In this episode of Twisted Truths, we sit down with Suraj Juneja — serial entrepreneur, venture builder, investor, and founder of FreeFlow Ventures — to decode the real mindset behind building businesses in today’s fast-moving startup ecosystem. He has also worked with 100+ startups across tech, OTT, and sustainability, and currently mentors 300+ founders through Indian Startup Studio, Pune.This conversation dives deep into how the Indian startup ecosystem has evolved over the last decade — especially post-COVID, and breaks down the real difference between hype and reality in startups.Key takeaway:You don’t need revolutionary tech or massive funding to build a successful startup. What you need is the right timing, the right team, smart capital usage, and strong execution.We discuss:1. What it really takes to build a startup that lasts2. How to validate ideas before scaling (and before raising money)3. The difference between building fast vs building right4. Common mistakes first-time founders make5. The reality of funding — hype vs hard numbers6. How venture builders think differently from solo founders7. Why discipline and execution matter more than motivation8. Mentorship, founder psychology, and long-term vision 9. What investors actually look for in early-stage startups10. ⁠Startup vs legacy business mindset: uncertainty vs efficiency11. ⁠The biggest reasons startups fail: founders trying to do everything themselves12. ⁠AI products vs AI services — where the real opportunity life.If you are one of the following then this episode is for you:* An aspiring entrepreneur* A startup founder at an early stage* A student interested in startups or venture capital* Someone curious about how real businesses are builtFollow Twisted Truths on social media:* YouTube: https://youtube.com/@twistedtruthssbydgf?si=92KGKV3CBRH2GcGV* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twistedtruthss?igsh=M2FzdXA4am1mYThu* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twistedtruthsbydgf* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qEze2L1XySuiGYdiuWnND?si=-7Wu7MqQR7uQ-DGCCTPLmA Credits:* Produced by: Lal Bhatia* Guest: Suraj Juneja* Host & Creative Director: Joydeep Sen* Content Strategist: Darakshah Sohail * ⁠Content Intern : Trishita Hatai* ⁠Script & Research : Darakshah Sohail* Production Head: Harshit Pandey * Production Assistant : Vishal Khan* Audio & Video Editing: Rajesh Kr. Samanta* Supporting Video Editing: Rashida Mondal* ⁠Director of Photography : Sayan Mondal* Poster & Thumbnail Design: Bidyut Singha Roy & Kamalika Biswas🔔 Subscribe for real conversations about:Startups · Founders · Business · Investing · Growth · The Indian Startup Ecosystem