESS. In this show marketing stalwarts talk about how marketing works in the real world. In this show you will learn how marketing will help you to - win business - acquire new consumers - grow the brand - build defensibility - command higher pricing power. Vani Dandia is an award winning marketeer who has spent over two decades in advertising and marketing with Unilever, PepsiCo, Reckitt Benckiser, Henkel, BBDO and Leo Burnett. Her claim to fame includes turning around Kurkure and successfully launching brands like Quaker, Veet, Sunsilk Colour, Fa in India and Asia.

Marketing with Vani

Hosted by Nakul Kumar, this podcast will feature some interesting personalities
from various domains of life. From sportsmen to artists and entrepreneurs, we'll
speak to a line-up of unconventional people. What will always remain constant is
our focus on how technology shapes their lives and their go-to hacks & tricks.
We will explore their unique relationship with technology and try to soak in all
that can enhance our and our listeners' relationship with technology. Hacks,
tricks, insights, upcoming tech or innovations, you name it and we'll have
covered it in this stream. So sit back, relax, plug in your earphones and let
the fun begin. About Your Host When not coming up with killer ideas to help the
users of his co-founded app, Cashify, Nakul Kumar is a full-time tech
aficionado, a cook, a proud dad, and a gaming geek. Of late, his super-honest
"2-minute reviews" on the latest smartphones on YouTube have turned him into a
tech influencer to be reckoned with. Through his new podcast on The Podium,
Nakul aims to change our general view of the world of technology and disruption.
Lend him your ears and we're sure you'll go back with your own tech eureka
moment.

Upgrade with Nakul

The minds behind brands, the minds behind ads. 

 

Tune into Marketing Connect as Saurabh Garg, a marketer, startup enthusiast, and filmmaker, gets up close and personal with some of our most celebrated marketers in India. Watch him pick their brains on the method and madness that is marketing, as art and as a discipline. And so they answer the most important question: what does it take to succeed as a marketer in this day and age?

 

Bringing you the first season of the Marketing Connect Podcast, where Saurabh chats with marketers from real estate, to fashion, content, food, retail, and just about any industry you can think of.

 

Hear, learn, and get inspired from the marketers handling the brands you and I consume each day!

Marketing Connect

We get up close and personal to some of the most celebrated marketers in the country. We understand from them the method and the madness behind how they look at marketing as a discipline and what it takes to succeed as a marketer in this day and age. In the first season of Marketing Connect Podcast, we speak to marketers from businesses ranging from real estate to fashion to content to food to retail, and a lot more! These marketers manage some of the largest brands in the country today!

Akshay Datt

Shows