Here is a handpicked collection of the week’s most thought-provoking stories:
Dear Balbir Singh Sooch,
The pandemic is leaving a deep scar on the Indian startup ecosystem. According to Nasscom's Startup Pulse Survey- Q1 2020, 30%-40% tech startups have either temporarily halted operations or are in the process of closing down due to the Covid-19 crisis. The survey of over 250 startups across different sectors and stages of growth reveals that 70% have a runway of less than three months. It also says that a staggering 90% of the startups are facing a decline in their revenues.
In the week gone by, we have tracked three interesting startups from very diverse domains — consumer, FMCG, and auto. We have also told you how HDFC has underperformed the Nifty during the pandemic, but there has been an uptick in the stock. Don’t miss our deep dive on how doctors are fighting a wily virus.
Here is a handpicked collection of the week’s most thought-provoking stories:
This startup needs more scale to maintain its lead
WOW has broken into personal care’s big league. But it needs capital to become a house of brands.
Silicon Valley upstart Sibros revs up
Future cars will be software on wheels. An ex-Tesla engineer from India gets ready for the race.
Why HDFC is the way to go
Not just a home-loan play, HDFC is a value bet on banking, insurance and asset management
A replacement of intermediaries
How AnKa SumMor found a way to disrupt India’s age-old consumer-goods distribution system
Doctors fight an enemy they know little about
Ignoring pressure and sparse knowledge, doctors think on their feet to valiantly battle a wily virus
We hope you enjoy this selection. Tomorrow we will bring you another digest.

Regards,
ET Prime Team