251: The Winning Formula to Build Billion-Dollar Businesses | Ganesh Krishnan (Serial Entrepreneur)

In this episode of The Startup Operator Podcast, Roshan sits down with K. Ganesh, the serial entrepreneur behind BigBasket, Portea, Bluestone, and HomeLane. They delve into topics like staying relevant in the ever-changing startup ecosystem, the importance of focusing on large, core sectors, and the reality of embracing both failures and small successes in entrepreneurship. Ganesh shares his insights on potential sectors for future startups, including green energy, climate tech, and space tech, while emphasizing the need for passion and a bit of foolishness in believing in one's ideas. They also discuss the importance of planning for exits, how to build scalable businesses, and leveraging the latest technological disruptions like Generative AI. This episode is filled with practical advice and frameworks for aspiring and current entrepreneurs.

Topics:

00:00 Introduction

00:50 Guest Background

02:15 Staying Relevant in the Startup Ecosystem

08:10 Building Scalable and Exitable Businesses

24:26 Changing Consumer Behavior

30:25 Storytelling for Investors

32:15 Choosing the Right Investor

33:46 Understanding Investor Motivation

34:44 Challenges in the Indian Market

44:01 The Importance of Timing in Exits

50:31 Emerging Sectors and Opportunities

56:40 Mastering Disruption: Key Takeaways

01:05:10 Recommended Reads and Final Thoughts