Entrepreneur Lounge of India (ELI)

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Dr. Angad Singh Bedi, the Managing Director of BCD Group, one of India's oldest and largest real estate conglomerates. Angad shares his unique perspective on the evolution of the Indian real estate market, from a family business rooted in pre-partition India to a professionally-run, zero-debt empire.Join us as we dive deep into the most pressing topics shaping the industry today:- The post-COVID shift in homebuyer priorities and the new definition of a 'home'.- How Gen Z is disrupting the property market with new demands.- The critical debate on Floor Space Index (FSI) and the future of urban development in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.- The rise of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and what's fueling their growth.- How the industry is tackling challenges like infrastructure strain and climate change.- The impact of technology, from PropTech and AI to 3D printing in construction.- Angad's vision for India's real estate landscape in 2040 and its journey to a multi-trillion dollar economy.Whether you're a prospective homebuyer, an industry professional, or simply interested in the future of Indian cities, this conversation provides an invaluable insider's view.Don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insights from India's leading entrepreneurs!Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(00:24) Meet Angad: From Chartered Accountant to Real Estate Leader(02:16) The Legacy of BCD Group: A Zero-Debt Empire Built Across Decades(04:03) The Current State of Indian Real Estate: An Era of Maturity & Professionalism(05:58) Post-COVID Real Estate Trends & The New Definition of 'Home'(08:28) Beyond Square Footage: The Rise of Community-Centric Living(10:34) Gen Z Enters the Market: How Are Young Homebuyers Different?(12:32) The FSI Debate: Should Indian Cities Grow Vertically or Horizontally?(14:42) India's Untapped Potential: Real Estate Growth in Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities(16:24) Climate Change & Infrastructure Collapse in Major Indian Metros(18:20) The Government's Role: How RERA & Policy are Shaping the Market(20:09) The True Cost of a Property: Land, Approvals, and a Developer's View(21:49) PropTech & Innovation: How Technology is Transforming Real Estate(24:30) Vision 2040: The Future of India's Multi-Trillion Dollar Real Estate Economy(25:48) Closing Remarks

In this episode of Eli, we sit down with Shalini, the Managing Director at Planview, a global leader in Strategic Portfolio Management and Digital Product Development.Join us as Shalini shares insights from her remarkable 25-year career spanning the evolution of the software industry. We dive deep into how Planview helps iconic businesses like TVS Motors and Aditya Birla navigate complex transformations, prioritize investments, and drive their strategic goals in a rapidly changing world.Shalini also discusses the critical shift from a "project" to a "product" mindset, her passionate vision for India as a leading "product nation," and the immense potential of the country's tech talent. We explore the profound impact of AI on business, education, and the very nature of work, weighing its opportunities against the challenges it presents to our traditional ways of thinking.Finally, Shalini offers her perspective on the future of entrepreneurship in an age where AI can handle execution, and what it now takes for founders to succeed.Whether you're a business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of technology and work, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction to Shalini & Planview(00:40) Shalini's 25-Year Journey in Software(03:34) What is Planview? Building for the World from India(07:05) How Planview Solves Problems for Giants like TVS & Aditya Birla(13:54) The Shift: Why Businesses are Moving from Projects to Products(18:12) Can India Become a True "Product Nation"?(20:49) Transforming India's BFSI & Government Sectors(24:50) AI's Double-Edged Sword: Opportunity vs. Anxiety(27:57) Rethinking Education in the Age of AI(31:44) The Future of Entrepreneurship: Beyond Ideas and Execution(35:58) Conclusion

In this episode, we sit down with Ronak Samantray, the founder of TakeMe2Space and ex-cofounder of NowFloats, for a deep dive into his incredible entrepreneurial journey.From his early days in Odisha and learning to code at age 10, Ronak shares the story of how he caught the startup bug. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at building NowFloats, scaling it to 50,000+ paid customers, and the eventual acquisition by Reliance.Ronak then takes us through his bold pivot into the final frontier with TakeMe2Space 🛰️, a company building an AI-inferencing data center in orbit. He discusses:The mission to make space accessible and affordable for everyone.How they are using AI to build satellites and the future of "Vibecoding."The role of ISRO in India's growing space-tech ecosystem.His vision for the future of data centers and why it lies beyond Earth.Why the most important differentiator for any startup today is the speed of execution.Join us for an inspiring conversation about building from the ground up, navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and aiming for the stars.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Ronak Samantray00:34 - Early Life, College, and the Entrepreneurial Spark03:05 - Learning to Manage People and "Get Work Done"05:53 - The Early Days of NowFloats & Leaving Microsoft09:36 - Building the NowFloats Founding Team14:17 - The "Sine Wave" of a Startup: The Tough Times18:52 - Cracking the SMB Market: Product & GTM23:33 - The Reliance Acquisition: Scaling with a Giant27:16 - How Coding Shapes a Founder's Mindset30:05 - The Future of Coding: AI as a "Super Sharp Intern"41:00 - Why Space? The Mission Behind TakeMe2Space45:25 - Building Satellites & The $2/Minute Business Model51:37 - Are Data Centers Moving to Space?55:15 - The Future of Entrepreneurship: Speed of Execution59:00 - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Venkatesh (Venky) Sundar, the Co-founder of Indusface, a leading application security SaaS company protecting over 5,000 global businesses.Venky shares his incredible journey from being a sports stats junkie in India to building a globally recognized cybersecurity product. He talks about the early days of Indusface, the pivotal acquisition of their first product by Trend Micro, and the lessons learned that led to the creation of their flagship platform, AppTrana.Dive deep into the world of application security as Venky explains how Indusface is tackling modern threats, the dual role of AI as both a disruptor and an enabler, and why cybersecurity needs to be a day-one priority for every founder.Tune in to learn:- How a conversation about meeting Sachin Tendulkar led to a business partnership.- The strategy behind achieving a 100% customer recommendation rating on Gartner.- Why the underserved SMB market is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for cybersecurity.- The five key components of AppTrana and how it provides end-to-end protection.- Actionable advice for founders on building a secure and scalable business from the ground up.Chapters:(0:00) - Introduction to Venkatesh Sundar, Co-founder of Indusface(0:34) - Venky's Background: From Chennai to North America and Back(1:54) - The Origin Story of Indusface & Its Roots in Cybersecurity(2:49) - From Sachin Tendulkar to a Business Partnership(4:57) - Finding a Niche: Securing Public-Facing Applications & APIs(6:55) - The First Big Milestone: Acquisition by Trend Micro(8:03) - The Birth of AppTrana: From Risk Assessment to Full Protection(9:03) - Building a Global Product from India(13:06) - Go-To-Market Strategy & Defining the Ideal Customer Profile(16:26) - Why Indusface's Customers are Vertical-Neutral(21:16) - Balancing a Generic Platform with Industry-Specific Customizations(25:02) - The Secret to Achieving 100% Customer Recommendation(29:26) - A Deep Dive into the 5 Pieces of the AppTrana Platform(31:58) - The Double-Edged Sword: AI as a Disruptor & Enabler in Security(37:40) - Why Cybersecurity is a Day-One Priority, Not an Afterthought(42:30) - Final Words & Inspiring the Founder Ecosystem#Cybersecurity #SaaS #FounderStory #Indusface #StartupIndia #AppTrana #AIinCybersecurity

In a world saturated with information, how does a brand or individual capture attention and build trust? The answer is perception. And the tool to build it is Public Relations.In this episode, we sit down with Upasna Dash, the founder of one of India's leading homegrown PR agencies, Jajabor PR. Starting from her parents' couch with no connections and zero investment, Upasna has built an empire by mastering the art of storytelling and perception.We dive deep into why PR has become the most valuable currency in the new world economy—driving opportunity, business, and wealth for everyone from startup founders to entire nations.In this conversation, we cover:🔹 Upasna's unorthodox journey from a small town to building a top PR firm.🔹 Why PR is less about "Public Relations" and more about "Perception Building."🔹 The secret sauce behind iconic brands like Apple and how they sell an emotion, not a product.🔹 The key ingredients for a successful PR campaign: authenticity, innovation, and taking calculated risks.🔹 Actionable, low-budget PR strategies for early-stage founders.🔹 The debate: Does negative PR work in the long run?🔹 How to measure the ROI of something as intangible as trust and credibility.This is a masterclass for any founder, marketer, or leader looking to understand how to build a powerful and lasting brand.Chapters(00:00) Introduction(00:43) Upasna's Unorthodox Journey & the Power of Storytelling(05:13) Starting a PR Agency with No Connections & No Investment(08:18) What is PR in the Modern World? (The Apple Case Study)(12:21) The "Art" of PR: Why Some Campaigns Work and Others Don't(15:31) Case Study: How the Movie 'Saiyaara' Cracked the PR Code(17:54) Does Negative PR Work? The "All PR is Good PR" Myth(20:43) The Fear Factor: Does Fear Sell Better Than Purpose?(22:50) The Expanding Universe of PR: Beyond Brands to Celebrities & Countries(26:05) Actionable PR Advice for Early-Stage Founders on a Budget(30:01) How Important is a Founder's Personal Brand?(32:20) The Million-Dollar Question: How Do You Measure the ROI of PR?(38:03) Conclusion

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Shyam Panda, a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully built two distinct startups. Shyam shares his incredible journey, from his early days in a small town in Odisha, India, to studying at NIT Rourkela and XIMB, to working at Oracle's headquarters in Silicon Valley.Discover the story behind his first venture, DiLytics, a systems integration and solution partner focused on data analytics, and how it evolved from on-premise solutions to the forefront of cloud and AI-driven analytics.Shyam also unveils the genesis of his consumer app, Slash, a digital marketplace for home and living services. He discusses the challenges of building a two-sided marketplace, competing with established players, and his unique approach to dynamic pricing.Tune in to hear Shyam's invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, the future of data science in the age of AI, the cloud vs. on-premise debate, and the relentless pursuit of product-market fit. This is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the tech industry.Chapters:(00:03) - Introduction to Shyam Panda, Founder of DiLytics and Slash(01:02) - Shyam's Background: From a Small Town to a Career in Tech(03:15) - The "Trigger Point" for Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley(05:16) - Inception Story: Solving Problems for Oracle Customers with DiLytics(08:25) - Scaling Up: Hiring the First Team Members for DiLytics(11:57) - The Evolution of Data Analytics: From On-Premise to Cloud and AI(15:33) - How AI is Changing the Role of Data Scientists(18:38) - Cloud vs. On-Premise: "A Dead Debate"(22:04) - The Genesis of Slash: A Dream Before DiLytics(25:30) - Solving the Marketplace's "Chicken-and-Egg" Problem(27:25) - The Differentiator: How Slash Competes with Dynamic Pricing(30:45) - The Continuous Journey to Product-Market Fit(33:21) - The Biggest Lesson from a Decade of Entrepreneurship: Embrace Failure(35:09) - Conclusion

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Brijesh Patel, the CTO of SNDK Corp, a technology services company at the forefront of generative AI, IoT, and cloud computing.Brijesh shares his incredible journey from the US to becoming a CTO in India, driven by a passion for curiosity and solving business challenges with technology. We dive deep into how SNDK Corp has grown from a software development firm to a multi-faceted tech partner for businesses in manufacturing, retail, law, and construction.Join us as we discuss:The innovative "Election on Cloud" project that onboarded 50,000 users in just one week.Practical cybersecurity advice for small and medium-sized businesses.The "fusion of technology": Integrating IoT data with generative AI for predictive maintenance.The real ROI of implementing AI and IoT beyond just cost savings.The future of manufacturing and the rise of "dark factories."Key trends and security considerations in cloud computing with AWS.Will AI replace developers? Brijesh's take on how tech professionals can evolve.The underrated and overhyped aspects of the current AI boom.Actionable advice for entrepreneurs on how to build and lead in the age of AI.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(00:28) Brijesh's Journey to CTO(02:06) About SNDK Corp(03:46) How SNDK Finds Clients(05:54) The "Election on Cloud" Project(07:32) Work in Cyber Security(10:05) Cyber Security for Small Businesses(12:53) Fusion of Technology: IoT and Generative AI(16:00) ROI of IoT and Generative AI(17:50) The Future of Manufacturing: Dark Factories(20:24) Trends in Cloud Computing (AWS)(25:56) Common Mistakes Migrating to the Cloud(27:43) AI Replacing Developers(30:38) Shadow AI and Security(34:55) Overhyped and Underrated Aspects of AI(41:41) V-Coding: AI-Assisted Coding(44:36) Advice for Future Entrepreneurs(48:09) Outro

In India, only 4% of the population is financially educated, leaving many vulnerable to unqualified advice and misselling. How can we change this?In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Krishan Mishra, CEO of FPSB India, the leading financial planning body that offers the globally recognized Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification. Krishan breaks down the critical importance of professional financial planning, tracing its roots from Chanakya's Arthashastra to the modern era.We discuss everything from the problem of misselling in banks to how AI is shaping the future of financial advice. Krishan explains who the CFP certification is for, the career opportunities it unlocks, and why every Indian, regardless of their profession or income, needs a financial plan.Chapters(00:00) Intro(00:37) Krishan Mishra's Journey: From Army Brat to CEO(02:40) What is FPSB & the History of Financial Planning?(07:31) Who Can Pursue the CFP Certification?(09:28) The Evolution of Financial Advice in India(13:14) CFP Certification Recognition: From Regulators to Corporates(16:49) The "Advisor vs. Seller" Dilemma in Finance(20:02) Tackling Unqualified Advice & Misselling in Banks(24:02) Will AI Replace Financial Planners?(28:34) Career Paths & Use Cases for a CFP Professional(33:12) Final Message: Why Everyone Needs a Financial Plan(34:34) Outro

In this episode of ELI, we welcome Rahul Mehra, the co-founder of Roadcast, a SaaS platform specializing in fleet management and tracking. Rahul shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days as a marketer at Ogilvy to building a successful tech company. He discusses the evolution of Roadcast, its pivots, and its impact on various industries, including logistics, construction, and even law enforcement with the Delhi Police. Rahul also delves into the role of AI in their technology and their future vision of making Roadcast a household name.Chapters**00:00 – Introduction: Welcoming Rahul Mehra, Co-Founder of Roadcast**- Host introduces the format and today’s guest, Rahul Mehra, who cofounded Roadcast, a leading SaaS platform for fleet management and tracking.**00:35 – About Roadcast: The Tracking Company**- Rahul shares Roadcast’s core business concept, pivots, and its unwavering focus on tracking technology.**01:13 – Early Journey: From Delhi to Entrepreneurship**- Rahul talks about his upbringing in Delhi, his schooling, and initial career aspirations influenced by family expectations.**03:06 – Creative Passions and Early Ventures**- Balancing engineering with web design, music, and even DJing. How these creative skills contributed to his first business, First Look Media.**04:51 – Industry Experience: Digital Agencies & Ogilvy**- Rahul’s industry exposure starts with a digital agency internship, then a leap to Ogilvy as one of the youngest art directors, and facing the reality of formal education alongside work.**07:25 – Finishing Engineering & Career Dilemma**- Taking a sabbatical from Ogilvy to (miraculously) finish his engineering degree, and pondering future career steps.**08:03 – The Spark: Roadcast’s Origin Story**- How a casual call with his co-founders about solving group travel coordination led to creating the first version of Roadcast.**09:36 – The First Product: Social Location Tracking App**- Building an early real-time location sharing app (before WhatsApp had live location) and challenges of launching a social product from India.**10:12 – The First Pivot: From B2C to B2B**- Advice from early advisor Deepak Jain leads Roadcast to focus on logistics and delivery tracking for businesses instead of consumers.**11:22 – Building the Technology: In-house vs Outsourcing**- Decision between outsourcing the MVP and eventually building apps in-house, including structuring the founding team.**13:40 – First Customer and Initial Success**- Winning the first customer (Brookfield) in highway management, then rapid expansion into restaurant delivery logistics.**14:57 – The Restaurant Boom & Second Major Pivot**- Scaling fast with restaurant chains, but the industry shifts when Zomato/Swiggy take over deliveries. Roadcast pivots to hardware (IoT/vehicle) tracking.**16:50 – Tech Evolution: From GPS to AI Dashcams**- Advancements in tracking: modern sensors, dashcams, AI-based driver behavior monitoring, and expanding hardware capabilities.**18:05 – Use Cases & Industrial Adoption**- Overview of industry coverage, from logistics, construction, and EVs, to taxis—how their platform adapts across sectors.**21:02 – Business Model & Government Clients**- Subscription pricing, hardware/software model, and case study on long-term collaboration with Delhi Police.**23:08 – Real-World Impact: ROI for Clients**- Concrete examples of customer cost savings: route/fleet optimization, fuel theft reduction, safety benefits, quick payback periods for businesses.**24:44 – The Next Leap: Launching “Track What Matters” B2C Expansion**- Introducing a new consumer line (devices for pets, kids, personal safety), aiming for Roadcast to become a household name.**25:49 – Consumer Products: Safety Devices & Pet Trackers**- Details about the product range: kid-safe devices, pet GPS trackers, female safety gadgets, and dash cams.