99% of AI Companies Will Be Dead by 2026

The Doers Nepal – Nepal’s Longest Running Business Podcast In this episode, we have Manish Maheshwari, General Partner at BAT VC, former Twitter India CEO, and one of India’s top AI investors. Along with him, we have Bhupendra Khanal, former founder of Simplify360 and current CEO of Doxy.   From decades of experience and exposure, they offer insights into the realities of today’s AI ecosystem. Most people think the AI boom means every AI startup will win. But the truth is the opposite. We’re in the middle of an AI bubble and when it bursts, 99% of today’s AI companies won’t survive. In this conversation, they broke down: -How do you differentiate a good AI company from a bad one? -Why are LLMs rapidly becoming a commodity? -How can platform dependency wipe out companies overnight? -What should a founder really do after a life-changing exit?   And in a crowded AI market, what strategic advantages actually help you stand out? This episode isn’t hype. It’s a reality check for founders, creators, students, and anyone who wants to stay relevant in the next decade.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:22 — Introduction to Manish Dai 03:07 — The 3 C’s of the Internet 03:24 — Content, Creators & Social Media Dynamics 04:29 — Brand Challenges and Opportunities 07:29 — AI Fads and Wrapper Apps 07:40 — Good AI Companies vs Bad AI Companies 10:30 — Early Bets & Missed Investment Opportunities 15:10 — Why Distribution Matters in Tech 19:00 — Diversifying Risk in Business 20:45 — The Relentless Pace of Technological Change 27:00 — Platform vs UI: What Drives Adoption 29:32 — New Algorithms and Emerging Insights 30:25 — Meta’s LLaMA and the AI Model Race 32:45 — Power of Proprietary Data 33:30 — Google’s Missed Chance at Uber & WhatsApp 36:00 — WeChat’s Dominance in China 37:00 — How Jio Disrupted a Monopoly Market 44:35 — Understanding Customer Psychology 46:10 — Leading Twitter India: Inside Experience 48:25 — Twitter’s Stance on Content Ownership 58:20 — Elon Musk’s X Changes & Verification Issues 1:08:00 — Why Startup Exits Feel Like Divorce 1:10:30 — When a Company Becomes Your Identity 1:23:32 — Life in Nepal: Twitter India Head Speaks Nepali Want to join us live in the studio as an audience member? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/xZi8yptyoxkkc6aa8    ✉ Reach out to us at [email protected]   🎧 Listen on audio platforms:  https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-3ww6h-19c2d2e   🎤 Host: Anup Ghimire Founder of Doers Nepal  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anup-ghimire-9366aa5a/   👥 Guest Manish Maheshwari General Partner @ BAT VC  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishlens/ 👥 Guest Bhupendra Khanal Former Founder @ Simplify360   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanalbhupendra/  📲 Follow The Doers Nepal: Instagram:   / https://www.instagram.com/thedoersglobal/ Facebook:   / https://www.facebook.com/thedoersnepal/   🎬 Production Partner: Viewfinders Production Instagram:   / https://www.instagram.com/viewfindersstudio/?igsh=MWlseDV5azB3Y3lsMw%3D%3D#   This episode is strengthened by Hama Steels and insured by Himalayan Everest Insurance  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AGS33qQH3/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamasteel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/himalayaneverestinsurance?mibextid=LQQJ4d&rdid=Ccm3aTE9zypUEi6B&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2FariZHNDrbMn2vFse%2F%3Fmibextid%3DLQQJ4d#  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hei.com.np/   Need help building a high-quality podcast? They’ve got you covered – from set design and shooting to post-production and guest curation.   📸 Wedding Dreams Nepal Instagram:   / weddingdreamsnepal    Website: https://weddingdreamsnepal.com    📞 Call: +977 9813657889