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My Reflections 2024-25

With the turn of 2024, we have turned the page to a historical moment—a quarter of a century. It is striking to consider how much history has been compressed into these 25 years. This has been no ordinary span of time. This has been an era of tectonic shifts. From the dawn of the digital age and the globalisation of economies to the climate reckoning and the relentless march of artificial intelligence, these years have witnessed transformations that once would have taken centuries to unfold. In many ways, eras have collided, overlapped, and dissolved into each other, leaving a world forever altered—more connected yet divided, more advanced yet anxious, and more hopeful yet uncertain than ever before.

The $20 Bill That Became Priceless

As I built my snack-food brand, Sun & Swell Foods, I kept hearing the same advice: Hustle for your customers. Never turn down business. Obsessively focus on ROI. So that's what I did—and although my company grew, it wasn't profitable. This began affecting me emotionally. I love my brand and care deeply about its success. Its challenges started to feel like my own.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKES THAT STARTUPS MAKE

The path forward is hard, so learn from where others have fallen. This is a list of very hard-won lessons.

SILICON CARBIDE CHIPS THE NEXT GIANT STEP IN INDIA'S SEMICONDUCTOR ASPIRATIONS

Companies such as L&T, CDIL, Zoho, are already pioneering innovations in the sector, with focus on automotive, renewable energy and industrial electronics

FUTURE WORKFORCE: WHY INDUSTRY PLAYERS ARE BETTING BIG ON AI AGENTS

Since 2022, the world has amused itself with the generative artificial intelligence (AI) offerings of ChatGPT and others for coding and content generation to name a few. However, there were no virtual assistants.

SEMICONDUCTOR STRATEGY: How 2024 Defined the Roadmap for 2025 and Beyond

India's semiconductor industry is projected to grow to USD 80 billion by 2028 from the current USD 23 billion, as per SEMI. The major factor behind this development can be attributed to surging demand for electronics, the rise of smart connected devices highlighted the urgent need for self-reliance in chip design and manufacturing; In this, India has grown significantly in prioritizing local production.

35 UNDER 35

THE CLASS OF 2025- Sixty-five percent of India's fast-growing population is under 35, representing our nation's greatest strength. As a testament to the modern economy, our 35under35 issue every year, the 9th year in a row now, represents their untapped potential. Recognizing the pivotal role of human capital in driving economic growth and innovation, we highlight their efforts in detail in the ensuing pages. We unravel the journey of Young people driving change tackling climate issues, improving lives, and defending rights. To compile our 9th annual list, Entrepreneur India writers and editors-with the help of expert independent judges-evaluated more than 500 candidates on factors including funding, revenue, social impact, inventiveness, and potential. From the young category defining quick commerce players to an Olympic Winner, you will see how young India is reshaping society. India's youth represent the country's greatest strength, with a vibrant and dynamic generation driving the vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. This edition showcases the younger generation's creativity, energy, and ideas, aligning their aspirations with the nation's development goals and fostering a future of innovation, progress, and self-reliance. This issue serves as an ode to celebrate India's youth as they bear influence over millions across the globe. They are pioneering business models, defining culture, and disrupting the status quo. They are driving innovation, pushing boundaries, and effecting change. Let's welcome the visionaries.

Why Is HP Confident About India - IPSITA DASGUPTA, MD, HP INDIA, EXPLAINS

HP in India is working towards AI PC penetration, upskilling, education use cases and helping small and medium businesses (SMEs)

HOW TO CLOSE THE SALE [EVEN WHEN THEY SAY NO]

I'm the world's leading door-to-door sales expert. I've heard “no” endlessly. Here's how I close sales anyway—and how you can too.

Are You Feeling the Squeeze?

Many companies are struggling with rising costs and tighter margins. We asked six business leaders to share their solutions.

SCAM WARNING

Data predicts that by the time India turns 100, cyberattacks on the country will touch 17 TRILLION

AggLayer will Stand the Test of Time: Sandeep Nailwal on Polygon's New Quest

Heading a USD 450 million funded Web3 start-up—one of the prominent projects worldwide in the space-Sandeep Nailwal has become more opinionated and, in turn, is taking concentrated bets. His latest wager? Aggregation Layer, or better known as AggLayer.

PRIVATE EQUITY: Shifting ESG Due Diligence in PE Deals

Traditionally, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) due diligence in Private Equity (PE) deals has been viewed narrowly – primarily as a tool for risk mitigation and compliance cost estimation. However, this perspective is rapidly changing. Increasingly, PEs are recognizing ESG due diligence as a critical driver of long-term value creation.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: AI's Role in Shaping the Future of Customer Conversations

An today's fast-evolving world, customer interactions with brands have undergone a radical transformation. Technology has not just enhanced these interactions; it has redefined them entirely. At the heart of this transformation lies Generative AI, a game-changer that is revolutionizing how brands engage with their customers. Let's dive into how Generative AI is shaping the future of customer communications, the opportunities it unlocks, and the challenges we need to address to maximize its potential.

CLIMATE TECH The Next Big Opportunity for Impact and Profit

India's climate tech sector is buzzing with activity, boasting over 800 operational startups and raising USD 3.6 billion between 2014 and 2024. These ventures are not just building solutions but reshaping industries—from e-waste management to renewable energy infrastructure.Here are some of the standout trends from 2024 that hold valuable lessons for investors and entrepreneurs alike.

Chords of Success

For Saahil Goel, the deep-rooted passion for playing the guitar dates back to his high school days. Influenced by legends like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Pakistani band Strings, his musical journey mirrors his leadership style-balancing focus, discipline, and a collaborative spirit. Goel feels that playing guitar has enhanced his ability to balance focus and teamwork as a founder of an eCommerce shipping start-up.

IS YOUR RENT TOO DAMN HIGH?

Many small business owners struggle with their rents. Here's what to do.

HOW TO BOUNCE BACK FROM A BAD REVIEW

A one-star review can hurt your ego - and your business. But it's possible to prevent (and remedy!) this scary scenario.

HOW TO HIRE FOR THE FUTURE

Small businesses are struggling to find quality labor. So flip the conversation: Show workers how your business will set them up for opportunity.

You Can Hire Like Netflix

The streaming platform built an incredible team with a strategy called “talent density.” But you don’t need to be a tech giant to do it.

Speedy Growth Killed My Startup

We seemed to be rocking it - lots of press, major partnerships. Then we learned the harsh consequences of overlooking our customers.

Three Pivots to $100 Million

How do you find a working business model? Do it like Rowan-a brand that reinvented itself many times before finally piercing the ear-piercing market.

What Goals Actually Matter?

Some benchmarks are more important than others so what should you really care about? We asked six founders for their hardest-won lessons.

'Only the Strongest Are Going to Survive'

Brian Lee cofounded companies like LegalZoom and ShoeDazzle-and he believes a lot of conventional business wisdom is backward. Sure, it's harder to raise capital. But it's actually cheaper than ever to start a company.

HOW TRUST SAVED KFC

The former CEO of Yum! Brands explains how he turned around a struggling KFC-and the important lesson it offers for anyone in franchising.

JAYANTI CHAUHAN

Bets Big On Bisleri With Tech, Sports & Gen Z

Binance CTO'S Blueprint to Mainstream Blockchain in Everyday Transactions

In the cryptocurrency space, virtually 100 per cent of transactions are recorded on blockchains. On the contrary, the adoption of blockchain for transaction recording is still developing in financial systems and business applications. Leading technological initiatives at Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trade volume with 240 million global users, Rohit Wad is optimistic of benefits sprouting from transaction recordings beyond crypto.

4 Game-Changing Habits for People with Stressful Schedules

Boost your well-being and reclaim control over your schedule.

GENERATIVE GAMEPLAY

The generation beyond Beta might have an advanced gaming experience, which might vary from player to player courtesy of artificial intelligence (AI) and its subset-Generative AI.

FINTECH SUPPORT FOR MSME EXPORTERS AMID GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS

In India, Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) alone account for nearly 40 per cent of the GDP and 50 per cent of the nation’s foreign exchange reserves while providing employment to around 110 million people.