Ctrl.Alt.Thrive Podcast by Navneet

In this episode, I am  joined by Sarah Stock, Professor and Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Health, and one of the leading global voices in stillbirth and preterm birth research. Sarah’s work spans laboratory science, clinical trials, and large-scale international data-driven research focused on improving outcomes for mothers and babies worldwide. Sarah earned her MD from Manchester University Me...

In this episode, Navneet sits down with Mads Lillelund, CEO of Qvin, the company behind the world's first FDA-cleared diagnostic menstrual pad. Qvin turns menstrual blood one of medicine's most discarded and dismissed biological samples  into clinical-grade diagnostic data.  The pad currently detects biomarkers for diabetes (A1C), cervical cancer (HPV), endometriosis, STIs, ovarian cance...

In this episode Navneet Kaur, Founding Partner at TechThrive Ventures and Founder of FemTech India sits down with Leki Choden, Founder and CEO of Dragon Coders, a Bhutan-based software and digital solutions company working at the intersection of emerging technologies, skills development, and local innovation ecosystems. Leki is one of the most compelling voices in South Asian tech building a priva...

In this episode, in partnership with UNESCO #W4EAI , I sit down with young AI innovators Pranav Sridhar, AI engineer at IIT Madras & Sarvam AI, and design experts Anuhya Mahesh and Aditya Sonwane from Srishti School of Art, Design Bangalore. As winners of a hackathon focused on anti-harassment technology , they share their journey of building AI tools that make a real impact , their hopes and...

In this episode, I’m joined by Rashmi Rammohan, Co-founder and COO of FlexiBees, an AI-powered platform connecting experienced women professionals with flexible, on-demand work opportunities across life stages. Rashmi brings over a decade of experience from P&G Asia in consumer insights and digital media, and has played a pivotal role in building FlexiBees’ vetting process, go-to-market strate...

In this episode, I sit down with Sahana Gopal , the founder of UNRACK , a Made-in-India strength training equipment brand built for the world.  Shana has worked with Olympic medal-winning athletes in the UK to develop one of the largest femtech databases on female physiology, She is redefining how women train, recover, and perform. In this episode, Shana and I dive into: How Sahana turned sports s...

In this episode, I sit down with legal experts from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co , one of India’s most respected full-service law firms. My guests are Bhargava K.S. , Partner with 17+ years of experience in venture capital, private equity, and fund formation, and Mithila Hari , Principal Associate with deep expertise in VC/PE deals and strategic advisory. Together, we unpack the legal play...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Shreya Krishnan —Managing Director of AnitaB.org India , certified therapist, CSR leader, TEDx speaker, poet, and dancer in 37 styles . Shreya is also Ms. Universal Empowerment 2024 and Mrs. India Universe 2017 , blending creativity, leadership, and impact like no one else. At AnitaB.org , a nonprofit powering the future of tech, Shreya and her team help tech comm...

🎙️ This episode is brought to you by TechThrive, in collaboration with FemTech India.  I sit down with Emilė Radytė   a Lithuanian-born neuroscientist, Harvard and Oxford graduate, and founder of Samphire Neuroscience . Emilė is pioneering a new wave in women’s health with Nettle the world's first wearable brain-stimulation device designed to relieve menstrual pain and PMS. Backed by the NHS...

I sit down with Dr. Preeti Banzal , Adviser and Scientist G in the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. With over 30 years of leadership across telecom policy, disaster communication, AI ethics, and quantum technology, Dr. Banzal has been a driving force behind India’s tech-policy and innovation ecosystem. In this conversation, she offers a rare, insider’s perspec...

Welcome to the very first episode of Ctrl. Alt.thrive where technology meets purpose and impact. I’m your host, Navneet Kaur, and I’m thrilled to launch this newly rebranded podcast, now aligned with a powerful new mission: promoting ethical, inclusive technology through our collaboration with the UNESCO Women for Ethical AI Network – South Asian Chapter. Ctrl. Alt.thrive is more than  a new name—...

In this episode, I bring you an exclusive story of two founders, who are taking over women’s health in India and they’re spilling the real stories behind their success.  Mehak Malik, founder of Uvi Health, shares how she went from VC to building a fertility platform that just got acquired by Philips health. Shruti Chand, founder of Naarica, reveals how she turned Saina Nehwal from a customer into...

In this episode, I sit down with Irina Sharma, a Dubai-based Modern Mayr Medicine Practitioner, entrepreneur, and holistic health advocate. With over 30 years of experience, Irina has been at the forefront of the wellness industry, blending modern medicine with traditional healing. Her philosophy? “You are what you digest.” Irina shares her journey—from leading the Middle East’s first Breast Cance...

In this episode, I sit down with Aditi Mittal and Sanchit Agarwal, the co-founders of Newmi Care. Aditi, the COO of Newmi Care, is a two-time breast cancer survivor and spent over 16 years as the head designer at Sabyasachi. Sanchit, the CEO, brings over 22 years of experience as a management consultant and investment banker across the US, UK, and India. For years, women in India have been largely...

In this episode, we dive into the e-commerce market in India, which is projected to reach $120 billion this year and grow to $325 billion by 2030. With over 800 million internet users, India’s digital consumer base is one of the largest in the world, positioning it as a key player in the global digital economy. Join Radhika Ghai and Manasa Garemella, Co-founders of Kindlife, an e-commerce platform...

In this episode, I sit down with Swetha Subbiah, Nike coach and performance trainer, and Tanvie Hans, footballer and athlete. Together, they’re the co-founders of Sisters in Sweat , India’s largest sports and wellness community exclusively for women. Despite making up 51% of the global population, women’s sports remain underrepresented. However, for the first time, annual global revenue for women’...

In this episode, I sit down with Farah Kabir, the CEO and Co-Founder of HANX, a healthcare company on a mission to support women through all major life stages—from first experiences to motherhood, menopause, and beyond. HANX first made waves by transforming the condom market and now offers a wide range of products, including intimate care, oral contraceptives, supplements, and weight management so...

In this episode, I sit down with Anna Klepchukova, the Chief Medical Officer at Flo Health, Europe’s first FemTech unicorn and the world’s leading female health app. With over 380 million users worldwide, Flo Health provides invaluable support for women by helping them track their ovulation, manage their menstrual cycles, and navigate key life stages like fertility, pregnancy, and menopause. In th...

In this episode, I sit down with Dilip Kumar, who leads healthcare investments at Rainmatter, an initiative by Zerodha. Rainmatter focuses on supporting Indian founders building solutions in healthcare, wellness, and women’s health. We dive into the state of healthcare in India, with a special focus on women’s health. Our discussion covers current opportunities, existing gaps, and what needs to be...

In this episode, we're discussing India's first clinically validated self-sampling Pap kit, a product designed to help women test for cervical cancer at home and aid in the fight against cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among Indian women, with over 60,000 women dying from it each year. It’s also the most common cancer affecting women in India, accord...

In this episode, I chat with Shagun Maheshwari, a mechanical engineer and the CEO of Papaya, a company based in Mumbai that makes a new type of menstrual pad. Shagun grew up in Mumbai, studied at the University of Pune and Duke University, and now lives in California with her family of pets. Shagun started Papaya six years ago and turned it into a full-time job this year. Her company’s pads are un...

Can technology and policy innovations truly transform women's health in India, Tune in to find out !  Join us as we sit down with Swarnima, the co-founder of Gytree, an innovative platform dedicated to women’s health. Swarnima brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked with the UN and WHO, and being recognized as an AstraZeneca Young Health Scholar. She has contributed extensivel...

In this episode, I talk with Ira Guha, the founder of Asan Cups, a venture dedicated to tackling menstrual health challenges globally. Ira's journey began with her invention of a unique menstrual cup at the Harvard Innovation Lab, which has since gained popularity for its effectiveness. Each Asan menstrual cup replaces 2,500 sanitary pads, making it a sustainable and cost-effective solution f...

In this episode, I chat with Aashika Abraham, founder of MAMMA-MIYA , the world’s first planner app designed to help busy moms organize their lives and live with greater intention. Aashika is a passionate and driven entrepreneur focused on initiatives that benefit humanity. She is also a yoga enthusiast and a mother who enjoys playing basketball while raising two wonderful children under the age o...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Apurva Satish Amarnath, a Fertility expert at Nova IVF Fertility, India's leading fertility chain. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Amarnath specializes in fertility preservation, particularly egg freezing, empowering women to preserve their fertility for future biological parenthood. Her expertise extends to a multi-pronged approach in managing vario...