The theme for this edition of Winpe sheshines which also marked the 5th edition for Delhi, was “Strategy Tear Down”. It took place on February 6, 2025, at Jaypee Vasant Continental, Vasant Vihar, hosted by Alkemi Growth Capital. It offered a candid platform for participants to engage in unfiltered conversations about building businesses, the decisions that need to be made, and the reasoning behind them. Conducted under the Chatham House Rules, the event encouraged open and constructive discussions, making it a valuable learning opportunity for young investors and founders.

This edition spotlighted Meghana Narayan, Co-founder of Slurrp Farm (parent company of Wholesome Foods), in conversation with Alka Goel, Founder of Alkemi Growth Capital, Aparajita Ahuja, Managing Director & CFO of CX Partners; Diane Jegam, Regional Director South Asia at Proparco; and Mansi Aggarwal, Partner at Alkemi Growth Capital.

Our key takeaways:

Timeline for Growth: It typically takes 2 years from ideation to start sales and another 2 years to achieve Product-Market Fit (PMF). Patience and long-term commitment are essential for sustainable growth.

Focus on Core Products: Prioritize building products that cater to the core needs of your target market (“center of the plate”), ensuring they are suitable for frequent purchases to drive consistent demand.

Strategic Manufacturing Approach: Owning manufacturing isn't necessary if you can partner with reliable vendors, allowing you to focus on product development and scaling.

Depth Over Breadth: It's more effective to deepen your product range in successful categories rather than spreading thin across multiple categories. This focus enhances brand loyalty and market penetration.

Scaling and Funding Strategy: Growing in a niche market requires continuous innovation, persistence, and strategic patience. External funding acts as “rocket fuel” and should be pursued only when the business is ready to scale rapidly.

Resilience and Conviction Matter: Perseverance through challenging meetings often reinforces conviction. A founder’s unwavering belief in their product and resilience are just as vital as financial metrics.

The evening concluded with vibrant networking over refreshments and beverages, leaving attendees inspired and energized. Winpe sheshines is a series of knowledge-sharing and networking events that connect women across various stages of the investing and entrepreneurship ecosystem.