#damanitalks by Anirudh A Damani

Some conversations teach you.Some transform you. My talk with Nand Kishore Chaudhary (NKC-ji) wasn’t about business - it was about consciousness.He reminded me that leadership isn’t about control, but about connection. Since that day, I’ve rethought everything - from creation to consciousness to what success really means.Watch this episode of #DamaniTalks - it’s one of those that stays with you long after the credits roll.Highlights:

What does it take to spot India’s startup wave a decade before it arrived, back the country’s earliest unicorns, and then pivot to building a climate-tech fund for the next generation?In this episode of #DamaniTalks, in conversation with Sandeep Singhal, one of the true OGs of venture capital in India. From a small-town upbringing in Kanpur to Stanford in the 1980s, to McKinsey in New York, and finally co-founding eVentures and Nexus Venture Partners, Sandeep has lived the evolution of India’s startup ecosystem - shaping how the VC industry itself took root here.Highlights:

What does it take to go from selling carpets in Jaipur to becoming the first Asian Chair of TiE Global and now raising a $20M venture fund? In Episode 74 of #DamaniTalks, we are in conversation with Mahavir Pratap Sharma - an ecosystem builder, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and now GP at Swishin Ventures. From his mother’s pioneering carpet business in the 1970s, to six years in America building a wholesale rugs and gems trade, to co-founding RAIN (Rajasthan Angel Innovators Network), Mahavir’s journey is one of constant reinvention.

What does it take to build India’s pioneering impact-investing platform from a ₹5,000 bank balance, a cold email, and sheer conviction? In Episode 73 of #DamaniTalks, we delve deep into the 'Aavishkaar' story with Founder & Vice Chairman, Vineet Rai - from launching Intellecap and backing India’s earliest microfinance pioneers to buying a troubled NBFC with his own money and turning it around in 45 days. This is a masterclass in building institutions the hard way: brick by brick, cycle after cycle. At 25, Vineet became CEO of India’s first grassroots innovation incubator. A few years later, he raised capital off a living-room pitch, structured his first fund without lawyers, and made a ₹10 lakh first bet that ultimately returned 45x.

Ram Kewalramani, Co-Founder and Managing Director of CredAble, has reimagined how working capital flows through India’s supply chains. With a career that spans investment banking, logistics, and now fintech innovation, Ram has quietly built one of India’s leading enterprise-focused lending platforms disbursing over ₹20,000 crore in working capital to thousands of businesses. From creating embedded credit rails to transforming invoice discounting through APIs, Ram’s story is a masterclass in vision, resilience, and execution. In this episode of #DamaniTalks, Anirudh A. Damani dives deep with the man behind CredAble exploring his early wins, hardest pivots, and what it really takes to build a tech-first NBFC in India’s complex financial ecosystem. Ram opens up about: Why CredAble was born from solving a real B2B capital gap How investment banking prepared him for entrepreneurship The hard truths behind scaling a lending business in India Building a digital-first risk and underwriting engine Why founder grit outweighs pitch decks in fintech His take on embedded finance, SME credit, and the next wave of lending innovation This isn’t just another startup story it’s a blueprint for how fintech can power India’s economic backbone. If you're a founder, fintech nerd, or someone fascinated by India’s evolving credit ecosystem, this conversation will change the way you think about capital.Chapters:00:00 Intro – setting the stage for Ram’s entrepreneurial story00:03 Pivoting in COVID – Credible’s birth to solve liquidity crunch08:06 Banking Crisis Lessons – resilience, due‑diligence & strategic pivots16:10 Fail‑Forward Mindset – why embracing setbacks fuels growth24:15 Closing the MSME Funding Gap – building Credible’s supply‑chain platform32:17 First Invoice Win – 15‑month grind to product‑market proof40:21 Humor & Hustle – keeping morale high through founder lows48:24 Ego‑Free Decisions – “agree to disagree” and clear ownership56:29 Smart Capital Strategy – raising ~$50‑60 M without over‑dilution1:04:30 SaaS for Banks – seizing the licensing wave in supply‑chain finance1:12:35 Data‑Driven Ops – monthly metric reviews & unit‑economics focus1:20:37 Journey over Destination – reflections, internships, and keeping it simpleMore about our Guest, Ram KewalramaniLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-kewalramani-87b6508?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramkew?igsh=MXZxa28zMDlxbjFlZA==Learn more about your host, Anirudh A. DamaniLearn more about your host, Anirudh A. Damani Website: https://www.showmedamani.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showmedamani/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/showmedamani/ X: https://x.com/showmedamani WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029ValxvDNChq6Rd5AbUQ3H Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xtO07c4PfYHX6RhJ1IkA2

In Episode 71 of #DamaniTalks, Anirudh A. Damani is in conversation with Sandeep Murthy, Founding Partner at Lightbox, and one of the earliest champions of long-term, product-first startups in India.

What does it take to build a ₹1,200 crore empire from a 1-bedroom home, no formal business training, and a handful of door-to-door sales? In Episode 70 of #DamaniTalks, we go behind the scenes of one of India’s most iconic personal care journeys with Manish Chhabra, Executive Chairman of HRIPL, makers of Super Vasmol, Streax & Streax Professional. At 19, Manish was pulled off a moving train with news of his father's passing. What followed was not just a son stepping into a family business, but a 30-year saga of reinvention, resilience, and radical brand building. From bunk-bed sales tours across the Northeast to launching Streax & & Streax Professional with a salon-first strategy and entering Paris Fashion Week, Manish reveals the unvarnished truths of building a legacy brand without chasing unicorn dreams. Highlights:The story behind Super Vasmol's iconic successWhy salon professionals, not supermarkets, made Streax a hitLessons on boardroom governance, private equity, and succession“Fail fast, fail cheap” – a founder’s true mantraThe power of family-run businesses done right Whether you're a startup founder, D2C brand builder, or legacy business leader, this is an episode that will change how you think about scale, control, and conviction. 🎧 Tune in for raw truths, rare advice, and a refreshingly grounded founder story. Chapters:00:00 – HRIPL: From family roots to leadership4:18 – Joining HRIPL: A family legacy11:08 – Sales journey: A turning point?17:20 – Cracking the northeast market26:25 – 2000s shift: what changed?30:49 – Balancing family and business35:04 – Vasmol’s marketing gamechanger39:49 – How Streax found its spark50:18 – Streax Professional: strategy or gamble?1:01:59 – IIM MDP: classroom to boardroom1:10:58 – When investors join the table1:20:55 – Do boards really add value?1:30:48 – Investor advice you’ll remember1:43:27 – Where’s HRIPL headed next?1:49:56 – Key lessons in 90 seconds1:55:19 – Rapid Fire: unfiltered answers More about our Guest, Manish ChhabraLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishkchhabra/?originalSubdomain=in Learn more about your host, Anirudh A. DamaniWebsite: https://www.showmedamani.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/showmedamani/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/showmedamani/X: https://x.com/showmedamaniWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029ValxvDNChq6Rd5AbUQ3HSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xtO07c4PfYHX6RhJ1IkA2

Sanjay Swamy, Managing Partner at Prime Venture Partners, is one of the earliest believers in India’s startup ecosystem and someone who’s helped shape it from the ground up.From helping build AADHAAR, co-founding ZipDial, and backing iconic startups through Prime Venture Partners, Sanjay’s journey is anything but conventional. His lens on trust, timing, and doing more with less has quietly influenced a generation of founders and investors.In this masterclass episode of #DamaniTalks, Sanjay opens up about the principles, partnerships, and pivots that shaped India’s early venture capital landscape.He breaks down:-How EzeTap and ZipDial were built from a 4BHK in Koramangala-Why backing smaller partners creates outsized opportunities-The philosophy behind “Get Rich Slow” and Prime’s early-stage discipline-How to choose the right co-founders and fund partners-Why conviction, not FOMO, should lead your VC strategy-And what it truly takes to stay relevant across downturns, pivots, and hype cyclesIf you're a founder, investor, or someone navigating the chaos of startups, this conversation is your reset button.Chapters: 00:00:00 – Sanjay Swamy’s Early Influences 00:09:23 – Dot-com boom: What went wrong? 00:17:55 – Returning to India: A fresh start 00:23:00 – Building Ketera: Hiring the right minds 00:25:28 – Starting mChek: Why mobile payments? 00:32:51 – His contribution to UIDAI and the Aadhaar journey 00:46:04 – India’s rapid growth and spirit of innovation 01:01:12 – Lessons from his entrepreneurial journey 01:10:10 – Investing in startups: Making bold bets 01:20:18 – Launching Prime Venture Partners 01:27:31 – Early-stage investing: Principles and approach 01:35:45 – The role of executive coaching in leadership 01:39:50 – What makes a great founder? How he chooses partners? 01:46:45 – The broader impact of venture capital 01:52:10 – What’s next for Indian startups? 01:57:32 – Rapid Fire: One Word, Big Insights About Our Guest:Sanjay Swamy, Managing Partner – Prime Venture Partners (https://www.primevp.in/)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theswamy/Twitter/X: https://x.com/TheSwamyFollow Us for More Stories:Website: www.showmedamani.comInstagram: @showmedamaniLinkedIn: ShowMeDamaniX: @showmedamaniWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029ValxvDNChq6Rd5AbUQ3H

What happens when your startup loses 97% of its revenue overnight—and you still don’t shut down?

In this episode of #DamaniTalks, we speak with Simran Singh who is the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at RNFI. It is one of India’s fastest-growing fintech companies which is now listed with a ₹700 Cr+ market cap. They didn’t raise VC money. They didn’t chase headlines. They just got to work.

What does it take to build a category-defining D2C brand, scale it profitably, and execute a multi-crore exit in India’s evolving startup ecosystem? Deep Bajaj, Founder of Sirona, joins #DamaniTalks to share his journey of pioneering India’s first female urination device (Peebuddy) and disrupting female hygiene with capital-efficient growth. In this episode, Deep reveals how he took upon a 'taboo' and turned it into a highly successful business, and navigated the complexities of M&A to ensure a successful investor exit. He also breaks down funding myths, profitability strategies, and what truly matters in a startup acquisition.What You’ll Learn: -How Deep Bajaj built Peebuddy & Sirona into a category leader in female hygiene-Why profitability gave him leverage during fundraising & exit negotiations-The biggest M&A lessons for founders—what works & what to avoid-How D2C startups can scale without burning cash or chasing vanity metrics-Why early-stage angel investors matter and how they helped fuel Sirona’s growth-How Deep Bajaj structured a multi-crore exit while delivering 6X-20X investor returns-The fundamentals of Bootstrapping vs. VC funding for long-term success-How Deep Bajaj transitioned into one of India’s top angel investorsWhy You Should Watch: Deep Bajaj shares hard-hitting truths about building profitable businesses, navigating acquisitions, and creating real investor value. He debunks funding myths, explains how he exited on his own terms, and reveals what founders should focus on instead of chasing valuations. If you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with real-world insights on how to build, scale, and exit a business the right way.00:00 - Introduction02:36 - The hustle from door-to-door sales to entrepreneurship 08:34 - Breaking the cycle & studying abroad14:45 - Scaling an events company24:11 - Building a business with his life partner30:17- Does experience matter?39:03- Creating Sirona’s billion-dollar market from scratch50:45 - Cracking the first big sale56:00 - Profitability vs. funding debate1:00:51- Deep Bajaj's exit strategy 1:07:46 - How he selects startups to invest In1:11:55 - Rapid fire round & closing remarks Follow our other channels for more exciting content: Website: www.showmedamani.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showmedamani/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/showmedamani WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029ValxvDNChq6Rd5AbUQ3H Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xtO07c4PfYHX6RhJ1IkA2 X: https://www.x.com/showmedamaniLet's connect! - https://form.asana.com/?k=CAvV4CK0dURm8N-cYJU13A&d=1202621714690185Learn about our guest, Deep Bajaj:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepbajaj/X: https://x.com/DeepBajajInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bajaj.deep/?hl=enSirona: https://www.thesirona.com/

What does it take to build a ₹5,500 crore venture fund with a uniquely Indian approach using a model inspired by Ivy League endowments? Vikram Gupta, Founder & Managing Partner of IvyCap Ventures, who shares his incredible journey on #DamaniTalks— from launching multiple startups to leading one of India’s largest homegrown VC firms.

We're kicking off the new season of #DamaniTalks with a bang, featuring Ashish Tulsian, the founder of Posist, now Restoworks! From selling SMS services while sitting on a horse at his wedding to bootstrapping a global SaaS company, Ashish’s journey is nothing short of legendary.

In this scintillating Season Finale of #DamaniTalks, we are joined by Pearl Agarwal, Founder and Managing Director of Eximius Ventures, one of India’s leading pre-seed venture capital funds. From her upbringing in Odisha, shaped by entrepreneurial parents, to launching Eximius Ventures, Pearl’s journey is both inspiring and multifaceted. Pearl shares her unique story of resilience, lessons learned from family struggles, and her passion for empowering founders. From studying at UT Austin and launching her own startup to navigating investment banking and private equity before founding Eximius Ventures, her diverse experiences have given her a distinct perspective on venture capital and startup success. She emphasizes the importance of transparency, trust, and a structured, community-driven approach to supporting founders. She discusses her venture’s focus on pre-seed investments, the lessons she draws from her adventurous childhood, and her belief in playing the long game when it comes to entrepreneurship. As the curtain closes on this season, this conversation serves as a masterclass in leadership, risk-taking, and the art of empowering the next generation of changemakers. Sudhir Sethi: The Venturepreneur Siddhartha - By Hermann Hesse In this episode, you’ll learn:

In this special Diwali episode of #DamaniTalks, we’re joined by Arjun Vaidya, the founder of Dr. Vaidya’s and partner at V3 Ventures, who has redefined India’s Ayurveda industry for the modern age. Arjun’s journey started with a 150-year-old family legacy in Ayurveda, which he transformed into a digital-first D2C brand that captivated consumers worldwide. From his family’s Mumbai-based dispensary to achieving a successful exit, Arjun offers a first-hand account of the rewards and challenges of merging tradition with technology.✨

In this compelling episode of #DamaniTalks, we sit down with Archana Jahagirdar, a visionary leader in India's venture capital ecosystem. Archana shares her remarkable journey from journalism to venture capital, where she has not only navigated but also thrived in a space that has been traditionally male-dominated.

In this episode of #DamaniTalks, we sit down with Kshitij Saxena, founder of AutoNinja and now General Partner at Relentless VC, a venture fund specializing in SaaS and B2B marketplace startups. Kshitij's journey is packed with insights, from starting his entrepreneurial journey with a gaming startup to creating AutoNinja—a CRM tool for car dealerships, which was later acquired by ICICI Lombard. 🚀 We dive into how Kshitij’s early fascination with coding set the stage for his ventures, the lessons learned from building a successful SaaS company in India, and his transition into the world of venture capital. With over a decade of experience as both an entrepreneur and investor, Kshitij shares why he believes SaaS is the most promising software opportunity, how AI and large language models (LLMs) are reshaping the landscape, and the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship. He also offers a clear thesis on building and investing in early-stage companies, while reflecting on his own evolution from being a software founder to becoming a first-check investor in ambitious startups. Sabine Hossenfelder: https://www.youtube.com/@SabineHossenfelder Peter Zeihan: https://www.youtube.com/@ZeihanonGeopolitics In this episode, you’ll learn: - Kshitij's entrepreneurial journey from building small arcade games at 11 years old to creating India’s leading CRM tool for car dealerships. - How understanding revenue models and the market helped him build Auto Ninja into a profitable business. - The process of evaluating founders and startups at Relentless VC. - The impact of large language models on SaaS and the future of software. Why you should watch: Kshitij Saxena’s journey is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and vision. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an established founder, or someone interested in the mechanics of venture capital, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Learn how Kshitij built successful companies, navigated a strategic acquisition, and is now supporting other founders on their own startup journeys. If you're curious about how to grow in the B2B and SaaS space or how to approach the early years of company building, this episode is a must-watch! #DamaniTalks #ShowMeDamani #KshitijSaxena #VentureCapital #SaaS #StartupJourney #FounderStories #B2BMarketplaces #Entrepreneurship #AI #RelentlessVC #AutoNinja #IndianStartups #ICICILombard #TechInnovation #BusinessStrategy #Investing #StartupLessons #GTM #VentureInvestor #ScalingStartups #BusinessInsights

In this episode of #DamaniTalks, we chat with Aditya Singh, co-founder of BookMyForex and managing partner at All-In Capital. Aditya shares his journey from building India’s first online forex marketplace to transitioning into venture capital, offering insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

In this enlightening episode of #DamaniTalks, we explore the incredible journey of Deepak Daftari, a self-made millionaire in India’s almost unknown domain name industry. Starting with humble beginnings, Deepak shares how he faced multiple rejections after studying in Australia—including being denied a U.S. visa twice—only to rise above the challenges and launch eSiksha, one of India’s first online education platforms in the 90s. Deepak’s venture into the world of virtual real estate transformed him into the .com King, a title earned through sheer determination and innovative thinking. From bootstrapping his way to success to navigating the early days of the internet in India, Deepak’s story is filled with actionable insights and inspiration for entrepreneurs at any stage. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: - How Deepak turned adversity into opportunity, creating a successful online education platform when the internet was still in its infancy in India. - The key strategies he used to break into and dominate the domain name industry, earning him the prestigious title of .com King. - The importance of resilience, innovation, and a visionary mindset in building a lasting business empire. -Deepak’s perspective on the evolution of the digital landscape and where he sees opportunities for growth and innovation in the future. Why You Should Watch: If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or simply someone looking for a dose of motivation, Deepak’s story is a powerful reminder that success often comes to those who dare to forge their own path. Learn from one of India’s pioneering figures in the digital space and get inspired to take your own ventures to the next level. Gain valuable insights from a true industry leader and bootstrapped millionaire! #ShowMeDamani #DotcomMillionaire #DeepakDaftari #Entrepreneurship #DomainNames #Podcast #SuccessStory #Innovation #Bootstrapping #OnlineEducation #India #eSiksha

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐢, the dynamic Founding Partner at 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐕𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥, who has been instrumental in shaping India's venture capital and venture debt landscape. Tarana's journey from her beginnings in India to a thriving career on Wall Street and her subsequent return to India, becoming a pivotal figure in India’s startup ecosystem, is a testament to her expertise and the global perspective she brings to the Indian startup scene. 🎙️ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫: 🚀 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲: From her early days at Morgan Stanley during the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) boom and meltdown to establishing India’s first venture seed fund with SeedFund, and eventually becoming a partner at InnoVen Capital. Her journey is a treasure trove of unique insights. 💼 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐯𝐬. 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥: Tarana breaks down the key differences between venture debt and venture capital, providing practical advice on when and how startups should consider venture debt and what sets it apart from traditional bank loans. 🎯 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 M𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬: Explore the crucial role fund managers play in the success of startups, and how Tarana’s strategic insights have supported numerous founders on their journey to success. 💡 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Get a peek into Tarana’s approach to angel investing and the unique value she brings to the table for startups in India. Her approach is not just insightful but also inspiring. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about the financial world, this episode is packed with insights to help you understand the evolving landscape of venture funding in India. Understanding this landscape is crucial for anyone navigating the startup ecosystem, as it can provide valuable insights and strategies for success. Tarana shares candid stories, expert advice, and valuable lessons essential for this journey. Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from an industry leader who has seen it all—from the highs of the MBS boom to the realities of the financial meltdown and the exciting growth of India’s startup scene. 📈 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲! #𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐢 #𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 #𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 #𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 #𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 #𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 #𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 #𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 #𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 #𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬

Welcome to episode 56 of #DamaniTalks! In this episode, I engage in a captivating discussion with Srikanth A.V., the founder of Neo Wealth Partners, who has witnessed the remarkable transformation of India’s economy from a GDP per capita of $300 to nearly $3000. Join us as Srikanth shares his extensive experience and insights into the evolution of wealth management in India over the past few decades. In this deep dive, we explore: - The early days of Srikanth’s career and his firsthand experiences during pivotal economic reforms. - The challenges and milestones of India’s growth in the financial sector. - Practical advice for investors and wealth managers navigating today’s economic landscape. Don’t miss these invaluable lessons from a veteran in the field. Tap into Srikanth’s journey to gain perspectives on managing and growing wealth in a rapidly changing economy. Watch now to get equipped with strategies that could add 100-200 basis points to your portfolio! 🔗 Stay tuned for more insightful discussions by subscribing to our channel and hitting the bell icon for notifications! #WealthManagement #IndianEconomy #FinancialGrowth #InvestmentStrategies #NeoWealthPartners #FinancePodcast #ShowMeDamani

In this captivating episode of #DamaniTalks, I have the privilege of sitting down with Rahul Veerwal, the visionary CEO and founder of GetWork. GetWork, India’s premier fresher hiring platform, is a testament to Rahul's unique journey. It connects talent from tier 2, 3, and 4 cities with top companies, a feat that was once unimaginable. Rahul shares the remarkable story of building GetWork, the hurdles they overcame, and their groundbreaking use of AI in revolutionizing the hiring process. Key Points Discussed: 1. Meeting in Turkey: • 🌍 The unique journey began when I met Rahul at an event in Turkey, a rare encounter that changed everything. • 🎓 Rahul, fresh out of college, pitched his vision for GetWork, leading to a transformative partnership. 2. The Power of GetWork: • 🚀 GetWork is not just a platform, it's a beacon of hope for students from smaller cities, connecting them with job opportunities in top companies and bridging a significant gap in the market. • 📊 The platform provides a SaaS product to colleges, tracking students’ progress and ensuring they are job-ready by graduation. 3. Revolutionizing Recruitment with AI: • 🤖 GetWork's most significant innovation is GetWork.ai, an AI-powered tool that has transformed the recruitment landscape. This tool, developed by GetWork, streamlines the entire recruitment process, making it faster, more efficient, and less prone to human error. • 📞 The AI can screen resumes and conduct calls at a rate of 2,000 calls per minute, drastically reducing time and human error. 4. Success and Future Vision: • 💼 GetWork has grown from a small startup to a company with 65 members, generating significant monthly revenue. • 🌐 The future of GetWork is not just about growth, it's about global expansion and becoming a major competitor to LinkedIn in the recruitment space. This vision is a testament to the company's ambition and potential. 5. Rapid Fire Round: • 🔥 Stay tuned for the rapid-fire round at the end, where Rahul answers fun and insightful questions about his journey and personal life. 3 Exploratory Questions: 1. How did Rahul’s unique hiring and AI development approach set GetWork apart from traditional recruitment methods? 2. What were the key challenges faced during the early stages of GetWork, and how were they overcome? 3. How does GetWork plan to scale its AI-powered recruitment platform globally while maintaining quality and efficiency? 📌 Check out GetWork: https://getwork.org 📌 GetWork AI Waitlist: https://getwork.ai 📌 GETWORK - Startup Turkey 2019 Demo Day: https://youtu.be/cnMUtkMGWZs 📌 Startup Turkey 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgdRV0Y8Dw 📌 How to Stop Worrying and Start Living: https://www.amazon.in/How-Stop-Worrying-Start-Living/dp/8175993952/ 📌 Connect on Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/showmedamani 📌 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/showmedamani #DamaniTalks #GetWork #RahulVeerwal #HiringRevolution #AIRecruitment #StartupJourney #TechInnovation #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #CareerDevelopment

Welcome to Episode 54 of Damani Talks! Dive into an enlightening conversation with Abhishek Agarwal, Managing Partner at RockStud Capital, as we explore his journey from 2006 in the UK to becoming a trailblazer in the venture capital space.

🌟 Out Now: #Damanitalks Ep. 53 with Mohit Gulati, managing partner at ITI Growth Ventures!

🚀 Welcome to an extraordinary journey in this latest episode of #DamaniTalks. We're honored to host Akshay Chaturvedi, the visionary CEO of LeverageEdu. In this episode, we delve deep into his life story, uncovering the motivations, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped his remarkable career. 📈 From his formative years at #KPMG to becoming a trailblazer in global education, Akshay's journey is filled with invaluable lessons on leadership, perseverance, and strategic innovation. 🌍 We discuss: - Akshay's personal and professional motivations - The strategic pivot of LeverageEdu - Managing a diverse investment landscape with angels, #VCs, #CVCs, and more - The driving force behind Akshay's intense work ethic - Balancing personal life with the demands of building LeverageEdu - Plus, a rapid-fire round that reveals more about Akshay's unique perspectives and future ambitions. 🔥 Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a student dreaming big, or simply someone ----looking for #inspiration, this episode is a must-watch. It's not just a conversation; it's a ---masterclass in navigating the complexities of the #start-up world and making an impact on a global scale. 👉 Don't forget to watch till the end for some rapid-fire questions that add a fun twist to our deep discussion! 👍 If you enjoy this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more -inspiring content. Your support helps us bring these incredible stories to you. #leadership #Innovation #Education #Entrepreneurship #GlobalImpact #StartupLife #VentureCapital #WorkLifeBalance #DamaniTalks

As #DamaniTalks completes its 50th episode, we bring you a leading personality from the Fintech industry -  Shinjini Kumar, Co-Founder of SALT (mysaltapp)

Luck is when hard work, preparation, and perseverance meet with opportunity. Most founders get the hard work and perseverance right, but very few achieve all 3…

As the heath-tech startup ecosystem sees increasing interest, funding, and valuations in India, We delved deep into a conversation with a Doctor turned VC investor for a refreshing perspective on the space!

Most people believe that an affluent entrepreneurial family provides one a leg up in the entrepreneurial journey. But like any star-kid will tell you, these comparisons are for the outsiders who are looking in.

In 2020, the pandemic resulted in a 55% dip in students traveling overseas to study. How did this university admissions platform grow by 4x even during these trying times?

Vivek Bajaj, co-founder of StockEdge impressed and convinced the crème de la crème of the VC universe to invest in his company, which was bootstrapped for a decade while charting impressive growth!

#DamaniTalks XLiv features Dharmil Sheth, co-founder of PharmEasy

In this week's episode of #DamaniTalks I spoke to Kailash Katkar, Founder of Quick Heal a man who built a ₹1800 crore IT security company without a college degree!

Episode XLii of #DamaniTalks featured Prashant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip.

Arcatron Mobility builds the next generation of innovative physical aid devices to enhance people's lives with limited mobility and elderly care needs. Last year Arcatron launched a premium range of products to COVID-protect its customers. The success of this new line has wholly revolutionized the trajectory of the company, with its product consistently featuring at the top of eCommerce store product rankings!

#DamaniTalks has completed a glorious year!

In this week's episode of #DamaniTalks we had Dr. Srikanth Sundararajan, General Partner at VenturEast. With over 33+ years of entrepreneurial and investor experience, he has had an impressive journey!

This week on the Damani Talks episode, we had Munaf Kapadia joining us. Munaf is an entrepreneur, writer, digital marketing maverick, and the founder and “Chief Eating Officer” (CEO) at The Bohri Kitchen.

In these trying times, entrepreneurs are eagerly trying to define the "new normal" for their respective businesses. We have come across numerous queries on the fundamentals of maintaining business continuity in such uncertain times.

HobSpace is a platform for extracurricular activities (online and offline) for kids between 3-14 years. The brand has partnered with schools and specialist trainers to provide training and conduct lessons based on children's hobbies and sports requirements.

Founders of early-stage startups face many financial constraints at the onset. Mismanagement of personal finance is a common reason why many companies are forced to wind up their businesses. So, I'm here to help you out!

Abhishek Agarwal is an angel investor-turned-fund manager with 13+ years in the Indian Financial Market and Start-up Ecosystem. He started his career as a research analyst and is now the Founder of Rockstud Capital. He has a proven track record of successfully investing in both Startups and Listed Equities space.

Anindya Datta is a PHD turned professor turned founder turned upcoming producer. He is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Mobilewalla, a global leader in consumer intelligence solutions.

Pawan Raj Kumar is the co-founder of Hoi Foods and a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of solid experience as an entrepreneur. With Pawan at the helm, Hoi Foods is building a strong network of cloud kitchens using a highly scalable and disruptive model of standardized food supply chain

Sevamob is an AI-enabled mobile-based platform that provides comprehensive primary healthcare to organizations in India and the US. Sevamob's care includes general health, vision, dental, nutrition, cardio-metabolic, infectious disease and ENT.

To mark International Women’s Day 2020, we had some incredible women entrepreneurs on #DamaniTalks.

ConfirmTkt is an online train ticket discovery and booking engine that delivers a seamless search and booking experience to travelers. They are now acquired by an online travel aggregator ixigo for an undisclosed amount. 

Vahanalytics is a data analytics startup that allows organizations to track their vehicle fleet operations. The startup aimed to promote safe driving behavior among drivers and fleet owners by utilizing sensor data from smartphones and from tracking hardware in-built into vehicles. In 2019 Bike taxi app Rapido acqui-hired Mumbai-based Vahanalytics. The entire tech team of Vahanalytics had been moved to Rapido to set up the data science department.

Kratikal is one of the leading cybersecurity companies known for its state-of-the-art security solutions which includes cyber-attack simulation and awareness tool, email authentication and anti-spoofing solution; anti-phishing, fraud monitoring & take-down solution; phishing incident response, risk detection & threat analysis and code risk review.

Mumbai-based Karza Technologies is a banking and business intelligence solution provider, set out to create products that empower lending institutions and corporates with cloud-based solutions for informed and intelligent decisions.

Livspace is an online retail platform for in-home designs & furniture for home improvement. The platform enables users to fill out forms, book professionals & receive quotes for the designs. The company provides installation services.

Kredily is a SaaS platform to help HR Professionals manage their data efficiently. Kredily aims to become India’s largest free platform for salaried employees.

ASAPPP provides customized products and services that have enabled them to deliver highly efficient business solutions to their worldwide clients through unmatched expertise and cutting edge technology.

LeapClub is on a mission to get more women in leadership positions through a private and community-led professional network.

Plum provides health insurance and benefits marketplace for employers. They offer coverage for employees, spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Employees can also customize insurance plans with multiple health benefits.  

Alteria Capital is India’s largest Venture Debt fund, focused on innovative startups backed by strong VC sponsors. They provide financial solutions to help entrepreneurs transform and grow their businesses to their full potential.  

Everest Fleet is a fleet management company of 800+ cars that run under Uber in Mumbai and Bengaluru. They are now one of the leading players in the fleet market in the short time since their establishment.

Repup.co is a B2B SaaS hospitality platform that provides services from booking confirmations to upsells and all the way through to driving positive online volumes.

Posist is a platform that lets owners automate their cloud kitchen operations and manage restaurant business efficiently. They are trusted by over 8000+ clients and are present in 20 countries.

Indus Net Technologies is an award-winning, full-service, digital service company that helps enterprises with everything digital. They serve 4200+ clients worldwide across 40+ countries.

Unicorn India Ventures was founded in 2016 and has made around 30 investments in that time. They mainly focus on startups in the technology space.

Kabaddi Adda is the place for all enthusiasts looking for Kabaddi news, videos, players interviews, match reports, & insights! They also provide deep analytics and insights for cricket teams such as the Chennai Super Kings.

Apollo Finvest is a technology company with an NBFC license. They enable fintech's to offer fully digital and compliant loans to their customers, like the AWS for loans.

PiggyRide provides mobility solutions for schools and children. They also offer parents the ability to pay the school tuition through easy EMIs. They're the perfect service for urban parents.

LenDenClub is India's largest peer-to-peer lending and borrowing platform. They provide personal loans from ₹5k up to ₹5L – all within 24 hours.

Sanjay Mehta is a man that needs no introduction to people familiar with the venture capital ecosystem in India. He has founded over 5 companies, and invested in 100+ start-ups to date.

Agnikul is an Indian aerospace start-up that aims to deliver small satellites to space - like a taxi for satellites. Their goal is to design a product that makes getting to space easier, so we can focus on living in and working from there.

BabyChakra is an online parent platform for pregnancy and childcare. They have over 6000 doctors on their platform and just launched a line of baby-safe sanitary products.

Vista Rooms provides experiences to customers at exquisite properties across India. They started as a budget hotel platform like OYO Rooms but decided to pivot their strategy, branding themselves as a luxury homestay brand.

Coolberg launched the first non-alcoholic beer in India with a vision of catering to a new category of drink that is modern, trendy, and aspirational.

Beardo is a retailer of men's grooming products. Offers products such as beard oil & growth oil, beard wax, face wash, beard combs, soaps, lotions, and others through its platform.

Zilingo is an online marketplace offering a product catalog including apparel, home decor, beauty accessories, and more. Sellers can list their products on their platforms.

Daalchini is an operator of smart vending machines. Their app allows users to discover Daalchini kiosks near them and place orders from the catalog. They provide ready-to-eat Indian food to offices, apartments, and educational institutions through vending machines.

Coutloot is a local language social commerce offline to online (O2O) platform which lets anyone sell online across the country directly to buyers who can simply bargain and shop online from the sellers.

Fynd is the only platform in India that has been funded by Kae Capital, Google, and exited to Jio!