I’ve always dreamt of being a big-shot entrepreneur, you know, making money and creating jobs right here in my homeland. And let me tell you, India’s been on one heck of a journey over the last few decades. It’s like watching a phoenix rise from the ashes of colonial rule. With a bunch of young folks, loads of economic opportunities and a shiny new digital setup, India’s bursting with potential, and everyone’s got their eyes on it now—investors from all over the world are itching to throw in their chips and be a part of India’s growth story.

So here I am, all set to meet Smith, a hotshot venture capitalist from Silicon Valley, who’s jetting in from Bengaluru just to chat with me. He’s keen to find the next big thing to throw his money at, and he wants to get my take on this. The truth is, I’m not sure what I want out of this meeting, not just yet. But if Smith turns out to be the real deal, I’ll introduce him to Asmitha in a few months and see if his VC firm wants to place their bets on AILENA. I figure his experience with AI startups could be a game-changer for Asmitha, and maybe collaborating with some big social media players from the West could give AILENA the required data boost to really take off. But that’s for later. This first meeting is just to test the waters.

I leave my hotel room and quickly make my way to the restaurant downstairs where we’re supposed to meet. I find a comfortable corner table with a view and take a seat. Smith joins me ten minutes later. A middle-aged American, he’s got a sturdy build, a pair of greenish-blue eyes and hair the colour of golden grass. He’s wearing a pair of blue shorts and a white shirt, typical of investors from the Valley.

‘Hey there! How’s it going?’ Smith asks, extending his hand forward in my direction.

‘Hey man! It’s been great. How about you?’ I ask as we shake hands and sit down.

‘Just trying to navigate through these uncertain times, you know?’ He lets out a broken laugh.

‘Absolutely, it’s been quite the rollercoaster ride. So, what’s on your mind these days?’ I ask intently.

‘Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about where to invest next, especially considering the post-pandemic landscape. Covid turned out to be a game-changer for industries worldwide.’

‘Tell me about it. We’ve seen so many shifts here as well. But hey, India’s always been resilient. Any particular sector catching your eye?’ I’m curious about Smith’s plan.

‘Fintech is big. Health tech has seen a massive surge too, and I believe there’s a lot of untapped potential there.’