ASYMMETRIC

The hosts celebrate the podcast's birthday while diving into India's upcoming IPO wave, suggesting that 2025 could mirror the impressive activity of 2021. They discuss the challenges facing Series C funding and how domestic capital may fill gaps for late-stage investments. As secondary funds rise due to IPO certainty, they analyze the dynamics of late-stage investing and the impact of liquidity on venture returns. The conversation also touches on the interplay between emerging AI infrastructure and global capital allocations.

The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: CEO, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company Chirag: Founder, GoKwik00:00 Trailer01:04 Introduction02:02 A Mercedes every 6 minutes?02:22 Where’s the slowdown under the hood consumption03:47 Long tail D2C compounding faster than FMCG incumbents10:19 Bumper festive signals categories driving growth12:08 Navratri automobile surge 34% YoY growth14:56 Category wise growth numbers17:11 Credit led consumption on the rise20:38 Why brand dot com works in the US not China or SEA26:04 Hiring reality why 15 year veterans struggle unlearning32:06 Entrepreneurship needs a beginner’s mindset37:19 Build institutions bottom up train for culture40:48 SD’s brand archetype42:08 Gen Z’s edge in critical brand thinking52:47 GPT’s engagement KPIs54:15 Bitcoin crashCharts referred to in the episode:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SA2UAE4yfPK-ABQTYeq4DGguPKtLXj0b/view?usp=drive_linkFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasymmetriccrew/X: https://x.com/ASYMMETRICCREWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasymmetriccrew/

The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: CEO, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company Chirag: Founder, GoKwik0:00 Coming up0:47 Intro2:31 10th foundation day is rare for a startup8:48 Shantanu’s takeaways from a 10-year journey14:07 Founder resilience17:01 Near-death moments in a startup22:45 Story follows data27:03 Creator trust vs. ads28:06 No more ads: what it means for brands?37:47 Will branding metrics change?45:05 True love for creators doesn’t exist47:40 The rise of house of brands52:00 New YouTube Premium prices in IndiaFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasymmetriccrew/X: https://x.com/ASYMMETRICCREWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasymmetriccrew/

The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: CEO, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company Chirag: Founder, GoKwikUtsav Somani: Founder, Offline; Partner at Galaxy & iSeed0:55 Intro & Welcome to Utsav Somani!2:04 Utsav’s Current Work4:13 Revant’s Angel Investing Journey12:55 How Angel Investing Has Changed Post COVID18:34 Will IPO Money Flow Back to Startups?24:01 IRRs from Angel Investments30:31 The Math Behind Angel Investments36:46 From Angels to Fund Managers40:10 The Problem with Domestic Capital Pools43:35 What’s Worked in the US44:40 Startup IPOs - Recycling into Angel Fuel46:38 Types of Angel Investors51:39 How to Classify Investors53:46 The Bad Side of Angel Investing 58:07 Startups & the Media Hype1:02:00 Building Good Faith in the Ecosystem1:08:25 Angel Investing as a CEO1:13:43 Managing Competition Risk1:16:27 Consumer vs Platform Businesses1:19:06 The Need for a Positive Sum GameCharts referred to in the episode:https://gamma.app/docs/Angel-Investment-Portfolio-Strategy-unv0lvzfc90d1iqFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasymmetriccrew/X: https://x.com/ASYMMETRICCREWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasymmetriccrew/

The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: CEO, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company Chirag: Founder, GoKwik02:18 H-1B Landscape02:39 Consumer Behavior and E-Commerce Trends06:03 Impact of H-1B Changes on the Indian IT Industry10:35 Impact on the U.S.11:45 Lessons from China12:34 Education Loan Concentration and NPA Risk26:55 The Mathematics of Remittances33:36 Chaos Around GST36:08 GST’s Impact on Consumption41:46 How India’s D2C Sector Responded to GST Cuts45:30 Quick Commerce Thesis: Amazon/Flipkart56:57 Interesting!1:01:44 Sovereign Funds on the Cap Table1:06:03 Compounding Machines: VC Time HorizonsCharts referred to in the episode:https://gamma.app/docs/H-1B-Landscape-xm3m7j45c9nlc0v?mode=docFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasymmetriccrew/X: https://x.com/ASYMMETRICCREWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasymmetriccrew/

The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: CEO, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company Chirag: Founder, GoKwikAvnish Bajaj: Founder & Investor Z470:00 Coming Up1:10 Intro2:30 Lenskart 3:20 On Urban Company’s IPO7:01 On MobiKwik10:20 The 4 Ps of IPOs in India14:45 Is Every IPO Unique?19:03 Behind Urban Company’s IPO Success31:27 On China’s Narrative Violation38:29 On China’s DeepTech39:25 On The United States of AI48:42 India’s Path Ahead: AI or Manufacturing?Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasymmetriccrew/X: https://x.com/ASYMMETRICCREWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasymmetriccrew/

Dive into the fragrant world of India's booming perfume market, where dupe fragrances are stealing the spotlight and reshaping consumer habits. Explore how Gen Z desires affordable luxury while using scents as a status symbol, and witness the transition from traditional deodorants to personalized aromas. The conversation also highlights the challenges faced by startup founders and the importance of clarity, strategy, and communication in leadership. Discover how health, wellness, and self-expression are becoming key drivers in the evolving fragrance landscape.

This discussion dives into the dilemma facing Indian brands torn between bolstering their offline presence and adapting to a digital-first economy. Plagiarism and the rise of private labels pose significant challenges, making innovative strategies vital. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding customer behavior and the advantages of offline feedback loops. The dynamics of brand differentiation and market competition are explored, alongside insights into the impact of technology on purchasing decisions. A unique analysis, the Pentagon Pizza Index, adds a fascinating twist to consumer behavior trends.

Tushar Behl, Principal at Glade Brook Capital, dives into India's shifting retail landscape, focusing on brands like Lenskart, Bluestone, and Wakefit. He discusses the importance of blending online and offline strategies to enhance consumer engagement. Behl sheds light on manufacturing efficiencies, average order values, and growth dynamics in omnichannel retail. Additionally, he explores the evolving investor perspective and the impact of government regulations on market operations, providing keen insights into the future of India's retail revolution.

Dive into the intriguing rise of convenience fees in India, reshaping e-commerce and consumer perceptions. Explore the booming consumption trends from tier 3 and tier 4 markets, driven by innovative platforms. Discover the rich linguistic landscape that influences content consumption, particularly in regional languages like Marathi and Tamil. Delve into how localized content boosts user engagement and retention. Uncover the dynamics of digital payments and the future of financial engineering in transforming traditional profit margins.