I can feel the difference in the air. Within five minutes of entering a start-up’s office, I know if it is funded by a VC firm or built brick by brick with its own funding…’

Lean, Mean and Profitable provides insights into the world of start-ups in India, specifically those that are self-funded. It begins by exploring the advantages and challenges of bootstrapping a start-up and why it is a viable option for new entrepreneurs. The book provides real-life examples of bootstrapped start-ups in India, sharing the stories of companies such as Zoho, Wingify and Zerodha, which began with very little capital but grew into successful businesses. It also offers learnings from the founders of Info Edge and MakeMyTrip, who were judicious in using capital.

The verdict on heavily VC-funded start-ups in India isn’t out yet. Is funding the magical ingredient for success? The answer is no.

Funded or non-funded, a start-up has the potential to conquer great heights and top the charts based on its performance, grit and integrity. This book dissects businesses whose verdict is out – businesses that scaled up, made it through thick and thin, and eventually earned profits. It brings insights from entrepreneurs and businesses who ran profitable, successful companies and scaled up their self-funded businesses. It dissects businesses whose verdict is out – who scaled up, made it through thick &thin, and eventually did earn profits.