Rishikesh (ऋषिकेश)

Another big ed-tech ‘Unacademy’ is up for sale, merger or bailout. Company fired 250 of their employees yesterday and is struggling with finances. It has approached the likes of Allen, PhysicsWallah, K12 Techno and others. It was also in talks with K12 Techno about the merger but looks like those talks are not advancing. Company has raised $877 million till date and company is searching for a respectable way out. Unacademy's situation highlights the potential turbulence within the EdTech sector. While the industry has seen immense growth, companies are now facing increased competition and the need for profitability. What are your views?

10

India is and will be the biggest value creator for startups .Yes, there are challenges with valuation, and the VC ecosystem is still forming their thoughts on deep tech. The challenge is can we leap forward on AI/ML hardware onwards , soup to nuts. The government is willling think it is right time to make things happen. I will write about this in detail in the next few months. I though am just amazed what India can make happen.

5

Core Engineering GCC in India Low hanging fruits to get started off – PCB designs & Library Management, TCO (Total Cost Optimization). These 2 portfolio skills can be a good jump-start for revenue generation. Pre-requisite: Have deep knowledge, strong product fundamentals and a good vendor-partner ecosystem before launching these services. Common Misconceptions: Product TCO is not the art of changing existing suppliers with low-cost ones to reduce the BOM cost there by increase margins! VAVE & TCO needs to be looked more organically & holistically. TCO in PCBs is just not re-designing layouts with same form-factor or reduce layer count or change vendor or PCB material to achieve cost reduction. The myth of TCO as established in the early years of “outsourced engineering” is cost take out (cheap labor, cheap materials). In my formative years of R&D, every morning we used have the "SAME PCB" in our hand to identify “The Eureka” moment to replace a component vendor! Boy! that’s not the case anymore! TCO is no mere supply chain or component engineering job. We used to call it TDR – Tear Down Re-Engineering. One of my Korean bosses used to say that the product must be engineered until the last drop of tear comes out of your eyes! Hence, TDR. This need serious product & system skills – some one should be able to open-up the box and put it back again! GCC’s & TCO Opportunities Product GCC’s setup in India must have strong completing skills (system engineering) to do a proper TCO! Ex: PCB team must understand mechanicals, manufacturing, assembly, test techniques, fabrication, physics behind materials, etc. If a PCB has been on the market for several years now without any quality issues, and if its cost has to be reduced – first question should be why? What's the objective of the TCO, is the vendor going bankrupt? Business answers needs to be understood before getting into the opportunity itself. This will also determine the seriousness of the customer! You put a lot of effort to reduce the cost and the customer merely says thank you, your quote is not competitive enough! Or they may be also looking at the mere feasibility. Give an indicative % of cost reduction with a ballpark strategy and tell the customer that if they are really interested in the details, you can submit a “Onetime chargeable quote”. If they are interested, they’d pay for your quote and if you win the bid, you implement!

8

1 Comment

Securing funding for a hardware startup in India can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s entirely possible. Here are some key tips to help you navigate the process: 1. Be Clear and Realistic - Define Your Needs: Be extremely clear about how much funding you need and why you need it. If you don’t need it, don’t raise funds just for the sake of it. Remember, equity is costly in the long run, and debt can be the cheapest option. - Set Realistic Goals: Be realistic about your funding ask and the outcomes you aim to achieve. Transparency and practicality are crucial. 2. Choose the Right Investor - Know Your Investor: Understand whether you need an Angel investor or an Institutional investor. Angels generally offer more time and personalized guidance, while VCs can help scale your business through their networks and future funding rounds. - Focus on Experience: For hardware startups, initially approach funds or angels who have a focus on hardware, as they are more likely to take the risk. If that doesn’t work out, consider sector-agnostic investors. 3. Be Open and Proactive - Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask your first few customers or business partners for investment. Being open to asking for help can provide unexpected opportunities. - Research and Network: Study companies in your domain that have successfully raised funds. Reach out to their founders for advice and connections. Look into consumer electronics companies as well. 4. Build Traction First - Show Traction: Having some market traction with a stable product significantly increases your chances of securing funding. Build something frugally, gain some traction, and then seek investment. Early rounds can often be supported by friends and family. 5. Craft a Compelling Pitch - Create a Strong Pitch Deck: Your pitch deck is crucial. Seek help from experts in design, financial modeling, and storytelling to make your pitch stand out. Investors receive hundreds of pitches daily, so ensure yours is compelling and well-structured. By following these strategies, you can enhance your chances of securing the necessary funding for your hardware startup. Remember, clarity, realism, and a strong network are your best allies in this journey. #CompanyBuilding #StartupTips #HardwareStartups #FundingStrategies #InvestmentTips #AngelInvestors #VentureCapital #PitchDeck #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Networking #Innovation #TechStartups #IndianStartups #FundingSuccess

10

1 Comment

Discover Mockingbird, Vectara’s advanced Retrieval Augmented Generation #RAG and structured output-focused Language Learning Model #LLM. Suleman Kazi, Vivek Sourabh, Rogger Luo & Abhilasha Lodha take you on a technical deep dive into Mockingbird's impressive performance and capabilities. 1️⃣ Why Another LLM? - Learn why Vectara developed its own LLM focused on tasks that matter to our customers. 2️⃣ Training Mockingbird - Explore the rigorous training process for RAG and structured output tasks. 3️⃣ Evaluation Metrics - See how Mockingbird excels in generation quality, citations, and structured output. 4️⃣ Human Ratings - Understand the human evaluation process and how Mockingbird compares to leading models like GPT-4. Mockingbird is integrated into the Vectara platform, offering unparalleled performance with high-quality, secure outputs. 🌐 Dive into the full blog and see how Mockingbird can transform your data handling and generation processes. https://gag.gl/2WqJGM?

42

Due to popular demand, the deadline has been extended until June 24, 2024. Upto Rs. 2 cr funding opportunity! Here is your chance. IHFC (TIH of IIT Delhi) introduces Grand Project 2.0 focusing on Commercialization of Industry and HRI Hardware Robotics and Cobotics! Open to faculty, researchers, scientists, and Startups with TRL 4 and above with products/technologies, prototypes and products in the mentioned areas. Don't miss this chance to elevate your product/service through commercialization, tech transfer, and industry connections, all under IHFC's expert guidance. Industry and Startup connections is mandatory and will be given preference. Tap the link or scan the QR code to learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/g8X_eYdE #IHFC #Robotics #Cobotics #Innovation #GrandProjects #commercialization #Industry #HRI #HumanRobotInteraction #IndustryX #technology #product #faculty #researchers #startups #TRL #TechTransfer #IndustryConnect #guidance

27

To be honest, most VCs in India have not found product market fit (PMF) yet. I believe, you have hit PMF as a VC when you have – 1. Top 1% founders are coming to pitch to you, 2. The founder is willing to take your money at a lower price than the market might give him/her. 3. You have built capabilities to pick the founder and market you want to invest in and the confidence to pass on deals that don’t align with your vision. Best example of this is YC , ~4.5% of the startups that have gone through Y Combinator since 2010 have become billion-dollar companies.  Founders don’t just take their money—they choose YC’s standard terms even after raising at a higher price from other VCs. That’s true PMF for a VC. #VC #PMF #funding

395

23 Comments

I completely agree with Sabeer Bhatia about the PE Mindset of VCs in India. I think as Founders we should focus on convincing the customers. If your product is great and you need funds to scale, you will find many lenders. https://lnkd.in/dDw-a9_i

9

4 Comments

"Lightspeed Leads $150M Round in PhysicsWallah: A Boost to EdTech" Renowned EdTech platform PW (PhysicsWallah) has raised $150 million in funding headed by Lightspeed, a top venture capital firm. The EdTech industry will benefit greatly from this investment, which will also support PhysicsWallah's growth objectives. PW (PhysicsWallah) is an online learning resource that provides students with courses and instructional materials. The platform's captivating and interactive teaching strategies have helped it become extremely popular with both teachers and students. Lightspeed's investment demonstrates PW (PhysicsWallah)'s potential for expansion and its dedication to transforming the education industry. The money raised will be put towards developing new technologies to increase learning outcomes, reaching a wider audience, and improving the platform's content offerings. With this thorough justification, I can give additional details about PhysicsWallah's business strategy, point of differentiation, and future growth potential of the Indian EdTech sector. #EdTechInvestment #PhysicsWallah #StartupFunding #EducationTechnology #EdTechGrowth #LightspeedVC #EdTechInnovation #OnlineLearning #EducationRevolution #FutureofEducation

2

The semiconductor industry in India is experiencing significant growth and transformation, driven by several key factors. Here’s an overview of how the semiconductor industry is booming in India:  Government Initiatives and Policies The Indian government has introduced several initiatives and policies to promote the semiconductor sector. Key programs include: 1. PLI Scheme: The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme provides financial incentives to companies setting up semiconductor and display manufacturing units in India. 2. SPECS Program: The Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) offers financial support for the manufacturing of electronic components, including semiconductors. 3. National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2019: This policy aims to position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM).  Investments and Collaborations India is witnessing substantial investments from global and domestic companies in the semiconductor sector: 1. Global Companies: Major global semiconductor companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and TSMC are exploring investment opportunities in India. 2. Domestic Players: Indian companies, such as Tata Group, have announced plans to enter the semiconductor manufacturing space. 3. Partnerships: Collaborations between Indian and international firms are fostering technology transfer and skill development.  Infrastructure Development To support the growth of the semiconductor industry, India is investing in developing world-class infrastructure: 1. Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs): These clusters provide state-of-the-art facilities for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. 2. Research and Development: Increased focus on R&D to drive innovation and develop cutting-edge semiconductor technologies.  Skilled Workforce India boasts a large pool of highly skilled engineers and professionals, crucial for the semiconductor industry. The country’s emphasis on STEM education and initiatives to upskill the workforce are contributing to the sector’s growth.  Demand Surge The rapid digital transformation and increased adoption of technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT, and electric vehicles (EVs) are driving demand for semiconductors. This surge in demand is encouraging both local manufacturing and foreign investments.  Strategic Location India’s strategic location and its role in the global supply chain make it an attractive destination for semiconductor manufacturing. The country aims to reduce dependence on imports and become a key player in the global semiconductor market. #Semiconductors #Technology #Innovation #TechPolicy

7

1 Comment

Manav Rachna's exclusive conversation with THE PVG Menon - Part 2 is here! This time, we delve deep into the thriving startup ecosystem in the semiconductor sector. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: How can YOU be part of India's semiconductor revolution? 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚! ✅ How startups are revolutionizing the industry ✅ Big players reshaping the semiconductor landscape ✅ The critical need for fresh talent ✅ Why NOW is the perfect time to enter this field Manav Rachna Innovation and Incubation Foundation (MRIIF) is leading the charge, bridging academia and industry to foster the next generation of semiconductor entrepreneurs. Because in this fast-paced world, thinking ahead and acting early yields the best results! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬; 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. PVG Menon | Tata Projects | SEMI India #StartupEcosystem #SEMICONIndia2024 #Semiconductors #Innovation #TechRevolution #ManavRachna #MRIIF

35

1 Comment

A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO WIN UPTO Rs. 2 CR in this call by ARTPARK at Indian Institute of Science (IISc). At a high level, this diagram sums it up. The application form is concise. Read on... (Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gpTestD3) Apply before 5 May: bit.ly/ARTPARKform The questions in the application form fall in three broad categories: basic info, text questions, and files to upload. They are opportunities for you to share relevant information in a concise, structured and precise manner. TEXT RESPONSES: Unnecessarily long responses will not help. The character limits are generous (2000 - 3000) so as not to constrain you. Aim for short, precise answers that show real understanding. For example, when asked about a market for your automation solution, you might be tempted to claim "all manufacturing." To us that will only show you haven't really taken a close look at which sub-segments are likely to be your earliest customers. An answer like "manufacturers of PCBs for home appliances" would be better. Similarly, when asked to share potential customers "healthcare" is almost useless. "Tertiary care hospitals that deal with emergency stroke patients" is better. Giving examples of potential customers, or those you are in discussions with for development/pilots would be even more useful. FILES: We allow you up to 210MB (total) to upload files. But do not overwhelm us with a ton of files. We will miss the important stuff trying to sift through it all! Share the most important files to help us understand your solution, its differentiation, and the evidence of progress you have made. Also, name every file in a way that will help us understand what is in the file without opening it. If you are uploading a compressed zip file, include a file named "directory.txt" -- a simple text file with the list of files included and what each file contains. OVERVIEW PRESENTATION: This tends to be one of first things reviewers look at, before going through your text responses and other files. Again, the trick is to be precise. We recommend 6 slides excluding title slide. If you have full-slide pictures or diagrams, it may be okay to take a couple of slides more. The instructions are clear regarding what we want to see in those slides. TEAM SLIDE: Photos are not important. Lengthy descriptions and bios are not useful. In just a few words, convey the role and the credentials & skills relevant to their role in your team. Feel free to include links to their online profiles, CVs or even Github, if you want us to learn more about them. Everyone on your team is important, but prioritize as per their level of leadership and contribution. Adding famous "advisors" who are barely involved does not help. The mantra is simple: we may miss the signal in the noise. #AI #GenAI #LLM #Robotics #AutonomousSystems #IndicLanguageAI #LanguageAI #CommunicationsNetworks #HealthAI #AgriAI #Automation #Mobility #Drones #AIforgood #AIforAll #AIforsocialgood #Industry4

59

5 Comments

Credits to Shashank Mehta for putting this into words. <All founders are assholes. Must read for all working in startups. Here is a glimpse of it.> We see a vision. We want to create it. We have no idea what path shall take us there. But we know we ain’t getting there alone. We need a team that believes in the dream. So, once we are fully sold, we start selling everyone else. Of course, we don’t tell everyone that we have no clue how to get there. People need certainty. To varying degrees. And then one day, it stops. If you’ve already built something worthwhile, sell. Exit. Take the cash. Leave the game. Die a hero. This is a great option. Everyone makes decent money. Founder might even make generational wealth. But what if, by the time you hit this plateau, you’ve not built something worthwhile. Or you have, but you don’t wish to exit. In both cases, you want to continue building. You have to! Your vision is unfulfilled. You just can’t let the dream end! Unlike the case studies you debated retrospectively in B-School, the one single reason for your troubles isn’t clear at all. Everything seems to be falling apart at the same time. Demand, supply, systems, process, culture - everything is crumbling. This is the point where heroes tend to become assholes. So, before we proceed, let’s define asshole. In my conversations, I’ve found three traits that people identify as assholish behaviour. One, is integrity. Two, is when founders change. Three, is when founders deviate from the dream. A dream which was received as a promise. Of course, you may argue that over-communication is the answer. Tell your team everything that’s going on. Explain every action. Why you are doing what you’re doing. They’ll understand. If this is your argument, I bet you’ve never seen wartime. When you’re being shelled from all ends, there’s no time or energy for explanations. A good general takes the reins and leads. And changes tact and strategy to whatever keeps the dream, in some shape or form, alive (remember, Mr. General is winging it too). Some people, some culture, some promises get sacrificed in the bargain. We’ll heal those wounds once the shelling stops. But first, we live. https://lnkd.in/gpFmNqNu

3

Sarvam AI's launch of a full-stack Generative AI platform, and impressive fact about them is their commitment to Indian languages and accessibility. Their offerings include Sarvam 2B, a 2 billion parameter open-source LLM trained on 4 trillion tokens, with multilingual support for 10 Indic languages. They've also introduced Shuka 1.0, an AudioLM built on Meta‘s Llama 8B for Indic languages, along with enterprise solutions including Sarvam Agents and APIs. What excites me most is how Sarvam AI is democratizing AI for India's diverse linguistic landscape. At ₹1 per minute for voice-enabled agents, they're making AI accessible to businesses across sectors. Remember when Sam Altman doubted India's ability to build an OpenAI competitor? Well, the AI revolution in India is in full swing, and companies like Sarvam AI are proving that innovation knows no borders. With $41 million in Series A funding and partnerships with tech giants, Sarvam AI is positioning India as a formidable player in the AI race. #IndianAI #SarvamAI #GenerativeAI #TechInnovation

22

4 Comments

Time to R.S.I.P ( Time to remove your SIP amount every month) Nifty today reached 26,200 levels and +-10% here and there, has made a very major multi-decade top, which will not be reached atleast in next decade or two. This is according to my study of Elliotwave analysis : There are 6 major factors & multiple minor reasons,which will contribute to the downfall of Nifty: 1. Risky Global war-like situation on 2025/26 for atleast 2-3 years (China invading Taiwan, China escalating issues with India in kashmir/arunachal) 2. Crypto bubble bursting off after being accused of fueling war-finance. 3. Time lost to address climate change; instead world leaders will be busy fighting wars. 4. Rapid progeess of A.I. & jobs which will take away many middle class jobs of people like drivers, chefs, maids, helpers, etc etc 5. The major reason will be Climate Change effects starting from 2030-34. Natural calamities like floods, droughts, tsunamis, cyclones, etc will be regular resulting in massive loss of lives and livelihood. Some countries will wash away or sink due to rise in sea levels. 6. Last and not the least, all this will lead to defaults and shutdown of many reputed companies and thus entire financial systrm will collapse. By 2040, there might be no Federal Reserve. As someone saud, remember the best rule of investment is : Buy when others are fearful and Sell when others are greedy. Markets in USA and Europe are experiencing speculative parabolic rise which can never sustain. No investment guru or influencer will ever tell you this. They will always push you for SIP Karo. But it's rather Time to R.S.I.P and put it in F.D. of a reputed bank

1

Indian Ed-Tech Startup PW (PhysicsWallah) Bags $2.8 Billion Valuation Amid Sector Troubles In a landscape where many EdTech companies are facing financial headwinds, PW (PhysicsWallah) has emerged as a standout performer, securing a valuation of $2.8 billion. Founded by Alakh Pandey (PhysicsWallah) in 2016, PW (PhysicsWallah)'s success can be attributed to several strategic choices that distinguish it from competitors like BYJU'S and some of them from my point of view are: - 1. Customer-Centric Approach PW (PhysicsWallah) focuses on the needs of students preparing for competitive exams, offering affordable and high-quality education. This contrasts with BYJU'S aggressive expansion, which prioritized growth at the expense of stability. 2. Affordability as a Core Value With courses priced between ₹3,500 and ₹5,000, PW (PhysicsWallah) makes education accessible to students from Tier 2 and 3 cities. BYJU'S premium pricing strategy, by contrast, limited its reach and alienated many potential users. 3. Sustainable, Bootstrapped Growth PW (PhysicsWallah) grew steadily, focusing on financial discipline rather than aggressive fundraising. BYJU'S venture-heavy model, while initially successful, created financial pressure when external funding slowed down. 4. Simple, Effective Technology PW (PhysicsWallah) leverages technology to provide an intuitive learning experience, avoiding the costly over-engineering seen in competitors like BYJU'S. 5. Founder-Led Authenticity Alakh Pandey (PhysicsWallah)’s continued involvement as a teacher gives PW (PhysicsWallah) a personal touch, setting it apart from more corporate-driven competitors like BYJU'S. In the race of raising more and more capital and delivering under the pressure of the Investors, many founders forget to look at what the Business actually requires. Follow Maharshi Ganatra for Businesses, Investment and Finance tips. #Business #Investment #physicswallah #valuation #edtech #startup #sectortroubles #Byju’s

2