How a 45-minute meeting with Ratan Tata changed Xiaomi’s fortunes in India

In 2015, Xiaomi, a relatively unknown smartphone brand from China, was trying to break into India’s burgeoning smartphone market. Having already launched its first smartphone a year before, it was in search for the secret sauce to expand its reach. It had big dreams, a can-do attitude, and a catchy slogan— “Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.” But the young startup also had stifling competition from giants like Oppo, Vivo, and Huawei to contend with.