S4E6: Peak XV MD Rajan Anandan on BILLION $ ideas, STANDOUT founders and why INDIA's got game

Shantanu sitting down with Rajan Anandan, MD of Peak XV and Surge, and Prachi Pawar, Founder of Anandi Schools, is everything you need to watch today to visualise the future of the startup ecosystem in India. You also get a glimpse into a mentor-mentee relationship in the ecosystem!

Rajan Anandan is one of the most influential voices in India’s Venture Capital space. On the other hand, Prachi is just starting out in the world of entrepreneurship. With Anandi Schools, she aims to help students stand out in college admissions.

Tune in for a deep dive into:

⁠How India’s AI future will be driven by application-first companies
-⁠ ⁠The mindset shifts required to build billion-dollar businesses
⁠What makes Silicon Valley founders different—and how Indian entrepreneurs can learn from them
How a good mentor could be life-changing for a first-time entrepreneur

A must-watch for founders, investors, and anyone curious about the future of India’s startup ecosystem.

Drop your thoughts in the comments—and in the process, earn a chance to interact with Shantanu as an audience for our next shoot.

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Navigate your way through this conversation:

00:00 Coming up
01:17 Podcast Summary
02:45 What is happening in India
05:44 The Rise of AI and Technology in India
08:50 India's Potential as an AI Superpower
11:38 The Future of AI Applications in India
17:44 India's Competitive Edge in Global Markets
20:51 Investing in the Future of AI
23:50 India's Economic Landscape and Workforce Dynamics
26:45 Historical Context and Future Prospects for India
35:41 Long-Term Economic Outlook for India
38:20 Energy Independence and Renewable Resources
40:16 The Future of Employment and Skill Development
45:21 The Evolution of Indian Entrepreneurship
46:51 Quality of Founders and Ecosystem Support
52:00 R&D Challenges
58:36 The Current Landscape for Venture Capital in India
01:05:46 Market Dynamics and Competitive Strategies
01:07:35 Career Building Insights
01:08:47 The Importance of Hard Work and Passion
01:11:29 Mentorship and Learning from Experience
01:13:52 The Role of Curiosity in Career Growth
01:19:16 The Journey of Entrepreneurship
01:25:05 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
01:27:21 Long-Term Commitment to Entrepreneurship