Abhishek Rungta

In 1997, when I started INT., I was a wide-eyed entrepreneur trying to figure out how big my web design business could grow in a city like Kolkata. To be honest, it wasn’t for some grand business plan—I just wanted to know where I stood and, maybe, indulge in some daydreaming.

I turned to the so-called “market experts” for their wisdom.

Their verdict? “If you’re lucky, the market is ₹5 crores. And if you’re really good, you might grab 10%—₹50 lakhs a year!”

That sounded reasonable at the time. But fast forward to today, and that estimate seems laughable. The market, though still fragmented, is easily 100x bigger in Kolkata alone, and may be 10000x bigger globally.

The Lesson

This taught me a critical lesson:
The question is not “What is the market size today?” The real question is:

What can the market become?
Where is my market?
What is the purpose of the buyer? How does my solution solves it? Does it create no-brainer value for them?

Many offerings, especially in tech, transcend boundaries because they can be delivered digitally. That realization helped me take INT. from a Kolkata-based company to a global digital services provider.

Emerging vs. Mature Markets

Working in emerging sectors requires a completely different mindset than working in mature markets. Later in my entrepreneurial journey, I had opportunities to invest in CropIn (agritech) and Agnikul (space-tech).

When I evaluated these opportunities, people asked:
🌾 “Agritech sounds like a fancy word?”
🚀 “Is there even a market for private space technology in India?”

But here’s the thing: Strategic decisions require foresight.

It’s not about what’s visible today—it’s about imagining what could possibly happen.

In both cases, I didn’t let today’s market size distract me. Instead, I focused on the potential of these businesses to solve real problems, create new markets, and scale beyond boundaries.

Other Examples

Think about the smartphone market before 2007. People didn’t see a massive market for touchscreen phones. But Apple didn’t just enter the market—they redefined it.

Similarly, look at electric vehicles. A decade ago, the EV market was niche, but companies like Tesla weren’t betting on the present; they were betting on a future of sustainable mobility.

The Takeaway

For entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders, here’s my advice:
📌 Don’t obsess over the market size as it stands today.
📌 Ask what it can become and where you can position yourself to lead that transformation.
📌 Understand buyer behavior, and focus on what will matter tomorrow, not just today.

A Final Thought

The present is just a snapshot. The real opportunity lies in shaping the future. So, whether you’re starting a business, launching a product, or making an investment, don’t let today’s limitations cloud your vision of tomorrow’s possibilities.

Have you ever bet on a market that seemed small but turned out to be massive?