What is the next big opportunity for entrepreneurs? How can they convert them into winning opportunities?

To answer these questions and more, Sashi Chimala, who spearheads the National Entrepreneurial Network (NEN), addressed a gathering of eager students during the event organized by the Entrepreneurial and Innovation Club.


Sashi Chimala has been described not only as a “Jack of all trades” but also a “Master of all”. He has co-founded Covansys, Indigo Technologies, PayPod and Qwiky’s Coffee among several others. . His most recent entrepreneurial venture is Interactive Media Technology Inc, which launched knibble.com, an online gaming company. He is also an angel investor and mentor and has advised several startups in Silicon Valley and India.


The audience listened in rapt attention as he described his entrepreneurial journey. His first “venture” was when, together with his grandmother, he tried to make coffee out of neem leaves. That did not turn out too well but he was not deterred. His next attempt yielded better results. As a cartoonist, he wrote a book on how to draw and get published. The book was more successful than his first venture and he became aware of how his talents could have a lasting impact when a paraplegic came and thanked him for the work.


As someone who has been through the entrepreneurial journey, he implored the audience to think of ideas that test the existing laws and break them as they exist. He challenged them to think of ideas that scare them and to pursue these ideas.


He focused on developing ideas that shake up existing institutions and drew examples from real life to highlight the need for disruption. There is an increasing trend of change from the need to own to just being able to use a product. Also, the ability to give for free what used to be charged is another growing trend. Many startups that have focused on these ideas have been successful and continue to grow.


Responding to some of the queries from the audience, he felt that a startup of 2-3 founders is ideal and that one does not necessarily have to be a first mover in order to develop a space in the market. He concluded by stating that mentor-ship for a startup is very important and that would be entrepreneurs need to find good coaches to guide them in the right path.

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