Discover how Stable Money is tapping into the lucrative market of Fixed Deposits, a product widely used by Indians for savings yet overlooked by most founders. Within just one year of operation, Stable Money has already secured 10 mn dollars in funding from some of the best VCs in India. In this conversation, Saurabh shares how he figured out the whitespace, why he believes hiring a Chief of Staff early is crucial for founders and the key factors behind their rapid growth.

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Read more about Stable Money:-

1.India’s first digital fixed-return investment platform Stable Money launched [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/indias-first-digital-fixed-return-investment-platform-stable-money-launched/articleshow/103671370.cms]

2.How Stable Money is shining the spotlight on fixed deposits | Simply Save [https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/podcast/how-stable-money-is-shining-the-spotlight-on-fixed-deposits-simply-save-11362041.html]

3.Stable Money launches first fixed deposit marketplace [https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/stable-money-launches-first-fixed-deposit-marketplace/article67304058.ece]

4.Digital fixed-return investment platform, Stable Money, unveiled [https://startup.outlookindia.com/sector/fintech/digital-fixed-return-investment-platform-stable-money-unveiled-news-9392]

Saurabh Jain is betting on the cautious Indian investor | Stable Money

Aalesh Avlani challenges conventional labels by branding his company as a lending firm rather than a fintech. He draws nuanced distinctions between the two, highlighting the emphasis on loan collection that sets Credit Wise Capital apart. In this episode, he shares his perspective on the challenges of digitizing loan collections in India and why he advocates for a focused approach, building fewer products but penetrating deeply into the market, rather than spreading resources thin.

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Read more about Credit Wise Capital:-

1.Fintech lenders utilize technology and local partnerships to reach customers in smaller towns of India [https://cxotoday.com/interviews/fintech-lenders-utilize-technology-and-local-partnerships-to-reach-customers-in-smaller-towns-of-india/]

2.Fintech Lending: The Path to Creating Financial Inclusion in India [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/fintech-lending-the-path-to-creating-financial-inclusion-in-india/]

Aalesh Avlani is building a lending business with an anti-fintech approach | Credit Wise Capital

Explore the intricate layers of venture debt, a unique blend of venture capital investing and private credit, where loans are tailored for VC-funded startups. Apoorva shares how venture debt transcends traditional lending by supporting loss-making companies, with returns stemming from interest payments and equity appreciation. This discussion offers both a bird's-eye view and a nuanced exploration of the venture debt business model.

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Read more about Stride Ventures:-

1.Why the venture debt market is bubbling [https://www.forbesindia.com/article/take-one-big-story-of-the-day/why-the-venture-debt-market-is-bubbling/80331/1]

2.India’s venture debt market crosses billion-dollar mark in 2023; Consumer durables and Fintech get major attraction [https://www.financialexpress.com/market/indias-venture-debt-market-crosses-billion-dollar-mark-in-2023-consumer-durables-and-fintech-get-major-attraction-3402465/]

3.India’s venture debt growth hinges on uptick in VC round: Stride Ventures [https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-indias-venture-debt-growth-hinges-on-uptick-in-vc-round-stride-ventures-3446621/]

Apoorva Sharma reveals the power of debt for funded startups | Stride Ventures

Dive into the evolving landscape of mergers and acquisitions in this episode. Maneesh talks about GrowthPal's journey of disrupting the business of buying and selling companies with its premium discovery service, featuring a unique blend of subscription and commission charges. He shares the driving forces behind company acquisitions and discusses buyer-seller relationship dynamics. From debunking myths to drawing parallels with dating apps, walk into the intriguing world of M&A trends and strategies with Maneesh.

Get notified about the latest releases and bonus content by subscribing to our newsletter at www.founderthesis.com

Read more about GrowthPal:-

1.Startup Mantra: M&A made easy with GrowthPal [https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/startup-mantra-m-a-made-easy-with-growthpal-101703271970272.html]

2.Startup to Scaleup: Spotlight on GrowthPal that aims to reinvent M&A deal sourcing [https://www.editorji.com/business-news/startups/startup-to-scale-spotlight-on-growthpal-that-aims-to-reinvent-m-a-deal-sourcing-1709725194807]

3.Lending dominated fintech M&As in 2023 amid increased regulatory scrutiny: GrowthPal study [https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/lending-dominated-fintech-mas-in-2023-amid-increased-regulatory-scrutiny-growthpal-study/article67871098.ece]

Maneesh Bhandari on the business of buying and selling businesses | GrowthPal

As one of India’s earliest venture capitalists, Rahul's journey spans from Flipkart's early days to backing successful ventures like Simplilearn, BigBasket, and Livspace, and eventually founding Stellaris. In our conversation, he shares insights on the importance of listening to both customers and founders, his approaches to identifying promising startups in a crowded market and seizing opportunities in consumer products, edtech, and gaming sectors. Rahul also discusses the key traits he looks for in founders, the changing landscape for traditional businesses, and how investing during tough times can lead to resilient ventures.

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Read more about Stellaris Venture Partners:-

1.In good times or bad, Stellaris Venture Partners has a steady startup investment strategy [https://yourstory.com/2023/08/stellaris-venture-partners-startup-investment-strategy-funding-portfolio]

2.Cos have to answer more difficult and important questions for late-stage funding today, says Stellaris Venture’s Chowdhuri [https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/cos-have-to-answer-more-difficult-and-important-questions-for-late-stage-funding-today-says-stellaris-ventures-chowdhri/104321239]

3.Early Partners of Fearless Founders With Audacious Goals [https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/finance/early-partners-of-fearless-founders-with-audacious-goals/456810]

4.Gen AI will compel companies to rethink their value propostion: Alok Goyal Stellaris Venture Partners [https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/artificial-intelligence/gen-ai-will-compel-companies-to-rethink-their-value-propostion-alok-goyal-stellaris-venture-partners/103453575]

5.We do not suffer from FOMO: Stellaris Venture Partners [https://yourstory.com/2020/03/stellaris-venture-partners-investors-fomo-startups-entrepreneurs-pitch]

6.Stellaris Venture Partners' chosen path: Make contrarian bets, but with deep conviction [https://www.forbesindia.com/article/take-one-big-story-of-the-day/stellaris-venture-partners-chosen-path-make-contrarian-bets-but-with-deep-conviction/81153/1]

How veteran VC Rahul Chowdhri spots 'stellar' needles in India's startup haystack

From humble beginnings as a college contractor to navigating the startup world, Amit Bansal's story speaks of resilience and reinvention. In this episode, learn how he found his niche and established India’s foremost asset-light interior fit-out company, 91Squarefeet. He talks about how this innovative company is changing the way workspaces are designed by using independent contractors. Explore the nuances of finding product-market fit, achieving unit economic profitability, mastering the art of B2B sales, and implementing best practices for product development.

Get notified about the latest releases and bonus content by subscribing to our newsletter at www.founderthesis.com

Read more about 91Squarefeet:-

1.91Squarefeet to transform the future of work with 500 high-tech, sustainable offices [https://www.constructionweekonline.in/projects-tenders/91squarefeet-to-transform-the-future-of-work-with-500-high-tech-sustainable-offices]

2.How office space can contribute to economic development of country, explains Amit Bansal, CEO and Co-Founder 91Squarefeet [https://www.etnownews.com/infrastructure/how-office-space-can-contribute-to-economic-development-of-country-explains-amit-bansal-ceo-and-co-founder-91squarefeet-et-now-exclusive-interview-article-106893419]

3.This start-up uses tech to help brands build their brick-and-mortar network [https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/story/this-start-up-uses-tech-to-help-brands-build-their-brick-and-mortar-network-336083-2022-06-02]

4.Using AI, this retail store development startup is helping offline brands accelerate expansion [https://yourstory.com/2022/04/retail-store-development-startup-91squarefeet-ai-offline-brands]

Designing ‘91 Squarefeet’ of startup success with Amit Bansal

Ritesh Kumar had worked for a couple of years in investment banking after graduating from IIT Kharagpur when he decided to build his enterprise, and just like any truly great founder story, there were many twists and turns before they truly achieved their product market fit and started the journey of scale.

Ritesh is the founder of TranZact, which is helping Indian SMEs to be more effective and efficient through software that is built for them. In a way, Transzact is powering the dream of ‘Make in India’ and helping us compete with Chinese manufacturing.

In this episode, Ritesh talks to Akshay Datt about

 * Identifying the right problem to solve as a founder
 * The journey of getting your pricing right as a SaaS founder
 * ‘Less is more’ approach of product building - focus on what really matters to your customers

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Read more about TranZact here:-

 1. TranZact raises $7 million from Tribe Capital and others [https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/tranzact-raises-7-million-from-tribe-capital-and-others/article37966414.ece]
    

Ritesh Kumar on the challenges of selling software to Indian SMEs | TranZact

With over 2 decades of entrepreneurial experience, Raju's journey from bootstrapped beginnings with Way2sms to pioneering the hyperlocal news platform Way2News showcases his remarkable resilience and vision. Gain unique insights and lessons learned as Raju discusses conceiving business models, organic growth strategies, leveraging vernacular content, and capitalizing on events to drive engagement. Tune in for an insightful exploration of how Raju continues to disrupt and redefine the landscape of Indian news consumption.

Get notified about the latest releases and bonus content by subscribing to our newsletter at www.founderthesis.com

Read more about Way2News:-

1.Way2News taps into rising demand for vernacular content with local flavour [https://entrackr.com/2023/12/way2news-taps-into-rising-demand-for-vernacular-content-with-local-flavour/]

2.Way2News founder-CEO Raju Vanapala on serving hyperlocal news for Bharat [https://www.adgully.com/way2news-founder-ceo-raju-vanapala-on-serving-hyperlocal-news-for-bharat-141059.html]

3.Why short news app Way2News positions itself as the ‘go-to’ platform for hyperlocal campaigns in South India [https://www.afaqs.com/news/digital/why-short-news-app-way2news-positions-itself-as-the-go-to-platform-for-hyperlocal-campaigns-in-south-india]

4.Today news isn't a matter of language, but rather how quickly it is available [https://www.bizzbuzz.news/bizz-talk/today-news-isnt-a-matter-of-language-but-rather-how-quickly-it-is-available-1156521]

5. How Way2News transformed the hyper- local news ecosystem in India [https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/how-way2news-transformed-the-hyper-local-news-ecosystem-in-india-102853.html]

How Raju Vanapala is using AI to reinvent the business of news

Uncover a slice of India's startup history as we delve into the journey of Amit Singh, a former Jabong employee turned entrepreneur. Discover how he identified a market opportunity within the transportation sector, leading to the creation of Shuttl, a company aimed at revolutionising daily office commutes. With over $120 million in funding, they were on the brink of transforming the industry before the pandemic shifted their trajectory, ultimately culminating in their acquisition by travel-tech unicorn Chalo.

Get notified about the latest releases and bonus content by subscribing to our newsletter at www.founderthesis.com

Read more about Shuttl:-

1.Profitability is a moving goal post, says Shuttl CEO [https://www.businessinsider.in/shuttl-ceo-amit-singh-on-profitability/articleshow/69554704.cms]

2.Chalo acquires office bus service Shuttl [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/chalo-acquires-office-bus-service-shuttl/articleshow/87276011.cms?from=mdr]

3.My first year at work: Most of the fun we had was after work, says Amit Singh, Co-founder, Shuttl [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/my-first-year-at-work-most-of-the-fun-we-had-was-after-work-says-amit-singh-co-founder-shuttl/articleshow/55453063.cms?from=mdr]

4.Shuttl propagates smart urban mobility through technology [https://www.motorindiaonline.in/shuttl-propagates-smart-urban-mobility-through-technology/]

Amit Singh talks about Shuttl's rollercoaster ride of disrupting office commute

We are a constantly evolving species, from discovering fire to inventing the wheel to now inventing AI - humanity is on a relentless path of progress.

And while each new technology may have a different flavour to it, the one broad outcome that remains constant is that we are constantly reducing barriers to access. Be it access to education or access to jobs or access to investment opportunities.

Today, thanks to platforms like hbits, you can access a real estate asset worth hundreds of millions  of rupees through fractional ownership.

In this deep dive into the new era of real estate investing, your host Akshay Datt speaks to Shiv Parekh - the founder and CEO of hBits.

Stay tuned for a knowledge filled episode of the founder thesis podcast to understand how the business of real estate investments is getting disrupted by nimble tech-enabled startups.

How Shiv Parekh is disrupting commercial real estate investing | hBits

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. 