About Guest:Zishaan Hayath is a entrepreneur, investor, and startup strategist known for his expertise in building and scaling tech-driven businesses. A graduate of IIT Bombay, he started his career at ITC Limited, where he played a key role in setting up a ₹160 million greenfield biscuit plant. He later worked as an Associate Consultant at Opera Solutions, advising Fortune 100 companies across New York, London, and Shanghai on high-stakes strategy and operations.Zishaan's entrepreneurial journey began when he co-founded Chaupaati Bazaar, a pioneering e-commerce venture that was later acquired by Future Group. In 2013, he founded Toppr, India’s leading AI-driven learning platform, revolutionizing edtech with personalized learning for students. Under his leadership, Toppr grew into a market leader, ultimately leading to its acquisition by BYJU’s in 2021.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: Why Not Everyone is a Founder?00:03 The Story of Ola's Beginnings08:26 Challenges and Opportunities in Indian Education08:45 The Potential of EdTech in India09:51 Revenue Potential and Market Misjudgment13:23 Capital Allocation and Market Dynamics14:42 Finding Gaps in the Education Space16:36 Predicting Future Trends in Education18:56 The Importance of Timing in Business19:49 The Role of Passion and Skill in Founding a Company20:09 Observing Market Trends and Personal Fit21:14 Combining Vision, Skill, and Passion21:40 The Elements of Success21:53 Hard Work vs. Smartness22:14 Formative Years and Intelligence22:48 Parenting and Child Development23:22 Drive and Hard Work23:56 Discipline in Different Areas24:53 Building a Company25:25 The Role of Networks25:53 Luck and Serendipity26:11 Discovering IITs28:15 The Impact of Networks28:47 Topper's Journey31:26 Acquisition and Market Dynamics32:23 Reflections on EdTech38:44 Investment Strategies Post-Acquisition40:33 Equity and Debt Investments41:01 Learnings from Kishore Bihani42:05 Left-Brain vs Right-Brain Thinking43:17 Missed Opportunities at Future Group44:38 DNA Mismatch in Acquisitions44:55 Desirable Products and Services45:18 Sources of Happiness45:53 Best Food Experiences48:10 Mentorship and Guidance50:28 Meeting My Wife51:34 Favorite TV Shows52:59 Admiration for Historical Figures55:07 Favorite Tech Companies01:01:16 Challenges in EdTech EngagementCredits: Host: Shivank Joshi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivankjoshi-2001/Thumbnail: YaaSPost Production: YaaSSupport: Zerodha ( https://zero1byzerodha.com/network )Disclaimer:The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the speaker and host are their own and do not represent those of the Exploring Minds platform. The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. All products and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply any endorsement or opposition.#ZeeshanHayath #IITBombay #Toppr #ChaupaatiBazaar #FutureGroup #BYJUs #Edtech #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #AngelInvestor #VentureCapital #Fundraising #MarketTrends #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #StartupEcosystem #TechInnovation #OnlineLearning #AIinEducation #ScalingStartups #NetworkPower #StartupLessons #FounderInsights #BusinessMindset #StrategicInvestments