Is there anything to learn from a VC?

If you think venture capitalists (VCs) are merely financial backers of startups, think again. Beneath their poised personas lies a VC Mantra that could challenge even the most entrenched corporate boardrooms. And here's the truth: this mantra could redefine how Indian businesses, especially large corporations, tackle risk, innovation, and survival in an unforgiving market.

India is no stranger to disruption. From startups scaling in months to entire industries rethinking their existence, the pace is relentless. Yet, many legacy businesses operate with bureaucratic inertia. Could adopting the VC Mantra rescue them from irrelevance?

1. Is Failure Really a "Four-Letter" Word?

In many traditional corporates, failure is taboo—a blemish that haunts careers. Contrast this with VCs, who expect 80% of their investments to fail and celebrate it as a feature, not a flaw. Why? Because the 20% that succeed often compensate many times over. If businesses could shed their fear of failure, would we see more audacious, game-changing ideas emerge?

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2. Should We Stop Worshiping Consensus?

Many boardrooms are obsessed with consensus, where every idea must appease everyone in the room before moving forward. In contrast, VCs thrive on disagreement. They know that breakthroughs often come from outliers, not from safe, unanimous decisions. What if Indian companies institutionalised the "devil’s advocate" role? Could a little dissent spark the next billion-dollar idea?

3. Agility: From Buzzword to Reality?

Speed isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for survival. VCs often finalise deals in days, while conglomerates deliberate endlessly over decisions startups execute in hours. In a world where disruption waits for no one, this sluggishness can be fatal. Should corporates simplify their layers of approvals and embrace faster, leaner decision-making?

4. Do Individual Voices Truly Matter?

VCs empower individuals to make bold calls, while many organisations suppress initiative under the weight of hierarchy. Imagine the innovation that could flourish if junior team members or contrarians were encouraged to speak up, without seniority stifling fresh ideas.

5. Is the Anti-Veto Revolution Relevant?

In many corporates, one "no" can kill an idea. VCs, however, often allow even a lone believer to push forward. This "anti-veto" approach has birthed global successes. Could companies replicate this by giving their innovators room to manoeuvre, even in the face of skepticism?

India’s business environment is at a crossroads. Startups are no longer underdogs. They are challengers capable of disrupting even the most entrenched industries. The real question is: if traditional players don’t embrace the VC Mantra of agility and risk tolerance, will they be outmanoeuvred by leaner, faster, and more daring competitors?