The Startup Line

What happens when a third-culture kid with a global palate reimagines the snacks of his childhood? For Kartik Das, the answer is Doosra—bold, joy-packed Indian flavors with an unexpected twist. In this episode, we dive into the layers behind the name (“Doosra” means different, second, and—if you’re a cricket fan—a curveball), how Kartik blends nostalgic Indian spices with sweet indulgent elements, and the journey from Queens farmers markets to store shelves across the country.

We talk about embracing cultural identity, turning food into a bridge between worlds, and why joy—not just disruption—is at the heart of every bite.

Check out their website! https://www.eatdoosra.com/
Kartik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daskartik/

Siddharth and Vignesh didn’t set out to build a robotics company—but over dumplings in San Francisco, they decided to apply to Y Combinator and figure it out along the way. In this episode, we hear how Pivot Robotics went from vague ideas and dusty factory visits to landing a pilot contract off a 3D render. We talk about navigating pivots, selling into legacy industries, raising money without overthinking valuation, and why automating dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs just might be the future of American manufacturing.

Check out their website! https://www.pivotrobotics.com/

Siddharth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthgir/

Vignesh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vignesh-rajmohan/