Blume Podcast

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

Karthik Reddy, Blume Ventures co-founder and host of the Blume Podcast, unveils the exciting theme for Season 3 of the Blume Podcast. Discover how Indian startups are making waves on the international stage 🌏 in this must-watch explainer video. Understand why 'Winning Beyond Boundaries' is more than just a slogan Learn about India's transition from IT services to innovative global products Hear success stories of Blume portfolio companies like Ultrahuman, Gray Orange, and Carbon Clean 🌟 Key Insights: •⁠ ⁠The surge of confidence in Indian tech and deep tech startups •⁠ ⁠How SaaS unicorns like Freshworks and Chargebee are inspiring a new generation •⁠ ⁠The rise of Indian D2C brands in global markets 💡 Karthik breaks down: The 'You ain't seen nothing yet' mindset driving Indian entrepreneurs How brand India is evolving and gaining recognition worldwide The diverse range of guests for Season 3 - from arts and sports to policymakers and startup founders 🎙️ Get ready for an inspiring season showcasing Indian innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural impact across the globe. Subscribe now and hit the notification bell to catch every episode!

We've reached the end of the road for the second season of the Blume Podcast, which was championed by its theme: the power of compounding. Karthik and Rohit discuss, analyse, and deconstruct their favourite moments from the season, which featured stalwarts like Manish Sabharwal, Nithin Kamath, and Radhika Gupta. They haven't just built companies. But rather, institutions, in their own right. Understand why Karthik encourages everyone at Blume to listen to all episodes, his utmost belief in step-function compounding, and how every founder journey is inherently unique, even if it bears similarity with others. It's been a true pleasure bringing you these conversations across industries, sectors, and domains. Tune in for episode ten, and see you very soon again!

Diamonds are forever.But in 2008, they also went online. In our first ever video episode of the Blume Podcast, which happens to the last episode of Season 2, Karthik Reddy sat down with Mithun Sacheti, the CEO of CaratLane who spilled some gems on the glitzy yet laborious world of being a D2C jewellery brand. In a traditionally ‘low-trust’ society like India, Mithun and his team went from his early days selling jewellery with the family-owned Jaipur Gems to becoming an indispensable part of the Titan group. The journey has is fair share of ups and downs, including a riveting conversation with Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, the topsy-turvy process of raising capital, and solving for trust through brand-building.You can find Transcripts on Blume's official website - https://blume.vc/podcasts/blume-podcast

Join us in this insightful episode of the Blume Podcast as Karthik engages in a candid fireside chat with Radhika Gupta, the dynamic Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Edelweiss Mutual Fund. Delve into Radhika's fascinating journey from a diplomatic upbringing to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur in the financial services sector. Discover the twists and turns, the challenges faced, and the strategic decisions that led her to her current role. Gain valuable insights into the world of asset management, entrepreneurship, and the power of compounding success.