Why Google will succeed where Microsoft failed Back in 1997, Microsoft announced the acquisition of a company called WebTV. WebTV’s product was a set top box with a 100Mhz processor, 2MB RAM and 2MB ROM. Using a built in dial-up modem, subscribers could browse the web, watch TV as they browsed the web and record […]
Dotcom has Enabled ‘Choice Entrepreneurship’ in India (From WSJ)
It was September 2000 and I was waiting for my U.S. work permit to join one of the big five consulting firms. Obviously, I was excited and had already started dreaming the American Dream. Interrupting the day dream was a call from one of my Indian Institute of Technology batch-mates – “We are opening a […]
WSJ – iPad for Small Businesses in India
I penned some thoughts on how iPad kind of device can be used to create SAAS offerings for SMB customers in India, across healthcare, hospitality and other sectors. The ease of use led by touch interface, the table top usage scenario, bundling hardware with software and service, and disconnected operations could be some of the […]
Potential of Mobile as a platform for new ventures
In December 2009, mobile data traffic (surfing the net, checking email, exploring social networks etc.) officially exceeded the volume of voice calls across the world’s wireless networks for the first time. Global data traffic has nearly tripled in each of the last few years with some 400 million mobile broadband subscribers generating more traffic than […]
DreamCatchers! Call to Action
I am very grateful to you all for the response to my previous article: Funding for Real Innovation in India ! Unavailable. Many of you wrote to me as well as extended action/offers to the DCE AUV team. What was however in my opinion the best outcome, happened right in the beginning: Bharat (Delhi/VIN Industries) […]
GrowVC – community angel investing
Interesting concept here – www.growvc.com – entrepreneurs can now raise money from the community, kiva style. And they can invest their money into other startups to diversify their risk. With some strong on-ground facilitation (and an incentive model for the same) this can work… Thoughts? 0
Building the Green Entrepreneurial Ecosystem city by Indian city
“The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. “ This is what President Obama said in his recent State of the Union address. Building the clean energy economy is not easy. Entrepreneurs have to start building businesses, investors will have to understanding them and professionals will […]
The Largest gathering of Cleantech companies in India
TiE Hyderabad organized the ‘Largest Gathering of Cleantech Companies in India’. The conference was held in partnership with Nexus, SONG and New Ventures India. The event was a focused “no-frills†networking event of investors and entrepreneurs. The day was divided into 4 sections: Smart Grid, Energy Efficiency, Recycling and Renewable Energy. Companies operating in each […]
Why India needs more tech software companies?
We have seen lots and lots of startup companies coming up in our country since last few years. Companies ranging from matrimonial websites, job portals to even companies helping people sell their used online stuff. Now and then we keep getting portals which fall into larger categories of a specific list of online portals, some […]
B2B Internet Businesses
As we announced our investment in MotorExchange; I thought to bounce my views on broader B2B plays. In last couple of years, I have noticed two broad growth challenges in Indian internet start ups: 1.) Last mile penetration – This is function of internet penetration in the country and the growth is still incremental. We […]
Funding for Real Innovation in India! UNAVAILABLE
If you look carefully at the blue fish in the water below, you can discern INDIA written faintly on the body. Well it is not a fish but India’s first indigenous designed Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). I have a story about it for you. I first met Ammar in Delhi after he reached me through […]
Positioning to Win is the theme for the NASSCOM Product Conclave 2009 ...
It is time yet again for NASSCOM Product Conclave, India’s leading and most prestigious platform for the burgeoning software product development community. The exhibition-cum-conference, a Mecca for the country’s “software product†innovators, will be held in Bangalore on October 27-28, for the third consecutive year. 0