Entrepreneur's Live Interviews 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Vineet Tagi, the Global CTO at Biz2x, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the Indian SME lending sector. Vineet shares his extensive experience in building scalable, tech-led businesses and delves into how Biz2x is leveraging technology and AI to provide accessible credit to underserved SMEs. The conversation covers the intricacies of the Indian credit ecosystem, the importance of "time to credit," the role of alternative data in underwriting, and the future of embedded finance and agentic AI in transforming the lending landscape.Chapters[00:00] - Introduction to Vineet Tagi and Biz2x[00:49] - Vineet's Journey: Building Scalable Systems[03:21] - Understanding the SME Credit Landscape in India[08:25] - Innovation in "Time to Credit" for SMEs[14:40] - Leveraging Alternative Data for Credit Decisions[20:52] - The Role of AI Agents in Underwriting[25:51] - The Rise of Fintech GCCs in India[29:56] - Future Trends in Lending and Financial Technology[34:08] - Conclusion

In this episode, we sit down with Anand Shiralkar, the founder of Rian, an innovative AI platform that is revolutionizing the world of voiceovers and translation. Anand shares his incredible journey from working in Japan's finance industry to becoming a serial entrepreneur and investor in India.We dive deep into the world of Voice AI, discussing how Rian is blending human expertise with cutting-edge technology to create high-quality, emotion-aware dubbed content for everything from YouTube videos to OTT web series. Anand breaks down the complex workflows involved in AI dubbing, the importance of cultural nuance, and the future of human-in-the-loop AI systems.If you're interested in AI, startups, the creator economy, or the future of language, this is an episode you don't want to miss!Chapters:00:02 - Welcome and Introduction00:26 - Anand's Journey from Japan to Entrepreneurship02:12 - The Genesis of Rian: An AI Translation Company03:18 - Anand's Other Venture: DG Future Tech04:41 - Voice AI and Translation Use Cases at Rian09:21 - The Detailed Workflow of AI-Powered Dubbing14:59 - The Human-in-the-Loop: Why AI Needs Human Intervention19:59 - How AI is Making the World Flat by Breaking Language Barriers28:34 - The Future of Jobs and the Rise of the "New-Age Linguist"31:02 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

How do brands truly understand what consumers want in an age of data overload? We dive deep into the evolving world of market research with Praveen Nijhara, CEO of Hansa Research Group, one of India's largest and most respected consumer insights firms.In this insightful conversation, Praveen unpacks his journey and the dramatic transformation of the research industry. We explore how technology is not just changing but revolutionizing the field, from data collection to groundbreaking analysis.In this episode, we cover:🔹 Praveen's personal journey from his early days at IMRB to leading a legacy institution like Hansa Research.🔹 The critical role of technology in modern data collection, from QR codes to advanced online panels.🔹 How cutting-edge tools like facial coding and eye-tracking are providing deeper, more accurate insights than ever before.🔹 The current landscape of market research in India, including the top spending industries and the unique challenges of a diverse market.🔹 The future of research: Praveen's vision on the growing role of AI, the potential of synthetic data, and why human intervention remains indispensable for true strategic thinking.This is a must-listen for any business leader, marketer, or data professional who wants to understand how strategic decisions are powered by deep consumer understanding in the digital age.Chapters(00:00) Introduction(00:46) Praveen's Journey into Market Research(01:43) The Underrated Career Path of Market Research(03:59) The Legacy of Hansa Research & Key Milestones(09:05) How Technology Transformed Data Collection(21:04) The Revolution in Data Analysis (Facial Coding, Eye Tracking)(27:08) Today's Market Research Landscape in India(32:57) The Future: AI, Synthetic Data, and the Role of Human Insight

In this episode, we sit down with Chris George, the Co-founder & CEO of Qube Health, a pioneering Health-FinTech platform that is revolutionizing how Indians pay for their healthcare.Three out of four Indians are either underinsured or have no health insurance, leading to a staggering $72 billion in out-of-pocket medical expenses annually. Chris shares his personal journey into entrepreneurship and the harrowing family experience with the healthcare system that became the genesis for Qube Health.Join us as we dive deep into:- The fundamental flaws in India's healthcare financing system.- How Qube Health leverages the UPI network to offer instant cashback and no-cost EMIs on all medical bills.- Their unique B2B2C model and major partnerships with companies like Flipkart.- The future of healthcare payments, the impact of government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, and how technology can make quality healthcare accessible to all.If you're interested in startups, fintech, or the future of healthcare in India, this is a conversation you don't want to miss! Chapters:(00:00) Intro(00:35) Chris George's Entrepreneurial Journey: From Events to E-commerce(02:58) The "Horrors of Healthcare" That Inspired Qube Health(03:31) Why India's Healthcare System is Still Broken(04:35) The $72 Billion Problem: Out-of-Pocket Expenses(06:17) The Core Mission: Solving for "Ability to Pay"(07:15) How Qube Health Makes Healthcare Payments Frictionless(09:05) The "Google Pay for Healthcare": How the App Works(10:10) Instant Cashback or No-Cost EMI: The Two Choices(11:15) Qube's B2B2C Model: Partnering with Employers(12:50) How is the Pre-Approved Credit Line Determined?(13:51) Preventing Misuse: How Qube Identifies Medical Expenses(15:15) The Flipkart Partnership: A Case Study in Employee Benefits(16:42) Qube vs. Traditional Lenders: The "Desperation Financing" Problem(18:15) The Rise of Hospital-Led Financing: Competition or Validation?(19:17) Why "Choice" is the Most Important Factor for Patients(20:26) View on Government Initiatives: Ayushman Bharat & UHI(21:28) Qube's Vision: Becoming a Channel for Direct Benefit Transfers(22:29) Reaching Tier 2/3 Cities and Rural India via UPI(24:12) The Lending Puzzle: How Qube Manages Collections & Defaults(26:35) Outro

In this episode, we sit down with Ajitesh Gupta, the Co-founder and CEO of "Crowwd," a merit-based social media platform for investors and traders that is on a mission to democratize financial discussions and de-noise finance.Ajitesh shares his incredible journey, from a family of bureaucrats to studying at the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London. He talks about his early entrepreneurial ventures, including a failed startup at 17, and a successful exit at 20. He explains how his own experiences with the stock market's volatility and the lack of reliable information led to the creation of Crowwd.Join us to learn:- How Crowwd is using an 80-parameter model to ensure the credibility of financial information.- Their strategy for combating fake news in the financial space.- Why they believe financial information should be free and their unique monetization strategy.- The challenges of transitioning a company from Europe to India.- Crowwd's three-stage vision for the future, including brokerage services and AI-driven portfolio optimization.This is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in the future of FinTech in India!YouTube Chapters:00:00 - From Bureaucrat Family to Entrepreneur: Ajitesh's Journey02:30 - First Startup Failure at 17 & A Successful Exit at 2002:59 - The "Aha!" Moment: Why the World Needs Crowwd03:15 - What is Crowwd? Democratizing and De-Noising Finance06:05 - The 80-Parameter Model for Vetting Financial Content07:07 - How Crowwd Fights Fake News08:50 - Why Crowwd's Content is Free: The Monetization Strategy10:35 - The Challenges of Moving a Company from Europe to India11:15 - The Social Aspect of Crowwd13:00 - The Future of Crowwd: Brokerage, AI, and Portfolio Optimization27:35 - The "Zero to One" Journey: Building a Company Culture

From condensed matter physics at IIT Delhi to building a global cybersecurity powerhouse across 4 continents - this is the remarkable story of Sooraj Vasudevan, founder of Calculus Networks.In this episode of ELI Podcast, discover how a physics graduate transformed a Mexico City startup into a vendor-agnostic system integration company serving AT&T, governments, and Fortune 500 companies. Learn why he chose Mexico over Silicon Valley, how COVID-19 forced a complete business model pivot, and his vision to build India's next billion-dollar tech story using AI.🔥 Key Highlights:- The Tejas Networks mafia effect - how India's first B2B hardware startup created entrepreneurs- Why Mexico is surprisingly similar to India for doing business- The "Starbucks approach" to system integration that's disrupting traditional IT- Building SOCs (Security Operations Centers) across Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania & India- How to transition from techie to business leader without an MBA- The future of AI in cybersecurity and why hackers might have the upper hand📊 About Calculus Networks:Founded in 2016, Calculus Networks provides networking, telecommunication, and cybersecurity solutions to enterprises and governments globally. Named "Top 10 SD-WAN Services Company 2023" by Enterprise Networking Magazine, they're the

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Dr. Angad Singh Bedi, the Managing Director of BCD Group, one of India's oldest and largest real estate conglomerates. Angad shares his unique perspective on the evolution of the Indian real estate market, from a family business rooted in pre-partition India to a professionally-run, zero-debt empire.Join us as we dive deep into the most pressing topics shaping the industry today:- The post-COVID shift in homebuyer priorities and the new definition of a 'home'.- How Gen Z is disrupting the property market with new demands.- The critical debate on Floor Space Index (FSI) and the future of urban development in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.- The rise of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and what's fueling their growth.- How the industry is tackling challenges like infrastructure strain and climate change.- The impact of technology, from PropTech and AI to 3D printing in construction.- Angad's vision for India's real estate landscape in 2040 and its journey to a multi-trillion dollar economy.Whether you're a prospective homebuyer, an industry professional, or simply interested in the future of Indian cities, this conversation provides an invaluable insider's view.Don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insights from India's leading entrepreneurs!Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(00:24) Meet Angad: From Chartered Accountant to Real Estate Leader(02:16) The Legacy of BCD Group: A Zero-Debt Empire Built Across Decades(04:03) The Current State of Indian Real Estate: An Era of Maturity & Professionalism(05:58) Post-COVID Real Estate Trends & The New Definition of 'Home'(08:28) Beyond Square Footage: The Rise of Community-Centric Living(10:34) Gen Z Enters the Market: How Are Young Homebuyers Different?(12:32) The FSI Debate: Should Indian Cities Grow Vertically or Horizontally?(14:42) India's Untapped Potential: Real Estate Growth in Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities(16:24) Climate Change & Infrastructure Collapse in Major Indian Metros(18:20) The Government's Role: How RERA & Policy are Shaping the Market(20:09) The True Cost of a Property: Land, Approvals, and a Developer's View(21:49) PropTech & Innovation: How Technology is Transforming Real Estate(24:30) Vision 2040: The Future of India's Multi-Trillion Dollar Real Estate Economy(25:48) Closing Remarks

In this episode of Eli, we sit down with Shalini, the Managing Director at Planview, a global leader in Strategic Portfolio Management and Digital Product Development.Join us as Shalini shares insights from her remarkable 25-year career spanning the evolution of the software industry. We dive deep into how Planview helps iconic businesses like TVS Motors and Aditya Birla navigate complex transformations, prioritize investments, and drive their strategic goals in a rapidly changing world.Shalini also discusses the critical shift from a "project" to a "product" mindset, her passionate vision for India as a leading "product nation," and the immense potential of the country's tech talent. We explore the profound impact of AI on business, education, and the very nature of work, weighing its opportunities against the challenges it presents to our traditional ways of thinking.Finally, Shalini offers her perspective on the future of entrepreneurship in an age where AI can handle execution, and what it now takes for founders to succeed.Whether you're a business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of technology and work, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction to Shalini & Planview(00:40) Shalini's 25-Year Journey in Software(03:34) What is Planview? Building for the World from India(07:05) How Planview Solves Problems for Giants like TVS & Aditya Birla(13:54) The Shift: Why Businesses are Moving from Projects to Products(18:12) Can India Become a True "Product Nation"?(20:49) Transforming India's BFSI & Government Sectors(24:50) AI's Double-Edged Sword: Opportunity vs. Anxiety(27:57) Rethinking Education in the Age of AI(31:44) The Future of Entrepreneurship: Beyond Ideas and Execution(35:58) Conclusion

In this episode, we sit down with Ronak Samantray, the founder of TakeMe2Space and ex-cofounder of NowFloats, for a deep dive into his incredible entrepreneurial journey.From his early days in Odisha and learning to code at age 10, Ronak shares the story of how he caught the startup bug. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at building NowFloats, scaling it to 50,000+ paid customers, and the eventual acquisition by Reliance.Ronak then takes us through his bold pivot into the final frontier with TakeMe2Space 🛰️, a company building an AI-inferencing data center in orbit. He discusses:The mission to make space accessible and affordable for everyone.How they are using AI to build satellites and the future of "Vibecoding."The role of ISRO in India's growing space-tech ecosystem.His vision for the future of data centers and why it lies beyond Earth.Why the most important differentiator for any startup today is the speed of execution.Join us for an inspiring conversation about building from the ground up, navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and aiming for the stars.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Ronak Samantray00:34 - Early Life, College, and the Entrepreneurial Spark03:05 - Learning to Manage People and "Get Work Done"05:53 - The Early Days of NowFloats & Leaving Microsoft09:36 - Building the NowFloats Founding Team14:17 - The "Sine Wave" of a Startup: The Tough Times18:52 - Cracking the SMB Market: Product & GTM23:33 - The Reliance Acquisition: Scaling with a Giant27:16 - How Coding Shapes a Founder's Mindset30:05 - The Future of Coding: AI as a "Super Sharp Intern"41:00 - Why Space? The Mission Behind TakeMe2Space45:25 - Building Satellites & The $2/Minute Business Model51:37 - Are Data Centers Moving to Space?55:15 - The Future of Entrepreneurship: Speed of Execution59:00 - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Venkatesh (Venky) Sundar, the Co-founder of Indusface, a leading application security SaaS company protecting over 5,000 global businesses.Venky shares his incredible journey from being a sports stats junkie in India to building a globally recognized cybersecurity product. He talks about the early days of Indusface, the pivotal acquisition of their first product by Trend Micro, and the lessons learned that led to the creation of their flagship platform, AppTrana.Dive deep into the world of application security as Venky explains how Indusface is tackling modern threats, the dual role of AI as both a disruptor and an enabler, and why cybersecurity needs to be a day-one priority for every founder.Tune in to learn:- How a conversation about meeting Sachin Tendulkar led to a business partnership.- The strategy behind achieving a 100% customer recommendation rating on Gartner.- Why the underserved SMB market is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for cybersecurity.- The five key components of AppTrana and how it provides end-to-end protection.- Actionable advice for founders on building a secure and scalable business from the ground up.Chapters:(0:00) - Introduction to Venkatesh Sundar, Co-founder of Indusface(0:34) - Venky's Background: From Chennai to North America and Back(1:54) - The Origin Story of Indusface & Its Roots in Cybersecurity(2:49) - From Sachin Tendulkar to a Business Partnership(4:57) - Finding a Niche: Securing Public-Facing Applications & APIs(6:55) - The First Big Milestone: Acquisition by Trend Micro(8:03) - The Birth of AppTrana: From Risk Assessment to Full Protection(9:03) - Building a Global Product from India(13:06) - Go-To-Market Strategy & Defining the Ideal Customer Profile(16:26) - Why Indusface's Customers are Vertical-Neutral(21:16) - Balancing a Generic Platform with Industry-Specific Customizations(25:02) - The Secret to Achieving 100% Customer Recommendation(29:26) - A Deep Dive into the 5 Pieces of the AppTrana Platform(31:58) - The Double-Edged Sword: AI as a Disruptor & Enabler in Security(37:40) - Why Cybersecurity is a Day-One Priority, Not an Afterthought(42:30) - Final Words & Inspiring the Founder Ecosystem#Cybersecurity #SaaS #FounderStory #Indusface #StartupIndia #AppTrana #AIinCybersecurity