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3 Steps Every Startup Should Immediately Implement | Vinay Chandrasekaran - E27

Published on: 17th July, 2024

Vinay Chandrasekaran, founder of Frontek Solutions, Crayon’d, and Layerpath, shares his fascinating journey from learning HTML as a teenager in India to becoming the CEO of a successful SaaS company. Vinay delves into his entrepreneurial motivations, experiences at Zoho, and the essential role of community, mentorship, and resilience. He also discusses raising venture capital and emphasizes the importance of energy, passion, and mindset. Additionally, Vinay reflects on how his endurance sports endeavors have shaped his discipline and mindset and explores the idea of merging his tech expertise with sports training. The episode concludes with his thoughts on manifestation and public speaking. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• What’re the first three steps a founder should take in building a startup?

• What does failing fast look like in the startup ecosystem?

• When will you know to raise venture capital?

• What is the role of a Chief Focus Officer?


Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(03:18) - Building Frontex Solutions

(06:12) - The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship

(08:23) - Building a Founding Team

(10:32) - Joining Zoho

(14:36) - Travel and Personal Growth

(20:48) - Returning to Entrepreneurship

(25:57) - The First Thing Startups Should Do

(31:53) - Bringing an Idea to Market

(34:49) - The Importance of Founder Fit

(41:13) - Raising Venture Capital

(51:19) - Burnout and Support Systems

(53:41) - Closing Thoughts


Key Topics Discussed:

Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital


Mentions:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivinayc/


Check out the Funds & Founders Community:

Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

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About the Podcast

Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs
Welcome to "Funds & Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs," where we dig deep into the stories of successful Austin founders. Instead of focusing on their successes though, we dive into their journeys, particularly the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome.

This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders:

🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success
Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path.

🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights
Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders.

🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply.
At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure.

🤝 Decoding Venture Capital
Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility.

🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha:
Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders.

If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.