Indian Entrepreneurs Receive Advice from Hotmail Founder Sabeer Bhatia on Conquering Global Markets
New Delhi – Indian entrepreneurs have been advised not to focus on conquering the entire world by Sabeer Bhatia, the founder of Hotmail and an investor. Bhatia believes that Indian entrepreneurs should focus on their cost-efficiency-based business model, which caters specifically to Indian customers. He explained that Indian thinking differs from the rest of the world, and it is essential to understand this distinction. Bhatia shared his insights during the launch of a free online course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and entrepreneurship collaboration between his short-form app, Show Reel, and Jamia Millia Islamia.
Bhatia emphasized that Indian startups prioritize cost efficiency, while their counterparts in the US focus on time-saving solutions. He also stood by his previous statement that Indian startups tend to copy Western business models, which he considers inappropriate. According to Bhatia, Western business models were originally adopted due to the lack of human capital in those regions, a problem that India does not face.
To illustrate the difference in thinking, Bhatia pointed out the long-standing tradition of home-delivered groceries in India, available through a simple phone call. He admitted that he was unaware of the edtech sector, including leading Indian platform BYJU’S, further highlighting the unique perspectives that Indian entrepreneurs bring to the table.
Bhatia’s collaboration with universities like Jamia Millia Islamia includes funding for 100,000 entrepreneurs through Show Reel. This initiative aims to foster entrepreneurial learning and has been seen as a strategic move. Bhatia clarified that Show Reel’s focus from its 2021 launch in Silicon Valley was never to compete with entertainment-oriented short-form apps like TikTok or Moj. Instead, it aimed to cater to the professional space, especially by offering video resume capabilities.
Furthermore, Bhatia revealed his plans to develop a competitor to the popular show “Shark Tank” with a concept called “Dolphin tank.” While he didn’t disclose specific financial details, he promised to release more information in the following months about how the show would support aspiring entrepreneurs in creating their own businesses.
Discussing the impact of generative technologies, Bhatia expressed his belief that such technologies would revolutionize every aspect of human life. He envisioned a future where individuals have constant access to internet knowledge through an AI assistant, albeit without critical thinking abilities. Bhatia advised individuals to either embrace the AI revolution or remain on the sidelines.
The launch of the course on Show Reel was met with enthusiasm from Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar, who praised Bhatia for his contributions to India’s tech revolution. Akhtar sees the partnership with Show Reel as an opportunity to revolutionize the education industry.
With his invaluable experience and insights, Sabeer Bhatia’s words resonate with Indian entrepreneurs, urging them to leverage their unique cost-efficiency-based model and embrace the potential for innovation on a global scale. This collaboration between Show Reel and Jamia Millia Islamia marks a significant step forward in supporting entrepreneurship and fostering growth in India’s business landscape.
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