Ishank Gupta

Tag: Indian Startups

  • From Food Delivery to Deep Tech: What Piyush Goyal’s Message Really Means for Indian Startups

    At Startup Mahakumbh, when Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asked—“Will we remain limited to food delivery and gig work?”—it created a buzz across India’s startup circles.

    It Wasn’t Criticism. It Was a Challenge.

    I was there. I heard his full session live. While many perceived his words as critical, I saw them as a bold and honest reminder. India’s startup ecosystem is already the third largest in the world. But if we truly want to become number one, we need to move beyond comfort and convenience.

    Time to Go Beyond Food Delivery

    We’ve built successful companies in food delivery, e-commerce, and gig economy—but now it’s time to step into deep-tech, AI, semiconductors, space-tech, and climate-tech. These are the areas where the future is being shaped.

    The Government Has Taken the First Step

    Infrastructure is improving. Policies are becoming founder-friendly. PLI schemes, semiconductor missions, AI research funding—all of this is already in motion. Now it’s our turn as founders to lead innovation that positions India on the global tech map.

    Don’t Take It Personally. Take It Seriously.

    Piyush Goyal ji is not against founders. He is rooting for us. He is encouraging us to aim higher—not just to build what’s trending, but what will matter 10 years from now. The real question isn’t “Why did he say that?”—it’s “What are we doing next?”

    Conclusion

    What we’ve already built is inspiring. But what we’re capable of building—there’s no limit to that. Let’s not settle for being the largest convenience economy. Let’s aim to be the world’s innovation powerhouse.

    For more insights, check out our YouTube Short (in Hindi) on this topic:
    Watch the YouTube Short.

     

  • Can India Build a Global AI Product Like ChatGPT?

    Can India ever build a global AI product like ChatGPT? The question is important—and the answer depends on how we solve two big challenges: talent and infrastructure.

    India Has the Talent, But It’s Abroad

    There is no shortage of talent. In fact, many top engineers working at companies like Google, OpenAI, and Meta are Indian. But most of this talent is working outside India. Building powerful AI models like ChatGPT requires not just smart minds—but for those minds to be here, in India.

    What’s Missing? Compute Power and Infrastructure

    Building models like ChatGPT isn’t just about talent—it needs massive computing resources and world-class infrastructure. This is where India still lags behind. Without large-scale GPU clusters, data centers, and AI research environments, even the best talent can’t build at scale.

    Enter the IndiaAI Mission

    To bridge this gap, the Government of India has launched the IndiaAI Mission. This initiative will support Indian startups with AI infrastructure, R&D funding, and efforts to bring global talent back to India. It’s a bold move to make India self-reliant in AI innovation.

    The Road Ahead

    If we can bring both compute power and AI talent back to India, building a world-class product like ChatGPT—or even better—is absolutely possible. The potential is there. What we need now is execution at a global level.

    Conclusion

    The IndiaAI Mission is a strong beginning. But to become a global leader in AI, we must think big, act fast, and build infrastructure that rivals the best in the world. The future of India’s AI leadership is not a dream—it’s a possibility, if we move now.

    Watch our YouTube Short on this topic here:
    Watch the YouTube Short.

  • Why 90% of Indian Startups Fail Within 5 Years – Uncovering the Hidden Pitfalls

    In India, it is often said that 90% of startups shut down within 5 years. But why does this happen? Let’s quickly decode some of the hidden pitfalls that many startups face.

    Chasing Growth Without Profit

    One of the biggest mistakes is focusing solely on growth without ensuring profitability. Many startups spend millions on marketing and rapid scaling, hoping that fast expansion will automatically lead to success. However, if revenue remains low or zero, that growth is unsustainable. The example of Byju’s shows us how high spending on growth can sometimes leave profit on the back burner.

    Market Readiness Is Crucial

    Even if your product is excellent, success is not guaranteed if the market is not ready. Understanding your target market and its readiness is essential before scaling up.

    Internal Challenges and Founder Pressures

    Startup failures are often driven by internal issues such as founder conflicts, poor financial planning, and the overwhelming pressure to grow quickly. These internal struggles can derail even the most promising ventures, leaving founders burnt out or forced to exit.

    Moral of the Story

    The key takeaway is simple: focus on profit, understand your market, and build smartly. Rather than chasing unchecked growth, ensure that every decision is backed by solid planning and thorough market research.

    Conclusion

    Venture capital may seem like a golden ticket, but it comes with hidden costs and pressures that can lead to failure if not managed wisely. Focus on profit, understand your market, and build smart. Otherwise, your company might end up in someone else’s hands.

    For more insights on startup challenges, check out our YouTube Short on this topic:
    Watch the YouTube Short.