Adithyaa Sriram

🎙️ The First Episode of Venture Vibes is here! 🎙️ Excited to share my conversation with Amay Solanki as we deep dive into how leading Indian startups have navigated changing consumer trends. 🔊 Tune in for the full breakdown on how these startups transformed challenges into opportunities in a post-COVID world! ⚡ Bonus: I’ll be sharing cuts of the episode soon for quick, digestible learnings. 🎧 Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dhB52eya (Chapters available for easy viewing) 🎯 Stay tuned for the next episode—we're diving into the big question: What game-changing opportunities lie ahead for the next decade? #VentureVibes #StartupStories #ConsumerTrends #COVID #Zomato #Nykaa #Purplle #Mamaearth #BiryaniByKilo #VentureCapital #IndianStartups #Innovation #Podcast #ISB

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Zomato's Q2 results are amazing! and one of the reason for that is it's strategic acquisition, here's what happening... After acquiring Blinkit, zomato acquired Paytm Insider But why is a food delivery company buying a ticketing platform? Zomato is exploring a new domain by acquiring PTM Insider, a leading ticketing platform for movies, concerts, and sports events, for a whopping ₹2,000 crore! Let’s break it down: 1. Zomato’s Vision Zomato aims to become a lifestyle brand and not just a food delivery platform! That's what their new launch 'district' is about. It's a app for everything outdoors Food, Movies, Concerts etc PTM Insider will still operate under PTM, till the next 12 months but then all ticketing services will migrate to District 2. But why did Paytm sell a profitable business? While Zomato is diversifying, Paytm is doubling down on its core business—finance. You might remember Paytm’s recent regulatory troubles, which led to the shutdown of Paytm Payments Bank. This might just be a smart move, allowing PTM to consolidate resources and fortify its position in the fintech space, especially after the recent regulatory hiccups. 3. Zomato’s Growth Strategy: The Bigger Picture Zomato’s Q2 report shows ~5X profits rise since last year But here’s the catch: while Zomato’s food delivery revenue grew by 10%, their acquisition Blinkit surged by a insane 222%! This tells us that Zomato is not just diversifying for the sake of it; they’re strategically positioning themselves in high-growth areas like quick commerce and now, ticketing. To kickstart this Zomato is organizing the “Feeding India Concert” in Mumbai on November 30! Zomato’s dream is ambitious: to become India’s ultimate lifestyle platform. It’s a bold vision that won’t be easy to realize, but if they pull it off, Zomato could redefine how we eat, play, and live. #zomato #acquisition

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The Ecosystem Community is now 3500+ members strong and 1500+ folks are in premium curated groups PS: The only problem is no one can spam here, or join random groups (If anyone follows this they are a part of the community) #Community #Startups #Investors

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The industry is growing nearly 2x faster than the overall beauty and personal care market. It’s the next big thing in D2C… It’s all set to become a ₹20,000 crore opportunity by 2027. A quick generational snapshot sets the stage for this growth: My grandfather had 1 ittar he bought from a local shop. My father had 2 products – 1 Deo and 1 perfume. I have 5 products – 1 deo, 3 different perfumes, and 1 roll-on. Something for each occasion. I can’t even begin to think how many Gen Z owns 😂. I’ve heard they’re creating something called a “Fragrance Wardrobe.” Here’s what’s happening in the olfactory industry: 1️⃣ Massive change in product perception: Earlier, sales were driven by basic benefits – freshness and appeal to the opposite sex. Those days are passé. Today, it’s for self-expression, social status, and gifting. 2️⃣ Change in consumer TG: Historically male-dominated (60%), the tide is turning as female consumers embrace fragrances. I think this is the biggest white space, and I’m actively looking for brands building here. 3️⃣ The India-Specific Opportunity: India’s tropical climate creates a “need” for fragrances as a personal hygiene product. There’s increased demand for traditional, natural, clean, and indigenous scents (something that falls in India’s historic legacy!). Amid a booming wellness interest, scents are being marketed as wellness items with essential oils and more. I’d say there’s a gap in the market when it comes to the price point. One extreme – indigenous brands < ₹1000. The other extreme – premium, imported items > ₹3000, but no affordability. The sweet spot between ₹1000 to ₹3000 lies relatively empty. And I see an opportunity to build aspirational brands here. When e-commerce exploded, skeptics still asked: “Who’d buy a perfume they can’t smell online?” And they have a fair point. But content has changed the game. Creators tout their favorite scents, painting a picture of what they smell like. I saw a reel in which the creator said: "This is the fragrance you need to impress your first date!” And people are buying. Brands like BellaVita and Adil Qadri have made tidal waves. But I think the story’s just beginning. I believe the next big consumer story will come from this space. Can you ‘smell’ the opportunity? :) How many perfumes do you own? PS: This is my current collection of Indian fragrances. Recognize the brands? #india #market #ecommerce #opportunity #fragrance

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Why do I feel like content creation is the new MBA? I have been pondering over the decision of doing an MBA for a while now (ofc parents were involved XD). After Bain and working in a startup, the usual route is to just do an MBA from an Ivy league college, settle in US, get married, have kids and the story goes on… Why did I want to do an MBA? Apart from the obvious answer that “sab kar rahe hai toh sahi hoga”. An MBA is the golden ticket for building trust & a solid network which gives you leverage. Whether you're a software engineer, architect, designer, or even a musician, an MBA always adds an extra dimension to your profile. I am not saying it is a one size fit all solution, but damn, it mostly works! I call MBA the get out of jail free card (but sometimes puts you there too XD) Having immersed myself in the creator economy for the last year, I can see right before my eyes how content creation also offers the exact same benefits! If MBA gives you leverage, having a following gives you INSANE leverage. I mean, who would have thought finance influencers could walk the red carpet in Cannes. I don’t think an MBA gets you there XD So am I going to become a content creator? That’s for another day… Content creation is definitely not for everyone but the way this industry is shaping up is going to significantly change the way we live. Convince me in the comments to do an MBA over building distribution online and I will do it :) — I will be sharing my 2 cents on the creator economy over the next few weeks. Follow me for more! 😄 #creatoreconomy #mba

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MBA Placement Season: What They Don’t Tell You (But Should) You must have heard this, and it’s also true: No one can predict shortlists. It all comes down to the company's requirement, who’s looking at your CV, and a bit of luck. Don’t let anyone guarantee you a shortlist—it’s all a shot in the dark. Here’s what else I learned: 1) Pressure is everywhere, but so is self-doubt: Even those who look super confident feel the same way you do. You’re not alone in this. Everyone is figuring it out. The key is to not let it eat away at your confidence. 2) Your journey is yours alone: I know it’s tough to watch others get placed, but their path isn’t yours. I was fixated on one company myself, and when the shortlists came out, I was heartbroken. But that feeling doesn't last. Other, sometimes better, opportunities will come. 3) Don’t oversell or undersell yourself: It’s easy to let doubt push you into self-rejection. And at the same time, it’s tempting to stretch the truth. Be honest in interviews about who you are—companies appreciate authenticity more than rehearsed answers. 4) Health and mindset > sleepless nights: You might think pushing through the night will give you an edge, but being fresh and calm on interview day makes a bigger difference. Take care of yourself—mentally and physically. 5) Choose your advice wisely: Everyone’s experience is different, and while people mean well, not all advice is for you. Don’t blindly follow the crowd—understand what aligns with your goals. It’s a tough phase, but you’ve worked too hard to let doubt hold you back. The right opportunity is out there. You’ve earned this. Stay open, trust your gut, and know your moment is coming. #MBAPlacements #TrustTheProcess #AuthenticityMatters #OwnYourJourney #CareerGrowth

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Consumer apps have historically found it difficult to monetize end users directly in India, but we are seeing a shift in this trend now. While digital ads continue to be the largest revenue pool for content/social apps in India at $9 Billion, direct modes of monetizing users through subscriptions and micropayments (pay per use model) have now become possible and account for a $3 Billion revenue pool, growing at 20%+ CAGR. This showcases the evolution of the Indian consumer from a highly value-seeking customer to one who is willing to pay for high quality content. What does this mean for new-age consumer apps? Content/social businesses can now monetize users earlier in their journeys, making it possible for them to grow rapidly and in a capital efficient manner. Cases in point - PocketFM, AstroTalk, Seekho and FRND. If you’re building in this space, do check out our Founder's Guide to Consumer App Monetization, where we talk about digital ads, subscriptions, micropayments, etc., and how to choose the model best suited for your fabric of business. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/g3KPue8E Elevation Capital Amit Aggarwal Manish Advani

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📊 Quick Commerce is the New E-Commerce 📊 🛒💡 Zepto raised close to $1B in 2024. Interviews are resurfacing, talking about how Blinkit, and not Zomato will drive the next phase of growth 🛒💡The bet seems to be: It’s not the Amazon’s and the Flipkart’s of the world who will be the primary marketplace for discovery and distribution of products. It’s your apps such as Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto, where all this will happen. Quick Commerce (QC) is the new E-Commerce, and that is why VCs are investing like crazy The same factors that drove e-comm in India, will ensure disruption of e-comm by QC: 1️⃣ Rising smartphone penetration  2️⃣ Low data costs  3️⃣ Mobile first payment 4️⃣ More disposable income ✅💡Ecommerce, will become broken into QC in metro & tier 1 cities, where the scale makes the numbers make sense. QC will have to solve for product selection, through partnerships with brands (ex: Zepto x Decathlon). Ecomm will solve for the long tail of cities, and beef up its delivery. Ex: same day shipping especially in Tier 2/3/4 cities to stay relevant. Instamart / Zepto are already after these markets: Ex: Instamart in 2024 expanded to Tier 2 cities such as: Mangalore, Kanpur, Udaipur ✅💡Blinkit QC numbers show promise. The CM looks healthy: from losing ~3.6L per quarter, stores are now making ~31L per quarter! The ops expenses has reduced: from Q1-Q2 FY24 growth rate of ~35%, it grew only 3% from Q4 FY24 to Q1 FY25. And this is when the number of stores grew by 21%. And there-in lies the hope - that somewhere the economics start making sense. And maybe that’s why even though this space is crowded, apps such as Swish (raised ~$2M from Accel) are getting in this space. 🛒💡QC needs to solve what Ecomm has solved already: So dark store investment, partnerships with brands to a wider selection, and delivery fleet becomes key. And eventually QC apps could even get into product manufacturing: investing in products that have high demand ❓ But there are problems that exist that need to be solved for. For ex: 1️⃣ Delivery: How does this become even more seamless? 2️⃣ Handling product returns: Amplified with the addition of categories, especially apparel and footwear 3️⃣ Regulation: Employee structure: Full time or gig workers? And dark-store ownership: India’s FDI rules don’t allow foreign-funded online marketplaces to own inventory or control sellers on their platforms 4️⃣ Product Selection: Category specific play, or solving for the long tail? 🛒💡So it’s a tough space to be in. But the economics of Blinkit are promising. And maybe that’s why companies like Swish (raised $2M from Accel) are getting into QC. 🛒💡When you look at QC with the Ecomm lens on, that $20B market by 2030 suddenly grows 15x to ~$325B, and starts looking a lot more lucrative. And that’s probably why Zepto is attracting the investment it is, and investors are snapping up Swiggy’s pre-IPO shares To read the full article, click here: https://lnkd.in/gtFn4hN7

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In my recent Microeconomics class, we discussed Cournot’s Duopoly Model and the Nash Equilibrium, both of which came to mind when observing Zomato’s and Swiggy’s recent pricing strategies during the festive season. For context, Cournot’s model explores how two firms, like Zomato and Swiggy, react to each other’s pricing decisions in a duopoly. Each company makes strategic decisions to maximize its market share and revenue while anticipating the other’s response. When Zomato raised platform fees by Rs 10, Swiggy quickly matched it—a real-world application of Nash Equilibrium, where neither firm has an incentive to change its strategy independently, ensuring a balanced but competitive market. Why does this matter? With both companies dominating the Indian food delivery market, holding over 95% market share, even a small Rs 10 increase during peak demand (up 30% during festivals) can have a substantial impact on profits. As a duopoly, they manage to retain customers while simultaneously reacting to each other’s price changes, aligning with Cournot’s theory and benefiting from the stable equilibrium it provides. It’s always fascinating to see how microeconomic theories play out in dynamic, high-stakes markets like food delivery. #Microeconomics #BusinessStrategy #Duopoly #NashEquilibrium #Zomato #Swiggy #MBA #MarketEconomics

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Popular dating apps such as Bumble and Tinder spend an average of ₹150 to acquire one female user. At flutrr our CAC per active female user is just ₹13. How did we achieve this? We tapped into the latent demand in an underserved market — women from Tier 2 and 3 cities in India who are seeking a safe alternative to casual dating and arranged marriages. Our brand positioning focuses on enabling long-term, meaningful relationships, resonates deeply with this demographic and caters to this need. All our ad assets are in local languages and portray the happiness of being in a loving, stable relationship – tapping into the emotions and values that matter to this target market. Plus, having The Times Of India as an investor has also amplified our credibility. The formula for a successful dating app is simple: when the number of female users grows, matches increase, male users engage more, and thus, the revenue climbs. Everything moves north. #customeracquisition #datingapp #startup #branding

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2021: Only grocery delivery app in India with 10 minutes delivery 2024: Competitor chasing the '10 minute' brand segment Zepto is the only player sticking to its original promise - and is clearly acing it Scaling up a grocery delivery business is particularly challenging in India. And adding up a unique attribute, as huge as this –  has clearly been game changing for Zepto. Success didn’t come easy to Zepto too, There was a time when all the Q-commerce players faced backlash & people questioned the safety of drivers. Some brands stopped claiming the delivery time altogether, from “groceries in 15-30 minutes”, they went to “groceries in minutes” But Zepto didn’t, it went on to install a myriad of dark stores across locations, and is already serving superfast deliveries in 10 cities. Top 3 factors that helped Zepto drive exceptional growth over a very short span of time: - Captivating Customer Experience: The platform served a deeply engaging user experience and the service promise was being consistently fulfilled – a powerful combo. - Outstanding Retention: All thanks to near-perfect buying journey, Zepto achieved a retention rate which was considered only to be a fantasy for the industry earlier. - Not slowing down: More dark stores and continuous geographical expansion at the same time helped the startup acquire customers in huge numbers. Zepto cracked the key to scale in the quick commerce space by constantly growing at the same pace, and not compromising customer satisfaction at the same time – simple yet not easy. A perfect example of go big, go fast – it is surely a fascinating study for the space creators. No matter the circumstances, the brand didn’t let go of its biggest differentiator, eliminating all the question marks experts had put to its launch. What do you think is going to be the future of grocery delivery space in India? #casestudy #growth #startup

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Product strategy is the backbone of any successful business. It aligns your product vision with your business goals, ensuring that every decision made contributes to long-term success. Here are key ways businesses can benefit from a robust product strategy: 1. Customer-Centric Innovation: A well-defined product strategy helps businesses understand and anticipate customer needs. This leads to creating products that not only solve real problems but also delight users, fostering loyalty and satisfaction. 2. Market Differentiation: By clearly defining your product's unique value proposition, you can stand out in a crowded market. This differentiation is crucial for capturing and retaining customer attention. 3. Resource Optimization: With a strategic approach, resources are allocated more effectively. Teams can focus on high-impact initiatives that drive growth and innovation, rather than spreading themselves too thin across numerous projects. 4. Risk Mitigation: A solid product strategy involves thorough market research and competitive analysis. This helps identify potential risks early, allowing businesses to pivot or adapt before investing too heavily in a particular direction. 5. Scalability and Growth: A forward-thinking product strategy paves the way for scalability. By planning for future market trends and customer needs, businesses can ensure their products evolve and grow, maintaining relevance and competitive edge. Investing time in developing a comprehensive product strategy can transform your business. It’s not just about creating a product; it’s about building a sustainable path to long-term success. #ProductStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #MarketDifferentiation #CustomerSatisfaction #ResourceOptimization #RiskMitigation #Scalability #BusinessSuccess

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Great insights on the challenges Indian sellers face when going global! Navigating regulations, high logistics costs, and cultural differences can be tough, but with the right strategies, these barriers can be overcome. Worth a read for anyone looking to expand their business internationally!

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🚀 Swiggy Set to Make Waves with ₹11,300 Crore IPO: Key Details and Market Implications 🌐 Swiggy, India's food delivery giant, is set to go public with an IPO launching on November 6, 2024, aiming to raise around ₹11,327 crore (~$1.35B). Shares will be priced at ₹371-₹390 each (around $4.64), with trading expected to start on November 13, 2024. IPO Highlights: Price Range: ₹371-₹390 per share Funds Allocation: Expanding logistics and quick commerce operations This IPO is launching amidst rising tech-driven competition in India’s market. By securing capital, Swiggy plans to advance its quick commerce capabilities, aiming to gain a strategic edge over competitors like Zomato. Market Impact: Swiggy’s IPO offers a unique investment opportunity with strong growth potential, balancing between established dominance in food delivery and quick commerce expansion. Investor Insight: With a grey market premium around ₹25, sentiment is optimistic. As Swiggy steps into the public sphere, it's poised to redefine India's fast-paced delivery ecosystem. #IPO #SwiggyIPO #Investment https://lnkd.in/eyHRRPXh

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I have been investing in startups for sometime now. Over the last few years angel investing has transformed from being a skeptical investing space to a key component of a diversified wealth management strategy. In 2024, the robust Indian startup ecosystem was led by sectors like clean-tech, fintech, health-tech, and insure-tech. Digital platforms have democratised access to investment opportunities, making it easier for investors like me to participate in early-stage funding. Government initiatives such as Startup India and tax incentives for angel investors have made the ecosystem even more attractive. I've also noticed a rise in angel networks and syndicates, fostering greater collaboration and knowledge sharing among the investors. Startups are leveraging angel investments to innovate and scale rapidly, reinforcing India's position as a global startup hub. With continued support and evolving investment avenues, the future of angel investing in India looks promising. It's an exciting time to be part of this dynamic and lucrative space. https://lnkd.in/gfKtavNY https://lnkd.in/g3etKTcQ #angelinvestors #startups #venturecapital #innovation #futurism #creativity

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Zepto raises $665M @ $3.6B valuation** 🤑 signifying venture capital investors belief that q-commerce 📦 will keep on growing and replace traditional kiranas (which modern retail 🛒 could never do). But why would they want to invest in Zepto Cafes??? ☕ It only partially competes with Zomato and Swiggy because it delivers only snacks and beverages 🍵🥤 but why do I feel it's a waste of money? Zepto Cafes are housed within the dark stores but it requires a different level of operational planning and expertise. 🔥 Competition is heating up in q-commerce with Flipkart entering ... Zepto is the only one with no access to a listed or rich parent's money 🏦. They are best served to stick to their core expertise 🛠️ and trying to survive. In my mind, they will be the most vulnerable eventually 🧨. #venturecapital #zepto #q-commerce

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Investor repellant sectors. There are a few out there for sure! Having seen the boom in B2B vertical marketplaces (Zilingo, ReshaMandi, Fashinza, Arzoo, Nestaway etc), there are quite a few sectors that have seen a considerable amount of funding going in with nothing coming out. Conventional wisdom would think there's something inherently wrong with these spaces, leading most investors today to shy away from the sectors. Having seen the textile vertical first hand, this didn't instill a fear of the sector overall in me. Instead, I started diving into the reasons these rather ripe-for-disruption sectors didn't find a footing! My key takeaways from investing and operating in the space: - Sectoral expertise is needed: There have been loads of 'qualified' founders (read MBB + great colleges) tackle this space. What's been missing is a core understanding of problems to solve - Patience: For anyone expecting some tech forward business, trying to intercede in a 50+ year old industry, these aren't SaaS businesses. I've met (and invested in) a lot of amazing founders here like Pratik Gadia, Aman Mehra and Ramya Iyer (Fantail). This needs investors and capital that are open to mid-market returns (sub 2000 crore) with deep understanding of traditional sectors - Real value add: It's taken me a while to appreciate having family businesses as our primary LPs as opposed to global institutions, though when I evaluate the doors we can open for early stage companies within Asia, it's awesome. Want to build in Saas? We've got some of the OG founders of India. Similarly for deep tech, manufacturing, real estate etc Fund size: I cannot emphasize this enough, check yourselves on valuation, because the funds that can write you massive checks need to return a minimum of 3x their fund size to LPs. So a return that's great for a micro VC will be laughable for a 'big fund'. Sometimes, these outcomes are better for both founders and investors I can go on and on, suffice to say if you're building in 'non sexy' sectors, I'd love to chat! #venturecapital #founders #investors #lp #funding

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Investors, Swiggy IPO mila? 🚀 A decade ago, it was one of the 1 lakh startups started back then. Today, it’s a household name. I'm always humbled to see such tremendous growth but what remains to be a challenge is that less than 0.1% of startups reach this scale. Why? Because while great ideas abound, they need the right support to thrive. ₹5.65 crores were disbursed among 145 startups to build their MVPs, at the Rising Rajasthan IT & Startup Pre-Summit It’s inspiring to see governments actively backing entrepreneurs today... This week, we took a big step forward at Favcy Venture Builders by joining hands with iStart Rajasthan and we’re on a mission to identify and nurture these future game-changers 💡 To my angel investor network: Let’s discover and support the next Swiggys of India at the stage where it matters the most. Comment below or DM me to learn about our portfolio startups and their growth stories. #StartupIndia #AngelInvestors #FavcyVentureBuilders #iStartRajasthan #Entrepreneurship

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Most popular dating apps face one big problem. After 2-3 exchanges, users shift to WhatsApp or Instagram to take the conversation forward. Time spent on the app drops, and thus, user retention decreases. At flutrr this is rarely an issue. We’re building for the youth in India’s small towns—an audience that isn’t very confident about talking to the opposite sex. They’re shy, take things slow, and rarely ask to exchange personal details, letting conversations flow on our app itself. To strengthen user experience, we’ve also introduced AI-driven sentiment analysis. If you’re chatting with someone, our AI understands the sentiment and helps craft responses aligned with the tone—ensuring longer, deeper conversations. Plus, we’ve added generative AI features for music creation and love quotes for moments when words fall short – making connections more meaningful. All these features are not there either on Insta or on WhatsApp. So our users will continue to chat with the app. And this is a first in the global dating industry This is something no other platform offers, and that’s the promise flutrr is built on—enabling genuine, meaningful relationships through innovation. #startups #india #datingapp #genai #product

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