On the vibrant Day 3 of the India Startup Festival 2023, Major Sunil Shetty had the privilege of engaging in an insightful one-on-one conversation with Abhirami, a distinguished Developer Advocate at Google. Abirami’s profound engagement with startups was evident as she shared her journey and experiences. As a dedicated mentor, she plays a vital role within Google’s Star Accelerator program, focusing her efforts on guiding startups through the intricacies of technology adoption and seamless integration. With a keen eye for technological innovation, Abhirami sheds light on technology’s 37 Interview Enabler Abirami Sukumaran Development Advocate, Google Interview My Startup Life ! indispensable role in the trajectory of startups’ success.
Q 1. Major Sunil Shetty: Can you share your experience and key take aways from the roundtable based on your interaction with startups and entrepreneurs at the event?
Abirami: Absolutely. Being at the round table was an overwhelming experience for me. Most attendees were serial entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds, some having successful startups and others running well-established businesses. I learned much from their experiences, mainly about customer experience, scaling startups, and maintaining resources. The range of industries was fascinating, from agriculture to beauty cosmetics to security. One thing that stood out was how every industry leverages technology and AI to propel growth.
Q 2. Major Sunil Shetty: Technology plays a pivotal role across various sectors. As a mentor and developer advocate, what challenges have you observed startups facing when integrating technology, especially AI, into their operations?
Abirami: It’s been a remarkable learning experience working closely with startups. Startups vary in their tech readiness— some know exactly what they want and need guidance on implementation, while
others are still exploring possibilities. I learn from established startups and share their insights with those discovering their path. I usually focus on Google Cloud topics like data, databases, AI, and machine learning. It’s about bridging gaps, identifying opportunities, and ensuring they use technology to its fullest potential.
Q 3. Major Sunil Shetty: How has the India Startup Festival 2023 been for you? Any standout moments or observations?
Abirami: Attending the festival’s third day was a remarkable experience. The sheer scale of the event was overwhelming, with numerous booths showcasing startups and sponsors. It was a hub of networking and connections, and what stood out was a college that dedicated its final year to startups—an innovative way to groom future entrepreneurs. The event was filled with exciting ideas and innovation.
Q 4. Major Sunil Shetty: From your perspective, could you offer some advice to startups regarding their approach to technology, especially AI, in the coming times?
Abirami: Certainly. The key is finding a balance between ideation and execution. Startups often get lost in idea generation and need to transition to implementation. It’s essential to plan and design, considering factors like data usage, security, and privacy. Importantly, startups should identify what they truly need and avoid getting caught up in all the available options. By focusing on what’s necessary, they can save effort, resources, and costs.
Q 5. Major Sunil Shetty: That’s valuable advice. Now, when should startups ideally begin incorporating technology into their journey? At the very early stages or after reaching a certain level of traction?
Abirami: The incorporation of technology should ideally begin from the start, even if funding is limited. It’s essential to align technology with your business vision, even if it’s not primarily a tech startup. Leveraging free resources and accelerator programs can help prototype ideas. Building a tech foundation from the outset sets the groundwork for future growth.
Q 6. Major Sunil Shetty: Thank you for those insights. And finally, what are your thoughts on Mystartup TV and its coverage of the startup ecosystem?
Abirami: I’m really excited about platforms like Mystartup TV that digitize news and information. It’s the way forward, especially for startups. Providing a comprehensive view and analysis of the startup ecosystem is crucial for growth and knowledge sharing.
