Archana Jahagirdar isn’t mincing phrases. The Rukam Capital founder is asking out a typical entice Indian startup founders fall into — chasing validation over inevitability. “They construct for validation however not for inevitability,” she wrote in a submit that’s quick gaining traction on LinkedIn.
In a sharply worded be aware, Jahagirdar challenged the foundational perception many founders carry. “Each founder says this line: I’ve constructed an excellent product. However right here’s the reality nobody desires to listen to: Nice merchandise don’t construct nice corporations. Distribution does. Methods do. Obsession does.”
She pointed to a house care model pulling in over ₹100 crore with a primary product. “However they dominate marketplaces,” she famous, highlighting how the model used urgency ways, influencer loops, and platform algorithm mastery to win.
In contrast, she cited a wearables startup that, regardless of sturdy IP and three years of product work, is capped at ₹30 lakh in month-to-month income. “Why? As a result of most individuals don’t uncover based mostly on high quality. They uncover based mostly on noise, belief, availability, and reminiscence,” she argued, underlining that “reminiscence is constructed via repetition, not excellence.”
That’s the place many Indian startups falter, she warned. “They suppose the job is finished as soon as the product is prepared. They’ll even say ‘We’re constructing a world firm’ earlier than hitting 1,000 customers. However international doesn’t come from ambition. It comes from muscle.”
Jahagirdar drove the purpose house with a actuality verify: “Take a look at the actual winners round you: They weren’t essentially the most progressive. They have been essentially the most seen. Most relentless. Most surgically scaled.”
Her recommendation for founders searching for capital was direct: “Don’t simply include a superb product. Include: • A GTM plan that locks customers in • A creator stack that doesn’t depend on luck • A roadmap for LTV, not simply first gross sales • And proof you could encompass the shopper earlier than your competitor does.”
“As a result of traders aren’t in search of genius. They’re in search of inevitability,” she concluded.
The submit struck a chord with netizens, who shared their ideas on the problem.
“A lot fact right here,” one consumer wrote. “Product will get you within the recreation — however distribution decides in the event you keep.”
One other agreed: “Founders who win aren’t at all times those with the most effective product, however the ones who deeply perceive distribution, client triggers, and timing.”
A 3rd referred to as the submit “a masterclass,” summing up what many felt: “Traders don’t wager on genius, they wager on inevitability.”
