TiE Talks

I asked Obvious Ventures co-founder Vishal Vasishth: what does it take to build a trillion-dollar company that genuinely improves the world? In this episode of TiE Talks, we unpack how "World Positive Capitalism" is redefining venture capital. We explore Vishal's transition from scaling Patagonia to managing $1.5 billion across innovations in planetary, human, and economic health. We...

I asked two Global Chairs a simple question: what breaks first when AI scales faster than leadership? What followed was one of the most honest conversations I’ve hosted. In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with the current and former Global Chairs of TiE to unpack how leadership, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem-building must evolve as AI reshapes founders, networks, and decision-making. We ta...

I thought I’d heard every founder story… until Ajay walked in and casually compared selling his startup to an arranged marriage. In this episode, I sit down with the brain behind NextBillion to unpack the real truth behind exits; why timing beats talent, why Southeast Asia struggles with scale, and why founders often get poorer before they get richer. Ajay takes me through firing, funding, Google,...

This conversation will completely rewrite how you see leadership, AI, and even government!  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. R. Balasubramaniam and Rajiv Raman, two brilliant minds who break down AI transformation, future-of-work leadership, and what Mission Karmayogi really means for India’s next leap. We dive into why Indian bureaucracy needs a reboot, how experiential learning beats degrees...

I didn’t expect my chat with HP’s Samir Shah to flip my entire understanding of the AI future of work… but that’s exactly what happened. In this episode, I dive into AI on the edge, hybrid work trends reshaping Asia, and how HP is building a startup ecosystem through Garage 2.0. Samir breaks down the real difference between cloud AI vs on-device AI, why Asia is leading global AI transformation, an...

I thought I understood AI… until IBM’s CTO completely rewired my thinking. In this conversation with Kitman Cheung, we go deep into the realities of agentic AI, AI adoption challenges, and why most companies are still stuck at the “desktop productivity” stage. Kitman also opens up about IBM’s own transformation; HR, finance, sales, everything, powered by enterprise-grade AI. And when we dive into...

What happens when a FinTech insider also happens to be a media personality, startup investor, and Gen Z trailblazer? I’ve known Vanessa Ho through many avatars - and in this episode of TiE Talks Singapore , I finally got to sit down with her to unpack it all. From hosting events at 15 to building cross-border startup bridges between Singapore and India, Vanessa has crafted a career that blends inf...

What does it really take to turn a medal dream into reality? This time, I sat down with Olympic silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya and hockey legend & OGQ CEO Viren Rasquinha to talk about the fight behind the podium moment. We went from nail-biting Olympic bouts and injuries to the mindset and support that build champions. Ravi opened up about what went through his head in those final seconds...

What happens when the tables turn and I get to interview one of India’s top VCs - who’s usually the one asking the questions? In this TiE Talks Singapore episode, I sit down with Siddhartha Ahluwalia, Managing Partner at Neon Fund and host of the popular Neon Show Podcast, to talk about his journey from startup founder to venture capitalist. We dive into how India can build its own $100 billion co...

How do you introduce someone whose words are quoted at airports, in books, and in classrooms across the world?  In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with Shiv Khera, the bestselling author, educator, and motivational speaker behind the iconic line “Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently.” We dive into his extraordinary journey, from starting life washing cars in the US a...

What do you do after building one unicorn? Well, if you’re Dheeraj Pandey, you build another. I sat down with Dheeraj, the founder of not one but two unicorns—Nutanix and now DevRev—to unpack what really drives him. It’s not the funding rounds or the fancy valuations—it’s building things people love . From transforming IT infrastructure to reimagining customer experience with AI, Dheeraj shares ho...

Ever met a guy who politely told Google and Twitter,  Thanks, but I’ll pass? I’m Prantik, and in this episode I sit down with Vijay Krishnan—my fellow IIT Bombay alum who swapped a Stanford PhD track for back‑to‑back startups. He shares how a  non‑conformist  streak led him from a personalised search engine exit to co‑founding Turing, the remote‑first unicorn matching global developers with Silico...

What if you could extend your life by 25  years more - and still have the energy to enjoy them? In this episode, I sit down with Naveen Bhat, ex‑finance exec now building 25 Years More, and Abhi Patwardhan, a Stanford Longevity ambassador who helps people redesign life after the corporate grind. Naveen explains why he swapped boardrooms for biomarkers and how adding healthspan, not just lifespan,...

What legacy will your kids remember you for? In this episode, I sit down with Rajeev Peshawaria—author, speaker, and CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre—to explore how leaders can do well by doing good. Rajeev shares stories from global companies that prove profit and purpose can go hand in hand. We also talk about his own journey, why he believes the traditional MBA is outdated, and how steward leader...

What happens when two best friends take completely different paths—then end up changing the world in their own ways? I’m joined by two inspiring guests this week—Puneet Pushkarna and Atul Temurnikar. We go back to their early days in Mumbai, sharing flats and figuring out life at HCL. Puneet ventured into Silicon Valley and became a serial tech entrepreneur and investor. Atul chose a different roa...

What does it take to go from being a founder to a VC? In this episode, I sat down with Avik Ashar, who’s been on both sides of the table—building businesses and now investing in them. He started as a founder, scaled companies across multiple markets, ran a family office, and now backs early-stage startups and a Principal, at Riverwalk Holdings. We talked about what makes a business truly investibl...

What happens when startup dreams collide with governance concerns? Hi, I’m James, and in this episode, I sit down with two powerhouse voices from the investor and legal world—Vijay Sambamurthi and Nicholas Cator. Vijay’s a seasoned lawyer who founded Lexygen Law in India and now leads its Singapore office, while Nick is a consumer-focused investor who's seen it all across India and Southeast Asia....

Could you beat an Olympic athlete at their own game?  Doubtful, but let's chat about those who actually might! Join me, Prantik, as I dive into the exhilarating world of sports development and impact capital with two pioneers, Rukmini Pandit and Amrut Joshi. Discover how Rukmini leads Sattva Consulting in revolutionizing the sporting landscape in Southeast Asia through innovative impact consulting...

Want to know how a chef's uniform stirred up a national conversation? Join me as I dive into the flavorful life of Sanjeev Kapoor, a culinary maestro who's not just spicing up dishes but also shaping destinies with his visionary approach. From his bold stance at the Padma Shri awards to revolutionizing Indian cuisine on global platforms, Sanjeev shares how he carved out a niche that resonates with...

What drives a small-town athlete to Olympic glory? In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with two incredible champions: Viren Rasquinha, former captain of the Indian hockey team and CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, and Navdeep Singh, Paralympic gold medalist. Together, we dive into their inspiring journeys—from small-town beginnings to world stages, and the passion that fuels them every single day. L...

How do serial entrepreneurs build successful companies across different sectors? Can you become one yourself? In this episode, we chat with Pankaj Gupta and Saurabh Bhattacharyya, two visionary founders who have not only shaped industries but also navigated the complex world of startups in both India and Singapore. Pankaj, a three-time founder, talks about his journey from launching an IT services...

How do big events like the Singapore FinTech Festival or Dreamforce actually shape industries—and even nations? In this episode, I chat with Amit Gupta and Harsh Rungta, two visionary leaders whose journeys are as impressive as the global meetups they frequent. Amit, a tech entrepreneur and Global Chair of TIE, and Harsh, a financial leader with a passion for innovation, share behind-the-scenes in...

What drives two young entrepreneurs to take bold risks? In this episode, I sit down with Krish and Samyak, two young entrepreneurs who took the bold steps of leaving school to pursue their dreams. Krish shares his journey from gaming to building his own VC firm, while Samyak reveals how his passion for biotech and pet nutrition led him to make big moves in the industry. We talk about their unique...

Are Indian workplaces designed to support employee well-being? In this episode, I sit down with two close friends and passionate advocates, Bala Swaminathan and Ritu G. Mehrish, who are dedicated to rethinking corporate culture. Bala shares the heartbreaking events that pushed him to speak out on workplace stress and ethics, drawing on decades of experience in the Big Four. Ritu, an author and coa...

What happens when two leaders from different industries come together with a shared mission to create a positive impact? In this episode, I sit down with Maya Hari, CEO of Terrascope, and Michelle Cheo, CEO and Vice Chair of Mewah Group. Both are seasoned leaders who combine their deep business expertise with a passion for climate tech, health, and empowering small business owners. We explore thei...