MyStartup Podcast

At the heart of India’s deep tech revolution stands IIT Ropar, a premier institute pushing the boundaries of innovation in agriculture and water through its Technology Innovation Hub (TIH). On the sidelines of the Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, Major Sunil Shetty, Executive Editor of My Startup TV, spoke with Dr. Mukesh Kestwal, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of IIT Ropar, for an in-depth conversation on the institute’s growing role in building India’s deep tech startup ecosystem.

Bharat’s urban air mobility (UAM) sector is witnessing a surge of innovation, with several startups developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to address urban congestion and promote sustainable transportation.

Sarla Aviation unveils Shunya, India’s first fully electric eVTOL aircraft, at Startup Mahakumbh 2025. Designed for urban air mobility, this 6-seater flying taxi aims to launch by 2028. Discover how this Bangalore-based startup is shaping the future of electric aviation in India. Powered by innovation, built in India.

Marwari Catalysts Ventures (MCats) is one of India’s fastest-growing startup accelerators, headquartered in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Founded with a mission to democratize entrepreneurship, MCats is empowering early-stage startups, especially those from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, by providing access to capital, mentorship, and a global support network.

On the sidelines of the vibrant Startup Mahakumbh 2025, Major Sunil Shetty, Executive Editor of MyStartupTV, spoke with Pritam Datta, Director of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, to discuss the ministry's pivotal role in nurturing a startup culture among India's youth. The conversation highlighted the ministry's initiatives, selection processes, and ongoing support for budding entrepreneurs.

On the sidelines of Startup Mahakumbh 2025, a premier event showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, MyStartup TV hosted an insightful conversation with Erwin Muhammad Akbar, Counsellor for Innovation for Economy at the Indonesian Embassy.

Hemp, often misunderstood as merely an intoxicant, is emerging as a versatile and sustainable resource driving innovation across multiple sectors in India. From textiles and construction to medicine and food, hemp's utility is vast, offering eco-friendly solutions that align with global sustainability goals. Indian startups, supported by progressive government policies, are working tirelessly to mainstream hemp, dispel myths, and unlock its economic potential. This feature explores hemp’s multifaceted applications, the role of startups in reshaping its narrative, and the government’s efforts to foster this trillion-dollar industry, with insights from Siddharth Gupta, co-founder of Indian Hemp Store.

On the sidelines of Startup Mahakumbh 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, MyStartup TV caught up with Ms. Crystal (Sujeong) Lee, Manager of the Global Partnership Team from South Korea, for a quick chat. Hosted by Major Sunil Shetty, this interview dives into Ms. Lee’s experience at the event and explores potential synergies between the vibrant startup ecosystems of South Korea and India. The Q&A have been paraphrased for ease of understanding while preserving the accuracy of Ms. Lee’s insights.

At Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, Major Sunil Shetty, Founder of My Startup TV, sat down with Mohammed Bani Hammad, director of Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SRTI Park). Their discussion explored the growing collaboration between the Indian and UAE startup ecosystems and SRTIP’s pivotal role in fostering innovation. The interview has been paraphrased for clarity and ease of understanding. We started by asking about his experience with the event.

At the buzzing heart of Startup Mahakhumb 2025, where the energy of innovation filled the air and the who’s who of India’s startup ecosystem gathered, one moment stood out—a young student, barely 18, taking center stage as Aman Gupta, co-founder and CMO of boAt Lifestyle—an Indian electronics brand & a judge and investor in Sony TV's business reality show Shark Tank India —officially unveiled the Startup Playbook. The crowd erupted in applause—not just for the book, but for the boy behind it.Meet Shubham Bhasin: student, innovator, and the author of a one-of-a-kind guide created by a student for students who dream of becoming entrepreneurs.

Sheela Bhide, a retired IAS officer, shared insights into the history of IKP Knowledge Park during its 25th anniversary celebrations. She recounted the journey of establishing the park, which was dedicated exclusively to life sciences and biotechnology. Bhide highlighted the vision and efforts that went into creating a knowledge hub aimed at fostering innovation and supporting growth in these critical sectors.

Suneet Kumar Maheshwari, Founder and Managing Partner of Udvick Infrastructure Advisors, LLP gets nostalgic about the IKP Knowledge Park in the IKMC 25th year celebrations held at HICC, Novotel.

The conference also honoured Mr Vaghul, the visionary founder of IKP Knowledge Park, who passed away earlier in the year. His leadership and mentorship were instrumental in shaping the institution. The text includes tributes from influential figures who worked with Mr Vaghul, highlighting his role in supporting innovation and fostering a culture of mentorship.

Dr. Ullas Kolthur, Director, CDFD gave a distinguished lecture on the topic of Creating Social Impact on public health the 25th anniversary celebrations of IKP Knowledge Park.

The IKMC 2024, held from October 26 to 28 at HICC and Genome Valley in Hyderabad, celebrated 25 years of IKP Knowledge Park's pivotal role in shaping India's innovation ecosystem. During the event, Anuradha Acharya, CEO of Mapmygenome, shared insights into her entrepreneurial journey.

IKMC 2024 celebrated 25 years of IKP Knowledge Park's journey as a cornerstone of India's innovation ecosystem from October 26 - 28 at HICC and Genome Valley, Hyderabad. At this event Prof. Padmanabhan Balaram, Former Director, IISC, shared his thoughts on the topic of Translating Deep Science. To dive much more deeper into the science listen to this insightful podcast

At the ISBACON Conference, There was a discussion held on Global Synergies: International linkages for Indian Incubator and Startups. Mr HK Mittal, Advisory Committee Member ISBA and Former Chairman- Startup India Sedd Fund Committee, DPIIT lead the talk. Dr Nisha Mukund, Deepanwita Chattopadhyay and other s were part of the talk

Dr. Sai Praveen Haranath in ISBACON event discussed various topics like Emphasis on Preventive Health, Prevalence of Health Conditions, Community Health Issues, Challenges in Healthcare Accessibility, Health Literacy Financial Missteps, and others. Listen to this insightful podcast for more valuable information on them.

India's startup ecosystem has been on an impressive growth trajectory over the last decade, transforming the country into a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology. At the heart of this transformation is the support structure of incubators, government policies, and academic partnerships. During a recent speech, Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Ltd, offered insightful commentary on these key elements and their roles in shaping the future of Indian startups._

The former IT Minister highlighted India’s burgeoning innovation landscape, the vital role of startups, and Telangana’s growing prominence as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship. A core theme of KTR’s speech was the difference between innovation in India and global hubs like the U.S., where he had spent several years. While India excels in innovation, he noted, it lags in the ability to pitch and market its ideas effectively. He encouraged Indian startups to learn from American entrepreneurs, who excel at presenting even small innovations in compelling ways. “Clarity of thought is important,” he said, “but clarity of expression is far more crucial for a startup or an innovator.”

Entrepreneurship is often romanticized as a pursuit of a dream, yet it comes with significant challenges like uncertainty and emotional turmoil. These experiences build character and enhance leadership skills. Early setbacks, particularly in financial management, prompted the speaker to adapt and learn through corporate roles, ultimately leading to the founding of a new venture. Listen to this insightful podcast where Amit Gupta, President, Founder & Group CEO, of Ecosystem Group talks about his entrepreneurship journey and the challenges and hardships he went through along his journey

Dr. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals spoke about the usage of Artificial Intelligence in the Health Sector and how health startups could utilize AI. He also mentions about the importance of the Human Touch by Doctors to treat patients

India aims to become a $55 trillion economy by 2047, driven by its demographic dividend, technological advancements, robust infrastructure, and global economic integration. However, challenges such as inequality, educational reform, and geopolitical uncertainties must be addressed. Sustainable practices and adaptability are key to achieving this ambitious vision for "Amritkal"

At the Global AI Summit, Telangana's leadership reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a leader in artificial intelligence. With a focus on ethical AI practices, the state aims to harness technological advancements to create a trillion-dollar economy. Key initiatives include establishing an AI city in Hyderabad and fostering partnerships with universities and corporations. The summit emphasizes collaboration with global experts to shape AI policies, democratize data access, and promote AI literacy among citizens. This ambitious vision positions Telangana as a technological powerhouse on the world stage.

Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, proposed exploring certificate and diploma courses in Vedic sciences. A scientist discusses his journey of discovering and applying ancient Indian scientific knowledge. He highlights the potential of traditional practices in modern technology, emphasizing the need for collaboration between ancient and modern scholars.

In this episode, Dr. Srinivas Rao Mahankali, CEO of T-HUB, emphasizes the importance of integrating ancient Indian wisdom with modern scientific methods. He discusses the work of reconciling traditional knowledge with innovation, the role of startups in spiritual tech, and the need for continued collaboration and support for groundbreaking ideas.

Y. S. Chowdary, MLA from Andhra Pradesh advocates for integrating ancient Indian sciences with modern technology to enhance quality of life. He emphasizes collaboration between academia, research, and industry, highlighting holistic health, sustainability, and the importance of fostering innovation through ideation, incubation, and commercialization for global progress.

In this podcast, Dr. G. Sateesh Reddy, former chairperson of DRDO, discusses India's journey toward self-reliance in strategic materials, blending ancient Vedic knowledge with modern technologies. He highlights the importance of industry-research collaborations and SRIVT's role in developing materials for defense and advanced technologies to achieve scale.

Dr. A.B.S. Sastry, Founder & Chairman, SRIVT shares his 25-year journey at SRIVT in this podcast, blending ancient Vedic knowledge with modern science. He discusses his work in preserving over 300,000 manuscripts, applying Vedic sciences to advanced technologies, and pioneering eco-friendly innovations in metallurgy, nanomaterials, and biotechnology.

Twin Cities is set to become the epicenter of a unique convergence of ancient Indian knowledge and cutting-edge science. ICON Bharat, a platform committed to integrating traditional wisdom with modern technological advancements, is hosting a two-day international conference on August 31 and September 1.

Join Abirami Sukumaran, a lead developer advocate at Google and the author of a ground-breaking book on data interpretation, in this insightful episode of the startup podcast with host Zenia Khan. In her presentation, Abirami draws on her 17 years of experience highlighting the critical function of sound database design. This lively discussion about how data and technology are changing the world shouldn't be missed.

LIO, led by the young entrepreneur Mohnish Yerra, brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, boasting a membership of over 100 individuals from various walks of life with a collective net worth of Rs. 25,000 Crores. In less than two years, LIO has disbursed Rs. 20 crore across 12 sectors, including FinTech, EdTech, and Defence Tech. In addition, its wealth management arm manages an AUM of 9.05 crore. The Leaders for India Organisation (LIO) doesn't just invest; it cultivates ideas into flourishing ventures, making it the trusted partner in your wealth creation journey. Become a LIO Member to start investing with as low as Rs 5 Lakhs - https://www.leadersforindia.org/become-a-memberStartup or Business Opportunity looking for your next round of funding? - https://www.leadersforindia.org/business-opportunity

Dambuk-based startup Gepo Aali represented India at the Youth Co: Lab Summit-2023, an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and Citi Foundation, in Bangkok, Thailand.