In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Amay Naik, co-founder of 'I', a homegrown, AI-powered social media application aiming to create a unique space in the Indian market.Amay shares his journey from working in service-based and product-based companies like Capgemini and Salesforce to taking the entrepreneurial leap. He delves into the origin story of 'I', a platform that combines the best of social media with innovative AI features.Discover what sets 'I' apart from giants like Instagram and Facebook, from its AI face and video swap tools to the unique 'iCoins' system that rewards users for engagement, and a 'Family Tree' feature that brings a new dimension to social networking. Amay also discusses the rise of "Social OTT" and the future of vertical, short-form video content.Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities of building a social media platform for India, the strategy behind acquiring over 1.5 lakh users in a year, and the vision for creating a seamless ecosystem for creators, brands, and users.Chapters(00:00) Intro(00:33) Amay Naik's Background Before Entrepreneurship(02:07) The Origin Story of 'I' - An AI-Powered Social Media App(03:49) How 'I' Differentiates from Instagram and Facebook(05:26) AI Tools, Face Swaps, and Family Tree Feature(06:58) Why Will 'I' Succeed in the Indian Market?(08:08) What is Social OTT?(10:24) How 'I' Acquired 1.5 Lakh Users in One Year(14:40) The iCoins Concept: Incentivizing Content Consumption(16:42) A Deep Dive into the AI Features of 'I'(21:47) Thoughts on AI-Generated Content and Deepfakes(24:35) The Rise of Vertical Content and Social OTT(29:37) The Future Vision for 'I': A Platform for Brands and Creators(34:24) Why Hasn't India Produced a Global Social Media Platform?(38:16) Why Amay is Confident About the Success of 'I'(40:48) Closing Thoughts on Data Sovereignty and Indian Tech

Ashutosh Prakash Singh, the co-founder and CEO of Revrag AI, joins the ELI podcast to discuss his entrepreneurial journey. He talks about his background, from his early days and interest in music to becoming a product manager and eventually starting his own company. Ashutosh explains the problem Revrag AI is solving in the BFSI sector by using AI agents to reduce drop-offs during customer onboarding. He delves into the challenges of working with banks, data security, and the evolving regulatory landscape for AI in India. The conversation also covers the underlying technologies at Revrag AI, the rise of voice AI, and the company's future vision.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction00:23 - Ashutosh's Background and Journey05:22 - The Problem Revrag AI is Solving09:21 - How Revrag AI Works11:07 - Navigating Challenges in the Banking Sector15:37 - Underlying Technologies at Revrag AI17:16 - Data Security and Sovereignty20:17 - Challenges in Building and Growing Revrag AI22:02 - The Future of AI and Finance Regulation in India26:12 - The Rise of Voice AI29:26 - Future Vision for Revrag AI31:38 - Conclusion

In this episode of ELI, we're joined by Harsh Gupta, a Principal at Flourish Ventures, a leading early-stage global VC firm. Harsh shares his insights on the world of venture capital, offering a comprehensive guide for startup founders on the fundraising process.We delve into:- Harsh's journey from a finance professional to a VC.- The investment thesis of Flourish Ventures and their focus on fintech.- How VCs discover and evaluate startups.- The nuances of negotiation and valuation in a funding round.- The role of a VC post-investment and the support they provide to their portfolio companies.- The impact of PR and media in the startup ecosystem.This masterclass is a must-watch for any entrepreneur looking to understand the VC mindset and navigate the fundraising landscape successfully.About the Guest:Harsh Gupta is a Principal at Flourish Ventures, a global fintech fund with a purpose to improve the financial health of retail customers and small businesses. He has extensive experience in venture debt and equity investing, having worked with companies across various sectors and stages.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:38 - Harsh Gupta's Journey to Venture Capital08:28 - About Flourish Ventures11:15 - Why FinTech?14:44 - Should a Founder Raise Funds?18:41 - How VCs Discover Companies25:55 - How VCs Shortlist Startups30:41 - Leveraging Technology in VC34:59 - The Negotiation Process39:18 - Post-Investment Engagement43:51 - The Role of PR in the Startup Ecosystem50:00 - Conclusion