Sourabh Kumar, co-founder of PotHoleRaja, a social venture that’s on a mission to make India & the world pothole-free.

The Indian Startup Show

Bye Bye Potholes! Today I have the pleasure to talk to Sourabh Kumar, co-founder of PotHoleRaja, a social venture that 's on a mission to make India & the world pothole-free. He got the idea After reading a tragic story about a woman who lost her life due to a pothole. He gave up his highly paid corporate job to fill in potholes around the streets of Bangalore at 5AM! He didn't tell his parents but he started getting goosebumps when random strangers started to praise his work and efforts.

Without any background in civil engineering he started doing crazy google searches and ended up creating a number of cool products including Gridmats. a revolutionary patented product that’s eco-friendly, durable and crafted entirely from 100% recycled plastic waste to construct pavements/roads.

He talks about a life changing moment meeting his co-founder. Talks about key learnings in the early days. Thoughts on social entrepreneurship in India some do’s and don’ts (You can make money!) Why waste is the new gold. Talks about why you must be a risk taker and good at sales.

Talks about the uncomfortable question he asks people when hiring. Talks about keeping the faith and business models including franchise models. He talks about growing rapidly (100% growth) He reflects on this past year (2022). Thoughts on building a culture of being open. And finally he talks about the biggest pothole he has ever seen and explains how filling a pothole is as easy as making 3 min Maggi noodles and much more.

In this conversation we talk about:

• Why potholes
• Going to Singapore and reflecting on it's infrastructure.
• The promise he made to himself when quitting
• Becoming a problem solver
• Thoughts on why the government are not doing this despite everyone paying taxes.
• 15000 km road trip checking out the potholes.
• Expanding into different countries.
• Civic tech helping the government
• What does leadership mean to Sourabh
• Dealing with and the war with waste.
• Just him and his co-founder for the first two years

And much more

Links

https://www.potholeraja.com/

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music by Punch Deck.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kdduxAVaFnbHJyNxl7FWV