Blume Podcast

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Neeraj Chopra, India’s first athletics Gold medalist, and Karthik Reddy, co-founder and Managing Partner of Blume Ventures. In this podcast, Neeraj shares his journey from a small village in Haryana to standing on the Olympic podium, while reflecting on the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs along the way. Get an inside view on what it takes to be a champion. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 3:21 - Neeraj Chopra’s youth and childhood 9:17 - Neeraj Chopra’s love for farming 13:01 - First big win 16:00 - The pressure to represent the country 19:15 - How did Neeraj feel after winning gold at the Olympics 21:15 - Neeraj’s Silver at the Paris Olympics 27:55 - Difference between individual and team sports 35:08 - Who is the supporting cast to Neeraj? 41:00 - What is Neeraj Chopra’s routine? 43:44 - How does Neeraj Chopra deal with disappointment and pressure? 48:26 - Why did Neeraj Chopra choose to represent STAGE? 52:50 - State of sports infrastructure in India 57:07 - Rapid fire questions This episode is packed with valuable insights into the life of a world-class athlete, touching on mental resilience, discipline, and the importance of a strong support system. A special thank you to IDFC First Bank for being a partner for this podcast and STAGE (Blume Fund IV) for helping us connect with Neeraj Chopra and for generously providing their office space to record this episode.

Join us for episode nine of the Blume Podcast - Winning Beyond Boundaries, featuring Dr. Mukund Rajan, former brand custodian of the Tata Group, in conversation with Karthik Reddy of Blume Ventures. In this chat, Dr Rajan takes us through his inspiring journey, from his early days as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford to his impactful 23-year tenure at Tata. He shares personal anecdotes and insights that reveal the human side of corporate leadership, including his close working relationship with Ratan Tata and the lessons learned along the way. Key topics discussed: Dr Rajan's unique childhood experiences across various countries The evolution of the Tata Group and its global impact Personal stories that highlight Ratan Tata's leadership style The history, purpose, and challenges of Tata Administrative Services (TAS) in building sustainable leadership Dr Rajan’s role in launching one of India's premier airline services 'Vistara' , and its future Balancing tradition with innovation in today’s business landscape Insights into sustainable leadership and the future of Indian business Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with Dr. Mukund Rajan as he shares valuable leadership lessons, behind-the-scenes stories from the Tata Group, and his vision for a sustainable future. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or simply curious about the legacy of one of India’s most iconic companies, this episode has something for everyone. Thanks to our annual partner IDFC First Bank and Sponsor Ultrahuman for making this episode possible. Chapters: [00:00:00] Introduction and Mr. Tata’s Letter to Vajpayee [00:01:08] Welcome and Guest Introduction [00:03:27] Early Life and Diverse Exposure [00:06:17] Family Influence and Dinner Table Conversations [00:08:11] Tata Journey and First Encounter with Ratan Tata [00:12:31] Evolution of Tata Administrative Services (TAS) [00:17:11] Fun Anecdotes about Ratan Tata [00:22:05] Tata Group’s International Ambitions [00:27:06] Framework for Strategic Decisions [00:34:27] Passion for Design and Architecture [00:41:00] Founding the Tata Opportunities Fund [00:44:04] TCS IPO: A Masterclass in Corporate Governance [00:50:18] Chief Ethics Officer and Overhauling the Code of Conduct [00:55:30] Origins and Future of Vistara [01:03:14] Launching ECube and ESG Focus [01:09:11] Rhodes Scholarship and Philanthropic Efforts [01:11:01] Rapid Fire Questions

In this engaging discussion, Alok Sama, former President and CFO of SoftBank Group International, shares his journey from Delhi to the heights of global finance. He reveals behind-the-scenes details of major tech deals like the Sprint-T-Mobile merger and SoftBank's acquisition of ARM. Alok reflects on his time with Masayoshi Son, offers insights into navigating complex global deals, and explores the future of technology, particularly AI. His experiences reveal valuable lessons on leveraging India's evolving tech ecosystem and foster a deep understanding of visionary leadership in turbulent times.

In the 7th episode of the Blume Podcast, the host Karthik Reddy, co-founder and Partner at Blume Ventures, dives deep into the fascinating world of hardware innovation with two extraordinary founders who have redefined what it means to build hardware companies from India. Join us as we host Akash Gupta (CEO & Co-founder, GreyOrange) and Mohit Kumar (CEO & Co-founder, Ultrahuman). Both GreyOrange and Ultrahuman are part of Blume's portfolio. From revolutionizing warehouse automation to pushing the boundaries of personal health monitoring, these founders share their incredible journeys of building globally respected companies from India. Learn about their challenges, strategies, and insights on: • Building hardware companies in India • Global market expansion • Manufacturing and talent challenges • Future of hardware innovation • Building world-class teams Part of Blume Podcast Season 3: "Winning Beyond Boundaries" 🔍 Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Guest Introductions 03:02 Early Hardware Journey in India 08:40 Building GreyOrange: From College Project to Global Company 15:30 Ultrahuman's Evolution & Hardware Development 21:45 Manufacturing Challenges & Building in India 32:15 Going Global: Market Expansion Strategies 43:20 Building Teams & Culture in Hardware Companies 52:40 Hardware Talent Ecosystem in India 1:03:30 Future of Hardware Manufacturing 1:12:45 Advice for Hardware Founders 1:20:30 Rapid Fire Round 1:23:40 Future Vision & Closing Thoughts

Join us for an insightful conversation with Aditya Ghosh, one of India's most dynamic business leaders, in the 6th episode of Blume Podcast S3, Winning Beyond Boundaries.  From leading IndiGo Airlines' meteoric rise to becoming India's largest airline, to now steering Akasa Air's ambitious journey, Aditya shares invaluable insights into building successful businesses in India. In this candid discussion with Karthik Reddy, Aditya reveals:• His journey from a young lawyer at JSA to becoming IndiGo's CEO• The unique partnership between Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal that created IndiGo• Critical business strategies that helped IndiGo maintain profitability in a challenging industry• How structural advantages built on Day 1 shaped IndiGo's success• The importance of empathy and people management in building great organizations• His current role in shaping Akasa Air's future• Insights into India's aviation market potential and growth opportunities Aditya also shares personal stories about his upbringing in a government colony, his early career decisions, and the values that have shaped his leadership style. His perspective on India's consumption story and the opportunities it presents for entrepreneurs makes this episode a must-watch for business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. Key Timestamps:[02:36] - Episode Introduction [04:01] - Views on Entrepreneurship [06:47] - Growing Up Years [13:20] - Path to Law [17:18] - First Job Experience [19:26] - The InterGlobe Connection [21:43] - Birth of IndiGo [24:27] - Seizing Opportunities [30:14] - Leadership Philosophy [34:08] - Building Culture [42:03] - IndiGo's Success Formula [44:54] - Cost Management [46:40] - Strategic Advantages [50:56] - The Akasa Journey [53:46] - Future of Aviation [57:39] - The Founding Partnership [01:02:10] - Rapid Fire Round [01:09:42] - Closing Thoughts Special thanks to our Season Partner IDFC First Bank for supporting this series. #BusinessLeadership #IndianAviation #Entrepreneurship #StartupIndia #BusinessPodcast #IndiGo #AkasaAir #Leadership #Aviation #IndianBusiness

This episode provides a deep dive into the journey of Persistent Systems, from its humble beginnings to becoming a global technology powerhouse. Anand Deshpande shares insights on company growth, leadership transitions, and the importance of adapting to market changes. His perspectives on entrepreneurship, technology trends, and social impact offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike. Key Topics: Persistent’s growth journey and evolution through multiple business orbits Entrepreneurship challenges, scaling strategies, and leadership transitions Technology trends, including the impact of AI on the IT industry Social impact initiatives and philanthropic efforts  Global expansion and understanding international markets Timestamps  00:03:18 - Early life 00:06:55 - IIT Kharagpur experience 00:09:59 - US education and work 00:19:34 - Founding Persistent Systems 00:26:29 - Indian IT challenges in 1990 00:32:00 - Business model evolution 00:35:25 - Persistent’s S orbits  00:39:46 - Transition from ‘My’ to ‘Our’ company 00:56:18 - VC funding and IPO 01:01:42 - Philanthropic initiatives 01:08:16 - Research projects 01:14:12 - AI impact on IT 01:16:36 - Rapid-fire questions

This episode offers invaluable insights into India's economic transformation and its aspirations to become a global powerhouse. Amitabh Kant shares his diverse experiences from grassroots development in Kerala to high-level diplomatic roles, highlighting his contributions to India's progress. His perspectives on entrepreneurship, digital infrastructure, and global competitiveness provide inspiration and practical advice for entrepreneurs aiming to build world-class businesses from India. Chapters: 00:02:41 - Early career in Kerala 00:04:55 - Transforming the lives of fishermen in Kerala 00:07:24 - "God's Own Country" campaign 00:10:54 - Public-private partnership in Kerala 00:14:05 - Hosting Prime Minister Vajpayee 00:15:52 - The Incredible India campaign 00:18:40 - Ease of doing business ranking 00:21:02 - Startup India initiative 00:23:15 - Impact of Digital Public Infrastructure 00:26:49 - Global market penetration for India's growth 00:29:30 - Vision for India as a developed nation by 2047 00:32:46 - Key qualities of team members 00:34:48 - Leadership skills 00:36:48 - Navigating cross-border cultural differences 00:37:45 - Rapid-fire questions

This episode offers invaluable insights into building a successful FMCG business from scratch and expanding it globally. Harsh Mariwala shares his journey of transforming a family commodity business into Marico, a leading multinational FMCG company. His experiences and perspectives on talent management, innovation, brand building, and international expansion provide inspiration and practical advice for entrepreneurs aiming to create world-class businesses from India. Key Topics: Harsh Mariwala’s early years and transition from family business to building Marico The journey of converting unbranded commodities to powerful consumer brands Importance of talent acquisition and retention in building a successful company Strategy of focusing on categories where MNCs were not strong Going public early and its impact on corporate governance and growth International expansion strategy starting with neighbouring countries Acquisition approach to enter new markets like Egypt, South Africa, Vietnam Transforming Saffola from an edible oil to a health brand Approach to D2C brands  Creation of ASCENT Foundation to support and mentor entrepreneurs Marico Innovation Foundation's work in accelerating innovative startups Leadership transition and importance of clear roles post stepping down as CEO Hiring practices and key leadership qualities sought in executives Advice for entrepreneurs on grit, continuous learning, and creating differentiation #HarshMariwala #Marico #FMCG #IndianEntrepreneurs #GlobalBrands #Innovation #InternationalExpansion #D2CBrands #Entrepreneurship 00:58 - Early days and family business background 07:36 - Lessons for entrepreneurs from Harsh Mariwala's experience 10:00 - Transition from unbranded to branded products 15:43 - Importance of talent and learning in building Marico 17:55 - Portfolio strategy and becoming market leaders 22:58 - Acquisition strategy and international expansion 26:05 - Going public and its impact on Marico 29:57 - Transforming Saffola into a health brand 32:54 - Views on D2C brands and Marico's approach 38:50 - International expansion strategy 45:32 - Future of international expansion 48:51 - Transitioning out of CEO role 52:40 - Hiring practices and leadership qualities 53:50 - ASCENT Foundation for promoting entrepreneurship 55:35 - Marico Innovation Foundation 58:16 - Rapid fire questions

Guest: Mahesh Bhupathi, Tennis Grand Slam Champion and Entrepreneur  Host: Karthik Reddy, Co-founder of Blume Ventures This episode provides insights into what it takes to achieve global success and excel on the world stage. Mahesh shares his journey from a young tennis prodigy to a Grand Slam champion, offering valuable lessons applicable to both sports and business. His experiences and perspectives on talent development, overcoming challenges, and transitioning to entrepreneurship provide inspiration and practical advice for anyone aiming to win beyond boundaries. Key Topics: Mahesh's early years and his father's influence on his tennis career The journey to becoming a Grand Slam champion Partnership with Leander Paes and dynamics of doubles tennis Memorable Olympic experiences and dealing with tough losses Physical and mental discipline required for a long-lasting tennis career Transition from professional tennis to entrepreneurship Founding and growth of Globosport Insights on talent spotting and development in tennis The state of Indian tennis and challenges in building a robust ecosystem Parallels between sports and entrepreneurship Advice for aspiring tennis players and young entrepreneurs Current focus on sports management  #MaheshBhupathi #Tennis #IndianTennis #LeanderPaes #Olympics #GrandSlam #FrenchOpen #Wimbledon #USOpen #AustralianOpen Timestamps [00:00:00] - Introduction [03:17] - Mahesh talks about his early tennis beginnings and his father's influence. [05:25] - Discussion on the importance of family support in sports careers. [06:59] - Mahesh recounts his first visit to Wimbledon at age 12. [11:58] - The story of Mahesh's first Grand Slam win in mixed doubles at the 1997 French Open. [16:03] - Mahesh discusses his partnership with Leander Paes. [18:49] - Insights into why the ‘Indian Express’ clicked and how they overcame challenges [21:23] - Discussion of the 2004 Athens Olympics match against Federer and Allegro [24:52] - Mahesh talks about recovering from tough losses, particularly the Athens Olympics bronze medal match [28:22] - Discussion on maintaining physical and mental discipline over a long career [31:10] - The importance of continuous learning and improvement in tennis [33:19] - Mahesh shares insights on coach-player relationships [36:30] - Discussion on the right time to retire [38:48] - Mahesh talks about starting Globosport and his business endeavours. [41:39] - Insights into spotting tennis talent and the state of Indian tennis. [45:41] - Discussion on developing a system for nurturing tennis talent in India. [49:05] - Rapid-fire questions

Guest: Girish Mathrubootham, Founder and Executive Chairman of Freshworks Host: Karthik Reddy, Co-founder of Blume Ventures This episode provides deep insights into building a global SaaS company from India, scaling a startup to a public company, and the future of SaaS with AI. Girish Mathrubootham shares his journey from Chennai to NASDAQ, embodying the spirit of "Winning Beyond Boundaries." Key Topics: Girish's background, including his admiration for Superstar Rajinikanth and early entrepreneurial experiences The founding story of Freshworks (originally Freshdesk), inspired by a customer service experience Building a global SaaS company from Chennai, India, and overcoming cultural barriers Freshworks' journey from startup to NASDAQ-listed company, including key funding rounds Critical decisions in Freshworks' growth: inbound business model, multi-product strategy, enterprise sales Hiring strategies and talent development at different company stages, from campus recruitment to executive hires Experience in becoming and running a public company, likened to a "big fat Indian wedding" The impact of AI on SaaS and Girish's decision to focus on AI as Executive Chairman The growth of the Indian SaaS ecosystem and initiatives like SaaSBoomi to create a "product nation" Girish's involvement in Together Fund and supporting the next generation of SaaS founders Freshworks' culture and the emergence of a "Freshworks mafia" in the startup ecosystem Girish's venture into sports with FC Madras, expanding his influence beyond tech The episode showcases how Girish Mathrubootham and Freshworks have put India on the global SaaS map, achieving a successful IPO on NASDAQ and creating a blueprint for other Indian SaaS startups. It highlights the importance of "Winning Beyond Boundaries" in building world-class products from India and nurturing the SaaS ecosystem through initiatives like SaaSBoomi. PS- Special thanks to Ultrahuman for gifting their cutting-edge rings to our guests and to IDFC First Bank for being our annual partner. Links: Blume podcast transcripts: https://blume.vc/podcasts/blume-podcast  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/227rW4Ee4ob6wRT8U7pJ8s?si=9e43c6b4c7d54ea0  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlumeVenturesIN/  Timestamps:  0:00 - Introduction of Girish Mathrubootham and Freshworks 2:38 - Girish talks about his love for Superstar Rajinikanth  5:55 - Early days and college friendships that backed Girish's ventures 7:31 - Girish's journey at Zoho (AdventNet) and becoming a product manager 11:57 - Origins of building global products from India 13:20 - The idea and impetus for starting Freshworks  16:23 - Early challenges in building a global company from Chennai 18:47 - Disruptive business model of Freshworks 26:55 - Getting funded by Accel and Tiger Global 36:58 - Key pivotal decisions in Freshworks' journey 39:30 - Going multi-product and choosing what to build 45:33 - Hiring and talent strategies at different stages 52:20 - Experience of becoming a public company 57:48 - Girish's decision to move to Executive Chairman role and focus on AI 1:10:52 - Motivations behind SaaSBoomi and Together Fund 1:15:43 - Pride in seeing the "Freshworks mafia" 1:16:30 - Rapid fire questions