Dr. Malpani

Most Indian startup founders are wasting time chasing investors. That’s the blunt truth nobody tells you. The obsession with raising capital often blinds founders to the real work that needs doing: building a business that actually works. If you’re spending more time perfecting your pitch deck th…

Most Indian startup founders mistakenly believe that influence is a nice-to-have. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: influence is your real product. If you can’t sell your vision, you’re dead in the water — no matter how brilliant your technology is. Let’s dismantle this myth and focus on what actua…

Let’s get one thing straight: most Indian startup founders don’t fail because their ideas are bad. They fail because they can’t sell them. You might have the next big thing, but if you can’t get a ‘yes’ from investors, customers, or even your own team, you’re dead in the water. This isn’t about b…

Chasing virality is a startup founder’s version of gambling. It’s seductive, thrilling, and often, a shortcut to disaster. You might think that going viral will magically solve all your problems, but in reality, it’s more likely to expose them. Before you burn through your runway trying to be the…

Most Indian startups fail to secure strategic government alliances because they chase the wrong prize. They think landing a government contract is the golden ticket. It’s not. The real value lies in building enduring relationships with the right bureaucrats, understanding the policy landscape, an…

You’re making a mistake if you’re only hunting for talent in Mumbai or Bangalore. The real goldmine of untapped potential lies in India’s non-metro cities. Founders who ignore this are burning through cash they can’t afford to waste. Let’s talk about how you can change that starting this week. Wh…

Most Indian startup founders make a rookie mistake: they underestimate their hyper-local competition. You might think you’re in a national or global race, but the truth is, your immediate rivals are the ones who can sink or save you. Ignoring them is like playing cricket without knowing the field…

Here’s the hard truth: overvaluation is the silent killer of many Indian startups. Founders often get caught up in the frenzy of securing high valuations without realizing they’re setting themselves up for a fall. You might think a high valuation is a badge of honor, but it could be the very thin…

First-mover advantage. It’s the shiny lure that has seduced many an Indian startup founder into a false sense of security. The truth is, being first often means being the first to fail. Consider this: in the Indian startup ecosystem, the rush to be first has left a trail of broken dreams and empt…