Tag: startup

  • The Entrepreneur and the Professional

    A fantastic article in The Atlantic titled ‘The Case Against Credentialism‘ traces the social-cultural and academic  roots of America’s current business dynamics. The part that interested me most was what the author calls the tension between the two cultures – the entrepreneurial and the professional. While both are cultures of achievement, the basic tenet of the latter is that he who goes further in school will go further in life.

    It gave me an impetus to write about this in the Indian context. Nothing as exhaustive, but a little note based on my experiences thus far, with much generalisation. My skin in the game is that it affects me personally and professionally. (more…)

  • Prakat Solutions

    An innovative software testing model that differentiates itself with a social vision, Prakat Solutions utilises, among others, visually impaired people and citizens of Tier 2/3 cities. In conversation with co-founder, Anuradha Biswas

    [scribd id=54412107 key=key-172pt26p7bbz69ylbpf9 mode=list]

  • MBASkool

    An online resource to comprehensively address the needs of MBA students and professionals, that’s what MBASkool aims to be. In conversation with co-founder, Pramod Mallya.
    [scribd id=54299626 key=key-23meemum8kv0iwhn40so mode=list]

  • Grassroutes

    Enabling the youth to look at society and their role in it from a different perspective, through a road trip, that’s the unique initiative called Grassroutes. In conversation with one of the founders Keerthi Kiran..
    [scribd id=52218383 key=key-kjxp8bt0hdopg25q7eb mode=list]

  • Update 2.010

    So, the Twitter bio now has an addition “Columnist”. Readers of my other blog, and the restaurant reviews I post there, would know that I’ve been doing reviews for Bangalore Mirror for a while now. The other column I’m responsible for is also up and running well now, judging by the feedback I’ve received. This one is titled ‘Ideas @ work’, and in it, we feature Bangalore based startups. The column appears every Monday, usually on Page 4. I’ve been updating them on the new space on the right column- ‘In print’, but in case you haven’t noticed, the ones that have been featured so far are Oye Happy, LifeMojo, MobStac, Revu, Recruiterbox and The India Market. Big thanks to Kiran, Praveen (an old chronicler in this area), Kesava and Amit, who have helped me with thoughts and leads. 🙂

    I’ve always been interested in start ups, on many levels – because many of them work in spheres that are new, relatively unexplored and are exciting, because many a time they see the same things but view it differently and thus creating something that’s valued, and also because at a larger level, they are following their heart and being part of something that matters.

    Its been a very interesting experience so far and finding and talking to people who have an idea they’re passionate about, and willing to work hard on it, has done a lot for my own thinking as well. We’re also going to dedicate about one column a month for social entrepreneurship ventures.

    So, in case you come across an interesting Bangalore based startup, feel free to ping me at manu(dot)prasad @ gmail (dot) com.

    until next time, upstart 😉