Episodes

  • Will India Disrupt & Dominate the Space Industry? | Roundup #163 | The Startup Operator

    Will India Disrupt & Dominate the Space Industry? | Roundup #163 | The Startup Operator
    Sep 24 2024
    In this Roundup, hosts Roshan Cariappa and Gunjan Saha discuss the latest headlines in India's startup ecosystem, covering topics such as the Great Indian Shopping Festival on eCommerce apps, separation talks between Mensa Brands and Men's XP, and GoKwik's acquisition of Return Prime. The episode also highlights government initiatives to simplify processes for overseas startups shifting domicile back to India. Additionally, the conversation touches on India's plans to establish a self-sustained space station by 2035 and land on the moon by 2040, the launch of Accel's new pre-seed accelerator program for Bharat startups. The episode wraps up with an entertaining discussion on cultural sensitivity at Ather Energy and the achievements of Sourabh Netravalkar, the star cricketer and Oracle employee. 00:00 Introduction 01:47 Topics and Opening comments 06:48 EY Suicide Case and Work Culture 11:13 E-commerce Festive Season Preparations 14:37 Men's XP separating from Mensa Brands 17:27 GoKwik's International Expansion 23:21 Government Initiatives to simplify moving overseas startups 30:52 India's Space Ambitions 31:21 Technological and Geopolitical Implications 32:42 Challenges and Comparisons in Space Exploration 37:09 Accel's New Pre-Seed Accelerator Program: Accel Atoms 38:45 Recent Fundraises and Market Trends 41:55 Nike's new CEO's career 45:25 Lessons from China's Startup Ecosystem 48:54 Ather's Onam "Controversy" 58:10 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
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    1 hr
  • 246: How Alyve Health is Boosting Insurance Access with User-Centric Solutions | Shashank Avadhani (Co-founder, Alyve Health)

    246: How Alyve Health is Boosting Insurance Access with User-Centric Solutions | Shashank Avadhani (Co-founder, Alyve Health)
    Sep 18 2024
    In this episode Roshan engages with Shashank Avdhani, Co-founder of Alyve Health, an insurtech startup. The conversation uncovers the intricacies of the Indian health insurance landscape, focusing on customer-centric products, under coverage issues, and the impact of COVID-19. Shashank discusses his transition from consulting to founding Alyve, emphasizing collaboration with incumbents and navigating regulatory complexities. The episode also examines the role of regulatory bodies like the IRDA, the necessity for specialized licenses, and the prospects for reducing GST on health plans. 00:00 Introduction 01:17 Shashank's Background and Founding Journey02:29 Understanding the Health Insurance Market03:34 Customer Experience in Insurance05:10 The Problem of Under Coverage16:45 Comparing Global Healthcare Systems24:27 Building a Customer-Centric Product26:42 Collaborating with Incumbents39:06 Managing Customer Experience46:55 User-Centric Network Philosophy47:16 Challenges in Insurance Alignment47:59 Inpatient vs. Outpatient Worlds48:43 Technological Integrations and Claims Processing49:50 Health Claims Exchange Explained54:41 Billing Code Harmonization01:01:57 Platform Business Insights01:07:08 Navigating Regulatory Landscape01:18:47 Growth Strategies and Market Expansion01:27:00 Startup Challenges and Sustainability01:33:51 Recommended Reads and Podcasts ------------------------------------- Connect with Us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-operator​Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperatorStartup​​ ------------------------------------- If you liked this episode, let us know by hitting the like button and share with your friends and family. Please also remember to subscribe to our channel and switch on the notifications to never miss an episode!
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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • Why is Anil Kapoor AI's most influential people? | Roundup #162 | The Startup Operator

    Why is Anil Kapoor AI's most influential people? | Roundup #162 | The Startup Operator
    Sep 10 2024
    In this episode of the Startup Operator Roundup, Roshan and Gunjan celebrate Startup Operator's top ranking on Chartable and discuss significant events and trends in India's startup ecosystem. They cover highlights from the Global FinTech Festival in Mumbai. Then they delve into Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in AI, the arrest of Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov, and Insurance Dekho's new SaaS platform. Additionally, they discuss upcoming IPOs in the FinTech sector, notable fundraisers by Rapido and Zepto, and unique consumer tech innovations. The episode ends with a discussion on the founder mode versus manager mode in startups and a light-hearted segment on OnlyFans' staggering financial performance. 00:00 Introduction00:10 Celebrating #101:14 Global FinTech Festival Highlights01:51 Time's 100 Most Influential in AI including Anil Kapoor02:21 Arrest of Telegram CEO 02:51 Insurance Dekho's New SaaS Platform03:28 Upcoming FinTech IPOs03:39 Angel Investing Success Stories23:43 InfoEdge's Impressive Portfolio23:59 Rapido Joins the Unicorn Club26:29 Zepto's Remarkable Fundraising28:00 Quick Roundup of Fundraisers28:36 SSI's Billion Dollar Seed Round31:43 OnlyFans' Financial Success33:15 Boldcare's Viral Marketing Stunt35:25 Innovative Consumer Tech Products38:08 Shopify's Market Insight42:30 Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode48:08 Conclusion and closing comments ------------------------------------- Click here to get regular WhatsApp updates:https://wa.me/message/ZUZQQGKCZTADL1 ------------------------------------- Connect with Us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-operator​Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperatorStartup​​ ------------------------------------- Talk of the Town Tweets:Consumer Tech: https://x.com/ritwikpavan/status/1832061056447033377OnlyFans Revenue: https://x.com/ParikPatelCFA/status/1832126344177791011Tobi Lutke : https://x.com/StartupArchive_/status/18283995994151078091x Neo : https://x.com/minchoi/status/1829931741219602739Boldcare Marketing: https://x.com/oneandonlyrk/status/1830585560060289428Paul Graham's Founder mode essay: https://x.com/paulg/status/1830146241054834858 If you liked this episode, let us know by hitting the like button and share with your friends and family. Please also remember to subscribe to our channel and switch on the notifications to never miss an episode!
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    49 mins
  • 245: How Venture Capital Funding is Changing | Devendra Agrawal (Founder - Dexter Capital)

    245: How Venture Capital Funding is Changing | Devendra Agrawal (Founder - Dexter Capital)
    Sep 3 2024
    In this episode, Roshan talks to Devendra Agrawal, Founder of Dexter Capital. Having dedicated over five years to investments and two years in a senior corporate finance position, Devendra embraced the entrepreneurial journey as the founder of Dexter Capital, a boutique investment bank. The conversation encompasses the various factors that shaped today's outlook into startup investing. Tune in for a deep-dive into -- 00:00 - Introduction 1:13 - Recent Developments in startup Investing 11:27 - Startup Ecosystem and the Indian Economy 16:04 - Power Dynamics Between Founders and Investors 25:26 - Key Developments in the 2021 Startup Ecosystem 31:42 - Building Successful Startups 33:45 - Key Considerations in Equity Sharing and Fundraising 43:30 - Risks of Accepting High Valuations 48:41 - Revising the Current Incentive Structures 56:06 - Incentive Models 01:01:01 - Equity Pledging in Conventional Companies 01:03:12 - Reasons Behind the Surge in Startup Funding 01:14:35 - Characteristics of a Successful Fund 01:20:23 - Supporting Founders ------------------------------------- Click here to get regular WhatsApp updates: https://wa.me/message/ZUZQQGKCZTADL1 ------------------------------------- Connect with Devedra Agrawal, Founder - Dexter Capital Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devendra-agrawal-85144598
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • 244: Can Devotion Drive Digital Innovation? | Prashant Sachan (Co-founder, Apps for Bharat)

    244: Can Devotion Drive Digital Innovation? | Prashant Sachan (Co-founder, Apps for Bharat)
    Aug 24 2024
    In this episode Roshan talks to Prashant Sachan, co-founder of Apps for Bharat, to explore the dynamic landscape of India's consumer market and his successful journey with the Srimandir app. With over 3 crore downloads and 3 million monthly users, Prashanth discusses the art of building engaging app-led businesses, the role of monetization, and delivering unique user experiences. The conversation delves into user engagement, iterative experimentation, and scaling challenges, particularly amidst the digital adaptation of religious practices during the pandemic. Additionally, the episode provides practical fundraising advice for startups and insights on operating through economic downturns, stressing the importance of trust, authenticity, and financial discipline. Topics:00:00 Introduction02:27 Starting a Business: Key Insights05:09 Building for the Masses07:05 Experimenting with Ideas09:05 Understanding User Needs16:13 Validating App Ideas24:27 Growth Strategies and User Engagement36:52 Monetization and User Feedback41:37 Building Without Bias42:19 Commitment to User Needs43:11 Business Model Innovation44:26 Monetizing Devotion46:23 Digital Spiritual Tourism49:07 Empowering Lesser-Known Temples58:10 The Role of Devotion in Society01:11:07 Navigating Market Challenges01:11:31 Fundraising Insights01:14:34 App Store Challenges01:18:07 Advice for Founders01:19:49 Recommended Reads for Founders01:21:17 Conclusion and Farewell ------------------------------------- Click here to get regular WhatsApp updates:https://wa.me/message/ZUZQQGKCZTADL1 ------------------------------------- Connect with Us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-operator​Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperatorStartup​​ ------------------------------------- If you liked this episode, let us know by hitting the like button and share with your friends and family. Please also remember to subscribe to our channel and switch on the notifications to never miss an episode!
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • India's Gaming Future: Will Krafton's R&D bet payoff? | Roundup #161 | The Startup Operator

    India's Gaming Future: Will Krafton's R&D bet payoff? | Roundup #161 | The Startup Operator
    Aug 19 2024
    In this episode of the Startup Operator Roundup, Roshan and Gunjan delve into key developments in India's vibrant startup ecosystem. They discuss the significance of freedom for startups, the technological advancements in India's digital infrastructure, and the promising updates in UPI's payment system. Highlights include Sarvam AI's innovation in Indian language models, Krafton's plans for an R&D center in India, and significant fundraises by Ather Energy, Fresh Bus, and Skydo. In this week's talk of the town they touch on Google's Eric Schmidt's becoming an arms dealer and Peter Thiel's take on the current state of AI. 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Celebrating Independence Day and Startup Freedom02:37 Sarvam AI: Revolutionizing Indian Languages08:00 UPI Circle: Expanding Financial Inclusion11:20 Krafton's R&D Center in India12:54 Startup Fundraising Highlights17:24 AI in Warfare: Eric Schmidt's Vision23:26 Peter Thiel on AI's Future25:26 Ghana's Acquisition by Radio Mirchi26:59 Conclusion and Sign Off------------------------------------- Click here to get regular WhatsApp updates:https://wa.me/message/ZUZQQGKCZTADL1 ------------------------------------- Connect with Us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-operator​Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperatorStartup​​ ------------------------------------- If you liked this episode, let us know by hitting the like button and share with your friends and family. Please also remember to subscribe to our channel and switch on the notifications to never miss an episode!
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    26 mins
  • Why is Twitter going to war against advertisers? | Roundup #160 | The Startup Operator

    Why is Twitter going to war against advertisers? | Roundup #160 | The Startup Operator
    Aug 13 2024
    In this episode of the Startup Operator Roundup, Roshan and Gunjan discuss major headlines in India's startup ecosystem. Key topics include a U.S. federal judge's ruling against Google for antitrust violations, X's (formerly Twitter) legal battle with advertisers, and an innovative SIP-like approach to startup investing introduced by Infinite Club. They also cover Andhra Pradesh's new YouTube Academy announcement, significant IPOs, and various funding news. Topics00:00 Introduction 00:27 Headlines01:29 Olympic Highlights and Reflections04:54 Celebrating Milestones06:03 Google's Antitrust Issues14:28 Twitter's Legal Battle with Advertisers20:05 Legal Battle Insights20:25 India's First SIP for Startups24:07 YouTube Academy in Andhra Pradesh25:51 IPO Highlights and Market Sentiments28:01 Fundraising Updates29:56 Talk of the Town: Tweets and Insights39:08 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes ------------------------------------- Click here to get regular WhatsApp updates:https://wa.me/message/ZUZQQGKCZTADL1 ------------------------------------- Connect with Us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-operator​Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperatorStartup​​ ------------------------------------- If you liked this episode, let us know by hitting the like button and share with your friends and family. Please also remember to subscribe to our channel and switch on the notifications to never miss an episode!
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    40 mins
  • Can Ola Maps Dethrone Google Maps in India? | Roundup #159 | The Startup Operator

    Can Ola Maps Dethrone Google Maps in India? | Roundup #159 | The Startup Operator
    Jul 30 2024
    In this episode of the Startup Operator Roundup, Roshan and Gunjan break down significant updates from India's startup ecosystem, including Karnataka's new job reservation bill, the union budget's key highlights, and notable trends on Twitter. The discussion covers the impact of CrowdStrike's software glitch, and Ola's competitive move against Google Maps. The episode concludes with insights on the importance of education and skilling, the controversial angel tax, and recent fundraising activities within the ecosystem. Topics:00:00 Introduction00:53 Karnataka's New Job Reservation Bill11:01 Union Budget Highlights for Startups23:06 The Blue Screen of Death Incident26:46 Ola Maps Challenges Google's Monopoly27:42 Challenges with Ola Map Services28:05 The Evolution of Map Technologies28:48 The Need for Indigenous Solutions29:37 Comparing Bhavish Aggarwal to Elon Musk32:03 WazirX Hack and Cryptocurrency Security34:14 Blockchain's Real-World Applications35:18 Bajaj Auto's CNG Two-Wheeler Launch38:14 CRED's New Feature: CredMoney41:50 Swiggy's ESOP Buyback Program43:28 Notable Fundraisers and Investments44:50 Talk of the Town: Indian Engineers and Google Maps Update46:58 The Future of the Gig Economy53:01 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes ------------------------------------- Click here to get regular WhatsApp updates:https://wa.me/message/ZUZQQGKCZTADL1 ------------------------------------- Connect with Us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-operator​Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperatorStartup​​ ------------------------------------- If you liked this episode, let us know by hitting the like button and share with your friends and family. Please also remember to subscribe to our channel and switch on the notifications to never miss an episode!
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    55 mins