The Neon Show

Vishal Jain, CEO of Zerodha Fund House, brings over 20 years of experience in India's financial markets. He discusses the evolution of mutual funds since the 1960s and highlights the pivotal role of index funds and ETFs in retail investing. Jain reveals why two-thirds of retail investors remain hesitant and underscores the importance of demystifying investments. He also shares his philosophy rooted in India's growth narrative and the cultural significance of gold as a hedge. Can passive investing truly dominate the market? Tune in to discover!

Jayant Sinha, an investor, policymaker, and former Minister of Finance & Civil Aviation, shares insights on driving India towards a sustainable future. He discusses the government's innovative funding solutions for startups and the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Sinha emphasizes the importance of climate-conscious policies and the financial strategies needed to meet India’s net-zero goals by 2070. He also highlights transformative initiatives in aviation, such as Digi Yatra, and the urgency of addressing air quality challenges through collective action.

Sharath Narayana, founder of Sanas and Observe, discusses his journey in building successful AI-driven enterprise solutions. He shares strategies for winning US clientele, emphasizing the importance of targeting underserved markets. Fundraising tales, including securing investments from Y Combinator, highlight the necessity of effective storytelling in tech ventures. Sharath also addresses the critical role of team building and market-product fit in scaling a SaaS company, alongside innovative solutions for communication in call centers, making this conversation insightful for aspiring tech founders.

Alok Goyal and Ritesh Banglani, Partners at Stellaris Venture Partners, share insights from their successful $300 million fundraising journey. They dissect the ambitious nature of Indian founders and discuss strategies for recognizing potential billion-dollar B2B SaaS companies. The duo emphasizes the importance of decision-making dynamics and independent conviction in their investment choices. They also explore the shifting landscape of venture capital in India and the growing relevance of AI in shaping future investments.

Ganesh Krishnan, a driving force behind BigBasket, Bluestone, and HomeLane, shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights into India's startup ecosystem. He discusses the importance of simplicity in business strategies and reveals captivating stories from his ventures, including raising BigBasket's first $10M on a flight. Ganesh highlights the rise of quick commerce, the challenges in fundraising, and the significance of adapting to consumer behavior. He also delves into the transformative impact of generative AI and opportunities in vertical software markets.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the fascinating history of semiconductors, their evolution over the years, the rise of old giants and new disruptors, and explore why India has yet to produce a leader in one of the most important technological races of all time.Raja Manickam, a serial entrepreneur in the semiconductor industry, shares from his decades of experience about the business and science of semiconductors and offers a glimpse into the future Timestamps0:00 - Trailer 1:20 - Introduction2:10 - History of Semiconductors2:56 - Raja Manickam’s Journey in the Semiconductor Industry7:02 - Evolution of Semiconductors Over Time9:49 - Why Silicon Valley?11:30 - NVIDIA: A Leader in Chips14:55 - Competition in the Semiconductor Industry17:31 - Building Microprocessors23:08 - The Race for Top Talent27:41 - NVIDIA’s Journey with CUDA and Artificial Intelligence32:03 - NVIDIA’s Market Dominance35:07 - How Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Became NVIDIA’s Key Customers36:13 - IBM’s Transformation: Market Leader to Reinvention37:48 - India’s Journey in Semiconductors and IT Services43:22 - Why India Lacks Semiconductor Giants48:00 - India’s ₹100,000 Crore Semiconductor Plan57:28 - IVP: Outsourcing Chipmaking and Focusing on Design1:01:22 - Cost of Starting a Semiconductor Manufacturing Company1:05:38 - India’s Vision for Its Semiconductor FutureHi, I am your host Siddhartha! I have been an entrepreneur from 2012-2017 building two products AddoDoc and Babygogo. After selling my company to SHEROES, I and my partner Nansi decided to start up again. But we felt unequipped in our skillset in 2018 to build a large company. We had known 0-1 journeys from our startups but lacked the experience of building 1-10 journeys. Hence was born The Neon Show (Earlier 100x Entrepreneur) to learn from founders and investors, the mindset to scale yourself and your company. This quest still keeps us excited even after 5 years and doing 200+ episodes.We welcome you to our journey to understand what goes behind building a super successful company. Every episode is done with a very selfish motive, that I and Nansi should come out as a better entrepreneur and professional after absorbing the learnings.-------------Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-------------This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional adviceSend us a text

India’s leadership story is a fascinating journey full of lessons for anyone looking to make an impact.In just two years, opening up the space economy has led to over 100 new startups in aerospace, sparking innovation and fueling the dreams of a new generation of changemakers.And it doesn’t stop there—India is heavily investing in future-focused areas like green hydrogen, quantum computing, and the blue economy, showing a clear vision for industries that will define tomorrow.Drawing from its rich heritage, India blends ancient wisdom with modern governance.Texts like the Arthashastra guide policies that empower people and prioritize collective welfare.Initiatives like Aadhaar and participatory governance models reflect these principles in action, bringing millions into the financial mainstream and fostering inclusive growth.Experts believe India’s leadership also addresses the need for decolonization—not just in reclaiming cultural pride, but in rediscovering its intellectual confidence.This leadership model, rooted in inclusivity, resilience, and innovation, is steering India into a brighter future. In this episode of The NEON Show, Dr R. Balasubramaniam, author, member of the Capacity Building Commission (Government of Bharat), and Chairperson of the Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee at SEBI, shares the essence of Indic leadership as explored in his book Power Within.Time stamp00:00 Intro00:12 Dr. Balu’s contributions to rural service00:41 Current roles: Capacity Building Commission member & Rhodes Professor00:55 Overview of "Power Within"01:13 Journey: From physician to policymaker02:16 India’s traditional wisdom in governance03:08 PM Modi’s leadership focus in Balu’s analysis05:24 Modi’s ethos of service (Seva Bhaav)08:09 Modi’s leadership during Morbi tragedy10:06 RSS philosophy: Cultural nationalism & service13:15 Overcoming colonial mindsets to restore pride17:09 Participatory governance: Janbhagidari & Mission Karmayogi23:57 Revamping civil services training26:08 Influence of Ramakrishna Mission’s seva philosophy28:01 Panch Pran: Vision for a self-reliant India29:51 Chanakya Niti: Ancient leadership principles34:38 Decisive actions: Doklam, surgical strikes, Pulwama38:14 Challenges in implementing farm laws45:51 Repeal of Article 370: J&K integration50:05 India’s balanced foreign policy (Russia-Ukraine, Qatar)52:03 Comparing Modi’s leadership to global icons-----Hi, I am your host Siddhartha! I have been an entrepreneur from 2012-2017 building two products AddoDoc and Babygogo. After selling my company to SHEROES, I and my partner Nansi decided to start up again. But we felt unequipped in our skillset in 2018 to build a large company. We had known 0-1 journeys from our startups but lacked the experience of building 1-10 journeys. Hence was born The Neon Show (Earlier 100x Entrepreneur) to learn from founders and investors, the mindset to scale yourself and your company. This quest still keeps us excited even after 5 years and doing 200+ episodes.We welcome you to our journey to understand what goes behind building a super successful company. Every episode is done with a very selfish motive, that I and Nansi should come out as a better entrepreneur and professional after absorbing the learnings.-----Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-----This videoSend us a text

Harish Bhat, ex-Brand Custodian of the Tata Group, joins us to share unique moments from the extraordinary life of Ratan Tata. From creating India’s first indigenous car, Tata Indica, to his on-ground response during the 26/11 Taj Hotel attacks, to the Tata Finance crisis, to leading India’s fight against cancer, Ratan Tata led from the front.Harish shares how he first met Ratan Tata and the personal note he received, highlighting Ratan Tata’s integrity, humility, and more-than-a-businessman philosophy.Tune in to know more about one of India’s greatest icons.Timestamps00:00 - Trailer02:20 – Introduction02:39 – Reflecting on Jamshedji Tata’s Legacy04:13 – Celebrating Ratan Tata’s Life05:46 – First Meeting with Ratan Tata08:26 – The Birth of Tata Indica16:31 – Ratan Tata’s Dedication to Healthcare19:23 – Handling the Tata Finance Crisis25:19 – Ratan Tata’s Response to 26/1129:05 – A Story of Grace and Dignity31:33 – A Personal Note from Ratan Tata33:20 – Defining Characteristics of Ratan Tata34:03 – Influences and Inspirations35:49 – Ratan Tata’s Vision for the Tata Group37:53 – Fondness for Dogs and Bombay House40:01 – Legacy and Transformation of the Tata Group43:31 – Philanthropy and Nation Building46:18 – Reflections on Ratan Tata’s Leadership52:50 – Lessons and inspirations from Ratan Tata’s lifeHi, I am your host Siddhartha! I have been an entrepreneur from 2012-2017 building two products AddoDoc and Babygogo. After selling my company to SHEROES, I and my partner Nansi decided to start up again. But we felt unequipped in our skillset in 2018 to build a large company. We had known 0-1 journeys from our startups but lacked the experience of building 1-10 journeys. Hence was born The Neon Show (Earlier 100x Entrepreneur) to learn from founders and investors, the mindset to scale yourself and your company. This quest still keeps us excited even after 5 years and doing 200+ episodes.We welcome you to our journey to understand what goes behind building a super successful company. Every episode is done with a very selfish motive, that I and Nansi should come out as a better entrepreneur and professional after absorbing the learnings.-------Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-------This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional advice.Send us a text

In 2010, Facebook opened its first office in India, four years after it went online.They needed someone bold to lead their journey in India which had a major customer base potential.That someone was Kirthiga Reddy.Under Kirthiga’s leadership, Facebook not only grew its user base but also planted deep roots in a complex and rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.Today, India has the most Facebook users with over 448 million, followed by the US (258 million).After six years of phenomenal growth at Facebook, Kirthiga decided it was time for a new challenge.In 2018, she became the first female partner at SoftBank Vision Fund, managing over $5 billion in investments.Today, Kirthiga leads her own venture, Verix, focusing on trust, transparency, and community-driven solutions.In this episode of the NEON Show, Kirthiga Reddy shares her inspiring journey. From a small-town upbringing in India to building Facebook in India, Kirthiga takes us through the challenges of scaling operations, transforming workplace culture, and driving growth. She also opens up about her transition to SoftBank. From leading the fund’s first investments in quantum computing and additive manufacturing, Kirthiga shares how she worked closely with founders to shape strategies and scale businesses.Timestamps00:00 - Trailer 01:51 - Intro02:09 - Kirthiga’s career from Facebook India to SoftBank03:17 - Childhood in Nanded shaping values04:46 - Early career programming for Let Us C06:20 - Masters in the US and arranged marriage08:33 - Syracuse University and joining its Board09:30 - Silicon Graphics high-tech projects12:20 - Stanford MBA and transition to business17:58 - Startup role in product management21:20 - Motorola acquisition and return to India23:08 - Meeting Sheryl Sandberg27:32 - Joining Facebook as its first Indian employee28:50 - Facebook’s 100-100-100 strategy30:40 - Building a Facebook culture35:30 - Personally hiring Facebook India’s first 100 employees36:45 - Success stories of early hires37:50 - Leaving Facebook to balance family and career45:20 - Joining SoftBank & managing $5B in investments47:19 - Key investments in IonQ and 8fold.ai52:38 - Transition from SoftBank to new ventures56:14 - Founding Verix and Virtualness57:00 - AI-first companies and tech vision01:00:28 - India’s thriving tech ecosystem01:03:51 - Vision for Verix, Virtualness, and social impactHi, I am your host Siddhartha! I have been an entrepreneur from 2012-2017 building two products AddoDoc and Babygogo. After selling my company to SHEROES, I and my partner Nansi decided to start up again. But we felt unequipped in our skillset in 2018 to build a large company. We had known 0-1 journeys from our startups but lacked the experience of building 1-10 journeys. Hence was born The Neon Show (Earlier 100x Entrepreneur) to learn from founders and investors, the mindset to scale yourself and your company. This quest still keeps us excited even after 5 years and doing 200+ episodes.We welcome you to our journey to understand what goes behind building a super successful company. Every episode is done with a very selfish motive, that I and Nansi should come out as a better entrepreneur and professional after absorbing the learnings.-----Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-----This show is for informational purposes only. Send us a text

How a 1,500-Year-Old Game Became an Online SensationIt started as a simple idea in 2005—a hub for chess enthusiasts to connect, chat, and share their love for the game.Erik Allebest and Jay Severson, two college buddies with a shared passion for strategy, had just purchased the domain Chess.com for $55,000. Initially, it was a forum, but then the demand for online play began to soar.In 2007, they launched the first subscription-based version of Chess.com. Within a few years, the platform began to gain members and marked its place as the go-to site for chess lovers.In 2023, it hosted the first-ever Champions Chess Tour, offering a record-breaking $2 million prize pool.Last year alone, 12.5 billion games were played on Chess.com—an astonishing 35 million games per day.In this episode of the NEON Show, Erik Allebest, co-founder of Chess.com, discusses his journey from a chess enthusiast to creating the world's largest online chess platform. He talks about his entrepreneurial start, the hurdles in building a sustainable business, and key moments in Chess.com’s success, including lawsuits, early VC rejections, a $600 million valuation, and scaling during the pandemic.Timestamp00:00 - Introduction02:06 - Family influence on Erik’s entrepreneurial mindset05:00 - Falling in love with chess at 18 through books07:25 - Selling an e-commerce business to fund chess.com09:00 - Founding challenges and initial growth struggles13:50 - Why conventional careers didn’t suit Erik18:30 - Settling lawsuits, including the vodka-based case21:50 - Persevering despite doubts about the chess market22:55 - General Atlantic’s investment in chess.com26:10 - Key insights learned from investor partnerships29:56 - Shifting from entrepreneur to CEO33:24 - Erik’s passion for creating products37:18 - How media boosted chess’s popularity globally44:23 - The downsides of rapid monetization46:53 - Managing chess.com’s pandemic-driven growth50:06 - Erik’s focus on sustainability and future growth56:00 - India’s cultural impact on global chess59:24 - Erik’s views on digital security risks01:03:40 - Why employees stay for passion, not just pay01:07:26 - Erik’s belief in chess’s continued global growth01:09:00 - Embracing errors as learning opportunities-----Hi, I am your host Siddhartha! I have been an entrepreneur from 2012-2017 building two products AddoDoc and Babygogo. After selling my company to SHEROES, I and my partner Nansi decided to start up again. But we felt unequipped in our skillset in 2018 to build a large company. We had known 0-1 journeys from our startups but lacked the experience of building 1-10 journeys. Hence was born The Neon Show (Earlier 100x Entrepreneur) to learn from founders and investors, the mindset to scale yourself and your company. This quest still keeps us excited even after 5 years and doing 200+ episodes.We welcome you to our journey to understand what goes behind building a super successful company. Every episode is done with a very selfish motive, that I and Nansi should come out as a better entrepreneur and professional after absorbing the learnings.-----Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-----This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional advice.Send us a text