15 Responses to “Indian tech entrepreneurs - I want to hear from you”

1. Vivek Puri on March 5th, 2008 2:38 pm

   No reliable stats of any kind are available for India. Like web usage, population demographics, top sites, ….. When you go out to seek funding, you have no real way to justify what your plan.

2. Nimit on March 5th, 2008 6:36 pm

   Look forward to the discussion

3. Munim on March 5th, 2008 8:53 pm

   Like the first user commented, there is a lack of much required statistics of people…not just related to technology but also demographics related to running an “offline” business.
   If there is one single I could change, it would be the education system. it should impart more creativity and original thought rather than just make students memorize the facts for examination. We could also have better infrastructure in cities (I am from Bangalore), mainly electricity, broadband internet and transportation.

4. akshat on March 6th, 2008 1:18 am

   i would like to comment on another aspect - which is IP protection. I cant patent a software or an algorithm in India. This makes whatever we develop prone to being copied or replicated instantly across the globe.

   Applying for a patent in Europe or the US is prohibitively expensive for Indian Startups.

5. Rabi Gupta on March 6th, 2008 4:07 am

   The second question itself brings in a lot of thought. We are talking about an ecosystem and i’m afraid to say that Indian ecosystem right now provides much(if not all) support to maintain a service providing ecosystem and not an entrepreneureal one. If as a youngster one talks about having entrepreneurial interests, poeple (in general) looks him/her in disguise. They dont understand that the time has gone where we need to think about building all the technical skills and search for a plush job. If you have skills then think of an idea different from others and make that skill count in an innovative way!
   People take their jobs as a sureshot way of earning without getting involved in too much of a risk. But then, why they invest in Stocks??
   My point is, we need to take entrepreneurship as any other way of living, earning and learning resource and not a thing which is secured for some special people.

6. aakriti on March 6th, 2008 6:05 am

   I feel what the eco-system lacks is a structured education system. We are still emulating the west, or are learning from fellow colleagues in the domain. The online community has grown by 200% in one year, but there is not a single Institute/certification program available for new comers.

7. pranav on March 6th, 2008 3:59 pm

   @akshat - are you sure it cant be done in India ?

8. Unmesh on March 6th, 2008 4:49 pm

   The one thing that’s different is the general mindset of people towards startups. I believe the risk-taking attitude is lacking where people prefer to stick to secure paying jobs than risk siding with a startup. Hence you tend to find more people who like playing “devils-advocate” whenever you try to engage them

   What would really change this attitude is when one starts seeing more successful startups - more news of Indian startups making it big.

   The Indian audience (internet users) it seems, doesnt mind trying out new online offerings. Our 15% conversion rate (vistors to signups) is quite encouraging. There are organizations that are doing good work in promoting entrepreneurship (IIT-B Alumnus Association, E-Summit, Proto). The few major blogs are also doing awesome work in spreading the word (StartupDunia, Pluggd.in, Webyantra).

   I keep hearing of incubation centers, but havent run into one in Pune yet. It would make a big difference to have corporate-run incubation centers dotting the country.

   The VC firms could offer EIR programs - which could be a great way to not only show confidence in Indian Startups but also to get an “in” on the “culture” of an Indian Startup.

   P.S. we have created a group that plots Indian Startups on a map. Plot yours too: http://www.sadakmap.com/group/Indian-Startups/

9. wiborg on March 9th, 2008 7:50 am

   Fundamentally speaking, in india startup or entrepreneurship is risky not becoz of doing it but in terms of getting proper directions, motivation, resources, Encouragement, proper advice, Indecent ecosystem etc.

   * if shabir bhatiya starts something it becomes fency press release, why not others ?

   * start up = banglore, chennai, delhi, mumbai, IIT, IIM ??????

   * role of government ????

10. Fahim on March 9th, 2008 8:13 am

    I think most important factor is social gatherings for wanna be entrepreneurs. I think lot of us want to do it but lack proper guidance or mentors. Social gatherings or discussions can help a lot. There might such events in Banglore or so but not in places like Pune, Mumbai or for the fact Gujarat. I think some one has to take initiative to show direction to young vibrant wanna be entrepreneurs.

11. pranav on March 10th, 2008 10:25 am

    posted on behalf of Deepankar from Chittr

    * What are some of the pain points you are witnessing (have witnessed) related to the Indian startup scene ?

    Primary pain point is, apprehension of the funding houses, and lack of willingness to experiment.

    * What are the top 3 things you wish were different / can be improved in the Indian ecosystem ?

    I would wish the genie for 1) More incubators 2) More mentors willing to handhold 3) Growing Broadband usage (prompted by Govt)

    * What sort of response are you seeing from the online Indian audience ?

    I am particularly seeing a good response. Indian online audience is willing to try out new concepts, experiment, and give feedback.

    * Do you have any advice - tips for other aspiring Indian tech entrepreneurs ?

    Stick to it..

12. Abhishek on March 11th, 2008 3:48 pm

    Don’t worry about a failure. Even if you fail you will still be at a higher place than a person who has not even tried it. Just do it!

13. pranav on March 11th, 2008 11:13 pm

    everyone,

    thanks a lot for providing your input - it is greatly appreciated.

    I guess mentoring and incubation — these seem to be the most common thread across all the comments. Of course, leaving aside the broadband penetration issue.

    A follow up question to all you entrepreneurs - what channels are you leveraging to seek out mentors ?

14. wiborg on March 13th, 2008 11:02 am

    i would be interested in knowing about transparent channel, if any available. thank you

15. Azeez on May 14th, 2008 4:45 am

    @ (all) I don’t find one main point here its very,very important.I don’t know may be most of U people here are from Bangalore or North-India.Ok lets see majority of tech colleges are in South ok
    1.Fiancee or burden of my education fee is to my parents
    2.After completing of my engg,There will be so much lip service its like
    hey..here is a vacancy try it,go for Gmat…etc
    3.Unlike in west after high school,most likely they opt for part time job
    and they experiment life in all angles.In west life starts after 30.
    4.But here it ends after 30,he have to get a secure 9-5 high paying job.
    5.And he has to get his father’s ROI(folks u know what it is)
    6.If any of those above who missed them and dare to become Richard stallman or Linus Torvalds..Again we have problems from Our Surroundings
    7.if any one who don’t belong to these I think he’s the Luckiest Startup guy…He can experiment all aspects of his idea
    8.If he has a good idea VC,infra,resources are not major problems
    9.They just physical…But the above are mentally disturbing things we can’t focus with them on any thing..

    Looking for comments what U think about this..