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This section profiles three entrepreneurs—Achintya Krishna, Mayank Nagori, and Payoshni Saraf—highlighting how they applied effectual principles, leveraged resources, and set clear success metrics to build and scale their ventures.

Achintya Krishna

Background

  • Education: Computer Science Engineering student, PES University Bangalore
  • Athletics: Trained 4 years at NBA Academy Delhi; gold at Youth SABA Championship
  • Co-Founders: Cousin Omkar (state-level footballer) & Anoop (state-level table-tennis)

Problem & Inspiration

  • Gap Identified: Professional coaching scarce at grassroots
  • Incubator: Cisco Incubator’s 6-month program → prototypes, user feedback, ₹5 L seed grant pitch

Effectual Principles Applied

  1. Bird in Hand:
    • Started with engineering & sports background
  2. Affordable Loss:
    • Treated Pocket Coach as side-project vs. job offers
  3. Crazy Quilt:
    • Engaged family, university (Prof. Satya, IIM Bangalore) for support/internship credit
  4. Pilot in the Plane:
    • Defined metrics:
      • 10 000 total users
      • 5 000 MAU
      • Measurable revenue within 2 years post-graduation

“Sustained effort can surmount any challenge—I feel invincible.”

Mayank Nagori

Background

  • Education: Chemical Engineer → Master’s in Food Science, University of Nottingham
  • Early Experience: 13-month paid internship—R&D, marketing, manufacturing, sales
  • Family Roots: Marwadi vessel business, inspiration from MTR

Venture: Good Gum

  • Co-Founders: Brother (design) & wife (finance MBA)
  • Bootstrapped: Family funds; repaid father’s loan within 1 year

Effectual Principles Applied

  1. Bird in Hand:
    • In-house R&D → beverage development
  2. Affordable Loss:
    • Experimented first 2 years; focused on profitability
  3. Crazy Quilt:
    • Tailored pitches to supermarkets, gourmet stores, gyms, vegan outlets
  4. Lemonade Principle:
    • Adapted to supply-chain delays by scaling training & culture

Exit Plan: If by age 32 revenue < 4–5×, step aside and let the venture run on autopilot.

Payoshni Saraf

Background

  • Roots: Kanpur; egalitarian upbringing (defence-scientist father + teacher mother)
  • Career: 12 years in retail → Teach For India fellow → development sector
  • Motivation: “Double burden” of working mothers; urban female labor participation at 9% (CMIE, Jan–Apr 2022)

Venture: Sama

  • Model: B2B SaaS diagnosing & recommending equity-focused policies
  • Co-Founder: Partnered for emotional & strategic support

Effectual Principles Applied

  1. Bird in Hand:
    • Used lived experience + sector expertise
  2. Affordable Loss:
    • Bootstrapped with lean team; set fixed personal runway
  3. Crazy Quilt:
    • Engaged incubators (NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore) & community
  4. Pilot in the Plane:
    • Clear metrics & reassessment plan if goals unmet

“Conviction plus disciplined boundaries turns bold ideas into lasting impact.”

Key Themes & Takeaways

  • Means-Driven Start: Leverage existing skills, networks, resources
  • Affordable Loss: Define what you can bear to lose before seeking returns
  • Co-Creation: Early partnerships validate and strengthen ventures
  • Embrace Surprises: Pivot opportunities into innovations
  • Control Over Prediction: Focus efforts on what you can influence
  • Clear Metrics: Set targets (users, revenue, timelines) and reassess periodically
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