How to build a REAL Startup (Not What You See Online) | The ThirdLane Podcast ep.15 | Epaphra

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In this exclusive episode, we bring together founders, investors, sales professionals, and product experts to unpack what really happens behind the scenes of building a startup.

No sugar-coating. No fluff. Just raw, honest conversations on startup culture, the obsession with the US market, the intersection of emotional intelligence and AI, and the untold realities of the entrepreneurial grind.

Whether you’re a founder, a dreamer, or just curious about the startup world, this episode offers real-world insight, clarity, and context on what it truly takes to build and scale.

In this rare roundtable, they discuss:
• What really defines a startup in today’s world
• The untapped potential in AI and how to ride the wave
• US vs Indian clients — where’s the real opportunity now
• Why timing, team, and clarity matter more than hype
• Lessons from building, scaling, failing, and bouncing back

This isn’t fluff. It’s raw, insightful, and extremely actionable.

🔥 Watch till the end, take notes, and subscribe for more bold, insight-driven episodes only on Explore with Epaphra
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🎙️ Host
Epaphra
TheThirdLane Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4q3YzOx6wq0qc8WtfqgGyp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorewithepaphra/ | https://www.instagram.com/thethirdlanepodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/explorewithepaphra/

🎙️ Guests
Praveen Krishna (Chief Evangelist at Aalamaram Startup Incubator)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krpraveenkrishna

Ambi Moorthy (Bootstrapped Co-Founder & CEO – GoZen)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambimoorthy

Aishwarya Ashok (AI Product Builder, Creator of thefoundersfoyer)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishwarya-ashok

Lokesh Kannan (GTM, ElevenLabs)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lokesh-kannan-a92751102

Vignesh Ramanujam (Co-Founder & CEO – The Happy Company)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vramanujam

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🙋‍♂️ Who Am I?
If we haven’t met before, I’m Epaphra — a storyteller, entrepreneur, and content creator passionate about helping people discover real opportunities. Through videos, podcasts, and writing, I share transformative insights, practical strategies, and powerful stories to help you grow, take action, and create a life filled with purpose.

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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 — Trailer
03:25 — What is not a startup?
11:30 — Will the startup mindset help?
15:06 — Be aware of this kind of startup mindset
18:49 — Don’t follow the glamorous entrepreneur lifestyle
26:23 — The reality of startup life
31:03 — How to turn your idea into money
35:18 — Can an MSME company have a vision?
40:33 — When do you know you’re ready to start your own company?
50:33 — What is your purpose?
1:31:30 — What does India really need right now?
1:42:33 — Why do people focus on US & UK clients?
2:02:33 — How to gain US cultural insights
2:13:03 — How to sell your product to US clients
2:42:48 — Why India doesn’t have ARPU
2:47:36 — Has AI surpassed human emotion?
2:52:33 — How do you navigate being a clueless startup founder?