Speaking with the host on the episode, Sidana said concerns that AI will replace large sections of the workforce overlook how previous waves of technological innovation have expanded human productivity and created new opportunities.
“Every major technological shift has increased human capability. AI is no different. AI will not vanish jobs, it will enhance human capabilities.” said the founder of Sidana Ventures, and explained further that “AI should be viewed as a productivity multiplier that enables entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses to solve larger problems more efficiently”. He has given an example of “escalator in a high rising building” without which you can not reach the 40th floor of the building. He explained with examples about technologies that have changed our lives.
Reflecting on India’s technological evolution—from the early internet era to today’s AI-driven economy—he said the current wave of innovation presents one of the biggest opportunities for entrepreneurs and technology companies.
The discussion also focused on startup financing, where Sidana highlighted the increasing importance of family offices as long-term investors.
Unlike traditional venture capital funds that typically operate within fixed investment cycles, family offices can provide what he described as patient capital, allowing founders greater flexibility to build businesses with a longer-term perspective.
The conversation is part of an ongoing InCraze series in which Shivansh Karanwal sits down with founders, investors, qualified professionals, and people driving real change in their fields to talk through how they actually built what they built, rather than the polished version usually heard on stage. “I put a mic in front of people who’ve actually done things, and ask the questions everyone’s thinking but nobody asks on stage,” Karanwal said. “Rakesh has raised capital, built businesses, and now backs founders directly—that’s exactly the kind of conversation InCraze exists for.”
“Patient capital allows founders to focus on creating enduring businesses rather than optimizing for the next funding milestone.” Sidana added that while valuation often dominates fundraising discussions, founders should instead concentrate on product development, customer acquisition, and execution.
“Founders should focus more on building their business than negotiating valuation. Strong businesses ultimately command strong valuations.”
According to Sidana, investors increasingly evaluate startups based not only on financial metrics but also on founder resilience, execution capability, governance, and long-term vision.
The episode also covered the impact of AI on entrepreneurship, investment trends, venture studios, and how family offices assess early-stage startups—part of the wider range of founder and investor conversations InCraze has been building out through 2026.
Rakesh Sidana, who has spent nearly three decades building technology businesses and investing in startups, said AI represents another transformational technology comparable to the internet revolution, creating opportunities for founders who embrace it early.
The complete episode is available at: https://yt.openinapp.co/7ezud
About Rakesh Sidana
Rakesh Sidana is the Founder of Sidana Ventures, a family-backed venture-building platform that supports early-stage startups through capital, strategic mentorship, and long-term partnerships. Over 2,000 founders have pitched him in the last two years, and he is helping over 160 startup founders raise capital. He is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship, venture capital, innovation, and artificial intelligence, and has authored three books for entrepreneurs.
His articles have been featured in The Economic Times and other technology publications.
He is the founder of multiple businesses and launched his family’s investment banking business; His business model was recognized at IIM Ahmedabad. He works with several non-profit organizations on innovative technology solutions. His career began at IndiaMart in 1999, spanning India’s shift from “no internet” to “internet” to now “AI.” and built ventures in the automotive industry.
About InCraze Podcast
InCraze is a podcast (link: https://www.youtube.com/@InCraze25) and media platform founded and hosted by Shivansh Karanwal, built around one idea: put a mic in front of people who’ve actually done things, and ask the questions everyone’s thinking but nobody asks on stage.
Rather than scripted, PR-safe interviews, InCraze conversations go straight at how founders, investors, qualified professionals, and people driving real change in their fields actually built what they built the decisions, trade-offs, and setbacks that don’t make it into a polished pitch deck. The guest list spans entrepreneurs and investors like Rakesh Sidana (Sidana Ventures), MD of Arihant Capital Markets Arpit Jain to Lady who introduced F1 to India Ms
Chanpreet Arora alongside specialists and changemakers across real estate, finance, technology,education and many more .Recent conversations have covered Dehradun’s real estate boom, high-frequency trading,startup fundraising to Media Revolution in India. InCraze publishes full episodes on YouTube and short-form clips on Instagram (@incraze25), reaching a fast-growing, ambitious audience across India.
For guest inquiries or media, contact: incraze25@gmail.com
Instagram: instagram.com/incraze25
Media Contact
Shivansh Karanwal
Founder & Host, InCraze Podcast incraze25@gmail.com
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