Amazon India has joined forces with Startup India, a flagship initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), to empower Indian startups and help them scale their businesses through e-commerce. This collaboration aims to leverage Amazon’s extensive resources and expertise to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

Key Features of the Partnership

Through this partnership, eligible startups will gain access to a dedicated page on the Startup India portal, facilitating their registration on Amazon’s marketplace. This initiative will enable startups to tap into the vast domestic market while benefiting from various support services, including:

• Mentorship from Amazon Leaders: Startups will receive guidance from experienced Amazon executives, helping them navigate challenges and refine their business strategies.
• Go-to-Market Support: Assistance in developing effective marketing strategies and reaching target audiences.
• Logistics Guidance: Expertise in optimizing supply chain operations and delivery processes.

Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “By combining Amazon’s e-commerce expertise with Startup India’s role as the Government of India’s flagship initiative, we aim to create a powerful platform for Indian startups to thrive.”

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

A notable aspect of this partnership is its focus on supporting women-led startups through the Saheli program. This initiative offers a range of services designed specifically for women entrepreneurs, including:

• Access to Amazon’s Suite of Services: Women-led startups will benefit from tools such as Amazon Pay, Amazon Incentives, Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon Advertising, and Mini TV.
• High-Impact Learning Programs: These programs will include masterclasses led by industry experts, focusing on capacity building and upskilling in areas like marketing, supply chain management, funding, technology, and procurement.

The Saheli program aims to create an inclusive ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can showcase their products and achieve sustainable growth.

Promoting BHASKAR

The partnership will also focus on raising awareness about the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) initiative. BHASKAR is a platform designed to connect startups, investors, mentors, and government bodies, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for entrepreneurship. By centralizing information and resources, BHASKAR aims to streamline interactions among key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial landscape.

Commitment to Innovation

This collaboration between Amazon and Startup India underscores the commitment of both organizations to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of Indian startups. By leveraging Amazon’s e-commerce expertise alongside Startup India’s government backing, this partnership has the potential to significantly impact the Indian startup ecosystem.

Amazon has been actively involved in supporting India’s startup landscape through various initiatives such as Amazon Launchpad, which helps emerging Indian brands reach global customers through e-commerce exports. The company’s ongoing efforts reflect its dedication to nurturing a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial environment.

Conclusion

The alliance between Amazon India and Startup India represents a significant step toward empowering Indian entrepreneurs. By providing essential resources and support tailored to the unique needs of startups—especially women-led ventures—this partnership aims to enhance the overall startup ecosystem in India. As both organizations work together to drive economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, they are poised to create lasting positive impacts on the Indian economy.

Freshworks, a leading provider of cloud-based software for customer and employee experience, has announced the appointment of Srinivasan Raghavan as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO). With over two decades of experience in the enterprise SaaS industry, Raghavan is set to play a pivotal role in driving product strategy and innovation at Freshworks.

Leading Product Strategy and Innovation

In his capacity as CPO, Raghavan will be responsible for enhancing Freshworks’ suite of AI-powered software solutions. His focus will be on improving both customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX) by leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Driving Product Strategy: Raghavan will lead the product team to execute the company’s vision for AI-driven solutions.
• Enhancing User Experience: He aims to deliver personalized and efficient experiences for both customers and employees.

A Strong Addition to the Leadership Team

Raghavan will report directly to Dennis Woodside, CEO and President of Freshworks. Woodside expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, highlighting Raghavan’s expertise in driving enterprise growth and scaling complex, multi-product portfolios.

“Srini is a key addition to our team to lead innovation that delivers a scalable trajectory for growth across our three key business priorities: employee experience, artificial intelligence, and customer experience,” said Woodside.

A Proven Track Record

Before joining Freshworks, Raghavan served as CPO at RingCentral, where he expanded the company’s product portfolio to include cloud-based contact center, marketing, and sales intelligence solutions. His previous roles also include key leadership positions at Five9 and Cisco, where he spearheaded the development of AI-powered digital engagement and automation solutions.

Notable Achievements

• At RingCentral, Raghavan played a crucial role in broadening the company’s offerings, enhancing its competitive edge in the cloud communications market.
• At Five9, he led initiatives that improved customer engagement through innovative AI solutions like virtual agents and workflow automation platforms.

A Bright Future for Freshworks

Raghavan’s appointment signals Freshworks’ commitment to innovation and its vision to leverage AI to transform customer and employee experiences. With his deep industry knowledge and strategic mindset, Raghavan is poised to lead the company’s product vision and drive future growth.

Industry Context

Freshworks serves over 68,000 companies globally, including major brands like American Express, Bridgestone, and Sony. The company recently reported a 22% revenue growth in Q3 2024, reaching $186.6 million, while reducing losses by 3.55% year-over-year.

Conclusion

Srinivasan Raghavan’s appointment as Chief Product Officer marks a significant step forward for Freshworks as it continues to enhance its product offerings in a competitive landscape. By focusing on AI-driven solutions that improve CX and EX, Freshworks aims to solidify its position as a leader in the SaaS market. As Raghavan integrates his extensive experience into the company’s strategy, stakeholders can expect innovative developments that align with the evolving needs of businesses worldwide.

Deepinder Goyal, the CEO of Zomato, has stirred a heated debate online with his unconventional job posting for the role of Chief of Staff. In a bold move, Goyal announced that the selected candidate would not receive a salary for the first year. Instead, they would need to pay ₹20 lakh for the opportunity, a sum that would be donated entirely to Zomato’s non-profit arm, Feeding India.

The Job Posting

Sharing the details on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Goyal outlined the qualities he seeks in the candidate:

• Hunger for success
• Common sense and empathy
• A lack of prior conditioning or baggage
• Groundedness and a zero-entitlement mindset
• Excellent communication skills
• A learning-oriented approach

The post emphasized that the role requires someone willing to “do the right thing, even at the cost of displeasing others.”

Compensation Structure

For the second year, the company promises a competitive salary exceeding ₹50 lakh, but this will only be offered after the completion of the unpaid first year. This structure is designed to attract candidates who are genuinely committed to personal and professional growth rather than those motivated solely by financial incentives.

Divided Reactions Online

The unconventional terms have sparked a mixed reaction online. While some have criticized the move for its apparent exclusivity, others have praised Goyal’s approach to identifying truly dedicated talent.

Criticism

Several users slammed the job posting for its apparent elitism, arguing that the ₹20 lakh fee would restrict the opportunity to wealthier candidates. Comments included:

• “As if exploiting gig workers wasn’t enough, now they target the middle class. This is ridiculous.”
• “This creates an artificial barrier, limiting the role to rich candidates with privilege.”
• “Hire me as your PR manager; I’d save you from such tweets,” joked one user.

Critics argue that such a financial requirement alienates talented individuals who may not have the means to afford this upfront cost, thereby narrowing the pool of potential applicants.

Praise

Conversely, some viewed the posting as a strategic move to find highly motivated and financially independent individuals. Supportive comments included:

• “This is a masterstroke to filter talent. It’s not just about the money but about finding someone who understands risk and has skin in the game.”
• “By linking the fee to charity, it adds a touch of purpose and filters for those who align with Zomato’s values.”

Proponents argue that this unique approach could attract candidates who are genuinely passionate about making an impact and are willing to invest in their future.

The Vision Behind the Role

Goyal defended his decision by explaining that the ₹20 lakh contribution would directly support Feeding India, aligning with Zomato’s mission to give back to society. The role is intended for someone passionate about learning and willing to invest in both their professional development and social causes.

“We believe that people who apply for this role should do it for the learning opportunity it presents, rather than for a fancy well-paying job,” Goyal stated.

A New Hiring Trend or Misstep?

The announcement has undoubtedly sparked conversation about innovative hiring practices and their potential pitfalls. Whether this approach becomes a precedent in corporate hiring or fades as a one-off remains to be seen.

Implications for Future Hiring Practices

This job offer raises important questions about accessibility in high-level positions within companies. As organizations look for unique ways to attract talent, they must balance innovative approaches with inclusivity to ensure they do not inadvertently exclude capable candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Conclusion

For now, the spotlight is firmly on Zomato—and on the candidate who accepts this bold challenge. As discussions continue around Goyal’s unconventional job offer, it remains to be seen how this will impact Zomato’s hiring practices and whether other companies will follow suit with similar approaches. The outcome may redefine how organizations perceive talent acquisition in an increasingly competitive landscape.