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As already mentioned, the writing style makes it hard to get to the heart of the matter. For me, it reads like a cathartic post from a stressed out entrepreneu

by sayeed 15y ago

As already mentioned, the writing style makes it hard to get to the heart of the matter. For me, it reads like a cathartic post from a stressed out entrepreneur. Needs to be 'understood' rather than being taken literally. The gist of the post can be summarized so: Is it a good idea to start a software products company in India? No, it isn't, because VCs will never fund it and you will never make it by bootstrapping. Even if you do, "fast-followers" will clone your business and get the benefit. Heads you loose, tails they win. Then we have all the obstacles one has to grapple with. Not least are the unreasonable, uncouth, undiscerning customers who want to free-ride as much as possible. The future will be better but now it's so bleak... :( ---- Being a Bangalore based entrepreneur focused on Indian enterprises and small businesses (co-founder, Greytip), I can relate to the frustrations but also strongly disagree on many counts. Yes, there may not be a market for Online Tax Filing due to all the factors Archit lists out, but, it could also be because there are already many players in the domain. Moreover, it is a once a year business opportunity so it's a tougher nut to crack. As for customers willingness to pay for software, it is all about value for money. A $5 per user pricing, although reasonable in the developed world, will not cut ice in India. A 50 cents per user pricing may yet work. Which brings us to the key challenges to doing business in India: how do you keep costs low and still make profits, break-even before you break out of runway, and not compromise on quality and service. Some days you put your head down and get going, some days you silently scream in the dark, and on some days you just rant... ;)

kamaal 15y ago
I would also say it depends on what your want to do. If your intention is hit and run success through easiest means. And then complaining that it isn't happening won't help. Good things and 'value for money' is not easy to build. Something like Flipkart is not easy to build(The whole thing with their supply chain, not just the site) and not easy to copy. And for genuine stuff its not going to be as easy as heads you loose, tails they win. A more important question to ask Is your success that easy to replicate? And if it is, what is so great about your work?
architgupta 15y ago
Good one Sayeed. :-) It was a rant. $5 pricing once a year. If that's outside of the affordability range, my business will be in trouble. Most people pay though, so I am not too worried. VC funded business is fine IMO, just be prepared if you create a market, fast followers are coming. True for most companies across the world I suppose(Expedia, Kayak, Orbitz). Hence, I wrote about brand building, while you create value. I think the takeaway is: "the key challenges to doing business in India: how do you keep costs low and still make profits, break-even before you break out of runway, and not compromise on quality and service." I think this is true for across the world. I mean everyone loves a deal! So maybe create a business for the richer part of the world. Mostly food for thought. I like what GreyTip is doing.

by sayeed 15y ago

kamaal 15y ago

I would also say it depends on what your want to do. If your intention is hit and run success through easiest means. And then complaining that it isn't happening won't help. Good things and 'value for money' is not easy to build. Something like Flipkart is not easy to build(The whole thing with their supply chain, not just the site) and not easy to copy. And for genuine stuff its not going to be as easy as heads you loose, tails they win. A more important question to ask Is your success that easy to replicate? And if it is, what is so great about your work?

architgupta 15y ago

Good one Sayeed. :-) It was a rant. $5 pricing once a year. If that's outside of the affordability range, my business will be in trouble. Most people pay though, so I am not too worried. VC funded business is fine IMO, just be prepared if you create a market, fast followers are coming. True for most companies across the world I suppose(Expedia, Kayak, Orbitz). Hence, I wrote about brand building, while you create value. I think the takeaway is: "the key challenges to doing business in India: how do you keep costs low and still make profits, break-even before you break out of runway, and not compromise on quality and service." I think this is true for across the world. I mean everyone loves a deal! So maybe create a business for the richer part of the world. Mostly food for thought. I like what GreyTip is doing.