LARGE COMPANY ENTREPRENEURSHIP
It's time Delhi set the pace in scaling up businesses
India is working towards improving the ease of scaling businesses to boost economic growth and employment. The role of Delhi is critical in fostering a supportive business environment that enhances investment. Effective infrastructure, skilled labor, and access to finance are essential for businesses to grow confidently. Collaboration between education and industry will also expand opportunities and inclusivity in the workforce.
39-year-old mom starts side hustle with just $500, now makes thousands: Her small party rental business became her reliable source
Vanessa Romano launched Little Party Co. with an initial investment of $500, renting outdoor games for events. Within a few months, she secured 65 bookings and generated over $9,000 in revenue. Balancing her corporate job and motherhood, Romano continues to manage her side hustle effectively. She emphasizes careful tracking of customer preferences and reinvesting wisely into the business.
Who is Samyak Chakrabarty? Meet the co-founder of Navya Nanda's Nimaya Foundation
Samyak Chakrabarty, who co-founded the Nimaya Foundation with Navya Naveli Nanda, blends AI, entrepreneurship, and social good. He went to Jai Hind College, was a Senior Fellow at Ashoka University, and started Workverse and The Smart Fellowship. He recently met Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with Nanda to discuss growing the GenAI Ready Naari program for young women.
Tech Mahindra Q2 Results: Net profit jumps 33% YoY to Rs 1,586 crore; co declares Rs 15/share dividend, 1:1 bonus issue
Tech Mahindra Q2 Results: Along with the earnings, Tech Mahindra's board declared an interim dividend of Rs 15 per equity share of face value Rs 5 each, equivalent to 300%, for the financial year 2026-27. It also approved a 1:1 bonus issue, under which shareholders will receive one bonus equity share for every existing equity share held, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
Virat Kohli makes LinkedIn debut: What is his first post reveals about his business ambitions? How he is building his business portfolio
Virat Kohli made his LinkedIn debut to discuss his business interests beyond cricket. He highlighted his investment in Agilitas Sports and co-founding one8world, emphasizing global aspirations for Indian sports brands. Kohli's profile indicates his involvement with various sports-related ventures, showcasing his entrepreneurial ambitions. This platform serves a purpose beyond job searching and recruitment for public figures. As LinkedIn grows in India, celebrity presence may attract more users towards professional networking.
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Wallet war: More new things are fighting for every rupee Indians earn
Indian Consumer Spending Trends: Indian households are increasingly shifting their consumption patterns, which reflects a richer variety of spending options. This changing consumer behavior shows significant growth in non-food expenditures over the years. The introduction of quick commerce has further diversified available products, making various goods more accessible. Both urban and rural consumers are seeking premium products alongside traditional staples.
Sarvam plans big fundraise; HCLTech's Q2 profit jumps
Happy Tuesday! Sarvam is in talks for a big round that could double its valuation to $3 billion. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
The ET Startup Awards 2026 special
Happy Monday! The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) 2026 ceremony brought together the country’s top founders, investors, and policymakers in Bengaluru for a Friday evening of sharp insights and spirited conversations.
ETSA 2026: Over a decade on, India's startup story is only getting started
The 12th edition of The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) captured this transition, reflecting an ecosystem that has moved beyond the race for scale to pursue technological depth, durable businesses and international markets.
The ET Startup Awards 2026 special
Entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers came together in a star-studded event to honour the best of Indian entrepreneurship at the ET Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru.
After getting rejected by Harvard, IIT Madras graduate had no Plan B. Today, the Bengaluru-based CEO's networth is nearly Rs 3,000 crore
Tarun Mehta, an IIT Madras graduate and Ather Energy co-founder, once dreamed of studying at Harvard Business School but faced rejection after what he called a disastrous interview. With no Plan B, he began working for a monthly salary of around Rs 40,000 before pursuing entrepreneurship. Founded in 2013, Ather grew into a major electric scooter company, with Mehta’s shareholding valued at nearly Rs 3,000 crore in September 2026.
Why India could become a global hub for responsible digital assets innovation
India could emerge as a global hub for responsible digital asset innovation by combining its strong technology talent, blockchain expertise and digital infrastructure. The convergence of AI and onchain technologies could enable agentic commerce, stablecoin payments and programmable finance, while thoughtful regulation, consumer protection and innovation can strengthen India’s leadership.
Factories of future: Built on 25 years of reform & execution
India's industrial sector has seen significant growth under Modi's leadership, emphasising infrastructure development and reforms. The Vibrant Gujarat Summit initiated a strategic approach to enhance ease of doing business. Recent trade agreements have expanded access to global markets for Indian manufacturers.
‘One of the best decisions I’ve made’: Chennai founder on how moving to Bengaluru changed his business and life
Bengaluru news: Harish Varadharajan moved his agritech business from Chennai to Bengaluru and found significant advantages in the city's ecosystem. After one year, he noted improved access to investors, talent and customers, which helped his business grow. Bengaluru's favorable climate also reduced operational costs for his company. Other entrepreneurs shared mixed reviews about relocating, with some favoring Nashik for its agricultural resources.
Building businesses for the next billion Indians: What entrepreneurs need to understand
India is undergoing a remarkable transformation as more individuals choose entrepreneurship over conventional careers. The influx of technology and digital tools presents new avenues for small enterprises to flourish.
Small Habit That Changed Their Finances: Elon Musk saved up money as a child to buy a gadget that taught him a life changing business lesson
Long before Elon Musk built Tesla and SpaceX, he was saving his allowance for months to buy a computer. With the help of his father covering part of the cost, Musk bought a Commodore VIC-20 and taught himself programming from books. At 12, he created and sold the video game Blastar, earning his first significant money from software.
Assam CM launches Northeast Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 to turn real world problems into innovation opportunities
Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the North East Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 (NESFIC)-Ashtalakshmi for Viksit Bharat, aimed at connecting young innovators with real-world challenges faced by government departments, industries and citizens. The initiative will feature 50 challenges, with 150 startups to be shortlisted and supported through mentoring, testing opportunities and grants of up to Rs. 40 lakh for deep-tech solutions.
India to play a critical role in innovation, technology development worldwide: Autodesk's Khoobchandani
India is set to play a key global role in Autodesk’s innovation and software development, with the US design and engineering company citing the country’s engineering talent, scale and digital adoption. Autodesk also sees opportunities in India’s semiconductor, mobility and industrial manufacturing sectors, while expanding AI capabilities and local skills development.
Economy’s swell, but reputation? Why India’s next growth story depends on how the world sees it
India’s long-term economic prospects remain strong despite short-term geopolitical, currency and capital-flow challenges. As the country’s global influence and corporate ambitions grow, reputation is emerging as a crucial economic asset. The article argues that Indian businesses must invest in strategic reputation management, technology and stakeholder engagement to strengthen investor confidence, attract talent and sustain India’s global standing.
In 2014, Nas invested in smart-doorbell startup Ring; 4 years later, Amazon bought the company for $1.1 billion and the American rapper pocketed at least $25 million
Nas and Ring story is about the changing boundaries between entertainment, technology and entrepreneurship. Nas entered the investment world through QueensBridge Venture Partners and became an early backer of companies whose products addressed emerging consumer trends. Ring’s eventual acquisition by Amazon gave the rapper one of his most visible investment wins, with Forbes reporting that he personally pocketed at least $25 million.
IIT Madras professor Jhunjhunwala wants PLI to be more startup friendly
PLI should be opened to smaller companies, with incentives tied to meaningful domestic value addition rather than the ability to make large upfront investments, Ashok Jhunjhunwala said in a chat with ET.
Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017 with an estimated 50% stake; 4 years later, Forbes valued the cosmetics company at $2.8 billion
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty journey therefore represents more than a remarkable celebrity wealth milestone. It is a case study in how ownership, strategic partnerships, product differentiation and cultural relevance can combine to build a major consumer business. Launched in 2017 with Rihanna holding half of the joint venture, Fenty Beauty reached a Forbes-estimated $2.8 billion valuation by 2021, making the company the dominant component of her estimated $1.7 billion fortune at the time.
Meet Moziah Bridges, the 12-year-old Memphis entrepreneur who turned handmade bow ties into a business that generated about $150,000 in sales and funded summer camp for local children
Moziah Bridges started Mo’s Bows at age 9 after struggling to find bow ties for children. By 12, his business had grown to $150,000, with five staff members and attention from Shark Tank, Vogue and O magazine. From learning to sew with his grandmother to supporting Memphis children, Bridges’ story blends entrepreneurship, family and community.
Massachusetts brothers started junk-removal business as teenagers with $4,000 pickup truck; it made $3.04 million in 2025 & now targets $5 million in revenue in 2026
Massachusetts brothers Kirk and Jacob McKinney turned a $4,000 used pickup truck and a teenage side hustle into Junk Teens, a multimillion-dollar junk-removal business. Founded in 2021, the company generated $3.04 million in revenue in 2025 after completing more than 5,500 jobs, and is targeting $5 million in revenue in 2026. The brothers, who also study entrepreneurship at Babson College, have expanded to two locations, five dump trucks and a team of full-time and part-time employees while building a social media following of more than 400,000.
Meet Maya Penn, the teenage entrepreneur who turned handmade accessories into a sustainable fashion business, generated tens of thousands of dollars in sales, and donated part of her profits to charity
Maya Penn began her entrepreneurial journey at age 8 by creating ribbon headbands for family friends. Her curiosity eventually developed into Maya’s Ideas, an online business offering handcrafted accessories and clothing made with eco-friendly materials such as recycled fabrics and organic cotton. Supported by her parents, Deidre and John, Penn combined creativity, education, and problem-solving while developing her business. By age 12, her story had appeared in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Huffington Post, Rebook and Atlanta’s Fox 5 News.
India Inc's apprenticeship participation remains limited to 30%
Only thirty percent of registered establishments actively provide apprenticeship training. Administrative issues and stipend payment delays hinder wider participation in the scheme. Government data shows a dip in dropout rates, which is expected to boost apprentice numbers. While registration trends remain encouraging, industry executives cite candidate dropouts as a concern. The ministry reports increased completion and declining termination rates for apprentices.
Lessons in starting up: How an entrepreneurial couple built a joint legacy
For Vineet Agrawal and Sikha Agrawalla, entrepreneurship was not a single leap but a sequence of carefully planned decisions and treating financial planning as a shared responsibility.
Meet Mikaila Ulmer, the young entrepreneur who turned her family lemonade recipe into a growing business while donating part of her profits to help save endangered bees
Mikaila Ulmer turned two childhood bee stings into an unexpected business idea. After learning how important bees are to pollination, the young Austin entrepreneur paired that lesson with her great-grandmother’s lemonade recipe. Me & the Bees Lemonade grew from local sales into a U.S. retail brand, while Ulmer directed part of the business toward bee conservation and education.
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