""My lessons from that, as a founder, it's very, very tempting to cross the line. And everyone knows their line. The moment you question a decision, the moment you think about a decision—like should I? Is this questionable? Is this okay?—that's when you know you're staring at a line. My only advice is that if you cross that line, it's very, very, very hard to go back. I'm not here to judge anyone who crosses it or doesn't; those are personal decisions. But crossing that line is a very hard decision to walk back from. That line is tempting; it offers money, fundraising, status, glamour, and maybe even a spot on Forbes 30 under 30. We all know where that leads. So my advice is to stick to your guts, stick to your guns. Build a real business." - Avik Ashar, Principal at Artha Venture Fund" - Avik Ashar
"The takeaway is that India is not homogeneous. Although we are definitely one country united by pride and nationalism, the diversity within is profound. Travel just 120 kilometers in any direction—north, south, east, or west—and you'll encounter a different dialect, belief system, cultural values, and completely different food. Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore are not truly representative of the entire country. They are more like microcosms, similar to global cities like New York, London, or Singapore, and don't reflect the broader Indian context. Therefore, anyone looking to deeply understand or engage with India must look beyond these metropolitan areas as they are not indicative of the country as a whole." - Avik Ashar, Principal at Artha Venture Fund" - Avik Ashar
"India 2, which I would categorize as comprising about 70 to 100 million people, is something I'm genuinely excited about, as it's driving the consumption narrative of this country. These individuals, along with their parents, have likely unlocked the means to travel internationally two or three times in their lifetimes, to see the world. Upon returning, their sentiment often is, "Hey, we want something similar here." As a result, there's a significant surge in consumption, particularly in direct-to-consumer markets and the broader consumer ecosystem, with new brands emerging. This reminds me of a childhood experience in Oman—roasted corn seasoned with lemon, chili, and cilantro, flavors that were previously inaccessible in India until just three or four years ago. This consumerism wave has swept across the country, with everyone eager to explore diverse products and experiences. It's an exceptional time to be both an investor and a consumer here, as the market is vibrant with novel and varied offerings.” - Avik Ashar, Principal at Artha Venture Fund" - Avik Ashar
In this episode, Jeremy Au speaks on Zilingo ethical dilemmas, India versus Southeast Asia startups, and market and consumer diversity.
Keywords: Avik Ashar, Zilingo Ethical Dilemmas, India vs Southeast Asia Startups, Market and Consumer Diversity, India, Southeast Asia, VC, Founder Story
