Mid-Season Highlights

Featuring Earned Secrets from Girish Mathrubootham, Mahesh Bhupathi, Harsh Mariwala, Amitabh Kant, and Anand Deshpande.

We’re at the mid-season mark of the third season of the Blume Podcast. If you haven’t tuned in yet, here’s a peek into what we’ve been upto.

But first, what’s this season about?

This season’s theme is “Winning Beyond Boundaries,” with every episode exploring the stories of founders, celebrated personalities, and change-makers who have scaled their businesses and careers to make a mark on the global stage.?

We've charted five incredible journeys, each offering unique insights into building world-class products, exporting innovation, and competing against the best globally. From multi-generation business builders to sports legends, this season is an eclectic and exciting mix of guests who spill the beans on what it takes to win internationally.?

Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply curious about India's global success stories, read on to discover what we have covered thus far.

Episode 1: Building a $3.5B global giant, from Chennai to NASDAQ, featuring Girish Mathrubootham

Girish Mathrubootham, fondly known as "G" in the startup world, is the founder and executive chairman of Freshworks, the OG SaaS company that put India on the global tech map. This conversation is packed with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the future of tech.

Girish discusses the company's journey from a garage in Chennai to getting listed on NASDAQ, including critical choices in business model, product strategy, and team building at every stage of their growth.

Our favorite snippet is when Girish describes the process of going public, comparing it to a "big fat Indian wedding." He explains that while everyone is excited about the IPO and wants to celebrate the event, much like wedding guests, the real work begins after the celebration. Just as newlyweds must navigate their new life together after the wedding, a newly public company faces ongoing responsibilities and scrutiny.

He also peeks into the future, sharing his excitement about AI's potential and vision for India's role in the global tech landscape.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/qO5b-AF57nM

Episode 2: Game, Set, Match: Mahesh Bhupathi's Story of Global Domination

Mahesh Bhupathi, one-half of the famed "Indian Express" of tennis, is a true legend of Indian sport. With an astounding 12 Grand Slam titles in men's doubles and mixed doubles, Mahesh has conquered tennis and made a significant impact beyond the court.

Mahesh shares his journey from a tennis-obsessed child to a global champion. He offers insights into what it takes to become a world-class athlete, including the importance of family support, discipline, and the right mindset.

He also explores the challenges of doubles partnerships, the mental trials of competing at the highest level, and the transition from professional sports to mentoring young talent.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/IY-B1V5xHyE

Episode 3: Scaling Marico to Rs 86,000 Crore Global Brand | Harsh Mariwala’s Winning Formula

Harsh Mariwala, the visionary founder of Marico, shares his journey of transforming a commodities business into a leading multinational FMCG company. This conversation is a masterclass in building and scaling a global FMCG business from India.

Mr. Mariwala delves into the key decisions that shaped Marico's success, including talent acquisition, the importance of innovation, and competing in only those categories where Marico can become a market leader.

We especially loved his anecdote about how they elevated Saffola from just another edible oil to a premium health brand. By initially positioning it as "good for the heart" and focusing on cholesterol reduction, they gradually evolved the brand to become synonymous with a healthy lifestyle. This clever repositioning allowed Marico to command premium pricing, making it one of the highest-margin edible oils in the world.

He also discusses the company's journey from an Indian brand to a multinational player through strategic and well-timed acquisitions and the expansion of local brands to other countries.

His passion for fostering entrepreneurship, evident through initiatives like the ASCENT Foundation and Marico Innovation Foundation, inspires and guides emerging entrepreneurs.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/zXouhWLFLJM

Episode 4: Amitabh Kant's Vision for India's Transformation: From Incredible India to Invincible India

Amitabh Kant, a distinguished leader in the Indian Government, shares his diverse experiences from grassroots development in Kerala to high-level diplomatic roles as India's G20 Sherpa.

From spearheading the iconic “Incredible India” campaign to driving initiatives like “Make in India” and “Startup India,” Mr. Kant’s career offers insights into India’s economic transformation and aspirations to become a global powerhouse.

In this episode, he explores key factors in India's growth: digital public infrastructure, the rise of entrepreneurship, and the importance of becoming a global market leader.

Our favorite insight of the episode is his roadmap for India to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047. He emphasizes the need for India to focus on cutting-edge areas like electric vehicles, battery storage, quantum computing, and green hydrogen, all driven by entrepreneurship and innovation, to become a developed nation by 2047.

Mr. Kant's perspectives on leadership, team building, and navigating complex negotiations offer practical advice for entrepreneurs building world-class businesses from India.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/5t3gjICja_k

Episode 5: How Anand Deshpande Built a $9 Billion Powerhouse: The Persistent Systems Story

Anand Deshpande, founder of Persistent Systems and the OG tech entrepreneur, shares his journey of building a $9 billion global tech powerhouse from humble beginnings in Pune. This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic mindset for founders.

In this episode, Mr. Deshpande shares insights from Persistent's journey through various growth stages, which he calls "orbits."

He explains that business growth is not sequential but rather occurs in S-curves or orbits. Each orbit requires a different approach, team structure, and set of skills. Mr. Deshpande emphasizes that recognizing these transitions and adapting accordingly is crucial for sustained growth. This concept of "orbits" offers a fresh perspective on business scaling, highlighting the need for companies and founders to reinvent themselves to overcome plateaus and achieve new levels of growth.

He also shares his perspectives on coming back to build in India three decades ago, going public, and celebrating entrepreneurship beyond his company.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/Oy24UBvHSE0

These episodes are full of insights and inspiration, and we’re confident when we say the rest of the season won’t disappoint. If you missed out, take a weekend to catch up because we’re definitely brewing more.

Happy watching!