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How I Almost Blew It
There’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur. The market is flush with capital, and the internet and emerging technologies have lowered costs and nearly levelled the playing field. The Indian digital ecosystem is ready to explode. The romance of the start-up story fills media column inches.
But, for every new venture that made it, there are numerous others that didn’t. The untold story of the successes is that every one of them almost didn’t make it. Each one had a near-death experience, almost shut down, almost sold itself too short—in short, almost ‘blew it’.
How I Almost Blew It talks to some of India’s biggest entrepreneurs—Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge and Naukri.com), Deep Kalra (MakeMyTrip), Deepinder Goyal (Zomato), Ashish Hemrajani (BookMyShow), Sahil Barua (Delhivery) and Girish Mathrubootham (Freshworks) and others—to tell stories that shock, reveal and inspire. Quick-thinking, astute decision-making and—occasionally—sheer dumb luck is what stood between them and the abyss. These heart-stopping stories of near-fiascos are industry wisdom, yes, but also critical life lessons.
In the book, Sidharth Rao narrates the tales of the start-up industry titans. The industry leaders covered in the book
SANJEEV BIKHCHANDANI (Info Edge India - Naukri.com)
KUNAL SHAH (FreeCharge)
MURUGAVEL JANAKIRAMAN (Bharat Matrimony)
AJIT BALAKRISHNAN (Rediff.com)
ANUPAM MITTAL (People Group)
ASHISH HEMRAJANI (BookMyShow)
BRIJESH AGARWAL (IndiaMART)
JITENDRA GUPTA (Citrus Pay)
DEEPINDER GOYAL (Zomato)
DEEP KALRA (MakeMyTrip)
PRADEEP KAR (Microland)
SATYAN GAJWANI (Times Internet)
RAJESH JAIN (IndiaWorld)
SAHIL BARUA (Delhivery)
ALOK MITTAL (JobsAhead.com)
R. RAMARAJ (Sify)
GIRISH MATHRUBOOTHAM (Freshworks)
But, for every new venture that made it, there are numerous others that didn’t. The untold story of the successes is that every one of them almost didn’t make it. Each one had a near-death experience, almost shut down, almost sold itself too short—in short, almost ‘blew it’.
How I Almost Blew It talks to some of India’s biggest entrepreneurs—Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge and Naukri.com), Deep Kalra (MakeMyTrip), Deepinder Goyal (Zomato), Ashish Hemrajani (BookMyShow), Sahil Barua (Delhivery) and Girish Mathrubootham (Freshworks) and others—to tell stories that shock, reveal and inspire. Quick-thinking, astute decision-making and—occasionally—sheer dumb luck is what stood between them and the abyss. These heart-stopping stories of near-fiascos are industry wisdom, yes, but also critical life lessons.
In the book, Sidharth Rao narrates the tales of the start-up industry titans. The industry leaders covered in the book
SANJEEV BIKHCHANDANI (Info Edge India - Naukri.com)
KUNAL SHAH (FreeCharge)
MURUGAVEL JANAKIRAMAN (Bharat Matrimony)
AJIT BALAKRISHNAN (Rediff.com)
ANUPAM MITTAL (People Group)
ASHISH HEMRAJANI (BookMyShow)
BRIJESH AGARWAL (IndiaMART)
JITENDRA GUPTA (Citrus Pay)
DEEPINDER GOYAL (Zomato)
DEEP KALRA (MakeMyTrip)
PRADEEP KAR (Microland)
SATYAN GAJWANI (Times Internet)
RAJESH JAIN (IndiaWorld)
SAHIL BARUA (Delhivery)
ALOK MITTAL (JobsAhead.com)
R. RAMARAJ (Sify)
GIRISH MATHRUBOOTHAM (Freshworks)
350 pages, Hardcover
Published August 21, 2019
90 people are currently reading
744 people want to read
About the author
Sidharth Rao
2 books12 followersI was 19 when I started Webchutney, India’s leading digital agency as its co-founder and CEO.
Ranked as India’s #1 digital agency for eight years by the Economic Times & Brand Equity, Webchutney works with some of the leading brands and companies in India including Flipkart, Google, Uber, Swiggy, WeWork, Ikea, Under Armour, Airtel, Tata Sons, Whirlpool amongst others.
In 2008, I incubated Network Play under Webchutney, which in less than three years became the largest brand ad-network, one that was later acquired by Bertelsmann AG.
In 2013, Webchutney was acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network, one of the largest agency networks globally.
I have been a proud member of the global digital advisory board at Unilever and served in the jury of some of the most celebrated advertising festivals in India and around the globe.
I am an active angel investor in India.
Ranked as India’s #1 digital agency for eight years by the Economic Times & Brand Equity, Webchutney works with some of the leading brands and companies in India including Flipkart, Google, Uber, Swiggy, WeWork, Ikea, Under Armour, Airtel, Tata Sons, Whirlpool amongst others.
In 2008, I incubated Network Play under Webchutney, which in less than three years became the largest brand ad-network, one that was later acquired by Bertelsmann AG.
In 2013, Webchutney was acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network, one of the largest agency networks globally.
I have been a proud member of the global digital advisory board at Unilever and served in the jury of some of the most celebrated advertising festivals in India and around the globe.
I am an active angel investor in India.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 5, 2020
Sidharth Rao's 'How I Almost Blew It' documents the journey of 17 Indian entrepreneurs who built some of our favourite services and apps that we have taken for granted in this era where almost everyone has a smartphone. It reminds us that wide access to internet and e-banking are fairly recent phenomenon, and these companies, that started a decade or two ago, had to overcome several hurdles to become household names today.
The author, being an entrepreneur himself, narrates each journey with utmost sensitivity and understanding. His insider knowledge about start-up culture and the business environment in India also helps elevate these stories. There is almost a novelistic quality to his writing - each story has enough "drama", "suspense" and "tension", because, at the end of the day, each of these stories are humane stories of passion, innovative thinking, patience and remarkable resilience. Each journey is fascinating and, not so surpringly, not too different from one another.
The book also reminds us that running a business isn't easy, especially in the face of intense and growing competition. Most of these companies also had to face difficult and monumental events like the dot com bubble burst in the early 2000s and the 2008 recession, which made me wonder how they are managing during this 2020 pandemic/COVID 19 era. I would like to read a follow-up to this book covering this "era" to find out if they could tide through this crisis like they had done earlier, or did they "blow it" for real this time?
My (only) gripe with this book is that it is overwhelmingly male. While this issue is addressed by the author himself in the Introduction, where he also mentions that he hopes to include women entrepreneurs in future, I wish it had atleast one story of a woman entrepreneur. Not like there wasn't an opportunity in this book either. For example, in IndiaWorld's story, Rajesh Jain's wife was an equal partner, but the book chose to focus on the husband.
The author, being an entrepreneur himself, narrates each journey with utmost sensitivity and understanding. His insider knowledge about start-up culture and the business environment in India also helps elevate these stories. There is almost a novelistic quality to his writing - each story has enough "drama", "suspense" and "tension", because, at the end of the day, each of these stories are humane stories of passion, innovative thinking, patience and remarkable resilience. Each journey is fascinating and, not so surpringly, not too different from one another.
The book also reminds us that running a business isn't easy, especially in the face of intense and growing competition. Most of these companies also had to face difficult and monumental events like the dot com bubble burst in the early 2000s and the 2008 recession, which made me wonder how they are managing during this 2020 pandemic/COVID 19 era. I would like to read a follow-up to this book covering this "era" to find out if they could tide through this crisis like they had done earlier, or did they "blow it" for real this time?
My (only) gripe with this book is that it is overwhelmingly male. While this issue is addressed by the author himself in the Introduction, where he also mentions that he hopes to include women entrepreneurs in future, I wish it had atleast one story of a woman entrepreneur. Not like there wasn't an opportunity in this book either. For example, in IndiaWorld's story, Rajesh Jain's wife was an equal partner, but the book chose to focus on the husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2021
First the good stuff.
Some of the stories are really good. Starting with the one on Sanjiv Bhikchandani and Naukri. Some of the others like Deep Kalra, Sahil Barua, Girish Mathrubootham, Anupam Mittal, Pradeep Kar, Ashish Hemrajani , Alok Mittal etc are also quite informative.
I have worker in and followed this industry for a really long time so I knew quite a bit. But most people who are younger will find this book extremely useful. To learn the history of digital entrepreneurship in India.
There are some really good lessons. Like how Naukri had their unit economics per salesperson clearly worked out. Lots to learn from such examples.
Now for the not so good part.
Too many important people are missing. Some of them are a very important part of India’s early e-commerce age. The author gives some explanation for the likes of Ola being left out. But I am talking about the likes of Fernsnpetals and India Plaza.
Too many examples from the author’s own entrepreneurial journey. Also too much focus on funding stories.
Surprised by a couple of names given that it’s about successful entrepreneurs.
Overall, a good book which is worth a read.
Some of the stories are really good. Starting with the one on Sanjiv Bhikchandani and Naukri. Some of the others like Deep Kalra, Sahil Barua, Girish Mathrubootham, Anupam Mittal, Pradeep Kar, Ashish Hemrajani , Alok Mittal etc are also quite informative.
I have worker in and followed this industry for a really long time so I knew quite a bit. But most people who are younger will find this book extremely useful. To learn the history of digital entrepreneurship in India.
There are some really good lessons. Like how Naukri had their unit economics per salesperson clearly worked out. Lots to learn from such examples.
Now for the not so good part.
Too many important people are missing. Some of them are a very important part of India’s early e-commerce age. The author gives some explanation for the likes of Ola being left out. But I am talking about the likes of Fernsnpetals and India Plaza.
Too many examples from the author’s own entrepreneurial journey. Also too much focus on funding stories.
Surprised by a couple of names given that it’s about successful entrepreneurs.
Overall, a good book which is worth a read.
April 23, 2020
Great book! Must read for every aspiring and trying entrepreneur.
You'll breeze through the book, it's so simply written.
Highly recommend.
You'll breeze through the book, it's so simply written.
Highly recommend.
June 8, 2020
Fascinating compilation of entrepreneurial stories. The author has done a great job of getting the entrepreneurs to talk about their failures and draw lessons from it.
March 6, 2020
Had a great fun reading the book and gaining so much insight of the life journey of so many companies we know and use product of. Being an entrepreneur myself I was able to relate things and connecting dots. Thanks Siddharth for this compelling book.
October 11, 2020
Online business startups
Very informative book on online business startups of India. Luminary book for new entrepreneurs who want to start something online. Online market is prodigious and lucrative. Stories of passionate, creative and rock-solid entrepreneurs.
Very informative book on online business startups of India. Luminary book for new entrepreneurs who want to start something online. Online market is prodigious and lucrative. Stories of passionate, creative and rock-solid entrepreneurs.
May 9, 2021
Arguably the most fascinating book chronicling the early Indian internet age through the eyes of the pioneers such as Naukri, Rediff, Matrimony.com, etc.
The author has done a fantastic job covering different aspects of every individual founder’s journey through different aspects ranging from the initial idea to funding, pivots, “how they almost blew it” and to eventual success.
There are enough eye-popping facts (for people interested in the early internet age and the birth of the Indian startup ecosystem) and life lessons to keep anyone on their toes throughout the stories and every single episode is filled with learnings to embrace or avoid, during current times.
But some of the stories such as that of Times Internet and Zomato looked really forced into this. Amplified by the fact that these in particular did not pack any such significant insights. Would have instead preferred to read about Ola, InMobi and Zoho’s stories, which I’m sure would have added much more richness to the book.
A must read for people who have or are planning to go down the entrepreneurial path, as just by reading this book, they could avoid a lot of traps in this star-studded journey.
The author has done a fantastic job covering different aspects of every individual founder’s journey through different aspects ranging from the initial idea to funding, pivots, “how they almost blew it” and to eventual success.
There are enough eye-popping facts (for people interested in the early internet age and the birth of the Indian startup ecosystem) and life lessons to keep anyone on their toes throughout the stories and every single episode is filled with learnings to embrace or avoid, during current times.
But some of the stories such as that of Times Internet and Zomato looked really forced into this. Amplified by the fact that these in particular did not pack any such significant insights. Would have instead preferred to read about Ola, InMobi and Zoho’s stories, which I’m sure would have added much more richness to the book.
A must read for people who have or are planning to go down the entrepreneurial path, as just by reading this book, they could avoid a lot of traps in this star-studded journey.
June 1, 2021
Must read for all aspiring entrepreneurs. Real life stories of success and failures offer valuable lessons on the entrepreneurial journey. Entrepreneurship is fun and exciting but also not a bed of roses.
Sometimes the stories become monotonous: when the conversation overemphasises valuations and Exits with a tonne of money, as the end of all. Unfortunately that is the current day thinking of many a millennial and GEN Y entrepreneur;even before a rupee is earned, the conversation revolves around valuations and walking away with tonnes of money. Where does organization building come in?
Will eagerly await a sequel to know how many of these enterprises will remain true value builders such as the age old corporations of yesteryears. Some obviously would be true value creators in a digital world and stand out as part of the digital revolution.
Well written and appreciate Siddharth,s efforts on a topic of contemporary interest
Sometimes the stories become monotonous: when the conversation overemphasises valuations and Exits with a tonne of money, as the end of all. Unfortunately that is the current day thinking of many a millennial and GEN Y entrepreneur;even before a rupee is earned, the conversation revolves around valuations and walking away with tonnes of money. Where does organization building come in?
Will eagerly await a sequel to know how many of these enterprises will remain true value builders such as the age old corporations of yesteryears. Some obviously would be true value creators in a digital world and stand out as part of the digital revolution.
Well written and appreciate Siddharth,s efforts on a topic of contemporary interest
June 19, 2021
Good read with a lot of unheard of tidbits from the early tech industry. When most journalists/writers focus on the current set of Tech startups, Siddharth has focussed on the early part of the industry that was present during the nascent stage of internet in India without the Jios or the ACT and before e-commerce was even part of the Indian tech dictionary.
Engrossing read for people who were born in the 1990s to reminisce about their past when they were maybe not fully knowledgeable about the deeper aspects of the industry and about the dotcom bubble which is topic that makes it's presence felt in most of the chapters.
Engrossing read for people who were born in the 1990s to reminisce about their past when they were maybe not fully knowledgeable about the deeper aspects of the industry and about the dotcom bubble which is topic that makes it's presence felt in most of the chapters.
March 26, 2021
As the book description says: The untold story of the successes is that every one of them almost didn’t make it. Each one had a near-death experience, almost shut down, almost sold itself too short—in short, almost ‘blew it’.
This book is a "shot of inspiration or say motivation to continue and not quit", and what would be better than to share the examples from some top successful entrepreneurs and their failing moment.
Great stories, but then there is that down point, where everything is almost finished, like apocalyptical moment, and then they rise as phoenix. Every story has lot of information which is valuable and rare.
Digital Entrepreneurship is rare yet so big in last some years in india, and this book highlights those rare required qualities. The language is simple, entrepeuneral accounts are short yet engrossing and the author add value by putting his real life experience as well.
Very good book to read and contribute to "Make in India".
This book is a "shot of inspiration or say motivation to continue and not quit", and what would be better than to share the examples from some top successful entrepreneurs and their failing moment.
Great stories, but then there is that down point, where everything is almost finished, like apocalyptical moment, and then they rise as phoenix. Every story has lot of information which is valuable and rare.
Digital Entrepreneurship is rare yet so big in last some years in india, and this book highlights those rare required qualities. The language is simple, entrepeuneral accounts are short yet engrossing and the author add value by putting his real life experience as well.
Very good book to read and contribute to "Make in India".
January 15, 2022
The stories in the book are short and sweet which means they are very easy and quick to read but sometimes you feel that you should know more about the situations. However, the book covers a lot of interesting stories and gives insight on how the journeys can be tough. We generally see the glamour but you can see the pain which was inspiring for me that in most cases if you persist you would see good outcomes. A lot of common mistakes we as founders tend to do gets covered in the book
July 1, 2022
Overall, it was an interesting book. Gives an inside track to the mind and stories of important founders and businesses driving new age businesses.
Could have been more insightful though, I was left wanting for more lessons, which i am sure the founders and authors had to share.
Also the writing could have been more gripping and tight.
TLDR; Interesting albeit less insightful than what I expected.
Could have been more insightful though, I was left wanting for more lessons, which i am sure the founders and authors had to share.
Also the writing could have been more gripping and tight.
TLDR; Interesting albeit less insightful than what I expected.
October 24, 2020
Excellent! Truely desi
Good to learn about Indian own start-up sustaining in today's volatile market. Excellent subject selection and theme for this book. Not maiculous and lengthy thus keeps-up your reading intrest high through the book. Recommend this for reading to have glims of India's endeavour in digital space.
Good to learn about Indian own start-up sustaining in today's volatile market. Excellent subject selection and theme for this book. Not maiculous and lengthy thus keeps-up your reading intrest high through the book. Recommend this for reading to have glims of India's endeavour in digital space.
November 29, 2020
Excellent
The stories of Indian founders and the startup ecosystem from early 90s to about 2016 (but does not include many prominent ones like Bansal's or Kunal Bahl) but does cover many. My favorites were Sanjeev Bhikchandani, Deep Kalra and Sahil Barua.
Selected excerpts here
https://twitter.com/vikramadhiman/sta...
The stories of Indian founders and the startup ecosystem from early 90s to about 2016 (but does not include many prominent ones like Bansal's or Kunal Bahl) but does cover many. My favorites were Sanjeev Bhikchandani, Deep Kalra and Sahil Barua.
Selected excerpts here
https://twitter.com/vikramadhiman/sta...
February 27, 2021
The book is well written, my only request to the author would have been to write about founders whose companies are from different industries. This took a bit of adventure away from book while reading the book, Overall, a good read!
February 28, 2021
A roller coaster ride through the building of some of India's most accomplished startups.
Slightly repetitive at some points, but a good read for someone wanting a peek into what the startup founders go through while building successful companies
Slightly repetitive at some points, but a good read for someone wanting a peek into what the startup founders go through while building successful companies
July 15, 2021
Great contemporary read !
It's a must read for all aspiring entrepreneurs.only down side was how I almost blew it section of each , it was a bit monotonous . But last few pages after the main content was fantastic actually (including about the author) .
It's a must read for all aspiring entrepreneurs.only down side was how I almost blew it section of each , it was a bit monotonous . But last few pages after the main content was fantastic actually (including about the author) .
May 14, 2022
Good read about a set of Indian Entrepreneurs, though I wish there was at least ONE WOMAN in there. I know the percentage is low but I am sure there are enough worthy of being included in the collection
August 31, 2020
If u are interested in entrepreneurship, and wanted to look into indian .com history. This is a great Book to read. Very simple and information oriented...
January 17, 2022
Insightful and Fresh. Lot of interesting lessons to learn from these fascinating stories.
December 30, 2020
It’s a good collection of stories.
Read a story whenever you need a shot of inspiration.
Read it when you are down as an entrepreneur and have those feelings that things are not going right.
Read a story whenever you need a shot of inspiration.
Read it when you are down as an entrepreneur and have those feelings that things are not going right.
November 29, 2020
I almost missed this book, but glad that I was able to read it. The book justify the title. Quick and easy to read, lot of insight stories from the world of online media.
February 6, 2020
It's all about Indian start ups and their struggles to make them successful.
October 27, 2019
I have been serving in the consumer Internet space since 1995. So, this book was sweet nostalgia. That it would be, I could tell while scanning the contents page: One chapter, after another, is dedicated to the founder of a company responsible for fanning India's own Internet romance.
However, what did surprise me is the way author Sidharth Rao has surgically extracted the substance of each company. Sidharth has a format where for each company, he has a section that talks about how the company almost blew it. It makes all this narrative history real and worth everyone's time, entrepreneur or not.
Speaking of narrative histories, I am always saddened that India's publishers are so callous in forgetting to tell so many stories about the remarkable work done and the people who did it.
Adam Fisher, Katie Haffner, John Markoff, are writers who have forever immortalised the legend of the Silicon Valley and its streams of cultures from the hippies of the Whole Earth Review; to the hacker ethos; to the gamers; to the VCs; and to the invention of a new economics.
With this book, Sidharth has become India's own Adam Fisher. Cheers to more books like this.
However, what did surprise me is the way author Sidharth Rao has surgically extracted the substance of each company. Sidharth has a format where for each company, he has a section that talks about how the company almost blew it. It makes all this narrative history real and worth everyone's time, entrepreneur or not.
Speaking of narrative histories, I am always saddened that India's publishers are so callous in forgetting to tell so many stories about the remarkable work done and the people who did it.
Adam Fisher, Katie Haffner, John Markoff, are writers who have forever immortalised the legend of the Silicon Valley and its streams of cultures from the hippies of the Whole Earth Review; to the hacker ethos; to the gamers; to the VCs; and to the invention of a new economics.
With this book, Sidharth has become India's own Adam Fisher. Cheers to more books like this.
October 10, 2025
Hello Friends,
I am back with yet another exciting book review. Today I am going to talk about "How I Almost Blew It" by Sidharth Rao which is a compilation of some of the very successful Indian entrepreneurs' journeys. Hope you guys like it.
I have read quite a few books which consist of successful startup stories. But most of them have majorly showcased their achievements, milestones & financial success. 'How I almost blew it' narrates the hardships the founders overcame, the decisions which went wrong & resulted in almost shutting down and fighting back to achieve success from extremely unfavorable situations. Afterall the journey of an entrepreneur is always a roller-coaster ride & that is what makes it so exciting. Isn't it?? You can feel that excitement in the stories narrated in the book.
Read the full review here https://dipakmohanty.blogspot.com/202...
I am back with yet another exciting book review. Today I am going to talk about "How I Almost Blew It" by Sidharth Rao which is a compilation of some of the very successful Indian entrepreneurs' journeys. Hope you guys like it.
I have read quite a few books which consist of successful startup stories. But most of them have majorly showcased their achievements, milestones & financial success. 'How I almost blew it' narrates the hardships the founders overcame, the decisions which went wrong & resulted in almost shutting down and fighting back to achieve success from extremely unfavorable situations. Afterall the journey of an entrepreneur is always a roller-coaster ride & that is what makes it so exciting. Isn't it?? You can feel that excitement in the stories narrated in the book.
Read the full review here https://dipakmohanty.blogspot.com/202...
Currently reading
September 21, 2019Sidharth’s book (“How I almost blew it”) is a refreshing take on the startup scale and growth journey. It is grounded in reality and actual events and captures the ring side view that is otherwise un-available for most budding entrepreneurs. It is also very well compiled to provide perspectives across many sectors and many different type of growth paths. Kudos to the style of writing that makes it a very easy read and gives us an impression that we are watching the various conversations unfold real-time. The book stands out for its refreshing take and a different perspective that is not covered by most other similar books that are looking to just give gyan and develop/force-fit theories and frameworks. Overall a fabulous read!!
September 6, 2019
This book has been an eye opener! As an early stage entrepreneur, it's fascinating to read about the ups and in particular the downs that the most successful entrepreneurs have faced in their journey. The details provide incredible value insight to future entrepreneurs for their own journey. In particular Deep Kalra's experience with funding and an economic downturn goes to show that grit is ever so important when running a startup. This is a must must read and cannot recommend it enough for more such stories and insights.
October 1, 2019
A great simple to digest read, that inspires you in two very simple ways
1. Your problems in life are nothing new. You are nothing special. Better people than you have been in the ditch you are in. That insight when it hits you is kinda humbling and also exhilarating because you now feel that this too shall pass!
2. Just showing up, and surviving long enough to ensure your business doesn't die out is actually the simple game plan.
1. Your problems in life are nothing new. You are nothing special. Better people than you have been in the ditch you are in. That insight when it hits you is kinda humbling and also exhilarating because you now feel that this too shall pass!
2. Just showing up, and surviving long enough to ensure your business doesn't die out is actually the simple game plan.
September 24, 2019
Loved reading this book, it gives more perspective of the lives of entrepreneurs beyond what we read on the internet. The conversation between the author and the entrepreneur feels personal and the author has done an amazing job in explaining things wherever required.
A must-read for anyone how wants to understand the entrepreneurship world.
A must-read for anyone how wants to understand the entrepreneurship world.
October 4, 2019
This is a great account for Indian Startups spanning across generations from Sify to Freshworks and Delhivery.. Though the book got monotonous somewhere in between, it again gained interest towards the end. A recommended read for entrepreneurs!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews