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How a McKinsey Partner Lost 90% of His Savings & Turned Early Failures Into an IPO Dream | CleanMax
Description
This episode is a personal one. Kuldeep Jain, Founder and MD at CleanMax | Former Partner at McKinsey & Company, was Shantanu Deshpande’s senior at McKinsey. They share a close bond, and Kuldeep has also invested in Bombay Shaving Company. That trust makes this conversation unusually honest.
Kuldeep talks about leaving the safe path, early mistakes, and the phase where he lost 80–90% of his savings. He explains how CleanMax found its direction, how he thinks about hiring and culture, and what the IPO journey really looks like, including roadshows and pricing.
What you’ll get from this episode:
- Early failure, fear, and staying in the game
- Hiring principles and culture built on trust
- IPO reality, roadshows, and how pricing works
They break down the IPO process for what it is: rigorous, compliance heavy, and all about trust. Even pricing is part art.
If you want to build something that lasts, this episode is a blueprint.
Link to DRHP: https://www.sebi.gov.in/filings/public-issues/aug-2025/clean-max-enviro-energy-solutions-limited_96203.html
00:00 Trailer
01:30 Early days at McKinsey
07:10 Why CleanMax was needed
11:13 CleanMax turning point
14:20 How to build a strong company culture
19:58 What is Ashirvad Day?
27:53 From McKinsey colleagues to founders
32:47 How to take your company to an IPO
36:30 When to decide your company is ready to go public
43:34 Going public and who plans to buy the shares
51:52 Closing thoughts