Editor's Letter: A Time To Reset And Rethink

“The greater part of progress is the desire to progress.” — Seneca the Younger, Stoic philosopher of ancient Rome 

Another year draws to a close since a pandemic threw the world off its trajectory and put a spoke in the wheel of most businesses. Some businesses did fall by the wayside, but most reinvented themselves to be relevant to the new needs and demands of the market. Many ventures, like the bourgeoning edtech startups in India and delivery services, actually thrived through the “new normal”. The year gone by though, proved a challenge for new enterprisers, as investors turned shy in the face of uncertainties in both the economic and geo-political firmament. The “funding winter” particularly impacted late-stage deals. In our annual list of the 40 disruptors in the startup space who are still under 40, we profile some of the country’s outstanding young men and women, who bucked the trend and kept going through the travails of the times.

In this list is a vivasous entrepreneur, who has successfully nurtured a business around the concept – and that eternal yearning – for beauty. Vineeta Singh’s SUGAR Cosmetics has attracted not just a clientele of Millennials and the Gen Z, but also marquee investors. This zealous businesswoman is fast building “young India’s favourite beauty brand,” but there is more to the face on our cover. Singh is also committed to changing the narrative for women of this generation. Do read our cover feature on this amazing young entrepreneur, who plans to take the market by storm in 2023.

In another special feature we look deep into the trends that afflict entrepreneurs now and those that will accost business and industry in the year ahead. Investors have turned cautious, but optimists among analysts see the prevailing economic environment as a time to reappraise business goals. The caution in the funding environment, they feel, will compel entrepreneurs to be more focused on the scalability of their business, the market fit of their products, the need to trim flab and hire only the requisite talents. Creating foundationally sound businesses is no doubt, the need of the hour. For entrepreneurs, this is the time to reset and rethink. The more value businesses add to their core, the more resilient their creations will be.

Of course, we also bring to you all our regular columns and features.

Happy reading!