Snapdeal’s co-founder, Kunal Bahl, known for his active engagement and insightful commentary on X (formerly Twitter), is injecting a dose of desi flavor into the startup vernacular. Amidst a landscape dominated by terms like unicorn and hectocorn, Bahl is introducing a new term: ‘Indicorns’.

In a recent post on X, Bahl suggested this novel term for startups that not only achieve profitability but also generate net revenues surpassing Rs 100 crore. His aim? To shift the narrative away from the obsession with unicorn status towards celebrating sustainable profitability and growth.

“Profitable, enduring startups with 100cr+ net revenues should be called ‘Indicorns’,” remarked Bahl, advocating for a more robust foundation for India’s startup ecosystem—one anchored by a multitude of thriving, revenue-generating companies rather than a select few billion-dollar unicorns.

Bahl’s proposal was prompted by a query from Atul Mehra, founder of enterprise AI startup Vaayushop, seeking clarification on Bahl’s earlier call for Indian startups to present their financials and fundraising efforts in rupees rather than dollars.

This shift, according to Bahl, is about embracing India’s identity and currency, urging startups to showcase their achievements proudly in their native currency.

India’s startup scene continues to evolve, maintaining its status as the world’s third-largest hub for unicorn startups. Despite a slight decline in unicorn numbers, Bahl’s concept of ‘Indicorns’ reflects a growing emphasis on sustainable growth and profitability—a trend poised to shape the future trajectory of India’s vibrant startup ecosystem.