Build Like You’re Broke: The Secret Power of ConstraintsWhat if being broke was a superpower? In this sharp and soulfully funny TEDx talk, serial entrepreneur Abhishek Soni turns the conventional startup gospel on its head. Drawing from his journey as a two-time founder — including building and selling one of India’s top fintech startups — he shares a radical insight: scarcity doesn’t stifle innovation, it supercharges it.From ISRO’s moon landing on a Bollywood budget to Zoho’s billion-dollar SaaS empire built from rural Tamil Nadu, Abhishek weaves together stories of legendary breakthroughs born in constraint. With punchy visuals and even punchier wisdom, he lays down 5 timeless rules for creators, builders, and dreamers: Bootstrapping Builds Muscles. Scarcity Sharpens Focus. Mindset Trumps Model. Creativity Loves Constraint. Smart Before Scale.Whether you're building a company, a career, or a legacy, this talk will challenge your idea of what it takes to create impact. After all, planes take off into headwinds — and that’s what gives them lift. Abhishek Soni is a 2x entrepreneur and former CEO of Upwards, a pioneering digital lending platform acquired by Lendingkart in one of India’s top fintech exits of 2023. An IIT Delhi silver medalist and ex-strategy consultant, he brings over 13 years of experience across fintech, consumer tech, and venture ecosystems. He’s known for building ventures from scratch that have raised $50M+, scaled fast, served millions, and used technology to solve real-world problems at scale. He’s been featured by Forbes, Economic Times, and Times 40U40 for creating both impact and shareholder value. Beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, he’s obsessed with decoding the human side of decision-making—whether in money, leadership, or relationships. Through startups, writing, and mentoring, he enjoys turning hard-earned lessons into sharp, practical wisdom that helps others move faster and live better. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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