‘Failure is there to teach you something’ – 40 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 40 gems and insights from the week of April 27 – May 3 with your colleagues and networks, and check back to the original articles for more insights. See also our special compilation of quotes related to India’s coronavirus responses here.

Successful innovation is, almost always, a product of high-learning experiments. One needs to learn, from users themselves, what works for them and what doesn’t. - Ambikesh Prasad, M.A.D. Methods

The true impact on any venture will be seen two quarters after the lockdown is lifted. Those that survive will be the winners. - Sanil Sachar, Huddle

Understand your audience, be relatable and don’t buy followers. – Shagun, Little Letters Linked

With effective board meetings, founders can strategically manoeuvre their businesses to the pinnacles of triumph, and achieve those end goals that everyone ultimately desires to see. - Shripati Acharya, Prime Venture Partners

In a SaaS business, once you cross $10 million with good momentum, you basically become unkillable because of the recurring nature of the business. - Jason Lemkin

The news in 21st century is not just about disseminating information. It is more about channelising the emotions of the audience and gathering their opinions in real time. - K.G Suresh, UPES

Less is more has become the new norm in the information domain. - Vinay Pagaria, StockEdge

School fees have sharply increased in the last decade, especially in urban cities, and become the largest, most significant item of a household's budget. - Atulya Bhat, Jodo

The role of animation in revitalising pedagogy through creativity and engagement cannot be stressed enough. - Anant Goyal, Bright Tutee

The education system is evolving from averages to edges. - Abhinav Singhvi

Over the next 20 years, being proficient with computer oriented skills will be as important as being proficient at English in the past 20 years. - Gaurav Jain, Venture Catalysts

In business schools, faculty may not have experience with hands-on leadership in the industry. - Tathagata Dasgupta, MUSB

Trying to define protocols for better healthcare outcomes and solutions for a country like India makes a world of difference. - Ajit Narayanan, Mfine

Vaccines are the cheapest form of disease prevention. They lay the foundation for a healthy child and therefore a healthy nation. - Neeraj Mehta, ImmunifyMe

There are so many myths and taboos that get passed on from older generations and there is no breaking of the cycle of these taboos because women don't talk about their periods. - Soumya Dabriwal, Project Baala

All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

ALSO READ

Coronavirus: This kids food startup is ensuring underprivileged children don't go hungry amid lockdown

Consumers are looking to not just minimise harmful ingredients (preservatives, colours, excess sugar etc.) but also include healthy ingredients (probiotics, natural active ingredients). - Siddharth Jain, Brewhouse Tea Brewing Co.

Remember this thumb rule: Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruits, one fourth with proteins and the remaining one fourth with carbs. - Meghana Pasi, ArogyaWorld India Trust

While there are many companies who sell tea, but very few sell fresh, single estate (non-blended), loose-leaf, premium Indian teas. - Atulit Chokhani, The Tea Shelf

The Indian beauty market is an exciting place to be in since consumers are open to trying new things, love nature-based products, and are following international beauty trends in a big way. - Mansi Chowdhary, Body Cupid

The eyewear industry in India is growing at 30 percent CAGR, and it is shocking to know that there is only one store available for 70,000 people in India. - Shivi Singh, ClearDekho

Design and fashion is when art and science come together to create beautiful solutions. - Nivedita Saboo

Composing is something you do as an internal process; it’s an expression of how you feel. - Lisa Mishra, 'Nai Chaida’

Focus on what you want to do, and understand you are on your own and have to get things on your own merit. Join an acting school and learn the tricks of the trade. - Sharib Hashmi, ‘The Family Man’

Today, dance is seen as a form of exercise that has huge health benefits. - Rajeswari Vaidyanathan, VR DanceSport

The curator is like a translator, bringing to the audience the true essence of the artist's ideas and concepts. - Sanjana Shah, Tao Art Gallery

India is a microcosm of dynamics that cannot be found anywhere else. - Anurag Avula, Shopmatic

ALSO READ

How AI is revolutionising the staffing industry

We are seeing increasing activity in AI-based algo-trading space. - Nandini Mansinghka, Mumbai Angels Network

Online sale has become extremely popular over the years, with more youth preferring to buying online. - Arjun Bajaj, Shinco India

Using hyperlocal and real-time air pollution data, a government can make an informed decision on whether initiatives like no-car zones, odd-even days, or one-way roads make an appreciable difference to the environment. - Akshay Joshi, Ambee

Last-mile analytics can prove to be a one-stop solution for enterprises to reliably adopt AI analytics for their organisation in a manner that is efficient, accurate, sustainable, and timely. - Rahul Vishwakarma, Mate Labs

Robotics is starting with this generation. It is an environment that is equal for all students so long as the interest is there. - Supriya Rathi Bagri, RoboVR

Social media is the future of marketing, as social distancing will continue to be the norm for a while even post-lockdown. - Ram Raheja, S Raheja Realty

ALSO READ

VCs explain how founders can help their business emerge stronger during coronavirus crisis

Startup founders struggle to get cards from banks. When they do get, it usually gets shared between teams. - Varun Rathi, Happay

The entrenched professional will always resist innovation much longer than the private customer. - Ian Wallis, ‘The World’s Best Business Ideas’

Gaining the trust of global enterprise is one of the biggest challenges for any SaaS startup. - Amit Mishra, Interview Mocha

The democratisation of access to mentor networks is a valuable tool for anyone, especially when we are continuously redefining the future of work and professional development. - Bala Kamallakharan, Iceland Venture Studio

As an entrepreneur, people will look up to you. You have the ability to be a role model for family, friends, employees and community members. - Sonal Jindal, MEDUSA

Never give up, never look back and live a life with no regrets. Enjoy today and live it to your fullest. - Amith Agarwal, AgriBazaar

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good. - Maya Angelou

In victory, you deserve champagne; in defeat, you need it. - Napoleon Bonaparte

Failure is there to teach you something so that you can go beyond that. There is a lesson hidden in there. - Irrfan Khan

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).