With 72 out of 648 US unicorns founded by individuals of Indian origin, Manish Chandra, Indian American CEO of social commerce marketplace Poshmark, has emphasized the importance of leveraging the unique strengths of the Indian diaspora.
During an Indiaspora panel discussion on July 2, held as part of the ongoing CNBC-TV18 Young Turks Voices from the Valley series, Chandra highlighted the evolving contributions of second-generation Indian Americans, who are deeply integrated into American society and possess innovative perspectives on contemporary problems.
“Many of us are first-generation immigrants. Our kids are growing up. They are at a very different level of operating. They are much more integrated into society, they are thinking about the problems in very unique ways. And they are also thinking about problems that we don’t even know about in some ways in terms of their generation,” he explained, according to CNBC-TV18.
Chandra stressed the importance of staying in tune with these changes. “It is really tuning your energy into what’s happening,” he said, acknowledging the impact of generational shifts on the nature of entrepreneurial opportunities.
READ: Indian American entrepreneur Manish Chandra’s Poshmark raises $25 million in funding (April 30, 2015)
Reflecting on the essence of human experience, Chandra noted that despite technological advancements, the core aspects of life remain unchanged.
“If I were to sort of think about this generation of what Navin and Radha are talking about in terms of disruption that’s happening, I think I would go back to the basics. The human nature doesn’t change, it doesn’t matter whether we are in the mobile era or chariot era or tree era,” he said.
Chandra stressed the importance of staying in tune with these changes. “It is really tuning your energy into what’s happening,” he said, acknowledging the impact of generational shifts on the nature of entrepreneurial opportunities.
Chandra identified fundamental human experiences as fertile ground for innovation. “We are still going to get born, we are going to fall in love, we’re going to fall out of love, we’re going to be born, we’re going to have kids, not have kids, choose to live our lives in one way or the other, change clothes, eat food. If you look at those fundamental tenets of life, therein lies, massive opportunity,” he remarked.
To illustrate his point, Chandra shared a vivid example of technological potential, “Imagine if you were preparing a meal 50 years from today. And your grandmother was right there teaching you how to prepare that meal, who had passed away 30 years back. That scenario should give us all a set of both chill and warmth and that is possible.”
By harnessing the unique perspectives and innovative thinking of the Indian diaspora, Chandra believes that more Indian American founders can achieve success in the US. “It is really tuning your energy into what’s happening,” he concluded.