Paresh Masade

Startup - A strategy game & The Gaming Chair..... In 2018 I decided to buy myself a gaming chair post realizing that I’d be spending a lot of time in the office - at least 12-14 hours a day. While growing up I would spend hours playing command and conquer & running a dhandhaa is very similar to playing a strategy game! This is How:- 1. Goal-oriented approach: Both involve setting objectives & achieving them, whether it's conquering territories or achieving business milestones. 2. Resource management: In both scenarios, you have limited resources (money, time, manpower, etc.) that you need to allocate wisely to succeed. 3. Risk management: There are risks involved in both endeavors, and success often depends on your ability to anticipate and mitigate risks effectively. 4. Adaptability & flexibility: Just as in a strategy game where you need to adapt based on your opponent's moves, in a startup, you need to be flexible and adapt to changes in the market, customer preferences, & competition. 5. Decision-making: Both require making critical decisions under uncertainty and pressure. Whether it's deciding on the next feature or choosing the best move in a game, decision-making is crucial. 6. Long-term planning: Success in both endeavors requires long-term planning and having a clear vision of where you want to be in the future. 7. Learning from failure: Failure is a part of both running a startup and playing a strategy game. In both cases, you need to learn from your mistakes and use them to improve your strategy moving forward. 8. Competitive landscape: Just as in a strategy game where you need to be aware of your opponents and their strategies, in a startup, you need to understand your competitors and the market landscape to stay ahead. 9. Teamwork and leadership: Both involve working with a team and leading them towards a common goal. Whether it's coordinating with your teammates in a game or leading your employees in a startup, effective teamwork and leadership are essential. 10. Persistence, Patience and resilience: Success in both endeavors requires persistence and resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks. Just as in a game, where you might face obstacles on your path to victory, in a startup, you'll encounter numerous challenges that you need to overcome. Always learn to be patient. 11. Enjoy the Journey - just like how we enjoy playing games, the startup journey should also be enjoyed by every entrepreneur. Its not worth it if its not fun. Why this pic??? The gaming chair on which I'd built BellaVita was gifted to Anurag Chhabra once he had completed his first milestone at Bevzilla | IDAM House Of Brands and that was also the day he got this Gyan of the similarities between building a startup like a strategy game. Now that i'm building Unikon.ai and Wolfpacklabs.vc, I'm back on a new chair and would be the happiest if I'm able to gift gaming chairs to all the rockstar founders who join us in the journey.

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#Starting your #Eureka #Idea into an #Executable #Project is more important than allowing the idea to die in your brain. #Execute #Execute #Execute https://lnkd.in/gCih7pgV

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Real Value is Created When You Do More with Less! In today's ecosystem, efficiency is paramount. Less than $1 million can indeed be sufficient to achieve early Product-Market Fit (PMF) for a tech startup in India, unless you're venturing into a highly capital-intensive domain. This perspective is reinforced by Rajul Garg, who highlights the importance of lean operations. In his blog, he reflects on the shifts within tech companies over the years. For instance, in the mid-2000s at GlobalLogic, large teams were common. However, in 2021, many companies adopted bloated spending habits, hiring hundreds for relatively simple products. By 2023, we witnessed significant reductions in workforce sizes—teams of 30 shrinking to 3, or 500 to 50—while maintaining similar productivity levels. Rajul's insights remind us that capital efficiency isn't just important; it's essential for sustainable growth. Check out Rajul Garg's article "Major Learnings From 2023" for more: [Link in comments!]

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Breaking into VC is really hard. Don’t know where to start? Finding all the openings itself is daunting, and no one tells aspiring VCs where to find all the jobs. Today, we’re solving this with our Indian VCs job board that lists all VC jobs in India. Not only that, we have connected our job board to our investor directory so that you can get more insights about each firm’s focus areas and preferences, helping you prepare better for interviews. This job board is your bridge to a future in VC: one small step to help you break in with all the tools you need. Checkout: indianvcs.com/launchpad

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"Lyskraft India Pvt Ltd : Redefining Fashion Retail" Lyskraft, the premium fashion and lifestyle platform co-founded by Mohit Gupta (ex-Zomato) and Mukesh Bansal (Myntra's founder), has made waves by raising a substantial $26 million in one of the largest seed funding rounds for an Indian startup in recent years. The Vision Lyskraft's vision is to create a unique omnichannel marketplace for premium fashion, focusing on women's fashion and later expanding into other lifestyle categories. Omnichannel Strategy Lyskraft plans to offer a digital-first platform with an option for physical engagement, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of modern consumers. Competitive Landscape Lyskraft enters a highly competitive market, where established players like Nykaa Fashion, Myntra, and Reliance Retail's Ajio dominate the online fashion scene. Offline, the competition includes a range of premium fashion brands with a robust retail presence. Lyskraft's advantage lies in its experienced leadership and innovative approach, targeting the growing demand for premium fashion among Indian consumers. Market Potential India's fashion and apparel sector is booming. Valued at $20 billion in 2022, it's projected to reach an astounding $112 billion by 2030, with a significant portion coming from online sales and constituting over a quarter of the country's $400 billion ecommerce market. This presents a massive opportunity for Lyskraft, especially as they focus on premiumisation—a trend gaining traction as consumers become more quality-conscious and seek unique, high-end products. Lyskraft’s current addressable market is a few billion dollars, estimated it to grow to $12-15 billion in six to seven years. Challenges and Learnings It requires a deep understanding of consumer behavior, robust logistics, and a flexible strategy to adapt to changing market trends. However, Lyskraft's approach could offer key learnings for others in the industry: - Consumer-Centric Approach: Lyskraft's focus on consumer needs, providing flexibility and choice, is crucial for success in today's market. - Innovation in Distribution: The omnichannel strategy allows for wider reach and better engagement with consumers. - Adaptability: In a rapidly changing industry, the ability to pivot and adapt is critical. Lyskraft's emphasis on innovation positions them well to navigate future shifts. What's Next? It recently launched a premium pop up store at Ambience Mall Gurugram and an online platform as a market testing initiative. With fresh capital and a clear strategy, Lyskraft is set to test its business model by onboarding 15 premium brands and gathering consumer feedback. Can their omnichannel strategy disrupt the current market leaders?👗 #Lyskraft #Omnichannel #FashionIndustry #IndianStartups #BusinessStrategy #PremiumFashion

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Who exactly is losing market share in the hotly contest grocery commerce? I thought it must be the now-not-so modern retail, but I'm not so sure. Zepto raised $665 Mn at a valuation of $3.6 Bn, and is in talks to raise $250 Mn more. And their cofounder and CEO Aadit Palicha recently commented that they can beat DMart - Avenue Supermarts Ltd on GMV in the next 12-18 months. Swiggy Instamart also is growing, and Blinkit is likely to be more valuable than their owner Zomato itself - so they are all doing well, even if Dunzo isn't. Sure, no idea what JioMart Digital is doing, but deep pockets. Same with Tata Digital and their weird assortment forced to converge on Neu. bigbasket.com is trying to unlearn and relearn, and it just might. And Flipkart Grocery and Amazon Fresh are also upping their game - launching faster deliveries, discounts, improved fill rates, and selection. So I wonder if it is the modern-trade players? The likes of More Retail Private Limited, Spencer's Retail, STAR BAZAR, and SPAR Retail that are suffering? The nearest Spencer's to me is definitely a sore sight, now reduced to a shell of it's former glory - I think they aren't even replenishing inventory now. And we all know what happened to Big Bazaar - Future Retail. But Dmart itself isn't doing half bad - with pareto presence in just 23 cities, and no presence in UP (except NCR), Bihar, and West Bengal, they have considerable headroom, still. And they haven't yet quite solved for ecommerce, so while The Ken says that they are lost, they may find their way, eventually? I also don't think that the real consumption is growing, if at all, it may even shrink with the K-growth. Thus, some one _is_ losing share. And if it is not modern trade, then is it the regional chains? The single kiranas? The corner-store? The hand-cart? I'm not entirely sure because this data is hard to organize, and get. Would you know? Image created by AI in Microsoft Bing Copilot.

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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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PepperTap's Rise and Fall Offers Crucial Lessons for Startups Failed Startup Episode #7 PepperTap - An Indian online grocery delivery service started in 2014 and raised significant funding, including a $10 million Series A round in April 2015 and a $36 million Series B round in September 2015. Despite these impressive statistics, it shut down in 2016. Let's see why is that: Overexpansion: Rapid expansion to 20+ cities without fully establishing a strong operational foundation or finding Product Market Fit. Rapid expansion without a solid operational foundation lead to significant challenges. High Cash Burn: The cost of customer acquisition, discounts, and operational expenses were very high, leading to a significant cash burn rate. This was not sustainable without continuous funding. That means understanding and achieving positive unit economics is crucial. Businesses need to ensure that each transaction contributes to profitability rather than just driving growth metrics. Logistical Issues and Competition: Managing the supply chain and ensuring timely deliveries proved to be more complex and costly than anticipated. The reliance on local grocery stores also led to inconsistencies in inventory and quality. Whereas, successful competitors like Big Basket and Grofers implemented inventory-based models, which ensured more reliable product availability. If you were to start an online grocery delivery service, what factors would consider? #FailedStartup #Peppertap #Scale #ProductManager #Startup

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In India, there are numerous start-up grands and schemes for raising funds, especially for early-stage start-ups. However, many college-age founders in their 20s are often unaware of these opportunities. 🚀 Why? • Lack of knowledge • Limited network in the start-up ecosystem • Low confidence due to insufficient information 🔑 Key Points: 1. Every youth should have an idea to solve a problem they encounter. 2. Execution is the major part – how you execute makes you unique. 💡 Here’s a solution: To help you navigate the start-up landscape, I’m sharing information on grants and schemes available for start-ups. Stay tuned for valuable insights! #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #YouthEntrepreneurs #Funding #Grants #GovernmentSchemes #StartupIndia #CollegeStartups #EarlyStageFunding #Networking #BusinessGrowth #ExecuteYourIdea #TechStartups #SmallBusiness #BusinessTips #StartupJourney

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Blinkit is DISRUPTING India’s ₹41,000 Crore Quick Commerce Industry: Blinkit has become more valuable than Zomato, with a valuation of roughly $13 million and a market share of 46%, disrupting India's ₹23,000 crore quick-commerce industry.  The company tripled its revenue from 800 crore to 2300 crore and is expected to break even in the first quarter of the financial year 2025. Blinkit earns around 15 rupees per order as a contributing profit but considers various fixed expenses for net profit calculation. The company's focus on contribution margin, along with scaling strategies to reach more customers and increase revenue. Blinkit, a quick commerce company, ensures fast delivery to customers through the use of dark stores. These large, efficiently run stores are located near residential areas and have no walk-ins, allowing riders to collect orders directly. Dark stores have a higher gross merchandise value per square foot than traditional supermarkets and are strategically set based on various factors. Blinkit currently has the highest number of dark stores in India, with 451 stores in 27 cities, giving them an edge in the industry.  Blinkit's market share was 32% in 2022, with rivals like Instamart falling while Zepto's rose to 28%. The strategic decision to keep Blinkit separate from Zomato reflects the belief that distinct super brands perform better in India, a strategy that may continue to bolster Blinkit's position in the Quick Commerce industry. Blinkit Zomato Deepinder Goyal Albinder Dhindsa

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Thanks Bismah and Inc42 Media for the insightful coverage and deep dive into the vital role of operator VCs! Bismah's thoughtful analysis underscores the growing need for operator VCs in today's startup landscape. As an operator VC , I've witnessed firsthand how founders increasingly value more than just capital. They seek partners who bring operational expertise, strategic guidance, and an extensive network to the table. These elements are crucial for driving sustainable growth and navigating the complexities of scaling a business. At GrowthCap Ventures , we understand the unique challenges faced by early-stage startups, which is why we prioritize offering not just funding, but also hands-on support and access to our extensive network. Together, we're empowering founders to realize their vision and build transformative businesses. #OperatorVC #StartupEcosystem #Gratitude

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Just like UPI transformed payments, ONDC is poised to revolutionize digital-commerce in India. Recently attended session on "Digital Transformation: Opportunities for Higher Education" by UGC as a NEP Saarthi. In a snapshot : ONDC This open network empowers sellers & offers wider choices to consumers, breaking the dominance of a few marketplaces. As of May, 2024, ONDC has over 504,000 sellers and service providers across 12 product categories; reaching from just 36000 on may, 2023. Wide adoption is going on & network is expanding with growth of more than 1300%. Around 7000 Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) are registered on ONDC, transforming the agriculture sector. Government also provide financial assistance upto 18lac for 3 years. There are multiple success stories of FPO's doing sales in million using ONDC. more at- https://lnkd.in/gdXXXe9t 2 days back according to ET, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade stated that 12 unicorns—including EaseMyTrip, OfBusiness, Winzo, Livspace, GlobalBees, Pristyn Care, Cars24, Physics Wallah, PolicyBazaar, and Zerodha—signed a Letter of Intent to join the ONDC. more at- https://lnkd.in/gRK9BFaa A lot of things are going on & everyone trying to capitalize using ONDC! A time will come soon; when Amazon & Flipkart will also take part in ONDC. Jai Hind! Rishihood University University Grants Commission (UGC) T Koshy MAMIDALA JAGADESH KUMAR MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Narendra Modi PrasadRaje Bhopale Sahil Aggarwal Shobhit Mathur Government of India Official #ONDC #UPI #EcommerceRevolution #India #agriculture #FPO #farmer #policy #business

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#Funding Alert : EvolveX Accelerator for Pre Seed Startups After successfully investing in 28 startups across 4 cohorts in last 18 months, we are inviting investment proposals from young pre-seed and seed startups. We at We Founder Circle have started this dedicated funding & mentoring program to support extremely early ventures. And already we have some great successful high growth companies like oll.co ParkMate In Plus Gold Humors Tech UcliQ Ugees Ambitio EcoRatings NIKOL EV CHARGING STATION Maidaan The Energy Company & many others. What you'll gain: 👉 Upfront #seed funding of $30K 👉 Expert mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders 👉 Network and collaborate with like-minded founders… WFC portfolio is now 100+ startups 👉 Personalized guidance to address your unique challenges 👉 Showcase your idea to bigger investors and partners on Pitch day/Demo day For more info, refer FAQs: https://lnkd.in/gsEEwuKa Founders can also email us at pitch@evolvexaccelerator.com Requesting our community to please help us finding deserving entrepreneurs. Happy to collaborate with #incubators #ecells #accelerators #communities LetsBuildItTogether Avinya Ventures Invstt

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From my last 10 years of building an omnichannel brand with significant offline presence, one of my biggest learning is that irrespective of whether you are a founder building a consumer brand or an investor evaluating a consumer brand, the one metric to obsess about while looking at the health of the offline business is “retailer repeats” Doing primary sales by appointing distributor is the easiest thing to do. Doing secondary sales by placing the product in retail counters is a bit tougher than primary, but still fairly straightforward But what is really difficult and really bares whether you have PPCMF( Product Price Channel Market Fit) is repeat and regular sales from the same counters where you have placed your product If you are not able to get repeat sales month on month from the same counters, it means either of the 2 things: a) You have placed your products in wrong counters ( Eg: If I sell premium fans and place products in counters which sell only economy fans, it is bound to fail). This often happens when sales team is incentivized on reach( number of counters you place the product) and they take shortcuts to achieve the reach target b) The product at this price point with current awareness levels is very difficult to sell from this channel So, track M1 repeats( repeat billing in next 1 month) and M3 repeats( repeat billing in next 3 months) obsessively. Unless you are in a very seasonal/slow moving category, M1 repeats should be 50% at least. M3 repeats should be 80% plus For investors investing in Series A/B stage in omnichannel brands who just went offline , start looking at quality of revenue. Because offline market in India is so deep, brands can get away just by doing primary and placement secondary sales for 9-12 months. And without repeats it will come crashing down at some point. And if investors valuing these brands on a revenue multiple will find themselves in a tough spot And in case you don’t have access to system secondary sales data, look at hard metrics like collections and geography split of sales. If the accounts receivables also keep on increasing with revenue, it is a sign of channel stock increasing. If the brand has to keep opening new markets and expanding to new geographies to get sales, it is a sign of no PPCMF The best brands will have high repeats, continuously increasing throughput from existing retailers and will not be spreading themselves too thin from a geography point of view in the early stages of offline expansion

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Power Up Your Startup with Influencer Marketing❗️ Calling all Rajkot entrepreneurs! Are you looking to leverage the power of social media influencers to propel your startup to new heights? Join us for the Startup Spotlight Session featuring industry expert Mr. Tejas Maiyad! Here's what you'll gain:🧐 Expert insights on influencer marketing strategies for startups. Actionable tips to drive explosive growth. Valuable networking opportunities with fellow Rajkot go-getters. Register now to secure your spot. #RajkotStartupStudio #pierc_pu #InfluencerMarketing #GrowthStrategies

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Establishing a deep-tech focused VC fund would greatly benefit entrepreneurs at the idea, seed, pre-Series A, and Series A stages. Moreover, startups also require grants, joint investment opportunities with deep-tech vendors (both public and private), mentorship, orders, timely payment of invoices, prompt approvals, and access to a global knowledge-sharing platform. These supports enable them to build upon existing foundations rather than starting from scratch. Indian entrepreneurs are currently emphasizing the development of consumer-centric products such as food brands and cosmetics, rather than investing to build deep-tech assets that could enhance production capabilities. We anticipate that this will change with the backing of all stakeholders. Startup India | Invest India | Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India | MeitY Startup Hub | SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd | SiriusOne Capital | Angel Scions | O2 VC Fund (fund under process)| o2 Angels Network https://lnkd.in/dtfBpWUF?

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Fund-raising platforms for startups are mushrooming 🍄🚀. But for angel investors 💼, an exit is very important to continue playing the game 🎲. Is there a place for a platform focused only on secondary sales 💷 and give exit to early investors? I know its complicated with sale restrictive clauses in shareholder agreements etc. but the platform can help navigate that 💡. P.S: If no one is doing this, should we? 😉🤔 #angelinvesting #fundraising

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