The document discusses how the Indian startup ecosystem has been influenced by market forces, social changes, and ideas over recent decades. It notes that liberalization in the 1990s helped spur economic growth and technology development in India. From the 2000s onward, increased internet access, technology hubs, and global funds helped enable more Indian startups. Current trends see Indian startups starting early, failing fast, focusing on local problems with local solutions, and learning from global success stories and models from places like Silicon Valley. Questions are also raised about funding, the types of startups that can succeed, and the potential for social entrepreneurship.

1. Indian Startups
How the Market, Social-fabric and Ideas influence
the Indian Startup Ecosystem
Prashant Sharma
Principal, Microsoft Ventures

3. Recent History

4. • 90s:Liberalization, Improved Economy, FDI, Growth in GDP/PPP,
India started appearing on the world-map
• 2000s:Internet penetration, advances in Technology sector,
global access, emergence of Technology hubs, advancement in global
funds, Startups happened !
• 2010-14
• Technology Proliferation
• Democratization of IT
• Open Source, Resources
• Demographic Changes

5. Changing
Social-fabric

6. • Social Evolution
• Global Influences
• Corporate, PPP and
Public Sector
• Institutional and
Academic Impressions
• Global Funds

7. Current
Trends

8. • Start Early
• Fail Fast
• Local Problems, Local
Solutions
• One size doesn’t fit all
• Polarize your customers
• Scout globally

9. Global
Influences

10. • Global Success Stories
• Silicon Valley
• Startup Accelerators
• Corporate Incubators
• Angels, Venture Capital
and Private Equity

11. Do I need to be cash-rich to start
my venture? How much
Is enough? What if I bootstrap?
Only engineering ideas/Startups
succeed? What about social
entrepreneurship?

12. ?

13. Prashant Sharma
Principal, Microsoft Ventures
Thank You!