Shantanu sitting down with Rajan Anandan, MD of Peak XV and Surge, and Prachi Pawar, Founder of Anandi Schools, is everything you need to watch today to visualise the future of the startup ecosystem in India. You also get a glimpse into a mentor-mentee relationship in the ecosystem!

Rajan Anandan is one of the most influential voices in India’s Venture Capital space. On the other hand, Prachi is just starting out in the world of entrepreneurship. With Anandi Schools, she aims to help students stand out in college admissions.

Tune in for a deep dive into:

•⁠ ⁠How India’s AI future will be driven by application-first companies

•⁠ ⁠The mindset shifts required to build billion-dollar businesses

•⁠ ⁠What makes Silicon Valley founders different—and how Indian entrepreneurs can learn from them

A must-watch for founders, investors, and anyone curious about the future of India’s startup ecosystem.

Drop your thoughts in the comments—and in the process, earn a chance to interact with Shantanu as an audience for our next shoot.

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Navigate your way through this conversation:

00:00 Coming up

01:17 Podcast Summary

02:45 What is happening in India

05:44 The Rise of AI and Technology in India

08:50 India's Potential as an AI Superpower

11:38 The Future of AI Applications in India

17:44 India's Competitive Edge in Global Markets

20:51 Investing in the Future of AI

23:50 India's Economic Landscape and Workforce Dynamics

26:45 Historical Context and Future Prospects for India

35:41 Long-Term Economic Outlook for India

38:20 Energy Independence and Renewable Resources

40:16 The Future of Employment and Skill Development

45:21 The Evolution of Indian Entrepreneurship

46:51 Quality of Founders and Ecosystem Support

52:00 R&D Challenges

58:36 The Current Landscape for Venture Capital in India

01:05:46 Market Dynamics and Competitive Strategies

01:07:35 Career Building Insights

01:08:47 The Importance of Hard Work and Passion

01:11:29 Mentorship and Learning from Experience

01:13:52 The Role of Curiosity in Career Growth

01:19:16 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

01:25:05 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

01:27:21 Long-Term Commitment to Entrepreneurship

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