Nikhil Patwardhan

1 week ago | the-captable.com | Nikhil Patwardhan

Key Takeaways Unacademy’s founders are quietly stepping back as their once-disruptive startup searches for a future beyond shrinking online revenues and costly offline pivots Airlearn, a new language-learning app built by outgoing CEO Gaurav Munjal is gaining traction—and could soon be spun out as the company’s breakout bet Despite Rs 1,200 crore in the bank, Unacademy faces a strategic void: no buyer, no clear growth engine, and a fading core business The startup that tried to kill coaching...

1 week ago | the-captable.com | Nikhil Patwardhan

Key Takeaways Indian startups are pre-filing their IPO papers with SEBI, choosing confidentiality to manage risk, control timing, and avoid revealing sensitive data to rivals before they're ready to list The pre-filing route gives startups the room to engage with SEBI, revise projections or disclosures, and delay the listing if needed, all without making headlines After several big IPOs got stalled post-2021, founders have become more cautious, preferring to go slow and silent, rather than...

2 weeks ago | the-captable.com | Nikhil Patwardhan

Key TakeawaysByju Raveendran is orchestrating a comeback campaign, using social media and selective media interviews to reclaim control of his narrativeMany of his recent claims—including on legal issues, user metrics, and financial defaults—remain unverifiable or are contradicted by public records and court rulingsDespite losing control of his company and facing regulatory heat, Raveendran continues to position himself as a victim of corporate sabotage and lender manipulation.

3 weeks ago | the-captable.com | Pranav Balakrishnan |Nikhil Patwardhan

Key TakeawaysBluSmart’s board included an independent director with potential conflicts of interest, raising questions over the integrity of its governance structuresIndependent director Inderpreet Wadhwa had commercial interests through Clime Finance, which leased EVs to BluSmart’s sister concern Gensol Engineering, which in turn leased them to BluSmartThe board also failed to flag BluSmart’s worsening financial condition, including unpaid taxes and cash flow issues.

1 month ago | the-captable.com | Nikhil Patwardhan

Key Takeaways A shadow resale economy around NSFW livestreams is thriving in India, driven by resellers who pirate premium content and distribute it via Telegram, Discord, and Reddit Resellers operate with professional efficiency, using multi-screen setups, external hard drives, bots, and anti-piracy tools to manage and monetise stolen content Frictionless UPI payments, low costs, and psychological triggers like anonymity and instant gratification have enabled this shadow marketplace Despite...