An exclusive interview with Accel India co-founders (and other top stories of the day)

VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFYCUABF&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& Weekly Wrap | 19th January 2020 Hello Accel Partners India has been an integral part of the Indian startup ecosystem since 2008. Co-founded and led by Prashanth Prakash and Subrata Mitra, the Indian arm of the US-based Accel Partners, is largely known for its excellent portfolio of successful early-stage investments. [Some of the most successful and well-known startups have been funded by Accel]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVAYISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&), including Flipkart, Ola, Bookmyshow, Myntra, Freshdesk, and Swiggy, among others. And recently, it announced that it had closed its sixth India fund to the tune of $550 million. So, how exactly do Prashanth and Subrata decide which startup to invest in? And how do they stay away from the herd mentality? Once a startup in a certain sector works, how do they choose another sector to bet on? [In an exclusive interview with YourStory, Prashanth and Subrata share their mantra of investing.]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVQAISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) Cheers, Team YourStory Here's what you need to know to stay caught up on Indian startups, innovations and more... [Why Bengaluru has been an early adopter of innovations]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwkNSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) According to Bengaluru Innovation Report 2019, the Silicon Valley of India has always been at the forefront of embracing startups, as the cosmopolitan culture makes the city an ideal location to test anything new from the internet economy. [This woman entrepreneur left job at IBM to help revive handicrafts sector]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVQALSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVQALSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& [OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal pens letter to employees about firings]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwkMSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) YourStory has acquired a copy of the email written to the Gurugram-based unicorn’s employees, where Founder and Group CEO, Ritesh Agarwal has explained the ongoing activities at the startup and has laid out its plans for 2020. [Infosys Co-founder NR Narayana Murthy on startups, entrepreneurship and more]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVAEBSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) [Infosys]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVAEASQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) [This BITS Pilani graduate built a Rs 700 Cr turnover medical devices business]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVQAKSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) Hailing from a small town in Tamil Nadu, GSK Velu started Trivitron Healthcare after saving up for five years. Over the next two decades, he built it into one of India’s largest medical device companies. [Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos predicts that India is going to own the 21st century]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVAQLSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, on a surprise visit to India, on Wednesday predicted that the 21st century is going to belong to the world’s largest democracy. At the Amazon Smbhav Summit, Jeff announced the company's plans to establish 100 Digital Haats in cities and villages throughout India. VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVQANSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& When Fractal Analytics' analytics-based platform Trail Run continued to expand geographically, they required a partner who could ensure scalability and flexibility at the same time. AWS stood out for several reasons due to its global presence, flexible pricing model, highest security standard, among others. [Read how AWS’s multiple services acted as an enabler for their growth plans.]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVQANSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwgJSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& Fundraising can be intimidating for most entrepreneurs. Building that compelling narrative for your startup pitch, determining the deal structure and valuation, making sense of VC speak, and drawing up term sheets -- these are but just some of the skills required of entrepreneurs looking to raise funds. That's why, we're excited to bring you an exclusive [Early-Stage Investor Summit]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwgJSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) aimed at helping you find answers related to fundraising from the top Venture Capitalists in the Indian startup ecosystem. [Join the summit to learn the ins and outs of fundraising and find out what you need to win over your next investor.]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwgJSQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&) VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwgISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0& A new decade, a new opportunity for innovation & advancement. We are back with our flagship conference [Future of Work 2020]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwgISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&), where India meets to discuss, deliberate & define tomorrow’s Product, Technology & Design. [Get your early bird tickets now]( VAEOBUoESBBGD0NNR1ZfVQdYBURYDV1TIQUMBQpYGwZfD0UVF1BAQxZQDldXXlwVC1pbDiYCXQJRCBpbWlVN&ml=UAcLAkoFSFUFVwgISQ==&sl=I0h6S2NmSDd5MkxVW1wAGQhXT0peFhcWFQ0THU1XWghMUg==&pp=0&)! 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