Vikram Bharati: Draper Startup House Expansion, Global Team Building Challenges & Startup Ecosystem Design - E553

Vikram Bharati, founder of Draper Startup House, and Jeremy Au talked about how the startup world has shifted since their last conversation. They explored how Draper Startup House has expanded across continents while wrestling with the challenge of scaling both physical spaces and community-driven programming. They discussed how remote and hybrid work are evolving post-pandemic, and how startups are adapting faster than large corporations. They also reflected on parenting and preparing the next generation for a fast-changing world, where original thinking and adaptability may matter more than credentials. Vikram also shared his growing interest in “digital nations,” a concept that could reshape how governments serve people and how individuals relate to borders and institutions.

1. Scaling Draper Startup House globally: Vikram shares that Draper Startup House has grown to 15 locations across South America, India, and Korea, focused on building startup communities in adventurous and underserved places.

2. Finding the right people as a challenge: The model combines real estate ("hardware") and startup programming ("software"), which requires local leaders who can do both—something that's tough to find consistently.

3. Remote work is here to stay: Vikram believes the post-pandemic world has made flexible work a permanent reality, especially for startups and global teams like his, which now span the US, Brazil, India, Portugal, and more.

4. Hybrid models work best: The trend he sees is a mix of in-person and remote work—typically two or three days in the office—which balances productivity and employee satisfaction.

5. Parenting in a changing world: Both Jeremy and Vikram reflect on raising young kids today, and how future success may depend more on adaptability and creativity than traditional credentials or schooling.

6. Unique perspectives come from unplugging: Vikram suggests that stepping outside the common information feed is one way to build original thinking—especially as everyone now consumes the same digital content.

7. Digital nations as the next frontier: Vikram outlines his interest in building “digital nations”—online systems that provide government-like services and community without being bound to geography, potentially expanding opportunity beyond borders.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.braves ea.com/blog/scaling-startup-communities

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