Chandu Nair

Answered on Feb 14, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 23, 2023Hindi

Hi Chandu sir, I am running a preschool i pune from last 10 years. I want to start school till 10th. Please let me know how to raise capital to start it. Minimum requirement to start a school in Maharashtra is one acre.

Ans: I am sure you have a pretty good track record since you have managed to run a pre-school for 10 years. Ideally you should target friends, family and extended network with money and interest in this space as potential investors as they know you personally and professionally. Plus they can also help in other ways- getting you teachers, managing the local environment, popularising the school in your catchment areas, perhaps even come in as co-founder looking after specific activities. Pl also consult local CAs and financial consultants who can help organise debt financing.

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Answered on Feb 14, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 28, 2023Hindi

How to become unicorn

Ans: Get someone to give you money/ funds that values your business at USD 1 billion!

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Answered on Feb 14, 2024

Question by Siddharth - Nov 30, 2023Hindi

I am 35-year-old person. i have 14-year experience in education industry. now i am very confused regarding my future because facing job insecurity. i want to start business but very scared regarding this.

Ans: Are you looking for psychological/ emotional support more than business or entrepreneurship advice?

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Answered on Feb 14, 2024

Question by Alpana - Nov 23, 2023Hindi

My daughter has done fashion designing and worked in garment industry for 3 to 5 years.She wants to start her own female and kids clothing but not confident as we are not financially very good . It would be high risk and high investment business.So would you suggest which sector or product she choose for production with her designing skill which may need less investment and good market??

Ans: All the best to your daughter for having such entrepreneurial ambitions. There are many niches available in this space of garments and fashion designing; it is also highly competitive and fast-changing. It requires more than just fashion design skills. . She may want to get more exposure to business and other facets. There are resources available - AIC-NIFTTEA an Apparel, Fashion and Textile Incubator that bridges the gap between Fashion, Technology and Sustainability for example. She may also want to get a mentor with relevant experience, connections and background in this industry to guide her. Financing too is a key issue which she needs to give thought to. Building a lifestyle business is one thing; creating a scalable successful enterprise is another matter altogether.

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Answered on Feb 14, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 06, 2023Hindi

Hi Chandru, We are working on 2 startup ideas which we are confident enough but sometimes we feel stuck when it comes to getting funding or how do we get funding from different investors What's your suggestion on this and we really do have a great product idea. Also, we do have a different business which is doing profita but we are unable to scale it up. How do we achieve this

Ans: It is difficult to answer such generic questions. 99+% entrepreneurs/ start-ups don't/can't raise funding for various reasons. You may want to refine your idea/ business model by being part of a well-known incubator where you can get specific inputs plus mentoring too.

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Answered on Feb 12, 2024

Question by Dinesh - Nov 22, 2023Hindi

Dear Mr CHandu, I am 53 yrs now and an BE by qualification. I have been working in IT industry (14 yrs) and from 2007 have been working in IT Security profile as GM. In 2015 I left the job over an partnership offer which did not materialized but i lost the job. I started an start-up ecommerce company with a good concept which was liked and appreciated by the franchisees as even today they are running a grocery store which was setup by me, though my business shut down due to non funding and was cheated in the name of funding. After long gap I did join the company but lasted for just 8 months and now again am job less. I have a good start-up idea in healthcare which is workable and have been appreciated by people to whom i have brief though i M yet to launch due to funds issue, Though people are trying to find the funding after hearing the biz idea. My wife is working and have 2 kids in 12th and 10th Std respectively. Pls advice.

Ans: Dear Mr Dinesh,
It looks like you have been through a lot after getting into business on your own. Your children too are at a critical stage in life which requires funds for higher education in the next few years. The first question to ask yourself is - what is the priority in your life? Is it financial stability for the family esp for the kids? Or is it the pursuit of your business? The second question is - what is the current status of your household finances? Is there enough savings to manage the household, upcoming education expenses, other expenses (travel, medical etc)?
If you are shaky, it may be time for you to consider taking an assignment which offers you a fixed remuneration and also flexibility to work on your idea. You say you were in the field of IT security. Can you consider an assignment which might take 2-3 days per week managing and overseeing the IT security for a company which cannot afford a full-time professional?
You may also want to consider getting incubated in a good healthcare incubator in your city and also apply for a start-up funding grant from the government of India and/or local state government programmes.

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Answered on Feb 12, 2024

Question by JKSGG - Jan 12, 2024Hindi

How can I start Export Import Business

Ans: Have you identified the products or services that you wish to import or export? Or the countries from/ to? You would want to create a business plan based on this.

It is important to have relevant experience so that you have an established network of suppliers, customers, bankers etc to support you.

All the best

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Answered on Feb 12, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 13, 2023Hindi

I want to start Ev cycle company as I am very much interested in this business please let me know the steps to start and I also need investment for the same

Ans: I have no idea of your background in this exciting yet competitive space. Have you done any research on this area? That would be a good place to start. Thereafter, it might be a good idea to work with one of these companies and understand a lot more about what it takes to run a successful business in this sector. I am sure this will give you sufficient insight

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Answered on Feb 12, 2024

Question by PINJARA - Jan 28, 2024Hindi

Hi this is Rohith from TATA capital housing finance limited. I need business from my surroundings away of 50km

Ans: Rohith,
I can't say anything based on what you have indicated. You need to give me some more information or background.

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Answered on Feb 12, 2024

Question by Manish - Sep 10, 2023Hindi

Hello Sir, I am Manish 38 form Faridabad, Haryana! I want startup and for that I have created a survey also but I don't have enough funds to hire a team and get the data collected from market. Could you please help me, how can arrange initial funds to start. Thanks

Ans: Hi Manish
There are several ways to get information. I am not clear what kind of survey you plan to do. There are free online tools that you can use to execute the survey. I presume you have the list of people /companies etc you want to contact. You can also use tools like WhatsApp, Twitter to do dipstick polls with people to get a quick idea on some key issues. Pl also talk to a good marketing professor or consultant on the approach(es) you can use as also to refine the methodology

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Answered on Feb 12, 2024

Question by Chinna - Nov 05, 2023Hindi

I need help , which business is good for financial quick to settle in life

Ans: There is no get rich quick formula in regular business or entrepreneurship, Chinna. That is not a Chinna Aasai (meaning small desire in Tamil). Any business is good provided one is clear about the type of customer segments you are serving with an offering they want /need and come back to you repeatedly as their preferred choice at a price which makes sense to you and them. There are several opportunities in India, from the traditional to new age. You just have to find your niche and excel at it. Good luck

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Answered on Nov 27, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 23, 2023Hindi

Dear Mr. Chandu I started a small cafe before I was working in hotel industry. But cafe is not making money we complete one year and only lost. Should I continue or close it. Area is new and in growing stage. Please suggest.

Ans: This is always a tough one to answer as I am operating blind on almost every aspect - of the business, the location, competition, your background, financial capability and mindset. If you are burning much more money than you are generating and you are unable to put in more, plus it is putting stress on you personally too including the family, it may be time to consider closing it down. Pl also consider the opportunity cost too. If you were working, what kind of salary would you be making and how much time would it take for the current business to come close to it?
This would help you arrive at a decision

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Answered on Nov 27, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 23, 2023Hindi

Hello Mr. Nair, I intend to start Defence coaching academy. My father is a retired Army Officer and running his coaching at a small scale operating from home. My idea is to scale it up by taking space on rent . I also want to go for on-line coaching. Need your advice on how to go about it so that the venture is successful. Thanks

Ans: You have not given me any idea of your background or how you intend to finance this. There are several such coaching classes and companies already existing online and offline. Pl study the market thoroughly and understand what exactly it is that you offer which is compelling for which target segment, how large that segment is, and other details. Also study existing competition and how strong they are. Based on all this, you can come up with a plan. Best of luck.

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Answered on Nov 27, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 23, 2023Hindi

Hi I am 42 and I want to startup a business in food industry perticularly in Juice sector. Kindly advice how can I start and what are the prospects for this industry ?

Ans: I would request you to do a lot of research first, both secondary first, and primary. That will help you understand which specific niche you might want to target. There are several aspects to consider here. I am operating on the assumption that you already have relevant experience, expertise and contacts in this industry. Food processing is still nascent in India and studies suggest that it is likely to grow.

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Answered on Nov 27, 2023

Question by Balamurugan - Nov 23, 2023Hindi

Hi sir, I'm 23 yrs old Pharma student. I'm really eager to begin a startup in the same field but I've no prior work experience. I'm worried that, if I go to work I'll lose my startup interest and I'll be stuck in it.I never know that I'll be able to do it in older age. What should I do now sir?

Ans: There are some who are able to identify a start-up idea during their studies. You have not been able to do that. I would suggest that you get into an area of the pharma/ healthcare industry that interests you, work there for a period of time (3-5 years at least), get a hang of how it works, what problems are there, how are they being tackled, gaps that you can identify etc. This experience will also help you build a network of contacts and add to your expertise.
Tap into your alumni network and see if there are start-up entrepreneurs who can act as your mentors.
Also plug into existing entrepreneur networks and associations so that you can find out how different people came up with ideas and converted them into businesses. There are several such bodies now across India.
All the best

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Answered on Nov 27, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 23, 2023Hindi

Hi sir, I've appx. 20 years of experience in customer service, now I quit the job and started my own service business now I want to grow my business and want some funds to grow my business. Request you to please suggest how can we raise the funding. Thanks and regards, Rakesh Kumar,

Ans: Typical initial sources are family and friends, and depending on your credit worthiness, loans from banks and NBFCs. If the business/ offering is unique and differentiated and the team is solid, there are possibilities of angel investors / early stage funds who might consider it. There are also government grants and other startup schemes. Pl check if you qualify

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Answered on Nov 27, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 27, 2023Hindi

Hello, sir. I founded a home decor brand 2 years ago and we are just starting to gain traction in the market. We sell across multiple channels - B2B, B2C and D2C as well. But as a Founder, one of my weaknesses is the lack of selling skills. Should I focus on building a Business Development team in order to generate consistent sales? Also, how do I get better at selling?

Ans: This is a tough one to answer in brief but I am going to try

Each of these channels- B2B B2C D2C - require different kinds of skills. The customer segments too could be different, perhaps the products/ SKUs too. It is my belief that the founder himself should be a salesperson esp in the initial days(years!). The first key thing is to understand the buyer's key problems and how your product is better at solving it than others in the market including alternatives. While doing this, it is important to understand who exactly is your buyer- in B2B, the buyer may be a hotel or restaurant or an office etc. Which sort of B2B segment are you targeting, how are they currently buying, from who, why, what terms do they purchase, how long is the sales cycle time, typical order value, purchase frequency etc? When it comes to B2C, the game is quite different. Are you selling both offline and online? The methods can change.

It would be useful for you to get a co-founder who has deep sales and marketing experience in this sector or B2C online/ offline. Alternatively, get a consultant who can advise you on the phase wise approach to follow, what metrics to use to track effectiveness, the kind of spend required, and so on.

Pl also reach out to others in the D2C community and understand what is working/ not working for them, the kind of structure they have, the outsourced agencies they use.

It is a process of learning. It would be good for you to get a grasp of it; simultaneously, in order to save on time, energy and money, pl consider a co-founder and /or a suitable consultant to guide you through the process. The appropriate hires can be made as required.

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Answered on Nov 18, 2023

Question by Ashutosh - Oct 30, 2023

Dear Chandu sir, I m a student of yours from IIM indore. I completed my MBA this year. And want to know which career path would give me the skills, knowledge and experience to start up a company of my own one day. Is it management consultant, entering a VC via Investment banking or something else

Ans: Ashutosh
In my view, any meaningful professional experience is helpful in starting your own company. It would be better if you work in the same industry that you eventually want to be in on your own as that will give you the relevant experience, build hands-on expertise plus create your network. Use every opportunity to learn and improve yourself in every way. Develop a set of mentors/advisers/ well-meaning friends and associates.
All the best ????

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Answered on Nov 18, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 09, 2023Hindi

Hello Sir, My retirement is due in next 4 years but I need money to support my wife treatment and 3 children study.My daughter is in 4th years of BHMS and son is in last year of MBA-Finance and my 3rd child is in 9th class.I am working in PVt Company and doing job as Manager in IT.I am not ease to support my family with existing Salary and I have no other source of income either.I have much interest in English.How can I supplement my income ? Could I do something at home as part time job ? or Could I do any start-up ? Kindly advise. Thanks.

Ans: It looks like you are going through a difficult time. I am sure you have the courage and strength to get through this.
This issue has multiple strands with inadequate information. People who have a second income usually do such things based on their areas of expertise/experience plus their network. Pl do some research before you make any decision.
1) a weekend business/ activity
2) freelance gigs
e.g., tuition, teaching English to working professionals, consulting etc.
I would be cautious about start-ups as it could entail taking on more monetary commitments.

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Answered on Nov 18, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 13, 2023Hindi

Hi chandu sir , I had been worked as Quality Engineer in a private sector since for 4years ,now I want to start my own business I had an idea too , my idea is to develope a single vendor app for my clothing brand and I want to run this business , special things is for every order purchased by customers they gets one set of sanitary pads free , does this business will work out or not sir , pls clarify me

Ans: A business requires many things to succeed. This is possibly one promotional campaign. Pl study existing clothing/ garments business models, online and offline, and come up with a more comprehensive plan

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Answered on Nov 14, 2023

Question by KC - Nov 11, 2023Hindi

I am 56 years old. Have served for 30 years in the administration department of 2/3 private organisations. Presently unemployed. Willing to start something on my own or with a partner. Unable to decide as to what should be the business line where there is less risk and steady growth potential. Please advise.

Ans: Let me repeat the answer I just gave to Rizwan today
I have suggested approaches to take with respect to identifying and validating business ideas to previous Rediff users. Kindly go through the same. There are several opportunities but you need to focus on those which
1) are relevant to your experience, expertise,network, passion,
2) take into account finance available or that can be organised by you, plus
3) offer growing prospects.
One option to look at would be to offer outsourced accounting and administration services to companies. There is competition no doubt, but if you have the requisite background and contacts, you could get a roster of 10-15 clients needing such services on a regular basis. Pl study this and other ideas further before you make a thoughtful decision.

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Answered on Nov 14, 2023

Question by Anant - Nov 11, 2023Hindi

I have over 25 years of experience and want to support the community as Cyber Security Guru; how can I get on-board?

Ans: Do you have the relevant expertise and experience plus credibility to be perceived as a Guru in this area? For which type of audience? Is this a pro bono endeavour? Do you want to do this on your own or as part of an existing community /association (e.g., CSAI/CSI)? It may make sense to start off with existing networks and communities and understand what is happening, how it is being addressed currently etc etc before you make your more

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Answered on Nov 14, 2023

Question by M - Sep 07, 2023Hindi

Want to start tution classess

Ans: There are several ways to do it.
1) Online
2) Offline
In both
i) on your own
ii) being part of an existing education company
On your own
Formats
a) one on one
b) one on many
Infrastructure
1) at the student's house
2) in your house
3) having a tuition centre -full time place or part time
Subjects - one vs many (which?

Fees, payment terms, marketing etc need to be arrived at.
Study existing options, your target student(s)/ geography etc and finalise.

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1

Answered on Nov 14, 2023

Question by Rizwan - Sep 07, 2023Hindi

My age is 56 years. I have served 25 years experience pharma sales & marketing in gulf countries worked and managed for reputed companies (MNC) of the under different profiles . Die to age , i am not getting a suitable job now for more than a year.due to pandamic i got stuck here in India. I tried my best to with a pharma retail and distribution business its all in no loss no profit. I want to start something to earn a decent income. Kindly suggest suitable business idea with least investment. Thank you

Ans: I have suggested approaches to take with respect to identifying and validating business ideas to previous Rediff users. Kindly go through the same. There are several opportunities but you need to focus on those which are
1) relevant to your experience, expertise,network, passion,
2) take into account finance available or that can be organised by you, plus
3) offer growing prospects.
Pharma and healthcare itself is such a growing industry India from manufacturing to diagnostics to sales and marketing to exports and more.

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1

Answered on Nov 14, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 13, 2023Hindi

I stopped an established email marketing software from market fearing that wrong people may use it for spammig etc. The software was powered by smtp accounts which we didnt provided. We do not send mails ourselves. End users used it. I spent 10 years of my life in building this software. Kindly advice me if i can restart the said software again as i feel devastated in life. I am a software engineer with 22 years experience and this email software is my only achievement in life. We have no control on what user sends. Can you say if the said bulk mailer is a legal. We had developed it for genuine businesses but we fear acts of wrong people who misuse platforms. We are a small startup. Can we be held legally accountable for actions not done by us as we do sell only software without smtp. We cannot add consent based system in it as it is a desktop software. Your answer can change my life..

Ans: I feel you have let a fear of legal repercussions overtake common sense. Large multinational corporations and local companies are operating in several sectors while taking proper legal counsel and precautions in case of any eventuality. If this were the case, such companies (FAANG/MANGA) would never take off! Take proper legal advice on these issues.
Now whether such email marketing software of the sort you created has a market depends on the target audience, competition,differentiation of your software etc. That is for you to study in detail.

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Question by azad - Oct 11, 2023Hindi

for past 19 years i am working in a manufacturing company namely Tinplate company of india limited jamshedpur as mechanical engineer i want to do some buniness so that i have some monetory stability and extra income as you know today no one job is fixed forever pl suggest some small business for me so that after i loose my job i can sustain some income

Ans: Mr Azad, you would like to have a side business to generate additional income. You have provided no idea of your skills/expertise/ experience nor of your financial situation (I am guessing that you don't have any surplus to invest in a business).

First and foremost, pl check if your current employer permits moonlighting or having another job even if it is freelance/ gig work. Many companies can take stringent action in this regard.
Second, what skills/expertise/ experience do you have which is distinct from your current job at TCIL? E.g., are you a good writer, or can draw or teach well or translate from one language to another, or cook etc etc. That will help you identify possible alternate income generating possibilities,
Third, how much free time do you have per day? On the weekends? And at what time? That will narrow down the list of ideas.
Fourth, what kind of other infrastructure, manpower support etc is required for the idea? Do you have the ability to get /pay for it? If you don't, you can only do those activities which rely on your time and expertise. You need to be able to give focused attention to it on a sustained business be it tuitions, writing, cooking, generating online content or whatever else you finally choose.
Fifth, do you have access to a set of customers/ buyers who want what you can offer and are willing to pay for it and can you easily reach them?
Once you have gone through these steps, you would have likely identified an idea that can potentially give you an alternate source of income.
Best of luck

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Question by Perumal - Oct 30, 2023Hindi

Dear Mr Chandu Nair, I hope this message finds you well. I'm reaching out because I'm in need of a mentor and business advisor for my venture, PeruCabs. Your expertise and experience in the industry are highly regarded, and I believe your guidance could be invaluable to the success of my business. I'm eager to learn from your insights, gain a deeper understanding of the market, and develop strategies to grow PeruCabs effectively. If you're willing to mentor and advise me, I would greatly appreciate your support. Please let me know if you're open to this opportunity, and we can discuss the details further. Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to the possibility of working together. Best regards, M K Perumal Eight triple (nine) seven for lll for 0 cix

Ans: Mr Perumal, appreciate your kind words. I notice that you have already launched operations in a few cities and have onboarded a few thousand consultant-drivers. It may be useful for you to get advisors/ mentors who have worked on similar concepts (Meru, Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, BluSmart to name a few); it might also help if they are located in the same city to enable in person meetings. I have not worked in this space and my ability to provide pointed and pertinent guidance will be limited. All the best

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 30, 2023Hindi

Hello Sir, I am 28 year old and working in psb. I have aim to start my business. I have one business idea also but don't know how to execute it as i lack expertise in that field and also looking for business partner who have expertise in gardening. But don't know where to start. Can you help me with it?

Ans: What are you bringing to the table? Is it money, some other expertise and business experience? Or is just an unvalidated business idea? My suggestion would be to first validate your idea on the ground before proceeding further. Getting co-founders- pl start going to such places where current and wannabe entrepreneurs congregate/ meet. It may be a good idea to check with Incubators in Agricultural Universities; there are several now. It is also a matter of luck to get an aligned co-founder!

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Question by Shantanu - Oct 31, 2023Hindi

I have a tender from a giant company for electric cab on rental basis. How can i take debt funding or fund raising behalf of equity?

Ans: Shantanu,
It is not clear what is the nature of the tender / order that you have got. Nor have you given any idea of your company and your background including financial. It may be useful to talk to a couple of financial advisors to determine the best course of action

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 08, 2023Hindi

hi sir,i m running a consulting business but not progress more as need money,where i get help?pls.reply.

Ans: The best sources in such professional services businesses are customers in my view. You may want to tweak/ change your payment terms such that money comes in regularly or even in advance. Depending on the type of consulting work you are doing, and your credit background, it is possible you may be eligible for certain loans from banks / NBFCs or CGTMSE loans (collateral free). My recommendation is to avoid loans as much as possible and focus on getting better paying clients who value your expertise.

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 08, 2023Hindi

Hi, am looking for starting a textile recycling business. But I don't know how i start.

Ans: What is your motivation and background for starting such a business? It is not clear. Need more information

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Question by Devendra - Sep 08, 2023Hindi

I am 48 y old I lost my job last 6 month ,I have 18yr experience in korean mnc company in purchase department,now I want to start our bussiness ,pls let me know how to I start bussiness

Ans: First, assess your current situation overall - personal and professional and be sure that own business is the most viable/ sensible option.
Then, make a list of ideas that resonate strongly with you, refine it, do some initial validation and shortlist on the final 1/2 that are most appealing.
Figure out the finances required, personal (for the family) and for the business. Ensure that it will not create issues that can derail you.
Time now for more on the ground market research including prospective users/buyers, assessing competition/ alternatives, checking with suppliers, regulatory environment etc.
Make an initial business plan with key assumptions clearly spelt out and validated as much as possible. Also see if you want to have partners/ co-founders who share this vision and have complementary skills/ experience.
See if you can make an initial prototype of your offering (MVP minimum viable product) and again test it with your potential customers; iterate to see what changes are required including revenue models, go to market approaches etc.
Now is the time to formally register your business - single person company, LLP etc. Get professional expertise as required.
Revisit your Business plan and change as required.
Formally launch, test market, make changes and then go full steam ahead

All the best.

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Answered on Nov 02, 2023

Question by Mohan - Sep 08, 2023Hindi

I want to put dryfruits shop

Ans: May it bear fruit for you. Best wishes.

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Answered on Oct 30, 2023

Question by HIMANSHU - Oct 30, 2023Hindi

Hello mr chandu My name is himanshu as an aspiring entrepreneur i already started my entrepreneurship journey more than yr ago i am focusing on cosmetics products And doing r&d with some chemist formulator already find out the gap in the market . kindly suggest me to get funding to start my business properly

Ans: All the best in your entrepreneur journey Himanshu. Making a product / set of products is one part of the journey. There is a lot more to be done before you can be considered investment-ready. Which customer segment(s) are you targeting and why, what is the missing gap in cosmetics that you are solving for, what key issues with current products do which customers have and how is your offering significantly better, initial customer feedback and reactions, your go to market strategy, revenue model, unit economics, key leadership team etc. If you have co-founders with complementary skills and experience, esp in this competitive space with a solid track record, that is a good start. It might also help being part of a relevant incubator to get access to industry connections, mentors, even better access to potential investors. All the best

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Answered on Oct 28, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 27, 2023Hindi

Dear Mr Chandu, I have failed two start-ups and lost Rs 2 crores. I took a break and worked as a consultant for a year. I want to be an entrepreneur again. Any tips that you'd like to share with me?

Ans: Dear Anon,
Kudos to you for reviving your entrepreneurial dreams despite your two setbacks and financial loss.

I have no idea of your current financial and personal situation - married, with kids, extent of savings, if spouse is working etc. It would be good for you to ensure that you have savings which can take care of family needs for 1 year at least so that family worries don't derail you and take attention away.

Have you shortlisted any ideas and done an evaluation? Any preliminary validation done?

At this juncture, it would be a good idea to figure out what went wrong in your previous start-ups and why plus what corrective steps are required.

Have you also got the seed capital organised or is it possible to get it from savings and your family and friends?

It may be helpful to get a co-founder(s) with complementary skills/ expertise and experience and aligned in terms of vision and values.

These preparatory steps can help you in reigniting your start-up dreams!

All the best

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Answered on Oct 19, 2023

Question by Nagarajan - Oct 17, 2023Hindi

How can I become a guru on Rediff Guru platform.

Ans: That is a question for the Rediff Editorial team

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Answered on Oct 19, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 13, 2023Hindi

I am 30 years old having 8 years of experience on corporate Investment banking. I grown-up in business family background. Having good knowledge of manufacturing business. My dad was having handmade footwear business and i have now intrest in Food manufacturing snacks buisness. But had never done sales side need how to setup sales team.

Ans: Investment banking is a good place to get solid business ideas, access to funding and building a network including finding co-founders with complementary skills and experience. You may want to first validate your idea in food snacks and flesh out the contours of your idea first. I would recommend being part of a good business incubator and also find mentors who have a background in food /snacks business who are willing to guide you in this journey.

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Answered on Sep 23, 2023

Question by Milan - Sep 23, 2023Hindi

Should a retail investor with higher risk profile invest in start ups? How much percentage of his portfolio should it be and which platforms permits small amount investing in startups in India?

Ans: It depends on your risk appetite, time horizon, need for liquidity and mindset. Startup investing ideally requires a time horizon of 5+ years and building a portfolio of over 10+ companies in order to increase the probability of seeing returns. There are angel networks and online platforms each of whom have different eligibility criteria. One platform has cut its minimum ticket size to Rs 1 lakh per investment. It would be best for you to do your diligence before proceeding further.

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Answered on Sep 08, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 06, 2023Hindi

Start Up - I am a Cost Accountant - Retired and doing professional Practice in Stock n Cost Audit field. What kind of start up can be thought off?

Ans: Depends on the areas of your interest, expertise, experience, opportunity and funds you can get. So many options today. From bootstrapped home based businesses to significantly funded start-ups. Pl arrive at some criteria first for you to evaluate ideas and shortlist.

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Answered on Aug 12, 2023

Question by ANKUR - Aug 12, 2023Hindi

Dear sir, i have 9 years of experience in FMCG ...and even i have provided exceptional growth to companies like GODREJ, EMAMI , RSPL... Now i want to start my own venture where we can develop mutiple products and want to create a pan india distribution networks.. Sir i really have a expectional plan which i want to present to venture capitalist ..so need your suggestions

Ans: Have you tested this idea with anyone yet? Potential customers, partners, vendors etc. Pl do that first and validate key assumptions. Also, after that, check if close friends and family are willing to back you monetarily. First, do a pilot and implement it. That will enhance your confidence as also those of prospective future funders. At that stage, you will find that your initial plan has undergone changes. Make sure that you're tackling a challenging problem addressing a large market with your solution that is unique and differentiated. At that time, it would be good to revise your deck and get it assessed by experienced mentors/ advisers first before going to any outside investors/ funds.

It's better to have a mentor to guide you.

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Answered on Aug 09, 2023

Question by Yazdi - Jul 24, 2023Hindi

Dear Sir I have been trying to ask companies by writing to their email communications like TATA Godrej Honda Toyota.....about my Brainchild Engine block idea which dosent use fuels or water or electricity ..So i asked them to give me an audience in their Research Centre to get my idea presented.. No reply What should i do to draw thei attention? It could be a great idea for mankind with a plethora of uses.. Thanks for reading. yazdi patel 24.07.2023

Ans: Have you done any ground work at all with respect to your idea? What is the prior experience that you have in this field? Are you part of any University research team or department working on such issues? Have you published any papers on this subject?

To get interest, you need to demonstrate that you have something credible and solid to offer. These are large, reputed companies who get several offers from different individuals and entities.

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Answered on Aug 09, 2023

Question by Hansa - Jul 05, 2023Hindi

Sir, I am a sole proprietor of a firm. Do VC, angel investors only invest in private limited or limited companies and not in sole proprietorship firms? I wish to expand my business but not knowing how to approach VC and angel investors? I do not have a mentor who can suggest funding of start-ups. Please guide. Thanks

Ans: Outside professional investors don't invest in sole proprietorships or partnerships. It would be good for you to become a member of an entrepreneur association in your area or become part of a business incubator which can help you get mentors and give you other kinds of learning

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Answered on Aug 09, 2023

Question by Akhil - Aug 08, 2023Hindi

I have developed OCR, Translation, Transcription, Cross Language communication and Instant Website Translation software, How to market and sale the products?

Ans: Akhil, it depends on several factors - who is the target customer for each product, what is the type of product - SaaS, enterprise, hybrid etc, how easy it is to deploy by the customer etc. Do you also know what are the existing alternatives already present in the market and how your offering is better than competitors and for which type of customers.

Have you tested any of this software with any customers? That would give you good tips on what works and for whom including getting pricing ideas.

How to identify potential users? One way is to go to where such users are present - it could be business/trade associations, online forums or groups etc and see if you can get interest in your offering(s). Also demonstrate how your software offers distinct benefits over alternatives.

You need to also have a well-designed website talking about your products including having demos, videos on how to use your product, how it helps etc. Try to publish articles, posts on websites, digital /print magazines etc about your offerings. You could consider offering a free trial and get feedback. Also get independent reviewers/ IT or software publications to test your product and publish their views.

There are a lot of things to be done. These are some initial steps

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Answered on Aug 07, 2023

Question by Jai - Aug 05, 2023Hindi

Madam I have developed ISCQUITSMOKING process.it has already helped over 15000 smokers. I wish to touch base with million smokers. How should i do that. Please help.

Ans: Can you please give more details about the process/ programme? Is it an app? Or a counselling process? Or a product like a patch? Are people paying for it? All 15000? How much and how, for how many months?

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Answered on Jul 30, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 09, 2023Hindi

As I have experince in the field of Safety of metal Industries, i want to start my own business in semi-urban area of Bihar. KIndly advise the nature and type of business, whether opening a wholesale shop of House building materials like cement, tiles, TMTs. In case i start a agro based consumable foods etc. from where can i get govt help to start-up business.

Ans: What kind of help are you looking for to start your own business? It's not clear.
It's preferable to start a business where you have experience, knowledge and connections/ network plus it's a growing,large market. You would need to study the market you plan to operate in, check out who are the competitors, kind of customers, where there are gaps in the market, which suppliers would be the ones to work with etc. That can help you arrive at a few (2-3) viable choices which you need to examine in depth including talking to suppliers, dealers, influencers, buyers etc before you make a final decision. It's possible that such conversations can lead to active business propositions too. Building materials is a large market. It's also competitive and margins widely vary across product categories.
Food processing/agro industries too have opportunities. Government departments such as MSME department of the local State governments plus Ministry of Food Processing, Government of India and others have project and industry reports. Financial assistance schemes too may be available Example https://www.mofpi.gov.in/Schemes/related-schemes-other-agencies

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Answered on Jul 18, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 18, 2023Hindi

Thank you sir and please brief upon the govt grants with timelines which we feel will differ from online generic matter , every case like our being very different. We’ve come up with lots of PoCs already using our friends n family initial seeding (they’re found working still after 4 years of ruggedised usages ) They being foundation stones , chips and metals can simply exhibit what our high end products can offer to all stakeholders. With many of those numerous prototypes already piloted in known circle, can they be used to exhibit the robustness and ROI to all potential investors? and what are additional steps( although they’ve to be funded now externally as we’re exhausted) Currently we’re putting last of our resources in developing another domain ie EV chassis and full 2-3-6 wheelers which are already up and running in workshops. Similarly for other domain products already tested over 4 years span… Once funded and ruggedised, we’re ready to spin-off likes of these particular entities, each in different domain. Kindly help as feasible

Ans: I have given you very specific answers. Based on your location/ sector of immediate focus, you have to research and find out which incubators are suitable for you. Or which specific scheme is relevant.

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Answered on Jul 18, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 18, 2023Hindi

Sir thank you for advising to hit startupindia.gov.in Otherwise kindly elaborate on what seemingly better can be done from quite exhaustive situational report we have already asked in previous Qs. also can pvt investors just fund this POC or order of 20x Lakhs per product, stage and take up full sales and marketing in their guidance? Plus in such such portfolios like ours and potential of a unicorn, what are your concrete advisory please?

Ans: It would be better for you to be a part of a credible incubator which can offer technical, marketing and business guidance apart from access to potential investors and has links with Startup India. It will give you the opportunity to create POCs and also test it with likely users/ customers first. Your team may need to focus on one credible idea and show you can execute in order to gain the confidence of grant offering organisations or investors.

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Answered on Jul 18, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 17, 2023Hindi

dear sir, we’ve based our product startup companies( ie Ltd&LLP all certified with DPIIT…) based on innovations and mostly hardcore inventions, some of which are internationally awarded and patented. almost all of our products carry some or other innovations in true sense not just trendy hype… From medical domain, home furnishings fitments to VVIP security or defence and more, we’ve game changing innovations in most products. sir , before we seek VC,Angels investors, we want to build ready POCs for spinning off, domain specific firms since private investors would want a profitable and viable setup for definite ROIs; ie we wish to have either govt/Philanthropic grants based on innovations and potential future ROI… ( We want to concentrate and rather assert our selves, on real value adding products for benefit of all stakeholders , not just making profits… in one line, we wish to act independently without reporting to investors targeting profits than products value creating innovative checklists… atleast before we come out with sellable MVP on shelf market realities. initial seeding has totally exhausted our savings, assets sold and even working capital. we cant just stick to just 1 product due to the whole ecosystem designed around each and hence interdependent just like links in chain. We’ve huge potential even in space domains where we can even help isro drdo to excel further( although we’ve not dared to do POCs due to obviously resources crunch …) Kindly guide us to get ourselves govt/philanthropical grants of order 45L onwards so that we can switch ON the sales marketing and kickstart the giants propeller engines alike huge ships to start the immense potential voyages , with deserving stakeholders onboard. working capital needs of order of 50xL is of prime importance /criticality. thank you for your time. BR, founders Chandra kpchandra49 at gmail NB kindly share your contact emails or ping us directly referencing this page’s online matter

Ans: The Government of India has certain grant schemes for start-ups. Visit https://www.startupindia.gov.in/ to get details. I think there are over 20 funding schemes. Certain State governments too have innovation voucher or other start-up assistance programmes. See what suits your needs.

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Answered on Jul 06, 2023

Question by Hansa - Jul 05, 2023Hindi

Sir, I am a sole proprietor of a firm. Do VC, angel investors only invest in private limited or limited companies and not in sole proprietorship firms? I wish to expand my business but not knowing how to approach VC and angel investors? Please guide. Thanks

Ans: Sole proprietorship, by its very definition, implies a single owner. You will need to convert it into a private limited company to attract other shareholders/ investors. To become investment-ready is a different ball game. It would be good for you to attend local entrepreneur association meets like TiE or become part of an incubator.

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Answered on Jul 02, 2023

Question by Depic - Jun 23, 2023Hindi

My self commerce finance and pg diploma logisticts and fright from reputed institute i have been worked icici ltd dtdc express ltd flipkart and now builder firm my jourerny almost 14 year include position started unit manger to seniour business head position know the mid age 45 all the job and business in realeste shirnk last 3 year badly continues debts and insecurity just becuase continue failuer or business and job after covid and lockdwon no stablity what the hell high professioal and educated no stablity or availbltiy of job and also business discountinue last 1 year pls advise should settled uk usa middle east or start the business but not profitable or secondly in delhi i saw low cat baniya bihari earnig higher rather than high professional and educated govt failed to provide job business in my level tell me what i do ?

Ans: Oftentimes, attitude and mental makeup matter more than qualifications. It is important for you to first stabilise yourself in at least one key area of your life and improve your self-confidence and self- belief. A focus on improving your financial situation first may be a start

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