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!

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.

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!