The Morning Brief

In this enlightening discussion, Abhinav Kaul, Senior Assistant Editor at ET Wealth, and Harshad Chetanwala, Co-founder of MyWealthGrowth.com, delve into the booming trend of digital gold. They explore the backend mechanics of micro-purchases and the custodianship of digital assets. The conversation highlights significant regulatory concerns, including hidden fees and lack of transparency that could threaten investor confidence. Harshad also shares crucial investment advice, recommending a cautious approach and appropriate gold allocation for long-term savings.

Join Alakh Pandey, the face of Physics Wallah and former YouTube educator, and Prateek Maheshwari, the co-founder steering its business strategy, as they share insights into their journey from a simple online channel to a $2.8 billion unicorn aiming for IPO. They discuss investor sentiment, current financial strains, and future revenue strategies. Discover their innovative approach to offline expansion and the importance of regional outreach. With a focus on AI in education, they navigate the challenges and opportunities in the evolving edtech landscape.

Amjad Masad, founder and CEO of Replit, shares his journey from Jordan to Silicon Valley, redefining coding with AI. He discusses the transformative power of AI agents, emphasizing how they revolutionize productivity. Highlighting India's 17 million developers, he advocates for a shift from cost to innovation arbitrage. Amjad envisions a future where collaborative AI agents enhance creativity and productivity. He also stresses the importance of education reform to prepare the next generation for an AI-driven world.

James A. Robinson, co-winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics and co-author of 'Why Nations Fail,' dives deep into the dynamics of power and prosperity. He asserts that inclusive institutions, not authoritarian efficiency, are key to a nation’s success. Robinson critiques simplistic ideas like 'geography is destiny' and discusses India's democratic resilience amidst ongoing caste issues. He also warns about the inequities posed by AI and explores the potential of Africa’s growth against the backdrop of globalization's future.

In a compelling discussion, Dr. Preetha Reddy and Suneeta Reddy share their four-decade journey with Apollo Hospitals, showcasing its evolution from a small clinic to a global healthcare leader. They explore India's healthcare challenges, including bed shortages and rising non-communicable diseases. The Reddys also discuss using technology like AI and telemedicine to enhance patient care, and the importance of affordability. With a vision for India as a global healthcare powerhouse, they emphasize the need for innovation and trust in healthcare values.

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.