The Morning Brief

Rashmi Rajput, a savvy financial crimes reporter from The Economic Times, dives deep into the murky world of online betting and its links to cricket scandal. She reveals how the banned platform 1xBet operates through offshore loopholes, enabling a staggering Rs 84,000 crore in transactions. Discover the clever use of surrogate advertising that drags celebrities into the fray and learn about the Enforcement Directorate's probing of stars like Raina and Dhawan. With the rise of rebranded apps, the underground betting economy poses pressing questions for regulation.

Pratik Bhakta, a fintech reporter at The Economic Times, delves into the intriguing journey of Groww, India's largest retail broker. He reveals how its founders harnessed social media to transform retail investing and the pandemic's role in its explosive growth. Pratik also addresses concerns about Groww's heavy reliance on broking for revenue and its efforts to diversify. Regulatory scrutiny and market risks loom large as the company takes the leap to public trading, raising questions about the sustainability of its success.

Mati Staniszewski, co-founder of ElevenLabs, discusses how his company is revolutionizing voice technology with a focus on multilingual capabilities. He shares insights from his meeting with Prime Minister Modi and highlights ElevenLabs' expansion into India, supporting languages like Hindi and Tamil. Mati addresses the challenges of regulation in voice AI, while predicting a future rich in personalized and interactive audio experiences. He also tackles the complexity of voice cloning and the importance of ethical standards in this rapidly evolving field.

K. Shriniwas Rao, a seasoned sports journalist, and Divyanshu Singh, CEO of JSW Sports, discuss the historic triumph of India's women's cricket team at the ODI World Cup. They explore the challenges of a shallow talent pool, inconsistent marketing, and the underwhelming Women’s Premier League. Divyanshu highlights JSW's investments in grassroots programs, while Rao emphasizes the importance of proactive player marketing. Together, they ponder whether this victory can catalyze a lasting transformation in women's cricket in India.

Tusharr Kumar, CEO of Only Much Louder (OML), discusses the dynamic landscape of India’s creator economy. He addresses the impact of short-form video and the rise of creator-led businesses. Tusharr shares insights into how OML selects and supports artists, transforming them from small gigs to substantial touring acts. The conversation delves into the balance of data and instinct in decision-making, AI's role in enhancing creator workflows, and the evolving nature of contracts in the digital age. Emerging trends like niche microcultures and the impact of AI-generated creators also take center stage.

Manu Toms, a senior editor at ET Prime, and Poonam Chandel, managing director of NeuWorld Spirits, dissect the rise and fall of Bira 91, India's once-popular craft beer. They explore founder Ankur Jain's ambitious vision, the brand's expansion missteps, and financial mismanagement. Poonam highlights the operational complexities of the beer industry, while Manu discusses the alarming employee activism and investor pressures signaling possible insolvency. Together, they illuminate Bira's sobering journey from a vibrant startup to a cautionary tale.

Peyush Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Lenskart, shares insights on transforming a humble online contact lens seller into a global eyewear powerhouse. He discusses ambitious international expansion strategies, revealing that 40% of revenue now stems from abroad. Bansal dives into the tech revolution with smart glasses and AI-led eye tests. He emphasizes the importance of balancing valuation with long-term vision, and how Lenskart's IPO is a strategic milestone. Listeners get a glimpse into the challenges and innovations that lie ahead.

William Beardmore-Gray, Global Chairman of Knight Frank, and Shishir Baijal, Chairman of Knight Frank India, delve into India's real estate revolution. They discuss record-high office demand fueled by GCC expansion and the rise of luxury housing sales. With insights on how reforms like GST boost investment appeal, they explore the impacts of PropTech and AI on property strategies. Additionally, learn about the lessons from China’s property slowdown and the growing interest in sectors like logistics and living spaces, underscoring India's ascent in global markets.

Jaydeep Barman, Co-founder and Group CEO of Rebel Foods, shares how his cloud-kitchen company reshaped India's restaurant market. He discusses Rebel’s move to a kitchen-only model, driven by survival pressures and delivery demands. Jaydeep highlights their unique no-CV hiring process, emphasizing a founder mentality. He reveals insights on operational complexities across multiple cooking brands and the tech powering their kitchens. Excitingly, he hints at profitability on the horizon and plans for an IPO next year.

Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director and VP of Asia-Pacific at Booking.com, shares insights on the transformative trends in travel. She highlights India's vast potential for growth, driven by digital-first travelers and a shift towards spiritual and alternative stays. The use of AI for personalized experiences is a game-changer, enabling tailored recommendations and smoother journeys. Lastly, Laura discusses strategies for balancing price sensitivity with enhanced experiences and the importance of diverse accommodation options to cater to evolving traveler preferences.