One of the most common problems among the millennials & professionals seems to be about finding something meaningful to work on. In this context, Aishwarya Rai emerges not just as a leader in AI and startup ecosystem, but also as a visionary educator and mentor committed to making a substantial humanitarian effect through meaningful ventures.
She has several years of expertise in AI, Technology & EdTech and her work excellence not only spans her day job but also goes beyond, in her way of giving back to society and startups through her mentoring efforts. When asked about how she managed to carve out the niche of mentorship and education for herself, she says, “When you enjoy even the elements of your work that others find monotonous or boring, this is an indication that you’re cut out for it. The main goal should be to build something people want, either via a product or unique knowledge”, she says.
Her work with a range of startups, particularly an agro-tech venture in India, demonstrates her dedication to using technology to improve society. This agro-tech startup was focused on uplifting marginalised farmers and homemaker women, which was a part of InUnity, India’s cohort-based startup mentorship program. The startup aimed to provide these populations with long-term employment and financial independence. “Our goal was to leverage technology in a way that uplifts the most vulnerable segments of society,” she said. She was instrumental in establishing the startup’s price points, product features, and goals. Her thorough sales and marketing strategy was designed to match market demands while also ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for these populations.
Aishwarya has also been actively involved with many early-stage startups across the globe. She mentors not only with InUnity, India but has also helped and guided many early-stage founders who create products specifically in the social impact sectors and showcase them as part of competitions at startup incubators and accelerators. She was a member of the jury and a judge of many such startup competitions which were brought about with efforts from GinSERV, India’s incubation programs and Comedkares, Bengaluru. Through her mentoring efforts and actionable insights, she helped in the ideation stages of exciting startup ideas like a smart parking app to beat traffic congestion in urban Indian cities and an app to streamline the e-waste recycling process in the IT hubs of India.
Besides her helping young budding entrepreneurs of India, she also spends time mentoring many global startups, whose founders benefit from her rich experience in EdTech, AI, Mobile and Web Apps. “In the process of mentoring first-time founders, I also gain a lot of learning experience and get to know the practical challenges which come with building a startup. At the end of every mentorship call, I’m not only filled with a sense of inspiration which pushes me forward on my path but also a feeling of genuine peace at having helped someone and made their lives easier, who in turn, will make lives easy for many others”, says Aishwarya.
In her mentoring work with a female founder of a mental wellness startup from Lebanon, Aishwarya helped the founder tackle the challenge of designing an app which does not merely “teach” mental well-being at an intellectual level but encourages people to face life hurdles with equanimity and helps people with practical & actionable steps in their daily lives.
Aishwarya’s involvement with an AI-based video generation startup from India was marked by her strategic guidance in identifying and targeting a specific market niche. “Finding a unique target customer and tailor-making a solution for them is crucial for success”, she advised, helping the startup to stand out in its niche.
In her work with a Japanese founder of an English learning app which helps Japanese people get a crash course in English and be well-prepared for investor pitches, Aishwarya’s insights were key. She focused on developing a curriculum that addressed the specific needs of Japanese professionals in global business settings, emphasizing effective language learning from a more business-focused perspective.
A consistent theme in Aishwarya’s mentorship is her belief in empowering rather than directing. “Educating others is about enabling founders & PMs to illuminate their own paths in the tech ecosystem,” she says. “If you do work that compounds, you’ll get exponential growth. Learning is an example of this phenomenon: the more you learn about something, the easier it is to learn more about it”, remarks Aishwarya.
Aishwarya Rai’s contributions extend beyond technology to creating social betterment. Her work with incubators, accelerators, founders & entrepreneurs demonstrates her unique ability to combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of societal needs. As she continues her journey, Aishwarya’s impact on the tech world and her dedication to nurturing future leaders stand as a testament to her empathetic leadership qualities and making tech a driver for societal good.
