Veerendra Shivhare

Commoditization of AI models Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of watching Aravind Srinivas' (founder of Perplexity) interview with Aarthi Ramamurthy and Sriram Krishnan . It's a great interview and I would recommend AI founders to watch it if possible. https://lnkd.in/gnM2NeS8 Couple of things that stuck me from the interview: 1. Aravind believes in the commoditization of AI models in the long run. His take his firms like Perplexity which focus on user problems and solve for it using relevant models will win. Perplexity does it quite well, do check them out if you haven't already. This is something that AI entrepreneurs should think about. Creating foundational models is freaking expensive! and for conservative capital allocators like us it is too risky a bet (not betting on AI is even riskier 😅, I guess we need to learn more) I am going to tag the platform Guru and distinguished IIMB alumnus Sangeet Paul Choudary for his take on this. 2. The initial employees (5-10) have to be truth seekers rather than social affirmers(?) It was great hearing him talk about the culture at Perplexity of seeking the truth through open conversations and arguments on Slack rather than provide positive affirmation. I think it's something that every founder should strive for. Truth will prevail in the longer run. This works in technology, finance, politics, society, anywhere. (Satyamev Jayate is true in itself!) But to be able to have an open conversation, the founders need to have depth themselves. This is something that I feel the Indian ecosystem lacks, as most of the founders seem to be managerial in nature. I find them shifting to jargons rather than simplicity when questioned deeper. (By the way this is a classic test to check whether someone really knows it, people who know what they are talking about will make it simpler, those who don't take the cover of jargons to increase complexity and portray intelligence) I understand my analysis could be biased due to self-selection, and I would love to be proven wrong. It's pretty cool that Aravind chose Larry Page as his favourite entrepreneur due to their common background of coming from academic research to entrepreneurship. What I definitely don't agree with Aravind on The idea that luck doesn't play a role in outcomes. Successful people generally attribute success to their hard work/smartness / enterprise without understanding their privilege. For e.g. A smarter/more hardworking/more enterprising Dalit girl from Bihar will never have the kind of opportunities that I had as a Tam Bram born in a lower-middle class but very well educated family in Chennai. One has tried to solve for it using our Sakhi Scholars programme, which supports gifted girls from underprivileged communities to achieve their dream through financial support. On a lighter note, Aravind is a 2017 IIT-M alum and has already built a $8 billion company, what the hell am I doing with my life? 🤔

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When a Tech Giant Stumbles on Facts: The Meta Misinformation Problem Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently made a glaring error by misreporting the results of India's Lok Sabha elections, claiming the NDA lost when they had actually secured a significant victory. For a platform with nearly 3 billion active users globally, including over 400 million users in India, this is more than just a factual error. It’s a trust issue. In an age where 70% of people globally rely on social media for news, such inaccuracies have far-reaching consequences. Platforms like Facebook claim to use sophisticated AI and data systems, yet incidents like this question the effectiveness of their $5 billion annual investment in content moderation and technology. This raises key concerns: 1) 2.9 billion monthly active users: How many rely on this platform for reliable information, only to be misled? 2) 87% of misinformation spread is political—when a tech giant gets it wrong, it amplifies the problem exponentially. 3) India is Facebook’s largest market—shouldn’t accuracy in this region be an uncompromised priority? The issue isn’t just about this one mistake, it’s a systemic problem of accountability. When the world’s largest social media platform fumbles facts, the ripple effects distort narratives, influence opinions, and even threaten democratic processes. The questions we must ask: 👉 Are these platforms prioritizing engagement metrics over accuracy? 👉 How robust are their fact-checking and data validation systems in high-stakes regions like India? 👉 With such resources, why are fundamental errors still slipping through? It’s time for tech giants to step up and take ownership. Transparency in their processes and stringent measures to prevent such incidents are the need of the hour. What’s your take on this? How do we hold platforms with such vast influence accountable for accuracy in reporting? #Meta #Accountability #Misinformation #TechEthics #India https://lnkd.in/grGw4aTt

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Rebalance is India's first angel community that's 51% women with 27 investments across fintech, biotech, consumer, drones, Gen AI, deeptech healthcare, climate, energy, edtech and more. 🔥 Aishwarya is hosting a limited-seating, candid chat for women who invest in startups (would like to invest with Rebalance) and for women who want to learn about startup investing. No question is too trivial or small, this is a safe space to ask anything about startup investing! When: 26 May 2024 [Sunday] Where: Somewhere in Delhi ☕ Timings: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm 2 days to go!! RSVP here: https://shorturl.at/EoYLN If you're already an investor or not based in Delhi/Gurgaon - you can directly sign up here to be part of the investing community: https://lnkd.in/g7taCdkc

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Like to order deliveries from the comfort of your own home? Zepto's recent $665 million funding will now allow the company to set up even more store across India to serve you better. Read all about it only in my new article at Entrepreneur India. . . . Follow and connect for more industry news and updates . . . #News #Update #Zepto #Funding #Investment #EntrepreneurIndia #AdityaPranMahanta https://lnkd.in/gYvATrUE

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CLSA published a detailed research report on India quick commerce. Recommended reading. Who will be the first to create a $50-100Bn company in India internet? #Zepto #Zomato #IndiaInternet

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"Zero barrier" - A case study of how the Kamath brothers, Nikhil Kamath and Nithin Kamath built something extraordinary in a non traditional way and that today is the the benchmark for millions in all sorts of ways. Read about it in my latest issue. https://lnkd.in/gmd5HBGp Feel free to subscribe to my newsletter if you want to read more interesting case studies. #newsletter #subscribe Zerodha #India #stockmarket beehiiv #kamathbrothers

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Excited and looking forward to discussing the evolving challenges of raising capital for early-stage startups at SAASCON24. Join me as I dive into the current trends, what founders need to know, and how we can navigate this more challenging environment. #SAASCON24 #StartupFunding #EarlyStageStartups #SaaS #Entrepreneurship

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Indian venture market has exploded. Someone reported that there are 800+ funds/networks/syndicates/ accelerators active in Indian venture market now. Not sure, if that number is correct but if you are an early stage tech founder on your fundraise journey, chances are, you would meet hundreds of people. While majority of the fund houses are doing incredible work and shaping the ecosystem. There are certain kinds of investors you need to identify & avoid to save time and stay focused: Sharing from my personal experience, top 5 such cohorts to avoid and the takeaways for the founders: 1. Data collectors: At early stage, you don't have historical data to present. Your projections are just that, Projections. I wasted one whole week discussing with a prospective angel investor on why the CLTV to CAC ratio is x, and not y. Takeaway: Discuss high level strategic numbers only without going into the details. None of the projections would be accurate anyway when rubber hits the road. 2. Document collectors: Met few folks, who would watch from the fences and ask for n number of documents, data rooms, statements without sharing the purpose of the ask or even revealing their investment intent. Takeaway: It is supposed to be a bi-directional conversation. Say 'no' often, till the time, an official relationship is established. 3. Valuer (! investor): At early stage, valuation is a function of multiple parameters, the opportunity itself, the team, or anything else except steady cash flows, because you don't have much. I wasted another week with a prospective investor trying to justify valuation, had to shut down that conversation, after both of us started quoting Aswath Damodaran and his valuation principles. Takeaway: Too much content on the internet for both parties anyway. Shouldn't be a bone of contention at early stages. 4. Facilitators posing as investors: Met numerous people, who would go to any lengths to pose themselves as serious investors, even buying paid media articles. Only to reveal at the last: The success fee. Takeaway: Avoid facilitators until Series A 5. Brokers posing as market makers: People posing as market makers sharing tons of gyaan on LinkedIn but are actually deal brokers looking to make quick %. Personal experience: Two rounds of conversation happened and then out of blue, they added a third party in the mail trail, someone who facilitates mergers & acquisitions. There wasn't even a single instance in the past conversations where we indicated any such intent. Takeaway: Avoid name & shame in public but at least share within founder communities. #venture #fundraise #startups #investing

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Interesting and relatable piece by Nutgraf / The Ken Praveen Gopal Krishnan in my inbox today. Few VCs balance this line well, even fewer can project an authentic narrative of what they actually do. In my observation of actions, a VC is a financier first and last, and anything else is marketing until proven otherwise. #vc #startups #india #founder

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Many critics and casual observers have been vocal about their concerns regarding the Indian tech ecosystem and recent IPOs. Currently, tech excluding ITES forms a very small portion of our $4 trillion stock market. While some of the criticism is valid, having a myopic view of the future of new-age tech companies and their contribution to a developed India overlooks the fact that if India is to become a developed economy by 2047, tech will be one of the biggest contributors. This is akin to missing the forest for the trees. Despite a few lackluster IPOs, the future of tech is bright, and this sector will be the shining star that lifts the nation and brings us closer to our goal of a $30 trillion economy. In this blog, Utkarsh Pande analyzes the dilemma of the IPO question for Indian startups and attempts to answer it. While the tech sector currently holds a small market share, its broader contributions to the national ecosystem, especially in areas like AI and skill development, underscore its critical importance. By understanding these nuances, we can better appreciate the sector's true value and its role in shaping a prosperous future for India. https://lnkd.in/d9sQMasQ

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We break even and make profits already, the co-founder answered. We should have told losses for next 10 years at-least, said another co-founder while walking out. Series - P1. The Fund Raising Story! #thefundraisingstory #fundraise #founders #startups

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"We bought a 13-acre piece of land in a village called Sikra in Kutch which is enough for us to reach a revenue of 500 crores." 🔥 Ep#08 of The India Opportunity Podcast with Aditya Aagare from Thermoflyde is out now! 🔥 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/g6JjrGq6 We talk about: > The market opportunity in the refractory space - north of $30 Billion USD globally > How Thermoflyde is aggressively growing its market share by taking on RHI Magnestia (a $3 Billion revenue-generating, publicly listed business) and has grown 100% year-on-year in terms of REVENUE > How starting up in college taught Aditya lessons about entrepreneurship the hard way > Focusing on customer service as a competitive advantage > Building an IPO-able, cash-flow-positive business > 500 Crores revenue in sight with current capacity and potential to grow much bigger > Aditya's goal of positively impacting 1000+ lives > How traditional manufacturing businesses can be multi-baggers over decades in the public markets > How kindness from angels helped them survive in the first 2 years Great episode for founders looking to build IPO-able businesses, with key insights into how to prepare your business at the earliest stages if IPO is an outcome you're working towards. Thermoflyde Industries Private Limited is destined to be a big success story emerging in the traditional manufacturing space and we're early backers via Swadharma Source Ventures - SSV. Thrilled to share Aditya's story with the world. #india #manufacturing #makeinindia #rhimagnestia #refractory #steelplants #ipo

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Honored to be featured in YourStory Media’s spotlight on the 15 founders making strides in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem! ✨ This recognition is a testament to the incredible support from our amazing team, mentors, and partners. Your encouragement and belief in our vision have been instrumental in our journey. A big thank you to everyone who has been part of this adventure—your contributions have truly made a difference. Shradha Sharma || YourStory Media || Impactful Pitch® || instapitch.io Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/dkP9J7mR #impactful #startup #india #startups #investments #funding #fundraising #venturecapitalist #venturecapital #impact #global #pitchdeck #business #ai #generativeai #entrepreneures #entrepreneurship

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Google Gemini App is available in India in 9 languages. This is one of the big launches in the tech world about Gemini's brilliant app launch in India and several other countries. This strategic rollout offers valuable lessons for app founders on timing launches perfectly. Why did Gemini's launch happen now? Why not earlier like they did in other countries? Because if Google wants its app to be successful in India it needs to make sure to install some features such as: 1️⃣ Meeting Regional Needs - By supporting Indian languages from day one, Gemini ensured its app was accessible and relatable to millions across the subcontinent. Launching with a localized experience was crucial. 2️⃣ Multi-Platform Availability - The app rolled out on both Android and iOS simultaneously, letting users on any smartphone easily discover and download it. 3️⃣ Integrated Experiences - Gemini didn't just launch a standalone app. It integrated experiences like file uploads, data analysis, and in-app conversation capabilities from the start. 4️⃣ Celebrity CEO Promotion - Having Google CEO Sundar Pichai himself promote the launch on social media amplified visibility and credibility immensely. So when is the best time for founders to launch an app? 📍Start by understanding your core user's needs, preferences, and platforms 📍Build an experience tailored to those needs from day one 📍Integrate your app with relevant services/platforms people use 📍Get influential voices to generate buzz around your launch With a thoughtful, user-centric approach like Gemini's, you'll be primed to make a big splash when you release your app to the world. What strategies did you find effective for your app launch? Picture credit: Internet #google #gemini #AI

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"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together" GalaxEye announced investment by MountTech Growth Fund - Kavachh, a $60 million Category-II AIF, has made its inaugural investment in GalaxEye’s $10 million Series A fundraising round. GalaxEye, founded by a dynamic and skilled team from IIT-M, is on a mission to revolutionize space-based surveillance with cutting-edge, multi-sensor (SAR and MSI) fusion technology. With the first LEO satellite launch slated for mid-2025, GalaxEye aims to meet critical security and commercial needs, showcasing the power of innovation driven by purpose and precision. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to supporting trailblazing solutions that address pressing challenges in surveillance and security. GalaxEye’s ambition to leverage SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and MSI (Multispectral Imaging) fusion for space-based surveillance aligns well with the evolving demands of both defence and commercial sectors. Their innovative approach with LEO #satellite constellations promises to address critical security and monitoring needs with unmatched precision and real-time insights. Backing a driven and skilled team like GalaxEye, rooted in a legacy of innovation like Avishkar Hyperloop, speaks volumes about the fund's dedication to fostering groundbreaking technology. This partnership not only reflects the fund's commitment to advancing national security infrastructure but also highlights a forward-looking vision that appreciates the convergence of innovation and practical impact. The anticipated satellite launch in mid-2025 is set to be a milestone in this collaborative journey, and it will be exciting to witness the tangible outcomes of this strategic alliance! #space #venturecapital #investment #india #strategic https://lnkd.in/ggZuW2xs

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Supporting & Hooting for Shruti Agarwal and folks for launching the first dedicated community to solve for all things exports and working on the mission to solve for India's trade deficit by empowering our SMEs with an integrated ecosystem What is XportCircle:  XportCircle is a non-profit in India aiding businesses to grow exports by offering a supportive ecosystem. The community has been formed by couple of industry experts with a single mission to make this one of the largest exports community in the country. Why Us:  XportCircle empowers Indian businesses for global success by bridging knowledge gaps, offering support, and fostering collaboration. This drives significant export growth, benefiting the economy and all sectors involved. Vision: XportCircle aims to position India as a global export leader by focusing on several key initiatives. We share vital insights on international trade, provide training to enhance export capabilities, foster collaboration among industry professionals, advocate for export-friendly policies, and support businesses in accessing new markets through research and connections. Through these efforts, we empower Indian businesses to thrive in the global marketplace. Join Now : https://lnkd.in/dZ2FFenu

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From Startup Vision to National Impact: Lessons from Aravind Sanka, Co-founder of Rapido I recently had the privilege of speaking with Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido, India's leading bike taxi platform. Aravind shared profound insights into their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting key milestones and challenges that shaped Rapido into what it is today. It was impressive to see after all the success Rapido has achieved, Aravind had arrived in Rapido Auto, reinforcing the need for their product to save time and money in transit. Here are a few takeaways from the conversation. Navigating Early Challenges with Strategic Focus Starting in Bangalore, Rapido faced the typical hurdles of a nascent startup: proving market viability and securing initial funding. What set them apart was their strategic focus on perfecting consumer metrics and fostering organic growth. By concentrating efforts in Bangalore for the first few years, they demonstrated significant consumer adoption and operational efficiency, paving the way for future expansions. Overcoming Investor Skepticism through Results Aravind candidly discussed the challenges of fundraising, especially when the concept of bike taxis was still nascent in India. Despite initial rejections, Rapido's commitment to showing tangible results and strategic timing paid off. They secured investments globally from places like Taiwan and Hong Kong before gaining local traction with investments from Nexus Venture Partners and WestBridge Capital. Addressing investor concerns, such as market size and demographic reach, was crucial. Timing also played a role; as other ride-hailing giants faced diversification challenges around 2019, Rapido emerged as a focused alternative in India's market. Adapting and Innovating in Times of Crisis The resilience of Rapido was further tested during the COVID-19 pandemic when their business temporarily plummeted. However, instead of retreating, they pivoted swiftly, launching auto-rickshaw services and leveraging their technology to meet evolving customer needs. This agility not only sustained them through the crisis but also strengthened their reputation as innovators in the mobility sector. Today, Rapido continues to innovate, focusing on enhancing user experience and expanding their footprint in tier 2 and tier 3 cities where their services are transforming local transportation dynamics. Aravind's journey with Rapido underscores the power of resilience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to solving real-world challenges. #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #MobilityInnovation #ImpactfulLeadership #StartupIndia #Kalaari #Rapido

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