Independence Day Lessons for Founders
As India celebrates 78 years of independence, I find myself reflecting not just as a citizen—but as a founder. Because building a startup is, in many ways, an act of independence. It requires the courage to break free from convention, the resilience to weather storms, and the vision to create value where none existed.
In 2025, the call for Atmanirbhar Bharat is more relevant than ever. But self-reliance doesn’t mean isolation—it means strength, sustainability, and strategic global integration.
Many founders obsess over what’s trending. But true self-reliance starts with solving real problems with original thinking.
Take Zoho Corp for example. Long before SaaS became a buzzword, Sridhar Vembu quietly built a global product company—bootstrapped and proudly rural. Today, Zoho competes globally without relying on external capital.
"Atmanirbharta is not about slogans; it's about systems. Build what you can control and scale what you understand."— Sridhar Vembu, CEO, Zoho
Global ambition is great. But so is unit economics. Self-reliant businesses are not those that raise endlessly, but those that learn to earn sustainably.
Look at Postman—the API platform built in India and now used by millions of developers worldwide. Their focus on developer-first design, monetization, and community has created a global product with deep financial discipline.
Self-reliance thrives on local context. Great founders solve for their market, then scale globally.
Take DeHaat, an agritech platform providing farmers with end-to-end services—input, credit, advice, and market access. Built in Bihar, DeHaat is now a national player, proof that solving deep Indian problems creates universal value.
Self-reliant businesses use technology to enable, not replace, human potential.
Companies like CRED, Kutumb, and Niramai are leveraging AI, fintech, and community platforms to build trust, improve health, and enable financial discipline. The core lesson? Use tech to enhance human dignity.
"The most resilient businesses are those that respect both data and emotion."— Kunal Shah, Founder, CRED
Founders often chase global trends at the cost of local relevance. But India’s diversity is a business moat, not a constraint.
From vernacular content platforms to regional logistics, founders who stay rooted in Indian realities build defensible, differentiated models.
Be bold, but build with conviction
Bootstrap when you must, but don’t under-ambition
Don’t outsource core capabilities—own your product, culture, and mission
Create jobs, not just valuations
India@78 is not asking founders to think small. It’s asking us to think responsibly.
Independence Day 2025 is a powerful reminder: true freedom is the ability to build without fear and without permission.
For founders, this means:
Saying no to unhealthy investor pressure
Prioritizing long-term value over vanity metrics
Building ecosystems, not just apps
Let’s honour our nation’s independence by creating businesses that are resilient, rooted, and ready for the world.
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What does self-reliance mean for Indian startups?
It means building sustainable, scalable businesses with control over key operations, tech, and financial health.
How can founders balance local relevance with global ambition?
By solving uniquely Indian problems and adapting them for global markets with proven value.
What’s the biggest misconception about Atmanirbhar Bharat?
That it implies isolation. In truth, it means strength and readiness to compete globally.
Why is Independence Day significant for entrepreneurs?
It’s a moment to renew commitment to fearless, ethical, and impactful business-building.
Which companies embody self-reliance in India?
Zoho, Postman, DeHaat, CRED, and other startups solving real problems with integrity and insight.
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