Indian Silicon Valley with Jivraj Singh Sachar

Jivraj Singh Sachar
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The Indian Silicon Valley Podcast is a series of intricate conversations with Founders, Investors and Domain Experts from India's flourishing startup ecosystem, with the hope to decode the learnings from building legendary institutions. The mission of this Podcast is to democratise the knowledge to building a truly spectacular Company! Stay Tuned for an Episode each Sunday as your Host - Jivraj Singh Sachar brings to your some phenomenal conversations! Feel Free to Reach Out - jivrajsinghsachar@gmail.com Https://www.linkedin.com/in/jivrajsinghsachar Https://twitter.com/jivraj_sachar

  1. 15/12/2024

    E199 - Nithin Kamath: The 10,000 Crore Comeback After the Toughest Year

    In this milestone episode, we sit down with Nithin Kamath, the founder and CEO of Zerodha, to uncover the untold secrets behind building India’s largest broking platform. Nithin shares his incredible journey of scaling Zerodha into a billion-dollar empire while remaining bootstrapped, customer-first, and uncompromising on values. From navigating personal challenges like a health scare earlier this year to reflecting on wealth, freedom, and long-term thinking, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of India’s most visionary entrepreneurs. Nithin opens up about his philosophy of "growth at what cost?", the role of luck in success, and how Zerodha disrupted the financial services industry with transparency and simplicity. We delve deep into how Nithin approaches: - Building a resilient team and culture without hiring from competitors. - Aligning incentives between customers and stakeholders. - Marketing through authenticity instead of flashy ads. - Betting on future trends, like climate change and health tech, through his Rainmatter fund. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or someone passionate about personal and professional growth, this episode is packed with timeless lessons and actionable insights that will leave you inspired and reflective. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:40 - Personal challenges Nithin Kamath faced this year 6:16 - Advice to his younger self 8:12 - Thoughts on the role of luck 12:35 - How to think long-term effectively 17:25 - Nithin’s key mental models 21:00 - Shifts in investing behavior 26:55 - Zerodha’s approach to understanding customers 31:30 - Aligning investor and customer incentives 41:15 - Insights on hiring and building a strong team 44:30 - Lessons learned from hiring experiences 47:00 - Thoughts on marketing and brand building 52:12 - Breaking down customer personas 55:45 - How he approaches social media 58:25 - What freedom means to him 1:02:35 - Wealth distribution in India and its impact 1:07:35 - Advice for those working on self-improvement 1:11:12 - Reflection, mental models, and decision-making 1:20:35 - Balancing ambition and personal freedom 1:23:55 - Predictions for climate-focused businesses in five years 1:26:15 - Companies that inspire Nithin Kamath 1:32:41 - Outro Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends, subscribe to the channel, and leave a comment. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories to light. Follow JIvraj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #IndianSiliconValley #Zerodha #NithinKamath #Bootstrapped #Entrepreneurship #Startups #FinancialFreedom #Rainmatter #Leadership #LongTermThinking #InvestingInIndia

    1h 33m

  2. 08/12/2024

    E198 - ₹250 Crore in 2 Years: How NewMe Reinvented Women’s Fashion in India - Sumit Joria, Co-founder

    In this episode, we sit down with Sumit Joria, the co-founder and CEO of NewMe, one of India's fastest-growing fashion brands redefining how young Indian women shop. Sumit shares the untold story behind NewMe's success, revealing the bold decisions, innovative strategies, and consumer-first philosophy that have made the brand a household name among Gen Z shoppers. From humble beginnings to launching nine stores across seven cities, this conversation is a deep dive into what it takes to build a globally aspirational fashion brand out of India. We explore how NewMe disrupted the cluttered fashion market by prioritizing freshness, data-driven design, and an inventory-light supply chain. Sumit reflects on NewMe's foundational values, including the brand's unique approach to retail expansion, creating Instagram-worthy in-store experiences, and ensuring its DNA resonates with every customer interaction. He also sheds light on navigating funding challenges, building a resilient team, and the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. This episode is packed with practical insights and authentic reflections for anyone interested in fashion, entrepreneurship, or consumer brands. Whether you're a budding founder, a business leader, or a fashion enthusiast, you'll find immense value in Sumit's transparent storytelling. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:20 - How did they build NewMe? 4:12 - What observations did they make while building NewMe? 8:00 - What is the branding and marketing strategy of NewMe? 12:50 - What foundational aspects were they clear about? 17:10 - What should you know about the supply chain in the fashion industry? 22:58 - How does NewMe approach design? 28:35 - Key learnings from the pop-up in Guwahati 33:45 - What did NewMe founders observe in pop-ups? 39:55 - How do they view retail expansion? 47:10 - What is the customer experience like within the store? 52:00 - Where is consumption happening in India? 1:09:00 - How do they build confidence with investors? 1:16:50 - When things weren’t working out for NewMe 1:26:20 - Sumit’s life beyond NewMe 1:36:10 - How do Sumit’s friends describe him? 1:38:40 - How does Sumit view life? 1:48:56 - Outro Follow JIvraj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with friends, subscribe to the channel, and leave a comment. Your support helps us bring more such incredible stories to light. #IndianSiliconValley #NewMe #FashionEntrepreneurship #SumitJoria #GenZFashion #Startups #RetailExpansion #IndiaFashion #ConsumerBrands #Leadership

    1h 49m

  3. 01/12/2024

    E197 - India's Health CRISIS: What's Going Wrong and How to Fix It - Prashant Desai, Stanford

    In this episode, we sit down with Prashant Desai, a seasoned business leader, investor, and health influencer, to uncover why Indians are sicker than ever before and how to fix it. With over three decades of experience in business and investing—including his role as Managing Director at Everstone—Prashant brings a unique perspective to the health challenges facing India today. Beyond his corporate journey, he has become a prominent voice in health and wellness, creating content that educates millions on fitness, sleep, and lifestyle changes. We delve deep into the systemic issues plaguing India's healthcare system, including the alarming rise in diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Prashant shares his personal motivation behind his mission to make India healthier, reflecting on his own family's experiences with health challenges. He debunks common health misconceptions, discusses the impact of quick commerce on eating habits, and offers practical solutions for individuals to take control of their health. Additionally, Prashant combines his business acumen with his passion for wellness to explore opportunities within India's health and fitness market. He provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs on building trust, scaling, and distribution in their brands, and shares his views on the future of organic and health-focused products in India. This episode is packed with actionable advice and profound reflections, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in health, entrepreneurship, and the socio-economic factors affecting well-being in India. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:31 - What matters most to Prashant Desai? 5:59 - What’s wrong with India’s healthcare system? 19:59 - How can we prevent diabetes, obesity, and being overweight? 26:55 - What are some common health misconceptions? 47:29 - Opportunities in India’s health and fitness market 54:49 - What have nutrition companies achieved in India? 1:02:17 - How is India’s protein market evolving? 1:07:39 - What should you check when buying groceries? 1:11:59 - If Prashant built a health company, what would it look like? 1:15:19 - What’s Prashant’s view on organic brands? 1:18:23 - Tips for building trust, scaling, and distribution in a brand 1:20:49 - How does quick commerce affect eating habits? 1:25:18 - Is longevity only for the privileged? 1:31:09 - What does Prashant think about Kolkata? 1:46:41 - How does Prashant excel in everything he does? 1:49:32 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #ISV #PrashantDesai #HealthInIndia #Wellness #Entrepreneurship #Startups #HealthTech #Fitness #Longevity

    1h 50m

  4. 24/11/2024

    E196 - The Indian College Where Students Build Startups in 7 Countries - Pratham Mittal, Tetr

    In this monumental 100K episode of the Indian Silicon Valley podcast, we welcome back Pratham Mittal, Co-founder of Masters’ Union and TETR, to explore his vision for the future of education. Pratham shares the incredible journey of launching TETR, a groundbreaking undergraduate program that blends global travel with experiential learning. (Watch here: YouTube Link) We dive into how Pratham is rethinking education with a focus on real-world problem-solving, interdisciplinary, and the transformative power of AI in the classroom. The conversation explores his unique approach to scaling institutions without sacrificing quality, building a global-first mindset from India, and his bold ambition to challenge the world’s top universities. Pratham also discusses the practical challenges of education in India, such as the mismatch between job creation and college graduates, and how MSMEs, not startups, hold the key to bridging this gap. From hiring strategies to insights on process-building and work-life balance, Pratham offers candid reflections on what it takes to build world-class institutions in a rapidly evolving landscape. This episode is a must-watch for anyone curious about the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and technology—and how India is poised to lead the way. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:10 - What is TETR? 6:38 - What did Pratham get right the first time? 16:18 - How is ambition scaling for Pratham? 19:19 - How is Pratham expanding? 22:58 - Pratham's 5-10 year plan 26:18 - What’s missing in education? 38:08 - How does Pratham bridge education access? 45:08 - How does Pratham hire? 50:48 - How does Pratham manage his days? 53:19 - How far ahead is India? 59:33 - What is Pratham predicting for the future? 1:01:33 - Outro Follow us for updates: Instagram: www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #IndianSiliconValley #ISV #PrathamMittal #MastersUnion #TETR #EducationInnovation #EdTech #Entrepreneurship #India

    1h 2m

  5. 10/11/2024

    E195 - How We're Fixing India’s Broken Education Market - Rohit Gupta, College Vidya

    In this episode, we sit down with Rohit Gupta, Co-founder and COO of College Vidya, to discuss how he is tackling India’s broken education market. Rohit shares the journey of building College Vidya, an ed-tech platform that simplifies and democratizes access to online education, catering to millions of students from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. (College Vidya Website link - https://cvadm.com/HaXvQo) We dive deep into the foundational phase of College Vidya, exploring how they built trust in a market filled with skepticism, the role of data-driven consumer patterns, and how they are utilising AI to scale. Rohit discusses the challenges of marketing in the education sector, his vision for the future of College Vidya, and the importance of being adaptable in a rapidly changing landscape. Rohit also reflects on the personal side of his entrepreneurial journey, sharing the toughest moments of building the company and the lessons he would impart to his younger self. This episode is packed with insights for aspiring founders, educators, and anyone interested in the future of education in India. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:27 - Problem of education and access 6:57 - What was the 0-1 phase of College Vidya 10:57 - How much usage is driven by consumer patterns 13:52 - How Rohit plans to build additional features 16:42 - How College Vidya built trust 18:17 - Education marketing/brand building 22:22 - How to move from B to C to D 24:26 - Usage data split in education 29:52 - Positive aspects in education 34:27 - How College Vidya used AI 37:32 - Daily priorities for College Vidya 41:07 - College Vidya's goal setting 43:07 - How Rohit’s friends would describe him 43:57 - Challenges in building College Vidya 46:47 - What Rohit would tell his younger self 48:53 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: www.instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #ISV #RohitGupta #CollegeVidya #EducationReform #EdTech #Startups #Entrepreneurship

    47 min

  6. 27/10/2024

    E194 - India’s Hidden IQ Crisis: Rocket Learning’s Radical Plan to Save Our Kids

    In this episode, we sit down with Azeez Gupta, Co-founder of Rocket Learning, an ed-tech nonprofit dedicated to revolutionizing early childhood education in India. Azeez shares his journey of building Rocket Learning, an organization that partners with government schools and anganwadi centers to create digital communities that empower educators, parents, and children alike. With an emphasis on the bottom 40% of India's income pyramid, Rocket Learning is on a mission to bridge educational inequalities and give every child a chance to thrive. We explore the operational intricacies of scaling an impact-driven nonprofit, including how Azeez and his team manage challenges from policy engagement to community building. Azeez discusses the lessons learned from testing new approaches, the role of technology and data in influencing behavior change, and the hard-won insights that come from experimenting with new methodologies at scale. Reflecting on the personal aspects of his journey, Azeez dives into the trade-offs, motivations, and the unique mindset required for impact-driven work. He also shares his philosophy of “additionality” — the belief that one's work should add unique value to the world — and the power of clarity and boldness in making high-impact decisions. This conversation is packed with insights for aspiring social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and anyone passionate about educational equity in India. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:24 - Rocket Learning Coverage 6:34 - Transformational Change 11:34 - Rocket Learning Mindset 16:07 - Reality of Nonprofit Work 21:44 - Success Factors at Rocket Learning 28:19 - Impact-Driven Mindset 31:24 - Rocket Learning Backend Process 44:04 - Gaining Empathy 50:04 - Depth of Efforts 57:29 - Unique Experiences 1:04:11 - Nonprofit Economics 1:10:54 - Life-Changing Stories 1:17:29 - Progress in Education 1:22:20 - Azeez’s Role Models 1:27:04 - Azeez’s Morning Motivation 1:31:54 - Friends’ Description of Azeez 1:33:46 - Life Without Rocket Learning 1:40:04 - Advice to Younger Self 1:42:55 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #IndianSiliconValley #ISV #AzeezGupta #RocketLearning #EdTech #EducationReform #NonProfit #SocialImpact #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfEducation

    1h 43m

  7. 20/10/2024

    E193 - From 0 to ₹700 Crore: Our D2C Blueprint for Explosive Growth - Suyash Saraf, Dot & Key

    In this episode, we sit down with Suyash Saraf, the co-founder of Dot & Key, a leading D2C beauty and personal care brand in India. Starting from scratch, Suyash and his team scaled Dot & Key to an impressive ₹700 crore business, which was recently acquired by Nykaa, a market leader in the beauty space. In this candid conversation, Suyash shares the strategies behind Dot & Key’s explosive growth and the hard-earned lessons from his bootstrapped journey. We dive deep into Suyash's insights on building a successful D2C brand, from navigating the challenges of early-stage product development, leveraging data to stay ahead of the competition, and developing a powerful marketing strategy. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Dot & Key landed a major acquisition offer, and what founders need to know about scaling profitably without external funding. Suyash also reflects on what it was like to bootstrap a business in a highly competitive industry, the highs and lows of running a business with his life partner, and his advice to new founders on navigating the entrepreneurial journey, including the critical decision of bootstrapping vs. raising funds. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring D2C founders, entrepreneurs seeking growth strategies, and anyone interested in learning how to build a brand from the ground up without relying on VC money. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:22 - Dot & Key's story 7:20 - Early successes 10:10 - Dot & Key's scale 13:00 - Scaling channels 17:50 - Staying ahead of the curve 21:21 - Dot & Key's marketing strategy 30:00 - What kept Suyash on track 31:55 - Behind-the-scenes of product development 34:17 - Using data to their advantage 36:45 - Early hiring strategies 38:45 - Getting an acquisition offer as a bootstrap company 41:16 - Key points to consider during acquisitions 42:20 - Feeling of having ₹50 Cr in the account 45:05 - Suyash's advice for young founders 47:30 - Thoughts on raising funds vs. bootstrapping 51:40 - How Suyash’s team describes him 52:15 - How Suyash’s friends describe him 53:00 - Challenges in the Dot & Key journey 55:07 - Running a business with a life partner 56:45 - What Suyash would do if they hadn’t built Dot & Key 57:49 - Advice to his younger self 58:40 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley #isv #indiansiliconvalleypodcast #isvpodcast #dotandkey #suyashsaraf #d2c #entrepreneurship #startups #founderjourney

    59 min

  8. 13/10/2024

    E192 - The Untold Secrets of Building a Billion-Dollar Marketplace: Umang Dua, Keychain (Previously built Handy, acquired by $ANGI)

    In this episode, we sit down with Umang Dua, the co-founder of Handy, one of the world’s largest home services marketplaces, which was acquired by Angi, a billion-dollar public company. Now building his second startup, Keychain, Umang shares the untold secrets behind scaling a marketplace business and the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. We dive deep into Umang’s insights on building a billion-dollar company, from navigating the early days of Handy, scaling through intense competition, and the emotional rollercoaster of startup life. Umang sheds light on how to build successful marketplaces, his approach to overcoming near-death moments, and the foundational lessons that shaped his approach as a founder. Umang also reflects on his experience on both sides of the founder's table, offering advice to new entrepreneurs, and discussing the differences between building startups in India and the US. He shares key insights into raising capital, dealing with investors, and the mindset required to build a high-growth company. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring founders, marketplace entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in learning from a founder who has scaled businesses to billions. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:52 - How the last 10-12 years shaped Umang as a founder 4:15 - Early memories of starting a company 6:35 - Foundational lessons Umang learned 12:45 - Advice for new founders in marketplaces 20:05 - Differences in the entrepreneurial journey between the US and India 26:15 - Umang’s thoughts on the other side of the founder’s table 30:55 - Things not shown or glorified in entrepreneurship 35:19 - Umang’s near-death or biggest doubts moment 40:40 - Key insights from the 0-1 journey of Handy 47:30 - How Umang built empathy to solve for supply 51:15 - The acquisition phase and how it happened 59:35 - The importance of energy around Umang 1:05:12 - Standout lessons from Umang’s journey 1:09:06 - Umang’s angel investing journey 1:12:19 - How Umang’s friends would describe him 1:15:25 - Umang’s superpower and fear 1:18:10 - Defining a life of success 1:21:45 - What Umang would tell his younger self 1:25:29 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley​ #isv​ #indiansiliconvalleypodcast​ #isvpodcast​ #umangdua​ #entrepreneurship​ #startups​ #marketplaces​ #founderjourney

    1h 26m
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The Indian Silicon Valley Podcast is a series of intricate conversations with Founders, Investors and Domain Experts from India's flourishing startup ecosystem, with the hope to decode the learnings from building legendary institutions. The mission of this Podcast is to democratise the knowledge to building a truly spectacular Company! Stay Tuned for an Episode each Sunday as your Host - Jivraj Singh Sachar brings to your some phenomenal conversations! Feel Free to Reach Out - jivrajsinghsachar@gmail.com Https://www.linkedin.com/in/jivrajsinghsachar Https://twitter.com/jivraj_sachar

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