Founders Unfiltered

Join us as we talk to Sumeet Mehta, the Co-Founder and CEO of LEAD Group about their story. Sumeet earned his Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering at PEC, followed by an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad in 1999. After his MBA, he delved into brand management at Procter & Gamble, Singapore, and later served as CEO at Zee Learn for almost five years. In 2012, he co-founded LEAD School. 🏢 About LEAD Group: LEAD, India's largest school EdTech unicorn, strives to revolutionize schools for a confident India. With a vast network of over 9000 LEAD partner schools, LEAD impacts over 5 million students across 400+ cities in India.

Join us as we talk to Sneh Jain, the Co-founder of The Baker’s Dozen about their story. Sneh Jain completed his B.Tech degree at UDCT, Mumbai, and subsequently an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad in 2009. He gained professional experience at renowned firms such as Cipla and Orchid Pharma before serving as a consultant at McKinsey & Company post his MBA. In 2012, alongside his wife, Aditi Handa, he co-founded The Baker’s Dozen. 🏢 About The Baker’s Dozen: The Baker’s Dozen is a neighbourhood artisan bakery specializing in a wide range of international baked goods, with a focus on delivering high-quality, freshly made European breads and pastries.

Join us as we talk to Ramaswamy Iyer, the Founder and CEO of Vayana Network about their story. Ramaswamy completed his Bachelor of Engineering at VJTI, Mumbai, followed by an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. Subsequently, he gained experience as a senior consultant at Accenture. Additionally, he played a pivotal role as a Co-founder of CashTech Solutions, later acquired by Fundtech. Following this, he Co-founded Clayfin in 2009 and eventually founded Vayana Network in 2017. 🏢 About Vayana Network: Vayana, India's top supply chain finance platform, offers trade credit and trade enablement solutions for all supply chain tiers. It has facilitated financing of over USD 30 billion across 3,000+ supply chains and 3,00,000+ enterprises. It spans 600 cities and 2000+ pin codes, focusing on MSMEs.

Join us as we talk to Mohit Bedi, the co-founder of Kiwi about their story. Mohit pursued his MBA degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Management in 2000. Subsequently, he held positions such as Product Manager at GE, AVP and Product Head at Citi Bank, Head of Bancassurance at Barclays, Head of Credit Cards at Standard Chartered Bank, SVP and Business Head at Axis Bank, and Senior Vice President at PayU. Finally, in 2022, he co-founded Kiwi. 🏢 About Kiwi: Kiwi introduces an innovative payment solution that combines the advantages of a credit card with the ease of UPI payments. With Kiwi, users can experience the seamless blend of credit card perks and the simplicity of UPI transactions, marking a significant shift in India's payment landscape. 🌐 For more visit - https://ajuniorvc.com/podcast/

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin. Join us as we talk to Anshuman Singh, the Co-Founder of Scaler about their story. Anshuman graduated with a B.Tech in Computer Science from IIIT Hyderabad in 2010. As a college student, he excelled as a two-time ACM ICPC World Finalist. He began his career as an intern at Directi before joining Facebook's US office. Later, he moved to Facebook's London office, contributing significantly to tech recruitment. In 2015, he co-founded InterviewBit, followed by Scaler in 2019. 🏢 About Scaler: Scaler offers comprehensive programs for individuals looking to enhance their coding skills and pursue successful careers in software engineering or data science. The curriculum is industry-ready and taught by expert instructors, fostering a supportive learning environment.

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin. Join us as we talk to Yamini Bhat, the Co-founder & CEO of Vymo about their story. In 2004, Yamini completed her Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from BITS Pilani, followed by her MBA from IIM Bangalore in 2007. She gained internship experience at Goldman Sachs, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and INSEAD before joining McKinsey & Company as an engagement manager. In May 2013, she co-founded Vymo. 🏢 About Vymo: Vymo is a sales engagement platform designed for financial institutions, prioritizing mobile accessibility and offering solutions for over 18 industry-specific challenges. Its unique focus lies in addressing real issues faced by banks, insurance, and financial services.

Join us as we talk to Sacheth Kadam, the Co-founder of 56 Secure about their story. Sacheth completed his Bachelor of Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University in 2010 and pursued Executive Education in Business Administration at the University of Notre Dame. His professional experience includes roles such as a research assistant at the Indian Institute of Science, a business analyst at Stratburg Market Research & Consulting, and a director at GraspIO Innovations. Additionally, he served as the founding member and lead at OLA Smart Mobility, and in 2020, he co-founded 56 Secure. 🏢 About 56 Secure: 56 Secure is an AI-powered automated security platform for homes and enterprises. It is India's only connected security platform, on a mission to create a safer world by making security effective and accessible to all.

Join us as we talk to Anand Jain, the Co-founder of CleverTap about their story. In 1996, Anand completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at Sahajanand Arts & Commerce College. Despite having a commerce education, he gained experience as a software engineer at various companies, including Compoint Computers, Cyberworld Technologies, Software Frontiers, Brience, and Motorola. Additionally, he worked as a consultant at AT&T in the Seattle office. In 2005, Anand played a key role in the co-founding of Burrp!, a venture that was later acquired by Network18 in 2009. He also served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Network18 for two years. Finally, in 2013, he co-founded CleverTap. 🏢 About CleverTap: CleverTap is the all-in-one engagement platform that helps brands unlock limitless customer lifetime value by helping them create personalized experiences to retain their most valuable customers. Backed by leading investors such as Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, Accel, CDPQ and 360 One, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with presence in San Francisco, New York, São Paulo, Bogota, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Singapore, and Jakarta

Join us as we talk to Suyash Singh, the Co founder & CEO of GalaxEye of about their story. Suyash completed his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering at LNCT College, followed by his postgraduate studies in aerospace engineering at IIT Madras in 2019. He gained experience as a data analyst and machine vision researcher at TCS and also founded Team Avishkar Hyperloop. In May 2021, he co-founded GalaxEye. Suyash received the Fortune India 40 under 40 recognition in 2023. 🏢 About GalaxEye: GalaxEye, an IIT Madras-incubated space tech startup, is creating The Drishti Mission, the world's pioneering multi-sensor imaging satellite. Founded by a team of 5 IIT Madras students/alumni, previously part of the successful Team Avishkar Hyperloop, GalaxEye was the sole Asian finalist at the 2019 SpaceX Hyperloop Competition led by Elon Musk. 🌐 For more visit - https://ajuniorvc.com/podcast/

Join us as we talk to Hari Krishnan Nair, the Co-founder of Great Learning about their story. Hari completed his computer science engineering degree at SCT College of Engineering, followed by an MBA from MDI, Gurugoan. He gained experience at various firms, such as Asian Paints and Withya, and held the role of Associate Director at the Great Lakes Institute of Management. In 2007, he was a co-founder of iLabs, which was eventually acquired by an IT enterprise company in 2010. Subsequently, in 2013, he co-founded Great Learning. 🏢 About Great Learning: Great Learning, part of the BYJU'S group, is a top global ed-tech firm offering hands-on programmes in business and tech fields. Partnering with leading academic institutions, it provides unparalleled learning experiences to millions worldwide, leveraging expert faculty and industry mentors.

Join us as we talk to Varun Khurana, the Founder of Otipy about their story. Varun completed his B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi in 2001. Following this, he held the position of a lead engineer at a network appliance company. Subsequently, he established Wirkle Technologies, which was later acquired by Location Labs. Afterward, Varun held the role of Head of the India Development Centre at Location Labs. He then co-established MyGreenbox, which got acquired by Grofers, now known as Blinkit, and subsequently served as Grofers' CTO. Additionally, he is the founder and CEO of Crofarm. Finally, in 2020, he founded Otipy. 🏢 About Otipy: Otipy is India’s fastest-growing community group buying (CGB) player, which delivers handpicked farm-fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the farm to the consumer's doorstep in about 12 hours through a community of resellers (mainly women) with only 2 touch points involved.

Join us as we talk to Ankit Agrawal, the Founder and CEO of InsuranceDekho about their story. Ankit completed his Bachelor's degree in Commerce at the University of Kolkata and pursued his MFC at the University of Delhi. He gained experience as an associate at Kotak Wealth Management, Unitech Reality Investors India, and UBS, progressing to the role of AVP at Anand Rathi Advisors. Additionally, he held positions such as Head of Corporate Finance at MoveInSync Tech and COO of Insurance at CarDekho. In 2019, he founded InsuranceDekho. 🏢 About InsuranceDekho: InsuranceDekho is an online platform that lets you compare and buy insurance quotes from top-rated insurance companies across motor, health, life, travel, and other insurance from multiple companies.

Join us as we talk to Prashant Sachan, the Founder of AppsForBharat about their story. Prashant completed his Bachelor's degree in Technology from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University and a Master's in Design from IIT Bombay in 2014. He gained experience through internships at companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics, IBM Research, and Informatica. Later, he worked as a senior product designer for Samsung and Microsoft. In 2016, he co-founded Trell and left the company in 2020. In the same year, he established AppsForBharat. Additionally, Prashant has made investments in various companies, including Toplyne, Park+, UniCards, Josh Talks, Rocket Pay, and more. 🏢 About AppsForBharat: AppsForBharat is on a mission to assist a billion Indians in their spiritual journey and help them feel happier, peaceful, and more content through a range of products and services. 🌐 For more visit - https://ajuniorvc.com/podcast/

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin. Join us as we talk to Manan Khurma, the founder & CEO of Cuemath about their story. Manan finished his electronics and communication engineering from IIT Delhi in 2007. Immediately after graduation, he co-founded Locus Education, a JEE test-prep venture. At Locus, Manan mentored over 10,000 students in 6 years, building on his penchant for mathematics and flair for teaching. Motivated to shape young math learners, he started Cuemath in December 2013. 🏢 About Cuemath: Cuemath is an ed-tech company focused on math learning for K-12 students. Its mission is to create problem solvers for an AI-driven future. It operates an offline teaching center and an online education platform. Cuemath is present in 80+ countries today and is trusted by 200K students for all their math needs.

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin. Join us as we talk to Nityanand Sharma, the Founder of Simpl about their story. Nitya finished his mechanical engineering in 2002 at Punjab Engineering College. Then, he went on to do an M.S. in Financial Mathematics and Finance at the University of Michigan. After that, he had jobs as a Structured Credit Trader at Bear Stearns & Co. and as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs in the Greater New York City area. Eventually, in May 2015, he started Simpl. 🏢 About Simpl: Simpl is India’s fastest-growing checkout and post-purchase experience platform. Simpl uses machine learning and AI to offer a quick, secure, and hassle-free checkout experience to its users and build trust in the post-purchase experience.

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin. Join us as we talk to Amit Gupta, the Co-Founder & CEO of Yulu about their story. Amit graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 2000. Later, he completed an executive programme at Harvard Business School. His professional journey included roles as a software engineer at Aditi Technologies, an assistant manager at Citifinancial India, a manager at Andale, and a founder and advisor at Analyticsworks. He also held a global board member position at MMA. In 2006, he co-founded InMobi, and later, in 2017, he co-founded Yulu. 🏢 About Yulu: Yulu is India's largest shared micro-mobility service provider, using electric two-wheelers to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in urban India. Yulu’s technology-driven mobility platform uses IoT, ML, and AI for demand-supply management and efficient operations. Currently, Yulu is present in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Greater Mumbai.

Join us as we talk to Vinayak Shrivastav, the Co-Founder & CEO of VideoVerse about their story. Vinayak pursued his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Following that, he gained valuable experience in a wide range of fields. He contributed as a production engineer at KMO Engineers, took on the role of business development head at BigSchoolBox.com, and served as the head of sales and marketing at iolytics. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found several successful ventures, including Styck, Magnifi, Illusto, and most recently, VideoVerse, established in 2022. Additionally, Vinayak holds the distinguished title of being an official member of the Forbes Technology Council. 🏢 About VideoVerse: VideoVerse is a video tech company that encapsulates an ecosystem of smart video editing tools using AI for all enterprise and individual content creators.

oin us as we talk to Nitin Chhabra, the CEO of Ace Turtle about his story. In 1995, Nitin completed his B.Com. degree at the University of Delhi, followed by a master's in business and management in 1997 from the Apeejay School of Management. He started his professional journey as a territory sales manager at Hindustan Unilever. He subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility, including the role of vice president at Arvind Brands, VF Corporation, and Reliance Brands Limited. Nitin also served as CEO for Brooks Brothers India and Iconix Brand Group. In September 2013, he took on the position of CEO at Ace Turtle. 🏢 About Ace Turtle: Ace Turtle, the forefront tech-native retail company of the new India, is pioneering the next phase of change in the retail sector. With vertical integration spanning design, local manufacturing, and direct consumer outreach, it employs proprietary technology driven by data science. This ensures it consistently meets evolving consumer needs from design to fulfilment.

Join us in our discussion with the Co-Founder of ePlane, Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy. Prof. Satya Chakravarthy received his Bachelor of Technology in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Madras in 1991 and went on to obtain his PhD from the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. Following his academic pursuits, he returned to his alma mater, IIT Madras, in 1997 as a professor in Aerospace Engineering. At present, he leads the Centre of Propulsion Technology at IIT Madras and has also established and heads the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) within the institution. Prof. Satya is very passionate about deep tech entrepreneurship to democratise technology. He holds the roles of Co-founder and Advisor in various companies, including AgniKul Cosmos, Aerostrovilos Energy, GalaxEye, TuTr Hyperloop, and X2Fuels. He also serves as an advisor for Avishkar Hyperloop and NewTrace. In April 2018, Prof. Satya took the initiative and founded ePlane.ai. 🏢 About ePlane.ai: ePlane is developing India’s first flying electric taxi for up to 10 times faster intra-city commutes and cargo transport. As an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) startup, they aim to alleviate on-road traffic congestion in cities worldwide by offering safe, sustainable, and affordable flying experiences through their flagship product, The ePlane e200. 🌐 For more visit - https://ajuniorvc.com/podcast/

Join us as we talk to Ravi Kumar, the Cofounder of Upstox about their story. Ravi and his younger brother Raghu were born in Madhya Pradesh, India, then moved to France before settling in Canada for 8 years. Ravi completed his high schooling there and developed a strong interest in startups. He later moved to California to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science at UC Irvine, graduating in 2004. In September 2006, the brothers relocated to Chicago and co-founded RK Trading Partnership, a successful HFT firm that earned them over a million dollars in just two years. However, the 2008 crash forced them to return to India. In 2009, Ravi co-founded Upstox. 🏢 About Upstox: Upstox is an online trading app for Demat Account, Share Market, MF, IPO with 1cr+ customers. Backed by Ratan Tata and venture capitalists such as Tiger Global, Upstox offers a best-in-class technology-enabled trading platform. Headquartered in Mumbai, Upstox holds memberships with the NSE, BSE, MCX, and MCX-SX. 🌐 For more visit - https://ajuniorvc.com/podcast/ Playlists🎬: 🎙️Founders Unfiltered: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUZb75L7Qi_1r_yCxtrkFtTqwgoKj8f66 🎥 AJVC BTS: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUZb75L7Qi_2SqAGAJ0_rS1--1u82jvfL 🦄 Start-up Chronicles: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUZb75L7Qi_0ujPMygWRZQcJBK250BXbC 🔎 AJVC Insights: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUZb75L7Qi_00SpPyAU_zhicXdehoNuBd 🎯 Deep Dives: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUZb75L7Qi_2BHzAOji1wBEKjXo-go7e6 📈 Founder Insights: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUZb75L7Qi_1L3HjHLvNUQgPWGrfcoc-q