The India Opportunity with Shrishti Sahu

Shrishti Sahu
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The India Opportunity Podcast offers a front-row seat to the visionaries shaping India's future. Join us as we unlock the country's potential through insightful conversations with founders, investors, creators, and leaders across various industries. Get a BTS look at what it takes to be at the forefront of building the India story. Hosted by Shrishti Sahu, Managing Director of SSV, an entrepreneur and investor with a background in startups, private equity, and Meta. Shrishti is passionate about building, investing, learning, giving back, and championing women entrepreneurs. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration from those at the forefront of India's growth story!

  1. The Psychology of Compounding: How to Lose Less and Earn More ft E.A. Sundaram on The India Opportunity Show with Shrishti Sahu

    4D AGO

    The Psychology of Compounding: How to Lose Less and Earn More ft E.A. Sundaram on The India Opportunity Show with Shrishti Sahu

    My guest today is E.A. Sundaram — one of the most respected voices in Indian public markets. With over three decades of investing experience across firms like Zurich India, HDFC Mutual Fund, and now as Executive Director at BugleRock Capital, Sundaram has built a career defined by intellectual clarity and disciplined capital allocation. He’s seen every market cycle up close — from the liberalisation era to India’s current structural bull run — and through it all, his focus has remained unwavering: protect capital first, compound it second. In this conversation, we explore how temperament, research, and philosophy come together to create enduring investment performance — and what it really takes to stay rational in irrational markets. 00:00 - Teaser 03:36 - Be Consistent, Not Best 07:18 - Lessons from Market Bubbles 10:27 - Market Cycles Explained 13:22 - Doing Right vs Avoiding Wrong 18:10 - Four Investing Mistakes 22:38 - Common Investor Traps 26:14 - Family Office Strategy 29:33 - Circle of Competence 32:47 - Control What You Can 35:14 - Common Sense Investing 37:06 - Buy Quality When Unpopular 39:16 - Indraprastha Gas Example 42:01 - Psychology & Communication 45:48 - Align Values with Clients 48:02 - Realistic Market Returns 50:14 - Finding New Ideas 51:16 - Position Sizing Rules 54:53 - Identifying Quality Businesses 01:02:04 - Temporary vs Permanent Issues 01:04:23 - Four Reasons to Sell 01:07:10 - SBI Turnaround Case Study 01:10:03 - Balanced Portfolio Strategy 01:11:15 - Cash as Opportunity Tool 01:13:28 - Avoid Risky Sectors 01:14:10 - Current Market Opportunities 01:15:25 - Bullish India Themes 01:16:39 - Key Market Risks 01:18:43 - Build Resilient Portfolios 01:20:17 - Discipline & Time Horizon 01:22:10 - Avoid Envy in Investing 01:23:29 - Lessons from Mistakes 01:27:38 - Redefining Success 01:28:45 - Spend Less Than You Earn 01:29:16 - Lessons from Mentorship

    1h 32m
  2. Kapil Chopra on How To Build a Global Luxury Brand from India | From Oberoi to The Postcard: India’s Boldest Hotel Experiment ft Shrishti Sahu

    SEP 26

    Kapil Chopra on How To Build a Global Luxury Brand from India | From Oberoi to The Postcard: India’s Boldest Hotel Experiment ft Shrishti Sahu

    Today on The India Opportunity Show, I’m joined by Kapil Chopra — one of the most unconventional voices in India’s luxury hospitality industry. From serving as President of Oberoi Hotels to co-founding EazyDiner and building The Postcard Hotel, India’s most awarded new luxury brand, Kapil has consistently chosen the harder path of innovation over comfort. He has redefined what it means to create a hotel brand — no buffets, no rigid check-in and check-out times, deep cultural immersion, and a philosophy rooted in capital discipline and ‘skin in the game.’ Kapil’s journey is not just about hotels; it’s about entrepreneurship, capital allocation, and building global brands out of India. Hope you enjoy watching! Chapters: 00:00 – Postcard vs Marriott: The Hotel Pitch 02:55 – Postcard’s Unique Revenue Share Lease Model 10:00 – Challenges of Building a New Luxury Hotel Brand 14:00 – Early Success & Profitability Strategies 20:00 – Choosing Unique Indian Destinations for Hotels 27:00 – Hotel Occupancy & Break-Even Metrics 32:00 – Guest Experience & Redefining Luxury 38:00 – Building Consumer Brands: Tea & Wine 44:00 – Wellness Retreats & Diversified Offerings 50:00 – Expanding Wildlife Lodges & Future Hotel Pipeline 55:00 – Keeping Postcard Private for Long-Term Vision 1:00:00 – Direct Customer Engagement & Bookings 1:03:00 – EasyDiner’s Funding Struggles & Turnaround 1:09:00 – EasyDiner’s Growth & Market Positioning 1:13:00 – Entrepreneurial Resilience & Consumer Insights 1:17:00 – Building for Aspirational & Top-Tier Markets 1:19:00 – Postcard vs Airbnb & The Second-Home Market 1:22:00 – Kapil’s Personal Investing Journey & Philosophy 1:27:00 – Employee Stock Ownership & Wealth Creation 1:31:00 – Personal Capital Allocation & Stock Market Views 1:37:00 – Investment Discipline & Market Outlook

    1h 39m

  3. SEP 19

    Inside the Mind of India’s Greatest Startup Investor – Sanjeev Bikhchandani on The India Opportunity Show ft Shrishti Sahu

    On this episode of The India Opportunity Show, I sit down with Sanjeev Bhikchandani — a pioneer not just of the Indian internet but of capital allocation itself. Through Info Edge, he built and scaled platforms like Naukri, 99acres, Jeevansathi, and Shiksha. But what’s even more fascinating is his role as an investor — backing Zomato, Policybazaar, and several category-defining startups long before the market believed in them. This conversation is not about Naukri’s journey as much as it is about how Sanjeev thinks about deploying capital, spotting founders early, and compounding value over decades. Chapters 00:00:00 – Intro 00:02:38 – The Secret Behind His Asset Allocation Strategy 00:15:46 – Why He Avoids Small & Mid-Cap Stocks 00:23:36 – Investors Told Him to Stop… Here’s How He Reacted 00:24:55 – When People Said His Model Was DEAD 00:30:13 – The Hidden Advantage of Long VC Cycles 00:38:13 – Holding Startups for 17 Years?! Here’s How 00:39:16 – The Untold Policybazaar Investment Drama 00:42:20 – Inside Story: Zomato’s Risky Blinkit Deal 00:45:19 – Will Commerce Really Go Vertical? 00:47:13 – Quick Commerce: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t) 00:48:49 – Red Flags That Kill Startup Deals 00:55:01 – Why He Rejects “Startup Idea Lists” Instantly 00:59:21 – The TRUTH About Startup Valuations 01:02:17 – The Market Size Question That Stumped Him 01:05:03 – Warren Buffett’s Rules in Startup Investing 01:07:20 – Break-Even vs Growth: His Advice to Founders 01:08:10 – What He Tells Founders Running Out of Cash 01:08:58 – The AI Value Chain: Where the Real Money Lies

    1h 34m

  4. SEP 12

    Neelkanth Mishra on India’s $18 Billion Semiconductor Bet, GST Reforms & How Policy Shifts Will Shape the $20 Trillion Future ft Shrishti Sahu

    My guest today is Neelkanth Mishra — one of India’s most respected economists and policy voices. He is currently the Chief Economist at Axis Bank and Head of Research at Axis Capital, and also serves as part-time member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. Over the years, Neelkanth has built a reputation for sharp, data-driven insights that cut through market noise, from dissecting global trade wars to shaping India’s semiconductor roadmap as part of the India Semiconductor Mission. In this conversation, we explore some of the most defining shifts of our time: India’s semiconductor strategy and how we can realistically compete in a geopolitically sensitive industry. The role of international partnerships and why building fabs is a decades-long journey. The global AI race, how India’s digital infrastructure changes the equation, and what this means for jobs and innovation. Big-picture reforms like GST, the formalization of the economy, and how these are reshaping India’s growth trajectory. Whether you’re a policymaker, founder, or investor, Neelkanth’s ability to connect global macro forces with India’s long-term opportunities makes this an essential watch. Chapters: 00:00 Semiconductor industry investment and India’s strategy 02:19 Targeted approach for attracting semiconductor manufacturers 07:41 Importance of international partnerships in semiconductors 15:09 Challenges in semiconductor fab proposals and current progress 22:50 Long-term timeline and technology upgrades for fabs in India 30:52 India’s position and timeline in the global AI race 39:14 AI diffusion and impact of digital infrastructure in India 46:50 India’s chip design ecosystem and career advice for youth 1:04:00 GST reform and business formalization boosting financing access 1:14:37 Geopolitical trade shifts and India’s economic growth outlook

    1h 25m

  5. SEP 6

    The Real Impact of AI on Jobs & Future of Work ft Ravi Venkatesan, Ex-Chairman of Microsoft, India on The India Opportunity Show

    My guest today is Ravi Venkatesan— one of India’s most respected business leaders and thinkers, whose career spans boardrooms, philanthropy, and nation-building. Ravi was the Chairman of Microsoft India, where he helped lay the groundwork for India’s cloud and digital transformation. He’s also served on the boards of Infosys, Hitachi, and Rockefeller Foundation, and today advises global giants while championing social impact through his non-profit, GAME (Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship) and GEAPP (Global Energy Alliance for People & Planet). What makes Ravi truly stand out is his unique ability to bridge worlds: corporate leadership and grassroots impact, global boardrooms and India’s entrepreneurial hustle. He’s someone who has argued with Bill Gates and walked away with a handwritten note from Gates saying, ‘I was wrong.’ He’s also someone who, at the height of his corporate career, asked himself the deeper question: what does success really mean beyond titles and money? In this conversation, we’ll dive into Ravi’s extraordinary journey, his frameworks for leadership, his perspective on AI and the future of work, and why he believes India is on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Hope you enjoy watching! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:06 Global Energy Alliance impact report overview 06:09 Decision to leave Microsoft and career shift 09:26 Bill Gates handwritten note story 11:50 OpenAI and Microsoft partnership insights 13:02 Navigating disruption and company culture 17:05 AI's impact on jobs and future preparation 23:26 Mindset for entrepreneurship and AI era 29:21 Career advice: global opportunities and risks 34:33 AI value chain and India's potential 39:21 Tech company disruption and ecosystem challenges 44:37 Advice for Indian founders and sectors to watch 47:37 Boardroom dynamics and AI leadership 54:12 Wartime leadership in entrepreneurship and CEOs 56:28 Fostering dissent and leadership skills 58:18 Early leadership story at Cummins factory 1:01:37 Passion for social entrepreneurship initiatives 1:06:07 Measuring impact in social programs 1:10:30 Stories of entrepreneurs transformed by support 1:13:03 Global Energy Alliance's energy access mission 1:15:23 Energy projects and innovations in India 1:18:43 Importance of mindset in leadership and growth 1:20:31 Self-belief and overcoming limiting mindsets 1:21:49 Personal childhood challenges and healing

    1h 24m

  6. AUG 29

    India's 10,000 Crore Logistics Powerhouse | 70 years of Transport Corporation of India | Vineet Agarwal on The India Opportunity Show ft Shrishti Sahu

    Today on The India Opportunity Show, I’m joined by Vineet Agarwal, the Managing Director of Transport Corporation of India — a company that has been the backbone of India’s logistics and supply chain story for decades. Vineet is not just running trucks and warehouses — he’s leading a transformation. Under his leadership, TCI has evolved into a multi-modal logistics powerhouse connecting India through road, rail, sea, and air. From making supply chains smarter to reimagining how goods move across our fast-growing economy, Vineet has been at the forefront of shaping the way India delivers. Beyond business, Vineet has worn many hats — as former President of ASSOCHAM, a global voice at YPO, and a recognized thought leader who has been awarded ‘Young CEO of the Year’ and celebrated among India’s ‘Champions of Change’. What excites me most about this conversation is diving into his vision — not just for logistics, but for how India can power the next decade of growth with world-class infrastructure, technology, and innovation Chapters 00:00 – TCI's Evolution: From One Truck to Logistics Powerhouse 04:30 – Overcoming Debt and Diversifying Logistics Services 10:17 – India’s Logistics Market Size and Growth Potential 16:24 – Learning Operational Excellence from Toyota and Amazon 20:21 – Building People, Technology, and Systems as Business Moats 24:34 – Capital Efficiency and Disciplined Portfolio Construction 36:58 – Strategic Startup Investments and Innovation Adoption 45:31 – AI, Automation, and Future of Logistics in India 51:08 – Infrastructure Growth Driving Multimodal Logistics 54:34 – Sustainability Efforts and Transition to Green Logistics 58:57 – Succession Planning and Leadership Pipeline in Family Business

    1h 2m

  7. AUG 15

    Inside Mahindra: Untold Secrets from 50 Years of Building a $40 Billion Empire | Arun Nanda on The India Opportunity Show ft Shrishti Sahu

    Few leaders embody the spirit of India’s corporate rise like Arun Nanda. Over five decades at the Mahindra Group, he worked alongside Anand Mahindra and the legendary Keshub Mahindra to help transform the company into one of India’s most respected global brands. From shaping Mahindra Holidays to guiding the Group’s public policy and strategic direction, Arun Nanda’s career is a masterclass in leadership, institution-building, and long-term vision. This episode dives into his journey, the lessons from 50 years inside India’s most admired conglomerate, and his reflections on what it takes to build organizations that outlast generations. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 02:10 – 50-Year Journey at Mahindra 09:06 – Anand Mahindra’s Vision 14:23 – Starting Hospitality Business & Challenges 18:57 – What He Did Differently 23:35 – Hotel Development & Customer Experience 30:18 – Life lesson from Keshub Mahindra 32:26 – Risk-Taking & Management Philosophy 41:31 – Meeting with Anand Mahindra 46:45 – Learning from Mahindra 50:16 – Ethics, Respect & Trust at Mahindra 53:29 – Macroeconomic Climate of the Country 57:22 – Learning from Capital Allocation 01:01:20 – Big-Time Foodie & Best Country to Eat In 01:05:32 – Giving Back to Society 01:16:28 – Joined Hands with SBTi

    1h 29m

  8. AUG 8

    Can INDIA Become a $10 Trillion Economy by 2047? | Montek Singh Ahluwalia on The India Opportunity Show

    Today’s guest is one of the architects of modern India’s economy. Montek Singh Ahluwalia has served at the highest levels of policymaking — as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Finance Secretary, and a key figure in the 1991 reforms that transformed India from a closed economy into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Educated at Oxford and Harvard, Montek has advised multiple Prime Ministers, navigated India through global crises, and shaped policies that have impacted over a billion lives. In this conversation, we go beyond headlines — into the lessons, decisions, and trade-offs that define nation-building. And we ask the most important question: What must India do next to truly seize the India opportunity? Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Introduction to Montek Singh Alwalia’s role 03:54 – Origins of economic crisis and Rajiv Gandhi’s vision 09:58 – Gold repurchase and foreign exchange crisis 12:16 – Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister and key reforms 13:42 – Economic liberalization and removal of controls 16:54 – The M Document and public debate on reforms 17:21 – Industry reactions to liberalization and FDI 21:28 – Global experience shaping reform strategy 27:08 – Benefits of Capital market reforms 31:36 – India’s growth potential and role of foreign capital 38:00 – Challenges in sustaining 8% growth target 43:34 – Technology adoption and AI in India’s economy 49:44 – AI impact on jobs and reskilling needs 54:50 – Historical resistance to technology in banks 01:01:32 – Globalization challenges and inclusive growth 01:06:12 – Income inequality and political influence risks 01:12:35 – Digital India and ease of doing business reforms 01:16:03 – Reducing compliances and deregulation 01:19:43 – Defense spending increase and regional security 01:23:33 – Government spending priorities and fiscal challenges 01:28:05 – Top reforms needed: ease of business, trade, state cooperation 01:32:16 – Critique of ineffective freebies and social welfare 01:36:34 – Warning against bad economic ideas 01:38:04 – Proudest achievements: import deregulation and SEBI creation

    1h 43m
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About

The India Opportunity Podcast offers a front-row seat to the visionaries shaping India's future. Join us as we unlock the country's potential through insightful conversations with founders, investors, creators, and leaders across various industries. Get a BTS look at what it takes to be at the forefront of building the India story. Hosted by Shrishti Sahu, Managing Director of SSV, an entrepreneur and investor with a background in startups, private equity, and Meta. Shrishti is passionate about building, investing, learning, giving back, and championing women entrepreneurs. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration from those at the forefront of India's growth story!

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