Execution is greater than an idea: Ashish Kashyap, CEO Ibibio

Ashish Kashyap is the founder & CEO of ‘Ibibio Group'. Besides creating the online travel assets, Ashish also launched Ibibio’s payments unit from scratch that was later sold to Naspers’ global payments unit (In January 2014) . Ashish also served on the board of PayU global, Netherlands.

Kashyap has had a diverse experience of creating significant value by building internet and technology businesses from scratch and scaling them. He is also expert in driving large acquisitions such as redBus.in and dozen plus mid size acquisitions and investments.

Prior to founding "Ibibio Group", Ashish was the ‘Country Head’ of ‘Google India’.Before joining Google, Ashish "founded" E-Commerce businesses at Indiatimes.com and drove them to a profitable and scale position. He designed first of its kind “Reverse Auctions"; "Travel Auctions" platform and launched the online marketplace business, Indiatimes Shopping.

He holds an "Economics (Honours)" from University Of Delhi, India and a diploma in "International Masters in Practicing Management (IMPM)" from Insead, Fontainebleau, France.

He believes that one of the big changes that happened in the last few years is the quality of the talent and the emergence of a large number of people moving from their jobs towards entrepreneurial journey. 

BW Businessworld unveils the CEO’s life beyond the corporate veil. 

What is the one thing that you love to do when you are not in boardroom?

 I love to play Squash. It is the next best thing that I love.

Whom do you look to when you are in dilemma?

 I always look up to my mother.

How do you balance work life?

I plan & schedule in advance. Weekends are dedicated to spending time with family, friends, reading, watching movies and exercising. Balance is important to infuse freshness in life. 

What are the things that you do not live your house without?

Watch, Mobile, Squash kit.

If not an entrepreneur, what would you have been?

Story writer or a Movie Director

What is the biggest business risk that you have taken?

Professionally, it was when I pivoted Ibibio from an incubator to an online travel platform. Exiting Google India to start Ibibio was another big risk in life. However, I believe with risk come opportunities.

Who is your favorite CEO?

Pony Ma, Tencent Inc.

One company that you would like to acquire...

Uber :) (laughs)

The last line of your autobiography would read...

It was not about the destination but the journey that I enjoyed!

What are the three qualities that an entrepreneur must have?

a) High Energy

b) Execution: Should be able to get things done

c) Integrity

No compromise with any of these.

What are the principles that you swear by? 

a) Execution is greater than an idea

b) Team is bigger than an individual is

c) Energy is more valuable than just intelligence

One regulation in Indian laws that you would like to change?

In general, I would encourage the laws to be such that they create "level playing field" between "Made In India start ups" versus "global players".

For instance: Taxation principles applicable for Indian homegrown players are not similar versus a global player that provides their services in India but use their overseas units for invoicing. This makes the "Made In India Company" disadvantaged versus a global one.

Secondly,a global player providing services, content etc is able to charge consumers without the regulated two-factor authentication system. On the other hand, the local made in India companies for sale of similar services, products and content need to go through a two-factor authentication system. Hence, I would want to surely see a level playing field.

Five words that define you...

a. Passionate

b. Executor

c. Risk-taker

d. Disruptor

e. Honest