What are the three main factors an entrepreneur should keep in mind starting a business?
Identify a single, pressing problem that you are truly passionate about solving. Once you are convinced of your mission and can inspire your co-founder with the same conviction, everything else will fall into place. Without a problem that deeply resonates with you, sustaining the journey will be challenging.

How do you distinguish the best startups from the worst while making investments?

Investments don’t happen overnight.  The best founders connect well with their problems, are passionate, and know their solutions deeply. Angel investors usually come in very early and take significant risks, looking for founders who can persevere through challenges. It doesn’t matter if the startup is from a particular institution like BITS; what matters is whether the entrepreneur is genuinely committed and profoundly understands the industry.

How do you support upcoming entrepreneurs so that their businesses can become more scalable and sustainable?

Most startups begin with a specific thesis, but the reality is different. We guide founders by making them mentor-able and coachable, helping them put their ears to the ground, listen, adapt, and pivot if needed. We provide feedback, refine their business models, and help them understand market needs while connecting them with the right resources. We help founders undergo that journey.

What opportunities does the BITS Alumni Association (BITSAA) provide for first-time entrepreneurs?

BITSAA is entirely voluntary and supports first-time entrepreneurs from BITS Pilani. Anyone can pitch their business idea, and we don’t reject people — we either say they’re ready now or help them get there. Our role is to validate the business idea, assess its readiness, and connect it with mentorship. Many who initially weren’t ready have come back with better-refined ideas and succeeded.

What advice would you give to a confused fresher to make the best out of the next four or five years in college?

Chill out, man! You’re never going to have this kind of time again. The first year is about exploring, meeting seniors, and figuring out what you don’t like so you can remove it from the table. I entered the Institute completely blind, not knowing what Chemical Engineering was. But the beauty in BITS is, and I always tell people, you can follow your passion.

In a domain as competitive as the tech startup industry, how can startups and entrepreneurs stand out and succeed?

The startup journey is all about storytelling. You have to coherently connect the dots and tell the story of solving a problem. Marketing is key — it’s the strategy to sell. Why would somebody buy from you? You need to identify your target audience, reach them, and figure out how to effectively communicate your story, demonstrate your product, and create interest.

How has your way of working changed over the past two decades?

Two decades ago, I followed the corporate race. When people ask who my angel investor is, I would say my wife, because in the US, once you have an H1-B visa, you’re stuck — it controls your career. I realized I didn’t want that path. Now, I work for myself; the only person I answer to is my wife. The focus has shifted from just professional success to creating value with a strong team, and the only person I need to worry about is my wife because we are the only two people responsible for the whole thing. So, the focus has always been on how to complement and bring in smaller people so that they can successfully get to building something meaningful.