You Can Rebel And You Can Be A Rebel! Today, startup entrepreneurship in India is seeing rebellion that is beyond business.

By Ritu Marya

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

TOI

We can argue about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton turning the US politics into a bad reality show, but are our e-commerce unicorns any better? Both scenarios are melodramatic, crude and shameless,
and they are all riding high for the improbable bid to be #1. Today, startup entrepreneurship in India is seeing rebellion that is beyond business, it can be defined as a mass of resentments, anxieties and frustrations about each other's business style and growth.

The start-up euphoria is however, giving a way to realism both at the top and grass roots, and therefore it promises to be more impactful. The larger prediction is that valuations will become tight and funding will become real. Innovation combined with scalability and sustainability with in-built profitability will become the mainstay of investment in start-ups. This will call for pushing boundaries and making people uncomfortable, challenging the rules and feeling damn good about it. The rule of the jungle, "let the fittest survive," will be the new normal as our cover story spells it out amid the unicorn spats.

Amid re-valuations and tightening of investor purse strings, an Indian entrepreneur changed the course.
The Infibeam Founder Vishal Mehta has walked the true path of Indian entrepreneurship by guiding his growth in a more traditional milieu, pursuing a more conventional, and perhaps a less risky path. The IPO may have not broken world records but surely has achieved what he set out for and while doing so has set precedence for e-commerce and tech start-ups to take a hard look at the public money to build growth. Many new start-ups will now be looking at IPOs more closely. Even unicorn e-commerce companies can do well to heed this path.

It has been a busy financial year for entrepreneurs in India, thanks to the economy that grew by 7.4 percent much ahead of the world's developed economies. It is the period when Indian entrepreneurs should make time to take financial overview of the business, take stock of their assets and debts, and evaluating monthly cash flows to set new financial resolutions. It is especially important for start-ups to
look at financial management during this period as the major part of the year otherwise goes into business model restructuring. Even a less than 100 percent realization of financial resolutions can leave a very healthy impact on the balance sheet rather than having no game plan at all.

"I can sleep when I die." That's the mentality of an entrepreneur, artist and sportsperson. While they have much in common, they can always look at each other to draw energy and inspiration. They are obsessed with their craft and their passion, and they also know that in this uncertain world, they can only depend on themselves, so they invest in themselves. We feature some nonentrepreneurs who have the mindset of an entrepreneur.

Ritu Marya

Editor-in-Chief, Entrepreneur Media (APAC & India)

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Astronomer's CEO and HR Chief Were Placed on Leave After the Coldplay Kiss-Cam Scandal. Here's How the Unicorn Tech Company Has Responded.

Astronomer responded after its top leadership went viral during the usually cute "kiss cam" segment of Coldplay's show.

Leadership

How to Build a Team That Can Execute Your Vision

When you're a leader, you're the one in charge of your company's mission and vision. But you can't realize that vision alone.

Leadership

Guy Fieri Teaches His Team This Customer Service Secret — And It Can Unlock Unexpected Success For Your Business Too

We sat down with the Mayor of Flavortown to find out the philosophy that helped him build a global brand centered on food, fun, and family.

Business News

President Donald Trump Signs the GENIUS Act to Make the U.S. the 'Crypto Capital of the World'

The landmark cryptocurrency legislation was signed into law by President Trump on Friday.

Science & Technology

5 AI Tools Doing Overtime So You Can Run a Profitable Solo Business (Without Losing Your Mind)

Most entrepreneurs are using AI to save time — but that's not where the real leverage is.