Thursday, December 30, 2010

A New Year Of Hope

2010 was promising to be the dullest year of recent times, but it did end in style. It suddenly left me on track for my goal - raison d'etre of this blog.

It has been more than a month since I joined Academic Ventures full time. Since then, I have spent some 20 days in travel. I attended events, met potential customer, partners and folks back home. And this hectic life hasn't been without its rewards. We have already closed two deals and are getting interest from all quarters. A lot of people I met exclaimed "Why didn't you do this earlier? Let's talk!"

The result? We are already short of bandwidth on projects we have and are eagerly looking to hire smart MBAs for a part-time internship. We are now convinced that we are here to create a lot of value for everyone around us, and times ahead look very exciting.

Another major change in life has been the fulfillment of a long-standing declaration - that to settle in Delhi. One of the projects requires me to stay in NCR and so I am moving on. Incidentally, in just one hour from now. Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore and Trichy have been very kind to me. I hope Delhi accepts me quite as heartily. If you are around there, please drop a line.

Before I close, I reckon this is going to be the last post of this year. So, I wish to thank each and everyone of you to stand by me. Your trust in me helped me emerge stronger than ever.

May 2011 bring you the wealth and love of your dreams. Happy New Year!!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Tasting blood

I am happy to share that we have just closed our first deal. While the details of this project have to be contractually confidential, all I can say is that I will be based out of Delhi/NCR for a period of at least three months working on this project.

Having family based in Agra and sister and several cousins located in NCR, this marks a sort of homecoming for me - one that took 9 years in making. It all started here and I don't really wish to go anywhere now. Family is family, you know. And there is nothing that is more important than being around them.

From the business perspective, it just reinforces our belief in the concept and the fact that there is a market for Academic Ventures. It opens up a small regular cash flow, and opens up more such opportunities ahead.

Personally, I feel a little satisfied. After all, it is not really a wild goose chase.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

How am I living my life as an entrepreneur?

It's been more than 10 days since I decided to start-up, and each day has been very different from another. For first two days, it was an attempt to welcome the new reality. It was euphoric and idealistic, in a sort of surreal manner. There was a will to make a permanent change to the world. And an optimism that things will soon fall in place.

Next day, I promptly attended by first sales call for Academic Ventures in Delhi. That deal, though free, is now closed underscoring the need and interest in Technology Transfer. Two days later, I realized how old relationships can suddenly turn lucrative with an old friend in Mumbai calling in to seek assistance in transferring a technology.

Day 6 and 7 were tough. To spend a whole day at home alone, without a soul to talk to, is boring. For the first time I realized how important it is to have an office space and to have colleagues. Every day since then, I have made it a point to take time out and meet someone.

Then came my first weekend as an entrepreneur. And what do entrepreneurs do on a weekend? They work! I did give myself a break, but it isn't really break because you can't just stop thinking of your newfound love

The theme over last two days have been productivity. The euphoria of starting up has given way to operational matters of deals, projects, deadlines and customers. A lot of personal travel is up over next 10 days to Indore and Hyderabad. I have already ensured there is work to do there as well :)

Some one said, quite rightly, an entrepreneur lives and sleeps the dream. Perhaps, it is for this reason that starting up brings out the best in you!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Introducing Academic Ventures

This is a question that has almost not allowed me to sleep for close to two years now - how to ensure awesome research in IITs actually benefit the society?. There is a decent amount of high-quality research happening in Indian academic system that just gathers dust due to lack of an ecosystem which can take it to the market. This is what I am going to build over next 5-10 or maybe 20 years.

I am glad to introduce Academic Ventures, my yet another lofty day-dream. This is what I think can get me to my first Billion, that this blog is about. I know it is a tall order. But what the heck, a game has to be worth playing. And I know I am not a bad executor of 'ridiculous ideas'.

From this moment onwards, this would occupy most of my working day. In a remarkable turn of events, I have been sacked from my current job about two hours ago. And strangely, the predominant feeling I have is one of being free. Free as in free bird.

Jolts are good. They send you back to your basics. And if Steve Jobs can come out winning, why can't I? :)

Super interesting times ahead. Keep watching this space!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Staying Fit

Becoming a billionaire isn't going to be easy. It is a lot of hard-work. It is imperative to be, therefore, physically fit.

As it is, I realized that my stamina isn't up to the mark. So, I registered for the Half Marathon (21 Km) at Mumbai Marathon 2011. I will be runner #11883 on Jan 16, 2011. Watch out!

For now, the goal is just to be able to finish it in a respectable time, and possibly, report to work the next day.

How am I training? I joined a gym in July. Worked hard for two months. Built stamina, but have lost touch over past one month. Life has simply taken over.

I need to get back on track. It is just 11 weeks from now. Good thing is that I am going home for Diwali. I can get Ma to push me hard. She does it best! Plus there will be some good ghar ka khana! :)

This is my first (Half) Marathon. If you have suggestions on how to train or keep the motivation up, please shoot. I need them desperately.

Friday, October 15, 2010

My word creates the world!


One may wonder, why 1 Billion, and not 1.1, or 0.9, or any other number? I think 1 because it is the lowest (and hence the safest) number for those many digits - 10. There is a beauty in the simplicity of this number. And there is stickiness and measurability.

The second question is: why a Billion, and not a Million, a Crore or a Trillion? A Trillion, I think is too far fetched. Nothing wrong about it, but it looks utterly unrealistic. A Crore or a Million are things I think I can reach without starting this blog. That justifies both - this blog and a Billion.

Then the question is: is this all that you want? The answer is an obvious NO. I stand for being strongly related to everyone in my life. I stand for creating entrepreneurs in India. I stand for making a difference to everyone I come in touch with. And I stand for making all this while I amass all this wealth.

Now you may ask: "Alright, but what would you do with so much money?" Well, with that money I would have a home like Rock On in one of the posh-est areas of India, one convertible BMW, a great family life and be invested in at least 10 high-growth technology ventures.

And finally, why 35? That's an easy one: so that I can enjoy my money my way, before my kid starts to blow it all away! ;)

Amen!