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As India’s start-up ecosystem matures, a new trend is emerging: <keyword id="23791918" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="micro-acquisitions" source="Orion">micro-acquisitions</keyword>. This approach – focussed on buying smaller businesses – has become increasingly popular among Indian entrepreneurs looking for cost-effective growth avenues. Platforms like <keyword id="23791917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flippa" source="keywords">Flippa</keyword> are at the forefront of this shift, facilitating these transactions by offering a user-friendly, data-rich environment where buyers and sellers can connect seamlessly. In a country that has seen rapid growth in entrepreneurship, micro-acquisitions represent a shift from the traditional emphasis on large scale deals. And this trend is being fuelled by an influx of domestic funds and micro venture capital (VC) firms dedicated to nurturing early-stage startups. <h2>Changing Mindsets: Why Micro-Acquisitions?</h2>Entrepreneurs are turning to micro-acquisitions for the flexibility, speed and cost-efficiency that they offer. By targeting smaller, less capital intensive deals, they are able to side step the complexities of a traditional M&amp;A, making it a viable pathway for expansion and growth. Besides these can also help entrepreneurs diversify their holdings and adapt to market demands without overcommitting resources. Flippa allows Indian entrepreneurs to access a global marketplace where they can identify businesses aligned with their objectives. <h2>The M&amp;A Landscape in India</h2>While the US mergers and acquisitions market has seen slower growth, private capital inflows in India are on the rise, according to <a href="https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/deals/trends/private-capital.html">PwC</a>. The second quarter of 2024 proved to be a landmark period for Indian startups, with a 57% year-on-year surge in megadeals driving fundraising to an eight-quarter high of $5.2 billion, as reported by <a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/reports/india-deal-review-q2-2024">Deal Street Asia</a>. Flippa has capitalised on this trend. A marketplace founded in 2009 for buying and selling online businesses, it has amassed over 3 million users worldwide. As of <a href="https://flippa.com/data-insights?buy_sell=PR_DataInsights_EmbedGraphs">October 2024</a>, Flippa had 396,000 active buyers on its platform with a combined wallet of $75 billion, an increase of 15,000 active buyers month-on-month. This broad, engaged user base gives Indian entrepreneurs a diverse pool of acquisition targets, from digital properties to app-based ventures. Notably, data-driven app acquisition companies like KalaGato leverage Flippa to identify the right opportunities. “If you’re trying to get into the market, a platform like Flippa is a great place to start,” said Aman Kumar, Founder of KalaGato. <h2>Cutting Edge Technology At Work</h2>Flippa’s technology sets it apart, using a proprietary <a href="https://flippa.com/product/recommender-engine">matching algorithm</a> powered by an AI-driven graph neural network that assesses over 100 factors to match buyers and sellers. This technology streamlines the acquisition process, helping entrepreneurs find suitable opportunities more efficiently, especially in a crowded market like India, where navigating business brokers or directly approaching potential sellers can be time-consuming and fraught with challenges. “Flippa as a platform is continuously evolving. Once you start looking at exits or the potential to exit a business, then a platform like Flippa is super useful,” Kumar adds, emphasising the platform's adaptability to the needs of modern entrepreneurs. Another standout feature is its <a href="https://flippa.com/product/deal-room">multi-user Deal Room</a>. This comprehensive digital sales hub allows users to manage the entire sales process for online businesses and digital assets in one place. Sellers can communicate with buyers in real time, filter messages, and review offers and Letters of Intent (LOIs) within the Deal Room itself. This organisation is particularly helpful for entrepreneurs who may be overwhelmed by the volume of inquiries when trying to sell their business. The Deal Room provides real-time notifications about buyer engagement, ensuring that users can respond promptly and keep negotiations moving forward. Buyers are invited to the Deal Room on a scheduled basis, creating a structured interaction environment. <h2>Prioritising Security and Trust</h2>A secure transaction environment is crucial, especially for entrepreneurs new to acquisitions. Flippa’s <a href="https://flippa.com/product/insurance">insurance</a> policies offer this layer of security for both buyers and sellers. The Buyer Protect policy safeguards buyers against financial losses resulting from seller misrepresentation or breaches of warranty, covering up to 100% of the enterprise value of the business. Meanwhile, the Seller Protect policy shields sellers from potential financial losses, creating a balanced environment for transactions. This dual protection reinforces trust and allows the involved parties to focus on growth without worrying about potential hidden risks. <h2>Market Insights for Informed Decision-Making</h2>To further assist users in making informed decisions, <a href="https://flippa.com/product/market-insights/">Flippa Market Insights</a> provides valuable data on online businesses and digital assets. This tool enables users to compare prices of similar businesses, benchmark performance metrics like average order value and customer lifetime value, and access real-time sales data, including historical performance information. Users can filter this data by time period, business model, and price point, ensuring they have the insights needed to navigate the acquisition landscape effectively. Flippa’s expert vetting team reviews the stated financial performance of every asset priced above USD $50,000, providing an additional layer of credibility to the listings. <h2>A Bright Future for Micro-Acquisitions in India</h2>With the Indian startup ecosystem thriving and the appetite for micro-acquisitions only expected to grow, Flippa stands at the forefront by connecting ambitious entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. Whether you’re an established business owner looking to expand your portfolio or a newcomer eager to dip your toes into entrepreneurship, Flippa offers a wealth of opportunities in this exciting landscape. So, if you are interested in starting your exit journey, get a free valuation for your business here - <a href="https://flippa.com/free-valuation">get a FREE valuation</a>. Disclaimer: This article is generated and published by the Insider Studios team. You can get in touch with them on <a href="mailto:insiderstudios@businessinsider.in">insiderstudios@businessinsider.in</a>

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President Droupadi Murmu, on Friday visited an exhibition to showcase space technologies and achievements, at Bharat Mandapam, on the maiden <keyword id="22301946" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="National-Space-Day" source="keywords">National Space Day</keyword>. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and <keyword id="19915124" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ISRO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="ISRO" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="ISRO">ISRO</keyword> Chairman S Somanath were also present. <keyword id="19939985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="President-Murmu" source="keywords">President Murmu</keyword> extended her greetings on the occasion of the first National Space Day and welcomed the decision to celebrate Space Day on the day <keyword id="19990220" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chandrayaan" source="keywords">Chandrayaan</keyword> landed on the <keyword id="19899207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moon" source="keywords">Moon</keyword>. "It was a glorious moment for all the Indians when ISRO's Chandrayaan landed on the moon. I saw the live telecast of that moment, I was so proud that day like other Indians. To celebrate National Space Day on this occasion is a commendable step. I congratulate all of you on the first National Space Day. ISRO has achieved many feats since its inception". She also expressed her happiness with the student's participation in the event "Happy to see students' participation in this event." Highlighting the significance of <keyword id="19929542" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-exploration" source="keywords">space exploration</keyword>, she added "Space exploration has extended human's ability and help complete the imagination of humankind. Space exploration is exciting and challenging at the same time. Health, transportation, environment, energy, security and information technology are benefitted due to the growth in the <keyword id="20242397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-sector" source="keywords">space sector</keyword>". The president termed the growth of the ISRO as extraordinary, "The growth of <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s space sector is extraordinary, be it Mangalyan mission that was accomplished through minimum resources or launching more than 100 satellites at a time. we have achieved many such feats". She also praised the introduction of private players in the space sector in the country, "Introducing of the private sector in Indian has led to the formation of many <keyword id="22829456" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-start-ups" source="keywords">space start-ups</keyword> in India. This has allowed the youths of India to explore the space sector". Expressing her happiness about ISRO's plan to make <keyword id="20793131" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-mission" source="keywords">space mission</keyword> debris-free she said "I am happy that India is moving towards making India's space mission debris-free by 2030". India celebrated its first-ever National Space Day on Friday on the theme "Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga". On 23 August 2023, India achieved a historic milestone when the Chandrayaan-3 lander completed a soft landing on the moon. This remarkable accomplishment made India the 4th country to accomplish this feat and the 1st to land on the lunar South Pole. In recognition of this achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared August 23 as National Space Day.

"A glorious moment for all Indians when Chandrayaan landed on moon" says President Murmu on National Space Day

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some expat Indians are moving back home to launch companies of their own.</li><li>India's booming market size, internet growth, and post-pandemic spending is driving their decision.</li></ul>Nithin Hassan, 41, has always been fascinated with building something of his own.As a child in India, he would get in trouble for dismantling electronics around the house just so he could peek inside.In college, in true <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/startups-to-bet-your-career-on-in-2024-2024-2">startup</a> fashion, he started working on a small business out of his parent's garage in Bengaluru, assembling computers for friends and family.It was the early 2000s and the internet was not the trove of knowledge it is today — Hassan was relying on books to learn. Finding mentorship and the right guidance was a challenge, too.Everyone around Hassan told him that going to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-tips-google-software-engineer-skills-experience-careers-software-tech-2024-3">US for a master's degree</a> was the next big opportunity. So he did.Over the next 16 years, he put his startup plans on hold and worked at some of the world's biggest companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.<div type="image" title="Nithin Hassan" height="2450" width="3266" msid="113831978" hostid="261" sizebytes="215682"></div>But the pandemic felt like a turning point. And its aftermath made India look like a lab-designed business environment: It had just become the world's most populous country, the pandemic had created <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/private-consumption-continues-to-be-supported-by-pent-up-demand-finance-ministry/articleshow/99069973.cms?from=mdr">pent-up demand</a> for consumer products, and growing internet adoption made commerce more scalable, he said.So Hassan left behind about $500,000 in annual pay at Meta to move back to Bengaluru in December 2023 with his wife and two children. He has since launched two startups.Hassan is part of a group of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">expat Indians moving back</a> home to venture out on their own. As such, he's also part of a decades-long trend of reverse migration back to India.The trend began in the 1990s and picked up at the turn of the century, driven by the economic collapse in 2008, said Binod Khadria, the president of Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism. Many of those who returned to India for work were largely working for multinational companies.Today, the impetus for the move often looks a bit different: It's driven by factors like unstable visa policies and economic recessions, which lead to uncertainty when it comes to jobs and duration of stay in these destinations.Many returnees find work in tech, but the finance, retail, and climate sectors also absorb a large number of expat Indians, Khadia said. And some of the returnees are heading back to India to start companies of their own.India is undergoing a startup explosion. The country reported over<a target="_blank" href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2043805"> 140,800 recognized startups</a> at the end of June — nearly 50,000 more than last year — and credited them with creating 1.6 million direct jobs.To be sure, not all of these companies will make it big — and some do still stumble, like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://inc42.com/features/what-are-the-current-problems-being-faced-by-oyo/">Oyo </a>and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/blackrock-hsbc-funds-byjus-startup-valuation-zero-edtech-india-raveendran-2024-6">Byju's</a>. But the chaos, where even established startups are trying and failing, makes India a fair playing field for new entrants, Hassan said.Business Insider spoke to six <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-vc-wants-see-5-traits-new-founders-fundraising-antler-2024-8">first-time founders </a>about why they have recently returned to India after spending several years, or even an adult life, abroad.<h2 id="0e4a3c47-ba19-4690-8b52-c6bfece1c81d">Fastest-growing economy</h2>The health of the economy and interest from investors are fueling the entrepreneurship boom.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-billionaire-karan-adani-plans-challenge-china-dominance-seaports-2024-8">India's economic growth</a> in 2023 — 8.2% — was the fastest of all large economies worldwide. That's led to greater purchasing power, which lets companies, including startups, sell more.India's inflation rate of about 3.5% is well below its annual wage growth of 9.6%. This makes inflation less of a challenge than it is for slower-growing peers, where consumer-focused businesses have been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-jobs-report-sentiment-consumers-elections-recession-inflation-mortgage-rates-2024-9">hurt by high prices</a>.Investors are getting in on the action.From 2015 to 2021, the number of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sequoia-capital-vc-firm-split-china-india-2023-6">unique investors in India</a> nearly quadrupled, though the number is tracking much lower this year, per PitchBook."Other than a slight downturn in 2022 and 2023 due to global macroeconomic factors, VC funding has been consistently growing in India," said Ben Mathias, a managing partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia &amp; India.Besides funding, domestic developments have encouraged founders and VCs too, Mathias said.The Indian government's Universal Payment Interface system has spurred consumers and businesses to pay online, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bcg.com/press/2june2022-digital-payments-in-india-projected-to-reach-10-trillion-by-2026">40% of all digital payments</a> globally happen in India today, the partner said.Programs like Startup India, which provides founders benefits like tax exemption, easier compliance, and funding support, have made creating a company smoother.Devyani Parameshwar worked in the microfinance and fintech space in India in the 2010s before heading to the UK and Africa. She returned to India in 2022 to launch a financial management venture."It's changed dramatically. I remember standing in line at various ministries in Delhi trying to get meetings and then trying to get answers and it wasn't easy in the past," she said of her memories of India.Now, she can use an online platform to ask the country's central bank and banking regulator questions.It's easier than ever for foreign companies to invest in India, which means startups have a clearer exit path through acquisition — something VCs think hard about before entering new markets or writing checks.<h2 id="e5dd7b6f-a09f-4ff2-84c1-5907de96dc5e">Market ripe for the taking</h2>For Rohan Bhide, who spent most of his college and professional life <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-in-big-tech-before-launching-my-own-startup-engineer-2024-9">preparing to launch something of his own</a>, a trip home in 2017 while he was studying in the US was a turning point.Indian telecom giant Reliance had recently launched a cheap unlimited data plan, which spiked Indian internet adoption. India was charting among the countries with the highest online transactions."That really, really drew my attention," said Bhide, who worked at Meta after graduation. "It was my dream come true — a huge market, a huge user base, and at the same time, the ability to adopt technology was incredible."Bhide returned to India in January, leaving behind about $580,000 in total compensation at ticketing platform StubHub. He and a cofounder are working on launching a consumer tech product later this year.<div type="image" title="Rohan Bhide" height="2304" width="3072" msid="113831979" hostid="261" sizebytes="218468"></div>Most Indians grew up wanting to work at a multinational company — but that's changing, Bhide said.Freelancing, running your own business, or working for a startup is much more socially acceptable now, because people see the success of other Indian startups. The country has the third-largest number of "unicorns" — companies worth $1 billion or more — with 64, per PitchBook.<h2 id="7f423804-745b-4e04-a250-839e01663f09">Boom in entrepreneurship culture</h2>A lot has changed since Hassan first wanted to launch his hardware startup in the early 2000s.Tech hot spots like Bengaluru and Gurugram have seen a boom in entrepreneurship culture in the last few years, with meet-ups, networking mixers, and even morning walks with like-minded builders.<div type="image" title="man standing in front of mountains in USA" height="2268" width="3024" msid="113831980" hostid="261" sizebytes="141132"></div>Dhruv Anand, who left Google in the US to move back to India in 2021 to launch an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-most-promising-2024-9">AI startup</a>, said that there were lots of other founders and mentors to help guide him."If you want to figure out who's the right chartered accountant to talk to, who's the right lawyer to help you draft agreements, all of that stuff is very easy," Anand said."It's been a really, really supportive community," Bhide said. There are people "telling you about their entire lives just because they want to help you and they're hoping that you pass the favor onto the next person who moves to India and wants to start their own company."<h2 id="3c8bff36-e855-4530-9b44-bcc7f36b0825">Not everything is perfect</h2>Although these founders made the decision to return to India, that doesn't mean they no longer see the benefits of operating in the US.Ruchit Garg founded an agriculture startup in Silicon Valley in 2016, with a focus on supporting farmers around the globe. In 2019, he returned to India, where his late grandfather worked as a farmer.Garg has been building in India ever since, but he says its startup ecosystem cannot yet compete with the Valley's decades of experience."The overall ecosystem was more mature back in Silicon Valley. It's still one of the best places for entrepreneurs. India isn't there yet, although it's growing pretty drastically," he said.Despite efforts to digitalize key processes, many bureaucratic challenges persist.For most founders, after living in US cities where populations are a fraction of those in Mumbai and Bangalore, congested roads and poorer air quality are also everyday annoyances.But India provides some big perks, including affordable domestic help and the appeal of building solutions for problems they witness firsthand."It's a different joy to be able to build for problems that you feel for very personally," Parameshwar, the fintech founder, said. When she worked in Africa, she needed translators. Now, she can speak with her users herself.Bhide said the general sentiment among local founders is shifting from "Build from India" to "Build for India."For some founders, being surrounded by family and the culture they grew up in was another selling point.Niranjan Vemulkar moved back to India in 2015 and later founded a digital legacy planning platform.He said that he never fully felt at home in the US, where he lived for over a decade."For us, it was the fact that we wanted to raise a family in an environment where the children would have access to the grandparents and Indian culture," Vemulkar said. "The fact that you could come back to India, start something of your own and figure things out in an ecosystem which was potentially booming for startups, was just a cherry on the cake."Are you in India and have a story to share about the tech and entrepreneurship landscape? Please reach out at shubhangigoel@insider.com

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

New Delhi: <keyword id="20845764" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indias-startup-ecosystem" source="keywords">India's startup ecosystem</keyword> experienced a surge in <keyword id="19913965" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="venture-capital" source="keywords">venture capital</keyword> (VC) funding during the first seven months of 2024, raising a total of USD 6.3 billion through 672 deals. This marks a 42.1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in funding value, despite a modest 1.2 per cent rise in deal volume, according to a report by <keyword id="19910824" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GlobalData" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="GlobalData" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="GlobalData">GlobalData</keyword>. The uptick in funding underscores investor confidence in India's <keyword id="21354516" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startup-landscape" source="keywords">startup landscape</keyword>, even as global market conditions remain cautious. An analysis of GlobalData's Deals Database reveals that during the same period in 2023, India saw 664 VC deals with a disclosed funding value of USD 4.4 billion. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, commented on the findings and said, "The massive jump in funding value, despite a modest 1.2 per cent growth in deal volume, can be attributed to some of the big-ticket deals announced during the review period. This also proves that even though VC investors remain cautious there is no dearth of money for promising startups." Some of the most notable <keyword id="20948843" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="VC-funding" source="keywords">VC funding</keyword> deals in India during January-July 2024 include USD 665 million raised by Zepto, USD 300 million by Meesho, USD 216 million by PharmEasy, USD 150 million by Radiance, USD 148 million by Kogta Financial, and USD 120 million by Rapido. India continues to stand out as a key player in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for VC funding, trailing only China. It is also among the top five global markets in terms of both VC deal volume and value. During the January-July 2024 period, India accounted for 7 per cent of the total VC deals announced worldwide, while its share of the disclosed funding value was 4.3 per cent. Bose concluded, "Despite global economic uncertainties, India remains a pivotal market for VC activity, driven by a robust pipeline of promising startups that continue to attract significant capital. This trend reinforces India's position as a critical player in the global venture ecosystem, demonstrating resilience and growth even amid cautious investment sentiment."

First 7 months of FY25 see significant surge in VC funding to India's startups: GlobalData

Hitting a hattrick of 6’s to dazzle the crowd hasn’t been the only cool thing <keyword id="6354832" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MS-dhoni" source="Orion">MS Dhoni</keyword> has been up to of late. The Indian cricketing legend continues to make waves off the pitch in many ways, one of which involves investing in interesting and impactful <keyword id="20067715" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="start-up" source="keywords">start-up</keyword> projects. His latest venture involves an undisclosed investment in <keyword id="20656950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-cycle" source="keywords">electric cycle</keyword> manufacturer <keyword id="20835176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EMotorad" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="EMotorad" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="EMotorad">EMotorad</keyword>. In addition to his financial backing, <keyword id="19896463" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dhoni" source="keywords">Dhoni</keyword> is set to serve as the <keyword id="21321553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brand-endorser" source="keywords">brand endorser</keyword> for the company, further solidifying his role in shaping its future direction. Expressing his excitement for this venture, Dhoni commented: “The future is in our hands. We are in an era where innovation plays a huge role in shaping sustainable solutions, and I’m a fan of new-age companies that build these. EMotorad stands at the forefront of shaping the future of mobility, and I am thrilled to be a part of this journey!” <keyword id="20835175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kunal-Gupta" source="keywords">Kunal Gupta</keyword>, founder and chief executive of EMotorad, expressed confidence that MS Dhoni's association with the brand will significantly boost awareness and trust in the e-biking sector. He told ET: “There is no one better and more reliable than Dhoni who resonates with what our brand stands for, an avid biker himself.” <div type="twitter" handle="e_motorad" handlename="e_motorad" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1776119471704608843"></div> This Pune-based startup now joins a growing list of startups that are part of Dhoni's diverse portfolio, which includes ventures spanning various sectors such as fitness, technology, automotive and digital solutions. As per The Economic Times, notable among his investments are Bengaluru-based fitness startup Tagda Raho, digital lending platform Khatabook, and Gurugram-based used car retailer Cars24. Founded in 2020 by Kunal Gupta, Rajib Gangopadhyay, Aditya Oza and Sumedh Battewar, EMotorad has rapidly gained traction in the Indian e-cycle market, capturing a 65% share. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, the company aims to revolutionise transportation by offering high-quality and value-driven solutions. Back in November 2023, EMotorad demonstrated its growth potential by securing substantial funding worth Rs 164 crore in a Series B round led by Panthera Growth Partners. It has raised a total of $20 million in equity thus far. The company boasts a network of more than 350 dealers nationwide, along with over 10 experience centres. Despite its strong foundation in India, its reach spans across eight countries, demonstrating its global presence and influence. Offline dominance aside, EMotorad also leverages online platforms to reach a wider audience, including e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart. In the fiscal year ending March 2024, EMotorad reported sales of Rs 140 crore, a notable increase from Rs 115 crore the previous year. Looking ahead to FY25, the company targets sales of Rs 270 crore, with approximately Rs 130 crore stemming from domestic markets and the remainder anticipated from regions like the US and Europe. With plans underway for a new factory and the development of innovative e-cycle designs, EMotorad is poised for further expansion. By diversifying its product range, expanding its market reach, and now partnering with one of the most beloved sporting figures in the country, the company is fully committed to solidifying its position as a leader in the evolving mobility landscape. (With inputs from The Economic Times)

Dhoni goes electric: Former team India captain invests in affordable e-bike start-up EMotorad

Imagine a bustling jewellery market teeming with diamonds and gold. Amidst this glittering chaos, a small stall is trying to sell handcrafted gemstones. Even as newer and shinier outlets keep cropping up, all vying for attention, this gemstone store offers some of the oldest yet valuable jewels at a discount. Though they lack immediate sparkle, these rare gems reveal their value to the discerning buyer. This is how South Korea appears for many experts in global capital markets: a trove of undervalued gems, overshadowed by brighter, more aggressively marketed investment options. This undervaluation, known as the "<keyword id="24399183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="korean-discount" source="keywords">Korean Discount</keyword>," reflects how South Korean companies are priced much lower than their global peers despite robust fundamentals — strong financial performance and consistent profitability. Contributing factors are many, ranging from opaque governance structures to geopolitical risks. But the fact stays, if you are a seasoned conglomerate listed in South Korea, you are likely undervalued. <keyword id="19906087" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hyundai" source="keywords">Hyundai</keyword> Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), a subsidiary of the Korean giant Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), recently sought to escape this valuation trap by listing in India, a market where investor optimism commands premium pricing. But its valuation raised many eyebrows! Now that a month and a half has gone by since its listing, time is apt to examine if this gamble paid off. Will <keyword id="93460" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hyundai-india" source="Orion">Hyundai India</keyword> justify its high valuation? Or does the listing highlight broader questions about the overheated valuation dynamics of Indian markets? A record-breaking <keyword id="19898327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ipo" source="keywords">IPO</keyword> but questions remain Hyundai Motor India’s mega Initial Public Offering (IPO), launched in October 2024, broke records by raising ₹27,870 crore, making it India’s largest-ever IPO. The offer was oversubscribed by 2.37 times, highlighting robust demand. But many investors remained sceptical: was this IPO an honest attempt to expand Hyundai’s footprint in India or was it trying to offer a way to cashout for existing investors and promoters? Or perhaps, is it an attempt by the Korean chaebol — a large family-owned business conglomerate — to break free from the aforementioned “Korean Discount”? When shares listed on October 22, these concerns seemingly weighed on the minds of most investors and the stock promptly dipped 5% below the issue price on the day. A tepid grey market performance had already foreshadowed this muted debut in the Indian markets. Now, after almost 35 trading sessions on Indian market, the stock remains almost exactly at price it listed on October 22 at Rs 1820—no gain, no loss. <h3>The gamble of hyper-valuation</h3>Much of this hesitation stemmed from Hyundai’s valuation. On listing, Hyundai was valued at $18 billion, positioning it as one of India’s most valuable automotive companies. However, such high valuations often temper investor enthusiasm, resulting in more cautious short-term outcomes. For most investors, the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is the most preferred parameter to gauge if a company is overvalued or undervalued. With a P/E ratio of 26.3, HMIL was priced significantly above the Indian automotive industry average of 24.4. Globally, automotive companies operate with much lower P/E ratios, reflecting mature market conditions and slower growth trajectories. HMIL’s South Korean parent Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) trades at a meagre 3.07, believe it or not! For Indian investors, the high premium hinted at overvaluation despite Hyundai’s strong domestic position. Such stark difference in valuation obviously sparked debates — is the Indian market assigning a premium to Hyundai Motor India’s growth potential, or is it simply reflecting the general exuberance around the prospects of the Indian economy? Another concern is the allocation of IPO proceeds. Hyundai’s IPO was structured as an offer for sale (OFS), meaning all funds raised would flow to the parent company rather than Hyundai India’s operations. Although Hyundai has committed to investing in R&amp;D for EVs and hybrids, critics argue that the lack of immediate reinvestment in India’s operations reflects a missed opportunity for domestic growth. Despite the early disappointment, Hyundai was confident that the valuation was fair. It did have some factors going for it, in addition to the fact that other auto giants like Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and <keyword id="19909974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="keywords">Maruti Suzuki</keyword> command even higher P/E ratios. And looking at the company fundamentals, it does seem like Hyundai is playing a long-term game. <h3>Hyundai in India: A proven track record</h3>Despite the initial stumble, Hyundai India’s long-term story is compelling. Since entering the Indian market in 1996, the automaker has sold over 8 million vehicles and firmly occupies the second spot in the domestic passenger vehicle market, trailing only Maruti Suzuki. Hyundai’s blockbuster SUV offerings, like the Creta and Venue, have been critical in building this dominance. Despite some challenge from Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Tata Punch, Creta has retained the tag of ‘most-selling SUV in India’ successfully so far this year. <div type="image" title="Hyundai" agency="Business Insider India" msid="116156234" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Selling over 17,000 units per month on average this year, Creta has edged past major competitors to be the most-selling SUV in India in 2024. As Indian consumers preference continues to shift gradually towards premium products over budget segments, Hyundai stands to benefit (Wikimedia Commons / Canva)&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Selling over 17,000 units per month on average, Creta has edged past major competitors to be the most-selling SUV in India in 2024. As Indian consumers preference continues to shift gradually towards premium products over budget segments, Hyundai stands to benefit (Wikimedia Commons / Canva) Hyundai India’s market share of 14% in October 2024 underscores its clout. The company’s ability to tap into India’s premiumisation trend, where consumers increasingly prefer high-end vehicles, positions it well for growth. With plans to expand in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid technology, Hyundai is poised to capitalise on both domestic demand and export opportunities. The company’s ability to capitalize on its strong brand, extensive dealer network, and leadership in segments like SUVs and exports will determine its future performance. Hyundai’s strategic focus on expanding electric vehicle production also aligns with global trends towards sustainability, potentially positioning it as a leader in the segment. By listing in India, Hyundai aims not only to expand its operations but also to make India a global manufacturing and export hub for its products, especially SUVs and EVs. Therefore, despite early setbacks, Hyundai’s gamble seems to have paid off. The stock has rebounded, gaining 5% in the past month. More good news came in this week, as positive projections from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan forecast an impressive 17-28% upside for the stock over the next year, reflecting growing investor optimism. <h3>A strategic pivot from the Korean Discount?</h3>The Korean Discount has long plagued South Korea’s chaebols, including Hyundai. Experts attribute this to several factors: <ul> <li>Chaebol Governance: South Korea’s conglomerates, known as chaebols, are often criticised for opaque governance structures and excessive family control.</li> <li>Geopolitical Risks: Tensions with North Korea contribute to investor caution, adding a layer of perceived risk.</li> <li>Limited Domestic Liquidity: South Korea’s relatively small investor base can constrain market activity and valuation potential.</li> </ul> By listing in India, Hyundai sought to unlock better valuations for its subsidiary, leveraging the optimism of Indian markets. India’s stock market has a trailing P/E ratio of 24.4, far above South Korea’s Kospi average of 16-17. The Indian market’s appetite for high-growth stories provides a fertile ground for companies like Hyundai to escape the valuation constraints of their home market. A successful IPO could encourage other such conglomerates to follow suit, setting a precedent. While Hyundai India has a robust track record, its future success hinges on navigating key challenges: <ul> <li>Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Hyundai relies heavily on its Chennai plant, making it vulnerable to disruptions.</li> <li>Intensifying Competition: Domestic rivals like <keyword id="19906967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-motors" source="keywords">Tata Motors</keyword> and MG Motors are making aggressive inroads into the EV market.</li> <li>Policy Risks: The automotive sector’s reliance on government incentives for EVs and hybrids adds a layer of unpredictability.</li> </ul> High valuations come with risks. Hyundai will need to prove that it can sustain its growth trajectory in India, fend off competition from established players like Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, and navigate challenges such as supply chain disruptions and regulatory hurdles. If Hyundai successfully capitalises on its strong brand and market leadership, it could not only redefine its value but also serve as a case study for other Korean companies seeking better recognition and valuations in global markets. <h3>Is Hyundai saga a reflection of overheated Indian markets?</h3>The bigger question here is, does Hyundai’s IPO highlights a broader narrative about Indian markets’ premium valuations? With a trailing P/E ratio of 24.4, Nifty 50 index is among the highest in emerging markets. India’s stock markets consistently command a premium due to robust retail participation, strong economic growth prospects, and a burgeoning middle class. While this premium reflects optimism about India’s long-term growth story, it also signals potential risks of overvaluation, particularly in sectors like technology, automotive, and consumer goods. With a record ₹94,017 crore outflow by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in October 2024, concerns about overheated valuations are mounting. Sustaining such unprecedented valuations required companies to consistently perform above global averages, and retaining robust earnings growth quarter after quarter remains a challenge in today’s uncertain world. For Hyundai, the high valuation is both an opportunity and a risk. While it underscores investor confidence, it narrows the margin of safety, making the stock vulnerable to corrections during economic downturns. Take for example, the high-profile IPO of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) that raised over ₹21,000 crore. Its listing was met with disappointment as the stock began trading at a 9% discount to its issue price, and subsequent performance has remained subdued. LIC’s post-IPO journey also highlights how inflated valuations can lead to long-term underperformance, as the stock gave only 12% return over the past 30 months when even the Nifty 50 index went up by over 44%. This happens when when the company's growth narrative fails to align with its pricing. Despite being a household name with a dominant market share, LIC's stock has struggled to meet expectations, partly due to concerns about its operating efficiency and the limited use of IPO proceeds for growth initiatives. Make no mistake, Hyundai Motor India’s IPO is a landmark event! It showcases the potential for Korean companies to leverage emerging markets like India for better valuations. It also shows that strong fundamentals can help justify a company such premium valuations even amidst bearish economic prospects. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of overvaluation. For Hyundai, the next steps involve proving its long-term growth story, navigating competitive challenges, and maintaining investor confidence. For Indian markets, Hyundai’s IPO underscores the need to balance optimism with realistic expectations as they continue to evolve as global investment hotspots. To sustain the country’s economic narrative as a land of unmatched opportunities, corporate India must work on improving long-term fundamentals and mitigating long-term risks. As global investors watch closely, Hyundai India’s success or failure could shape how international companies view India as a listing destination in the years to come.

Tackling the 'Korean Discount': A deep dive into curious case of Hyundai Motor India's market listing

PRNewswire—Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 19: <keyword id="1606194" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aereo" source="Orion">Aereo</keyword>, India's leading <keyword id="22468617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-based-business-intelligence" source="Orion">drone-based business intelligence</keyword> provider, has successfully closed a <keyword id="22468616" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="USD-15-million" source="Orion">USD 15 million</keyword> <keyword id="1095983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Series-B-funding" source="Orion">Series B funding</keyword> round led by 360 ONE Asset. The round saw participation from long-standing investors StartupXseed Ventures and Navam Capital. Aereo delivers <keyword id="20829411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-intelligence" source="keywords">business intelligence</keyword> solutions to help manage large capital assets using proprietary drones and an AI-powered data analytics platform. Their sector-specific solutions cater to mining, infrastructure, urban and rural development, land records, and other industries translating into a 400% revenue growth in the last two years and market dominance. Vipul Singh, co-founder and CEO of Aereo, stated, "This funding milestone enables us to expand our <keyword id="22468614" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aerial-intelligence" source="keywords">aerial intelligence</keyword> solutions for capital asset management. With our proprietary drone tech and 360 ONE Asset's partnership, we aim to revolutionise this $10 billion industry and create a global footprint." <keyword id="22468618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Suhas-Banshiwala" source="Orion">Suhas Banshiwala</keyword>, co-founder and CTO of Aereo, stated, "Our vision is to continuously innovate drone manufacturing and data analytics for the greater good. We are excited about the confidence our customers and shareholders have shown and are gearing up for an orbital shift." Aereo has been recognised by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as one of the top three infra-tech organisations. As a technology partner for Coal India Limited's Digicoal initiative, Aereo provides critical business intelligence for some of the world's largest coal mines for improving productivity, efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance. It has also been empanelled with Tata Steel since 2019, aiding the digitalisation of over 27 critical mines and stockyards. Over the past three years, Aereo has achieved significant milestones, including mapping over 45,000 villages under the SVAMITVA scheme and covering more than 50,000 sq. km of land area for the Digital India Land Record Modernisation Program (DILRMP). The Series B investment serves as a powerful catalyst for Aereo's growth, with a key focus on automation. Their AI-powered drone data analytics platform is set to revolutionise automation and digitisation. With strategic partnerships, R&amp;D, and new product development, Aereo is ready to lead the global <keyword id="22468613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-solutions" source="keywords">drone solutions</keyword> sector. Karan Ahuja, Fund Manager at 360 ONE, remarked, "We're thrilled with the momentum in the <keyword id="22468615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="commercial-drone" source="keywords">commercial drone</keyword> tech sector in India. Our partnership with Aereo reflects our belief in their cutting-edge innovations, and we're excited for their solutions to go global." Ravi Thakur, Co-Founding Partner at StartupXseed, added, "Aereo has been a trailblazer from the start, delivering exceptional solutions and building the drone ecosystem. We're excited to support them in their next major growth phase."

Aereo, India's leading commercial drone solutions startup, secures USD 15 million in Series B funding round

The <keyword id="6354872" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="economic-survey" source="Orion">Economic Survey</keyword>, which was tabled earlier today by Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="Orion">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> estimated that in 2022-23, India's total workforce stood at nearly 56.5 crore. However, as data from the recent Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS) notes, their distribution is highly skewed, with over 45% of them engaged in agriculture, followed by 28.9% in services, 13% in construction, and 11.4% in manufacturing. At the same time, while the agriculture sector has grown at about 4.18% at constant prices over the last 5 years, India's service sector is estimated to have grown by around 7.6% in just the last financial year, as provisional estimates suggest. As such, the continued dominance of the agriculture sector as an employer, particularly when it comes to women, is concerning, especially as India's service sector, which contributes about 55% to the total size of economy, demands increasingly more workers, who possess specific, focused skill sets (think blockchain, AI, machine learning, 3D printing, web development and more). <h2>Encouraging trends</h2>The unemployment rate amongst youth, or those aged between 15-29 has come down sharply to 10% in 2022-23, from 17.8% in 2017-18. Nearly 75% of all new subscribers on EPFO payroll, a gauge for formal employment generation, are aged between 18 and 28. But while our economy keeps pace with employing young population, a staggering 57.3% of this workforce is self-employed, while another 18.3% work as unpaid laborers in households. The most prominent participant in both these categories happen to be women. As for regular wage or salaried workers, they constitute merely 20.9% of the workforce. Casual labor, characterized by sporadic, intermittent terms of employment, makes up for 21.8% of the workforce. Its not as if female labor workforce participation (FLFPR) is dwindling. In fact, as the survey notes, it has been rising for the last 6 years, with rural FLFPR inching up by 16.9 percentage points between 2017-18 and 2022-23. But the same rise is not to be seen in urban FLFPR, which inched up a meagre 5% to 25.4% in 2022-23. Pan-India, women participation in workforce jumped to 37%, largely driven by the thrust in rural FLFPR. The growth in terms of wages per worker in rural areas between FY15-22 was also higher in rural areas at 6.9%, as compared to 6.1% in urban areas. So, what can be done to rationalize this lopsidedness in employment? <h2>Developing the care economy </h2>In order to cater to the requirements of the growing workforce, the survey estimated that India will have to annually generate around 78.5 lakh non-farm jobs annually till 2030. And with India's care needs set to grow significantly in the next 25 years, it is time to develop India's care economy. Consider this-by 2050, the population of those aged between 0-14 years will decline to 18%, or 30 crore people, while those aged above 60 will swell to 20.8%, or a massive 34.7 crore person. Both these segments will need considerable care, which is currently an unpaid job both employed and unemployed women already undertake. Per NSO’s time use statistics for 2019, working-age women in India spend 5.6 hours per day on unpaid work, as opposed to just 30 mins for men. Even employed women end up spending 6x more time on unpaid care, compared to their male counterparts. As it is, studies notes that an additional hour of caregiving per day reduces women’s labor market participation by 20 percentage points, while having no effect on men. A recent report by CII pegged the economic value of women's unpaid domestic and care work to be a staggering 15-17% of GDP. As it is, care economy is one of the fastest growing sectors, expected to generate around 475 million jobs globally. In India, an investment of just 2% of GDP could lead to 11 million new jobs, 70% of which will go to women, accelerating their participation in labor force, the survey revealed. As such, developing India's care economy, both for catering to its young and silver dividend, will become a cornerstone for employment related policies in the times to come.

Economic Survey 2023-24: Where does India stand on the employment, and what's next?

The <keyword id="19905108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-defence" source="keywords">Ministry of Defence</keyword> has sanctioned over Rs 300 crore through its <keyword id="20416767" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="technology-development-fund" source="keywords">Technology Development Fund</keyword> (TDF) to create an ecosystem aimed at enhancing capabilities in cutting-edge technology and promoting '<keyword id="20460685" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aatmanirbharta" source="keywords">Aatmanirbharta</keyword>' in defence, an official statement said on Thursday. The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Defence, executed by <keyword id="19948662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drdo" source="keywords">DRDO</keyword> under the '<keyword id="20018809" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="make-in-india" source="keywords">Make in India</keyword>' initiative. Under this initiative, the government provides grants-in-aid to Indian industries, including <keyword id="19910977" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="msmes" source="keywords">MSMEs</keyword> and <keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">startups</keyword>, as well as academic and scientific institutions, for the development of defence and dual-use technologies that are currently not available in the Indian defence industry. With these initiatives, the Ministry aims to engage private industries, especially MSMEs and startups, to foster a culture of design and development in military technology and support them with grants-in-aid. The TDF seeks to enhance the capacity and capability of Indian industries for the design and development of defence technologies in the country. It aims to create an R&amp;D ecosystem where industry and academia work together to meet the current and future requirements of the Armed Forces and the defence sector. The government aims to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence technology by building a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The <keyword id="19910956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="defence-ministry" source="keywords">Defence Ministry</keyword> on Wednesday highlighted several successful startups benefiting from the scheme. Pune-based startup <keyword id="22281521" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Combat-Robotics" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Combat Robotics" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Combat Robotics">Combat Robotics</keyword>, with the help of the scheme, has successfully developed an innovative simulator for <keyword id="20146841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="unmanned-vehicles" source="keywords">unmanned vehicles</keyword>. This multi-domain simulator supports unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), serving as an excellent development tool for agencies working on autonomous systems. Another Pune-based defence equipment startup, ChiStats Labs Private Limited, is developing virtual sensors for aero gas turbine engine health monitoring, which helps to increase the operational reliability and longevity of the engines. The system is built on modern artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) technologies. Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt. Ltd., under the project titled 'Autonomous Drone as First Responder for Search and Report Operations in Enclosed/Indoor Environments', has created a cutting-edge UAV capable of exploring indoor environments under various conditions, including zero light. The success of this project will open up various applications, including search and rescue operations, surveillance, industrial inspections, environmental monitoring, and hazardous environment exploration, contributing significantly to technological advancements in unmanned aerial systems, the Ministry added. The technology has been developed under the technical guidance and mentorship of CAIR, Bengaluru.

Defence ministry allocates Rs 300 cr for technology development fund to promote Make in India products

New Delhi: Having marked a 20-year milestone in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>, global tech giant <keyword id="19902762" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Google" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Google">Google</keyword> is upbeat about its next innings here with Artificial Intelligence (<keyword id="19899640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="keywords">AI</keyword>) playing a big role in it, India MD <keyword id="23412065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Roma-Datta-Chobey" source="keywords">Roma Datta Chobey</keyword> said on Thursday, adding that the company is aligning its vision and strategy fully to the country's growth and ambitions. In an interview to PTI, Chobey said Google believes that AI should be regulated but in a way that strikes a fine balance between user benefit -- which is "still at a nascent stage" -- and at the same time, fosters innovation. India is a very important market for Google, she said, underlining the company's deep commitment in areas spanning AI, payments, <keyword id="20055897" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Pixel" source="keywords">Google Pixel</keyword> manufacturing and skilling amongst others. To a question on the concerns flagged by some Indian startups on alleged anti-competitive practices, Chobey said Google has been "deeply and closely" partnering and working with the startup ecosystem in the country, and that millions of apps are hosted on <keyword id="22336128" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Playstore" source="keywords">Google Playstore</keyword>. "As Google, we've been deeply partnering with the startup ecosystem, and on Google Play, we host millions of apps...we also invest in training Android developers... "So I think we've been deeply and closely working with the startup ecosystem in India, and we remain committed and will continue to do so through India digitisation fund... We have startup accelerators, we have dedicated AI startup accelerators where startups are able to access our advanced technology, work closely with us, and that work is only increasing," she said. Google has completed 20-year milestone in India, and is looking forward to the next 20 years in which "AI is going to play a big role here", she observed. "When it comes to AI, we are focused on three pillars. The first one is how are we leveraging AI to help every individual in the country. The best way we, as Google, can do it is by using AI to democratise information as well as opportunity. "When we talk about skilling, etc, that talks to the opportunity bit. Secondly, we want to really play a significant role in developing the already-thriving AI ecosystem in India, by investing in infrastructure, by scaling the AI engine. And of course, we will do all of this very, very responsibly, sustainably and inclusively," she said. The third pillar in Google AI strategy is around building for the future, she said. "...to create a really thriving workforce that is primed to be successful in the AI-powered world. That space is evolving and evolving fast, and we want to keep pace with it. I also want to add here that we as part of Google India team feel so proud that there's so much work that's happening in India which is not just solving for India, it's solving (things) globally," Chobey said. Google on Thursday lined up a slew of AI-powered innovations, announced Indian language capabilities for Gemini Live, and unveiled new updates for Google Lens, Google Maps, as well as Google Pay at the tenth edition of 'Google for India' event in New Delhi. The Google top boss asserted that India is and will remain an important market for the company. "From Google's perspective, India has always been a very important market for us. We've always very uniquely solved for India, worked locally with partners, we spoke of 'India digitization fund'... We started Pixel (phone) manufacturing here... I spoke about GPay... So that continues. India for Google is a very important market, both from a user perspective, but also from the kind of research development that is happening," she said. Google, she said, is aligning its goals to India's growth and vision. "Today, we have over 10,000 Googlers, working out of India for India and other markets as well. And we have presence across 5 cities, so multiple offices here, that's really, really important... When it comes to India, I always say this - what is good for India, is good for Google... "So we are very finely integrating our objectives, our vision, to what is really good for India, and will continue to do so," she said, adding that India will remain a very important market for the company. Google is leveraging India to not just solve local challenges, but also global ones, Chobey added. The first Made-in-India Google Pixel 8 devices started rolling off production lines in August in India. "Watch out the space... we will talk about it more. But we're really, really happy and proud about the fact that we have started manufacturing Pixel 8 in India. Of course, we have now also have service centers in India. Google Pixel 9 is available on Flipkart, through Croma tie up...Reliance digital tie ups...and so on so forth. So we are really invested in this space," she said.

Looking ahead at our next 20 years in India, AI will play big role here: Google India MD

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Rohan Bhide always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur.</li><li>He worked at Meta right after his 2018 graduation.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rohan Bhide, who moved from New York to Pune, India in 2024 to launch his startup. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.I always knew I wanted to build something of my own.I came up with my first idea in my second year of college, when I was studying overseas at the University of Pennsylvania. During a trip back home to India, I built a version of a learning management system and reached out to schools to try to get them to adopt it.It didn't work out, but I learned an important lesson about myself. I realized that I loved how <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-everyone-in-tech-talking-founder-mode-paul-graham-chesky-2024-9">founders end up wearing so many hats</a>. You're not just an engineer or a product designer, but you're also a content creator, lawyer, and accountant.That drove every single other career decision I made in my professional career.<h2 id="4f8c8e65-9eb7-42ad-afb1-519b1bff5078">Step 1: Take a job with Meta</h2>I'm a risk-averse person, and launching a business straight out of college didn't feel like an option. So I started preparing to be a founder and collecting experiences that would help down the line.Even early on, I was sure I wanted to work on building consumer products. When it was time to look for jobs, I only <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-tips-google-software-engineer-skills-experience-careers-software-tech-2024-3">applied to Meta and Google</a>, companies well known for developing products for the masses.I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-write-big-tech-resume-google-meta-product-manager-2024-6">interned with Meta</a> and landed a full time role at the company after graduating in 2018. The offer was a huge deal for me, and I remember calling my parents back home to share the news right away.My family knew my long-term goal was to work for myself, and they worried that the years would pass and I would never leave Big Tech and its comforts.At Meta, I was careful to select projects that would enable me to become a jack of all trades. I was taking on projects where I could work across several different domains instead of specializing in computer vision or machine learning, for example. I earned a reputation for being an engineer that could get things out the door — whether it was by learning the technology myself or by putting together other engineers for the project.<h2 id="5a48931f-43ad-49e7-9b5a-c1c1087c0cbc">Step 2: Quit Meta to see how startups work</h2>After four years at Meta, I understood that big companies have a way of pigeonholing employees into one role, and I felt like my learning had stagnated.I quit Meta in 2022 and moved to the ticketing platform StubHub, a smaller company. I had an engineering role there, too, but I was also tasked with cross-functional roles like product management and data analysis. I learned how startups had to iterate quickly and work with limited resources. It gave me my first experience leading a team, which I really enjoyed.Besides gaining technical skills, I was also saving so that I could eventually bootstrap my own company. After work, I took online courses to learn accounting and finance and spent time with my brothers, who have experience in management and venture capital.<h2 id="4fb93422-62bd-4fb5-8c57-a5dc6210ae62">Step 3: Moving to India</h2>Living in the US, launching a startup in Silicon Valley felt like an obvious choice, but I was more <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-vc-wants-see-5-traits-new-founders-fundraising-antler-2024-8">excited about business prospects back home in India</a>. Internet adoption had skyrocketed since I left in 2014; the population size made it a hotbed for a consumer tech product; and government initiatives like an instant payments system and acceptance toward greater tech adoption made doing business a lot easier. I knew that if I were to set up my own business, it would be for the Indian market.I finally made the call to move home last year after my fiancée proposed to me. We knew we wanted to settle down in India, and our wedding next year became a deadline to get the ball rolling. We decided I would return first, and I quit my job at StubHub and moved back in January this year.My friends had bets on whether I would ever leave the US or a salaried job, and I managed to shock them and collect some money when I announced my decision to quit.I left behind $580,000 in total compensation at the company.<div type="image" title="Two startup founders standing in front of a background with a world map." height="1869" width="2491" msid="113444544" hostid="261" sizebytes="307874"></div>Since then, I have brought on a cofounder, a high school friend who also moved back from the US a couple of years ago. We are working on launching a consumer tech product in the next few months.I love being back, especially because it means being close to my family and my culture again. There are challenges, too — I've had to get used to driving on India's busy roads.Even though I'm glad to be back in India, I definitely think the US is my second home now. I was visiting my fiancée in New York this summer and felt a bit sad when I got on a plane back to India. It's a strange situation, because I always felt upset every time I got on a plane to the US over the years.Are you a startup founder and have a story to share about your unique career journey? Please reach out at shubhangigoel@insider.com

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"A glorious moment for all Indians when Chandrayaan landed on moon" says President Murmu on National Space Day

ANI

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

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First 7 months of FY25 see significant surge in VC funding to India's startups: GlobalData

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Dhoni goes electric: Former team India captain invests in affordable e-bike start-up EMotorad

Kunal Kambli

Tackling the 'Korean Discount': A deep dive into curious case of Hyundai Motor India's market listing

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Aereo, India's leading commercial drone solutions startup, secures USD 15 million in Series B funding round

ANI

Economic Survey 2023-24: Where does India stand on the employment, and what's next?

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Defence ministry allocates Rs 300 cr for technology development fund to promote Make in India products

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Looking ahead at our next 20 years in India, AI will play big role here: Google India MD

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I always knew I wanted to launch a startup in India — so I made 2 key career moves in the US first to minimize the risks

Shubhangi Goel

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