Problem-Solving: The Key to Success for Indian Startups

As the year ends, I’m reflecting: Are we truly achieving meaningful progress or just staying busy? The festive season might linger, but the real work for us founders continues.

Narayana Murthy recently noted that many Indian startups focus on trendy ideas, like building advanced language models, instead of solving real problems. This struck a chord with me.?

As founders, it’s easy to get drawn to exciting tech ?? but if it doesn’t address genuine challenges, it’s just noise.

Take the rush to replicate LLMs in India. Bold on paper, sure. But if these models don’t solve localized issues, what’s the point of the problem-solving process?

Murthy’s insight—prioritize problem-solving over flaunting tech—feels more relevant now than ever. Startups aren’t here for vanity metrics or global applause. ?? We’re here to serve people with real needs.

Keeping with this sentiment, I often ask myself: are we innovating to make an impact or just to keep up with the latest trends??

Why Defining the Problem is the First Step

Let’s talk about FOMO. It’s the silent killer of innovation. AI, blockchain, and other buzzwords make it tempting to hop on trends. But jumping in without understanding the problem is a recipe for waste—of time ?, resources, and talent.

At OpenGrowth, I’ve seen this firsthand. Startups succeed not by chasing trends but by defining the problem first. That’s how you create lasting value.

Common Pitfalls We’ve Had to Deal With

At OpenGrowth, I’ve seen many startups skip clearly defining the problem first. The most common mistakes are:

?? Building in a bubble

We often assume we know what the market needs, but without real user feedback, we’re building in the dark.?

?? Overlooking local relevance?

Just because a product works in one part of the world doesn’t mean it’s universal. ?? I’ve learned the hard way that localizing both the product and the problem is the first step to solving it.

Chasing trends over utility

Chasing trends without understanding the problem leads to solutions with no real value.

Murthy’s Perspective for a Problem-Solution Approach

Murthy’s critique is a valuable reminder that startups need to keep their focus sharp, especially as we close out the year. ??? As a founder, I’ve learned the importance of doing a regular problem audit.?

After all, you can’t solve a problem if you don’t truly understand it.?

Here’s how I approach it:

?? Do a problem audit

Every active project should be revisited. What problem does it solve? If you can’t clearly define it, it’s time to rethink it. Sometimes, external feedback helps fine-tune your perspective.

?? Work on increments

Not every breakthrough needs to be revolutionary. Starting small and tackling specific, everyday issues can lead to massive impacts over time.?

You’d be surprised how powerful a modest solution can be when it addresses a real need.

In the early days at OpenGrowth, we made the mistake of overcomplicating our project management process. Initially, we started with an advanced tool for organizing things, thinking this was the way to go.?

But let me tell you the truth: it didn’t work out at all. It was only after we adopted a simpler tool like Google Sheet that things started to fall into place. ??

The lesson I’m referring to here is: why complicate things when you can simplify them?

So, are your startup goals on track? Here’s my challenge to all of us: Let’s use this time to reassess our goals.?

Are they rooted in genuine problem-solving, or are we chasing what’s trending? Because, in the end, the only metric that truly matters is the difference we make. ??

What’s your take on this? Share your thoughts!

Until next time,

Akriti Verma?

Co-founder, OpenGrowth

#womeninbusiness #problemsolvingmindset