
Hosted by Dr. Anu Khanchandani · EN

They raised ₹50L — and still failed. In this episode of Startup Mantras, Dr. Anu Khanchandani shares the real story of a beautifully designed, well-funded startup that collapsed because of one missing piece: validation. If you’re building without testing, this episode is a must-listen.

Today’s episode is titled Pitch Deck Horror Stories (And What I’d Do Differently) — and I’m going to walk you through some real founder decks I’ve reviewed that went off the rails — and what would’ve turned the story around.

“Funding Fails I’ve Witnessed — So You Don’t Have To.” And I mean that literally — because over the years, I’ve watched brilliant founders make the same painful mistakes again and again. Not because they’re not smart. But because no one told them what to watch out for.

Today we’re talking about something we all face: The voice of self-doubt that pretends it’s just being practical.This one’s called: “When Self-Doubt Sounds Like Logic.”

There’s a strange equation we’ve inherited: More hours = more serious. Bigger team = bigger vision. More chaos = more credibility.

We’re launching a book.Yes — Before You Begin is finally here. It’s my business starter guide for women who want to build something real —

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the incredible story of how Instagram pivoted from a failing app called Burbn to a billion-dollar acquisition by Facebook in just two years. This isn’t just a story of success—it’s a masterclass in the power of simplicity, focus, and listening to your users. ..

Patagonia wasn’t always the global brand we know today. It began with Yvon Chouinard, a climber who wanted better gear for himself and his friends. He wasn’t trying to build a company; he was solving a problem. And the problem was that traditional climbing equipment was damaging the environment.

Explore Stayzilla’s rise and challenges as India’s pioneer in online accommodations. Learn key lessons on financial sustainability, market focus, and balancing growth with execution.

Today’s story is about Dazo, an Indian food-tech startup that entered the market with promise but collapsed within just two years. Let’s uncover why.