Reader poll: half of startup respondents say 2016 was a great year
On December 1, 2016, we asked our readers what memories they had made this year? Whether the year 2016 was good, bad, or ugly, everyone will agree it was one hell of a ride.
"While the startup world has witnessed a lot of ups and downs, the world beyond has also seen a major tectonic shift. As a result, the beliefs and dreams that we held on to in these past months have been tested in most cases, while in some cases shattered, and yes, in some reaffirmed… strongly," wrote Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO of YourStory.
For most of our readers, it appears 2016 was a great year, and one can perhaps attribute this to the optimistic attitude of the entrepreneur in general.
But let's find out why it was so.
In case you missed this survey, here's another chance to tell us how your year was and why? And what your dreams and ambitions for the New Year are? Click here to tell us.
Ajay Mittal
Founder and CEO, Meraworkshop
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
This year was full of learning and excitement with a lot of activities and self-exploration that reiterated my inner commitments towards my journey that was off the traditional, stable path.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To disconnect myself from my fears of my imagined future and live each day in the present to be more productive, learn more, gain more humility, and also travel!
Amit Bhor
CEO, Co-founder of Walnut
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
2016 was a breakout year for Walnut -- we scaled to millions of users, launched some much-loved features and raised our Series-A round with a focussed strategy ahead of us.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Execute strategy and not get distracted.
Rachit Singh
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
I founded my first venture this year.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To grow two sub-ventures from my parent company.
Siddharth Arora
Co-founder of ePaisa
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
To digitise India by digitising the point of sale. As cashless economy will soon become a reality we are working to disrupt the Point of Sale space with ePaisa and empower businesses with smart tools to grow their business.
Monica Arun
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
Because as an entrepreneur, I explored moving from being a travel agent to becoming a destination specialist.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To expand from doing individual bookings to taking groups to foreign countries.
Prashant Bhargava
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
This has been the second consecutive year when my resolutions have been fulfilled in due time. Though the time tables still haven’t worked out. From travelling to more than six cities and finally attending the MobileSparks 2016 event, it has all contributed to me being more versatile and finding more paths to a sustainable and better life. Moreover, those piles of files I had collected for research have finally given me a sense of direction. This has made me believe that this dream might still be attainable and that it’s too soon to give it up. I don’t like the place where I'm living right now but the reasons why I came here are finally becoming a reality.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Just to start up at any cost.
Ajith Mohan Karimpana
Founder and CEO Furlenco
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
The best thing that's happened in 2016 is that we have reached out to 15,000 happy customers and launched Furlenco in a new city, Pune. And, last but definitely not the least, we have raised $30 million (Rs 200 crore) in a Series-B round. This is one of the largest debt financing rounds ever raised by a startup.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Our aim this year is to reach new heights by launching operations in new cities. Apart from that, we will be launching innovative and smart furniture designs every month.
Mukesh Bhardwaj
CEO & Founder, Digitalwebdia
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
This year, I learnt so many interesting things about how the web works and how to grow your own business. The moment when I started my own startup, business was awesome! (as I'm just 19 years old). And one more thing that made my 2016 interesting is that I got featured at many big startup companies and websites.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To see my startup in the top 10 list. I am going to launch a unique product and web service.
Shravan Paloju
Entrepreneur
How was 2016 for you?
Bad
Why was it so?
I guess because I was lazy and there were financial constraints.
What's your resolution for 2017?
My startup should be on the market.
Rana Dutta
Co-Founder of Tiyo
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
It’s been a dream. Starting from securing our first seed investment to opening up in four new markets with six more in sight, consistent growth in customer base, and one hell of a team we have built.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Progress on the same route. Build on what we have achieved. Twenty markets by mid-year, closing the important funding requirements, and more importantly, emerging as an innovative health tech company.
Avinash
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
Many reasons
What's your resolution for 2017?
A new business setup
Amod Anand
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
I saw two big things — the odd-even scheme in Delhi from January 1–15 and the demonetisation on November 8. My business grew 5x over the last year. It’s a great achievement.
What's your resolution for 2017?
I want to develop my networking skills, want to quit my job, and want to give my business my 100 percent. The target is to increase sales 5x next year.
Anshul Arora
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
Being a bootstrapped startup, we have had our revenue in six figures each month. We have been in business for almost a year now.
What's your resolution for 2017?
We have helped around 50 startups in one year. The plan is to serve at least 200 startups in 2017.
SK Shrivas
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
Because, of the progress I have made.
What's your resolution for 2017?
I want to make a great product and do something different.
Oyekan
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
I have been able to channel my skills in digital technology to my community in Nigeria through free and paid public speaking, helping small businesses build websites and blogs, and helping children learn resilience and team spirit through sports in the summer of 2016, to name a few.
What's your resolution for 2017?
I want to know more, do more, become more, create more, influence more — above all, I want to be consistent.
Ajay
How was 2016 for you?
Bad
Why was it so?
I wasn’t able to do what I wanted.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Not yet decided.
Shashank
How was 2016 for you?
Bad
Why was it so?
I required more knowledge about startups and entrepreneurship.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Gain more knowledge and have my own startup.
Kuppulakshmi
Products/Startup ecosystem evangelist at ZOHO. Also, a mom, communications & soft skills trainer
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
It was great because I explored projects that were totally out of my comfort zone. I threw myself at the challenges without any fear. Learned to let go of people who pretended to be friends, and I managed time well.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To take good care of my health, to give as much as I take, and to let go of a few bad memories. And, make new friends.
Vanathi
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
I learned a lot of things in my personal life as well as my career. This year, I found my strength.
What's your resolution for 2017?
I want to be successful in my career and I am going to work hard to get there.
Ankita
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
Launched 'Yes Property'.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To establish offices in other cities and to build a real estate search and advisory brand that every property seeker can trust and rely on.
Kunal Gupta
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
I started a channel, Startup Guru, on YouTube. I was a very good experience.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To see my channel become successful.
Basil PV
My ambition is to become an entrepreneur
How was 2016 for you?
Bad
Why was it so?
It was a year for forming ideas — I haven’t been able to start a business.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Will take steps to start up.
Kushal Aralihalli
Founder and CEO, TheCollegeFever
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
Raised investments and now building an awesome team to achieve our vision.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To make a difference in college students’ lives and to reach to 2,000 colleges.
Yuvraj Chaubey
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
Due to the rise of e-commerce in the B2B sector, I learned more, earned more, and discovered a lot of opportunities for 2017.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Get a handsome fund for my startup.
Nachiket
How was 2016 for you?
Ugly
Why was it so?
After a series of failures, I started up this year again! This time, I took risks. I left the job to concentrate on my product. I worked, worked, and worked on it. Unfortunately, I failed AGAIN.
What's your resolution for 2017?
I don't believe in resolutions. Nothing planned specifically.
Kingshuk Jain
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
I met the YourStory team.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Work with the YourStory team.
Nirmal Dayaramani
Founder of Outdo Inc, Co-Founder of Poso.in
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
We were/are building our product in 2016 and it will finish in early 2017. The good thing is, before we finish our product, we have already started generating revenue from it.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To make sure we build a great team and brilliant product and keep moving forward at the speed of light!
M Bhujang Nayak
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
People were expecting a great outcome from this government.
What's your resolution for 2017?
The chaos is going to continue in the coming year, as 40 percent of the people will not be able to shift from cash to cashless. Demonetisation is a wonderful idea, but this 40 percent does not understand the benefit. They only think about what they stand to gain.
Karan
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
Have been a part of three organisations, one of which was my own startup, which went down pretty soon. Learned life is tough and one can rise if we have the right attitude.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Keep trying and keep learning.
Siddhartha Ahluwalia
Co-Founder & CEO, Babygogo
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
We raised our seed round of funding from investors who could empathise with our journey and our cause. We went from a team of three to 15 wonderful people who are like extended family. We share all our joys and sorrows together. Celebrate every small achievement. Our team is motivated by our purpose to help new moms in their parenting journey.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To help one million moms through Babygogo.
Srishti Garg
How was 2016 for you?
Bad
Why was it so?
I cared too much.
What's your resolution for 2017?
To not care as much.
Shashank Srivastava
How was 2016 for you?
Great
Why was it so?
This year brought a lot of moments I can cherish throughout my life. In January and February, I got an opportunity to work on business development ideas for OYO rooms and Goibibo and was lucky enough to present the ideas to their leadership and get their valuable feedback on the same. As I come from an IT background in MBA, I was fortunate enough to land up with an internship with Videocon Industries and this experience has not only taught me about intricacies of marketing but also helped me understand the importance of financials for any marketing plan that one proposes.
Later in 2016, with dedicated efforts and hard work, my team won the campus round of Mahindra War Room, which is considered the world cup of all case competitions at B-schools. The year followed with participating in many such competitions and winning them all.
The year is also special because I got a job at my dream company, Google. So, 2016 has been phenomenal for me.
What's your resolution for 2017?
My resolution for 2017 is to keep giving my best like I have been doing since last year and make meaningful contributions not only towards my organisation but also towards my nation.
Subharanjan Bhattacharya
Professional and working in a private company
How was 2016 for you?
Good
Why was it so?
Because I made great strides in self-improvement.
What's your resolution for 2017?
Become a good communicator, a motivational speaker, an Excel specialist, body builder, and runner.
Sujan Pariyar
Founder of Inxchan, Wanderlust Nepal
How was 2016 for you?
Good
What's your resolution for 2017?
Improving all the mistake that made 2016 a roller coaster ride. Now for a smooth ride in 2017. Keep reading more, stop buying stuff that has no value, no wasting time on dumb stuff or TV, positive mind, and organic food, raising more awareness of my startup, and support toward humanitarian work.
Manoj Agarwal
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
To come up with new features in our engagement platform that will increase the happiness level of client's employees by at least 50 percent. Another resolution would be to increase our reach in the UAE and the US.
Ayush Singh
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
To start a venture in the social networking space from India.
Shailesh Shanbagh
Entrepreneur, Canmart
How was 2016 for you?
Good
What's your resolution for 2017?
I want to expand the footprints of my e-commerce website Canmart.
Ankit Srivastava
Business Development Manager e-tailer startup
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
More focus
Aparna
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
Share my knowledge for enhancement of each and every one in India via workshops & events.
Bhavik Sarkhedi
Author, Digital Marketer and Solopreneur
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
Make my personal brand global.
Pratik Kanada
CEO of 360 Degree Technosoft
How was 2016 for you?
Good
What's your resolution for 2017?
Make my mobile app development company reach the highest peak.
Pranjal Jain
How was 2016 for you?
Good
What's your resolution for 2017?
To launch the mobile app and have 10,000 downloads by mid 2017.
Akshat Malik
Founder of ClickOnCare
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
ClickOnCare to be a major name in the healthtech industry. We lead the OTC market currently and would start with prescription-based medicines pretty soon when theDrugs Act gets amended.
Vinodsenthil T
CEO/CTO - INFYSEC & ethical hacker
How was 2016 for you?
Good
What's your resolution for 2017?
To get my SAAS product launched and reach 50,000 customers and have paid subscriptions rolling.
Nitesh Manav
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
To grow my startup
Rudra Kumar Kar
How was 2016 for you?
Great
What's your resolution for 2017?
A strong dedication to hard work.
Rei
gamersaur.com
How was 2016 for you?
Bad
What's your resolution for 2017?
To be more successful in life, to watch my passion (https://gamersaur.com) grow and spread to the rest of the world who have the same passion.
Madhupriya G
How was 2016 for you?
Good
What's your resolution for 2017?
Achieving my dream.
