

SparX by Mukesh Bansal
Mukesh Bansal
Welcome to Sparx, the show that empowers you with the latest research, strategies and tools to help you achieve exponential impact in every aspect of your life. Whether you're looking to advance your career, improve your relationships, leave a mark on the world or simply become the best version of yourself, this is where you need to start.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 27, 2024 • 1h 10min
Scaling a business, brand building, the start-up ecosystem, and more with Ananth Narayanan
How did Ananth drive such rapid growth in the e-commerce industry? How is Mensa Brands the future of direct-to-consumer businesses? How is Ananth redefining brand growth in the digital era at Mensa Brands?
In this episode, Mukesh Bansal, is in conversation with the CEO of Mensa Brands, Ananth Narayanan. Ananth has not only been the former CEO of Myntra and Jabong but also a Senior Partner at McKinsey and Company. He is celebrated for his pioneering contributions to the e-commerce landscape. His visionary leadership and strategic acumen have been instrumental in steering Mensa Brands towards its status as a unicorn in just six months. Join us for an insightful episode to learn from one of the entrepreneurial experts in India.
Mensa Brands Website: https://mensabrands.com/
News Article on Ananth’s career trajectory: https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-meet-ananth-narayanan-ex-myntra-ceo-mensa-brands-founder-know-about-his-journey-education-net-worth-3095729/
News Article on Ananth’s business tips and insights: https://yourstory.com/2022/09/mensa-brands-ananth-narayanan-taking-indian-brands-global
Ananth Narayanan LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ananth-narayanan1/?originalSubdomain=in
Article by Economic Times on Mensa Brands: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/newsletters/tech-top-5/mensa-turns-unicorn-in-six-months-rollup-ecommerce-explained/articleshow/87740795.cms
CNBC Interview with Ananth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z4GdC33dFg
Prime Venture Partners Interview with Ananth on Brand Building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9oHxghkA9Q
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Monday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder of Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on our Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Also check out our website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms!
Fashion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

May 20, 2024 • 58min
Vivek Kumar On The Vision, Execution, And Impact Of CSE On Indian Sports
What makes CSE the benchmark for sports excellence in India? How has Vivek Kumar transformed Indian badminton training? How does CSE foster young athletes' potential?
For the latest episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Cure.fit, is in conversation with a visionary of sports training in India, Vivek Kumar.
Vivek Kumar, co-founder of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy and the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence (CSE), has significantly advanced Indian badminton by training top-tier athletes, including Olympians. His efforts through PPBA and CSE have elevated the sport's standards and inspired a new generation of players. Join us to hear more about his journey and insights.
Resource List:
CSE Website: https://centreforsports.in/
Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy(PPBA) Website: https://www.ppba.in/index.html
Gopichand Academy Website: https://gopichandacademy.com/
Vimal Kumar (Co-founder of PPBA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U._Vimal_Kumar
OGQ: https://ogq.org/index.php
Olympics Website: https://olympics.com/en/
Indian Olympic medal winners: https://olympics.com/en/news/india-olympics-medals
2024 Summer Olympics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Summer_Olympics

May 13, 2024 • 1h 3min
Championing art and museums in India with Abhishek Poddar
What personal experiences and influences drove Abhishek to champion the arts and cultural preservation? How does engagement with arts and culture enrich our understanding of human experiences? How did the pioneering digital opening of MAP redefine traditional museum experiences and accessibility to art?
In this episode, we are in conversation with Abhishek Poddar, Founder-Trustee of the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) in Bangalore. Abhishek is a prominent figure in the arts and culture sector. His leadership and vision have played a pivotal role in promoting art education, cultural exchange, and the preservation of artistic heritage. As an advocate for the arts, he has spearheaded initiatives that highlight the importance of creativity and innovation in society. Join us for an insightful conversation and learn more about arts and culture!

May 6, 2024 • 1h 14min
The Journey Behind India's Pioneering Badminton Legend: Prakash Padukone
How did Prakash Padukone's historic win at the All England Badminton Championship change the landscape of Indian sports forever? Could the next decade witness a golden era for Indian badminton? How has Prakash Padukone's journey from player to coach influenced the development of badminton talent in India?
In this week’s episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal, Founder of Myntra and Cult.Fit, is in conversation with legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone. We talk about Prakash’s journey from winning the National men's singles title at 16 to co-founding the Olympics Gold Quest (OGQ). Mr Padukone has many insightful guidance and advice for young aspiring athletes he learnt from his experiences.

36 snips
Apr 29, 2024 • 59min
Sanjeev Sanyal On India's Hidden History, Development Patterns and His Maritime Project!
Explore Sanjeev Sanyal's unique economic approach shaping policy-making and urban development in India. Discover his perspective on reshaping the narrative of Indian freedom fighters' response to British colonialism and insights into the future economy. Dive into the intertwined realms of history, economics, and urban design, advocating for holistic societal development. Learn about organic urban planning, post-independence intellectual evolution, and pathways for young people to engage in policymaking.

Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 22min
Indian Writer On Building JLF, Uncovering Indian Stories and Cultural Entrepreneurship | SparX Ep38
How did the Jaipur Literature Festival expand on a global scale and gain popularity worldwide? What has stayed common among all of Namita’s books over the years? How is the literary landscape for writers in today’s world?
In the latest episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal (Founder of Myntra and Cult.fit) is in conversation with Namita Gokhale, Co-Founder of the Jaipur Literature Festival. We discuss a wide variety of topics from the workings of JLF to its popularity among the youth. Namita outlines her writing styles, her inspirations, and her experiences. The story of how she dropped out of college to become one of India’s acclaimed authors and co-directors to one of the world’s largest literature festivals.
Resource List:
Case study by Harvard University: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=41170
Namita Gokhale’s Blog: https://namitagokhale.in/blog/
Jaipur Literature Festival: https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/
Mukesh Bansal at Jaipur Literature Festival: https://youtu.be/xoUiwmtAOFo?si=Gr8r84Yb9pDzBkQj
Sahitya Akademi: https://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/
Stardust Magazine Website: https://stardustmagz.com/
Kitaabnama: Books and Beyond YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUiMfS6qzIMzjSnk7dsnsoCzvWjWV1Tn2&si=S_r6zemBTUztANDT

Apr 15, 2024 • 1h 18min
The Pixxel Story: From the Hyperloop challenge to building satellites for India
Check out Pixxel's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pixxelspace
Follow SparX on Instagram for more! https://www.instagram.com/sparxbymukeshbansal/
Subscribe to our clips channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SparX-Clips
How will Pixxel's innovations of hyperspectral imaging satellites propel the development of industries like agriculture, mining, health, etc? What impact does access to ISRO's infrastructure have on India's space tech industry? What incredible possibilities await in the future of space technology?
In the latest episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal (Founder of Myntra and Cult.Fit) is in conversation with Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel, a space technology company started in Bengaluru. Pixxel is revolutionising space technology with the world's highest-resolution hyperspectral earth imaging satellites. Their specialty lies in building a constellation of advanced satellites that offer ten times more data than traditional satellites.
In this episode, Awais covers several topics including hyperloop pod, hyperspectral imaging, satellite development, meeting Elon Musk, and working with ISRO, to name a few. Awais shares Pixxel’s mission and vision to become a planetary health monitor and revolutionise healthcare by deploying 24 satellites around the world. Awais' journey and achievements are inspirational, proving that ambitious goals and relentless dedication can lead to transformative breakthroughs.
Resource List:
SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperloop_pod_competition
Elon Musk’s 700 mph Hyperloop: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/17/images-what-elon-musks-hyperloop-could-look-like.html
HySIS (HyperSpectral Imaging Satellite): https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/hysis
Discovering $1 trillion worth of minerals with airborne hyperspectral imaging: https://analytik.co.uk/discovering-1-trillion-worth-of-minerals-with-airborne-hyperspectral-imaging/
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle(PSLV): https://www.isro.gov.in/PSLV_CON.html
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe): https://www.isro.gov.in/IN-SPACe.html
Asteroid Explorer Hayabusa2: https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/current/hayabusa2.html
NASA Psyche Mission: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/psyche-mission-heres-all-you-should-to-know-about-nasas-spacecraft-to-a-metal-rich-asteroid/articleshow/104374738.cms
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): https://www.space.com/21925-james-webb-space-telescope-jwst.html
SpaceX Starship: https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Apr 8, 2024 • 60min
Venture Capitalist Vani Kola On What She Looks For In StartUps, Her Journey and The Indian Market
Venture Capitalist Vani Kola discusses India's growth trajectory, importance of physical wellness, and pitching authenticity. Mukesh Bansal and Vani share insights on transitioning from the US to India, successful entrepreneurship factors, and contrasting Silicon Valley with India's startup ecosystem.

Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 24min
The DNA Behind Becoming A Successful Entrepreneur with Ronnie Screwvala: upGrad, UTV, RSVP, Swades
Join an insightful conversation with Ronnie Screwvala, co-founder of upGrad, as he discusses the DNA of success, leading innovations in media and education, empowering rural India with Swades, and continuously upgrading oneself in the entrepreneurial landscape.

4 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 25min
Top Economist on the Future of India's Jobs: AI, Semiconductor Industry, Informal Sector and More!
Top economist Neelkanth Mishra shares deep insights into India's economic landscape. Topics include challenges in informal economy, scaling manufacturing, boosting growth, AI's impact on jobs, and potential immigration corridors. The discussion also covers financial mechanisms, service sector outlook, and democratizing opportunities for holistic growth.


