PAC Talks

Staying at a little getaway place in the midst of a farm and you are surrounded by Hurricane, Flintstone, Bodacious, Eurythmics – felt like we are in a Disney fantasy world.

Opening your doors at a weekend getaway to the humming sound, as the Alpacas welcome you to a beautiful morning ,is a special experience.

In the quiet expanse of the Irish Midlands, where the green fields of Offaly and Laois meet under the watchful gaze of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, a story of craft, connection, and gentle giants is being woven.

This is the story of Paul MacDonnell and Hushabye Farm, a place where traditional farming roots have blossomed into a modern sanctuary for the alpaca—an animal whose history is as rich as the fleece it carries. I got an opportunity to capture Paul’s journey during a great chat sitting in the midst of the alpaca farm with a great view of the Slieve Bloom mountains. Paul gave a tour of all the farms, helped us walk Hurricane, and spoke in depth about his unique Alpaca journey.

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify , Apple.

From Tradition to the Unusual

Paul’s journey did not begin with the soft hum of alpacas, but with the rugged grit of a traditional beef farm in County Galway. Growing up in Balagar, surrounded by farm machinery and the “old style” of agriculture, Paul developed a deep respect for the land and a fascination for the natural world. Yet, he harboured a quiet “grow” for something more unusual.

When work brought him to Killeigh, a small paddock behind his new home presented a choice. Instead of the cattle or sheep, Paul chose three alpacas in 2010. What began as a “pet project” to graze a small patch of land soon became a passion that, in his words, “It’s well known that once you dip your toe into the alpaca world, it does tend to take over.” By 2012, this curiosity had matured into a high-end breeding program, sourced from quality stock in the UK.

The Art of the Fleece

At the heart of Hushabye Farm is a profound appreciation for the “Fibre of the Gods”. Domestication of the alpaca by the Incas thousands of years ago established a legacy where an animal’s value was determined by the quality of its wool. Paul continues this legacy today, breeding entirely for a fleece that is a marvel of nature. He added, “the Alpacas come in 16 different natural colours, which means that you can use the wool in a variety of ways without having to dye it“

Paul highlighted “the fleece itself is hyper allergenic, so it’s great for bedding, etc. for children with allergies and all that, the fibre is 10 times warmer than sheep’s wool.”

For Paul, the farm is like the “spokes of a wheel”. At the centre is the animal itself, but the spokes radiate into workshops for spinning and felting, high-fashion products like pashminas, and even specialised husbandry courses to mentor the next generation of breeders.

A Philosophy of Presence

In an era dominated by digital noise, Hushabye Farm offers a rare “unique selling point”: silence. The farm’s accommodations, including Lullaby Lodge and Jack Wright’s Cottage, do not have Wi-Fi and television.

Paul believes that “no amount of AI or Netflix can compensate for the joy” of fresh air and the quirky personalities of his herd. Guests are encouraged to put away their phones and engage with the “cheeky,” “bossy,” or “shy” individuals that make up his 60-strong herd. This intentional disconnect is not just for the guests; it is a reflection of Paul’s own “bootstrapped” philosophy. By self-financing every expansion—spending his own money rather than borrowing—he has ensured that the farm remains a source of joy rather than financial pressure.

Weaving a Legacy

The growth of the farm mirrors the quiet rise of the alpaca industry in Ireland, which now boasts approximately 3,500 animals and an Alpaca Association of 120 members. As a leading face of the industry, Paul participates in national shows and veterinary workshops, knitting together a community that might otherwise feel lonesome in the vastness of rural farming.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of this sixteen-year odyssey is the human element. Paul’s family, his wife Elizabeth and four children—Charlotte, Emily, Maddie, and Noah—have grown up alongside the alpacas. From naming the farm and the newborns (a baby alpaca is called cria) after characters in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” to helping guests with alpaca walks, the farm has “imprinted in them some love of animals in general and love of the country life”. They have staff meetings to decide the names of the crias.

The names of the Alpacas are very interesting , listing a few here : Hurricane, Friday, Frappachino , Ferrero, Inca Goldsmith, Flinstone, Floats Like A Butterfly, Mintoe, First Impression, Cassanova, Excalibur, etc.

As Paul reflects on the journey from those first three alpacas to the established lifestyle hub of today, his sentiment is clear: it was never just a business. It is a passion, a lifestyle, and a rewarding journey that he “wouldn’t have traded for anything.”

From the vibrant, spice-laden streets of Calicut to the bustling thoroughfares of Los Angeles, connecting through the hurdle ford of Dublin, Ramees’s journey is a compelling testament to natural strength, disciplined resilience, and unwavering belief. This is not just a tale of muscle and determination; it is the story of a lifetime natural athlete who holds the philosophy that a “healthy life is a wealthy life”, and who now stands ready to represent the spirit of natural bodybuilding on the world stage.

You can listen to this conversation of ‘City of Spices to City of Angels, Journey of a Natural Bodybuilder’ on podcast channels : Apple, Spotify

Ramees, hailing originally from Kerala, India, has etched his name into the history books of drug-tested competition. Competing within the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Ireland, a federation renowned for its rigorous testing standards, including polygraph and urine tests, Ramees recently secured a coveted spot as a top three finisher in his Men’s Physique class. This impressive performance has earned him an invitation to compete in the Amateur Los Angeles World Championship, scheduled for November 21st and 22nd.

Forging the Body, Honing the Mind:

Ramees’s athletic foundation was laid early, having been born and raised in Oman until the 8th grade. He maintained an active lifestyle, participating in martial arts and football. His true journey into bodybuilding, however, began after moving back to India, around the age of 19. Finding himself lonely in a new school environment, the motivation sparked unexpectedly: looking at anime, specifically the movie Om Shanti Om, where the visual trend of the “SRK six pack” came into focus.

Initially, his coach encouraged him to compete, recognizing his natural physique. His first competition back in India saw him finish third in the junior class, competing naturally even then.

This early success affirmed his potential, yet Ramees always prioritized the long-term view, believing that longevity and health were primary goals, since “no amount of money can buy you a good health”.

Upon moving to Ireland, Ramees continued his development. He initially tested the waters in the open Republic of Ireland Bodybuilding Federation (RIBBF). There, he was “beaten really bad,” learning a valuable lesson about failure, which only strengthened his resolve. He then pivoted to strictly tested federations, committing fully to his identity as a lifetime natural athlete—meaning he has never touched enhancements. This commitment led him to the Natural Building Federation of Ireland (NBFI).

The journey, however, was not without severe turbulence. Following a hip mislocation that required treatment, Ramees gained significant weight and fat, leaving him depressed with his body composition. Used to the speed and stamina required for football, he felt restricted. He used a short-notice competition with the NBFI to push himself back into shape, ultimately finishing last, but achieving the crucial goal of regaining the fitness he had lost. This setback fuelled his subsequent success in 2022, when he found the WNBF and kicked off his serious natural bodybuilding career.

The Blueprint for a World-Class Physique:

The preparation Ramees undertakes is structured and intense, often spanning two or three seasons leading up to a competition. While he insists the process is not a “struggle” because he loves what he does, it requires immense personal and familial sacrifice.

A six-month hiatus was involuntarily imposed when Ramees suffered a supraspinatus muscle injury during his off-season—a crucial time reserved for eating heavily and training hard. Despite this setback, he maintained discipline by focusing entirely on leg workouts and consistent cardio.

Ramees employs a smart, phase-based approach to training. During the off-season, training is heavy. However, approximately 16 weeks out from the show, he begins to “dial in,” training smartly to avoid injury while still pushing hard. This phase requires meticulous attention to rest, training schedules, and carrying prepped food everywhere. The final 8 to 4 weeks see an intensive push on cardio, incorporating hour-long morning walks and post-workout cardio like the stair master.

Dietary discipline is paramount, yet Ramees has found a sustainable middle ground, especially as an Asian athlete used to spices. He avoids vegetable oil and sunflower oil, exclusively using olive oil and, in season, coconut oil. He skillfully combines his diet with Indian cuisine, even cooking biryani in his off-season using only olive oil, ensuring the food remains flavourful and manageable for him and his wife.

Crucially, his success is built on a strong support network, though he maintains a “soul trainer” mindset to prevent reliance on others. His wife serves as his indispensable “kitchen coach,” managing all the meal preparation and ensuring he avoids temptations like candy or ice cream. Furthermore, in the final three months before a competition, his wife joins him in the gym, providing the necessary support and external force required for those final, heavy strength pushes.

The Financial Finish Line:

Ramees’s consistent qualification for the Los Angeles World Championship (2022, 2023, and 2024) is highly significant. As far as he knows, he was the first Indian in his class to qualify for the WNBF World Championship in Los Angeles back in 2022.

A post shared by Mohammed Ramees (@rambo.ramees)

This year marks his third qualification, yet previous years were derailed by high financial costs.

The qualification standards are stringent: only the top three athletes in the Men’s Physique category receive an invitation to the amateur World Championship. Achieving professional status is even rarer; the overall first-place finisher competes against others in their height category (short, medium, tall), and only one single person goes pro, earning the right to compete at the professional level the following day.

Preparing for and attending these events incurs substantial expenses. Ramees estimates his monthly costs for gym fees (€40), supplements (€150), and specialized food (€350–€360) total around €700 to €800.

The Los Angeles trip, a three-day commitment, carries a significant price tag of €2,500 to €2,800. This amount covers WNBF registration, required polygraph testing (they test athletes again upon arrival), flight tickets, accommodation, professional tanning services (two coats needed), gym access for the final preparation days, food, and transit.

As he focuses on small, refined tuning needed for the world stage, Ramees is now actively searching for sponsors to alleviate the financial burden. He aims to involve multiple supporters rather than relying on a single major sponsor, splitting the expense accordingly. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out via his Instagram handle, R A M B O R A M E E S, to become part of this inspiring journey.

A post shared by Mohammed Ramees (@rambo.ramees)

Ramees’s final advice to anyone postponing their health journey resonates with the urgency of competition preparation: “If you decide on now is when the action happens. So, you need to take that action”. He emphasizes that discipline takes only two to three weeks to establish, and once cemented, it provides longevity and health.

As November 21st approaches, Ramees is poised to take the stage in Los Angeles, representing not only Ireland but also carrying the flag for Kerala and India. His dedication to natural competition, despite the injuries, financial hurdles, and the sheer effort involved, makes him a true champion regardless of the final outcome.

Forest Post – a venture that is far more than just a brand; it’s a bridge between ancient forest wisdom and modern markets, spearheaded by an inspiring ecologist, Dr. Manju Vasudevan. It was an honour to capture the story of Manju, who has truly followed her passion and her venture, Forest Post.

(The conversation / podcast capturing this amazing journey is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, give it a listen.)

Manju decided to the take the ‘road less travelled’ and is on an amazing journey helping people and the nature , the best possible way. An ecologist with a great academic record decided to enter the forest and take matters into her own hands to help the indigenous people. This beautiful collaboration has nurtured into her business venture ‘Forest Post‘.

The Genesis: From Ecology to Empowerment

Manju Vasudevan, a trained ecologist with a Master’s from Pondicherry University and a PhD from Imperial College London, spent over 15 years in research, including post-doctoral work at UC Santa Barbara. Her journey, which involved adventurous tree-climbing for pollination studies, led her to a profound realization: the strength of community-based conservation. She recognized that indigenous Adivasi people are the true custodians of the forest, guiding all ecological research, yet often overlooked in conservation efforts. This understanding was solidified during her time at Keystone Foundation, an NGO that championed inclusive conservation.

The shift from pure research to enterprise-building began in Kerala with the River Research Centre, where Manju aimed to replicate Keystone’s community-centric model with women’s groups. A project funded by the Netherlands-based Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA) trained 20 to 30 women across four or five villages between 2016 and before COVID. When this project funding ended, Manju continued as a volunteer for 8 to 10 months, supporting these women and their nascent product lines, which were still unbranded and sold in a “haphazard” manner.

A post shared by Forest Post (@forestpost.in)

The pivotal moment arrived in 2021 when the UNDP India High Range Mountain Landscape project approached Manju, encouraging her to formalize the initiative into a business entity. Despite her initial diffidence, lacking a business background, UNDP’s persistence, coupled with the women’s desire to take their work to the “next level,” became the final trigger. The brand strategist recommended “Forest” in the name for easy recall, leading to “Forest Post” – inspired by Manju’s idea of “postcards from the forest“. The branding rapidly took shape, complete with a website, and Forest Post was officially born in July 2021, five years after the initial groundwork began.

Products Rooted in the Forest, Crafted for Wellness

Forest Post primarily works with Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) or minor forest products, which are crucial for the economic survival of many Adivasi communities in the Western Ghats and across India. Manju’s objective was to intervene where traditional procurement systems by the Forest Department were not adequate, ensuring better returns for the producers.

The below map and the instagram post from Forest Post will give some in roads about the beauty of the work done by Manju and her team:

A post shared by Forest Post (@forestpost.in)

Forest Post’s diverse product portfolio, comprising almost 100 SKUs, is categorized into:

• Beeswax Skincare & Haircare: Based on traditional recipes shared by the women.

• Wild Edibles: Including items like amla, wild grapes, ancient foods like queen sago and arrowroot, which Manju aims to revive and incentivize. Products that these are often “purer than organic” because they come directly from the forest.

• Bamboo Craft: A traditional art form, with one particular weave, the Kanaadi paaya (hand woven bamboo mat), having achieved a GI tag.

A post shared by Forest Post (@forestpost.in)

• Macrame and Crochet Craft: These were introduced to engage younger women who might not be forest-dependent, often incorporating unique forest finds like the seabean.

A post shared by Forest Post (@forestpost.in)

A significant aspect of Forest Post’s model is ensuring fair compensation. They pay women 40% higher wages than NREGA rates and NTFP prices are 25% higher than market rates, often double for produce like the seabean. This directly supports the livelihoods of the 75 odd women from six different Adivasi communities they work with, primarily in central Kerala’s Periyar River basin, and a group in Tamil Nadu.

Navigating Challenges and Planning for the Future

Despite the unique offerings and strong social mission, Forest Post faces the realities of a competitive market. The skincare market, for instance, is highly saturated, making pricing and comparison challenging against larger, well-funded brands. However, for many of their rare food and craft products, there is no direct comparison, allowing for more flexible pricing based on their internal costs. Manju acknowledges that high-end resorts have even suggested their products are underpriced, indicating potential for premium product lines and better positioning. Marketing is a continuous challenge, with dependence on grants like the one from Kerala Startup Mission for digital marketing, and high costs associated with stall fees at events.

Currently, Forest Post utilizes only about 20% of both the available woman power and the locally abundant forest resources. This highlights an immense potential for growth, enabling more work for the women and greater utilization of neglected forest products, while still being mindful of sustainable harvesting practices and wildlife needs. Manju, who speaks Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and manages Kannada, regularly meets with communities, often weekly, spanning diverse forest and difficult terrain. She often finds herself acting as the bridge between communities and urban customers, given her ability to articulate their story.

Looking ahead, Forest Post’s vision is not about geographical expansion, but about deepening its roots in the existing villages. Key objectives include:

• Improving sales and providing more sustained work for the women.

• Collaborating with responsible travel companies and chef partners for culinary events, leveraging the “foraging lifestyle” and ancient foods for rich storytelling opportunities.

• Increasing brand recall so people recognize their distinctive bird logo and products from a distance.

Forest Post products can be found on their website, forestpost.in, as well as other platforms like My Pahadi Dukaan, Flourish, and Amazon, and select retail stores like Freshivores in Bangalore. Each purchase helps Manju and her team realize their goal: providing dignity and sustainable livelihoods for the Adivasi women who are the heart and soul of Forest Post.

Awards for the work done by Manju shows that the recognitions are slowly and steadily going to keep coming her way.

Manju Vasudevan is doing exemplary work in celebrating the extraordinary connection between people, planet, and purpose.

Give them a follow on Instagram.

There are some interesting blogs written by the Forest Post team which are available on the Forest Post website which will give you more insights and also read more about the amazing Forest Post team.

Football, a sport celebrated globally for its captivating nature and the intense emotions it evokes, was at the heart of a special event hosted by Dublin United FC. This “beautiful game”, as it is often called, transcends all levels, connecting people from street football to professional leagues through a shared passion.

At the community level, football provides a unique platform for people to connect with their neighbours and like-minded individuals. These gatherings, often starting informally with a few people kicking a ball around, grow organically, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect. In such environments, social and economic barriers fade away, replaced by a shared love for the game, friendly competition, and laughter.

Dublin United FC (DUFC), a grassroots club celebrating its 10th anniversary, embodies this community spirit. Founded by individuals who relocated to Ireland from India, DUFC has evolved into a diverse club with over 120 players representing 10 Indian states, building a strong community ecosystem around it. To mark its anniversary, DUFC organised football tournaments aligned with its core ethos: ‘Fun, Fitness, Football’.

The inaugural tournament, named Maitanam: Bringing Together Communities, was held on April 12th in Dublin, Ireland. This first tournament focused on the ‘Fun’ aspect and aimed to unite various communities. The event featured a diverse range of participants, including traditional Indian football powerhouses, a community-based Irish team (Real Social Dads Stillorgan), and a team representing Africa (Agalliao FC), alongside DUFC Academy. In total, eight teams competed, representing four Indian states: West Bengal (Sujan Boys FC), Maharashtra (Maharashtra Mandal Ireland and DUFC Maharashtra), Goa (Amigos FC), and Kerala (DUFC Kerala).

The name ‘Maitanam’, meaning ‘playing ground’ in reference to India, was inspired by a similar grassroots program adopted by FIFA. This name signifies a level playing field for everyone involved. The tournament garnered significant interest, with 90 players participating and around 250 supporters, well-wishers, and volunteers in attendance, showcasing the power of football in bringing communities together.

The event received notable support from the Embassy of India, Dublin, and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council. Esteemed guests of honor included Mr. Murugaraj Damodaran (Dy. Ambassador, Embassy of India), Jim O’Leary (An Cathaoirleach, DLR County Council), and Paul Martyn (Football Association of Ireland, National Coach Developer).

The success of the tournament was also underpinned by the generous support of various brands, ranging from local cafes and restaurants to established national and international brands, community associations, and tech start-ups. This diverse support highlighted the strong community backing for the initiative. Sponsors included Lar Cafe, Monsoon Restaurant, Pure (Idli Dosa Batter), RedDot Food, Irish Power, MyTaxMate, Greater Cochin Club, Indians in Ireland, Avonmore Protein Milk.

The club has been receiving constant support from Eram Holdings, Zoko (Y Combinator Start-up), EdHoc Consultancy, and CarHoc.

Dublin United FC had associated with Breast Cancer Ireland to create awareness and an exhibition match was played by the organising team and new talents.

The tournament format offered all eight teams an equal opportunity to compete for either the Plate Cup or the Elite Cup. The group stage matches were competitive, setting the stage for intense semi-finals and finals.

In the Plate Cup semi-finals, Agalliao FC put up a strong fight against Real Social Dads Stillorgan, but ultimately, the Irish team emerged victorious. The other semi-final saw a tense battle between the two Maharashtra teams, ending in a 2-2 draw. Maharashtra Mandal Ireland edged out DUFC Maharashtra in a penalty shootout to secure their place in the final. The Plate Cup final between Real Social Dads Stillorgan and Maharashtra Mandal Ireland was a hard-fought contest. After a goalless first half, Real Social Dads took the lead early in the second half, only for Maharashtra Mandal Ireland to quickly equalize. The game proceeded to a penalty shootout, where, after an initial five rounds and sudden death, Real Social Dads Stillorgan clinched victory, lifting the Plate Cup Winners Trophy.

The Elite Cup semi-finals were equally captivating. Amigos FC played an intense match against DUFC Kerala, with Amigos FC securing a narrow victory to advance to the final. The second semi-final saw DUFC Academy face Sujan Boys FC, where the Academy team had to perform at their best to overcome the experienced Sujan Boys and secure their spot in the final.

The Elite Cup final between Amigos FC and Dublin United FC Academy was a thrilling encounter characterised by intensity, skill, tactics, and non-stop action. Amigos FC scored first, intensifying the competition. With just five minutes remaining, Dublin United FC Academy equalized with a well-executed attack. Despite further chances for Amigos FC, Dublin United FC Academy scored the winning goal just before the final whistle, becoming the Champions of the Elite Cup of Maitanam Tournament (Fun – Bringing Together Communities Edition, Season 1), with Amigos FC taking home the Runners Up Trophy. The quality of the final was such that spectators wished the game would never end.

Referees ensured a smooth running of the matches and did an important role in successful completion of the tournament.

On field medical support team ensured there is immediate attention provided to injured players.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Nandana James, celebrated the participation of every team.

The runners-up and winners of both the Plate Cup and the Elite Cup were awarded medals and trophies. The DLR Stepaside facility provided excellent support for the smooth conduct of the tournament. Special thanks to Terence from DLR pitch facilities. Photos, videos, and feedback indicated that the tournament’s essence was well-received by all attendees. The efforts put in by the organisers ensured the tournament was successful.

The active participation from across age group (from 2 years old to 70 years old) and from all cultures and regions is a great community gathering of football lovers, friends and families.

Looking ahead, Dublin United FC is already planning the next Maitanam tournament, which will be an exclusive event for the Above 30 age group, focusing on the club’s next core value: “Fitness”.

The first edition of the Maitanam tournament successfully showcased the power of community football, bringing diverse groups together under the banner of fun and friendly competition. It was a testament to the unifying spirit of the “biggest game in the world – football” and a significant milestone in Dublin United FC’s mission to foster community engagement through the beautiful game.

https://www.instagram.com/dublinunitedfc/

The startup ecosystem in Ireland is on a steady growth curve. The number of new startups, new accelerator programs, funds, hubs, 360 degrees ecosystem, all add to this.

During the recently concluded National AI Meet in Galway, I had an opportunity to meet Dr. Divya Rajput, CEO of JSS Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park in India.

Dr Divya Rajput and myself connected again towards the end of September to discuss on the potential for collaboration and knowledge sharing between the startup ecosystems of Ireland and India. The conversation highlighted the complementary strengths of each ecosystem, focusing on how collaboration could foster growth, innovation, and global impact for startups in both countries.

You can listen to the podcast here: Spotify, Apple

The summary of the conversation can be read here.

Ireland’s Allure: A Gateway to the West, a Haven for Health Tech, and a Culture of Scaling Up

Vijay observes that the Irish startup ecosystem offers a unique advantage for Indian startups seeking global expansion. Ireland acts as a gateway to the European market, providing a testing ground before venturing into larger markets like the UK and the US. Validating a startup’s concept in Ireland opens doors to the broader European market and potentially the UK and US, where Irish startups have a successful track record.

Ireland’s focus on a healthy lifestyle makes it an ideal location for health tech startups. He notes that the higher life expectancy of Irish citizens and their active participation in sports, even at older ages, contribute to this focus. This, combined with the presence of numerous pharmaceutical companies and a population with a strong understanding of medicine and health, positions Ireland as a fertile ground for health tech innovation.

The discussion also highlights the natural understanding of scaling up that Irish startups seem to possess, likely due to their proximity to and frequent interaction with the US market. This scaling expertise offers valuable learning opportunities for Indian startups, which often operate within the large Indian market.

Accelerator Platforms in Ireland: Nurturing a Vibrant Ecosystem

The discussion touched up on the several accelerator platforms and co-working spaces contributing to Ireland’s startup ecosystem:

● Dogpatch Labs: This prominent accelerator platform supports startups with resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

● Guinness Enterprise Centre: Based in Dublin, this center provides a nurturing environment for startups, offering various programs and support services.

● Huckletree: This co-working space fosters a collaborative environment, attracting entrepreneurs and startups from various sectors.

● Baseline: A newer addition to Dublin’s startup scene, Baseline provides co-working spaces and resources to support early-stage companies.

● Republic of Work: Located in Cork, this co-working space caters to entrepreneurs and startups, offering a vibrant and supportive community.

● RDI Hub: Situated in Kerry, this hub focuses on research and development, supporting innovative startups and promoting collaboration between academia and industry.

● PorterShed: Based in Galway, this co-working space offers a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs and startups.

Vijay also mentions that Ireland has several digital centers and initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and startup growth. To add to this (which was not discussed in this podcast), there is NDRC, New Frontiers Program, Local Enterprise Office who support early stage startups in various ways.

Leveraging Accelerator Platforms for Indo-Irish Collaboration

The conversation emphasizes the potential for collaboration between Indian and Irish startups, facilitated by accelerator platforms. These platforms can play a crucial role in:

● Providing Soft Landing Opportunities: Accelerator platforms can offer Indian startups a soft landing in Ireland, providing them with access to resources, mentorship, and networks to navigate the European market.

● Facilitating Knowledge Exchange: Accelerator programs can foster knowledge sharing between Indian and Irish startups, allowing them to learn from each other’s experiences and expertise in scaling, fundraising, and market expansion.

● Promoting Cross-Border Investments: Accelerator platforms can connect startups with potential investors from both countries, facilitating cross-border investment opportunities.

While the conversation doesn’t explicitly mention Indian accelerator platforms, it underscores the potential for collaboration between accelerators from both countries. This collaboration could involve joint programs, mentorship exchanges, and networking events to connect startups and foster cross-border learning and investment.

India’s Allure: A Vast, Diverse Market, Cost-Effective Talent, and a Digital Marketing Powerhouse

Advantages for Irish Startups Entering the Indian Market:

●Large-Scale Test Marketing: India’s vast and diverse population provides an ideal environment for test marketing. With its 28 states and 8 union territories, each region offers a distinct consumer base, comparable to different European countries. The varied consumer behavior across different states in India presents a unique opportunity for comprehensive test marketing and gathering insights to enhance products and develop targeted marketing strategies.

●Used Cases for AI Development: He also highlights the emergence of AI as a critical area for future growth, emphasizing the importance of data and case studies for training AI systems. Vijay believes that collaboration could lead to the creation of comprehensive datasets and case studies, accelerating AI development in both countries.

●Cost-Effective Tech Development and Marketing: India’s cost-effective tech talent is another major draw for Irish startups. While acknowledging rising salary trends in India, Vijay maintains that it still offers high-quality tech talent at comparatively lower costs. This cost advantage, along with India’s expertise in digital marketing, makes it an attractive destination for Irish startups seeking to develop and launch their products efficiently.

Bridging the Gap: Fostering Indo-Irish Startup Synergy

Dr. Divya Rajput and Vijay both envision significant potential for cross-border collaboration to facilitate knowledge transfer and mutual growth. They propose a “launchpad” or “soft landing” partnership, enabling Indian startups to learn scaling strategies from the Irish ecosystem and Irish startups to test their business models in the Indian market. This exchange would equip both sides with valuable skills and knowledge for effective global expansion.

The Role of the Indian Government in Fostering its Startup Ecosystem

Dr. Divya Rajput added insights into the Indian government’s role in supporting its startups:

●Bridging the Funding Gap: The conversation highlights that the Indian government recognized a significant challenge for startups in securing bridge funding – the capital needed to transition from pre-seed to seed funding rounds. To address this, the government established a “fund of funds” designed to support early-stage VC funds that focus on early-stage startups. This initiative, coupled with the efforts of angel investors, helped bridge the funding gap and empowered startups to raise multiple rounds before reaching the Series A stage.

●Promoting “Make in India”: The conversation mentions the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative launched in 2014. This initiative aims to boost domestic manufacturing and encourage self-reliance. Although the sources don’t explicitly connect this initiative to the startup ecosystem, it’s plausible that it indirectly benefits startups by promoting domestic production and potentially incentivizing corporations to collaborate with startups on innovation and manufacturing.

●Startup India Initiative: The “Startup India” initiative, a significant step taken by the Indian government in 2016 to foster entrepreneurship.

Vijay acknowledges challenges that need addressing to facilitate collaboration. He specifically mentions tax rebates as a potential barrier for Indian startups entering Ireland. However, both participants are optimistic that these challenges can be overcome through dialogue and collaboration between the governments of both countries. The conversation concludes with a call for concrete initiatives to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between the Indian and Irish startup ecosystems, leading to growth, innovation, and global success for startups in both nations.

Ireland : 360 degrees Start-up ecosystem

Some key points which were not discussed in this podcast is how Ireland has a 360 degrees ecosystem for Start-ups.

Several organizations are actively supporting the Irish startup ecosystem. Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) play major roles in providing funding and support to startups and scaling companies. Scale Ireland acts as a representative body, interacting with government to convey the needs and expectations of the startup world. Tech Ireland compiles data points on the Irish startup ecosystem, providing a comprehensive overview. This is in addition to the specific initiatives by tech giants like Google for Startups , AWS Startups, Microsoft for Startups, which offer resources and support to startups in Ireland. The home grown start-up Stripe is also playing an important role in creating a great ecosystem for the Startups with their support.

In addition to the funding received from EI and ISIF, there is a key role played by the investors in Ireland. They play a crucial role in supporting the early stage startups as well as helping the companies to scale. The list is getting bigger on a steady manner and includes Atlantic Bridge, ACT, Elkstone, SOSV, etc. In addition to this there are many women specific communities like Awaken Angels, programs like Fierce, etc. to name a few which also helps the ecosystem.

Advantages for Indian Startups Entering the Irish Market:

●Access to European and US Markets: Establishing a presence in Ireland could provide Indian startups with a gateway to the European market, and subsequently, the US market. The speakers acknowledge the challenges of entering the US market directly, but suggest that proving success in Ireland could make it easier.

●Validation in a Different Market: Expanding to Ireland would allow Indian startups to test their products and services in a new market and gain valuable insights.

Conclusion:

The discussion is aimed at providing insights into the distinct strengths and challenges of the Irish and Indian startup ecosystems. By leveraging each other’s strengths and fostering collaboration, both countries can unlock significant growth opportunities and create a more vibrant and interconnected global startup landscape.

Overall, the conversation highlights a mutually beneficial partnership, with Indian startups gaining access to Western markets and Irish startups leveraging India’s resources and market size.

(I took added help of Google’s NotebookLM to capture and put together the precise points which were discussed in the podcast)

The Six yards of elegance, sarees have a market size estimation of around INR 600 Bn by financial year 2025 (as per Statista reports). In the country , known to have a huge following for the action happening on 22 yards, there is a big market which is catering to the consumers dressing up in the 6 yards of sarees.

The sarees of India come from all parts of the country and have amazing stories about their origins. The recent Republic Day had a special installation in the Kartavya path titled ‘Anant Sutra – The Endless Thread’ to showcase saree, India’s timeless tribute to the fashion world. (as mentioned in the Ministry of Culture article)

Kalaneca , now in the 6 year of official operations and in the 10th year of kick starting the idea, has taken substantial efforts to put Uppada silk sarees on the global map.

In this latest episode of PAC Talks, Ramya Rao , Co founder of Kalaneca shared the journey of the brand that is weaving stories around sarees with a plan to go beyond sarees.

You can listen to complete interview on Apple , Spotify (PAC Talks with VJCV) where we spoke about sarees, dance forms, technology, Gen Zs, and more. The below article is a snippet of the conversation.

Ramya after completing her education, joined HCL Technologies followed by spending around a decade with Reliance Industries. Ramya decided to go full time with Kalaneca in 2022.

The story of Kalaneca is about bringing the dream of a mother into reality. A dream to bring Uppada into the global stage. Uppada is a village situated near Kakinada in the Indian state of Andra Pradesh.

Mrs. Lata Rao noticed the talent of her daughters at an early age. The twin sisters, Ramya and Kavea who took up dancing in the age of 3 , were always close to art.

So when the girls saw the passion with which their mother was supporting the weavers of Uppada , they decided to step in and help turn the dream into reality in the form of Kalaneca.

Ramya talking about the beginnings of Kalaneca mentioned ” It started as a passionate hobby in 2014. My sister Kavea and I were on a call when we just said that it’s time to take the Uppada story to the world because you can only do so much by taking people to Uppada. So it was an idea that stemmed from our inspiration , our mother. “

The first four years , Kalaneca was trying to get in to the rhythm. They started a blogpost page for the brand, handled individual orders and kept the passion alive.

“We were very clear that the name must reflect art . We are classical dancers and art has played an important role in shaping us. We thought of the word ‘Kala‘ and our friend instantly thought of the word ‘nikaah’ signifying marriage so that when combined it truly culminates into marriage of art forms.” – Ramya explained the thought behind the name Kalaneca.

It was in 2018 , the brand Kalaneca started to get going. The customisation kick started in 2019, with the wedding of one of the sisters, Kavea. The dream of wearing a customised wedding saree made them utilise the strength of the weavers to create something unique. This was the beginning of customisations in Kalaneca and now this is the USP of the brand.

The best part is that the customer can customise , get the design on the saree and it will not be used for another customer. The only saree with that design in the world like a patented designed saree.

The target customer group of Kalaneca is in the age group of 30-55. However , the founders of the brand have realised the importance of Gen Z.

“If we do not get Gen Zs as our customers then our scale and size will not grow faster. They call the shots as who is the popular brand. Gen Zs are changing the narrative. Gen Zs have a voice and they are not scared to share it. ” added Ramya.

One interesting collection that caught my attention is the ‘CEO Club’ wear sarees by Kalaneca. Ramya explained the reason for launching this collection: “We believe that we are all CEOs of our lives. So the CEO club is an ode to every one who believes in patience and dedication that takes to not only drape a saree beautifully but also climb the success ladder to become the CEO. Today’s CEOs wear sarees , but we believe it’s not the position , it’s our ability to see the CEO in us that makes part of this CEO club.”

Ramya is currently pursuing her MBA with ISB. She is already putting into use the financial reporting, marketing techniques learned at ISB to take the brand to greater heights. Ramya spoke about the support received from her ISB class mates. She mentioned that they came out with phenomenal ideas , including the use of technology that we at Kalaneca can leverage on AI to create app and have customisations. So the power of customisation is with the customer. 

The customisation process involves creating the ‘graphs’ which are used to make the designs. Once the customer approved the design , the weaving starts and the delivery period varies depending on the intricacy of work.

Talking about the impact of technology especially Artificial Intelligence, the co founder of the brand spoke about the customers who are using AI to create designs. Ramya emphasised on the point that loom will never get replaced. AI can be used for customisations, marketing, etc. She added “We will need it to scale the brand. That is why we are now looking at investment as well. Investment will help us propel for the technological part. I will need heavy investments for creating App, etc. “

The weavers play a crucial part in the journey of brand Kalaneca. Currently there are 75 weavers and 140 looms who weave the sarees for Kalaneca. It was good to hear from Ramya about the impact made by the brand in enriching the lives of the weavers. They feel empowered , they feel are part of the Kalaneca growth story which is very fulfilling. Ramya also added that they make the payments up front to the weavers. She added that Kalaneca believes in ‘You Smile, We Smile‘.

Talking about the interactions of the sisters with the Uppada weavers, the thoughts of weavers, etc. Ramya added:-

“What did they do with our Sarees ? 

‘Penkuti illu’ in Telugu which means small hut. In that small house, one entire room is dedicated to loom.

It is dingy, it is dark, yet an entire family flourish in that.  They are now enjoying it, these two sisters are not coming for themselves they are coming for us . I think that shift has taken 10 years. In 10 years, they have realised and that shift has been remarkable. 

Our weavers are 10 years younger to me, we always maintain the respect. It is not the age that commands respect, it is what you do. You don’t demand , you command respect.”

Couple of years ago, Kalaneca launched a unique curated event called ‘Sarees & Sangrias’ to bring all the offerings under one roof. The initial two years saw only Kalaneca as the saree brand for this event. However after their interactions with WE-Hub they realised that more brands / people want to be part of it. She added that now going forward, multiple single brand will be part of the event and it will be way to build the community. Drive this to various cities across India and even at international . Ramya added that they realised if they want to go far, they have to collaborate , do things together and acknowledged the support of WE Hub (Telangana). It is Win Win for all the brands. 

The formative years of the sisters along with the experience garnered from the corporate life has helped them build the brand. Ramya is a dancer , an ex-television anchor and a certified facilitator having worked in the corporates for more than a decade. She is the daughter of Naval officer and a Republic Day Parade NCC cadet , her experiences and the exposure she received has shaped her personality.

She added “our journey has been diverse, our journey has been mixed, but there’s been one common thread across.It’s to always do what you’re passionate about. Be it in corporate, be it as anchor, and now being as an entrepreneur.”

One of the highlights of the interview was the way Ramya put across the unique qualities of the attire, saree. She emphasised that a Saree is the only garment which does not come with a S,M,L,XL tag. That is why six yards of freedom. You wear it the way you want and express yourself. The sisters have also designed their own special ways to wearing the saree and mentioned that there around 300 ways of wearing a saree.

They have understood the market dynamics now. The focus on silk will always be there for them however the brand has expanded to cotton sarees as well to cater to a wider and regular use customer segment. In addition to this, the brand will soon be entering the men’s attire segment with the launch of kurtas and shirts.

Going back to the art forms and its influence of Kalaneca, Ramya touched up on the nuances. The dancer who carries a tattoo in her arm which reads “I dance, there fore I am“, added that dance is self expression, there is nothing right or wrong. “Whenever you think, you think from the expression point of view. You are weaving the movements when you dance. “

She also spoke about belly dancing and how she has been learning, teaching belly dance for the last 10-12 years. This dance form has a lot of grace and people often confuse it. Ramya credited Meher Malik for playing a pivotal role in bringing belly dancing to India. 

The brand is based in Mumbai. They visit Uppada to meet the weavers and their mother continues her visits to the weavers often for Kalaneca work. In the last decade, Kalaneca have sold around 100,000 sarees and have customers in US, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland, etc. The brand will be soon launching a signature edition saree called ‘The Queen’s Gambit”.

The brand recently got an opportunity to showcase their work at the famous Mumbai Kalaghoda event. This once again helped them to check if they are doing right , if they are in the right space , etc as the Kalaghoda event audience have higher artistic inclination. The brand did really well in the event and some new customer acquisitions also happened for them. She added “We put up weavers photos in the branding at Kalaghoda. We believe that we are here because of them. We are okay if people go directly to the weavers.” 

The sisters are creating the magic together and have indeed brought Uppada to the global stage. The brand is planning to expand and Ramya gave a glimpse of what is getting weaved in the back end. They are working on a concept called ‘Beyond sarees‘ – which will see sarees , styling, voice, movement – a company to help with self expression. A place which will focus on ‘The Freedom to Express.”

Looks like they are playing to their strengths, with Kavea , one of the leading global award winning anchor and Ramya , with her L&D experience clubbed with dance and are curating something special.

It is really interesting to see how two sisters picked up on their mother’s dream, weaved a story around that and planning to take the brand to global audience.  

They do have a unique USP , the bond of twin sisters:

“The best advantage is where we both know when we are in sync and when we are about to go out of sync. It helps in decision making , it helps in staying aligned to the vision . There is no ego because truly we are equals here :)” concluded Ramya.

The saree market is growing and it will be brands like Kalaneca who will picking up the small pies with their unique customised offerings. Personlisation will be a game changer and lots of brands across sectors focusing on this now.

Start-ups in Ireland have been on the move with lot of interesting ideas finding shape and capturing the markets across the globe. The Start-ups ecosystem in Ireland plays a vital role in providing a great launch pad for people who are venturing into the entrepreneurial journey.

One of the sectors which has seen significant traction in the last few years is the Sports Tech industry. The ease of access to tech and impact of Artificial Intelligence adds to the surge in the number of start-ups entering this sector.

The Sports Tech industry has already seen start-ups from Ireland making a global impact. This includes Orreco, Kitman Labs, Tixserve, Output Sports, Wiistream, etc. Enterprise Ireland had published an article about the leading Sports Tech start-ups in Ireland.

Emma Meehan, the founder of Precision Sports Technology, in this latest edition of PAC Talks interview talks about the journey, right from selling breakfast rolls at the age of 12, understanding the business environment and now being the founder of an early stage start-up. The interview also captures the support available in Ireland for start-ups, the team at Precision, investors on board, the awards. We also spoke about her interests about music , Emma’s favourites bands, etc. Precision Sports Technology is already been tested by teams in the English Premier League, NBA, NFL and League of Ireland.

You can listen to the complete interview here: Apple, Spotify

Talking about her early years, Emma said “I started learning to code at age 12, which is also the same time that I started working. My father owns retail business. So from a young age, I was kind of immersed in the business environment, talking to people selling, not selling technology, but selling breakfast rolls and things like that. So I kind of learned that hard working mindset from that age. “

Emma enrolled for university for computer science and information Technology in 2014 . It was during this time, she started getting into fitness. While pursuing her education at the university she got the idea which later gave the launch pad for Precision Sports Technology. It was interesting to listen to Emma speak about the initial journey:-

“So as a child and as a teenager, I was actually extremely unathletic and unfit. Through school, we were only ever taught about soccer, basketball, Gaelic sports. Like I’m naturally a very, very poor runner, very uncoordinated. And I thought, oh, sports is never going to be the thing for me. But only when I started university, I figured out, like, I love weightlifting and I love Muay Thai because I’m not trying to get on the team. All I have to do is trying to improve from myself the day before and I just got hooked, really, really involved in the numbers. And then when I was coming towards the end of my university degree, after I done my internship in Cisco, I was thinking about the problems that I was facing myself in the gym. So throughout this time, I had gotten a personal trainer qualification. I had spent probably hundreds of hours researching about weightlifting, learning about it, even outside of the gym. So when I was looking at myself in the mirror and seeing my technique going wrong, I knew how to fix it. But I know that most people don’t. They either pay a lot of money for a coach. They lose confidence and stop working out, whether that’s in the gym or doing physiotherapy, or they actually push themselves too hard and end up injuring themselves. So I thought, well, technology can drive cars now. Surely it can help us with our technique when exercising. So that’s where the original idea came from and I built the very first prototype using the Xbox Kinect, a game like I loved playing with it, and I realised that if you plug it into your PC, you can get the SDK up for basic skeleton tracking. “

Emma went on to build this as a final year engineering project and her professors suggested to build a start-up out of this product. She however went on to work with Cisco , where she had done her internship as well, for three years and finally it was in 2021 the decision was made to go all out with her start-up.

The Galway based start-up uses the LIDAR (Light detection and ranging) technology to provide real time exercise feedback. They are using the new iPhone and iPad Pro models. It sends out a laser scan of the room to capture a 3D scan of the space. They’re using the combination of this 3D data and the computer vision data to give accurate, super fast body tracking on the device. This helps them to do real time feedback on the device.

Precision Sports Technology launched their first product ‘KinetikIQ‘, two weeks ago. They have rolled out in Ireland, Portugal, USA and UK. The target segment for now are the professional sports clubs. The initial users include some of the clubs in NBA, NFL, English Premier League, League of Ireland.

Emma explained this in detail:- “So we’re releasing our product in three key versions. So our main aim our North Star is for real time exercise feedback and analysis. So everyone who is doing physiotherapy at home or training in the gym that they can get live, completely individualised feedback on their movement patterns so they can stop injury risk and then maximise their results. Whether that’s getting fit, getting strong or reducing their pain from an injury or something like this. So we’re building up the machine learning algorithm around this, and we’re a very small team. So to get to this stage there’s a lot of product that needs to be built behind that. So version one, which is the version that we released just two weeks ago into the App Store, is for objective movement analysis. So this product is very specifically for professional strength conditioning coaches and physiotherapists. So what this product does is they just hit record on the app and they stop and immediately they get key results on their athletes movement patterns. So the information they get back is things like range of motion for the exercise, the speed, the stability of the joints, any asymmetries between the joints. So they have the kind of background knowledge to know, okay, if I see this asymmetry between the right and the left side, how should I improve on this? And is it something that I actually need to improve on because everybody’s body is completely different. There is no such thing as a perfect exercise technique. So we’re building out that repository to then give that individualised real time feedback later on. So we have this product now for professional coaches and then the next phase then before the real time feedback is for remote monitoring. So if you are going through a physiotherapy program your physiotherapist can say okay here’s your program. If you use the app while you’re doing your program, I can know, are you doing your exercises? Are you doing them correctly? And is there anything that I need to intervene on? So, you know, they may not have to go to the physiotherapists office as often and get better results. So there’s a bit of a product roadmap in there. But the version we have now is getting really, really good traction with these professional sports teams. “

While speaking about the immediate milestones, Emma added “Three key milestones: 1. closing our pre seed funds which is almost completed and is in the last couple of weeks before the doors are closed , 2. focus on the sales & 3. finally the third being the product.

Emma touched up on the importance of the strong start-up ecosystem present in Ireland which has been of great support.

Emma travelled to the USA recently with Awaken Hub team for meeting potential investors. Awaken Hub extended support and trained Emma to prepare a 60 seconds pitch with no slides. The start-up founder was surprised to learn from Awaken Hub that only 2% of start-ups funded by VCs have a female on the founding team. They are trying to break down the barriers. She was delighted to talk about the detailed work done by Awaken Hub to provide right platform and training for female entrepreneurs to take the next step in their start-up journey.

Precision Sports Technology is currently raising the pre seed funds and will be closing this by the end of Feb, 2024. Enterprise Ireland has invested in Precision Sports Technology. The other investors include angel investors, Austrian bank , Slovenian VC to name a few. Emma loves using Linkedin to build her network and utilizes this platform to connect with potential customers as well as investors.

Precision is currently have a team of 8 employees working from Galway and Dublin. So the monthly meetings happen once in Galway and once in Dublin.

The Galway girl plays guitar, loves music and attending concerts is a way for her to unwind from the hustle of start-up life. Precision Sports Technology and Emma have already received numerous awards for the work done so far in the sports tech domain. Emma has an interest take on the awards:- “It is great to get the recognition. However, it is not necessarily progress for your start-ups. Progress is sales and products shipped to market. That is something founders need to be conscious of that you cannot spent lot of your time applying for the awards.”

The Sports Tech global market was valued at around USD 22 Billion in the last fiscal and is expected to touch USD 47 Billion by 2027. There is a detailed article on this by the Irish Independent.

Active lifestyle, sports and action around this is on the rise. Start-ups who are in this space has a huge market available to tap into , provided they get everything right in regard with market, product, pricing, etc.

The early stage start-ups from Ireland in this sports tech domain are definitely worth tracking which includes Precision Sports Tech, Brace, Field of Vision, Rugby Smarts, Move Ahead, etc. Hope to see most of them making a global impact in the next few years.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

You can listen to the podcast where Emma we discussed a lot more including a detailed explanation of the technology used in Precision, the tech meet-ups in Galway, her favourite music band, more details about the team working at Precision, etc.

This is the last of the 5 episodes. In these 5 episodes, Jeri talks about her life learnings, challenges, startup hurdles, leadership lessons and always be prepared for the next ‘humbling’ moment. (Interview taken during 1st week of Nov, 2020)

In this 5th episode, Jeri talks about the successful Kickstarter campaign of Tilt Five, investment received so far, challenges faced during Covid in getting investment, supply of parts and how they are managing all of this now.

Jeri spoke about the conscious decision and reasons to accept only the minimum required investments. She added that the investors were also hand picked so that the ideology of Tilt Five can be maintained throughout the growth journey. Investors include SIP Global Investment, Bitkraft Ventures, Galaxy Interactive, Logitech, and games industry veteran Ken Birdwell. Jeri mentioned the reason for picking each one of them from market specific expansion to video gaming specific additions, tech based support, etc.

Jeri concludes this amazing and inspirational chat by mentioning about the ways in which her mentors throughout her career had light a spark in her every now and then. She believes that it is her responsibility now to motivate people and help them to look for the ‘spark’ in their life.

We also spoke about eSports and how it has picked up pace globally , especially in the US market.

You can listen to this podcast on Apple, Spotify.

Links to Episodes 1 to 4:-

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Thank you to Jeri Ellsworth for taking out 3 hours to share her life journey .

From making ham radios, building drag racing cars and being in the driving seat, selling assembled computers, moving to Silicon Valley, becoming the go to person for technology related work, stint with Valve, starting up CastAR, the learnings throughout her life and now fully focused on the latest startup , TiltFive.

An amazing motivating story which gives lot of knowledge, learning, positive attitude and gives a message that “You never arrive, be ready to be humbled“.

Candid conversation with Jeri Ellsworth, a high school drop out, American Entrepreneur, Inventor and currently the Co Founder & CEO of Tilt Five, Augmented Reality Gaming Startup.

She has worked on computer chips which has supported gaming devices, set top boxes and even rocket launches.

This is the 4th of the 5 episodes. In these 5 episodes, Jeri talks about her life learnings, challenges, startup hurdles, leadership lessons and always be prepared for the next ‘humbling’ moment.

Jeri “Imagine grandma and grandpa playing virtual sandbox playing with the kids. Tilt Five can be used for many such fun activities other than just gaming.”

In this 4th episode, Jeri talks about the thought process and research behind Tilt Five’s offering. The special light weight Augmented Reality glasses, focal points, interactive gaming, etc. The features and uses of Tilt Five other than just gaming. Jeri spoke about how they worked on the idea of virtual game board, holographs and partnering with board game developers, etc. The challenges and bad sides of emotional excitement including subtle manipulations.

Jeri talks about the ethical practices that needs to be kept in mind while developing gaming softwares. She says that Facebook can try to create a monopoly in XR market and try to manipulate the users in their favor. It can be designed to connect with the gamer ’emotionally’ which may have some downsides. She touches upon the Casino gaming industry which uses the sounds to give the players an emotional excitement even though they would have lost their money.

The founder of Tilt Five spoke about the primitive brain of humans that can be manipulated. “If we have glasses which are very immersive and very linked to us at a visceral, primal level. It is even a better tool to subtly manipulate, understand our weakest moments, that is not good.”

Talking about making the SDKs open, Jeri added “Part of it is business strategy. We want as many people developing as possible to use them. Even without hardware you can use our SDK and visualise. “

You can listen to this podcast on Apple, Spotify. (PAC Talks with VJCV)

(This interview was taken during 1st week of Nov, 2020)

In this 3rd episode, Jeri shares the story of her startup CastAR, lessons learned, challenges with having too much money from investors, pressure from investors to roll out products, finally how it was curtains for CastAR. She talks about the early days of Tilt Five. The initial days of putting together the team, technology , why the name ‘Tilt Five’ and the call she received from Atari founder Nolan Bushnell which actually pushed her to start Tilt Five.

An amazing talk which also captures the problems with too much investment money.

Jeri ‘Too much money is also a problem”…!!!

You can listen to this episode in Apple, Spotify.

Episode 1: Click here

Episode 2: Click here