In a recent discourse at the T N Chaturvedi Memorial Lecture 2024, Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy unveiled strategic insights to fortify Indian startups, delving into the realms of ‘raising domestic capital funds’ and the intricate art of ‘talent retention.’ Murthy underscored the imperative need for policies enticing domestic entities such as family offices of HNIs (high net-worth individuals), insurance companies, or corporate giants to invest significantly in venture capital funding.

Expressing apprehension about the dearth of indigenous capital to fuel startup growth, the visionary entrepreneur urged the formulation of policies geared towards captivating the interest of domestic institutions. These could include family offices of HNIs, insurance companies, or corporate giants, fostering a conducive environment for venture capital funding.

Navigating the startup landscape, Murthy shed light on the challenge faced by emerging businesses in attracting premier talent, attributing the struggle to meager brand recognition and financial constraints. He advocated for early-stage entrepreneurs to cultivate admiration from the government and society. This could be achieved through impeccable corporate governance, unwavering transparency, accountability to stakeholders, and earning respect from customers – all vital elements for fostering flourishing enterprises.

According to Murthy, garnering respect from diverse stakeholders holds the key to sustained success. He articulated, “Respect from customers ensures repeated business, respect from employees secures retention, respect from investors beckons long-term commitments, and respect from the government instills confidence in crafting business-friendly policies and regulations,” as reported by a leading English daily.

The seasoned businessman additionally provided golden principles for startup founders to uphold proper governance. These encompass treating others as one wishes to be treated, acknowledging that a clear conscience is the softest pillow, and recognizing that an individual’s true wealth lies in societal respect rather than material riches.

Murthy accentuated the role of the English language in advancing innovation in India. He emphasized, “The English language harbors the most extensive and rapidly expanding reservoir of knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and management (STEM). Neglecting English could lead to a setback in leveraging STEM for addressing the fundamental challenges of the underprivileged and hindering India’s path to prosperity.”