Shark Tank judge Anupam Mittal on the 'entrepreneur skill' question he is asked often from students

Anupam Mittal, Shark Tank India judge, advises aspiring entrepreneurs to cultivate two essential skills: selling and building. He emphasizes that selling involves convincing others of your vision, while building requires problem-solving and perseverance. Mittal believes mastering these skills is crucial for success, applicable to students, professionals, and side hustlers alike, advocating for immediate action in learning, selling, and building.
Shark Tank judge Anupam Mittal on the 'entrepreneur skill' question he is asked often from students
Anupam Mittal shares two 'superpowers' that are required to be a successful entrepreneur.
Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com and a Shark Tank India judge recently addressed a question he frequently receives from students — “What skills should I build as a student to become an entrepreneur?” In a long LinkedIn post, Mittal shared his viewpoint on the topic and revealed two fundamental skills which he thinks are essential for the success of an entrepreneur. Mittal believes that the ability to sell and the ability to build are the core skills that every budding entrepreneur should cultivate. Mittal, known for his insights on business and startups, often emphasises the importance of developing a diverse set of skills beyond just academic knowledge for those aspiring to venture into the world of entrepreneurship.

What Shaadi.com Anupam Mittal said in his LinkedIn post

Anupam Mittal explained that the ability to sell and the ability to build are the two important skills that every aspiring entrepreneur must endure. He further adds that if ‘you master these two skills, then you will become unbeatable’.
Mittal explained that selling goes beyond products—it’s about convincing people to believe in your vision, whether it’s attracting investors, customers, or team members. He described selling as a survival skill, essential for gaining support and momentum in the entrepreneurial journey.
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Which skill do you think is more crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs?

He emphasised the importance of focusing on solving problems with perseverance, even when others doubt your ideas. Building requires resilience and the ability to stay committed to a vision, turning ideas into reality step by step.

Read Shak Tank India judge Anupam Mittal’s complete LinkedIn post here


“What skills should I build as a student if I want to be an entrepreneur?”

I get this question often.

And while there’s no single formula, I’ve come to believe it boils down to just two superpowers:

1️⃣
The Ability to Sell

Not just products.

But your vision, your dream, your crazy ideas.

You’ll need to convince people to join you,

Convince investors to fund you
💰

Convince customers to try you

…and sometimes, convince yourself to keep going
😅
If you can’t sell, it’s going to be a long and lonely ride.

So get out there — pitch, persuade, hustle, repeat.

Sales isn’t sleazy. It’s survival.

2️⃣
The Ability to Build

This doesn’t just mean writing code.

It means being obsessed with solving a problem.

It means focusing on one thing for a long time

…while everyone around you thinks you’ve lost it.

It’s being okay with being misunderstood.

And staying the course — even when nothing makes sense.

You master these two?

You become unbeatable
💥
And, this isn’t just about being a founder
👉
🎓
Students - these are life skills, not job titles.

👨‍💼
Professionals - being able to sell and build can unlock every door, whether you’re in a startup, a corporate job, or building your own side hustle.

I have learned that there is no “right time.”

You start Learning. You Start Selling. You Start Building.

The rest will follow”

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