Ronnie Screwvala, founder of UTV and upGrad, discusses navigating early business failures with Nikhil Kamath and Kishore Biyani.
Opinion
Ronnie Screwvala: Abundant venture capital fundraising corrupts founders and businesses
“I think I've been blessed by not being spoiled with a lot of fundraising from time to time, which I think really corrupts people and corrupts minds and corrupts businesses and corrupts many other things.”
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Ronnie Screwvala: Traditional schooling will not be disrupted in our lifetimes
“I don't think schooling, we should be, in our lifetimes also, forget mine, it's not going to get disrupted to that level.”
Insight
Ronnie Screwvala: Counter-trend businesses generate 10x to 20x enterprise value
“But I think normally when you're going against the grain and you know, it means when a lot of people think they've not understood your model, I found that that's normally where 10 X, 10 X, or 20 X value gets created.”
Disclosure
Ronnie Screwvala: Prioritize hiring problem spotters over problem solvers
“Five years back, if I was looking to back a founder or hire somebody which is as a partner with me, I would say problem solving skills is important. Today I'm saying spot the problem before you can solve it because I'm not looking for problem solvers anymore. …”
Prediction Open · timeframe Jun 2031
Screwvala: India's top consumer segment will double in four to five years
“This India one is gonna grow, right? So whatever India one is today, by the time you get into real business in four or five years, that India one will double.”
Insight
Ronnie Screwvala: Having a backup plan ensures a founder's primary venture fails
“And I was quite clear that if I had a plan B in my life, then plan A wouldn't work out. Because I think that's half the situation, right, when you want to start something, and you feel you have an optionality, you're going to run aground definitely 10 times.”