ET Startup Awards 2023: Jury will look for cash flow-generating businesses with a worldview

Building business models that generate cash flows and profitability, and create not for Bharat alone but also the world, are what the jury expects from the nominees. Also, founders must have built positive unit economics businesses amid the global liquidity squeeze. Today, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson, HCLTech, and Shekhar Kirani, partner, Accel (Winner of ETSA 2022 Midas Touch award) tell us what they're looking for.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson, HCLTech

"Indian startups are solving complex market problems at speed and scale, and we have seen some great successes. I will look for sustainable business models and the ability to generate cash flows and profitability. Indian startups should focus on creating a wealth of intellectual property (IP) for the nation, and stay the course for the long run.


Shekhar Kirani, partner, Accel

“Entrepreneurship is all about customer obsession and creating unprecedented value for them via innovation in products, services, and business models. India’s strong macro fundamentals and its highly ambitious and mission-driven entrepreneurs have set the stage for startups to build not only for Bharat but also the world. With global liquidity tightening over the last few years, founders must embrace the new normal and look to build strong, resilient, and positive unit economics businesses.