I feel education is not just about the few concepts you learn. It also includes the social aspects, getting to see the world beyond the protected home environment you may have been in, understanding professionalism, competing & understanding your strengths & weakness while competing, and going through all the confusions to eventually try and create a future for yourself.
Tell us about your background, journey, and upbringing.
I grew up in Delhi. A typical middle-class family. My father is a doctor and my mother is a homemaker. I have an elder sister who is a doctor too. There was always a focus on education at home, and even as kids, there was a realization that we need to work hard.
I was blessed to have a loving family, good friends, and great teachers. I was lucky that I was able to score good marks easily. That got me through IIT Delhi and then later IIM Ahmedabad, and helped me with a strong base I could depend on.
When and how did you get clarity on what you wanted to do?
I don't think I got it for a long time. A lot of my decisions around education & first job were based on 'this is what those who score good marks do'. I was doing a lot of things on the side.
In hindsight, I can see they were entrepreneurial things. But at that time, they were just fun things & side pocket money sources. The thing is, that if you are on a proven, well-taken path with a lot of pretty flowers on the side, you don't spend too much time thinking about where you want to go but just follow the turns as and when they come.
You enjoy the path and assume the destination will be nice too. You start thinking more about this once some bumps start coming on the path or the scenery starts getting ugly.
I guess only after I started earning & seeing the working life in my first job as an Equity Trader is where I started focusing more on what I want to do - which is, to be in & around startups.
That said, 'clarity' is a strong word! Heck, I sometimes think I still don't have it. The world is so exciting and every time you see a new challenge or a new opportunity, you tend to get excited about it.
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What does your typical workday look like?
I like starting early. Pack kids off to school and reach the office early (yes, I like thinking I am still in pre-covid days!).
Get 1-1.5 hours in the office to think before people come in. Clear of emails and plan for the day. After that, I would typically be a busy day with a bunch of meetings, calls, and finding time in the middle to get work done.
Right now, I am lucky wherein I am getting a break. It is giving me time to be able to talk to people and learn new things. I am taking the opportunity to also talk to a bunch of entrepreneurs & set up the 91ventures Syndicate to invest in these startups.
Several global companies have come out and thrown their support behind not needing a formal education. What is your opinion about this?
I feel education is not just about the few concepts you learn. It also includes the social aspects, getting to see the world beyond the protected home environment you may have been in, understanding professionalism, competing & understanding your strengths & weakness while competing, and going through all the confusions to eventually try and create a future for yourself.
If you have other ideas or other things that you wish to do, and that can give you some of this...then great. Do that. Otherwise, formal education is a good simpler managed way to get all this.
My hunch is that these global companies aren't saying that they are shunning 'formal education. What they are saying is that they won't have a negative bias while evaluating people without formal education. Which is great.
How do you handle someone who has lied on their resume?
A blatant lie ie, incorrect objective information on a resume is unacceptable.
Mis-interpretation or 'polishing up (for eg, I was responsible for XYZ....whereas all decisions were taken by your manager, & not you) is something I am willing to overlook as long as in the interview, I can get a sense that the self-realization is there.
Mis-interpretation or 'polishing up (for eg, I was responsible for XYZ....whereas all decisions were taken by your manager, & not you) is something I am willing to overlook as long as in the interview, I can get a sense that the self-realization is there.
What are some of your typical challenges and how have they evolved over time?
As an entrepreneur, your challenges evolve with the growth of the company. Initially, a lot of it is about finding a product-market fit, pricing & delivering on the promise of the company.
As an entrepreneur, your challenges evolve with the growth of the company. Initially, a lot of it is about finding a product-market fit, pricing & delivering on the promise of the company.
Over time, it changes to have processes and systems that allow for scale, managing a team, and setting up the business functions in the company. Post that, a lot of it is about managing the managers, bringing in leaders & helping remove bottlenecks & organize resources for the leaders to be able to be effective.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs or those eyeing the top job?
Keep learning. Find mentors & advisors who are 2-4 steps ahead of you. Don't be shy to call people and discuss your problems.
Which is your favorite book and why?
I don't think I have a 'favorite one as such. I read The Right It: Why So Many Ideas Fail and How to Make Sure Yours Succeed Book by Alberto Savoia recently and loved it. Highly recommend it to everyone.
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