The Ken
@thekenweb.bsky.social
Delivering sharp, original, insightful, analytical journalism about business and start-ups across India since 2016.
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One of the tenets that all writers try to abide by at The Ken is to show the reader, not tell.
Even on-the-nose business stories strive to rely on facts and reportage to make a point. This year, we pushed the “show” boundary within our lean team.
Even on-the-nose business stories strive to rely on facts and reportage to make a point. This year, we pushed the “show” boundary within our lean team.
December 26, 2025 at 8:56 AM
One of the tenets that all writers try to abide by at The Ken is to show the reader, not tell.
Even on-the-nose business stories strive to rely on facts and reportage to make a point. This year, we pushed the “show” boundary within our lean team.
Even on-the-nose business stories strive to rely on facts and reportage to make a point. This year, we pushed the “show” boundary within our lean team.
2025 is done. Forty-eight episodes. Hundreds of guests. Endless banter between Rohin and Praveen.
Some episodes turned out to be prescient. Some were messy. All of them tried to do what we set out to do: spot hidden connections, ask unasked questions, and figure out what’s really going on ⬇️
Some episodes turned out to be prescient. Some were messy. All of them tried to do what we set out to do: spot hidden connections, ask unasked questions, and figure out what’s really going on ⬇️
December 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
2025 is done. Forty-eight episodes. Hundreds of guests. Endless banter between Rohin and Praveen.
Some episodes turned out to be prescient. Some were messy. All of them tried to do what we set out to do: spot hidden connections, ask unasked questions, and figure out what’s really going on ⬇️
Some episodes turned out to be prescient. Some were messy. All of them tried to do what we set out to do: spot hidden connections, ask unasked questions, and figure out what’s really going on ⬇️
2025 has been a year of highs and lows in finance. Dollar spikes, GST reforms, RBI’s rate cuts, and the bullion bullying its way to record highs—not to mention how artificial intelligence intersected with and disrupted the space.
These are just a few headliners in a year that has felt like five ⬇️
These are just a few headliners in a year that has felt like five ⬇️
December 25, 2025 at 9:05 AM
2025 has been a year of highs and lows in finance. Dollar spikes, GST reforms, RBI’s rate cuts, and the bullion bullying its way to record highs—not to mention how artificial intelligence intersected with and disrupted the space.
These are just a few headliners in a year that has felt like five ⬇️
These are just a few headliners in a year that has felt like five ⬇️
With the IPO floodgates open, AI causing real impact by meddling with careers and changing businesses, and business leaders feeling the heat of all this, we had a busy year.
And a lot of this struck a deep chord with you, dear reader ⬇️
And a lot of this struck a deep chord with you, dear reader ⬇️
December 25, 2025 at 6:30 AM
With the IPO floodgates open, AI causing real impact by meddling with careers and changing businesses, and business leaders feeling the heat of all this, we had a busy year.
And a lot of this struck a deep chord with you, dear reader ⬇️
And a lot of this struck a deep chord with you, dear reader ⬇️
In this week's episode of Zero Shot, Brady took inspiration from the tagline of a game show to consider some of the wild claims and projections made by OpenAI. Then, Rohin described how AI products lost their novelty, entering the trough of disillusionment as described by the Gartner hype cycle.
December 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
In this week's episode of Zero Shot, Brady took inspiration from the tagline of a game show to consider some of the wild claims and projections made by OpenAI. Then, Rohin described how AI products lost their novelty, entering the trough of disillusionment as described by the Gartner hype cycle.
Since it was launched five years ago, Apollo 24/7, the digital vertical of India’s largest hospital chain, has been a money pit, driving down the profitability of the parent.
Now, it may have found a tonic for its bruised bottom line: a paid customer loyalty programme called Apollo Circle. (1/2)
Now, it may have found a tonic for its bruised bottom line: a paid customer loyalty programme called Apollo Circle. (1/2)
December 24, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Since it was launched five years ago, Apollo 24/7, the digital vertical of India’s largest hospital chain, has been a money pit, driving down the profitability of the parent.
Now, it may have found a tonic for its bruised bottom line: a paid customer loyalty programme called Apollo Circle. (1/2)
Now, it may have found a tonic for its bruised bottom line: a paid customer loyalty programme called Apollo Circle. (1/2)
Five months of working on a careers podcast... and the patterns are visible.
Hosts Rahel and Vidhatri break down what they learnt while covering careers and workplaces in a tumultuous job market where nothing is certain anymore.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Hosts Rahel and Vidhatri break down what they learnt while covering careers and workplaces in a tumultuous job market where nothing is certain anymore.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
December 24, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Five months of working on a careers podcast... and the patterns are visible.
Hosts Rahel and Vidhatri break down what they learnt while covering careers and workplaces in a tumultuous job market where nothing is certain anymore.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Hosts Rahel and Vidhatri break down what they learnt while covering careers and workplaces in a tumultuous job market where nothing is certain anymore.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Something is up with how e-commerce spends on marketing. The budgets haven’t vanished—but they are no longer being poured into expensive, do-everything software. They are now being directed more towards tools that deliver quicker growth.
The distinction matters. (1/2)
The distinction matters. (1/2)
December 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Something is up with how e-commerce spends on marketing. The budgets haven’t vanished—but they are no longer being poured into expensive, do-everything software. They are now being directed more towards tools that deliver quicker growth.
The distinction matters. (1/2)
The distinction matters. (1/2)
All has been quiet on the fintech front for about two years now. No big breakout startups. No splashy funding announcements. But this year, fintechs that want to go after high-earning, non-resident Indians (NRIs) found momentum. (1/2)
December 23, 2025 at 6:30 AM
All has been quiet on the fintech front for about two years now. No big breakout startups. No splashy funding announcements. But this year, fintechs that want to go after high-earning, non-resident Indians (NRIs) found momentum. (1/2)
The world of vernacular AI remains fragmented into two universes.
One where datasets built by private players solve for efficiency and are popular. On the other hand, government datasets address accuracy, but remain limited in their use.
These universes seldom cross over. (1/2)
One where datasets built by private players solve for efficiency and are popular. On the other hand, government datasets address accuracy, but remain limited in their use.
These universes seldom cross over. (1/2)
December 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The world of vernacular AI remains fragmented into two universes.
One where datasets built by private players solve for efficiency and are popular. On the other hand, government datasets address accuracy, but remain limited in their use.
These universes seldom cross over. (1/2)
One where datasets built by private players solve for efficiency and are popular. On the other hand, government datasets address accuracy, but remain limited in their use.
These universes seldom cross over. (1/2)
Africa’s fragmented trade policies, unstable or corrupt regimes, and an ever-deferred infrastructure boom have trapped it in a cycle of business promise and disappointment.
In such a climate, Zachariah George has developed a very different way of investing. (1/2)
In such a climate, Zachariah George has developed a very different way of investing. (1/2)
December 22, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Africa’s fragmented trade policies, unstable or corrupt regimes, and an ever-deferred infrastructure boom have trapped it in a cycle of business promise and disappointment.
In such a climate, Zachariah George has developed a very different way of investing. (1/2)
In such a climate, Zachariah George has developed a very different way of investing. (1/2)
Nick Bostrom argued that a superintelligence, charged with making paperclips, could—sans guardrails—end up destroying the world in the process.
Few talk about the zero-sum equation baked into its core: everything that is not a paperclip is either an obstacle or a resource. (1/2)
Few talk about the zero-sum equation baked into its core: everything that is not a paperclip is either an obstacle or a resource. (1/2)
December 20, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Nick Bostrom argued that a superintelligence, charged with making paperclips, could—sans guardrails—end up destroying the world in the process.
Few talk about the zero-sum equation baked into its core: everything that is not a paperclip is either an obstacle or a resource. (1/2)
Few talk about the zero-sum equation baked into its core: everything that is not a paperclip is either an obstacle or a resource. (1/2)
Holtec plans to install 200 SMRs across India. And it just received a shot in the arm with the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill.
The Shanti bill opens the nuclear sector to private players, such as Holtec. (1/2)
The Shanti bill opens the nuclear sector to private players, such as Holtec. (1/2)
December 19, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Holtec plans to install 200 SMRs across India. And it just received a shot in the arm with the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill.
The Shanti bill opens the nuclear sector to private players, such as Holtec. (1/2)
The Shanti bill opens the nuclear sector to private players, such as Holtec. (1/2)
Pankaj Vidyarthi, an IT professional, is counting down to his wedding day. Like most Indian grooms, his biggest worry isn’t the venue or the guest list. It’s the gold.
He needs Rs 10–15 lakh worth of jewellery for his bride. Bad timing. (1/2)
He needs Rs 10–15 lakh worth of jewellery for his bride. Bad timing. (1/2)
December 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Pankaj Vidyarthi, an IT professional, is counting down to his wedding day. Like most Indian grooms, his biggest worry isn’t the venue or the guest list. It’s the gold.
He needs Rs 10–15 lakh worth of jewellery for his bride. Bad timing. (1/2)
He needs Rs 10–15 lakh worth of jewellery for his bride. Bad timing. (1/2)
Every day at 6.30 a.m. EST, Sandeep Kalra logs in from Pennsylvania and does the standard global-IT-CEO routine: client calls, delivery reviews, and conversations with business heads scattered across time zones.
Once a week, though, the rhythm pauses. (1/2)
Once a week, though, the rhythm pauses. (1/2)
December 18, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Every day at 6.30 a.m. EST, Sandeep Kalra logs in from Pennsylvania and does the standard global-IT-CEO routine: client calls, delivery reviews, and conversations with business heads scattered across time zones.
Once a week, though, the rhythm pauses. (1/2)
Once a week, though, the rhythm pauses. (1/2)
This week on Zero Shot podcast, Praveen looks at a new future career in India, Rohin considers how SaaS companies are contending with an existential crisis, & Brady provided another way to think about the AI investment bubble.
Listen to the full episode: zurl.co/hRjRx
Listen to the full episode: zurl.co/hRjRx
December 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM
This week on Zero Shot podcast, Praveen looks at a new future career in India, Rohin considers how SaaS companies are contending with an existential crisis, & Brady provided another way to think about the AI investment bubble.
Listen to the full episode: zurl.co/hRjRx
Listen to the full episode: zurl.co/hRjRx
The fact that Bharti Airtel has been India’s top wealth creator, in absolute terms, in the past five years made headlines late last week.
The telco’s market value is up by almost Rs 8 lakh crore since 2020. In other words, Bharti has added an Infosys and then some. (1/2)
The telco’s market value is up by almost Rs 8 lakh crore since 2020. In other words, Bharti has added an Infosys and then some. (1/2)
December 17, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The fact that Bharti Airtel has been India’s top wealth creator, in absolute terms, in the past five years made headlines late last week.
The telco’s market value is up by almost Rs 8 lakh crore since 2020. In other words, Bharti has added an Infosys and then some. (1/2)
The telco’s market value is up by almost Rs 8 lakh crore since 2020. In other words, Bharti has added an Infosys and then some. (1/2)
In Tirupati, the sacred and the software sit side by side. This isn’t a one-off.
Across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, tier-2 cities such as Tirupati, Warangal, Hosur, and Visakhapatnam are being built into the tech economy by design, not accident. (1/2)
Across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, tier-2 cities such as Tirupati, Warangal, Hosur, and Visakhapatnam are being built into the tech economy by design, not accident. (1/2)
December 17, 2025 at 6:43 AM
In Tirupati, the sacred and the software sit side by side. This isn’t a one-off.
Across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, tier-2 cities such as Tirupati, Warangal, Hosur, and Visakhapatnam are being built into the tech economy by design, not accident. (1/2)
Across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, tier-2 cities such as Tirupati, Warangal, Hosur, and Visakhapatnam are being built into the tech economy by design, not accident. (1/2)
The chase to encourage Indian men to adopt quality skincare on a mass scale began back in 2017.
That’s when Marico, another FMCG major, acquired a strategic stake in Beardo. The same year, Emami also took a stake in The Man Company.
But, this is not a new spree. (1/2)
That’s when Marico, another FMCG major, acquired a strategic stake in Beardo. The same year, Emami also took a stake in The Man Company.
But, this is not a new spree. (1/2)
December 16, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The chase to encourage Indian men to adopt quality skincare on a mass scale began back in 2017.
That’s when Marico, another FMCG major, acquired a strategic stake in Beardo. The same year, Emami also took a stake in The Man Company.
But, this is not a new spree. (1/2)
That’s when Marico, another FMCG major, acquired a strategic stake in Beardo. The same year, Emami also took a stake in The Man Company.
But, this is not a new spree. (1/2)
In just three months, the 10-year window for the Rs 10,000 crore FFS 1.0 will formally come to an end and the initial tranche of funding under FFS 2.0 will have been passed on to Sidbi for disbursal.
The reality is neither milestone is likely to be hit. At least not fully. ⬇️
The reality is neither milestone is likely to be hit. At least not fully. ⬇️
December 16, 2025 at 6:39 AM
In just three months, the 10-year window for the Rs 10,000 crore FFS 1.0 will formally come to an end and the initial tranche of funding under FFS 2.0 will have been passed on to Sidbi for disbursal.
The reality is neither milestone is likely to be hit. At least not fully. ⬇️
The reality is neither milestone is likely to be hit. At least not fully. ⬇️
Earlier this month, Natfirst's Truthin app and its Truthin Rating System were awarded by ICMR-NIN at a first-of-its-kind event, where the government called on startups to showcase tech and ideas that would improve India's health and nutrition. (1/2)
December 15, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Earlier this month, Natfirst's Truthin app and its Truthin Rating System were awarded by ICMR-NIN at a first-of-its-kind event, where the government called on startups to showcase tech and ideas that would improve India's health and nutrition. (1/2)
On 3 December, pilot G and his colleagues were called into a meeting they were not officially invited to. Indigo’s senior management wanted to chat with the airline’s pilots.
It didn’t take much for pilot G and others to put two and two together. (1/2)
It didn’t take much for pilot G and others to put two and two together. (1/2)
December 15, 2025 at 6:31 AM
On 3 December, pilot G and his colleagues were called into a meeting they were not officially invited to. Indigo’s senior management wanted to chat with the airline’s pilots.
It didn’t take much for pilot G and others to put two and two together. (1/2)
It didn’t take much for pilot G and others to put two and two together. (1/2)
Disney said it will invest $1 billion into OpenAI.
This is an about-face for Disney, whose moat for decades has been hawkish protection over its IP, with tight licensing and aggressive enforcement.
But, as a business, Disney hasn’t been faring well in recent years. (1/2)
This is an about-face for Disney, whose moat for decades has been hawkish protection over its IP, with tight licensing and aggressive enforcement.
But, as a business, Disney hasn’t been faring well in recent years. (1/2)
December 13, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Disney said it will invest $1 billion into OpenAI.
This is an about-face for Disney, whose moat for decades has been hawkish protection over its IP, with tight licensing and aggressive enforcement.
But, as a business, Disney hasn’t been faring well in recent years. (1/2)
This is an about-face for Disney, whose moat for decades has been hawkish protection over its IP, with tight licensing and aggressive enforcement.
But, as a business, Disney hasn’t been faring well in recent years. (1/2)
Anil is always delighted to meet his students out in the wild. But on this occasion, as he arrives to interview for a guest teacher’s job at a Delhi University college and sees a former pupil, he’s overcome by a sense of dismay and, in equal measure, dread. (1/3)
December 12, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Anil is always delighted to meet his students out in the wild. But on this occasion, as he arrives to interview for a guest teacher’s job at a Delhi University college and sees a former pupil, he’s overcome by a sense of dismay and, in equal measure, dread. (1/3)
Swiggy raised a billion dollars in its IPO last year. Now it needs another ₹10,000 crores. That’s not a great sign.
Here’s what happened: Zepto dropped all fees, Blinkit’s CEO declared the bubble could burst any day now, & everyone’s burning cash like there’s no tomorrow. (1/2)
Here’s what happened: Zepto dropped all fees, Blinkit’s CEO declared the bubble could burst any day now, & everyone’s burning cash like there’s no tomorrow. (1/2)
December 11, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Swiggy raised a billion dollars in its IPO last year. Now it needs another ₹10,000 crores. That’s not a great sign.
Here’s what happened: Zepto dropped all fees, Blinkit’s CEO declared the bubble could burst any day now, & everyone’s burning cash like there’s no tomorrow. (1/2)
Here’s what happened: Zepto dropped all fees, Blinkit’s CEO declared the bubble could burst any day now, & everyone’s burning cash like there’s no tomorrow. (1/2)