

ASYMMETRIC
Shantanu, Chirag and Revant
Welcome to ASYMMETRIC Podcast! :)We are three friends who will every Friday discuss happenings during the week across startups, business, tech, social and political.The episode will aim to double click on 2nd order insights and So-What's. We will also bring in the best experts in the fields to provide nuance and perspective.If you're an entrepreneur, run a business or generally are curious about how to think about what's happening around you, do tune in :)Revant: CEO, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company Chirag: Founder, GoKwik📺 A new episode every Friday at 7pm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2025 • 1h 8min
TCS Layoffs, New P&G CEO, and Lessons for Founders & Leadership in Startups
This discussion dives into the recent TCS layoffs, shedding light on their impact on the tech industry and the shifting landscape of IT services in India. It explores essential leadership traits, emphasizing the balance of empathy and authority. The conversation also highlights evolving dynamics in growing organizations, addressing emotional complexities and the management of workplace politics. Finally, insights into India's burgeoning e-commerce scene reveal changing consumer behaviors, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, showcasing the need for localized marketing.

Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 24min
Building Consumer Brands Today: Brand Moats, Attention Economics, and GTM Evolution
The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: CEO, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company Arjun Purkayastha: SVP & Managing Director - Greater China & North Asia at Reckitt00:00 Coming Up00:58 Intro and Welcome, Arjun :)01:58 Consumer Attention and Brand Building07:46 Moats Must Evolve10:51 From Art to Algorithm: Brand Survival15:21 Where Is the Consumer Headed?19:56 Live Commerce and China’s Influence28:03 Lessons for Indian Brands from China35:00 Quick Commerce Is India’s Live Commerce47:49 Does the Rule of 40 Apply to Consumer Brands?56:37 Founder-Led vs. CEO-Led Businesses1:02:36 The IPO–CEO Conundrum1:13:34 Concluding ThoughtsFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasymmetriccrew/X: https://x.com/ASYMMETRICCREWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasymmetriccrewClips channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ASYMMETRICPodcastClips

21 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 58min
Reimagining Businesses with AI Part 2: Understanding Entity AI, Swarm Framework ft. OG Aditya Sehgal
In this discussion, Aditya Sehgal, founder of Asgard.world and former COO of Reckitt, dives deep into the transformative power of AI in business. He highlights China's energy strategy and its implications for sustainable AI. Adi introduces the concept of Entity AI, emphasizing the relevance of memory and context in enhancing AI’s reasoning. The conversation also covers the innovative swarm framework for boosting business efficiency and stresses the critical need for companies to adapt AI for competitive advantage in today's fast-evolving landscape.

18 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 2h 2min
A Masterclass in China’s Hypergrowth: Thinking in Centuries, Gov–Founder Relationship ft. Adi Sehgal
In this engaging discussion, Adi Sehgal, founder of Asgard.world and former COO of Reckitt, shares his insights into China's remarkable hypergrowth. He explores the symbiotic relationship between government and founders, revealing vital lessons for startups. The conversation dives into China's unique blend of capitalism, its rigorous work culture, and the profound shifts in the tech landscape post-COVID. Adi also discusses how Indian startups can learn from their Chinese counterparts and the evolving dynamics in consumer products and sustainable growth.

Jul 5, 2025 • 1h 7min
Lucrative IPOs, ₹26,000 Crore Monthly SIP Inflow & Booming Capital Markets | Vaibhav Porwal, Dezerv
In this episode of The Asymmetric Podcast, we’re joined by Vaibhav Porwal, Co-founder of Dezerv, as we dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of big IPOs and capital markets in India. With ₹13,000 crore in fund management, Vaibhav brings a wealth of knowledge on the dynamics shaping India’s capital markets.Vaibhav shares his expert insights on the booming IPO landscape, the emerging trends in investment, and the key factors influencing the future of Indian capital markets. Whether you're an investor, a startup founder, or simply curious about India’s financial growth, this episode is full of valuable insights.The ASYMMETRIC Crew today: Revant: Founder, Mosaic Wellness Mosaic WellnessChirag: Founder, GoKwik GoKwik Shantanu: Founder, Bombay Shaving company Vaibhav Porwal: Co-founder, Dezerv

Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 38min
Groww's Decacorn IPO, UPI, and everything Fintech with Anand, Partner at Nexus Venture Partners
In this episode of The Asymmetric Podcast, we’re joined by Anand Datta, Partner at Nexus Venture Partners, as we dive deep into the dynamic world of Fintech and IPOs in the Indian market. From the rise of digital payments to the evolving landscape of initial public offerings (IPOs), Anand breaks down the current trends and future potential of India’s Fintech sector.Anand offers his expert insights on the shifting tides of Indian IPOs, the regulatory environment, and the role of venture capital in driving innovation. Whether you're an investor, a startup founder, or someone interested in the ever-changing landscape of India’s financial markets, this episode is packed with valuable insights.The ASYMMETRIC Crew today: Revant: Founder, Mosaic Wellness Chirag: Founder, GoKwik Anand Datta, Nexus Venture PartnersChapters 2:30 - Should you register Company in India, US or Cayman Islands? 21:58 - YC investments in India over the years 23:40 - Silicon Valley culture 28:40 - IPOs filing in confidential mode 35:00 - Groww listing? 43:30 - How can AI be leveraged in Fintech? 56:00 - BNPL business history in India 1:06:30 - UPI Autopay: Boon or Bane? 1:35:00 - Closing!

Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 33min
The Future of AI, Content, and Consumer Tech in 2025 | Rahul Chowdhri, Stellaris Venture Partners
In this episode of The Asymmetric Podcast, we chat with Rahul Chowdhri, Managing Director at Stellaris Ventures, to explore the exciting convergence of AI and consumer tech. From AI-driven content creation to transforming industries like astrology, gaming, and fashion, we dive into how these innovations are reshaping the way we interact with technology.Rahul shares his insights on how AI will continue to evolve in consumer tech, the potential for India to lead in certain sectors, and how founders and investors can leverage these shifts. If you’re interested in how AI is influencing everything from personal assistants to the future of content creation, this episode is a must-watch! The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: Founder, Mosaic WellnessChirag: Founder, GoKwikRahul Chowdri, Stellaris Venture Partners

Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 33min
Decoding Venture Debt – What Every Founder Must Know About Debt Financing
The ASYMMETRIC Crew today:Revant: Founder, Mosaic WellnessShantanu: Founder, Bombay Shaving CompanyChirag: Founder, GoKwikAnkit Agarwal: Managing Partner at Alteria Capital00:00 Coming Up01:10 Intro and Welcome, Ankit!03:07 Debt vs. Equity07:08 Startup Funding Journeys09:04 How Founders Think About Debt14:40 Venture Debt Provider Portfolio Allocation17:25 Debt vs. Equity - The Trade-Off21:07 Lessons from Failed Startups & Over-Leverage28:44 Venture Debt: How Do LPs Get Comfort?35:19 Growth Runways & Cash Flow41:20 Managing Debt While Chasing Growth42:02 Case Study: Using Debt to Scale54:59 Risk and Reward for LPs01:00:18 Operations of Venture Debt Funds01:06:32 Risks in Acquisition Deals01:08:22 Challenges in Indian Banking for Startups01:15:58 Venture Debt vs. Traditional Lenders01:18:24 Competition in Venture Debt01:20:34 Concluding Thoughts

8 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 31min
Q-Comm in India: Unit Economics, Market Insights, and Its Future with Rahul Garg, General Catalyst
In this discussion, Rahul Garg, Partner at General Catalyst and expert in quick commerce, dives into the evolving landscape of e-commerce in India. He shares insights on the rapid growth of grocery delivery, exploring the significance of dark stores and localized market strategies. Garg also examines the role of quick commerce in fashion, discussing inventory turnover and consumer behavior. Additionally, he highlights opportunities in quick health delivery and the complexities of D2C logistics, emphasizing how these trends are reshaping retail dynamics.

May 30, 2025 • 1h 32min
Inside India’s ₹4,000 Cr Protein Boom: A Deep Dive with MuscleBlaze Founder Sameer Maheshwari
Sameer Maheshwari, Founder and CEO of HealthKart, delves into the booming protein supplement market in India. He discusses the evolution of HealthKart and the challenges of transforming into a major health brand. The conversation highlights the impact of social media on consumer behavior and the need for quality in health products. Sameer also addresses the confusion around protein intake recommendations, emphasizing the importance of tailored nutrition. With a focus on accessibility and consumer trust, he reveals insights about making protein mainstream and navigating brand dynamics.


