Entrepreneur's Live Interviews 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Nitin Lahoti, the Co-founder of Mobisoft, a pioneering digital product development company. Nitin shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in a small village to building a global tech company with a strong focus on AI and digital innovation.Discover how Mobisoft transitioned from a mobility-focused startup to a full-fledged digital engineering powerhouse, tackling complex problems in healthcare, logistics, and transportation. Nitin dives deep into the company's strategic pivot to Artificial Intelligence, discussing their work with Generative AI, RAG for knowledge retrieval, and custom AI solutions for e-commerce and research.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on how AI is reshaping the IT industry, the future of work for developers, and crucial advice for entrepreneurs navigating the fast-changing tech landscape.YouTube Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Nitin Lahoti, Co-founder of Mobisoft00:32 - Nitin's Journey: From a Small Village to Entrepreneurship01:50 - The Founding of Mobisoft and Focusing on Mobility02:30 - The Evolution into a Full-Stack Digital Engineering Company04:25 - Building End-to-End Products for Global Clients in Healthcare06:10 - Transitioning to a Product-Based Company in Transportation & Logistics07:20 - Solving Urban Mobility Challenges with Smart, Green Solutions09:35 - The Strategic Shift to AI: Services, Solutions, and Consulting10:30 - Building Competency in Generative AI and Solution Accelerators12:20 - Real-World AI Use Cases: Client Conversations & Opportunities13:25 - Automating E-commerce Photoshoots with Generative AI14:40 - Creating Private LLMs for Enterprise Research15:40 - Is AI Just a Marketing Gimmick? A Look at True ROI17:45 - Beyond ChatGPT: The Backend of Specialized AI Models20:25 - The Impact of Agentic AI on Developers and IT Services21:30 - How Will Companies Like TCS, Infosys, and Mobisoft Evolve?23:40 - Restructuring the Workforce in the Age of AI25:20 - The 5-Year Vision for Mobisoft and the Tech Industry27:45 - Final Advice for Entrepreneurs in the AI Era29:36 - Conclusion

In this episode of the ELI Podcast, we sit down with Gaurav Bhagat, the founder of Consortium Gifts, India's fastest-growing corporate gifting company.Gaurav shares his incredible entrepreneurial story, which began at just 16 years old when he created and sold a stock market board game and the iconic WWF trump cards. He walks us through his accidental entry into the corporate gifting world, the evolution of Consortium Gifts, and the immense scale of the industry today.In this episode, we discuss:- The founding story of Consortium Gifts.- The size and explosive growth of the corporate gifting industry (estimated at $5-6 billion in India).- The shift from China-sourced to "Make in India" products.- Technological innovations like AI, 3D printing, and SaaS platforms that are changing the game.- The key stakeholders in corporate gifting, from HR to sales and marketing teams.- Gaurav's other major venture as the official licensee for Grant Cardone in India.- His powerful advice on embracing AI in your career and why you shouldn't fear it.- The raw, unfiltered truth about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or just love a great startup story, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights and inspiration.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Gaurav Bhagat, Founder of Consortium Gifts00:48 - Early Life: An Entrepreneur in the Making02:14 - First Ventures: The Stock Market Game & WWF Trump Cards03:41 - The Accidental Founding of Consortium Gifts05:44 - How Big is the Corporate Gifting Industry?08:12 - The Supply Chain: From China Dependence to "Make in India"10:21 - Tech & Innovation in Corporate Gifting (AI, AR/VR)13:07 - The Business Side: How to Acquire Clients and Key Stakeholders15:50 - The Power of Tangible Gifts vs. Vouchers & Tax Implications19:08 - Key Challenges: Competition and Price Wars22:18 - The Grant Cardone Venture: Becoming a Top Sales Trainer26:27 - Why You Must Embrace AI in Your Career31:24 - The Hard Truths About Entrepreneurship36:08 - Closing Remarks

Is sustainability just a cost center, or can it be a company's greatest competitive advantage? In this episode, we sit down with Vivek Mehra, a global technology executive and the Co-Founder, Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer of Onlygood.ai, to demystify the complex world of ESG, carbon tracking, and climate tech.Vivek shares his incredible journey from digital transformation to founding an AI-powered platform that helps businesses like yours not only comply with complex regulations like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) but also turn their sustainability efforts into real, measurable profit. We explore how AI and IoT are creating transparent supply chains, the truth behind "Profitability with Purpose," and how companies can move beyond greenwashing to drive real impact.This is a must-listen for any business leader, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast who believes that doing good for the planet and doing good for business should go hand-in-hand.

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Sanjay Laul, the founder of MSM Unify, the world's largest student recruitment ecosystem. Sanjay shares his incredible journey from a small-town entrepreneur in Lucknow facing multiple business failures to building a global enterprise that spans across 20 countries.Discover the perseverance and ambition that drove him through 12 years of struggle, the pivotal moment that led him into the immigration and education consulting business, and how he is now transforming communities and helping nations progress through education and workforce development.Learn about the inner workings of MSM Unify, how it's helping students find the right international opportunities, and Sanjay's vision for the future, which includes touching 5 million learners by 2028. This is a story of resilience, vision, and the power of never giving up on your dreams.Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Sanjay Laul and MSM Unify00:40 - Sanjay's Background and Early Entrepreneurial Mindset02:13 - Early Struggles and a Decade of Failed Businesses03:32 - The Shift to Immigration Consulting05:11 - Transitioning to Education Consulting06:32 - What Kept Him Going Through Failures09:06 - The Turning Point: What Changed for Success10:37 - Learning Business from the Streets of India12:16 - How Moving to Canada Changed His Perspective15:20 - The Problem MSM Unify is Solving for Students and Institutions17:23 - The Impact of MSM Unify on Rural Communities in Canada19:31 - A Student's Journey on the MSM Unify Platform24:37 - Ensuring Quality and Credibility in a Diverse Market26:25 - Navigating Global Challenges in Student Relocation30:12 - Future Outlook and Vision for MSM Unify34:00 - Conclusion

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Amey Naik, co-founder of 'I', a homegrown, AI-powered social media application aiming to create a unique space in the Indian market.Amey shares his journey from working in service-based and product-based companies like Capgemini and Salesforce to taking the entrepreneurial leap. He delves into the origin story of 'I', a platform that combines the best of social media with innovative AI features.Discover what sets 'I' apart from giants like Instagram and Facebook, from its AI face and video swap tools to the unique 'iCoins' system that rewards users for engagement, and a 'Family Tree' feature that brings a new dimension to social networking. Amey also discusses the rise of "Social OTT" and the future of vertical, short-form video content.Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities of building a social media platform for India, the strategy behind acquiring over 1.5 lakh users in a year, and the vision for creating a seamless ecosystem for creators, brands, and users.Chapters(00:00) Intro(00:33) Amey Naik's Background Before Entrepreneurship(02:07) The Origin Story of 'I' - An AI-Powered Social Media App(03:49) How 'I' Differentiates from Instagram and Facebook(05:26) AI Tools, Face Swaps, and Family Tree Feature(06:58) Why Will 'I' Succeed in the Indian Market?(08:08) What is Social OTT?(10:24) How 'I' Acquired 1.5 Lakh Users in One Year(14:40) The iCoins Concept: Incentivizing Content Consumption(16:42) A Deep Dive into the AI Features of 'I'(21:47) Thoughts on AI-Generated Content and Deepfakes(24:35) The Rise of Vertical Content and Social OTT(29:37) The Future Vision for 'I': A Platform for Brands and Creators(34:24) Why Hasn't India Produced a Global Social Media Platform?(38:16) Why Amey is Confident About the Success of 'I'(40:48) Closing Thoughts on Data Sovereignty and Indian Tech

Ashutosh Prakash Singh, the co-founder and CEO of Revrag AI, joins the ELI podcast to discuss his entrepreneurial journey. He talks about his background, from his early days and interest in music to becoming a product manager and eventually starting his own company. Ashutosh explains the problem Revrag AI is solving in the BFSI sector by using AI agents to reduce drop-offs during customer onboarding. He delves into the challenges of working with banks, data security, and the evolving regulatory landscape for AI in India. The conversation also covers the underlying technologies at Revrag AI, the rise of voice AI, and the company's future vision.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction00:23 - Ashutosh's Background and Journey05:22 - The Problem Revrag AI is Solving09:21 - How Revrag AI Works11:07 - Navigating Challenges in the Banking Sector15:37 - Underlying Technologies at Revrag AI17:16 - Data Security and Sovereignty20:17 - Challenges in Building and Growing Revrag AI22:02 - The Future of AI and Finance Regulation in India26:12 - The Rise of Voice AI29:26 - Future Vision for Revrag AI31:38 - Conclusion

In this episode of ELI, we're joined by Harsh Gupta, a Principal at Flourish Ventures, a leading early-stage global VC firm. Harsh shares his insights on the world of venture capital, offering a comprehensive guide for startup founders on the fundraising process.We delve into:- Harsh's journey from a finance professional to a VC.- The investment thesis of Flourish Ventures and their focus on fintech.- How VCs discover and evaluate startups.- The nuances of negotiation and valuation in a funding round.- The role of a VC post-investment and the support they provide to their portfolio companies.- The impact of PR and media in the startup ecosystem.This masterclass is a must-watch for any entrepreneur looking to understand the VC mindset and navigate the fundraising landscape successfully.About the Guest:Harsh Gupta is a Principal at Flourish Ventures, a global fintech fund with a purpose to improve the financial health of retail customers and small businesses. He has extensive experience in venture debt and equity investing, having worked with companies across various sectors and stages.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:38 - Harsh Gupta's Journey to Venture Capital08:28 - About Flourish Ventures11:15 - Why FinTech?14:44 - Should a Founder Raise Funds?18:41 - How VCs Discover Companies25:55 - How VCs Shortlist Startups30:41 - Leveraging Technology in VC34:59 - The Negotiation Process39:18 - Post-Investment Engagement43:51 - The Role of PR in the Startup Ecosystem50:00 - Conclusion

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shashank Shekhar Sharma, the founder and CEO of Expedify, a conversational CRM powered by AI. Dr. Sharma shares his incredible journey from brand management at companies like Dabur and Nestlé to pioneering the future of sales and marketing with agentic AI.We dive deep into what "agentic AI" truly means and how it's creating autonomous systems that can handle complex sales tasks, from lead enrichment to sending personalized emails in minutes. Dr. Sharma explains why smaller, agile companies might have an edge over giants like Salesforce and HubSpot in this new AI-driven landscape and how they are tackling challenges like AI hallucination and failure rates.This is a must-watch for anyone in sales, marketing, or entrepreneurship who wants to understand the profound changes AI is bringing to the industry and what skills will be crucial to stay ahead of the curve.Chapters00:00 - Intro: Meet Dr. Shashank Shekhar Sharma, Founder of an AI-Powered CRM00:49 - From Healthcare Marketing to Entrepreneurship02:51 - The Spark of Interest in Data Analytics & AI05:37 - The Genesis of Expedify & Focusing on D2C Brands10:24 - Building a CRM From Scratch with Agentic AI at its Core12:21 - What is Agentic AI? A Real-World Sales Use Case18:54 - Why are HubSpot & Salesforce Lagging in the Agentic AI Race?24:42 - Tackling the Challenge of AI Errors and Hallucinations30:05 - Will AI Replace Sales and Marketing Jobs?35:32 - How Enterprises Can Prepare for the AI Revolution39:07 - The Most Powerful Use Cases for Agentic AI in Business42:53 - What Does Entrepreneurship Mean in the Age of AI?46:22 - Outro

In this episode of the ELI Podcast, we sit down with Aditi Sinha, the co-founder of Locale.ai, a sales automation platform that raised over $5 million in VC funding. Aditi shares her raw and honest story of building a company from the ground up, navigating multiple pivots, and ultimately making the difficult decision to shut down and return capital to investors.Join us as we delve into the highs and lows of her five-and-a-half-year journey, the personal toll of founder burnout, and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way. Aditi offers a refreshingly transparent look at the startup world, providing practical advice on everything from fundraising and finding a co-founder to the importance of mental health and knowing when to walk away. This is a must-listen for any aspiring or current entrepreneur.YouTube Chapters:(00:00) Intro: Meet Aditi Sinha, Co-founder of Locale.ai(00:30) Aditi's Journey: From Patna to BITS Pilani to Entrepreneurship(02:34) The Genesis of Locale.ai(04:51) The Difficult Decision to Shut Down(08:16) The Problem with the Second Idea(10:13) The Reality of Founder Burnout(12:19) How to Shut Down a Company Gracefully(17:10) The Slack Story & The Future for Aditi(19:25) Aditi's Fundraising Experience(24:38) Finding the Right Co-Founder(27:41) The Personal Toll of Shutting Down a Venture(30:58) A Message to Other Entrepreneurs(35:17) Redefining Failure and Success

In this ELI podcast episode, Naveen Tiwari, co-founder of Scrabble and Jigsaw, shares his journey from a small-town upbringing in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, to building a successful executive search and recruitment firm. With a background in private banking and seven years in recruitment at Michael Page, Naveen co-founded Scrabble with his wife and a colleague, focusing on leadership hiring (₹30L+ salaries) and later expanding to mid-level hiring through Jigsaw. He credits his wife’s push for entrepreneurship, family support, and strong client relationships for helping them scale from an initial ₹50 lakh revenue target to over ₹21 crore in four years. Naveen emphasizes action over overthinking, innovative low-cost strategies like profit-sharing with returnees, and the power of storytelling through their own podcast to inspire professionals at every stage of their career.