From Founder to Funder: The Journey of Mala Ramakrishnan at Indian Tech Icon Spotlight 2025

Описание: Mala Ramakrishnan — founder of Progressive Ventures, serial entrepreneur, and investor — joins Indian Tech Icon Spotlight to share her journey from growing up in India to building companies, leading exits, and backing underrepresented founders in Silicon Valley.
In this candid conversation, Mala reflects on starting her first company at 21, the power of belief and sponsorship, why women must think bigger when building startups, and how venture capital shapes economic outcomes. She also shares her vision for 50% representation in leadership, boardrooms, and venture-backed companies, along with practical advice for founders who want to build venture-scale businesses.
A powerful episode on leadership, courage, ambition, and building long-term impact.

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Timestamps

00:00 Intro and welcome to the spotlight
01:00 Starting a company at 21
02:10 The role of belief and early supporters
03:10 Building first startups and early exits
04:00 Why Mala started Progressive Ventures
05:00 Barriers women face in leadership
06:00 Rejecting the victim mindset
07:00 Why women must step up and lead
08:00 The vision for 50% representation
09:10 Why venture capital drives real change
10:00 Family, support systems, and balance
11:00 Raising independent children while building companies
12:20 Bay Area vs India startup ecosystems
13:40 Growing up in India and early values
15:30 Why continuous learning matters
17:40 Advice for women founders to think bigger
19:00 What makes an idea venture-scale
20:30 Working backward from big outcomes
21:20 Rapid-fire: creativity, startups, and life
23:30 Personal reflections and closing thoughts

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🔗 Connect with Mala Ramakrishnan →   / malaramakrishnan  

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnL3...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NIDE4c...

Apple Podcast: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-...

Visit our Website: www.malaramakrishnan.com | www.founderscreative.ai