Varun Aggarwal

Since the term #femtech was coined in 2016, innovations in women's health have skyrocketed globally, with a market projected to reach $71B by 2026. Learn about the growing industry's role in India, and how attention to women's unique healthcare needs is making a cultural shift. . #india #health #healthcare #femtech #healthtech #innnovate

6

BrainSightAI is transforming brain health with its pioneering approach to neuroinformatics. With US$5 million raised in a pre-series A funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, the startup is poised to scale its impact across India and global markets. By integrating artificial intelligence and neuroscience, BrainSightAI’s solutions like Voxelbox and Snowdrop are enhancing precision in the diagnosis and treatment of complex neuro-oncological and neuropsychiatric disorders. The company has partnered with over 40 hospitals and is paving the way for accessible, advanced brain care. At IAN Group (formerly Indian Angel Network), we are committed to supporting innovative ventures like BrainSightAI that are bridging technology and healthcare to deliver meaningful outcomes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gKxSivM4 #IANAlphaFund #BrainCareInnovation #DeepTech #Neuroscience #StartupGrowth #HealthcareTransformation

26

2 Comments

Do you think a college student should get a investment? Here I reveal a college student raised 20,00,00 rupees as seed investment from his college project, fortunately, he is one of my gurukulam Member, His project is purely and Agri tech Manufacturing of machineries to help farmers to save their time and produce good quality, agro Products, #startup #funding #collegeproject #vcfunding #angelinvestment #agritechstartup

2

Excited to announce two new investments by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund in the #Childcare space! India, with a median age of ~28 years, has a substantial number of young citizens, with those aged 0-12 years making up ~22% of the total population. This makes India home to the largest number of children in the world. Currently, the average childcare product spending in India is around ₹8,000 compared to ₹2,10,000 in the USA (CY 2022). However, this spending is projected to grow rapidly at 15%, reaching approximately $56-60 billion by 2027. In line with this promising market potential, we are thrilled to announce our latest investments: 1️⃣ EMoMee - Our fourth investment is in EMoMee, an innovative edutainment brand dedicated to fostering emotional intelligence in children through engaging content, play, and learning tools. Founded by industry leaders Pooja Jauhari, Varun Duggirala, and Suraksha Subramaniam, EMoMee is set to revolutionize the way children develop emotional skills. According to global reports, the Social & Emotional Learning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 24.3% from 2021 to 2030. This growth is driven by the rising awareness among parents and educators about the role of emotional intelligence in shaping children’s success and well-being. 👉 For more on EMoMee’s journey, visit https://lnkd.in/d7YQdEzz 2️⃣ Bebe Burp - Our fifth investment supports Bebe Burp’s mission to offer nutritious alternatives that make healthy eating accessible and enjoyable for kids from birth. By blending grandma's recipes with expertise from nutritionists and chefs, Bebe Burp provides a range of products like multi-flavored porridge mixes, millet puffs, ragi cookies, and organic jaggery powder, all made from natural, sustainably sourced ingredients. Founded by Shruti Tibrewal, Chirag Gupta, and Bharat Tibrewal, Bebe Burp aims to make healthy eating a reality from birth. 👉 You can try their products at https://bebeburp.com/ We are excited to partner with both EMoMee and Bebe Burp as they continue to make significant strides in their respective fields. #VC #GruhasCollectiveConsumerFund

144

23 Comments

Commoditization of AI models Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of watching Aravind Srinivas' (founder of Perplexity) interview with Aarthi Ramamurthy and Sriram Krishnan . It's a great interview and I would recommend AI founders to watch it if possible. https://lnkd.in/gnM2NeS8 Couple of things that stuck me from the interview: 1. Aravind believes in the commoditization of AI models in the long run. His take his firms like Perplexity which focus on user problems and solve for it using relevant models will win. Perplexity does it quite well, do check them out if you haven't already. This is something that AI entrepreneurs should think about. Creating foundational models is freaking expensive! and for conservative capital allocators like us it is too risky a bet (not betting on AI is even riskier 😅, I guess we need to learn more) I am going to tag the platform Guru and distinguished IIMB alumnus Sangeet Paul Choudary for his take on this. 2. The initial employees (5-10) have to be truth seekers rather than social affirmers(?) It was great hearing him talk about the culture at Perplexity of seeking the truth through open conversations and arguments on Slack rather than provide positive affirmation. I think it's something that every founder should strive for. Truth will prevail in the longer run. This works in technology, finance, politics, society, anywhere. (Satyamev Jayate is true in itself!) But to be able to have an open conversation, the founders need to have depth themselves. This is something that I feel the Indian ecosystem lacks, as most of the founders seem to be managerial in nature. I find them shifting to jargons rather than simplicity when questioned deeper. (By the way this is a classic test to check whether someone really knows it, people who know what they are talking about will make it simpler, those who don't take the cover of jargons to increase complexity and portray intelligence) I understand my analysis could be biased due to self-selection, and I would love to be proven wrong. It's pretty cool that Aravind chose Larry Page as his favourite entrepreneur due to their common background of coming from academic research to entrepreneurship. What I definitely don't agree with Aravind on The idea that luck doesn't play a role in outcomes. Successful people generally attribute success to their hard work/smartness / enterprise without understanding their privilege. For e.g. A smarter/more hardworking/more enterprising Dalit girl from Bihar will never have the kind of opportunities that I had as a Tam Bram born in a lower-middle class but very well educated family in Chennai. One has tried to solve for it using our Sakhi Scholars programme, which supports gifted girls from underprivileged communities to achieve their dream through financial support. On a lighter note, Aravind is a 2017 IIT-M alum and has already built a $8 billion company, what the hell am I doing with my life? 🤔

1

1 Comment

AstroTalk's Growth and the Rise of Spiritual Tech in India 🌠📲 Astrotalk has taken India's spiritual tech scene by storm, scaling new heights since its first institutional funding just a year ago. Founded by Puneet Gupta in 2017, AstroTalk now connects millions monthly, facilitating 4.5 million paid sessions focused on life’s pivotal questions, from marriage to career paths. Expanding internationally, which brings in 20% of revenue, Astrotalk also offers an e-commerce lineup of gemstones and spiritual goods, adding a unique touch to its expanding business model. This rapid growth cements Astrotalk as a major player in India's fast-evolving spiritual ecosystem. Here’s a deep dive into their journey and what’s driving their success: 🔍India’s Astrology Market: India’s astrology industry is valued at over 3 lakh crore INR, with a cultural backbone spanning nearly 2000 years. Unlike other sectors, astrology was largely unorganized until tech companies like AstroTalk provided accessibility and reliability to modern users. ✨Astrotalk’s Beginnings: In 2017, Punit Gupta launched Astrotalk after a personal encounter with astrology that changed his life. His vision was to offer everyone access to trusted astrologers through a user-friendly platform. Today, AstroTalk manages 1.5 crore INR in daily business by connecting users directly with expert astrologers. 🌍User Demographics: Contrary to expectations, 90% of AstroTalk's users are under 35. This demographic shift shows a growing trend among younger users seeking career, finance, and relationship guidance. Privacy and convenience (options to chat instead of face-to-face) are crucial factors in attracting this audience especially from Tier 1 cities. 🤝Solving for Trust and Quality: AstroTalk curates only 2600 out of India's 20 lakh astrologers, conducting rigorous vetting with five to seven rounds of selection. Privacy-focused chat options address users’ desire for discreet, one-on-one interactions, similar to how OTAs and platforms like Airbnb digitized and privatized traditional services. 🧑‍💻Career for Astrologers: Like Upwork for freelancers, AstroTalk provides a structured and consistent revenue stream for astrologers. Top astrologers can earn up to 84 lakh INR per year, making AstroTalk a viable career option for many. 🚀The Business Model and Growth Plan: AstroTalk follows a premium model, allowing users free initial consultations and then charging per minute. With growth plans targeting NRI markets and diverse services (numerology, vastu, tarot), AstroTalk aims to become the go-to digital destination for global astrology services. 🏆AstroTalk’s Competitive Future: AstroTalk mirrors Booking.com strategy of digitizing traditional services by creating a marketplace for astrologers. Like OTAs, they centralize demand and control the market’s direction. Potential future dynamics may involve astrologer unions or loyalty programs, similar to how hotel chains adapted to online travel agencies.

12

1 Comment

In my latest article in ETGovernment, I delve into the pivotal journey of revolutionizing early childhood education. I outline a roadmap aimed at enhancing both quality and accessibility, crucial for uplifting foundational learning for our youngest learners. From leveraging technological advancements to pushing for substantial policy changes, the strategies I discuss promise to redefine early educational landscapes. How can we ensure equitable access to quality education? What actionable steps can we implement today to make a significant impact tomorrow? Read the full article and let me know what you think. #EarlyEducation #ChangeMakers #EducationForAll #InnovativeLearning

112

5 Comments

Some Saturday morning fun in time that I should have instead used to read the #DPDPRules.Read more about how generative AI technologies may harm Indic artistic styles in my piece for @timesofindia blog here https://lnkd.in/gHKutZGi #GenAIandCopyrights #GenAIandLivelihoods #GenAI #techpolicy

32

2 Comments

Only TWO days left to apply for the RippleX Fellowship program! If you are a student/dropout/recent grad building a b2b software company in Canada/US, this is the program for you. In our last batch we had some amazing mentors like: - Braden Ream (CEO, Voiceflow): Mastering storytelling and navigating selling into enterprises - Rahul Parmar (Prev. Senior Director of Sales, Drata): Sales 101 – Converting pilots to real revenue, creating urgency among buyers, and best practices to manage a sales process - Nicholas Chepesiuk (CEO, OnCall Virtual Care, now part of Qualifacts): Striving towards product-market fit, utilizing creative outbound strategies, and the importance of building trust with customers in the early days - Justin Sky (CEO, Rose Rocket): Identifying venture-scale markets, learning when to pivot, and building strong organizational culture - Josh Gray (CEO, Artemis): Conducting customer validation, segmenting your ICP, and advice for young founders Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e2iAu6vi

19

2 Comments

🚀 Ready to Shape India's AI Future? Join Our TISeed Deep Dive The TISeed platform isn't just another website - it's your launchpad for creating a trillion-dollar impact. Whether you're a student dreaming big, a founder building the next breakthrough, or an investor seeking purpose-driven opportunities, we've curated resources to accelerate your journey. 🎬 Start Here: Watch our quick YouTube playlist to understand how AI and emerging technologies can transform your ideas into reality: https://lnkd.in/d_ZrWcJ9 If it inspires you, repost this post - let's amplify voices that can reshape India's future. 📅 Join our Interactive Site Walk-through Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025 Time: 11 AM - 1 PM IST Platform: Zoom Five focused sessions: • Youth Pathways (10 min + Q&A) • Trillion-Impact Founders (10 min + Q&A) • Other Founders (10 min + Q&A) • Leaders & Decision Makers (10 min + Q&A) • Purpose-Driven Investors (10 min + Q&A) 💡 What's unique? Each session unpacks specific tools and frameworks you can start using immediately. Join one session or all five - the choice is yours. 🎯 Attendance is free, but registration is mandatory. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dSP6shpS #IndianInnovation #AIRevolution #StartupIndia #TISeed

11

22 people have registered. The limit may be reached, so act fast to register. I will send out the poll question below on Jan 4 before the meeting so that I know my audience. TISeed Walkthrough Poll 1 question 1. What Motivated you to Attend this walkthrough? Wanted to: (Multiple choice) See if Trillion$ Impact was real See how youth could get involved Boost prosperity my own first, others next See what resources were available on TISeed Understand the TISeed Investment process and work with/on a TI idea See how I could become an enabling leader Become a Purpose-Driven Investor

7

This article in The Millenium Post is about a remarkable initiative under the inspired guidance of Anjali Jaipuria to school the under-served in Lucknow. The model uses infrastructure of an existing school and is churning out brilliant students. It is an approach that can transform delivery of education to deprived sections of the society. The model can be replicated and scaled in the true spirit of Nexus of Good https://lnkd.in/gjBBAH37

81

4 Comments

Taking the Calculated Leap: Why Fear Shouldn't Hold You Back As the Co-founder of Slate Labs, I often come across a fascinating paradox. Many people in India are willing to dedicate years and significant resources (coaching, study materials) to the highly competitive and low-probability pursuit of cracking the UPSC exam for a shot at the IAS. Yet, the same individuals hesitate to invest similar time and effort in exploring new business ventures, where the success rates can be demonstrably higher. This begs the question: Why are we so comfortable with the familiar struggle and so apprehensive of the calculated leap? There are several factors at play: #Fear of the unknown:Starting a business is venturing into uncharted territory. The comfort of a well-defined path, like the UPSC syllabus, can be appealing. #Societal conditioning: Our education system often emphasizes traditional career paths, leaving us less prepared to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape. #Aversion to risk: The potential for failure looms large in our minds, overshadowing the possibility of success. Here's the counterpoint: #Calculated risks: Entrepreneurship isn't a blind leap. It involves research, planning, and calculated risks. The skills honed through this process are valuable regardless of the outcome. #High growth potential: Businesses, if successful, can generate significantly more income and impact than most traditional jobs. #Personal fulfillment: Building something from the ground up and creating value can be incredibly rewarding. The takeaway? Don't let fear paralyze you. While the UPSC path has its merits, consider the potential of calculated risks in entrepreneurship. Upskilling and exploring new avenues like tech can be a stepping stone to building a fulfilling and impactful career. Are you ready to take the leap? Let's chat in the comments! #entrepeneruship #upsc #careerdevelopment #india #startups #calculatedrisks #SlateLabs

9

1 Comment

Making it easier for Indian startups to go global through MountTech Growth Fund - Kavachh in partnership with USISPF Startup benefit from Partners, Advisors and Funding on both sides of the border

46

2 Comments

Some of the work being done by AI for Bharat at IIT Madras, including the creation of open data for Indian languages, is already being utilised by NPCI. For instance, they are enabling voice-activated commands in Hindi and English, if individuals in India can interact in their preferred language—whether to access information or complete tasks—it opens up financial services to a billion people. - Nandan Nilekani #ai #agi #finance #fintech #financialinclusion #aiforgood #technology #business #creativity National Payments Corporation Of India (NPCI) Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

2

In my next article in Forbes India, I explore how #AI is transforming our economy, creating new opportunities, and redefining the skills landscape. Dive into the details and see how we can harness this potential for India's growth. #Innovation #FutureOfWork #India #Leadership

31

3 Comments

In the event of the World Science Day on November 10, 2024, I, along with an amazing panel of speakers will be there at the IIT, DU Auditorium from 4 pm to 6 pm and onwards and will be discussing how the future of AI will unfold for the humanity and next generation. Our focus will be on AI and having outstanding achievements for Bangladesh2.0 in the years to come. This year's Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry have both been claimed by AI research. With this in mind, the purpose of Sunday's discussion is to explore how we can welcome our teenagers and young people into the world of AI and whether we can provide them with a roadmap for the future. In this year's Bangladesh AI Olympiad, we saw some school students who are interested in the subject, and with guidance, they could do very well in this field. Overall, it’s promising. However, the numbers are still not very large. This means that the concept hasn't yet spread everywhere. You, along with the panelists, can participate in this discussion and think about how we can move forward. Socian AI has a humungous amount of Data and Server Firepower and our own AI Models which we can enhance and Collaborate with the Young Generations and take Bangladesh2.0 to the supremacy of Industry Level AI and Cutting-Edge Innovation. Looking forward to seeing you all. #SocianAI #Socian #AI #WorldScienceDay #Discussion #Bangladesh20 #NextGeneration

21

4 Comments

Revolutionizing India's Education: EON Reality's Vision for Immersive Learning https://lnkd.in/eWRpmPua The future of education in India is about to undergo a dramatic transformation. EON Reality, in collaboration with Ozasia Solutions, has just released a comprehensive white paper that charts an ambitious course for integrating Virtual and Augmented Reality into India's educational landscape. As someone deeply interested in the intersection of technology and education, I found several aspects of this strategic roadmap particularly compelling: Breaking Down the Market Segments The white paper takes a nuanced approach by addressing distinct educational segments: Elite institutions focusing on competitive exam preparation Traditional universities seeking online program differentiation Emerging micro-universities targeting immediate employability Skill development centers serving underserved populations Government & Industry Alignment The strategy involves strategic partnerships with key stakeholders: Collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to leverage 40,000+ skill centers Integration with NCERT to influence K-12 education fundamentals Partnerships with industry bodies to ensure job-ready skill development A Phased Implementation Approach What stands out is the measured, data-driven approach to market penetration: Initial pilot programs in states like Tamil Nadu to validate effectiveness Nationwide scaling based on performance metrics Long-term integration into national educational frameworks The Bigger Picture This isn't just about introducing new technology—it's about transforming how millions learn. With India positioned as a global talent hub, this initiative could significantly impact workforce development and economic growth. As Dan Lejerskar, Chairman at EON Reality, puts it: "Immersive technology isn't just a 'nice-to-have'—it's a critical catalyst that can break barriers, speed up skill acquisition, and improve quality at scale." 🤔 What are your thoughts on VR/AR in education? How do you see immersive technologies shaping the future of learning in emerging markets? #EdTech #VirtualReality #AugmentedReality #Education #India #Innovation #FutureOfLearning

8

When you find a practical use of AI in an area that has strong tailwinds in the India growth story, you know this is a venture that has a high potential not just for value creation but for job creation in the country. Delighted to back TraqCheck founders Jaibir Nihal Singh, Armaan Mehta and @rishabh jain as they make it easier for over 200 corporations to embrace the new way of work. Traqcheck's Ai-enabled background checks of employees is way, way faster and far more reliable than traditional methods of background verification. Pankaj Bansal (पंकज बंसल)Karann Mittal Danish Dogra Aman Khan Yukta Kelkar Atreyi Dass

25