Naveen Tewari: the unicorn whisperer

[Click Here]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYMSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) to see the web version VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFUFXwkOSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& Daily Capsule | 11th January 2021 Good Morning! While entrepreneurs chase the hard-to-attain unicorn status, one entrepreneur is proving he has the proverbial Midas Touch. Naveen Tewari, who gave the Indian startup ecosystem its very first unicorn has done it again, convincing us he has the secrets to building scalable businesses in record time. So if there's one interview you watch, read, and follow this week to stay inspired, then let it be this one with India’s very own 'unicorn whisperer.’ VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYPSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& There’s another reason to celebrate. In just the first week of 2021, Indian startups raised $620 million. Judging by this, investor sentiment may be off to a strong start this year. And with that - here’s what we have for you today for your daily dose of inspiration: - The Interview with InMobi's Naveen Tewari - YourStory Exclusive with Mercedes-Benz India CEO - Startup spotlight on Fasal - News and updates - Funding deals of the week and so much more… YourStory TV: The Interview YourStory TV The Interview [Naveen Tewari]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYOSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) Naveen Tewari may have been the entrepreneur who delivered India's first unicorn but it sure wasn't his only one. Even amidst a pandemic, Naveen helped close 2020 on a new high with Glance, a two-year-old subsidiary of InMobi, also entering the coveted unicorn club. Here are some key takeaways you cannot afford to miss: - The road ahead and towards an IPO - The highs and lows of Indian entrepreneurship - Secrets to building endurance and resilience - Future of content distribution and consumption - Why the growth-at-all-costs approach does not work [Watch Now]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYOSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) Startup Spotlight VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVwgISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& [Agritech startup Fasal is using IoT to help horticulture farmers go remote]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVwgISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) In 2017, two techies Ananda Verma and Shailendra Tiwari bought a small farmland near Mysore as a weekend getaway where they could grow coloured capsicum or bell peppers. Realising the struggles of growing horticulture crops, the duo decided to find a tech fix that would help farmers gain better visibility and “run farms on autopilot mode”. [Read more]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVwgISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&). VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVwgISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& Editor's Pick: YourStory Exclusive Editor's Pick YourStory Exclusive VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYBSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& [Mercedes-Benz India CEO on India’s relationship with luxury products]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYBSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) In 1994, Mercedes-Benz India started assembling its cars locally from Tata Motors’ premises. In 2009, it established its own manufacturing plant. YourStory Founder-CEO talks to Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, to understand the company’s unique strategy for the India market. [Read more]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYBSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&). News & Updates WhiteHat Jr's lawsuit against Pradeep Poonia gets a new hearing date; [Delhi HC directs the edtech startup to place all "documents" on the record]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAYASQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) before the next hearing. RBI unveils guidelines and a Rs 345 crore Payments Infrastructure Development Fund to boost digital payments in Tier III to VI centres, [opening a whole new scarcely-tapped market for players]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcJSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&). Blume Venture Partners launches Founders Fund to strengthen its network. The idea is to [build long-term relationships with founders]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) and extend the platform and network to these founders. COVID-19 vaccination drive to kick off in India on January 16, and the [priority will be given to nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAUISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&). Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the richest of them all? [Elon Musk surpasses Jeff Bezos' net worth]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVwgLSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&). Startup Funding: Deals of the past week Startup Funding Deals of the past week Startup Amount Round Udaan $280M Additional financing boAt $100M PE funding CRED $81M Series C [Read More]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAULSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) Here's what else is happening* *A roundup of interesting stories from global media organisations; YourStory has not verified this content and does not vouch for its accuracy - If you are confused about the new WhatsApp privacy notification, here’s a great explainer on how [the app has been sharing your data with Facebook for years]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcLSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) . - Online shopping has boomed in the pandemic, greatly boosting ecommerce companies. [But what about all the packaging]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcKSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) ? - Bird flu outbreak: [Rajasthan, Gujarat see more confirmed cases]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcNSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) , but samples from Chhattisgarh negative. - Future Group expects swift regulatory approval of its $3.4 billion deal to [sell its retail assets even]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcMSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) as its warring business partner Amazon.com Inc intensifies efforts to block the deal. - CB Insights’ [report on the state of sustainability in consumer and retail in 2021]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcPSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) highlights trends in the consumer and retail ecosystem for this year and how brands can arm themselves. Before you go, stay inspired with... Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO, OYO VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAQASQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& “Get things started and then work towards perfection...2020 has taught me resilience like never before. I have seen the toughest time in business.” Don't forget to follow us to get updates on the go [Facebook]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFEHUghF&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) [Twitter]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFEHUgdF&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) [Instagram]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFEHUgZF&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) [Linkedin]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFEHXwFF&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) [Youtube]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFUDVQkPSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) -- [Click Here]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=Uw0OAkoFSFYFVAcOSQ==&sl=I0hsS2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) to unsubscribe from this newsletter.