“Scale is important for a startup. Think big, but take one day at a time.”
Kunal Bahl, a native of India, received his education at Delhi Public School R.K. Puram and the University of Pennsylvania, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in Entrepreneurship, Operation & Information Management from The Wharton School, and Engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. He furthered his business expertise with an executive marketing program at the Kellogg School of Management.
Bahl’s ventures
In 2010, Bahl co-founded Snapdeal, a prominent e-commerce platform in India. The company later rebranded as AceVector in 2022, encompassing Snapdeal, Unicommerce, and Stellaro Brands. Bahl’s leadership has propelled AceVector to the forefront of the Indian e-commerce industry, introducing innovative distribution channels and platforms.
Kunal Bahl, besides his leadership at AceVector, is actively engaged in various industry associations and think tanks, having served on the boards of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations and NASSCOM. He also chaired the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Committee on E-commerce, contributing significantly to India’s startup ecosystem.
Bahl’s investment journey alongside partner Bansal began with Ola Cabs, a visionary venture by Bhavish Aggarwal, with an initial investment of $60,000, yielding remarkable returns. Over the years, they extended support to 280 startups, many of which achieved valuations from $100 million to $600 million, solidifying their reputation as savvy investors.
Achievements So Far
Kunal Bahl’s entrepreneurial prowess has garnered him prestigious accolades, including the BMA Entrepreneur of the Year and Fortune’s 40 under 40 list in 2014. He has also been honored with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Startup award, Nasscom NextGen Entrepreneur award, and the Economic Times Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2014 and 2015.
Apart from his business endeavors, Bahl serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Piramal Enterprises, showcasing his leadership across diverse sectors. In his personal life, he finds fulfillment with his wife Yashna, actively involved in the confectionery business.
In terms of compensation, Bahl received Rs 3.5 crore in FY2021 as part of his remuneration package at Snapdeal, where he serves as the co-founder and CEO, with a fixed compensation and performance bonus approved by shareholders.
The only way to success
Kunal Bahl underscores three pillars of success: focus, economics, and culture. Advising against the chase for the next big thing, he advocates for solving specific problems. Bahl challenges the notion of constant fundraising, stressing profitability and financial prudence. Transparent communication fosters a resilient workforce, shaping a supportive culture within startups.
In a personal reflection, Bahl highlights the evolving priorities of entrepreneurs, emphasizing self-care and work-life balance. He urges cherishing the entrepreneurial journey and creating a buffer between personal and professional life.
Bahl redefines success, advocating for enduring, fundamentally strong companies over valuation-centric unicorns. He introduces the concept of “Indicon,” symbolizing stable businesses making a lasting impact. His insights champion the entrepreneurial spirit, offering timeless principles for the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs.
Read more: Success Story of CarDekho and Amit Jain
