What Is Growth Marketing? | Why Startups Fail & How to Scale in 2025 | #49 | TheGeekyPod
In this episode, we sit down with Mr. Sankha Shubhra Deb, a seasoned Growth Marketer, XLRI alumnus and NIT Agartala graduate (2015) to decode the real-world challenges and opportunities in building and scaling startups in today’s fast-paced ecosystem.
From breaking down what growth marketing actually means to discussing why most startups fail despite having great ideas and funding, this conversation is packed with value for founders, marketers, and startup enthusiasts alike.
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a curious marketer, or someone interested in India's startup boom, this episode offers actionable insights, honest truths, and a fresh perspective from someone who has seen the inside of startup growth.
In this episode, we cover:
1. What is growth marketing and how is it different from traditional marketing?
2. Why 90% of startups fail and how to avoid common mistakes
3. How to build sustainable growth strategies from Day 1
4. The evolution of India’s startup ecosystem
5. Real-life growth stories, failures, and lessons from the field
Chapters
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00:00 - Recap and Intro
03:31 – How do you explain the importance of growth marketing?
08:29 – How companies experiment with PMF through quick commerce
10:46 – What mindset helps someone thrive in business development?
15:54 – The intersection of influencer marketing and growth
17:45 – How should early-stage startups approach growth?
23:20 – What metrics actually define startup growth?
30:01 – What ethical responsibilities should a growth marketer uphold?
34:22 – What separates a good marketer from a great one?
38:09 – Why storytelling matters in any marketing campaign
44:39 – What is growth hacking, and is it overhyped?
50:08 – How to handle a failed marketing campaign
53:36 – How influencer marketing contributes to growth
56:27 – The role of branding in early-stage startups
59:41 – Fast growth vs long-term sustainability
About the Guest:
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Sankha Shubhra Deb is a growth strategist with deep experience in scaling startups across industries. With an engineering degree from NIT Agartala (2015) and an MBA from XLRI Jabalpur, Sankha blends analytical thinking with creative execution to drive business growth.
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