Who is Mahesh Murthy?

Mahesh Murthy is one of India's most respected marketing and brand strategists, with over three decades of experience. He is the founder of Pinstorm (founded 2004), India's pioneering digital marketing agency, and co-founder of Seedfund (founded 2006), one of India's earliest venture capital funds. He has worked on iconic brands including Nike, McDonald's, Pepsi, and MTV, and has invested in over 50 companies including redBus.

Pinstorm is India's pioneering digital marketing agency, founded by Mahesh Murthy in 2004. It was one of the first agencies in India to pioneer pay-for-performance digital marketing. Pinstorm has worked with globally recognised brands including Nike, Pepsi, MTV, McDonald's, and Levi's.

Seedfund is one of India's earliest venture capital funds, co-founded by Mahesh Murthy in 2006. It focused on early-stage Indian startups. Its most notable investment was redBus, which was acquired by Naspers for approximately $135 million in 2013 — one of India's landmark startup exits at the time.

What companies has Mahesh Murthy invested in?

Mahesh Murthy has invested in over 50 companies through Seedfund and as an angel investor. The most notable investment is redBus, India's largest online bus ticketing platform, which was acquired by Naspers in 2013 for approximately $135 million. He has backed a range of early-stage technology and consumer companies across India and Southeast Asia.

What brands has Mahesh Murthy worked with?

Mahesh Murthy has built marketing strategy for some of the world's most iconic brands including Nike, Pepsi, McDonald's, MTV, Levi's, and Apple. Through Pinstorm, he has also worked with leading Indian and multinational companies across consumer goods, technology, and media sectors.

Where is Mahesh Murthy based?

Mahesh Murthy is based primarily in Dubai, UAE, with deep roots in Mumbai, India. He has lived and worked across multiple continents including the US, Europe, and Asia, and has visited over 110 countries.

Is Mahesh Murthy available for advisory or board roles?

Yes. Mahesh Murthy is selectively available for advisory roles and board positions — particularly in brand building, go-to-market strategy, digital marketing, and early-stage growth. He accepts a limited number of engagements. You can reach him through the contact form at maheshmurthy.com.

Is Mahesh Murthy available for speaking engagements?

Yes. Mahesh Murthy is available for keynote speaking on topics including brand strategy, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and the Indian startup ecosystem. He has spoken at conferences across India, the US, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

What has Mahesh Murthy written about?

Mahesh Murthy has written extensively on marketing, brand strategy, entrepreneurship, and the Indian startup ecosystem across 13 years. His articles have appeared in publications including Harvard Business Review India, Forbes India, Mint, Economic Times, Campaign India, Business Standard, Inc India, and Business Today.

What is Mahesh Murthy's view on Indian startups?

Mahesh Murthy is a candid commentator on the Indian startup ecosystem. He has written critically about the lack of marketing discipline among Indian founders, the over-reliance on funding over revenue, and the tendency to copy Western business models rather than build for Indian consumers. His articles on this topic have appeared in Economic Times, Mint, and Firstpost.

How can I contact Mahesh Murthy?

You can contact Mahesh Murthy through the contact form at maheshmurthy.com. He is open to conversations about advisory roles, board positions, speaking engagements, marketing strategy, and early-stage investment opportunities.

What is Mahesh Murthy's approach to brand building?

Mahesh Murthy believes brand building must be rooted in a clear, honest promise to consumers — not in advertising volume. He pioneered pay-for-performance marketing in India through Pinstorm (founded 2004), and advocates for measurable, outcome-driven marketing over traditional awareness campaigns.

What is Mahesh Murthy's background before Pinstorm?

Before founding Pinstorm in 2004, Mahesh Murthy worked on marketing campaigns for major global brands in the US and India, including Nike, McDonald's, Pepsi, and MTV. He has decades of experience spanning advertising, digital strategy, and venture investing, making him one of the most cross-disciplinary figures in Indian business.

Back to Writings

Times of India·22 December 2001

Mind your own business!

After the dotcom crash, Murthy says downturns favor serious founders: focus on revenue, live within means, think globally rather than copying Western models, and build companies from genuine entrepreneurial commitment.

PARTIAL WEBSITE RETRIEVAL: Opening text retrieved. The column argues that startup mania is over, which makes bad times the right time for serious entrepreneurs. It stresses focusing on real revenues, living within means, innovating rather than copying Western models, and prioritising execution over ideas.

Mind your own business!

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