Dive deep into the world of insurance with Tarun Mathur, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Policybazaar for BusinessIn this episode, Tarun shares his fascinating entrepreneurial journey, from his early days navigating India as a "Fauji kid" and working in call centers, to co-founding one of India's largest insurtech platforms.We explore the evolution of Policybazaar and get an exclusive look into the strategy, challenges, and vision behind Policybazaar for Business (PB for Business), their dedicated B2B wing serving SMEs and large corporates.In this conversation, you'll learn about:(00:40) Tarun's unique background and how early experiences shaped his approach to business and change.(03:03) The founding principles of Policybazaar and its core focus on customer protection.(03:50) The "Why" behind Policybazaar for Business: Extending protection to SMEs and corporates.(06:14) The distinct challenges of building a B2B brand within a well-known B2C company.(07:55) The complexity and breadth of corporate insurance products (Cyber, Liability, Fire, etc.).(11:26) Why Policybazaar's value goes far beyond sales: The critical importance of service and claims management (Detailed Cyber Insurance example).(16:19) How Policybazaar tackles unique and complex "edge case" insurance needs for businesses.(19:22) Addressing industry concerns: Data privacy and unwanted calls in the insurance sector.(22:30) The persistent problem of misselling: How Policybazaar uses systems and ethics to combat it.(25:40) Unpacking claim rejections: Understanding hidden clauses, waiting periods, and the roles of different stakeholders (insurers, hospitals, brokers).(32:29) The exciting role of AI at Policybazaar: Enhancing product development, fraud detection, and overall efficiency.Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader navigating corporate insurance, or simply curious about the evolving insurance landscape in India, this conversation offers valuable insights from a key industry player.#Policybazaar #TarunMathur #Insurance #Insurtech #B2BInsurance #Entrepreneurship #AI #Fintech #IndianStartups #BusinessPodcast #InsuranceClaims #CyberInsurance #Misselling #DataPrivacy #PolicybazaarForBusiness

Ever wondered how massive university hostels housing thousands of students are managed in India? Go behind the scenes of Fretbox, the innovative SaaS platform transforming traditionally manual hostel operations into a streamlined, digital experience!In this episode of Eli, we talk to Ashish Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Fretbox, about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Discover how Fretbox identified a critical gap in the market and built a solution to digitize every aspect of student accommodation management.Ashish shares the fascinating origin story of Fretbox, including crucial pivots from earlier ventures and how a personal observation highlighted the urgent need for technology in managing university hostels, which often relied on outdated manual processes, paperwork, and basic communication tools.Discover the core challenges Fretbox tackles head-on: streamlining complex admissions processes, simplifying fee collection, managing daily operations like attendance tracking and meal planning, resolving student complaints efficiently, enhancing communication between residents, wardens, and administration, and bolstering student safety and security.Learn about the Fretbox platform, structured around key functional pillars – Revenue, Communication, Student Tracking, and Assistance. Ashish explains their mobile-first strategy, providing tailored interfaces and real-time notifications for students, wardens, security, and even high-level university management via dedicated apps.Ashish discusses how Fretbox leverages technology, including biometrics for security and data analytics for better planning. He shares insights on exploring AI to further enhance automation, security features like attendance tracking, and optimizing operations such as mess menu planning based on student feedback.Gain valuable insights into the realities of building a B2B SaaS startup targeting the challenging education sector in India. Ashish candidly discusses navigating long sales cycles, dealing with multiple stakeholders, the critical importance of patience and persistence, and the rewards of building long-term customer relationships.Explore Ashish's perspective on the future of student housing in India, which is rapidly evolving into a 'hospitality industry' demanding better amenities and services. Understand Fretbox's vision to support this transformation in a market driven by India's large youth population and the increasing need for digitized, safe, and efficient living experiences for students relocating for higher education.About Fretbox:Fretbox (https://fretbox.in/) is a leading B2B PropTech SaaS platform providing comprehensive management solutions tailored for university and college hostels across India. It streamlines operations, enhances security, improves communication, and optimizes the overall student living experience, currently serving over 30 universities and tens of thousands of students nationwide.Ashish Gupta is the Co-Founder & CEO of Fretbox, driving the company's mission to digitize student accommodation in India.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Eli Podcast & Ashish Gupta(01:23) The Fretbox Origin Story: Pivots & Identifying the Niche(02:15) The Chaos: Problems in Traditional Hostel Management(04:30) Landing the First Customer & Iterative Development(06:38) Deeper Dive into Hostel Administration Pain Points(11:40) Inside Fretbox: Core Pillars & Key Features Explained(15:40) Serving All Stakeholders: User Roles & Mobile-First Strategy(18:27) Tech Innovation: Leveraging Biometrics, Data & Exploring AI(20:00) The B2B Grind: Challenges of Selling to Universities(23:30) Future Trends: Student Housing as Hospitality & Fretbox's Vision(25:32) Market Opportunity: India's Youth & Relocation for Education(26:40) Closing Remarks

In this episode, we talk with Manoj Dhanotiya, a serial entrepreneur and the Founder of Micro Mitti. Manoj shares his incredible journey – from starting a bootstrapped IT firm, building a successful e-commerce SaaS platform, to now revolutionizing the real estate sector with Micro Mitti.Micro Mitti is India's pioneering co-investment PropTech platform focused on making fractional ownership in potentially high-growth real estate accessible, transparent, and professional, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and villages. Manoj explains how Micro Mitti differs from traditional REITs and other fractional models by making investors actual partners in projects with institutional-level due diligence and technology-driven transparency.In this conversation, we cover:(00:44) Manoj's entrepreneurial background: From Mansour (MP) to the US and back, building GoWeb and AiTrillion.(05:50) Identifying the gap: Why Manoj shifted focus to the Indian real estate sector, particularly for the common person.(08:47) What is Micro Mitti?: Understanding their unique co-investment model, focus on Tier 2/3 cities, and use of SPVs.(15:00) Solving Real Estate Challenges: Tackling transparency, accessibility, and professional execution using technology and partnerships (JLL, IC Universal Legal).(20:30) The Role of Technology & AI: How Micro Mitti uses PropTech for live project tracking, document access, online investment, and future AI applications (price prediction, security).(25:47) Fractional Ownership Explained: Why it's gaining popularity and its potential compared to other asset classes.(28:15) Market Insights: Manoj's view on real estate appreciation in India, especially in non-metro regions, and the impact of infrastructure growth.(30:22) Real Estate Bubbles: Addressing concerns about market overheating and how to invest wisely.(35:23) Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: Manoj's key insights on building impactful businesses, especially from smaller cities (Hint: Read!).Tune in to understand the future of real estate investing in India and learn from a seasoned entrepreneur's journey!#RealEstateIndia #FractionalOwnership #PropTech #MicroMitti #ManojDhanotiya #Investment #Entrepreneurship #Tier2India #Tier3India #WealthCreation #IndianStartups #EliPodcast #RealEstateInvesting #FinTech #PropertyInvestment #AIinRealEstate

In this episode, we sit down with Manoj Adlakha, the founder of RedBeryl Lifestyle Services. Red Beryl is a unique, premier luxury lifestyle management company dedicated to curating exclusive experiences and providing unparalleled service to India's rapidly growing affluent class (HNIs and Ultra HNIs).Join us as Manoj shares his incredible journey:- From Chartered Accountant to a top executive at American Express and Visa.- His first entrepreneurial venture and the lessons learned from failure.- The inspiration behind launching RedBeryl (inspired by the rare RedBeryl gem).- Deep insights into the booming Indian luxury market – exploding HNI/Ultra HNI numbers (projected 1.7M HNIs & 20k Ultra HNIs by 2026), the shift towards experiences, and the rise of Tier 3/4 cities.- The unique challenges and desires of India's affluent population.- How Red Beryl differentiates itself from traditional credit cards and concierge services by offering a comprehensive suite of benefits under one roof – covering travel, dining, exclusive club access (3000+ globally), sporting events, concerts, wellness, bespoke requests (like sourcing vintage cars or arranging unique weddings), and more.- Red Beryl's unique value proposition, membership tiers (Red & Black cards), and high-touch service model with dedicated lifestyle managers.- How they acquired their first customers through an exclusive launch event featuring Grammy winners Stewart Copeland and Ricky Kej.- The power of word-of-mouth marketing in the luxury segment.- Discover how Red Beryl acts as the ultimate "go-to" resource, making moments of truth come true for its discerning members.Timestamps:(00:03) Introduction to Manoj Adlakha & RedBeryl(00:40) Manoj's background: Chartered Accountancy, American Express, Visa(02:15) First stint at entrepreneurship and lessons learned(05:00) Insights into the Indian market & opportunity(05:45) Role as CEO of American Express India(07:44) The decision to pivot and founding RedBeryl(08:30) Understanding the unique Indian affluent class(10:12) Exploding HNI & Ultra HNI numbers in India(14:30) Market dynamics: Private consumption, demographics, Tier 3/4 growth(18:10) What Red Beryl is (and isn't): Beyond concierge/credit cards(19:00) Membership Tiers (Red & Black) and Pricing(20:15) The Value Proposition: Focus on Service & Benefits(21:15) Pillar 1: Hotel Partnerships (e.g., Taj discounts)(23:50) Pillar 2: Dining Benefits (Standalone restaurants, free meals)(24:55) Pillar 3: Bespoke Travel Desk(26:30) Pillar 4: Sporting Events & Concert Access (Authenticity guaranteed)(28:55) Pillar 5: Exclusive Social & Golf Club Access (3000+ globally)(31:45) Pillar 6: Meet & Assist Travel Services(33:35) Concierge as a fulfillment channel & unique requests (Great Wall wedding, Ford Mustang)(37:20) The shift towards experiences over material goods(38:35) Proactive service: The "Dream Weavers" concept(39:20) Marketing Strategy: Zero ad spend, focus on referrals(40:39) Acquiring the first customers: The exclusive launch event(43:45) Building brand awareness organically (Insta, partnerships like Tata CLiQ Luxury, Kirchhofer)(46:10) Pillar 7: Wellness Partnerships(47:16) New Verticals: Wedding Planning ("With Red")(50:20) The meaning behind the name "RedBeryl" (Rarest Gem)(52:55) Flexibility and channel choices for members#ManojAdlakha #RedBeryl #LuxuryLifestyle #India #HNI #UltraHNI #Entrepreneurship #LuxuryMarket #ExclusiveExperiences #AmericanExpress #LifestyleManagement #ELIPodcast

Sonya, Co-founder of Imarticus Learning - India's leading professional education company, discusses bridging India's skill gap, the impact of AI, trending job skills (FinTech, Gen AI), her entrepreneurial path, and the future of the edtech industry. Essential listening for insights on education, careers, and entrepreneurship in India.Timestamps:(01:26) Why Imarticus Started(05:03) The Skill Gap Problem(14:16) Hot Career Trends(16:45) AI & White-Collar Jobs(21:08) Entrepreneurial Motivation(26:54) Finding a Co-founder(36:40) Future of EdTech#ImarticusLearning #EdTechIndia #SkillIndia #FutureOfEducation #AIJobs #IndianEntrepreneur

Welcome to Eli! In this episode, we talk with Aditya Mhatre, Co-founder of MyBeacon (mybeacon.ca), a fintech startup revolutionizing the immigration experience for those moving to Canada.Aditya shares his incredible journey from being an early employee at Reliance Jio and Paytm (Canada & Japan/PayPay) to founding Beacon based on his own challenges as an immigrant.Discover how Beacon aims to be a 'super app' for immigrants, offering unique services like:✅ Opening a Canadian bank account BEFORE you arrive✅ Cost-effective money transfers from India to Canada✅ Paying Indian utility bills directly from Canada✅ Planning tools for your moveWe also discuss the concept of super apps, the risks involved, the future of immigration, and the pros/cons of building a product based on personal experience.If you're planning a move to Canada or interested in fintech solutions for immigrants, this episode is for you!#ImmigrationCanada #Fintech #MyBeacon #Canada #Startup #Entrepreneurship #IndiaToCanada #SuperApp

Welcome to another episode of ELI, your daily dose of inspiration for entrepreneurship! In episode 449, we have a fascinating conversation with Jinen Dedhia, the Co-founder of DronaHQ, a cutting-edge low-code and no-code app development platform.Join us as Jinen shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days and initial ventures to the evolution of Drona HQ.

Welcome to ELI! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of cross-border payments with Anand Balaji, co-founder of XFlow, a cutting-edge fintech startup solving India’s B2B payment challenges. From his early days in engineering to shaping Amazon India’s launch and leading Stripe’s India operations, Anand shares his journey of building a global payment infrastructure that’s fast, transparent, and trusted by thousands of businesses. ---### **📌 Key Topics Discussed** - **00:03** Intro to Anand’s journey: Engineering, Amazon India, Stripe, and the birth of XFlow - **06:53** The complexities of cross-border payments in India and gaps XFlow addresses - **11:05** How XFlow solves the “black box” problem with real-time tracking & next-day settlements - **18:25** Transparency in FX pricing: Tools XFlow built to bridge perception vs. reality - **21:21** Entrepreneurial challenges: Hiring, culture, and early customer acquisition - **30:25** Advice for fintech founders: Tackling inefficiencies in India’s regulatory landscape - **36:00** The future of cross-border payments and XFlow’s global ambitions ---### **💡 Why Watch?** - Learn how to build solutions for **complex, regulated industries** like fintech. - Discover strategies to **scale startups** in India’s competitive ecosystem. - Gain insights into fostering a **culture of ownership** and first-principles thinking. - Understand the **hidden costs** of traditional cross-border payments and how tech is disrupting it. ------**👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe** for more stories from visionary entrepreneurs! **💬 Comment below**: What’s the biggest challenge you face in cross-border transactions? Let’s discuss! #Fintech #CrossBorderPayments #StartupIndia #Entrepreneurship #B2B #XFlow #Podcast #BusinessInnovation --- *Disclaimer: This episode is not sponsored. All opinions expressed are the guest’s own.*

Join us on this eye-opening episode where Gaurav Dagaonkar, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Hoopr.ai & Songfest India, shares his inspiring journey from an aspiring musician and Bollywood music director to a trailblazer in AI music technology. Discover how his decade-long experience in the music industry shaped his entrepreneurial path, how Hoopr.ai is transforming music licensing and copyright management, and what the future holds for AI-driven music creation. We dive deep into hot topics like AI tools (think Suno AI), innovative revenue streams for artists, and the evolving digital landscape of music. Whether you’re a musician, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, this conversation is packed with insights to inspire and spark change in the music world.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!

In this episode of ELI - Entrepreneur Lounge India, we sit down with Harshit Jain, Founder & Global CEO of Doceree, who is transforming the way pharmaceutical companies engage with physicians. A trained medical professional turned entrepreneur, Harshit has built Doceree, the world’s first physician-only programmatic marketing platform, to bring efficiency and transparency to pharma marketing.🎯 Topics Covered: • Why Harshit quit medicine and transitioned to entrepreneurship • The inefficiencies in pharmaceutical marketing and how Doceree is solving them • How AI and data-driven personalization enhance physician engagement • Challenges of being an entrepreneur and managing work-life balance • Real-world success stories of optimizing healthcare marketing • Key lessons for aspiring founders🚀 About Harshit Jain: • Founder & Global CEO, Doceree • Author - The Next Marketing • MMM Pinnacle Award Honoree • PM360 Elite Disrupter 2020 • Member - Forbes Technology CouncilIf you’re interested in healthtech, AI in marketing, and entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-watch!👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring startup stories!#Entrepreneurship #HealthTech #PharmaMarketing #AI #BusinessInnovation #Doceree