Pitch Cafe Podcast

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Bhanu Prasad, an Impact Innovation Coach at Digital Impact Square (DISQ), a social innovation center based in Nashik, Maharashtra. DISQ uses cutting-edge digital technologies to address key societal challenges across sectors like Health, Education, Water, and Environment, and has been instrumental in guiding young entrepreneurs towards creating meaningful solutions for India’s growing needs. Bhanu delves into the transition of young entrepreneurs into mature founders, sharing insights on how DISQ’s mentorship programs and innovation platforms are driving this transformation. He also discusses one of his favorite startup success stories, highlighting how impactful solutions are emerging from DISQ. In this episode, Bhanu sheds light on his experience coaching healthcare startups, which are solving critical health issues in India, and offers a look at the exciting ed-tech startups being nurtured at DISQ. As the episode unfolds, Bhanu also shares his vision for the future of DISQ, outlining how the center plans to continue scaling innovations to address pressing social challenges in India.✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success! 🌟 Follow Me On My Other Social Media Handles 🌟 📷 Instagram: / vidyangi 📝 LinkedIn: / vidyaangipatil 📱 Twitter: / vidyaangi#startup #kumbhmela2025 #podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Bhanu Prasad, an Impact Innovation Coach at Digital Impact Square (DISQ), an open social innovation center located in Nashik, Maharashtra. DISQ encourages the use of digital technologies to address significant social challenges in sectors such as Health, Hygiene, Housing, Transportation, Food, Agriculture, Energy, Water, Environment, Financial and Personal Security, Citizen Empowerment, Transparency, Education, and Skills Development across India. Founded on the collaborative principles inspired by the MIT Media Lab’s Camera Culture research group, DISQ represents a unique platform where local communities, domain experts, the government, and industry partners converge to address these challenges. Through initiatives like the Kumbhathon, DISQ played a pivotal role in improving the experience at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest gatherings of human beings in the world. This effort not only enhanced visitor experiences but also demonstrated how technology-driven solutions can solve large-scale problems in real-time. Join us as Bhanu Prasad shares insights into DISQ’s mission, the impact of digital innovations on social issues, and the incredible journey of leveraging technology for public good.✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success! 🌟 Follow Me On My Other Social Media Handles 🌟 📷 Instagram: / vidyangi 📝 LinkedIn: / vidyaangipatil 📱 Twitter: / vidyaangi#startup #kumbhmela2025 #podcast

What if we told you that just one bad experience could send your customers running?😮 In this podcast, we sit down with Zeus Kerravala, a renowned expert in business security and customer experience, to uncover the game-changing link between security, trust, and customer loyalty in today’s competitive landscape. 🤵💼 Zeus answers tough questions on how to build trust of customer and business stakeholders. Packed with fascinating insights and actionable tips, this conversation will make you rethink how your organization builds trust. ✨ Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, a budding startup, or just curious about the psychology of trust, this episode offers a masterclass on building stronger relationships with customers and stakeholders. Learn why clarity, openness, and honesty aren’t just buzzwords—they’re essential for survival in the modern business world. 🌍 Hit play to hear Zeus’s expert advice and discover how to secure your brand’s future by winning over your customers' hearts (and loyalty)! 🔮 ✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success!#startup #cybersecurity #podcast

In this exciting episode of Pitch Cafe, we sit down with Divya, the founder of Sinewave AI, to discuss how AI is reshaping the healthcare landscape. By addressing the time-consuming process of prior authorization, Sinewave AI has created a solution that turns 30-40 minutes of work into just 30 seconds. Hear how this innovation is saving doctors more than 2 hours a day, empowering them to focus on what truly matters—patient care. Tune in to learn more about this game-changing technology! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success! 🌟 Follow Me On My Other Social Media Handles 🌟 📷 Instagram: / vidyangi 📝 LinkedIn: / vidyaangipatil 📱 Twitter: / vidyaangi#healthcare #ai #podcast

In this episode of Pitch Cafe, we sit down with Jeel Patel, a young and ambitious entrepreneur who, just 1.5 years out of college, is already working on his third startup, FieldCamp. His latest venture is building the first fully AI-powered software for SMBs, tapping into a $3 billion market that even VCs struggle to understand. But what makes jeel confident in his success? It’s not just the idea—it’s his deep industry knowledge, his experienced team, and his ability to leverage real connections with SMBs. Tune in to hear jeel’s insights on AI, startup challenges, and why this time, he’s betting big! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success! 🌟 Follow Me On My Other Social Media Handles 🌟 📷 Instagram: / vidyangi 📝 LinkedIn: / vidyaangipatil 📱 Twitter: / vidyaangi#agenticai #ai #podcast

Welcome to another powerful episode of Pitch Cafe Podcast! 🚀 This time, we’re joined by Manu Gurudatha, Senior Director of Software Engineering at PagerDuty, for a deep dive into the world of B2B SaaS, AI innovation, and enterprise cybersecurity. 🔹 How is AI reshaping engineering teams? 🔹 What does it take to lead in a high-impact SaaS environment? 🔹 Real stories from Manu’s journey—from mentorship to leadership. Whether you’re a tech founder, engineer, or just curious about the future of AI and software innovation—this episode brings valuable insights straight from the frontline. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated with the latest in tech and startup leadership!✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success!🌟 Follow Me On My Other Social Media Handles 🌟 📷 Instagram: / vidyangi 📝 LinkedIn: / vidyaangipatil 📱 Twitter: / vidyaangi#aipodcast #PagerDuty #SaaSLeadership #Cybersecurity #EngineeringInnovation #PitchCafePodcast

Welcome to a special episode covering everything happening at the RSAC 2025. Meet Sameer Ahirrao, Founder & CEO of Ardent Privacy, with 25+ years of experience working with global giants like Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, and Symantec. Joining him is Nick Salian, CISO at Cantor Fitzgeraldic, and an AI regulation expert who’s played key roles at Wipro and Palo Alto Networks. In this episode, we dive deep into how AI is transforming the cybersecurity landscape, the biggest trends at RSA 2025, and why AI governance solutions are the next big thing. We also break down the concept of Data Bill of Materials and how Ardent Privacy helps organizations protect critical data infrastructures—whether you're launching new software or safeguarding legacy IT. Sameer's reference in the interview • "AI Ethics by Design Is the Way Ahead to P... 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated with the latest in tech and startup leadership! #RSAC2025 #Cybersecurity #AI ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✨ ABOUT ME ✨ Hello, my name is Vidyangi (Vida) Patil. I am a mindset coach, author, and speaker. Five years ago when I started understanding success hacks for individuals, startups, and larger organizations little did I know I would end up working with mentors hail from Silicon Valley at Stanford University, MIT Media Lab, Singularity University, and incubators and accelerators. All the way from guiding AI/ML startup founders in winning pitch competitions, and bagging investor appointments to helping youth entrepreneurs and women land their dream job or promotion, I plan to spill the beans of wisdom to launch you higher wherever you are in your life. I have successfully coached communities in social impact initiatives during COVID. Every week you will see new videos from me on career, personal growth, and technology trends to onboard your rocket ship to success! 🌟 Follow Me On My Other Social Media Handles 🌟 📷 Instagram: / vidyangi 📝 LinkedIn: / vidyaangipatil 📱 Twitter: / vidyaangi 🎙 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ✍🏻 Medium: / vidapatil 🌐 Website: https://vidyangi.com/ 📕 My New Book: https://vidyangi.com/books

In this episode, I sit down with NAFA co-founder Riya Thosar to explore how a group of tech professionals is reshaping the future of Marathi cinema in North America. 🔥 "Trailblazer" is the word for NAFA 2025! What happens when Silicon Valley’s top tech minds decide to revolutionize Marathi cinema in North America? You get NAFA—North American Film Association—building a creative ecosystem for the diaspora, by the diaspora. Last year, NAFA Film Festival 2024 brought legends like Sachin & Supriya Pilgaonkar, Subodh & Ashwini Bhave, and Mahesh & Medha Manjrekar to San Jose. Masterclasses, panels, auditions, and the premiere of films like “Paani” made it a dream come true. NAFA didn’t just celebrate cinema—they produced 3 local short films and distributed 9 Marathi movies across the US and Canada, partnering with giants like Jio & Everest1. What’s new for 2025? • Student Spotlight: A new short film competition for university students—empowering the next generation of creators. • NAFA Radio: Launching Bali 92.3 FM to amplify Marathi voices and masterclasses. • Award Night & Book Launch: A star-studded ceremony and a special launch with Amol Palekar. • Biggest Lineup Yet: Icons like Amol Palekar, Mohan Agashe, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mahesh Kothare, and more. NAFA stands on 3 pillars: • Production: Creating original content with local and diaspora talent. • Distribution: Bringing Marathi films to mainstream North American theaters. • Celebration: Hosting festivals, masterclasses, and community events. Ready to be part of the movement? Join the volunteer team or register for the festival at NorthAmericanFilmAssociation.org. #NAFA2025 #Trailblazer #MarathiCinema #PitchCafe #RiyaThosar #VidaVidyangiPatil 👉 Don’t miss the next big leap for global Indian cinema!

What do Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Grammy-winner Chandrika Tandon, tech titan Nikesh Arora, and wellness icon Deepak Chopra have in common?They’re not just successful—they’re transformational. 💥In this exclusive Pitch Café Podcast episode, journalist and author Meenakshi Ahamed dives into the real stories behind her viral new book Indian Genius—a celebration of Indian Americans who reshaped the world in tech, medicine, public policy, music, and more. 🌎You’ll learn:The immigrant hustle behind Fortune 500 boardroomsWhy Chandrika Tandon left millions to chase Carnatic music—and won a GrammyHow Atul Gawande cut hospital infections by 60%What Satya Nadella did after OpenAI blew upWhy “Jugaad” might be India’s greatest export👀 If you’re an entrepreneur, dreamer, or someone building your legacy—you need this conversation.📚 Get Indian Genius → https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Genius-... https://www.harpercollins.com/product...#IndianGenius #VidaPatil #PitchCafePodcast #SatyaNadella

In this episode, we are joined by Nikita Singh, an experienced brand strategist and the visionary founder of Aam Pannaa Creations. Nikita has over five years of experience in building impactful brands and driving meaningful change.Nikita shares the story of how Aam Pannaa Creations came to life, shedding light on her approach to startup marketing and the inspiration behind developing an AI-powered chatbot. Nikita dives into the pivotal moments that shaped her journey as a change maker and marketer, sharing insights into building a dedicated team at Aam Pannaa Creations. She opens up about the toughest challenges she has faced and offers a glimpse into her daily routine.She also treats the audience to a musical interlude with a rap performance, showcasing her creative spirit. As we near the end of our conversation, Nikita reveals her vision for the future of Aam Pannaa Creations and what lies ahead for her venture. With her extensive experience in scaling digital profiles, including achieving impressive LinkedIn and Instagram growth for clients, Nikita’s story is one of relentless passion and dedication to igniting purposeful conversations. Join us in this inspiring episode as we explore Nikita’s journey of creativity, impact, and innovation.

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast featuring the inspiring journey of Raman and Lakshmanan, the visionary co-founders of Backyard Creators.** Dedicated to affordable healthcare solutions, their flagship product, "Impulse," is an external ear device designed to restore hearing for congenital hearing loss. Discover how they are on a mission to empower communities in need across India and neighboring regions, creating a world where healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Join us as we delve into their innovative approach and the impactful work of Backyard Creators. Learn about their groundbreaking efforts in developing hearing implants within India, addressing a critical gap as no one else was manufacturing these devices domestically. Their commitment to accessible and transformative healthcare has earned them significant recognition, including the prestigious Young Achievers Innovation Award presented by Thiru MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. They have also been featured on Zee TV, highlighting their remarkable contributions to the healthcare industry. In this episode, Raman and Lakshmanan share their personal journeys, the challenges they faced, and the milestones they achieved in their quest to revolutionize healthcare.** Headquartered in both San Francisco and Mumbai, Backyard Creators is more than just a company—it's a movement dedicated to making high-quality healthcare accessible to all. Tune in to hear their inspiring story and gain insights into the future of healthcare innovation!

In this episode, we sit down with Sameer Ahirrao, Security and Privacy Practitioner and Founder CEO of Ardent Privacy. With over two decades of experience in information security at Symantec, Deloitte, and Lockheed Martin, Sameer shares his journey of starting Ardent Privacy, a company dedicated to empowering enterprises with data privacy, AI governance, and robust compliance solutions. We explore the core principles of data security, including the intriguing term "Bill of Materials," case studies on how Ardent's product works, and insights into why traditional data encryption isn't always the answer. Sameer dives into key domains within cybersecurity and explains how organizations can strengthen their compliance stack with rapid data asset visibility and meaningful protection mechanisms. Tune in to learn from Sameer's rich expertise as he shares his approach to efficiently managing a startup while driving innovation in cybersecurity and data privacy. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a professional in cybersecurity, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

In this episode, we are joined by Sanjay Poonen, CEO and President of Cohesity, a leader in AI-powered data security and management. Sanjay, a Harvard alumnus, shares how nearly half of the Fortune 100 rely on Cohesity for business resilience. A decade ago, Cohesity aimed to revolutionize data management by simplifying backups and data protection on a single platform. This vision continues to drive their innovations today. Recognized as a leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cyber Recovery 2023 Vendor Assessment, Cohesity's team includes experts from Google, Nutanix, VMware, and more. Sanjay, with his extensive experience in scaling multi-billion dollar businesses and leading strong teams, discusses his expertise in cloud, applications, infrastructure, analytics, and security. Join us as Sanjay Poonen reveals Cohesity's journey and how they help the world's largest organizations enhance business resilience in a dynamic digital landscape.

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Abhi, an innovator and entrepreneur who seamlessly blends technology and filmmaking. With 17 international patents and publications in top journals like NATURE, Abhi is a key player in healthcare technology as the chair of TiECon Health and a member of Sand Hill Angels. However, Abhi's passion for the Marathi film industry sets him apart. Despite being an outsider, he has created a significant legacy in Marathi cinema and won the prestigious Swarn Kamal in 2012, a national award in India for his movie Deool featuring Sonali Kulkarni, Nana Patekar, and directed by Dr. Jabbar Patel, demonstrating that innovation knows no bounds. Before founding Optra Ventures, focusing on medical devices and digital healthcare, Abhi's first venture was acquired for $100 million. Now, Optra Ventures leads with companies like Optra Systems, Optra SCAN, and Optra Health.

In this podcast, Join us for a poignant podcast episode as we interview Girish, the dedicated volunteer CEO of IIT Madras Foundation and also the Co-founder & CEO of Rockfish Data.Rockfish Data is the industry’s first outcome-centric synthetic data generation platform that helps companies unlock the true value of their data to tackle these data bottlenecks. Rockfish’s data adaptive, and enterprise secure platform builds on patent-pending proprietary technology and years of university research from Carnegie Mellon University. Girish reflects on his impactful journey, expressing gratitude to the exceptional team, volunteers, and donors who propelled the foundation's mission of raising a $100M endowment for India's premier institution, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. In this podcast we talk about how RockFish Data is helping out in today’s world, how Corporate life helped Girish in his startup, what he learned throughout his inspiring journey. Celebrating his remarkable journey presenting to you another exciting podcast.

In this podcast, we dive into the revolutionary world of Inhabitr with our special guest, Ankur Agrawal, the visionary founder of the first fully integrated platform-as-a-service furniture company. Discover how Inhabitr is redefining furnishing with flexible subscription, purchase, and pre-owned options across sectors like hospitality, multifamily housing, staging, student housing, short-term rentals (STR), and direct-to-consumer markets. Learn how their platform leverages AI-powered technology and a proprietary supply chain to provide a wide variety of furniture options curated by in-house designers. We also discuss their impressive achievement of raising a total of $31 million, including $27 million in Series B funding from Hamilton Ventures. Ankur Agrawal also shares his personal journey, relocating from Chicago, where he had a successful career at McKinsey & Company, to Silicon Valley to pursue his dream. Headquartered in San Francisco and Mumbai, Inhabitr is transforming the furniture rental industry with innovative and affordable solutions. Tune in to hear Ankur's insights on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of flexible furnishing solutions!

In this episode, we sit down with Abhijeet, a distinguished Global Sourcing and Procurement Leader who has consistently delivered impactful results and created value by building and coaching high-performing teams. Abhijeet is a visionary leader, focusing on long-term growth, digital transformation through AI, and driving sustainable results across various sectors. With a strong track record as a trusted Global Supply Chain Operations leader, Abhijeet has driven innovation and value across planning, sourcing, procurement, analytics, and service operations. His strategic vision and exceptional execution have made significant contributions in sectors such as Semiconductors, Medical Devices, Robotic Surgery, BioPharma/Biotech, Automotive, and High-tech industries. In addition to his extensive professional achievements, Abhijeet has completed the prestigious Stanford LEAD course, which significantly altered the trajectory of his career, further enhancing his leadership capabilities and impact. Tune in to learn from Abhijeet's journey, insights, and the strategic vision that continues to shape the future of global supply chain and procurement.

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Rahul, the founder of Towner Taxi, a visionary leader revolutionizing India's transportation sector. Towner functions as a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, specifically designed to tackle the distinctive hurdles encountered by taxi and auto-rickshaw owners and drivers. Towner serves as a technology enabler, allowing drivers to harness state-of-the-art technology through a subscription-based model. This empowers them to kickstart their own digital enterprises, accompanied by an array of additional features that pave the way for them to become Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Join us as we explore the innovative solutions Towner Taxi brings to the transportation industry, providing drivers with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world. Rahul shares insights on overcoming challenges, empowering local drivers, and fostering economic growth through technology. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's embark on this enlightening journey together at the Pitch Cafe. ☕️✨

Join us in this episode as we talk with Peter Kovacs, a top Silicon Valley executive coach, who empowers entrepreneurs and executives to maximize their global impact. With clients like Nvidia, Amazon, and Bain & Co., Peter offers invaluable insights into leadership and business growth. As a seasoned entrepreneur who successfully exited V12 Software, Peter understands the entrepreneurial journey's highs and lows. He also mentors at Singularity University, StartOut, and the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center, sharing his expertise with the next generation of leaders. In this episode, Peter discusses transformative journeys, strategies for positive behavior development, and essential grooming for success in new environments. He shares experiences with founders worldwide, offering insights into building bridges between cultures.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we explore the groundbreaking mission of Kibo, an initiative by Trestle Labs dedicated to ensuring that no school, college, or office denies or discontinues education or employment for anyone facing disability, language, or literacy barriers. Discover how Kibo is making education and employment digital and inclusive for everyone, especially for those capable individuals hindered by an unsupportive ecosystem. Since its inception in 2017, Kibo has been committed to empowering people through AI-powered technology solutions. These solutions enable real-time listening, translation, digitization, and audio conversion of printed, handwritten, and digital content across multiple global languages, with a special focus on unserved and underserved Indian, African, and Asian languages. In this episode, we delve into Kibo's revolutionary product designed to aid blind individuals. This device allows users to listen to any book they place under it, transforming the way they interact with written content and opening up a world of knowledge and opportunities.Also we get to know about their learnings and experience in Shark Tank India.