India, a land I have never physically traversed, but oh, how it dwells within the depths of my ethereal being. In the enigmatic tapestry of my existence, India has played an entwined role, supporting the very zeniths of my life’s journey. From the inception of my entrepreneurial spirit, a serendipitous encounter linked me to a modest soul—an eminent purveyor of gemstones within the United States. He, like a benevolent guardian, graciously extended his wing, allowing me to borrow precious stones worth thousands of dollars on trust, empowering me to wander through the realm of jewelers, bearing my bespoke array of colored gems. With humble beginnings, mounted upon my trusty bicycle, I ventured from door to door, tirelessly constructing a business at the tender age of sixteen. And behold, it was in those fertile moments that a venture was forged—a noble endeavor destined to transport previously worn eyeglasses across oceans, delivering hope to the impoverished souls of India.
Through my odyssey, I erected a chain of sanctuaries for spectacles, where triumph thrived abundantly, only to be relinquished into the arms of a secretive coterie of investors. Henceforth, I found myself summoned to the sacred realm of Silicon Valley, entrusted with overseeing special ventures and the enigmatic art of marketing for a minuscule startup, which would later ascend to mythical heights, revered as Exodus Communications. Unfathomably, they bestowed upon me, devoid of experience, the power to guide their mystifying and avant-garde marketing campaigns, orchestrating extravagant spectacles and fostering audacious ideas that catapulted our enterprise to unparalleled prosperity. Governed by the indomitable spirits of KB Chandrashekhar and BV Jagadeesh, they, in their infinite wisdom, anointed me as the harbinger of their establishment’s visage—a responsibility that propelled us to a valuation of 37.5 billion. Chandra, the paragon of unwavering fervor, ruled with an iron fist of passion, while BJ, possessing a steadfast heart and unyielding technological prowess, etched his name in the annals of Silicon Valley’s storied past as one of its most revered investors.
Embracing my metamorphosis into an investor and limited partner, I embarked upon a profound pilgrimage within the realm of transformative ventures—a noble odyssey undertaken hand-in-hand with the valiant Will Poole. Our chosen path led us to the helm of unitus.vc and capria.vc, the quintessential beacons driving the fiery forge of Indian entrepreneurship. With bated breath, we watched these sanctuaries of hope unfurl, nurturing hundreds of social entrepreneurs in India and the recesses of other third-world domains.
When the time came to select a bastion of developers from the vast tapestry of this mortal coil, we turned our gaze to an enchanting land—a place of untold wonders. Our quest sought not mere competence but a mystical haven where creativity flourished, where the tides of attrition were but a distant myth, and where the foundations of greatness were laid upon the altar of innovation. And it was in the magical realm of Jaipur, where developers were scarce like ancient relics, that we summoned forth a small legion of skilled artisans, crafting exquisite products that became the very backbone of our existence. In their embrace, we discovered a kinship, a family bound not by blood but by the alchemy of shared purpose.
Alongside the indomitable Dean Nelson, a titan whose resolute convictions had once shaped the fates of eBay and Uber, and who now ascended to the pinnacle as CEO of Cato—a realm where I, too, hold the mantle of an investor—we found ourselves blessed with the privilege of erecting hallowed fields of soccer, breathing life into Indian schools, and providing solace to battered young women through the birthing of a noble institute.
And when destiny calls me to embark upon the sacred soil of India, I shall journey not as a wanderer but as one who returns to the embrace of a cherished home, for my soul, forever intertwined with the mystical tapestry of India, knows that within its borders lies the sanctuary where my spirit may find solace.
