A first-generation founder who failed first — and turned it into a method
Motivator, startup coach, business mentor, author, entrepreneur, investor and community builder. Director of YourSarthi. Proudly Marathi manus.
In one line: Dr. Vikrant Bhujbalrao is a Pune-based startup coach and two-time Amazon bestselling author who helps first-generation entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes that cost him his first company.
The blunder
After an MBA from PUMBA — Pune University's management department — Vikrant spent about five years in sales, marketing, business development and growth roles across FMCG, IT and IPR, with companies like Kellogg's India and Mobisoft Infotech, travelling across the country.
Then, like many first-generation Maharashtrian entrepreneurs, he jumped into business without a family business background, the right knowledge, a mentor or a coach. With two co-founders he started Dr.YOU, a health food chain serving healthy food in a trendy lounge format. They slogged for five years, invested around ₹50 lakh, raised money twice, hired and fired — and closed the business.
He lost five crucial years, a lot of money and, most of all, his confidence.
The bounce back
What he kept was a "bounce back" attitude and a set of dots waiting to be connected. Having seen both sides — corporate and startup — and the ground-level realities of each, he moved into startup coaching and incubation. In 2015 he began leading 111 Startups, a not-for-profit accelerator backed by Mobisoft Infotech and Pesh Group, connecting founders with mentors, angel investors and the right people at the right time.
Today he leads YourSarthi — a training, mentoring, fundraising and consulting company run by a team of ten — and a free founder community that meets every fortnight.
What he believes
- Start building systems from day one — beginning with the founder's own discipline.
- Sales is the founder's job. Target high-value clients and productise services into packages.
- Health is the foundation of leadership. Exercise, yoga or diet — pick one and keep it.
- Start imperfectly, then iterate. Even the biggest companies began rough.
- Get a mentor and a co-founder before a big team. Interns can carry early execution.
The journey so far
Management at PUMBA
Graduated from Pune University's top management department, the first step for a first-generation Maharashtrian businessman.
Corporate & startup roles
Sales, marketing, business development and growth roles at Kellogg's India, Mobisoft Infotech and others — FMCG, IT and IPR.
A health food chain that didn't make it
Co-founded Dr.YOU with two partners. Five years, about ₹50 lakh invested, two fundraises — and then the shutters came down.
Bounce back into coaching
Turned the lessons into a not-for-profit startup accelerator, 111 Startups, backed by Mobisoft Infotech and Pesh Group.
Training, mentoring & fundraising
Leads YourSarthi as director, with a team of ten. Be Your Own Boss and Founder's Friend are born.
First bestseller
Before YOU Jump into Business — the book he wished he had read. Followed by Survive YOUR Startup!
500 right entrepreneurs
A free founder community, the Vilasi Foundation give-back, and a mission to create 500 right entrepreneurs and success stories.
Scroll sideways to follow the journey.
500 right entrepreneurs
Not 500 startups at any cost — 500 founders who start for the right reasons, with the right preparation, and build something that lasts.
Teach
Ground-level, realistic content through books, workshops and power talks.
Mentor
1-on-1 guidance on validation, planning, leadership, marketing and expansion.
Give back
Through the community and Vilasi Foundation — because togetherness is the point.
I came in with a business idea and a resignation letter ready. I left with a validated offer, my first five customers — and I kept my job for six more months, which was the right call.
The biggest change was moving from hourly billing to packages. Our average deal size more than doubled in a quarter.
Students were still talking about the session a week later. Real stories, zero fluff, and he stayed back an hour answering questions.
Want to start right?
Book a free 20-minute discovery call. Tell us where you are, and we'll tell you honestly what will help — even if it's not one of our programs.