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In today’s startup landscape, everyone dreams of exponential growth — those elusive 100x returns that can catapult a business from humble beginnings to global success. Yet, as Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com and Shark Tank India judge, eloquently points out, most entrepreneurs chase these big wins while still playing by conservative, “1x” rules. His recent LinkedIn post offers a raw, honest reflection on what it truly takes to build something transformative: boldness, defiance of convention, and a willingness to step into the unknown.
Mittal’s journey began after the dot-com bust when he returned to India with nothing but determination — no money, no plan, no safety net. Against all advice to “play it safe” by getting a steady job or rebuilding slowly, he took a leap of faith. In a country where internet access was minimal and the ecosystem was virtually nonexistent, he launched an internet company, Shaadi.com. Rather than chasing existing demand, he created it, pioneering the online matchmaking industry in India before digital dating was even a concept.
His story is a testament to the power of breaking the rules — not in an illegal or reckless way, but unapologetically bending or rewriting them to carve out new opportunities. Mittal highlights a recurring theme in entrepreneurship: those who succeed often do so by launching ideas ahead of their time, ignoring the cautious market consensus, and forging new paths that others only follow later.
the Original
Anupam Mittal’s LinkedIn post shares key lessons from his entrepreneurial journey and mindset. He stresses the disconnect between aspiring for massive growth and playing it safe with conventional methods. When he returned to India after the dot-com crash, he had no financial resources or backup plans but chose to start an internet company anyway, despite India’s poor internet infrastructure at the time. This move was considered risky or even “stupid” by many, but it laid the foundation for Shaadi.com, a pioneering online matchmaking platform.
Mittal argues that the biggest successes come from those willing to break existing rules and norms. He points to creators who thrived before content creation became mainstream, founders who launched products despite market skepticism, and brands that succeeded by defying established playbooks. His advice is to first understand the rules thoroughly and then know when to bend or rewrite them, because playing it safe rarely leads to historic breakthroughs.
What Undercode Say:
Anupam Mittal’s insights resonate deeply with the fundamental paradox of innovation: transformative success demands a balance between knowledge and daring. It’s easy for entrepreneurs to study the market, learn existing frameworks, and mimic what others have done, but this approach limits their upside. Mittal’s story highlights how breakthroughs often come from contrarian moves — venturing into untapped markets or inventing demand rather than chasing it.
India in the early 2000s was far from an internet-friendly environment, yet Mittal’s Shaadi.com emerged as a pioneer by anticipating a cultural and technological shift rather than reacting to it. This is the hallmark of visionary entrepreneurship: foresight combined with bold action. Moreover, Mittal’s emphasis on “not playing by the rules” aligns with a growing trend in startup culture where agility, unconventional thinking, and risk tolerance become the key competitive advantages.
However, this mindset is not about reckless risk-taking but informed rule-bending. Knowing the rules deeply — legal, cultural, technological — provides the foundation to innovate safely but creatively. Mittal’s approach contrasts with the “play-it-safe” mentality prevalent in many entrepreneurial ecosystems, especially in emerging markets, where fear of failure often stifles creativity.
Another important aspect of Mittal’s message is the emotional and psychological dimension of entrepreneurship. His candid admission of having no plan or safety net after returning to India reveals a vulnerability many founders experience but rarely discuss openly. This humanizes the startup journey and reminds us that audacity and grit often outweigh perfect preparation.
In the broader context, Mittal’s narrative also challenges Indian entrepreneurs and startups to stop waiting for perfect market conditions or ready-made blueprints. Instead, they should learn to anticipate shifts, create demand, and reshape consumer behavior. This mindset could accelerate India’s digital economy and inspire a generation of innovators to dream bigger and act bolder.
Fact Checker Results 🔍
✅ Anupam Mittal is indeed the founder of Shaadi.com and a judge on Shark Tank India.
✅ The internet penetration in India during the early 2000s was very low, making Mittal’s early ventures pioneering.
❌ The
📊 Prediction:
Looking ahead, Mittal’s philosophy of “creating demand rather than following it” will likely become even more relevant as emerging markets evolve. As India’s digital infrastructure and consumer behavior mature, startups that take early bets on nascent technologies like AI, blockchain, or decentralized finance — even before mass adoption — will capture outsized returns. The future belongs to those willing to break the mold and bend rules thoughtfully, turning uncertainty into opportunity.
In an ecosystem increasingly saturated with incremental innovation, radical rule-breaking can spark the next wave of unicorns. Entrepreneurs who internalize Mittal’s lessons will be better equipped to navigate disruptions, reshape industries, and make history — not by playing it safe, but by daring to rewrite the playbook.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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