Roots, Wings, & Billion Stickers: Building with Purpose | Vivek Prabhakar | TEDxIIMBangalore
In this engaging and heartfelt talk, Vivek Prabhakar, Co-Founder of Chumbak, shares the entrepreneurial journey of building one of India’s most beloved design-led consumer brands—rooted in culture, powered by authenticity, and scaled with fearless execution. Vivek unpacks the philosophy behind “roots and wings”, the dual forces that grounded Chumbak in Indian identity while giving it global aspirations. With a dose of humor and hard-won insight, he walks us through lessons on finding your "why", knowing your consumer, building the right teams, and the messy beauty of execution. From rejecting marble Taj Mahals as India's sole souvenir to launching a billion Indian emoji stickers on global platforms, Vivek’s story is a masterclass in staying true to one's origins while daring to fly. With learnings like “culture eats strategy for breakfast”, “focus is better than passion”, and “hierarchy is dead”, Vivek inspires the next generation of founders to build businesses that reflect who they are, not just where the market is going. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a creative thinker, or someone wondering how to make a dent in the world while staying authentic—this talk will leave you inspired, and smiling. Vivek Prabhakar, founder of Chumbak, is a visionary entrepreneur reshaping India’s design and lifestyle space. Co-founding Chumbak in 2010, he aimed to create a globally-inspired yet India-centric brand known for its vibrant designs.
Based in Bengaluru, Vivek transformed Chumbak from a quirky souvenir startup into a leading lifestyle brand offering home décor, fashion, and accessories. With a rich marketing and brand strategy background, he brings over a decade of expertise in building innovative consumer brands.
Under his leadership, Chumbak has grown into a nationwide name, blending Indian heritage with global appeal through its retail network and online platform. Beyond Chumbak, Vivek mentors budding entrepreneurs, engages in industry forums, and pursues his passion for photography. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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