Minus One

Gokul Rajaram, an esteemed operator and investor with a legacy at Google, Meta, and DoorDash, shares invaluable insights for founders. He emphasizes the importance of passion and personal connection in choosing missions, highlighting the need to truly understand customers by working within their environments. The conversation also explores how unstructured time can foster creativity, the growing role of AI in startups, and the necessity for multidisciplinary founding teams in this new tech landscape. Gokul calls for deep curiosity among founders to drive innovation.

Nandan Nilekani, an influential Indian entrepreneur known for architecting Aadhaar, shares his insights on leveraging AI for social impact across India. He discusses the intricacies involved in Aadhaar's creation for 1.4 billion people and emphasizes the importance of curiosity and expert vetting for impactful projects. Nandan envisions a million startups in India by 2035 and highlights the potential of AI in areas like agriculture and education. He advocates for a digital energy grid and open networks to facilitate commerce, driving innovation and ease of doing business.

Tuhin Srivastava, founder of AI infrastructure company Baseten and a South Park Commons alum, shares impactful lessons from his journey through finance, biotech, and startups. He emphasizes the importance of a short-term focus in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, advising against scaling prematurely. Tuhin discusses the value of customer proximity, the significance of a resilient company culture that embraces change, and the benefits of long-tenured teams. He also reflects on how cricket has shaped his business mindset, advocating for quick adaptations and smart resets.

Rahul Chari, a key figure in India's tech landscape, helped build Flipkart and PhonePe's massive payment infrastructure. He delves into the importance of choosing complementary co-founders and hiring early believers. Rahul shares lessons from Flipkart's chaotic scaling days, emphasizing the need for future-proof tech. He promotes transparency in leadership, and discusses strategies for engaging regulators. Plus, he highlights the significance of simplicity in engineering and the challenges of reaching non-smartphone users. A journey through the evolution of India's payments!

Ruchi Sanghvi and Aditya Agarwal dive into their journey of building a thriving community for founders. They discuss the power of constructive conflict and how it fosters growth. Aditya shares his unconventional views on money and risk, while Ruchi highlights the importance of embracing challenges and learning together. They reflect on the traits that drive successful founders and the evolving criteria for investment in today’s uncertain markets. Their insights on navigating leadership and the balance between optimism and realism are both profound and inspiring.

Akshay Kothari has built tools that transform the everyday by making technology feel effortless, like Pulse and Notion.He joins Aditya Agarwal to share the counterintuitive lessons behind enduring products, why selling can sometimes be the braver choice, and how constraints often spark lasting creativity. Apply to SPC membership - https://airtable.com/appxDXHfPCZvb75qk/pagIZspLSFX7QrXcn/formConnect with us here:1. Akshay Kothari- https://www.linkedin.com/in/akothari/2. Aditya Agarwal- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityaagarwal3/3. South Park Commons- https://www.linkedin.com/company/southparkcommons/00:00 Trailer01:02 Welcome to the Minus One Podcast01:49 Navigating the Early Days of Pulse06:59 The Silicon Valley Influence and Ambition21:07 The LinkedIn Journey and Its Impact22:39 Balancing Patience and Urgency in Silicon Valley25:25 The Vision and Early Days of Notion36:46 Personal Reflections and Philosophies

Tarun Mehta, co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy, shares insights into India's EV revolution with a focus on Ather’s innovative approach. He discusses the unique 'minus one' philosophy that emphasizes taking risks and committing to long-term visions. Tarun recounts challenges like the 2019 production crisis and the importance of a transparent company culture in maintaining trust. He also highlights the significance of investing in R&D and crafting products that resonate with users, setting a strong foundation for organizational culture.

Andrew Bosworth, CTO of Meta and a key player in Facebook's mobile transition, shares his insights into the early, vibrant culture of Facebook. He reveals the fun chaos behind creating the News Feed and the challenging shift to mobile advertising. The discussion dives into Meta's innovations in AR and VR, emphasizing the delicate balance between software and hardware development. Bosworth also reflects on how military leadership principles can apply to tech, urging for closer ties between the tech and defense sectors.

Joe Lonsdale, founder of 8VC and known for his work with Palantir, discusses his mission to combat institutional decline by supporting ambitious startups. He shares insights on Silicon Valley's competitive landscape and the need for a resilient mindset in the face of AI's challenges. Lonsdale emphasizes the importance of transparency and efficiency in government, the balancing act founders must perform between ambition and management, and the necessity of cultural values that spur innovation.

Mukesh Bansal, founder of Myntra and Cure.fit, shares his insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of teamwork over ideas in building great companies. He discusses the role of culture and trust in fostering resilient teams and how health and commitment contribute to long-term success. Mukesh also delves into personalizing consumer experiences through AI, navigating the online-to-offline transition in businesses, and innovative learning strategies in complex subjects. His journey illustrates the evolving landscape of deep tech in India.