‘Version One is better than Version None’ – 35 quotes from Indian startup journeys

Launched in 2014, StoryBites is a weekly feature from YourStory, featuring notable quotable quotes in our articles of this past week (see the previous post here). Share these 35 gems and insights from the week of February 18-24 with your colleagues and networks, and check back to the original articles for more insights. See also our compilation of Top 50 Quotes from 2018 here.

Success is not an overnight game. It takes years of learning and application. - Hari Katragadda

Being well read is crucial to being a successful leader because it allows one to absorb diverse ideas that can ignite the mind. - Romesh Pandita, Alcobrew Distilleries

With so much hype around shiny new things, the biggest challenge for businesses is to segregate meaningful “signal" from the overwhelming "noise". - Balaji Iyer, Grant Thornton

Just like equities and bonds, one can also invest in startups because in the end it’s a risk. - Abhishek Agarwal, RockStud

Recent exits and a growing “give back” mentality have helped create a broader ecosystem of advisors and angel investors. - Rohit Bodas, Propel Venture Partners

With machine learning and AI, fintech platforms have developed their algorithms that work round the clock to maximise gains for corporate buyers and vendors. - Nipun Kohli, Priority Vendor

Combining machine learning and drone technology has enabled infrastructure and building managers to identify inventory shortages, malfunctions, and defects quickly at a lower cost than before. - Mark Sheehan, My Drone Authority

The GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi, or cellular data featured HRMS enables companies for geo-fencing, helping HRs to micro-manage all remote locations and field activities from one place. - Karan Jain, HR-One

Handcrafted products are today synonymous with responsible production and consumption. - Vishal Chordia, MSKVIB

In India, there is no concept of people paying for the water they use, and this needs to change. Only when you start paying for your water, will you be more conscious about consumption. - Abilash Haridass, VenAqua

While mobile connectivity is spreading quickly, it is not spreading equally. - Mats Granryd, GSMA

A lot of the downsides of GST have an outsize impact on startups—and this is where policymakers’ attention could be useful. - Prabhtej Bhatia, Kite

The dairy sector is only going to grow. With India’s per capita income growing, there will be a need to manage distribution and keep things on track. - Samarth Setia, Mr.Milkman

English is the language of aspiration. It equips students for higher education, enhances their job opportunities, and empowers people socially. - Sanjay Gupta, EnglishHelper

Mobility and transportation is the core need for everybody and that is where a lot of money goes into. - Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola

Our generation is at the cusp of change, and we have to be the flag-bearers to push it further. - Neha Dhupia

Startups are growing 12-13 percent annually, which is very healthy. The most interesting sector is deep tech, which is growing at 50 percent. - Debjani Ghosh, NASSCOM

Indian media consumption is undergoing a complete overhaul as internet-based streaming platforms are becoming increasingly mainstream. - Vineet Jain, BCCL

Shared office spaces have started replacing the traditional individual office setups with a vibrant network of inter-connected community. - Gautam Duggal, Eccosphere

Educational institutes don’t think like other business firms. Their mindsets are different. The traditional method of paper processing is still widespread. - Suraj Supra, NoPaperForms

A smart city has to reward its citizens for choosing a healthier lifestyle in these troubled times. - Deepak Sahni, Healthians

Several SMEs in the country and around the world do not have access to enterprise-grade sales force productivity tools. - V Ganapathy, Axilor

Education has finally started to attract the capital it deserves. - Zishaan Hayath, Toppr

There is lack of awareness, skill, and exposure for students to the industry they plan to pursue careers in. - Luvieen Alva, MentorMind

Be it gaming, video-viewing, or shopping, mobile is now the primary screen for users. - Vasuta Agarwal, InMobi

With OTT platforms readily providing distribution opportunities to indie and regional filmmakers, there has been an explosive growth in the production of original content. - Dushyant Kohli, nexGTV

Fashion today is leaning more towards the western trends but in India, women are opting for Indo-Western styles. - Mandira Bansal, WeaveinIndia

For farms to be organic, Indian laws require the crops and produce to be cultivated on soil, whereas aquaponics farms don’t use soil. - Anubhav Das, Red Otter Farms

People are aware of contamination and adulteration, but have limited options. Very few brands promise farm-fresh, certified, organic milk and milk products. - Mehal Kejriwal, Happy Milk

India has one of the highest rates of respiratory distress syndrome, which requires immediate breathing support. - Nitesh K. Jangir, Coeo Labs

Cruelty towards stray animals is very common in India. - Robin Singh, Peepal Farm

You will be amazed by the new ways millennials will invent things; nothing is impossible for millennials. - Nishant Chaudhary, Nikulsan

The ground is set for insurtech startups to introduce the idea of risk mitigation (beyond family bonds), a safety net in the shape of a small, simple insurance policy. - Rohan Kumar, Toffee Insurance

Enterprises need training in data sets and feedback on their correctness. In other words, they need the human touch. - Mythily Ramesh, NextWealth Entrepreneurs

A lot of strategies that go into running and training for marathons are applicable to startups as well. - Baishampayan Ghose

With newer data sets, underwriting will only get more precise, leading to more targeted products. - Manish Jain, KPMG

What matters the most is the dream, the number of sleepless nights you spend, till you make it real. - Karthika Reddy, Taazataaza.com

Version One is better than Version None. - David Nour, 'Co-Create'

YourStory has also published the pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups’ as a creative and motivational guide for innovators (downloadable as apps here: Apple, Android).