I started my first company – Pine Labs when I was 20 years old. As I approach 50 now, I have been fortunate to witness the tech industry through multiple vantage points, changes and geographies. I have also been lucky to see some key successes (Pine Labs, GlobalLogic, Sunstone, Meesho, PeopleStrong , Lambdatest.. And so on) from very early to significant scale. Equally importantly, I have also seen a fair number of failures – PMF issues, pivoting, founder fallouts, funding crunch, layoffs, technological change..the list is endless.

Some key bottom-up learnings that have been re-enforced over time are:

• Nobody has all the answers. You can have a great batting average but you can still get out on the first ball (Cricket analogy) in the current match. The Great Sachin Tendulkar has gotten out on duck 20 times in Test Cricket.
• As a corollary to the above, experiential learning is key. The more you see, the more you have the courage to act.
• While AI may as well take over, it hasn’t happened today. People are still key to both business building and learning.
• Magic happens when people with intent get together and find the motivation to act.

At the same time, top down the market has evolved into:

• Shorter attention spans
• Electronic meetings with transactional focus vs deeper in person meetings
• Vested interests rule and it’s hard to talk to someone without a goal. We are always pitching.
• Volume (TRPs) rule and hence broadcast is the preferred way of interaction.

I would like to make an attempt to break this cycle and go the other way – the old fashioned way, if you will. Deeper, human interactions, with no vested interest and no pressure of marketing it.

This will have multiple formats. Time will always be 5:30pm in whichever geography I am. I travel a lot and across the world.

• 1 on 1 : Drinks and dinner lasting whatever time it lasts. I will always pay and food will be nice.
• Small informal drinks gathering – 5-10 folks joining for a discussion. Last as long as people want. Everyone pays for themselves. Local hangout place.

While I am a full time investor and I am always looking for investment opportunities, this is a no judgment zone. This is not a “sourcing” strategy. Topic will always revolve around business building / entrepreneurship / tech investing. Can be wide ranging within that. This is for folks looking to be real –  No pretence, no selling, no pitching – only real issues and real discussions. I am not expecting anything to come out for me or my fund – though inevitably, some of these will lead to deeper engagements over time and so be it.

I am looking to learn as much as you are and it’s important that this is interesting for me as well. It’s akin to solving the NYT Sunday Crossward, which takes me time; I am not always able to solve it and I love attempting it. Sometimes I solve it.

Some topics as an example for 1:1 are:

• Org / business building
• PMF related
• Navigating technological changes
• Fund-raising
• Board management
• Founder disputes
• Business strategy
• Sell vs build

Some topics not a good fit for 1:1 are:

• Wannapreneurs looking for ideas
• Early stage entrepreneurs wanting time to pitch

The small informal gatherings are better for:

• Macro trends
• Breaking into new regions
• Topics of common interest

As I mentioned earlier, I travel a lot. I will post my upcoming schedule on the website and a method to meet me. I am happy for you to travel to meet me, or in case you are in the same place. There will be no online format.

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Register your interest for a 1-on-1 or group meet with Rajul Garg.

Meeting Time: 5:30 PM local time always | Mon–Thu only

Availability for 1 on 1: Oct 20 – Dec 11, 2025: Tokyo | Jan 5 – Feb 27, 2026: Bay Area

Group Meets: Early–Mid Nov 2025: Tokyo | Late Jan 2026: Bay Area

Please fill out this form: Builders Share Registration

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